Calling all my fellow ’90s kids , because we need to talk. Let me take you back to a time of Beanie Babies, the Spice Girls , and when the only being you had to worry about keeping alive was your Tamagotchi. There was another aspect of growing up in the ’90s that I simply cannot stop thinking about, though, and that’s the bizarre lies adults would tell us to get us to stop doing something. Perhaps it was because Google wasn’t readily available to debunk their strange myths, or maybe these were lies they themselves were told during childhood . Either way, we really need to talk about these completely strange “fibs” that ’90s kids grew up believing (and, according to data, still believe in some cases!).
The Bizarre Lies of the ’90s: Separating Fact from Fiction
Growing up in the ’90s was a unique experience. We had to deal with the pressures of puberty, navigating social cliques, and trying to find our place in the world. But amidst all the chaos, we were also subjected to a series of bizarre lies that were meant to keep us in line. From swallowing watermelon seeds to drinking too much coffee, these lies have become an integral part of our collective ’90s experience. But are they true?
1. Swallowing watermelon seeds will make a watermelon grow in your stomach
The most terrifying myth of them all? Swallowing watermelon seeds will cause a watermelon to grow in your stomach. I distinctly remember the overwhelming fear of what would possibly happen the moment I ate watermelon. However, there is absolutely zero truth to this misconception. The strange myth likely comes from the fact that the body cannot digest watermelon seeds but instead passes them through the digestive system whole. Luckily, they do so without leaving an entire watermelon behind. Phew!
2. Cracking knuckles will cause arthritis
Another prevalent (re: scary) myth was that cracking your knuckles would lead to arthritis in your joints. However, if you’re a chronic knuckle cracker like me, rest assured you likely have nothing to worry about. According to a Harvard Medical School study , “the “pop” of a cracked knuckle is caused by bubbles bursting in the synovial fluid — the fluid that helps lubricate joints.” The study concluded that there’s likely no correlation between cracking your knuckles and having arthritis later in life.
3. Your eyes will get stuck like that when you cross them
At one point or another growing up, we were all sternly told by a parent to stop crossing our eyes because “they’ll get stuck like that.” The prospect was too terrifying to question and certainly stopped me from wanting to make the goofy facial expression too often. But consider this myth completely busted. Doctors confirm that your eye muscles are meant to go in any direction and won’t stick that way. However, no guarantee doing it for too long won’t cause a headache.
4. Gum will stay in your stomach for seven years
Raise your hand if you ever swallowed gum only to be hit with the terrified feeling that that gum will be with you for the rest of your life. Elizabeth Rajan, M.D., writes for the Mayo Clinic that swallowing gum isn’t harmful. She writes, “If you swallow gum, it’s true that your body can’t digest it. But the gum doesn’t stay in your stomach. It moves relatively intact through your digestive system and is excreted in your stool.” So, obviously, don’t go swallowing loads of gum. But, if you did ever swallow any, rest assured you aren’t still carrying it with you years later.
5. Drinking coffee will stunt your growth
Remember when you got to middle school and started downing Frappucinos at Starbucks? You likely heard from a parent that drinking caffeine would stunt your growth, leaving you terrified that you’d stay your current height forever. Well, we needn’t have feared. According to a Harvard Medical School study , there is no scientific data to suggest coffee stunts growth. The study clarifies that the idea came from the misconception that coffee causes osteoporosis, a condition that may be associated with a loss in height.
6. Chocolate milk comes from brown cows
OK, this one is admittedly cute. However, chocolate milk does not, in fact, come from brown cows (as un-fun as that truth may be). But if you wholeheartedly believed this lie when your mom or favorite uncle told it to you, you certainly aren’t alone. According to a 2017 survey from the Innovative Center for U.S. Dairy , 7% of American adults still think chocolate milk comes from brown cows.
7. You should never swim after eating
There’s a popular myth that says you should never swim after eating because it can cause you to drown. But is this really true? According to the American Red Cross, there’s no scientific evidence to support this claim. In fact, the organization states that “the act of eating does not affect a person’s ability to swim.” So, go ahead and enjoy that burger and fries before hitting the pool – just be sure to follow proper swimming safety guidelines.
8. Driving with interior dome lights on in the car after dark is not illegal
You might have heard from a parent or friend that driving with the interior dome lights on in the car after dark is not only annoying but also illegal. But is this really true? According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there is no federal law that prohibits driving with interior dome lights on. In fact, the organization states that “drivers are free to use their interior lights as they see fit.” So, if you’re driving at night and need to read a map or check your phone, go ahead and turn on those dome lights.
9. You should always eat your carrots to see in the dark
You might have been told as a kid that eating carrots can help you see in the dark. But is this really true? According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, carrots do contain a nutrient called beta-carotene, which is good for your eyes. However, eating carrots will not give you superhuman vision or allow you to see in complete darkness. The organization states that “carrots can help to improve your vision, but they will not give you night vision.”
10. You should never touch a stove or oven with wet hands
You might have been told as a kid that touching a stove or oven with wet hands can cause you to get electrocuted. But is this really true? According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), there is no risk of electrocution from touching a stove or oven with wet hands. In fact, the organization states that “the risk of electrocution from touching a stove or oven is extremely low, and is not a concern unless there is a direct electrical shock or arc flash.”
In conclusion, growing up in the ’90s was a unique experience, filled with its own set of bizarre lies and myths. While some of these lies might have been told to keep us in line, others were simply the result of a lack of understanding or misinformation. But the good news is that we don’t have to believe these lies anymore. By separating fact from fiction, we can take back control of our lives and make informed decisions about the world around us. So, the next time someone tells you that swallowing gum will make it stay in your stomach for seven years, you can confidently say, “No, that’s not true!”
