A popular urban legend tells the story of Carmen Winstead, a 17-year old girl who died after being pushed down a sewer by a group of classmates. The Story is Not True. The urban legend can be traced back to Myspace postings from 2006, and has been passed around via email and social media since then, often with the title, “They pushed her.” It is nothing more than a modern chain letter, urging readers to pass along the story “or else.” It’s reminiscent of the “Kathy Will Find You” chain letter. The story itself contains common urban legend elements found in 1990’s movies “The Ring” (the girl in the sewer/well) and “I Know What You Did Last Summer” (anonymous notes indicating knowledge of the guilt of those involved). This image has been circulated with the Carmen Winstead story in 2013. Lack of Corroborating Records Record searches show no one by that age and name. Further, there are no news reports or death records of a 17-year old girl named Carmen Winstead. 2006 and 2013 Variants The 2013 version of the tale was expanded from the original 2006 version. Let’s take a look at both. First, here is the 2006 variant: They [...]

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Have you read that one of your favorite athletes or celebrities has suffered two broken legs in a car accident? More than likely, this report is a hoax. A December 2014 report about Cam Newton being injured in a car accident has led some readers searching for information on his condition to find the old “broken legs” hoax in search results. Fake News The website Media Fetcher allows users to enter a celebrity’s name, and a fake story will be generated under the name “Global Associated News.” These automatically-generated fake news stories have been the catalyst for many celebrity death and injury hoaxes over the past two years. A common “news” item produced by “Global Associated News” is that of an athlete who has broken both legs in a car accident. Consider: In early 2013, we wrote of a hoax involving Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews. The hoax read: “A spokesperson for the Wisconsin highway safety authority (HSA) has confirmed that Clay Matthews has broken both of his legs in a traffic altercation, one of the phony websites reads. “He has been transported via ambulance to a local Wisconsin hospital for treatment, and the full extent of his injuries [...]

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A news story online claims that a microchip was discovered in Napoleon Bonaparte’s skull. Is this true or false? It’s a Hoax. The source of this article is the Weekly World News, infamous for such stories as aliens visiting the White House and Bat Boy. The supermarket rag is well known for publishing outlandish, poorly-Photoshopped works of fiction. Let’s take a look at the article being circulated: PARIS – Scientists examining the remains of Napoleon Bonaparte are “deeply puzzled” by the discovery of a half-inch long microchip embedded in his skull. They say the mysterious object could be an alien implant – suggesting that the French emperor was once abducted by a UFO! “The possible ramifications of this discovery are almost too enormous to comprehend,” declared Dr. Andre Dubois, who made the astonishing revelation in a French medical journal. “Until now, every indication has been that victims of alien abduction are ordinary people who play no role in world events. “Now we have compelling evidence that extraterrestrials acted in the past to influence human history – and may continue to do so!” Dr. Dubois made the amazing find while studying Napoleon’s exhumed skeleton on a $140,000 grant from the French [...]

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Listening to high school students frequently attempt to one-up each other over the years has repeatedly exposed this English teacher to urban legends surrounding characteristics of the ghost pepper, often in the context of one student claiming to have eaten such a pepper followed by another insisting that such a feat is an impossibility. Variations of the story include students recounting tales of people they knew, or friends of friends, who have been severely maimed by attempting to ingest even the smallest bite from one of these mythically spicy fruits. Pepper juice which is so hot it melts flesh on contact is another frequent claim which begs the curious listener to engage in some cursory research. Ghost Pepper The existence of the ghost pepper is not a myth. More formally known as the bhut jolokia, the ghost chili pepper is 900.5 times hotter than Tabasco sauce and was certified by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s hottest chili pepper in 2007. Although it has since been surpassed by two other peppers, including the Carolina Reaper (certified as the world’s hottest pepper by the Guinness Book of World Records on December 26, 2013), the spicy hotness of the [...]

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A photograph claims to show an 11-pound bullfrog captured in Louisiana. Is this photo real or fake? The photo is real, but it is an optical illusion. This photograph is apparently real, but demonstrates forced perspective, and it wasn’t captured in Louisiana as claimed. The frog in the photo is much closer to the camera than the man, giving it the illusion of a very large frog. Let’s take a look at the claim being circulated online along with the picture: BIG!!! Bullfrog! 11 pound bullfrog caught in a ditch near Sulphur, LA WOW! Considerations In examining this image, there are several considerations to make: Too Big – According to National Geographic, “The largest of all North American frogs, this giant (bullfrog) can grow to a length of 8 inches (20 centimeters) or more and weigh up to 1.5 pounds (750 grams). ” Given this information, it is unlikely to find a specimen weighing 10 times this. Photo Hints – You don’t see the man’s hand. In fact, the frog is being held at the end of a gig (a multi-pronged spear) several feet closer to the camera than the man, giving the illusion that the frog is quite large. Largest [...]

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A warning circulating on social media claims that a deadly snow snake has bitten several people in Ohio and Pennsylvania. Is this warning real or fake? It is Fake Social media claims about a deadly snow snake are untrue. Let’s take a look at what is being circulated: This is the deadly snow snake. It has bitten 3 people in the state of Ohio and one in Pennsylvania. It’s been spotted in other states. It comes out in the cold weather and at this time there is no cure for it’s bite. One bite and your blood starts to freeze. Scientist are trying to find a cure. Your body temperature start to fall once bitten. Please stay clear if you have see it. Please forward this and try to save as many people as we can from this deadly snow snake. The snake in the description – and the accounts of bite victims – are completely fabricated. No such snake exists, nor do any of the symptoms described. The Photo The image of a white snake slithering across the ground appears to be that of a toy snake, as evidenced by the white color of the tongue. Albino snakes, while [...]

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The New York Times published a story this week in which Pope Francis allegedly comforted a boy by telling him that pets go to heaven because “Paradise is open to all of God’s creatures.” The story turned out to be false. Misinterpretation Animal lovers were comforted by a story this week which reported that Pope Francis comforted a boy who had recently lost his pet dog, stating, “One day, we will see our animals again in the eternity of Christ. Paradise is open to all of God’s creatures.” Despite being reported by the New York Times – a story which was repeated and heavily cited by respected news organizations –  it turns out that Pope Francis did not speak these words at all – as noted by a correction issued by the Times. The actual quote spoken by the 77-year old pontiff was, “Holy Scripture teaches us that the fulfillment of this wonderful design also affects everything around us.” When that quote was reported by Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, the writer opined that Francis meant afterlife existed for animals. He also included a reference to a decades-old quote by Pope Paul VI in which a young boy was consoled about the loss of his dog. It would appear that as [...]

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An image allegedly shows the world’s largest tortoise with an age of over 500 years being hauled on the back of a truck. Is the photo real or fake? It is not a real tortoise. The photo in circulation often contains a caption such as, “Guys the worlds largest tortoise found in amazon river. Its age around 529/ height-59/ weight-800 pounds… incredible naturality please spread this into all over the world….” What you are seeing, however, is not the world’s largest tortoise. The photo is actually of a movie prop. This giant – and fake – tortoise was featured in the 2006 Japanese movie “Gamera the Brave.” It appears that the photo was lifted from a website which features other photos from the film. A phony back-story was then included with the photo. A crude translation of the description of the film reads: In a small fishing village, a young Gracon discovers an egg. Then comes a small turtle that is not like the others, it is a Gamera: an animal of great power that continues to grow. While her foster family tries to protect society against a new threat is emerging. The young Gamera can he save the village? [...]

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Has NASA announced a period of three days of darkness which will occur in December 2014? That is the claim of a popular internet rumor, but it’s not the first time we’ve seen this claim. It’s not true. The current version of the rumor states that NASA has asked the public to remain calm as the world enters a period of three days of darkness on the dates December 21, 22, and 23. The reason for the darkness is said to be a solar storm, which is the largest in 50 years and will last 3 days. NASA, however, has made no such announcement in 2014 or any other year. It is merely a recurring hoax. As the December 2014 “deadline” for the hoax approaches, we are seeing renewed interest in the story. Other “Three Days of Darkness” Rumors In 2012, when “End of the World” chatter was fueled by the end of the Mayan calendar, the same “three days of darkness” rumor also circulated. It mentioned the same dates of December 21st through the 23rd of that year. It’s likely that the 2012 and 2014 “three days of darkness” rumors were inspired by three days of darkness mentioned in the biblical Book of Exodus, as [...]

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Rumors that a rare black lion exists are supported by photos that allegedly prove the elusive creature is real. Are black lions real or fake? The photos are fake. Black lions are not known to exist. Several “black lion” photos have circulated on social media over the past several years. One version was used as an attempt to gain likes for a social media profile, while some “fact” pages have erroneously used Photoshopped images. Yet other variants include a back story stating that the last black lion in the world has been found. For example: Black Lion… How many likes for him? Black Lion….only 1 alive…..in the world. can we get maximum likes 4 dis amazing pic…Share N tag PLS… The one and last black Lion in the world….extinction on its way. The Last Black Lion Alive at Norway Zoo . Really Awesome . Although the photos below – which have circulated for years – allegedly show rare black lions, they have all been proven to be digital manipulations. After the first variant below received heavy sharing online, several copy-cat black lion photos began to emerge as well. Below we’ll take a look at a few examples of “black lions” along with their unedited versions. These are claimed [...]

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For over ten years, internet rumors have circulated about a mistake from the movie “Troy” in which an airplane is seen flying above Brad Pitt’s character. It is Fake Although often cited online as a movie mistake, the picture of an airplane in 2004’s “Troy” was Photoshopped. The origin of the altered photo is apparently a photo effects contest called “Director’s Cut 3″ held by worth1000.com. A worth1000 user named uputra81 submitted the photo which came in 8th place in the contest. Altered “Troy” photo with airplane. History Soon after “Troy” was released in theaters on May 14th of 2004, internet rumors began circulating about an airplane that was mistakenly captured in the film. In fact, there was a post devoted to the airplane in “Troy” at the Museum of Hoaxes website by early June of 2004. Apparently the picture was being discussed on a Museum of Hoaxes forum prior to the post. Since then, rumors about the photo have continued to casually spread. Several internet forums exist in which users ask about where the plane can be found in the movie. Astute responders point out that this frame cannot be found in the film, and that the picture is [...]

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Working at a school located on the site of a residential facility for troubled youth requires teachers to enforce strict rules designed to modify problem behaviors and to help students create a new self-image unconnected with the troubles of their past. One rule requiring constant enforcement is getting male students to pull up their pants. This battle with the beltless is a never-ending endeavor that often seems doomed to failure as pants seem on average to sag lower and lower each year, now often hanging perilously below the buttocks. Neither laws nor pleas from celebrities nor unflattering stories regarding the origins of the fashion seem sufficient to persuade young men to buy a belt. History This “Public Service Announcement” graphic regarding sagging has circulated for years. This predominantly urban fashion of sagging britches is an issue which has been addressed by everyone from comedians to city councils to the President of the United States. In an article on National Public Radio’s blog, Code Switch, entitled “Sagging Pants and the Long History of ‘Dangerous’ Street Fashion,” blogger Gene Demby brings attention to city ordinances enacted in parts of Florida, New Jersey, and Tennessee which have established bans and introduced penalties to [...]

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An alarming warning prompts cell phone users to turn their phones off due to an expected influx of cosmic rays from Mars “tonight.” Is this rumor true or false? It’s a hoax. This rumor has been going around – virtually unchanged – for many years via email, text messaging, and social media. Below is a text message of the first version sent to us in late 2012: During 12:30 to 3:30 am, pls turn off ur cell phones, Cosmic Rays are entering the earth from Mars. Keep it away from u during this period, and especially dont put it under ur pillow. Msg from Nasas, u can check google if u want Although we first received this message in 2012, it was discussed several years earlier, as seen in this 2008 blog post. It has continued to resurface several times a year ever since. One of the original versions of the warning read: Hi all Tonight by 12.30 am cosmic rays from Mars enter into our atmosphere. You are requested to SWITCH OFF your mobile during that time .This is a request by NASA through BBC . Pls Forward it to all. In 2012 the warning was circulated as an April Fool’s joke by some social media [...]

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A long-standing urban legend tells a story of a new poisonous spider in the US, which has been found in airplanes – namely under toilet seats. Is this story true? It’s not true. This story is known to have been circulating via email for many years, in varying incarnations, recently making the jump to social media websites such as Twitter and Facebook. There is no evidence that any of these events ever occurred. Further, this spider – which is real – is not considered venomous. Let’s take a look at the story: NEW POISONOUS SPIDER IN THE UNITED STATES A spider bite…please read………… And you thought the brown recluse was bad! Three women in North Florida, turned up at hospitals over a 5-day period, all with the same symptoms. Fever, chills, and vomiting, followed by muscular collapse, paralysis, and finally, death. There were no outward signs of trauma. Autopsy results showed toxicity in the blood. These women did not know each other, and seemed to have nothing in common. It was discovered, however, that they had all visited the same Restaurant (Olive Garden) within days of their deaths. The health department descended on the restaurant, shutting it down. The food, water, and [...]

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A graphic which has circulated online for years attempts to explain the colored squares which appear on tubes of various products. It is claimed that different colored squares on tube packaging indicates the chemical content of the product. Today we’ll take a look at this claim. It’s not true. Squares on tubes are called “eye marks” and used in the manufacturing process. Let’s first take a closer look at the claim. Did you know squares on tubes mean something? Green: All natural Red: Some natural, but most chemicals Black: Only chemicals are used. This is completely false. Another variation claims: Black/Blue line: 100% chemical Red Line: 50% chemical, 50% natural Green Line: 100% natural Eye Marks In reality, squares found printed on tubes are merely marks used in the manufacturing process. They are referred to as “eye marks” and read by a sensor in order to detect and align squeeze tubes. Typically, the color of the square is also a color of something else being printed on that side of the tube. Tubes of Crest toothpaste, for example, often have blue writing and matching blue eye marks on the back of the product. Chemical vs Natural The simplistic – and completely incorrect – explanation in [...]

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A “Welcome to North Carolina” sign includes a warning about concealed weapons by its citizens. Is this sign real? It’s not real. Much like the “Welcome to Wisconsin” and “Welcome to Idaho” signs which have also circulated in recent years, it’s unclear if this graphic was created as a joke or if it was meant to be passed off as real. A cursory examination of the graphic yields obvious clues that the text below the sign was not part of the original photograph. The sign in the graphic reads: Welcome to North Carolina Nation’s Most Military Friendly State Our citizens have concealed weapons If you kill someone, we will kill you back! We have “0” jails, and 513 cemeteries Enjoy your stay! It should be noted that the bottom of the graphic above appears to have been lifted and added to a “Welcome to West Virginia” sign, as seen below: This is one of many state “welcome” signs which has been altered and circulated on social media recently. If you see a sign like this, drops us a comment below. Or if you have more information about the signs above, please let us know. Bottom Line The “Welcome to North Carolina” concealed weapons sign is [...]

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An image shows President Obama engaged in a kiss and embrace with another man. Some readers have asked if this image is real or fake. It’s not real. The image dates back to 2011 and was circulated on satirical websites at the time, including a “story” about President Obama and UK Prime Minster David Cameron engaged in a kiss. Some have mistakenly claimed the other man in the photo is former Vice President Al Gore. The fake image (below) is currently being circulated with a caption that reads: “REPOST: Obama wants it off the internet!” The photo has seen increased sharing on several occasions since 2011, including a surge in April 2013 and another in July 2014. A common caption reads, “Well if Obama wants this off the Internet then of course I am just going to post it even more! Make sure you share this too” The real photo is of President Obama kissing his wife Michelle, as seen below: Fake Obama Chavez Kiss Photo In Fall of 2011, Italian clothing company Benetton used a fake photo of President Obama kissing Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez as part of an advertising campaign. Another variation of the ad featured a fake photo of [...]

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A photo claims to show the world’s smallest cat. Today we’ll look at this image and the story circulating with it. The Image is a Digital Creation. A story being associated with the image reads: Smallest Cat Mr Peebles may look like a kitten, but he is actually 2-year-old. The tiny cat got its size from a genetic defect that stunts growth. At just 6.1-inch (15.5 cm) high and 19.2-inch (49 cm) long, he currently holds certification from The Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s smallest cat. The Image An artist known as TBA on the website Worth1000.com won the “Sickening Cute” contest about 7 years ago with this entry, showing a tiny kitten in the palm of a hand. The entry was titled, “World’s Smallest Kitten.” In the comments for the entry, the artist discussed some technical issues in creating the image, “I was dealing with a really grainy source photo and I just added the noise to the kitten to make it blend. (removing the noise looked worse to me) The compression just compounds the problem.” We could find this photo on web pages as far back as 2006 such as this one in which the blogger claimed that the photo [...]

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A claim circulating on social media states that Australian aborigines were once classified as animals under a Flora and Fauna Act. Is this true or not? It Appears to be a Widespread Urban Myth. In researching the available information, this claim appears to be a pervasive and long-standing urban myth. First let’s take a look at the claim and picture circulating on social media, which reads “Australia, until 60s, Aborigines came under the Flora And Fauna Act, classified them as animals, not human beings.” Included with the claim is an antique photograph of several Australian aborigines in chains with a Caucasian man standing behind them. This photo often accompanies the claim. Evidence for Myth The oft repeated urban legend claims that indigenous peoples were categorized as animals under a “Flora & Fauna Act” which was overturned by a 1967 referendum to amend the Australian constitution. There was a 1967 Referendum that is seen as a landmark in the struggle for the equal rights of Aborigines. Most notably, this referendum began counting Aboriginal natives in the national population census, and lead to privileges such social security benefits, child endowments, and certain government pensions. However, a number of misconceptions about the referendum seem [...]

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An image which has circulated online since 2013 depicts a “Virgin Atlantic” plane with a glass bottom. Is this image real or fake? It was a 2013 April Fool’s Joke. Virgin founder Richard Branson made an April Fool’s announcement via his online blog regarding a new “glass bottom” airline service. His blog stated: I’m thrilled to announce that Virgin has created another world-first with the introduction of the technology required to produce the world’s first glass-bottomed plane. This technological innovation coincides with the start of Virgin Atlantic Airways’ first ever domestic service to Scotland. Photos also were included in the blog post which show alleged designs of the new plane. The first photo shows the plane from below, while the second photo shows the view from inside the airplane. Note that the photo depicted above doesn’t show any cargo or landing gear. A second announcement that day by Virgin’s Bob Fear included speculation that the Loch Ness Monster may be spotted from one of these glass bottomed planes, noting that Virgin had received “special permission had been granted for Virgin Atlantic to fly low over Loch Ness to take in the stunning Scottish scenery.” Although the prank was understood by most major [...]

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