We love our parents, teachers, and well-meaning aunties – but wow, did they hand us some creative “facts.” Most of these were harmless shortcuts to keep us safe, quiet, or out of the ER. Others were just legendary hand-me-down myths that refuse to die.
Here are 11 of the greatest hits – what we were told, what’s actually true, and a little commentary along the way.
1) Sitting Too Close to the TV Will Ruin Your Eyesight
The myth: Nose-to-screen time fries your vision.
The truth: Sitting close doesn’t damage eyesight. Kids often sit closer because they can focus better up close. If someone has to sit close to see clearly, that can be a sign of nearsightedness – but the distance isn’t causing it.
My two cents: If you’ve got a kid glued to the screen, the bigger concern is posture and sleep, not permanent eye doom.
2) If You Swallow Gum, It Stays in Your Stomach for Seven Years
The myth: Gum becomes a permanent tenant in your digestive tract.
The truth: Your GI system keeps things moving. Gum doesn’t break down like other foods, but it still passes through like a champ.
My two cents: Don’t make swallowing gum a habit – teach better trash etiquette – but fear of a seven-year lease is totally unnecessary.
3) Carrots Give You Night Vision
The myth: Eat enough carrots and you’ll see like a cat.
The truth: Carrots contain beta carotene, which your body converts to vitamin A – good for overall eye health. But they won’t upgrade your low-light vision into superhero mode.
My two cents: Carrots are great, lies are not. Eat them for health, not superpowers.
4) You Can’t Swim for 30 Minutes After Eating
The myth: Food in stomach + water = cramps + drowning.
The truth: There’s no evidence that eating before a swim is dangerous. You might feel sluggish if you just downed a buffet, but it’s not a safety issue.
My two cents: This one screams “parent hack to get help with dishes.” Respect the grift, but not the science.
5) Shaving Makes Hair Grow Back Thicker and Darker
The myth: Once you start shaving, you’re doomed to thicker stubble forever.
The truth: Shaving cuts hair bluntly at the surface, so the regrowth feels coarser and looks darker at first. The hair shaft itself isn’t changed.
My two cents: It’s an optical illusion with a side of scratchiness – annoying, yes; permanent, no.
6) Cracking Your Knuckles Will Give You Arthritis
The myth: Pop your knuckles and you’ll pay for it in old age.
The truth: That pop is gas bubbles in the joint fluid. Studies haven’t linked knuckle cracking to arthritis or permanent damage.
My two cents: It’s not harmful – but it is maddening to listen to. Consider your audience before you go full castanet.
7) Toads Give You Warts
The myth: Touch a toad, grow a wart.
The truth: Warts are caused by human viruses (HPV), not amphibians. Those bumps on toads? Parotid glands, not warts.
My two cents: Toads are innocent. Wash your hands because…life, but not because of imagined toad cooties.
8) Pee on a Jellyfish Sting
The myth: The golden cure.
The truth: Urine can actually make the pain worse by triggering more stingers to fire. Recommended first aid varies by species, but generally involves rinsing with seawater (not fresh water) and carefully removing tentacles; hot water immersion can help with pain.
My two cents: Keep it classy at the beach – and leave this one to lifeguards and evidence-based first aid.
9) Keep Making That Face and It’ll Get Stuck That Way
The myth: Cross your eyes long enough and you’ll freeze-frame forever.
The truth: Facial muscles, like the rest of your body, have elasticity and return to baseline. No “perma-grimace” awaits.
My two cents: This was pure behavior control – effective, hilarious, and totally untrue.
10) Everyone Needs Eight Hours of Sleep
The myth: Eight hours is the magic number for all humans.
The truth: Sleep needs vary by person and change with age, activity, health, and lifestyle. Some thrive on seven, others need nine-plus.
My two cents: Use how you feel and function as a better gauge than a one-size-fits-all rule.
11) If You Touch a Baby Bird, Its Mother Will Abandon It
The myth: Human scent = orphaned chick.
The truth: Most birds have a poor sense of smell and won’t abandon their young because a human handled them. If you find a fledgling on the ground, the parents are often nearby.
My two cents: The intent here was good – don’t harass wildlife – but the biology is off. When in doubt, call a wildlife rehabber for guidance.
The “Honorable Mentions” We Still Hear
Reading in the dark won’t wreck your eyes. Sneezing with your eyes open won’t eject your eyeballs. Standing near a microwave won’t fry your future. Bats aren’t blind. And no, there isn’t a magical dye that turns the pool purple if you pee (public shaming, however, remains gloriously effective).
Upgrading to Fact-based Freedom
Most of these myths were training wheels for life – quick-and-dirty rules that were more about behavior than biology. As adults, we get to upgrade from fear-based folklore to facts-based freedom.
Keep the charm of the old stories, ditch the inaccuracies, and pass on better info to the next generation. And hey – if anyone claims chewing gum lives in your stomach for seven years, feel free to roll your eyes… from a perfectly safe distance to the TV.
UP NEXT: “Heavily Armed” — See Which States Are The Most Strapped
Image Credit: Survival World
Americans have long debated the role of firearms, but one thing is sure — some states are far more armed than others. See where your state ranks in this new report on firearm ownership across the U.S.
Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, John developed a love for the great outdoors early on. With years of experience as a wilderness guide, he’s navigated rugged terrains and unpredictable weather patterns. John is also an avid hunter and fisherman who believes in sustainable living. His focus on practical survival skills, from building shelters to purifying water, reflects his passion for preparedness. When he’s not out in the wild, you can find him sharing his knowledge through writing, hoping to inspire others to embrace self-reliance.