Snopes is a mythbusting, urban legends reference page. If you’ve never heard of it, check it out. The reason, is that you probably mindlessly repeat some interesting tidbits, or “facts”, or pieces of convetional wisdom that are entirely untrue.
Example: Throwing rice at weddings shouldn’t be done because it kills the little birds who eat it. False.
“It’s a myth. There is no reason why birds, including small songbirds, can’t eat rice,” said Ned Johnson, a professor of biology at Berkeley who lectures frequently on the food and feeding of birds.
Example: Sorority houses are illegal due to old laws which deems them to be brothels (a common rumor around Clemson). False.
We routinely hear from students who are convinced their particular university lacks a sorority because of this non-existent law. Their vehemence aside, none have yet produce a copy of the statute they so firmly believe in, an act that would earn their city and institution of higher learning a measure of fame in the world of contemporary lore.
Example: Eating turkey, in particular, makes people tired. False. (I did not know that, and I learned something.)
Turkey does contain tryptophan, an amino acid which is a natural sedative. But tryptophan doesn’t act on the brain unless it is taken on an empty stomach with no protein present, and the amount gobbled even during a holiday feast is generally too small to have an appreciable effect.
Claim: “An American flag should be burned if it has been allowed to touch the ground.” False.
Well I was looking to finish by adding a good urban legend that was actually true. And I failed miserably.
The rice is no shocker and I began doubting the sorrority house thing when USC starting building a true greek row and started with ADPi. As for the turkey thing I bought in but I also know that any time you eat a glutonous meal it causes bllod to rush to your stomach, away from your brain and that makes you sleepy. Same principle can be applied to other actions.