| Revision as of 04:54, 25 June 2005 editBrian0918 (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users41,856 editsmNo edit summary← Previous edit | Revision as of 15:34, 7 July 2005 edit undoQuantum bird (talk | contribs)471 edits toads and wartsNext edit → | ||
| Line 17: | Line 17: | ||
| =Life= | =Life= | ||
| ==Animals== | ==Animals== | ||
| *] can give people ] if they are touched. In reality, ]s are caused by a ] that doesn't have anything to do with toads. Nevertheless, people should avoid touching ]s or toads, for some of them secrete ] through ]s. | |||
| *] do not have ]s, and do not bite people. | *] do not have ]s, and do not bite people. | ||
Revision as of 15:34, 7 July 2005
This is a list of uncontroversial, undisputed clarifications to common misconceptions.
 | This list is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items. |
History
- Some believe that Christopher Columbus had a hard time receiving support because Europeans believed in a flat Earth. In fact, sailors and navigators of the time knew that the Earth was spherical, but (correctly) disagreed with Columbus's estimates of the distance to the Indies.
Life
Animals
- Toads can give people warts if they are touched. In reality, warts are caused by a virus that doesn't have anything to do with toads. Nevertheless, people should avoid touching frogs or toads, for some of them secrete poison through glands.
- Dragonflies do not have stingers, and do not bite people.
Entertainment
Films
- Some believe that the famous line "play it again Sam" was spoken in Casablanca. In fact, the line in question is: "You played it for her, you can play it for me. Play it!".
Science
Astronomy
Planets
- The seasons of Earth occur because the planet is tilted on its axis, not due to a changing distance from the Sun (which at most is only 1.7% from the average distance).
- The planet Saturn is not the only planet with rings. Jupiter, Uranus, and Neptune also have rings.
Physics
- Gravity is actually the weakest of the four fundamental forces, at about 1 thousand trillion trillion trillion times weaker than the strong nuclear force.
Technology
Transportation
- Some believe that the ship Mary Celeste was called Marie Celeste. In fact Marie Celeste was the spelling used by Arthur Conan Doyle in a story based on the incident.
See also
- Tondemo (wild misconceptions)
- controversy
- Famous non-quotation
External links
- snopes.com - Snopes is a site dedicated to debunking myths and misconceptions.
- List of children's misconceptions about science (does not list actualities)