There are many mysteries in life that many of us cannot explain. But when we don’t have the answers to unsolved mysteries, it is human nature to fill in the blanks the best way we know how. This can lead to many commonly accepted truths that are not rooted in truth at all. Interestingly enough, we have deemed many things as common knowledge without taking a second thought as to why an idea or opinion became common in the first place. Do you ever wonder how much of what you thought was true is really all based on inaccuracies? Read on to learn about 6 things that don’t come from where you think.
Mongolian Beef is actually Taiwanese
Mongolian Beef is a popular dish that is common at many Chinese restaurants. It is made from flank steak and paired with a sweet ginger, garlic soy sauce base. What many don’t know is that Mongolian Beef is actually a Taiwainese dish. It is only named for the Mongolian barbeque chafing dish it’s cooked in, and not the actual origin itself — which is Taiwan.
German Chocolate is actually an American creation
There is so much deliciousness associated with the name German chocolate, and also the country with the same name. It is the main ingredient for one of the most popular cakes: the German chocolate cake. But did you know that the term “German chocolate,” did not originate with the country, but with a man named Sam German? German created this sweet chocolate in America in 1852, and it was originally called “German’s chocolate.” Later when a Texan woman made it popular in a homemade cake recipe, the Dallas newspaper reprinted it as simply “German chocolate.” And the rest is history.
The “wet dog smell” doesn’t come from dogs
Most people adore dogs, which is why they are called man’s best friend. But what doesn’t dog lovers don’t care for is the infamous wet dog smell that all dogs carry after some time in the rain. But many don’t realize that this dank odor is not from the dog, but the bacteria and yeast that live in dog fur. These little organisms defecate in the dog fur, and when the rain or water hits, it creates a special kind of funk.
Gas and oil don’t come from dinosaurs
Gas and oil are natural resources that we heavily depend on in modern society. They power everything we do, and yet, cause such major pollution and detriment to our environment. These fossil fuels have a myth of originating with the dinosaur era, and thus have a myth of scarcity since dinosaurs no longer exist. But that is incorrect. Coal predates dinosaurs by 75 million years. The main main sources of fossil fuels — ancient remains of phytoplankton and aquatic microorganisms — are somewhere between 350 — 420 million years old.
English muffins have nothing to do with England
Well that’s not entirely true, but these tasty danishes were definitely not created in England. They were invented by British baker Samual Bath Thomas while living in America. The original New York bakery where the magic happened is actually still in existence today.
Pork butt does not come from a pig’s rear end
To purposely and inaccurately name something from the most unappealing part of an animal is a little weird, right? This is the case with the meat from a pig called pork butt, as it is actually from the shoulder of the animal. But this strange occurrence is actually a result of the difference in meaning of the word “butt.” In this instance, it refers to the “thicker end” of something, which in this case refers to the thick shoulder of a pig.
