favourite urban myths

[Laughing_Gnome_Invisible]

"Glass is really a liquid that settles so slowly it takes hundreds of years to settle out"

This was always a favourite of mine. I always believed it, especially when I had a 400 year old house and saw that the panes were twice as thick at the bottom, and the tops were so thin that some even had tiny holes in them. They looked exactly like the panes were slowly running down.

The internet has since told me that it is because glass in those days was made by spinning it, and centrifugal force makes that effect. I was very disappointed when I found that out!

 

[HokieBrewer]

That's why the Blackeye was invented. Cup of coffee + 2 shots espresso

Sorry, wrong... A shot of espresso does have less caffeine than a CUP of regular coffee, but it definitely has more caffeine per SHOT. A cup of brewed coffee is somewhere between 100 and 200 mg per 8 oz. cup depending on the type (200mg/8oz = 25mg/oz for a strong coffee). A shot of espresso is generally 50-75 mg per oz.

But in the end, that does mean that quad mocha only has about 200-300 mg of caffeine, or about the same as two cups of average coffee.

 

[Edcculus]

My fiancee's sister has so many old wives tales, I think she was secretly raised by a pack of grandmas.

-cutting your hair makes it grow faster
-pulling on a dog's ears will make them stretch out
-she thinks she is addicted to caffeine because she drinks 1 coke a day


I'll have to talk to my fiancee, there are a TON more. Just can't think of all of them!

 

[rexbanner]

Sorry, wrong... A shot of espresso does have less caffeine than a CUP of regular coffee, but it definitely has more caffeine per SHOT. A cup of brewed coffee is somewhere between 100 and 200 mg per 8 oz. cup depending on the type (200mg/8oz = 25mg/oz for a strong coffee). A shot of espresso is generally 50-75 mg per oz.

But in the end, that does mean that quad mocha only has about 200-300 mg of caffeine, or about the same as two cups of average coffee.

Yeah, you're right. I was basing what I said off of a history channel program I saw that apparently was wrong. However, a quad mocha has about the same caffeine as a tall coffee (12 oz).

In any case, espresso roast does have less caffeine per volume than light roast. The darker the roast, the less caffeine.

 

[Edcculus]

In any case, espresso roast does have less caffeine per volume than light roast. The darker the roast, the less caffeine.

Yea, I hate it when people say stuff like "I really like the dark roast, that stuff gets me wired!" Those are the same people who load their coffee with cream and sugar because its too bitter. Drink a lighter roast, and you get a more flavorful, less acrid cup which you don't need to disguise with sugar and cream!


I also hate that people associate "strong coffee" with bitter or nasty coffee. In a drip coffee maker, 2 scoops for 4 cups will yeild a more bitter coffee than say double that. Less grounds = more extraction = more bitter compounds are extracted. When I started making coffee at work, people were appalled at how much coffee I used. A week later, everyone is exclaiming how good the coffee is when I make it, and now I am "the coffee guy".

 

[Laughing_Gnome_Invisible]

now I am "the coffee guy".

Congratulations on your promotion!

 

[Homercidal]

Pink fly swatters work best for fly killing because flys can't see pink.

That one is actually true. Try it.

Yep. Had a fly infestation the other day and I used a pink swatter. They were dropping like... uh. never mind.

 

[Zul'jin]

I'm tellin ya. The pink flyswatter thing is true.

 

[Homercidal]

It seems that nearly everyone I know has a story of how someone they know got bit by a Brown Recluse spider up here in Michigan. What they don't know is that it's practically impossible for a Brown Recluse to survive up here. Much research online indicates that the ONLY bites recognized by spider experts as coming from a Brown Recluse, came from someone who had just moved from down south, or had furniture or some other item from down south. All other bites were purely speculation by doctors and EMTs. None of whom were qualified to identify the Brown Recluse (Which resembles more than a couple non-dangerous spiders in appearance), nor the necrosis associated with the bite (which could be caused by other things).

Those doctors and Emergency Personnel often use the Brown Recluse as an explanation for bites or injuries that heal poorly. Brown Recluse is very common in the south, yet cannot survive Michigan winters.

 

[hal2814]

I also hate that people associate "strong coffee" with bitter or nasty coffee.

It's no different than people who assume Guinness has a ton of calories, which goes on the board as my favorite urban myth. "Nah, bro! Guinness is a MEAL is a can..." Yeah, whatever.

 

[IrregularPulse]

It's no different than people who assume Guinness has a ton of calories, which goes on the board as my favorite urban myth. "Nah, bro! Guinness is a MEAL is a can..." Yeah, whatever.

Yeah I hate that. Nah I don't like beer you have to chew! WTF? Guinness is watery IMO.