myths

These trails will really get your heart pumping.

The large flying fox (Pteropus vampyrus) is a Southeast Asian species of megabat.

The flying mammals aren’t nearly as scary as these myths suggest.

Some might accuse this kitty of gossiping.

Cats have attracted a lot of different superstitions over the years—some easier to believe than others.

Men prevent a vampire rising from its grave in a Romanian cemetery in this 19th-century illustration.

The belief in real-life vampires predates Bram Stoker’s legendary novel ‘Dracula.’

You never know what—or who—you'll encounter in these national parks.

The parks offer thrill seekers, ghost hunters, and the brave alike another reason to visit.

The allegedly cursed ghost town of Bodie, California.

From ruined castles in Europe to a pebbled beach in Thailand, these supposedly hexed global destinations carry warnings for all who dare to visit them.

Aging might seem scary, but you probably don’t have all of the facts.

The idea that older people need less sleep is just one common misconception.

Get the facts straight about your favorite AI chatbots.

If you’ve ever caught yourself sympathizing with ChatGPT, you may have fallen for one of these common misconceptions about AI.

Peterhouse MS 255, the manuscript containing the passage about Wade.

The medieval hero known as Wade was thought to have encountered elves in his adventures. But they might have been wolves instead.

Put your knowledge of mythology to the test.

Fortunately, the tooth fairy doesn't actually pull teeth.

While the Tooth Fairy herself may be surprisingly modern, the bits of folklore that went into her creation are hundreds of years old.

They hurl thunderbolts, throw wild parties, and mess with the lives of mortals. Can you match each description to the correct god or goddess?

For the past century, the quest to break the Beale Ciphers has attracted the military, computer scientists, and conspiracy theorists. All have failed.

Did the great poet really build a tomb for a household pest?

The origin of the word ‘Easter’ is linked to the ancient pagan goddess Ostara. But is she actually ancient?

Hares—not bunnies—once played a prominent role in spring celebrations.

Hares were once linked to a Germanic Pagan goddess who never even existed.

Time to get the facts straight on this fact of life.

Should you be worried about animal attacks when you’re menstruating?

The “Tortoise and the Hare“ is a popular fable.

These narrative forms are similar, but not exactly the same.

Everybody gets to be Irish after they smooch this stone.

This St. Patrick’s Day, discover the origins of this old Irish idiom and how it all ties back to the Blarney Stone in Ireland.

There’s a lot people get wrong about the Central Intelligence Agency.

Yes, you can have a Facebook page and still join the CIA.

An illustration accompanying "The Haunted Cellar," published by Thomas Crofton Croker.

Here’s a crash course in these infamously impish creatures, from how to tell one from a leprechaun to which clurichaun stories are worth reading.

You must be a lucky one of you find a four-leaf clover.

While the shamrock mainly has religious ties, the four-leaf clover—often mistaken for the same plant—is often associated with luck. We explain why.

There are things we’re all a little (or lot) afraid of, but the numbers tell us we don’t need to be. Read on for more statistically soothing details about some of the most common, but not commonly occurring, concerns.

People have been observing faces and figures on the moon for hundreds (if not thousands) of years. There’s a perfectly scientific explanation as to why.

Mapped: Spooky Hiking Trails Across the U.S.

7 Old-Fashioned Myths About Bats

7 Superstitions About Cats From Around the World

7 Frightening Facts About Europe’s Real-Life Vampires

6 Legendary Beings Who Haunt America’s National Parks

8 Allegedly Cursed Places

3 Common Misconceptions About Aging, Debunked

5 Misconceptions About AI

The Lost “Song of Wade”: A New Translation Decodes Fragment of Mysterious Medieval Tale

Quiz: Can You Name the Mythological Creature?

The Strange Origins of the Tooth Fairy

Quiz: Can You Name the Greek God or Goddess?

The Quest to Break America’s Most Mysterious Code—And Find $60 Million in Buried Treasure

The Dubious Legend of Virgil’s Pet Fly

Why Is Easter Called “Easter”?

The Surprisingly Controversial Origins of the Easter Bunny

9 Misconceptions About Menstruation

Fable vs. Folktale vs. Myth: What’s the Difference?

Where Does the Phrase ‘Gift of Gab’ Come From?

7 Misconceptions About the CIA

Meet the Clurichaun, the Leprechaun’s Lesser-Known (But Equally Impish) Cousin

Why Are Four-Leaf Clovers Considered Lucky?

8 Common Fears You (Probably) Don't Need to Worry About

Who Is the Man in the Moon?