# 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:** 22
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2026, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-urban-myths-seem-to-hold-on-for-years-or-decades-even-when-disproven/1030852/421 "2026-07-14T19:10:53Z")
And if you disagreed, you too could easily end up buried, under a car park o practically anywhere else. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2026, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-urban-myths-seem-to-hold-on-for-years-or-decades-even-when-disproven/1030852/422 "2026-07-14T21:26:14Z")
That was Dame Penny Mordaunt, thankyouverymuch. And I noticed she stayed dry all during the ceremony. [![](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltaf09846bbf808fde/698a3c9ad075331995e6dfcc/penny-mordaunt-coronation-sword-02.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp) ](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltaf09846bbf808fde/698a3c9ad075331995e6dfcc/penny-mordaunt-coronation-sword-02.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp) A look at the nerdgeekdom inherent in the SDMB! ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2026, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-urban-myths-seem-to-hold-on-for-years-or-decades-even-when-disproven/1030852/423 "2026-07-14T21:27:25Z")
It’s not clear what the constitutional implications of the dame not being moistened are, I smell a constitutional crisis! ---
**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:** [July 15, 2026, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-urban-myths-seem-to-hold-on-for-years-or-decades-even-when-disproven/1030852/424 "2026-07-15T06:12:58Z")
Careening generally toward the last fading shadows of the OP: People leaving food out, particularly meats, instead of refrigerating them to, “let them cool” in the antiquated belief that these hot foods will heat up and spoil other foods in the frig. “Take my relatives including my wife, please”. Refrigerators made in the last few _decades_ can handle cooling just fine. Sure, a massive cauldron of boiling animal bits can cool a bit first but below 140°F, bacteria growth multiplies. PUT IT AWAY. Your stomach ache and diarrhea are from food poisoning, not just overeating. ---
**Author:** ![JacobSwan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a6a055/32.png) [@JacobSwan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JacobSwan)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2026, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-urban-myths-seem-to-hold-on-for-years-or-decades-even-when-disproven/1030852/425 "2026-07-15T12:21:23Z")
> [@DPRK](#): > > For example, Henry VII was the totally legitimate king because Richard III was buried under a car park. I heard he was buried under a disabled space due to his hunched back. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2026, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-urban-myths-seem-to-hold-on-for-years-or-decades-even-when-disproven/1030852/426 "2026-07-15T13:18:54Z")
Sheesh, we have a game thread for that, folks: > [@Monty Python non sequitur thread (Part 2)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monty-python-non-sequitur-thread-part-2/975460/6316): > > I’ll tell you where it is for a pound. ---
**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:** [July 15, 2026, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-urban-myths-seem-to-hold-on-for-years-or-decades-even-when-disproven/1030852/427 "2026-07-15T16:54:17Z")
Maybe The 'Dope can settle this…Mrs G insists on leaving dishes out to cool before putting back in the fridge, but for the reason that the extra condensation that forms on the inside of the lid and container will be a breeding ground for germs and will drip back onto the food. My disagreement is that any germs present are already on the food and that the food will be at its most sterile while hottest and least-exposed to the environment, and by delaying putting it in the container you are just exposing the food to much longer period of time in the environment to collect more germs. ---
**Author:** ![ricepad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b38774/32.png) [@ricepad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ricepad)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2026, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-urban-myths-seem-to-hold-on-for-years-or-decades-even-when-disproven/1030852/428 "2026-07-15T16:56:15Z")
I think you’re right. I also think this might a situation where being right won’t be a win for you. ---
**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:** [July 15, 2026, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-urban-myths-seem-to-hold-on-for-years-or-decades-even-when-disproven/1030852/429 "2026-07-15T16:58:07Z")
Haha, yes, definitely a ‘choose your battle’ situation 😀 ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2026, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-urban-myths-seem-to-hold-on-for-years-or-decades-even-when-disproven/1030852/430 "2026-07-15T17:00:55Z")
Depends. I’m not going to put something that just came out of the oven or a large boiling pot of soup directly into the refrigerator- but I’m not going to let leftovers sit out for a half hour either. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2026, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-urban-myths-seem-to-hold-on-for-years-or-decades-even-when-disproven/1030852/431 "2026-07-15T17:01:50Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > If you go up to anyone in Alabama, and ask “Who’s the president?”, what will they say? "You some kind of foreigner? I’m calling ICE! ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2026, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-urban-myths-seem-to-hold-on-for-years-or-decades-even-when-disproven/1030852/432 "2026-07-15T17:39:02Z")
Well, I’v been cooking for myself for over 30 years, and I always let hot dishes cool down to room temp, in the winter even throughout the night sometimes, before putting it in the fridge, and I never had food poisoning or any spoiled food. ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2026, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-urban-myths-seem-to-hold-on-for-years-or-decades-even-when-disproven/1030852/433 "2026-07-15T17:56:52Z")
It’s always been more about condensation for me. If you live in a humid climate, sticking hot food in the refrigerator is a recipe for soggy food. But sure, cover it while it cools. That will help with incidental exposure to potential pathogens. That was one of Pasteur’s experiments. Leaving a boiled broth in glassware with a straight neck led to spoiling. With an s-shaped neck, leaving the broth out for several days still did not lead to contamination. > **[Pasteur's Swan Neck Flask — Worcester Medical Museums](https://medicalmuseum.org.uk/medical-science-pasteurs-swan-neck-flask)** ---
**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:** [July 15, 2026, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-urban-myths-seem-to-hold-on-for-years-or-decades-even-when-disproven/1030852/434 "2026-07-15T18:32:45Z")
> [@EinsteinsHund](#): > > I never had food poisoning or any spoiled food Lucky for you, thousands have died each year from improperly stored food (US). Estimates are in the millions worldwide. ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2026, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-urban-myths-seem-to-hold-on-for-years-or-decades-even-when-disproven/1030852/435 "2026-07-15T18:53:41Z")
> [@smithsb](#): > > Lucky for you, thousands have died each year from improperly stored food (US). Estimates are in the millions worldwide. Maybe it helps that I don’t eat meat, with that I’d be more cautious. ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2026, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-urban-myths-seem-to-hold-on-for-years-or-decades-even-when-disproven/1030852/436 "2026-07-15T19:22:58Z")
Its better to be safe than sorry. ---
**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:** [July 15, 2026, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-urban-myths-seem-to-hold-on-for-years-or-decades-even-when-disproven/1030852/437 "2026-07-15T20:01:53Z")
My myth was that still hot/warm foods will heat up a modern refrigerator. Unless it’s a smoking cauldron, the new frigs can handle it. Put it away. ---
**Author:** ![Dorjan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dorjan/32/12440_2.png) [@Dorjan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dorjan)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2026, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-urban-myths-seem-to-hold-on-for-years-or-decades-even-when-disproven/1030852/438 "2026-07-15T20:17:56Z")
There are limits. Don’t put a big pot of hot soup in the fridge. Portion it out into smaller containers first. Modern fridges are not magic and are still subject to the laws of thermodynamics and thermal mass. ---
**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:** [July 15, 2026, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-urban-myths-seem-to-hold-on-for-years-or-decades-even-when-disproven/1030852/439 "2026-07-15T20:26:46Z")
I let my hot foods cool down, but mainly so that I don’t have to look at condensation accumulating on the cover. ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2026, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-urban-myths-seem-to-hold-on-for-years-or-decades-even-when-disproven/1030852/440 "2026-07-15T21:48:57Z")
> [@Great\_Antibob](#): > > It’s always been more about condensation for me. If you live in a humid climate, sticking hot food in the refrigerator is a recipe for soggy food. > > But sure, cover it while it cools. Yep, that’s what I do. I put the lid on upside down, then I keep checking, and as soon as condensation stops forming, I put the lid on (the underside is dry) and put the container in the fridge. Never heard any jazz about hot foods spoiling other foods in the fridge. But condensation inside the container can affect the flavor of whatever’s in it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-urban-myths-seem-to-hold-on-for-years-or-decades-even-when-disproven/1030852.md?page=21) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-urban-myths-seem-to-hold-on-for-years-or-decades-even-when-disproven/1030852.md?page=23)