Mental Floss

MYTHS

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1. Vikings never wore horns on their helmets—at least not until an 1876 staging of Wagner's opera 'The Ring of the Nibelung.'

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Science has revealed historical truths about mummies, but they just can't shake their association with curses, myths, and Halloween.

Kat Long
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Our 26th president was a man larger than life—and is forever much larger than life, thanks to the fact that he's on the side of a mountain. But as with any such figure, myths and legends arise. So we’re here to explain the truth behind some popular storie

Austin Thompson




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In the United States, children who leave a newly lost tooth under their pillow know to expect a nocturnal visit from the Tooth Fairy, who might leave a shiny quarter, a new toothbrush, or perhaps even a crisp $20 bill!

Garrett Williams




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A surprising amount of misinformation has been repeated enough about these furry little creatures to make it seem like fact.

Jennifer Fabiano










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Today, people around the globe will feel uneasy about getting out of bed, leaving their homes, or going about their normal daily routines, all because of a superstition.

Sean Hutchinson






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Most of what you know about the Pony Express is probably myth. . Here are 11 things you might not have known about the amazing delivery service.

Shaunacy Ferro
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In Wilt Chamberlain's 1991 book, 'A View From Above,' the basketball great claimed to have slept with 20,000 different women during his life. Let's check his math on the basketball legend's most famous statistic.

Eddie Deezen