Would you believe???...........THINGS PEOPLE USED TO BELIEVE, BUT NO LONGER DO - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Mikado · 08-22-2007, 10:40 PM

The idea here is to discuss things people used to believe in before science and technology brought us the World of today ( They have to be true! )

Would you believe?.......

(medical)
-In the dark ages, people thought that a necklace made of strung-up worms, would cure a sore throat!

-If the necklace didnt do the trick, you would might have tried eating a worm soup or stew ( kind of a higher dose of medicine, I guess! )

-Even as recently as Victorian times, it was believed diseases were caused by "bad smells" and terrible diseases like the plague, were treated by spreading flowers and burning tar, to mask said smells!

-Another mistake made by London's Drs during the plague epidemics, was the belief that dogs and cats spread the plague, and they were slaughtered by the 1000s.......the very animals that could have destroyed the rats who were the actual carriers of the fleas, that caused the plague.

(genetics)
At one time, it was widely believed that having twins meant that a man's wife was cheating on him, if they were identical twins, it was believed that the man's wife was cheating on him, with his brother! (Having twins was not considered a happy event)

(Science and tech)
It was once believed that the dinosaurs were wiped out by "Noah's flood".
(Apparently they were too large for the ark)

Can you add some more outdated beliefs?

Lex Luthor · 08-22-2007, 10:44 PM

Going back there was the belief that

the world was flat
the sun revolved around the earth

and one that still floats around to this day... the belief that the Toronto Maple Leafs will ever win the Stanley Cup again

Ireneparalegal · 08-22-2007, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikado

The idea here is to discuss things people used to believe in before science and technology brought us the World of today ( They have to be true! )

Would you believe?.......

(medical)
-In the dark ages, people thought that a necklace made of strung-up worms, would cure a sore throat!

-If the necklace didnt do the trick, you would might have tried eating a worm soup or stew ( kind of a higher dose of medicine, I guess! )

-Even as recently as Victorian times, it was believed diseases were caused by "bad smells" and terrible diseases like the plague, were treated by spreading flowers and burning tar, to mask said smells!

-Another mistake made by London's Drs during the plague epidemics, was the belief that dogs and cats spread the plague, and they were slaughtered by the 1000s.......the very animals that could have destroyed the rats who were the actual carriers of the fleas, that caused the plague.

(genetics)
At one time, it was widely believed that having twins meant that a man's wife was cheating on him, if they were identical twins, it was believed that the man's wife was cheating on him, with his brother! (Having twins was not considered a happy event)

(Science and tech)
It was once believed that the dinosaurs were wiped out by "Noah's flood".
(Apparently they were too large for the ark)

Can you add some more outdated beliefs?

That genetics one is crazy!!!!

I read a book abt how people in the "dark ages" thought they could conceive a baby boy by having sex during a full moon, or the wife getting drunk prior to trying to conceive, and some other stupid things. Or was it getting the wife drunk WHILE there was a full moon?

Mikado · 08-23-2007, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lex Luthor

one that still floats around to this day... the belief that the Toronto Maple Leafs will ever win the Stanley Cup again

Mikado · 08-23-2007, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

I read a book abt how people in the "dark ages" thought they could conceive a baby boy by having sex during a full moon, or the wife getting drunk prior to trying to conceive, and some other stupid things. Or was it getting the wife drunk WHILE there was a full moon?

Right, we now know that only works when the couple met just that night at a dance club and have no intention of marrying!

Mikado · 08-23-2007, 12:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

That genetics one is crazy!!!!

the way it was explained was, that if a woman was having 2 babies, she was obviously having sex with 2 men....and if the babies looked alike, then the other Father must be in the immediate family! (Boy, Imagine the sibling rivalries THAT must have caused!

)

Imagine the kind of fuss you'd have had over triplets or quintuplets!

Dutabi84 · 08-23-2007, 12:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lex Luthor

Going back there was the belief that

the world was flat
the sun revolved around the earth

and one that still floats around to this day... the belief that the Toronto Maple Leafs will ever win the Stanley Cup again

Not so fast - There are still plenty of people who believe the Earth is flat. Disturbing, I know.

http://theflatearthsociety.org/forum//

http://www.alaska.net/~clund/e_djubl...rthsociety.htm

treky · 08-23-2007, 12:58 AM

people used to think that; if you opened a window during a thunderstorm; the thunder and lightning would come inside your house.

Mikado · 08-23-2007, 01:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dutabi84

Not so fast - There are still plenty of people who believe the Earth is flat. Disturbing, I know.

Do you really think the "Flat Earthers" are truly serious though?

Mikado · 08-23-2007, 01:34 AM

-In Medieval times, it was believed that the stars and heavens were held up by crystal spheres and pushed along by angels. ( They honestly believed that )

-it was believed that natural circular motion was only found in space ( The Earth was static ( it wasthe Sun that moved ) and things fell, in a straight line )

-Medieval "Alchemists" spent centuries trying to produce a "Philosopher's stone" a catalyst that could supposedly turn base metals such as lead, into gold....they never succeded!

80sTrivia · 08-23-2007, 05:22 AM

Very interesting list!

Penny Lane · 08-23-2007, 09:33 AM

Another belief that is somewhat around today is that a pregnant woman should not lift her arms above her head(hanging up laundry,etc.)By doing this the umbilical cord would wrap around the baby's neck and strangle it. I have actually heard this one in recent years!(By a nurse, no less!)

Max Whittaker · 08-23-2007, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikado

-Medieval "Alchemists" spent centuries trying to produce a "Philosopher's stone" a catalyst that could supposedly turn base metals such as lead, into gold....they never succeded!

That's because they gave up. Humans have no endurance.

PZelda · 08-23-2007, 01:09 PM

People thought tomatoes were poisonous until 1820 -- it had to do with the odor that the leaves gave off.

I just have to say - thank god I never lived in medieval times. Can you imagine the constant horrible odors during that time? Yeech.

Chelsea · 08-23-2007, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by treky

people used to think that; if you opened a window during a thunderstorm; the thunder and lightning would come inside your house.

There *is* a remote chance that a bolt of lightning could actually come through an open window. It's more likely though for lightning to come via power lines in terms of in-house lightning

As for thunder: It comes inside your house as it is, even with all the doors and windows shut. Thunder is SOUND WAVES, which easily penetrate nearly all types of houses.

08-22-2007, 10:40 PM	#1
Mikado Main st bridge Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 06, 2005 Posts: 25,892	Would you believe???...........THINGS PEOPLE USED TO BELIEVE, BUT NO LONGER DO The idea here is to discuss things people used to believe in before science and technology brought us the World of today ( They have to be true! ) Would you believe?....... (medical) -In the dark ages, people thought that a necklace made of strung-up worms, would cure a sore throat! -If the necklace didnt do the trick, you would might have tried eating a worm soup or stew ( kind of a higher dose of medicine, I guess! ) -Even as recently as Victorian times, it was believed diseases were caused by "bad smells" and terrible diseases like the plague, were treated by spreading flowers and burning tar, to mask said smells! -Another mistake made by London's Drs during the plague epidemics, was the belief that dogs and cats spread the plague, and they were slaughtered by the 1000s.......the very animals that could have destroyed the rats who were the actual carriers of the fleas, that caused the plague. (genetics) At one time, it was widely believed that having twins meant that a man's wife was cheating on him, if they were identical twins, it was believed that the man's wife was cheating on him, with his brother! (Having twins was not considered a happy event) (Science and tech) It was once believed that the dinosaurs were wiped out by "Noah's flood". (Apparently they were too large for the ark) Can you add some more outdated beliefs?

08-22-2007, 10:44 PM	#2
Lex Luthor I'm bringing Lexy back Senior Member Join Date: Jun 07, 2005 Location: The Great White North Posts: 2,374	Going back there was the belief that the world was flat the sun revolved around the earth and one that still floats around to this day... the belief that the Toronto Maple Leafs will ever win the Stanley Cup again
	__________________ I look forward to resuming our verbal judo - Lex Luthor It's a complicated world, Clark. Only the naïve view it in black and white - Lex Luthor Genevieve: "I underestimated you, Lex." Lex: "Well, that’s a common mistake." Lionel Luthor: "We don't need to play games, son." Lex Luthor: "Dad, games are all we got."

08-23-2007, 12:58 AM	#8
treky star trek fan Eternal Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: Conshohocken, pennsylvania Posts: 14,490	people used to think that; if you opened a window during a thunderstorm; the thunder and lightning would come inside your house.
	__________________ the Clampetts are in a fancy Beverly Hills jewelry store. Granny points to a tray of rubies. Granny: "How much fer one o' them red diamonds?" clerk: "Madam, those are rubies." Granny: "OK ask her kin we buy one offa her." clerk: " The ruby I am talking about is not a lady." Granny: "Lissen, how she got them diamonds is her business. I'm just sayin' ask her kin we buy one from her."

08-23-2007, 05:22 AM	#11
80sTrivia Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 23, 2002 Posts: 21,714	Very interesting list!
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08-23-2007, 09:33 AM	#12
Penny Lane Butter Pie Forum Icon Join Date: Jul 03, 2001 Location: Beneath the blue suburban skies Posts: 51,308	Another belief that is somewhat around today is that a pregnant woman should not lift her arms above her head(hanging up laundry,etc.)By doing this the umbilical cord would wrap around the baby's neck and strangle it. I have actually heard this one in recent years!(By a nurse, no less!)
	__________________ Vulgarity is no substitute for wit- Lady Violet Crawley

08-23-2007, 01:34 AM	#10
Mikado Main st bridge Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 06, 2005 Posts: 25,892	-In Medieval times, it was believed that the stars and heavens were held up by crystal spheres and pushed along by angels. ( They honestly believed that ) -it was believed that natural circular motion was only found in space ( The Earth was static ( it wasthe Sun that moved ) and things fell, in a straight line ) -Medieval "Alchemists" spent centuries trying to produce a "Philosopher's stone" a catalyst that could supposedly turn base metals such as lead, into gold....they never succeded!

08-23-2007, 01:09 PM	#14
PZelda Two Valeries! <3 Forum Addict Join Date: Jul 15, 2002 Location: I'm STILL missing NYC. :( Posts: 78,223	People thought tomatoes were poisonous until 1820 -- it had to do with the odor that the leaves gave off. I just have to say - thank god I never lived in medieval times. Can you imagine the constant horrible odors during that time? Yeech.
	__________________ Cheers behind the couch!