No.0013 - Santa Claus

The name "Santa Claus" is a corrupted version of St. Nicholas. Also known as Nicholas of Myra was a Greek bishop, born in the Greek colony of Patara in Lycia (a part of modern day Turkey) in 270 AD. So no Santa Claus in North Pole or Lapland of Finland.

The "Santa Claus" itself is derived from Dutch "Sinterklaas", a traditional holiday figure celebrated on Saint Nicholas' Eve (December 5) or on Saint Nicholas' Day (December 6). So no presents on Christmas Eve*.

It may not be surprising that he is the patron saint of children. But his patronage doesn't end there, bizarrely he is also the patron saint of prostitutes, repentant thieves, the falsely accused and pawnbrokers, as well as of fishermen, sailors, archers, pharmacists and merchants. What a bizarre collection of professions and people, you may think, but wait, he is also the patron saint of 2 capital cities: Amsterdam and Moscow.

* The date was changed from December 6 to Christmas Eve by Protestants during the Reformation of 17th century.

No.0012 - Bluetooth

The wireless technology "bluetooth" is named after the Harald I of Denmark, whose nickname is "Bluetooth" (bluetooth is an English version for Danish "Blåtand", and "blátǫnn" in Old Norse). Harald "Bluetooth" Gormsson ruled Denmark between 940 and 985 AD, and he united Denmark and Norway, therefore setting the foundation of Anglo-Saxon Kingdom of the early 11th century (his son Sweyn Forkbeard would become the king of Denmark, Norway and England).

The idea was Bluetooth technology will unite the worlds of computers and telecom, as the King Harald I had united the Scandinavia. It was created by the Swedish giant Ericsson in 1994.

The Bluetooth logo is a "bind rune" of (Hagall) and (Bjarkan), which are runic alphabets of the Younger Futhark (shown below). The latin equivalent alphabets are "H" and "B".

No.0011 - Hitler

MYTH: Adolf Hitler was a vegetarian and an atheist.

True Story: Both myths have been used illogically against vegetarianism and atheism.

According to many of his biographers, his favourite dishes include Bavarian sausage and stuffed pigeon. There is no evidence in his speeches or writings that he is against the vegetarianism either. None of his lieutenants was a vegetarian.

He referred to his religious belief both in his speech and writing, including his autobiography, 'Mein Kampf' in which he wrote: "I am convinced that I am acting as the agent of our Creator. By fighting off the Jews, I am doing the Lord's work". Nor was his state a 'godless' one, Nazi Germany worked with the Catholic Church.