Today's Myths

Q: People used to believe the Earth was flat.

Busted: The idea that people in the Middle Ages widely believed the Earth was flat is a common misconception. Educated people in ancient Greece, and throughout the Middle Ages, generally knew the Earth was spherical. This myth gained traction in the 19th century to portray earlier eras as ignorant.

Q: Different parts of the tongue taste different things (sweet, sour, bitter, salty).

Busted: The 'tongue map' is a long-debunked myth. All taste buds, distributed across the entire tongue, are capable of detecting all five basic tastes: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami. While some areas might be slightly more sensitive to certain tastes, no region is exclusively responsible for one taste.

Q: Diamonds are formed from compressed coal

Busted: Most natural diamonds formed 1-3 billion years ago deep in the Earth's mantle, long before land plants existed to create coal. Diamonds form from carbon subjected to extreme pressure and temperature at depths of 90-120 miles.

Q: The full moon causes unusual behavior in people

Busted: Extensive studies have found no correlation between the full moon and increased crime, hospital admissions, accidents, or mental health episodes.

Q: Coffee stunts your growth.

Busted: There is no scientific evidence to support the claim that coffee stunts growth. A person's height is primarily determined by genetics, with nutrition and overall health during childhood and adolescence playing a role. While excessive caffeine intake in children and teens might lead to other issues like sleep disruption, it does not directly interfere with physical growth.

Discover the truth behind popular myths — busted, confirmed, or plausible? Vote on what you believe, debate with the community, and learn something new every day.

History

Today's Myths

“People used to believe the Earth was flat.”

“Different parts of the tongue taste different things (sweet, sour, bitter, salty).”

“Diamonds are formed from compressed coal”

“The full moon causes unusual behavior in people”

“Coffee stunts your growth.”

“We only have five senses.”

“The Great Pyramid of Giza was built entirely by slaves.”

“Undercover police must identify themselves if asked”

“MSG is bad for you.”

“Touching a baby bird will cause its mother to reject it”

“Stomach acid can dissolve metal”

“Saturn would float in water”

“Trees communicate through underground fungal networks”

“Water drains in opposite directions in the Northern and Southern hemispheres”

“Bananas grow on trees”