Unveiling Truths from a WhatsApp Forward: Debunking 46 Facts

Recently, I received a forward on WhatsApp containing a series of 'facts'

Introduction to Fact Check

Embarking on an investigation, I sought to ascertain the veracity of these claims. Many stood true, while a handful were demonstrably false. For those that proved false, I relied primarily on reputable sources like Co-Pilot, which also cites authoritative references for debunking several of these myths.

Common Beliefs and Their Veracity

Let us delve into some of these facts, scrutinizing their claim of truth or falsehood.

False Facts - Misleading Beliefs

1. Hot water will turn into ice faster than cold water.
False. Cold water freezes faster than hot water due to a phenomenon called Mpemba effect, named after a Tanzanian student who first observed this surprising behavior.

2. The Mona Lisa has no eyebrows.
False. Although the Mona Lisa was originally painted with eyebrows, they were later painted out. The myth persisted because the restored version lacked these features.

3. The sentence “The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog” uses every letter in the English language.
True. This sentence, also known as a pangram, was actually invented by Waldo Pendleton in the 1880s.

4. The strongest muscle in the body is the tongue.
False. The strongest muscle by weight is the masseter, the jaw muscle used for chewing. While the tongue is indeed strong and versatile, it does not hold the title for greatest strength.

5. Ants never sleep!
False. Ants do sleep, but their patterns differ from human sleep cycles. Some species sleep in shifts, while others require less than an hour of sleep per day.

Other Notable Falsehoods

7. Coca-Cola was originally green.
False. The beverage has a long history of being brown, changing back to the current color only in the 1890s.

17. Women blink nearly twice as much as men!
False. Research generally shows no significant difference in blinking rates between genders. Variations can occur based on environmental factors and individual differences.

19. People say "You can't kill yourself by holding your breath."
False. While the heart continues to function, risking prolonged breath-holding can lead to oxygen deprivation and severe health risks.

21. It is physically impossible for pigs to look up into the sky.
False. Pigs, like most animals, can indeed look upwards if their neck is flexible enough, which is possible for many breeds.

34. American Airlines saved 40000 in 1987 by eliminating one olive from each salad served in first-class.
False. While possible, such precise and specific cost-saving measures would likely be documented and publicized, with no evidence of this particular myth.

40. The ant always falls over on its right side when intoxicated.
False. There is no scientific evidence to support this claim. Ant behavior can be influenced by various factors, but this is a myth.

Additional Claims and Verifications

46. Like fingerprints, everyone's tongue print is different.
True. The unique pattern on the tongue gives everyone a distinct 'tongue print', much like fingerprints.

Conclusion

Our quest to uncover the truth reveals that many of the 'facts' we considered to be true were indeed myths or misrepresented.

Remember: In the ever-evolving world of information, it is always advisable to verify information before passing it along, especially via social media, to ensure its accuracy. Stay informed, stay skeptical, and keep your fact-checking skills sharp!