Childhood is a golden time when the world is perceived in bright colors, and one does not want to think about anything bad. However, what is perceived with joy and positiveness in childhood can be perceived critically and even negatively in adulthood.
Here are the top 7 facts that can ruin your childhood memories.
7. Dimples on the cheeks are a genetic defect
Cute babies have dimples, right? No one can resist the request of a child who, when smiling, has funny depressions on his cheeks. They are even called "marks of happiness."
In fact, dimples are a muscle defect that occurs with a certain structure of the facial muscle Musculus zygomaticus major. She is also responsible for the ability to smile.
As most people age, the zygomaticus major muscle stretches and the dimples disappear. However, in some people, the bifurcated fascicle of Zygomaticus Major shifts to the side, adhering to the cheek layer. When you smile, this bundle is pulled inward, which is why “marks of happiness” are formed.
6. Barbie doll sues Barbie girl
The song "Barbie Girl" by the Norwegian / Danish pop group Aqua became a hit in the 90s. For many years, she sounded at parties and children's parties.
Unfortunately, the main context implied that Barbie was a girl of easy virtue, which the creators of Barbie and Ken did not like very much, and therefore the company Mattel, which produces these toys, sued Aqua.
Although the case was dropped in 2002, it forever tarnished the image of the song, which gave little girls the illusion that Barbie and Ken existed as real people.
5. The Flintstones advertised cigarettes
The Flintstones are an old (or rather primitive) brand that has been entertaining children and adults for years. However, even he once put his clean reputation at risk.
In 1961, cartoon cavemen were the stars of television commercials for the cigarette brand. In the advertisements, the heroes of the show enjoy smoking and praising cigarettes. In all fairness, at that time in the United States, and in other countries of the world, smoking was widespread.
However, in our 21st century world, the use of cartoon characters for advertising is usually acceptable when it comes to baby products and sweets, so we can't help but flinch at the thought that Fred and Barney will grind Winston.
4. The mood ring is dangerous to health
This funny accessory was very popular in Russia at the end of the 20th century. In the USA, mood rings appeared even earlier - in the 70s of the last century. The idea behind them was new and interesting - who wouldn't want to wear a ring that changes color depending on the mood of the wearer?
The ingredient that makes this possible is called liquid crystal; its particles are rearranged depending on the temperature, because of which the ring changes its color.This is the same liquid crystal found in LCD TVs and computer screens.
But the toxic components of mercury and arsenic in liquid crystals make mood rings a deadly toy in children's hands and mouths.
3. The children's sandbox is the dirtiest place in the entire playground
What could be more fun for kids than building sand castles and making Easter cakes with friends in the sandbox? Surely you have a lot of fond memories with her.
However, pediatricians have their own attitude towards children's sandboxes. Near them you can find the most unexpected and dangerous objects - from used syringes to animal feces, through which helminths are transmitted to children.
For parents whose child actively learns the taste and color of sand and other things of the surrounding world, we recommend giving him an anthelmintic agent in the fall, after the end of the sand season. But always after consulting a pediatrician!
2. No urine indicator is added to the pools
When you first started swimming in the pool, you were probably told that if you do pee-pee, your urine will change color to a bright purple due to the addition of a special reagent to the water. And thus, everyone will know about your negligence.
However, such dye is not added to public pools, although its existence is not a myth. It is rarely used in elite pools and fitness clubs in the United States to ensure that the water is perfect for wealthy clients.
And the signs that “water is under chemical control” in ordinary swimming pools are nothing more than a psychological trick. However, this does not mean that you can freely urinate in the pool, because doing so is unhygienic and impolite towards other swimmers.
1. Santa Claus was originally not a kind grandfather
New Year in modern Russia is inextricably linked with the image of the kind Santa Claus and his granddaughter Snegurochka, who give gifts to children. But it was not always so.
Santa Claus has several alleged pagan prototypes, including:
- Deity Karachun or Korochun, he is Winter grandfather or Studenets. The lord of cold and darkness, associated with death (hence the word "churn", that is, die).
- Pozvizd or Posvist - the god of winds and thunder, some sources note that he ruled weather phenomena. As soon as Pozvizd shook his hair, hail fell on the ground, instead of a cloak, the winds flew behind him, and snow fell from his clothes.
- Zimnik is a spirit from Belarusian mythology who looks like an old man with white hair, bare head and an iron mace in his hand. His appearance is a harbinger of a harsh winter cold.
- Even Moroz Ivanovich, close to the modern Santa Claus, from the collection of Vladimir Odoevsky's "Tales of Grandfather Irenaeus" did not come to the children with gifts. Children came to him themselves, and received not gifts for nothing, but a reward for the service.
Only at the beginning of the XX century, the familiar image of Santa Claus began to take shape, and since the 30s of the XX century, Santa Claus, together with the Snow Maiden, have become indispensable participants in the New Year's holidays.