# What Urban Myths seem to hold on for years or decades even when disproven **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 12, 2026, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-urban-myths-seem-to-hold-on-for-years-or-decades-even-when-disproven/1030852 "2026-06-12T19:02:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 13
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2026, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-urban-myths-seem-to-hold-on-for-years-or-decades-even-when-disproven/1030852/241 "2026-06-17T15:56:47Z")
However. . . There was [a recent story](https://www.sctimes.com/story/news/2026/06/15/alexandria-woman-68-survives-3-days-stuck-in-mud-in-minnesota-woods/90556348007/) about a woman who had spent three days trapped in quickmud. OK, there’s technically no such thing as ‘quickmud,’ but apparently it had completely immobilized her, and at least didn’t swallow her. It wasn’t disclosed how deep the mud was, at least that I could determine. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2026, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-urban-myths-seem-to-hold-on-for-years-or-decades-even-when-disproven/1030852/242 "2026-06-17T16:09:55Z")
Some Darwin-Award candidates even seek out the “quicksand experience”: > **[Bay of Mont Saint-Michel Quicksand Experiences - mont-saint-michel-tours.com](https://mont-saint-michel-tours.com/bay-of-mont-saint-michel-quicksand-experiences/)** > > Step into adventure with our Bay of Mont Saint-Michel quicksand experiences, where you’ll safely explore the legendary shifting sands and tidal landscapes Not sure what the difference is between quicksand and quickmud is. There’s dry quicksand but that is a different beast. ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2026, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-urban-myths-seem-to-hold-on-for-years-or-decades-even-when-disproven/1030852/243 "2026-06-17T16:23:35Z")
There was an explorer who was checking out some stream in Middle of Nowhere, Utah, and he wound up in quicksand. Due to a stream flowing directly over it, he was unable to get out. His head was above the water but, had no one noticed him, he’d probably have died a miserable death of exposure. Fortunately [they were able to get him out](https://youtu.be/3JkE9uEaH_Q?si=9FLVJf3STBtv0Ayt). ---
**Author:** ![abcdefghij](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/43a26b/32.png) [@abcdefghij](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/abcdefghij)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2026, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-urban-myths-seem-to-hold-on-for-years-or-decades-even-when-disproven/1030852/244 "2026-06-17T17:37:27Z")
> [@solost](#): > > It’s myths and hoaxes all the way down! The actual origin of the ‘8 spiders’ myth is unknown. > **[Spiders Georg](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiders_Georg)** > > "average person eats 3 spiders a year" factoid actualy \[sic\] just statistical error. average person eats 0 spiders per year. Spiders Georg, who lives in cave & eats over 10,000 each day, is an outlier adn \[sic\] should not have been counted > "Spiders Georg" is an internet meme that began circulating on the microblogging website Tumblr in 2013. It was created by Max Lavergne as a humorous post involving a common misconception about the average number of spiders accidentally swallowed per year ... ---
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2026, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-urban-myths-seem-to-hold-on-for-years-or-decades-even-when-disproven/1030852/245 "2026-06-17T18:37:19Z")
A very popular myth is that every animal, insect, plant in Australia will kill or eat you should you leave your car outside a city. In fact, somewhat less than 83% will kill you.🤔 ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2026, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-urban-myths-seem-to-hold-on-for-years-or-decades-even-when-disproven/1030852/246 "2026-06-17T18:48:46Z")
> [@TruCelt](#): > > Does the one about the drugged or razor-bladed Halloween candy still go around every year? Usually some dentist offers to X-ray bags of candy loot. > [@Great\_Antibob](#): > > This one isn’t entirely an urban myth. Just mostly one. I wonder if there is a term for a Urban Legend that comes true after the UL is common? In other words, someone gets the idea from the UL. > [@HeyHomie](#): > > Similar to the adulterated Halloween candy myth is the myth that stoners are putting edibles, whose packaging closely resembles a real product, into your kids’ Halloween candy. Trust me, no cannabis user is doing this. That shit’s too expensive. Not saying how I know. Snopes agrees- > **[Marijuana Edibles, Halloween Candy, and a History of Hysteria](https://www.snopes.com/articles/375420/halloween-marijuana-edibles/)** > > We didn't find a single case of a person purposefully giving children marijuana edibles on Halloween in an attempt to harm them. > We searched for cases of children accidentally eating marijuana edibles that were slipped into the Halloween candy for every year since 2010, and **[while](https://www.laweekly.com/marijuana-halloween-candy-cops-warn-trick-or-treaters-about-weed-infused-treats/)** **[we](https://www.vox.com/2014/10/21/6995119/marijuana-legalization-pot-weed-edibles-candy-food)** **[found](https://www.cnn.com/2014/10/14/living/pot-edibles-halloween-eatocracy/index.html)** **[multiple](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/oct/30/pot-laced-candy-the-truth-behind-halloweens-marijuana-scare-story)** **[warnings](https://www.thecannabist.co/2015/10/19/halloween-marijuana-halloweed/42455/)** **[during](https://kobi5.com/news/watch-out-for-cannabis-candies-this-halloween-39106/)** **[this](https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/2016/10/31/pot-candy-and-halloween-dangerous-mix/93063288/)** **[timeframe,](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/nerds-rope-thc-police-urge-parents-to-check-halloween-candy-after-thc-laced-nerds-rope-edibles-found/)** we didn’t find a single case of a person purposefully giving children marijuana edibles in an attempt to harm them. > > **[Joel Best](https://www.localmemphis.com/article/news/community/police-continue-to-push-unfounded-threats-of-marijuana-candies-in-halloween-baskets-weed-thc-infused/522-4281c75c-cd02-42f8-a2d1-d36f0079dbf8)**, a professor of sociology and criminal justice at the University of Delaware, **[said](https://www.foxnews.com/lifestyle/razor-blades-poisoned-candy-history-halloween)**: > > > “Children are not at risk for contaminated treats … For one thing, edible marijuana products are very expensive and this would be a very expensive prank.” > > > > “My research stretches back to 1958 … I have been unable to find any evidence that any child has been killed or seriously injured by a contaminated treat picked up in the course of trick-or-treating.” ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2026, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-urban-myths-seem-to-hold-on-for-years-or-decades-even-when-disproven/1030852/247 "2026-06-17T19:00:25Z")
Whatever people continue to think, the third Monday in January has not been scientifically shown to be the “worst day of the year.” ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2026, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-urban-myths-seem-to-hold-on-for-years-or-decades-even-when-disproven/1030852/248 "2026-06-17T19:03:21Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Usually some dentist offers to X-ray bags of candy loot. Of course, even if some psychopath really were to adulterate Halloween candy, why would they do it in a way that’d show up on an X-ray? Poison would probably be a lot cheaper, per dose, than razor blades or needles or whatever. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2026, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-urban-myths-seem-to-hold-on-for-years-or-decades-even-when-disproven/1030852/249 "2026-06-17T19:15:50Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > I wonder if there is a term for a Urban Legend that comes true after the UL is common? In other words, someone gets the idea from the UL. Ostension. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2026, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-urban-myths-seem-to-hold-on-for-years-or-decades-even-when-disproven/1030852/250 "2026-06-17T20:44:11Z")
This is the story I linked to in my reply to JAQ. In that story, there is yet another link to an earlier quicksand incident on the same trail, but not at the same location. ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2026, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-urban-myths-seem-to-hold-on-for-years-or-decades-even-when-disproven/1030852/251 "2026-06-17T22:06:34Z")
> [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](#): > > the third Monday in January has not been scientifically shown to be the “worst day of the year.” It’s also not true that there is less crime on Mother’s Day. Have we mentioned Turkey, tryptophan, and getting sleepy after Thanksgiving dinner? That’s a common myth. ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2026, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-urban-myths-seem-to-hold-on-for-years-or-decades-even-when-disproven/1030852/252 "2026-06-17T22:10:45Z")
> [@Moriarty](#): > > It’s also not true that there is less crime on Mother’s Day. Or more domestic violence on Super Bowl Sunday. ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2026, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-urban-myths-seem-to-hold-on-for-years-or-decades-even-when-disproven/1030852/253 "2026-06-18T00:44:45Z")
> [@Great\_Antibob](#): > > Fortunately, the only injury was one teen got a small prick in his mouth. Size isn’t everything. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2026, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-urban-myths-seem-to-hold-on-for-years-or-decades-even-when-disproven/1030852/254 "2026-06-18T01:56:53Z")
> [@markn\_1](#): > > > [@Great\_Antibob](#): > > > > Fortunately, the only injury was one teen got a small prick in his mouth. > > Size isn’t everything. Some homes only give out fun-size treats. ---
**Author:** ![ZonexandScout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zonexandscout/32/544_2.png) [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2026, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-urban-myths-seem-to-hold-on-for-years-or-decades-even-when-disproven/1030852/255 "2026-06-18T14:37:24Z")
Here’s an old one. We believed for many years that Coca-Cola put a higher concentration of syrup and/or sugar in the 8-ounce bottles as compared to the 12-ounce bottles. Given a choice, the “enlightened and knowledgeable” people would smugly choose the smaller bottles, while assuring the rest of us stupid kids that they were getting at least as much Coke deliciousness for less $$$. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2026, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-urban-myths-seem-to-hold-on-for-years-or-decades-even-when-disproven/1030852/256 "2026-06-18T15:05:14Z")
I can see how that may seem true even if you ignore the placebo effect. The first 8 ounces of any drink might be better than the last 4 of a 12 ouncer, because you are less satiated in the beginning and the soda is fresher. So once you’ve heard the rumor, I can see how it can have legs since you remember that _per ounce_ the 8 ounce drink was tastier than the 12 ouncer, and it isn’t even a false memory. ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2026, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-urban-myths-seem-to-hold-on-for-years-or-decades-even-when-disproven/1030852/257 "2026-06-18T16:03:17Z")
Of course there are records and some of them are even permanent - the record of my HS graduation still exists , even if a record of the classes I took doesn’t. The part that’s a myth is that the record will follow you all through life and your future high schoool/college/employer will find out you got detention in second grade. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2026, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-urban-myths-seem-to-hold-on-for-years-or-decades-even-when-disproven/1030852/258 "2026-06-18T16:29:13Z")
It’s often claimed the rotational direction of (draining) water in a toilet or sink is CCW in the northern hemisphere and CW in the southern hemisphere, due to the Coriolis effect. While the effect is real, it’s too weak to affect toilets & sinks; the force is still there, but it’s swamped by other forces. (However, if you performed a very carefully-controlled experiment, water _will_ drain CCW in the northern hemisphere and CW in the southern hemisphere. MIT Professor Ascher Shapiro proved it in 1962.) ---
**Author:** ![GargoyleWB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gargoylewb/32/199_2.png) [@GargoyleWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GargoyleWB)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2026, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-urban-myths-seem-to-hold-on-for-years-or-decades-even-when-disproven/1030852/259 "2026-06-18T16:36:42Z")
Yes, primate mouths are some of the nastiest in the animal kingdom, we’re barely better than gila monsters (unless that is also an urban myth that needs debunking). I did encounter a big-ass spider in the stand of peaches at a Safeway, some sort of yellow orb weaver I think. I yelped, told the nearest person to “watch out for spiders in the fruit”, and left without my peaches. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2026, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-urban-myths-seem-to-hold-on-for-years-or-decades-even-when-disproven/1030852/260 "2026-06-18T16:50:08Z")
I’m reminded of the Doper who said, a few years ago, that the reason oral sex is dirty is because “it puts a germ-laden, poorly-cleaned part of the body in contact with the genitals.” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-urban-myths-seem-to-hold-on-for-years-or-decades-even-when-disproven/1030852.md?page=12) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-urban-myths-seem-to-hold-on-for-years-or-decades-even-when-disproven/1030852.md?page=14)