MYTHS

Elf vs. Gnome: What's the Difference?

These two tiny titans of folklore might appear similar, but they couldn't be more different.

Crom Dubh na Nollaig looks incredibly similar to Krampus, pictured here.

Meet Crom Dubh na Nollaig, Scotland’s ‘Dark Crooked One of Christmas’

Scotland‘s Crom Dubh na Nollaig is a Christmas monster who scares children into behaving well.

Said the little lamb to the shepherd boy ...

Talk is Sheep: Behind the Christmas Eve Myth That Animals Speak at Midnight

The Christmas legend that animals gain the power of speech on Christmas Eve has roots all the way back in the manger.

Stenciled human hands in a cave near Rio Pinturas, Argentina, dating from the last ice age.

5 Misconceptions About Early Humans

We break down some common myths about our early human ancestors—and what makes our species, ‘Homo sapiens,’ so different from them.

Every birthday counts when you just have one life.

Why Do We Say Cats Have Nine Lives?

Though cats only live once, the idea that the animals have nine lives has been around for a long time.

6 Misconceptions About Ancient Greece

Those famous white statues weren’t originally white—and that’s just one myth about Ancient Greece we’re covering in the latest episode of Misconceptions.

You might want to visit these places—or not.

The 20 Most Haunted Highways on Earth

Kick off the spooky season with these haunted highways from New Jersey to South Africa.

13 Myths About Organ Donation, Debunked

Not only is there a chronic shortage of organ donations in the U.S.—there multiple myths about the process.

A portrait of the scientists who found and examined the Piltdown Man skull (accompanied by a picture of Charles Darwin on the wall).

10 Famous Archaeological Hoaxes

From forged artworks to fake mummies and even fraudulent orangutan bones, archaeological hoaxes fool scientists and stir the public’s imagination—until the culprits are forced to come clean.

8 Misconceptions About Africa

Stereotypes about the diverse continent abound.

An ouroboros on a grave marker in West Highgate Cemetery, London.

Ouroboros: The Origins and Meaning of the Snake Eating its Tail

The serpentine symbol has represented the eternal cycle of life for thousands of years.

The Olympics have bred numerous misconceptions over the years.

7 Misconceptions About Olympic Sports

Divers shower after every dive for a surprising reason.

You’ll probably never see a manticore in the wild.

10 Strange Creatures That Prowl the Pages of Medieval Bestiaries

Contrary to what was once assumed, medieval people did not necessarily believe all these odd beasts actually existed.

Shoes hanging from power lines have invited a lot of urban myths.

Why Do People Toss Shoes Over Power Lines?

A dangling pair of kicks is sending a message. What is it?

Andrew Irvine (left) circa 1920 and George Mallory circa 1915.

George Mallory’s Final Dash up Mount Everest: 100 Years of Mystery and Myth

What happened during George Mallory's fatal Everest ascent is one of mountaineering's greatest mysteries. Here's what we know.

8 Myths About Dead Bodies, Debunked

Corpses are less scary than you think.

7 Common Misconceptions About OCD

Having an intrusive thought doesn’t mean you have OCD. Let’s break down some myths about obsessive compulsive disorder.

4 Misconceptions About Journalism

In the latest episode of Misconceptions, host Justin Dodd is investigating some enduring myths about journalism, from its alleged bias to premature reports of its death.

Is Mercury retrograde really the reason you computer crashed? Here's what an expert has to say about it.

What Is Mercury in Retrograde, and Why Do We Blame Things on It?

Mercury retrograde will make the planet appear to move backwards. No, that doesn’t mean your electronics or your relationships will fail.

Macbeth and the three witches in Shakespeare's possibly cursed play.

The Scottish Play: Why Actors Won’t Call ‘Macbeth’ by Its Title

The superstition that saying “Macbeth” will bring bad luck has been around since Shakespeare’s play debuted.

7 Misconceptions About Funerals

From funeral homes only using hearses to transport bodies to having to wear black to a memorial service, we’re laying some common myths about funerals to rest in the latest episode of ‘Misconceptions.’

6 Misconceptions About Sex

Blue balls? Broken hymens? Popping your cherry? We’re covering all the topics you’ve always wondered about but were too embarrassed to ask.

Do Sharks Really Not Get Cancer?

As the thinking goes, sharks don’t get cancer, so the pills will keep you from getting it, too. But there’s a problem with that theory.

Misconceptions About College

On this episode of Misconceptions, host Justin Dodd breaks down some higher-level myths. If your professor is 15 minutes late, are you really allowed to leave? How important is picking the right major in college?

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