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.

Interesting adverts.

Realizing your childhood dreams- Randy Pausch

Maybe you've watched it. But if you haven't, you SHOULD.

No.0010 - Human sense

MYTH 1: There are fives senses.

True Story: Most of us have been taught that we have 5 senses in schools. But that isn't true, there are at least 9 senses and some even argue there are 21 senses.

The five senses was listed first by Aristotle, the Greek philosopher. In addition to his list: hearing, smell, taste, sight and touch, the common agreed 4 senses are:
6. Thermoception - sense of heat on our skin
7. Equilibrioception - sense of balance
8. Nociception - sense of pain
9. Proprioception - sense of where our parts of bodies are, without being able to see or touch them

There are also hunger, thirst, which can be included in the list.


MYTH 2: There are four (or five) basic taste senses in our tongue, and certain parts of our tongue is responsible for different tastes (as shown below).



True Story: This 'tongue map' is completely rubbish, but has been taught in schools around the world. Every parts of our tongue can taste the basic tastes.

What's more, there are more than 4 or 5 tastes that our tongue can distinguish.
The basic tastes are: bitter, sour, sweet, salty and umami (also known as savouriness or MSG).
In addition to these tastes, our tongue can sense the following:
- fattiness
- hotness (spicy)
- temperature
- coolness - or freshness, minty feeling
- dryness - unripe fruits
- metallicness

No.0009 - St Bernard

MYTH: St Bernard carry brandy in its barrel around its neck.



True Story: St Bernards never carried a brandy barrel.

The idea of a brandy barrel was an English artist Sir Edwin Landseer*'s. He painted a scene called "Alpine Mastiffs Reanimating a Distressed Traveller" in 1831 (shown below), which shows one of the St Bernard wearing a miniature barrel around its neck. He added the barrel 'for interest', however it got stuck.

The name "St Bernard" was also popularised by Landseer.

It is estimated that St Bernards have made around 2500 rescues since 1800, however none in the last 50 years.


* Sir Edwin was a renowned painter of landscapes and animals. His most famous works are "The Monarch of the Glen" and his sculpture of lions around the base of Nelson's column in Trafalgar Square.