NationStates Jolt Archive

Lets have some fun collecting together some of our favourite modern old wives tales. Stories that may have some basis in reality but have proberbly been exagerated here and there. The great tradion of the Urban Myth. Heres my personal favourite

Two American students were preparing for the final exams in maths but decided to go sking in Canada the week before the exam. They went and did a lot of partying and got so inebriated and ill that they were unable to return to the school on time. However, when they reached the school they explained that they would have been able to leave for the right day, but that their car got a burst tyre. The teachers fully understood and said that they could still sit the exam, but would have to do it isolation from all other students and one another. When they did the exam, most of it was fairly normal, but the last question was worth over half the marks and was simpley "Which tyre?"

Lets have some fun collecting together some of our favourite modern old wives tales. Stories that may have some basis in reality but have proberbly been exagerated here and there. The great tradion of the Urban Myth. Heres my personal favourite

Two American students were preparing for the final exams in maths but decided to go sking in Canada the week before the exam. They went and did a lot of partying and got so inebriated and ill that they were unable to return to the school on time. However, when they reached the school they explained that they would have been able to leave for the right day, but that their car got a burst tyre. The teachers fully understood and said that they could still sit the exam, but would have to do it isolation from all other students and one another. When they did the exam, most of it was fairly normal, but the last question was worth over half the marks and was simpley "Which tyre?"

That's not a legend. That really happened to this guy in one of my brother's roommate's classes. Except the question was "Which tire?"

That's not a legend. That really happened to this guy in one of my brother's roommate's classes. Except the question was "Which tire?"
lol

I had to disprove "Eskimos have X bazillion words for snow." today. To one of my language teachers in college no less.

The great wall of china is the only man made object visible from space.

That one always bugs me.

The great wall of china is the only man made object visible from space.

That one always bugs me.

Is there a man made object visable by the naked eye from space other than the great wall? I dont know.

The great wall of china is the only man made object visible from space.

That one always bugs me.
Yeah. Everyone knows that Pammy's breasts are the only man-made object visible from space. And the oort cloud, for that matter.

EDIT: Neo Cannen - please tell me you're joking.

Is there a man made object visable by the naked eye from space other than the great wall? I dont know.

No, and nor is the great wall.

Trans-Alaska Pipeline is visible from space.

I have one what happens in exam too.
It was Philosophy (sp?) exam and one of the essay questions was
'what is Philosophy'. One student wrote 'Think about it' and got full points

Trans-Alaska Pipeline is visible from space.

With the naked eye, I hardly think so.

Ooh, ooh! I got one!

'You have to revise at least 40 hours for each A-level module'

Currently, I have revised no more than a total 40 hours for 18 modular exams. And, well, I'm not failing, put it that way.

Another one that pisses me off, when I am in an italian restaurant and people tell me that the chinese invented pasta. Also bullshit.

I have one what happens in exam too.
It was Philosophy (sp?) exam and one of the essay questions was
'what is Philosophy'. One student wrote 'Think about it' and got full points

i got one like that- prof puts a chair on a desk and tells the class to write a paper proving the chair doesn't exist. so a student writes two words; "What chair?" that one courtesy of reader's digest, i think

I had to disprove "Eskimos have X bazillion words for snow." today. To one of my language teachers in college no less.
http://www.private-eye.co.uk/cartoons/1127_01.gif

With the naked eye, I hardly think so.

There are a lot of manmade items visible from space. With the naked eye. The Great Wall was a misconception spread by Trivial Pursuit. (We're not talking about on the moon, but shuttle orbit.) Here's a link: http://www.triviahalloffame.com/greatwall.htm

They cite Snopes on there.

Here are some other visible items: http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2_092

I don't have the TAPS cite handy, it's a print volume at home. But the claim was that because the structure is metal and runs over flat ground it stands out.

I guess nobody knows any. Or is it that this topic has been done to death.

I guess nobody knows any. Or is it that this topic has been done to death.
I think it is that many people that know Urban Myths, don't think they are Urban Myths but think they are facts.

Philosophy exams seem a popular source for Urban Myths. The most common ones I have heard being:

Student is asked only one question on his last exam. Question being "What is courage?" Student writes THIS on the first page, IS on the second and COURAGE on the last one, then walks out. Everyone thinks he has failed miserably, but when the results come back he comes top of the class.

I've also heard the above being applied to an English exam too.

Student simply asked "Why?" on his philosophy exam. Student simply answers "Why not?" He comes top of the class.

You may notice a trend developing ;)

Student asked "Is this a fair question?" on his philosophy exam. The answer? "If it is then this is a fair answer." Needless to say, he came top of the class


I should say, to sidestep accusations of sexism, the student is always male.

Grrr. Stupid server

I guess nobody knows any. Or is it that this topic has been done to death.

That pasta was invented by the chinese. I mentioned it before.

That pasta was invented by the chinese. I mentioned it before.

I've noticed this claim has two levels to it.

Claim #1: Pasta *was* invented by the Chinese.

Claim #2: Who invented pasta is still hot debated between historians.

Either way, I don't care. Pasta tastes nice, so do noodles. I don't really care who the hell invented it.

OK, OK :rolleyes: Heres one I got off a website,

Cheap bulk wine is imported from Algeria in tank ships, either arriving in Marseilles or by barge direct to Paris. The story always involves the slow draining of the tank into a bottling line, the departure of the bottles, and then the discovery at the bottom of the tank, too late to recall the bottles, of the dead Algerian. In one version the Algerian has a knife in his back; in another he has been strangled or hanged and still has the rope around his neck.


How's that.

Mythbusters is a really good show that deal with things like this. I highly recommend it. It's on the Discovery Channel.

The only urban legend I can recall right now is that phalangids, also known as harvestmen or daddy long-legs, are the most venemous spider, they just can't bite humans. First of all, harvestmen are not spiders. They are in order Opiliones, and spiders are Araneae, though both are arachnids. Second of all, experiments show that it is only midly detrimental. It really wasn't too damaging to the mice, yet the black widow venom used certainly killed off a significant number of the mice. Third, though it is occasionally possible that they could inject a human with venom, their fangs are too weak and small to really penetrate human skin unless they're pretty determined.

Another one that pisses me off, when I am in an italian restaurant and people tell me that the chinese invented pasta. Also bullshit.
Though I do not know for sure, I am pretty sure this is right. The Chinese invented practically everything until China lost its glory to Europe.

Don't stare in the mirror too long. Especially late late at night. Or stare at the mirror in total darkness.

You wouldn't want to know.


Good Urban Legend buster site - www.snopes.com

Firing a handgun round through an airplane fuselage at cruising altitude will cause explosive decompression, violently evacuating all passengers, and causing the plane to crash.

No, and nor is the great wall.
aren't the large urban areas visible from space... they aren't individual objects but you would think thousands of square miles of urban sprawl would have some visible manifestation from low to medium earth orbit at least.

i saw some show that proved a penny dropped off the empire state building not only wouldn't kill a person on the street below, it wouldn't even injure them.

i saw some show that proved a penny dropped off the empire state building not only wouldn't kill a person on the street below, it wouldn't even injure them.
That would be Mythbusters.

Firing a handgun round through an airplane fuselage at cruising altitude will cause explosive decompression, violently evacuating all passengers, and causing the plane to crash.
Another myth disproven by mythbusters. Along with peeing on the third rail and that prank on the cop in 'American Graffiti.'

lots of Urban Legends at http://www.darwinawards.com/
also alot of strange but true stories in there as well.

Don't stare in the mirror too long. Especially late late at night. Or stare at the mirror in total darkness.

You wouldn't want to know.

Oddly enough, now I want to know:)

i saw some show that proved a penny dropped off the empire state building not only wouldn't kill a person on the street below, it wouldn't even injure them.

It might if it were falling in a vacuum though. Since it is slowed by air resistance it doesn't exactly matter from how high you drop it; it won't get any faster or deadlier.

Not quite an urban legend but still worth posting.......
A prisoner is in a cell with 2 exits. In front of each exit is a guard. The prisoner knows one guard always lies, while the other always tells the truth. He knows one exit leads to his freedom while the other leads to his death.

He doesn't know which of the guards lies or tells the truth, nor does he know which exit leads to freedom. However, the guards know this.

The prisoner can only ask one guard one question. What is the only question he can ask, to find out which exit leads to freedom?

Lets have some fun collecting together some of our favourite modern old wives tales. Stories that may have some basis in reality but have proberbly been exagerated here and there. The great tradion of the Urban Myth. Heres my personal favourite

Two American students were preparing for the final exams in maths but decided to go sking in Canada the week before the exam. They went and did a lot of partying and got so inebriated and ill that they were unable to return to the school on time. However, when they reached the school they explained that they would have been able to leave for the right day, but that their car got a burst tyre. The teachers fully understood and said that they could still sit the exam, but would have to do it isolation from all other students and one another. When they did the exam, most of it was fairly normal, but the last question was worth over half the marks and was simpley "Which tyre?"
No, that actually happened to ME! Only it had more to do with US customs agents whilst attempting to cross the border back into the US. (Boy they didn't care much when we were going north, but they were quite serious upon re-entry. US customs agents don't have much of an appreciation for sarcasm, even in '88). Plus we went to different schools and mine was a film project. I got a "C" and I should have failed.

Not quite an urban legend but still worth posting.......
A prisoner is in a cell with 2 exits. In front of each exit is a guard. The prisoner knows one guard always lies, while the other always tells the truth. He knows one exit leads to his freedom while the other leads to his death.

He doesn't know which of the guards lies or tells the truth, nor does he know which exit leads to freedom. However, the guards know this.

The prisoner can only ask one guard one question. What is the only question he can ask, to find out which exit leads to freedom?

"If I asked the other guard, what exit would he point me to?".

The answer is always the wrong exit.

Ok, this isn't an Urban Myth but being as there's been a lot of philosophy-related stories...

The Head of Philosophy at Nottingham University once set this as an exam question:

Rabbits are cute, cuddly, and fluffy. Discuss.

"If I asked the other guard, what exit would he point me to?".

The answer is always the wrong exit.
Near but not quite, for instance both guards may want you to go through the door to your death,then both would point at the door to freedom. You have to be more specific in framing your question.

Near but not quite, for instance both guards may want you to go through the door to your death,then both would point at the door to freedom. You have to be more specific in framing your question.

'If i asked the other guard the way to freedom' :p

'If i asked the other guard the way to freedom' :p
Thats it exactly, well done!

nova posted:
"Near but not quite, for instance both guards may want you to go through the door to your death,then both would point at the door to freedom. You have to be more specific in framing your question."

It does'ny matter what the guards want at all. Remember 1 guard always tells the truth. and one guard always lies.

So you ask either guard "what door would the other guard point to as the door to freedom" then go thru the door he doesnt point too. The guard to always tells the truth would tell you which door the lying guard would point to(the wrong door) and the lying guard would lie to you about which door the truthful guard would point to. :cool:

No, and nor is the great wall.
Yes there is. The Belgian highway system is one of the best lit in the world and is actually visible at night.

Near but not quite, for instance both guards may want you to go through the door to your death,then both would point at the door to freedom. You have to be more specific in framing your question.

Nitpick. :p

It's the concept that counts - Lying about the truth vs. saying the truth about a lie will result in the same answer.

Of course if I were in that already very unrealistic situation I'd take care to formulate my question in a way that the guards know the "correct" path I am asking about is the path to freedom, not whatever they believe is the correct path. ;)

nova posted:
"Near but not quite, for instance both guards may want you to go through the door to your death,then both would point at the door to freedom. You have to be more specific in framing your question."

It does'ny matter what the guards want at all. Remember 1 guard always tells the truth. and one guard always lies.

So you ask either guard "what door would the other guard point to as the door to freedom" then go thru the door he doesnt point too. The guard to always tells the truth would tell you which door the lying guard would point to(the wrong door) and the lying guard would lie to you about which door the truthful guard would point to. :cool:
Quite so, but you have to look at why I posted what the guards may want, because the previous reponse did not include the frame of question that you wrote.......

"Originally Posted by Aeruillin
"If I asked the other guard, what exit would he point me to?"

I've also heard the above being applied to an English exam too.

Student simply asked "Why?" on his philosophy exam. Student simply answers "Why not?" He comes top of the class.

My elementary school science teacher told us how he had a test when he was little. Question was: Why? He wrote: Because.
Teacher kicked him out of the class for the day.

Yes there is. The Belgian highway system is one of the best lit in the world and is actually visible at night.

Yup. Nearly anywhere I go within the country, the night sky will always have an orange hue.

Ok, this isn't an Urban Myth but being as there's been a lot of philosophy-related stories...

The Head of Philosophy at Nottingham University once set this as an exam question:

Rabbits are cute, cuddly, and fluffy. Discuss.
If there was ever a reason to legalise pot....

Urban Legends/Myths! :D

One of my faves!

I guess nobody knows any. Or is it that this topic has been done to death.

Not hardly!

Der Lieben, there may be some truth to the 3rd rail: www.straightdope.com/classics/a1_222b.html

(dang, the straight dope seems to be down at the moment - here's the google cache (http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:YbkkNgly1PUJ:www.straightdope.com/classics/a1_222b.html+straightdope+third+rail&hl=en))

[quote=Gnostikos]Though I do not know for sure, I am pretty sure this is right. The Chinese invented practically everything until China lost its glory to Europe.

You're right about the Daddy-long-legs, but not about pasta. Pasta appears to predate the Middle Kingdom. It was certainly not introduced to Italy by Marco Polo (as the common legend has it) unless he was a pre-Roman Etruscan. ;)

Archalogical evidence appears to date pasta to 8-10,000 years ago in the Jordan Valley. :)

http://italiancook.ca/originpasta.htm
http://www.lapiazzaonline.com/pasta.htm
http://www.professionalpasta.it/dir_9/1_whoinv.htm

A couple of local ones:
There is at least one local Kansai version of the Vanishing Hitchhiker, which involves Kobe Women's University (which sits on a hill top) and the refusal of local taxi drivers to take women students up the hill on rainy nights.

Another good one involves an exchange between former PM Mori (who has an even worse intellectual reputation than G.W. Bush) and Bill Clinton. At the Okinawan summit, Mori supposedly asked Clinton "who are you?" instead of "how are you?" as he was coached. Clinton is supposed to have replied "I'm Hillary's husband." Mori, expecting the standard "I'm fine." supposedly replied "Ah, me too." (I've seen it accredited to others as well. Always a sign of a good UL.)

Then there are the foreign community ULs:
An English teacher for one of the major chains of schools lost his mind and is now living as a homeless person in downtown Osaka.

There is a certain pattern of buttons on the train ticket machines that produce a "magic" unlimited and reusable train ticket.