There's an old wives tale that dragonflies can sew your lips shut. My question is: which comic character told me about this? [more inside]
posted by IvyMike on Jun 1, 2009 - 13 answers

Are there any *traditional* positive menstruation myths or customs? [more inside]
posted by xetere on Nov 9, 2008 - 13 answers

Fiction Filter: Help me find stories involving apotheosis (glorification of an individual as divine). Books or movies - it doesn't matter. [more inside]
posted by ninazer0 on Jul 18, 2008 - 42 answers

HistoryFilter: What popular historical myths are there about Portuguese and English History? [more inside]
posted by omnigut on Jul 12, 2008 - 9 answers

What are some words of wisdom your parents have told you that you've never really checked the validity of (and probably aren't true)? IE: "Going out with wet hair will give you a cold," "cell phones release dangerous amounts of radiation" "eating right before you sleep makes you fat," etc. [more inside]
posted by carpyful on Feb 7, 2007 - 89 answers

Mythbusting Question: can you help me find inspiration in the old west? [more inside]
posted by asavage on Jan 24, 2007 - 205 answers

The terrain of the subconscious. The stories we tell ourselves. Book recommendations to better pick out and respond to the undercurrents of situations. Maybe books on archetypes, folklore, symbols, fantasy. Maybe just books with strong character development. [more inside]
posted by beatrice on Aug 21, 2006 - 18 answers

Is there any (circumstantial) evidence that ancient people performed 'archeology' or 'paleontology'? [more inside]
posted by Harry on May 23, 2006 - 15 answers

Where can I find out little known traps , puzzles , paradoxes , myths and limitations of economics, beside wading through college textbooks? [more inside]
posted by studentguru on Apr 14, 2006 - 7 answers

I seem to have my goddesses and creatures mixed up in my head. I'm looking for the name of a creature that can turn into a crow/raven or wolf, and stalk through a battle field feeding on the souls of the dying. [more inside]
posted by FunkyHelix on Apr 9, 2006 - 6 answers

Watching "Assume The Position, Mr. Wuhl" on HBO made me hungry for more debunking of legends and myths that we often accept as fact and history. My problem is, I'm not sure what to search for in seeking such material. [more inside]
posted by weirdoactor on Apr 5, 2006 - 16 answers

I started thinking about what I guess you'd call "Urban Legend Rules of Thumb", The kind of stuff people (especially teenagers) make up and pass on to answer nagging questions like "How can I tell if my boobs are saggy?" and "How big can an age difference in a relationship be before it's creepy?". I'd like to hear some more. [more inside]
posted by crabintheocean on Mar 14, 2006 - 51 answers

I need a bunch of evidence/information to educate a friend about the diamond industry; why it is a monopoly, how it has fueled civil wars in African nations, the current state of diamond mining, etc. I thought there was also a famous photojournalist (Salgado?) who took photos of a diamond mine in Africa as well. Can anyone help me gather information on why diamonds should not be purchased? Thank you in advance.
posted by gen on Feb 20, 2006 - 15 answers

What are some things once thought of as mythic, legendary, or folk tales, but know thought or known to be real? [more inside]
posted by orthogonality on Mar 25, 2005 - 44 answers