Society:Mythology and Folklore:Urban Legends

Urban Legends

The Sniff Test - before you forward that "amazing" story, sniff it for a bad odor...
The Pillsbury Biscuit Bullet - "I've been shot!" Yeah, and you happen to be blonde, too.
Cockroach Soft Taco Supreme El Grande - pregnant cockroaches and Taco Bell soft tacos just don't mix -- not even fictionally.
Flashing Headlights Gang Initiation Rite - I'll bet the copy you received claims to be "based on documented incidents". Uh-huh... sure.
Janet Reno and the "Cultist" Interview - her mythical interview on _60 Minutes_ about "cults" in America
The Man in the Washing Machine - This one showed up in the guise of a winner of the 1999 Darwin Award

That does it! I have had it with urban myths. I've decided to start posting my findings regarding each one of 'em that I receive.

Please do not send me stuff that you think is urban legend just because you think I might be interested. There are plenty of other people on the Internet who actually collect the stuff. I get enough of them forwarded to me by well-meaning friends already. So, don't send 'em to me for my collection -- it just raises my blood pressure.

I guess this is more of a personal catharsis -- a way to let off steam about the garbage that gets fabricated/embellished, circulated as Gospel truth, and complacently digested by so many people who seem to think, "Well, if it's in print, it must be true!"

So this is my personal bucket of water on the fires of rumor-mongering, starting today with the latest piece that I received (the Janet Reno cultist story).

Top:Society and Culture:Mythology and Folklore: