Urban Legends

Hypnotism is a process that is often misunderstood. One common misconception is that hypnotism can be used to "brainwash" people into doing things against their will. However, hypnotism can be...

Urban Legends are stories told with great conviction and yet they have no basis in fact, proof or real rationale. They are about people, places and things. Folklore to me is a little different...

Saltpeter, or potassium nitrate, is a chemical compound with the formula KNO3. It is used as a fertilizer and explosive, according to Princeton's WordNetWeb online.

Mysterious. Absurd. Maybe threatening. Shoes on power lines have been rumored to mean anything from a gang sign for owned turf to helpful objects meant to warn low-flying aircraft pilots of power...

Duct tape is touted as one of the essential items that should be in every home. The heavy-duty, multipurpose tape has been an inspiration for websites and books. Couples have even made prom...

Schools are banning colored jelly bracelets, also called 'sex bracelets," because of a game surrounding their wearing; children and teenagers wear colored bracelets symbolizing sexual acts they...

Yarrr! Sailin' under thar blue sky, nothin like it. Oh! Why hello there lad? Who ye be? Are you now? Well lad, I know ye wants to be be a pirate. Everyone wants to be a pirate. Even yarr mother....

The Statue of Liberty is a longstanding symbol of freedom and friendship in the United States. Created by the French to commemorate America's independence from Great Britain, it is a source of...

We all receive emails warning us not to do this and to watch out for that. Sometimes we receive emails that tell fantastical stories, apparently designed to entertain and shock us. When we...

What is the best way to keep a secret safe: tell no one, or tell everyone? Area 51 is just that kind of secret. Officially--that is, according to the government--there is no such place. However,...

First of all let’s determine what “superstition” is. Superstition is a belief or perception, not based on reason or knowledge. Some superstitions originated as religious practices, however...

In spring of 2008, news agencies began to question if body toxins could be released through the feet by investigating claims made by marketers of detox food pads and foot baths. After exposes on...

Urban myths run amok on the Internet, which allows cautionary tales and sentimental stories to circulate freely until they're eventually revealed as a hoax. Some of the more inventive urban...

If you are someone who doesn't like to get out in the woods, and you are curious about natures wildlife but afraid to experience it, then come along with me. My husband and I sit out on the porch...

There are many weird, illogical laws on the books in towns across America, but none have captured the imagination like one certain state law in Minnesota banning people from sleeping without any...

Have you ever wondered what people mean by the saying, "I'm laughing on the inside"? If so, maybe you've never tried it yourself. Try any or all of the steps below to start and keep...

There is nothing more irritating than getting emails about junk that is not true. I'm always amazed how many people forward the emails without checking to see if the info it true or not (almost...

As the world mourns the loss of the greatest entertainer of all time; let's all take the time out to give MJ the respect he deserves for undeniably revolutionizing music forever. When he came on...

Myths of the camel spider found in Iraqi deserts have been around for nearly 30 years. These myths were more widely known in 2004 as a result of mass emails containing pictures of the spiders...

With the ever-abundant information bombarding us about global warming, the term "carbon footprint" has become commonplace. It's been part of our lexicon since 1999. Do you know what it means or...

Puma knives is a German company founded in 1769 by Johann Wilhelm Lauterjung. They produced hunting knives, swords, razors, shears and other metal products with the then-current technology of...

It cannot be claimed with any certainty which human was the first to create the oil lantern. Lamps and lanterns were first used by humans ten of thousands of years ago, using diverse substances...

There is no more infamous house on Long Island than the one formerly at 112 Ocean Avenue in the town of Amityville. It has a reputation for being haunted, cemented by a bestselling book by Jay...

Our friends, family, co-workers, and more frequently forward emails to us with tips, stories, warnings, and more. And we forward them too. Unfortunately a vast majority of these simply are not...

Coyotes are what Western lore are made of, but they have become part of the urban landscape. The coyotes once wide-open lands are a shrinking landscape. The coyotes have moved into domestic...

Rest in peace with these strategies. Ghosts are difficult to talk to because they don't have the same goals as those who want to talk to them. Learn some strategies to communicate well with ghosts

Friday the 13th has been the unluckiest of days for thousands of years. The number 13 has been the center of many urban legends and superstitious customs. Buildings skip the 13th floor, dinner...

Most rumors start out as simple gossip. Typically, a rumor does not begin with malicious intent, but instead as a form of speculation. Many people will make blanket statements about what they...

With 2 Friday the 13th's this year, everyone has their own superstitions. Whether it be the black cat, broken mirror or walking underneath a ladder, they all culminate on the dreaded Friday the...

Some people grow up to have a plethora of phobias. Have you ever wondered how this happens?

Drinking a flaming shot is a dangerous stunt which is not to be undertaken lightly. If you must attempt this (and I seriously don't recommend it), then here is a method which you may try, but I...

You got an email promising that you'll get a $50 gift certificate if you forward the message on to 10 other people. You got another email telling you about the gangs who target people who flash...

The internet is a great breading ground for scams, including internet fraud, so it’s important to know how to check out a hoax. Internet fraud can be anything from a pyramid scheme to a sneezing...

Can't recall what you dream later in the day? Want to try and figure out why you can't remember your dreams?

The perfume hoax is an urban legend that traces its roots to the late 1990s. A tale began circulating about women being disabled by ether and robbed in parking structures. Although just a myth,...

Imagine crossing a large, open section of ocean where strange things happen and ships disappear without a trace. Now imagine that there are no markings and no natural borders to let travelers know...

Rectal bleeding is often expected to occur only in older or middle aged people. With the possibility of rectal bleeding being something serious, it is never okay to overlook it, no matter what age...

Movies and Gothic novels have done a great disservice when it comes to appreciating the misunderstood "vampire."

Whether it's their Night, their Dawn or their Day, the living dead are constantly haunting movies, books and the related media. The idea of the long-ago and recently departed rising up to eat us...

I have amazed friends and family for years balancing eggs anytime of year, not just at the equinox. Now you can do it too!!

Aphrodisiacs are generally based more on urban legend than scientific fact, but steeped in sexual mystery, lovers and hopefuls still experiment with recipes, foods and products in an effort to...

Many hoaxes have gone viral and are being emailed all over the world by well-meaning friends and family. If your inbox is being inundated with warnings that are worrying you, check them out to...

Urban legends are both entertaining and interesting to study. Part of the fun comes from finding out the truth behind the urban legend (some aren't as embellished as you think!) It's also...

SteamPunk is an amazing style, so unique and beautiful but there is rarely any guide on it. In fact, the Internet has practically nothing on the subject, only a few hidden gems. SteamPunk looks...

Nothing feels much worse than having a hangover. Between the spinning head, nausea, vomiting, and just feeling like garbage, anyone who has ever suffered this fate wants nothing short of quick...

A robbery is one of the most dangerous and scary experiences that one could encounter. When a robbery happens, it is vital that we keep our nerves about us and remain calm. Here is how to stay...

Spring season has been celebrated for ages with rituals and festivities all around the world. Spring is a time for fertility and abundance, so it’s no secret that the spring season is the perfect...

When Disneyland was being built, the designers started an inside joke by hiding Mickeys throughout the park, including on the rides. Eventually the joke leaked out and now hundreds of guest go in...

A true hoax is an act to deceive or trick someone else. It convinces multiple people that something absurd is true. Depending on how involved and grand you wish your hoax to be, here are a few...

Whether you’re under contract by a local king or you’re a big-game hunter looking for a new challenge, learning how to hunt a dragon is crucial to your success (and your health). Dragons are big...