#7: The Great Piranha Lie

Piranhas held a disproportionate amount of power in the childhood fear hierarchy. Movies, cartoons, and wild “animal attack” specials made it seem like any dip in a body of water—even a bathtub—might end in a feeding frenzy.

We genuinely thought these little aquatic chainsaws were waiting around every corner, ready to shred unsuspecting toes. Fast-forward to adulthood, and not only have we never seen a piranha, but we haven’t even almost seen one. It’s a letdown.