Debunking Common Sayings: Are We All Just Sounding Like Idiots?

We use expressions, sayings, and metaphors every day to illustrate our points, add flair to our language, or simply appear wise. However, many of these idioms deeply embedded in our common language are, surprisingly, just plain wrong. Let's explore some popular sayings and uncover the truths behind them.

1. "Sweating Like a Pig": Not So Accurate

The saying "sweat like a pig" conjures an image of someone perspiring profusely. But the truth is, pigs don't actually sweat in the way we think. Humans and many other mammals use perspiration to cool down; as sweat evaporates, it disperses heat and lowers body temperature.

Pigs, however, have few functional sweat glands. So, how do they keep cool? They bathe and cover themselves in cool water or roll in mud to create a similar cooling effect.

The Muddy Truth

Experts believe that pigs use mud as a form of sunscreen, protecting their skin from burning, and as an insect repellent. So, the stereotype of a filthy pig is actually an animal trying to maintain its hygiene.

The Pig Iron Connection

Interestingly, the phrase might not even refer to the animal. Research suggests an earlier connection to pig iron. The smelting system resembled piglets suckling, and when the pig iron cooled, moisture formed on its surface. Thus, "sweating like a pig" indicated the metal was cool enough to handle.

2. "As Blind as a Bat": A Misleading Comparison

To be "as blind as a bat" suggests severely impaired vision. However, this saying is far from the truth. Bats are nocturnal creatures that hunt in the dark, primarily using echolocation.

Echolocation Explained

Bats emit clicking sounds that bounce off surfaces, returning as echoes to their sensitive ears. This allows them to judge distances and map their surroundings. Echolocation can happen over 10 to 20 meters.

Bat Vision: Better Than We Thought

In low-light conditions, bats' vision may even surpass ours. Their eyes contain rods (for night vision) and cones (for daylight vision and color). Some bats can even detect ultraviolet light, which is outside our color spectrum.

Megabats (Fruit Bats): Use red vision to find ripe fruits.
Microbats: Utilize ultraviolet vision for hunting at dusk and dawn and detecting nectar guides on flowers.

Some fruit bat species rely solely on vision for navigation and can't leave their roosts on dark nights.

3. "It's Darkest Just Before Dawn": Not Always the Case

The saying "it's darkest just before dawn" implies that situations worsen right before they improve. But is this literally true?

The earliest record of this proverb is from the mid-17th century. The theory uses the literal meaning of dawn, suggesting the night gets darker until dawn provides the first light.

The Science of Dawn

Dawn begins at the start of astronomical twilight when the sun is 18 degrees below the horizon. The darkest part of the night is typically in the middle, when the sun shines on the opposite side of the Earth.

The moon's illumination can also shift the darkest point. In the two weeks following a new moon, the sky is darker closer to dawn. The Zodiacal Light, a cone of light from interplanetary dust reflecting sunlight, can also create a "false dawn."

However, the night is coldest just before sunrise because the surface has been without the sun's heat for the longest time.

4. "Lightning Never Strikes the Same Place Twice": A Dangerous Myth

This saying suggests that something unusual won't happen again to the same person or place. However, this is demonstrably false.

The Science of Lightning

A lightning bolt results from an electrical imbalance between a cloud and the ground, producing up to a billion volts and reaching temperatures of 60,000 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightning travels incredibly fast.

Lightning Can and Does Strike Repeatedly

Tall, pointy buildings like the Empire State Building are struck about 25 times a year. Tall objects offer the shortest path for the electrical discharge.

Humans can also be struck multiple times. Roy C. Sullivan, a park ranger, holds the world record for surviving seven lightning strikes over 35 years.

Lightning can also occur during volcanic eruptions and wildfires.

5. "Once in a Blue Moon": Not as Rare as You Think

If something happens "once in a blue moon," it's considered a very rare occurrence. But what exactly is a blue moon?

The Origins of the Phrase

The earliest reference to a blue moon being unlikely comes from a 1528 pamphlet criticizing outlandish statements. The modern proverb likely stems from an 1821 book.

The Astronomical Definition

There are two scientific definitions of a blue moon:

The third moon in an astronomical season with four full moons instead of the usual three.
The second full moon in a calendar month.

Blue moons occur roughly every two and a half years. In 2018, there were two blue moons in the same year.

A Super Blue Blood Moon

For a truly rare lunar event, consider a "super blue blood moon," which occurs on average every 265 years.

6. "Where There's Smoke, There's Fire": Not Always True

This saying implies that if there's a hint of something happening, it probably is. Or, at its most basic, there is an element of truth to every rumor.

The Science of Smoke and Fire

On the surface, this feels right. Rubbing sticks together creates smoke before fire. However, this isn't always the case.

Gas stoves produce fire without smoke because the fuel undergoes complete combustion. Smoke consists of tiny unburned particles resulting from incomplete combustion.

Smoke Without Fire

Smoke can appear without fire when a material is placed under high temperatures without enough oxygen, causing pyrolysis. Charring food on an electric cooker can produce smoke without a flame.

Therefore, fire and smoke can exist independently, making this proverb unreliable.

By debunking these common sayings, we can appreciate the nuances of language and the importance of understanding the science behind everyday expressions. So, the next time you use one of these idioms, remember the real story behind it!