18 Ridiculous Things People Believed in the ’80s and ’90s
This list rounds up the most bizarre myths and wild ideas people actually believed during the 1980s and 1990s.
- Daisy Montero
- 5 min read
People believed some truly weird things in the ’80s and ’90s. There were candy rumors, fake news stories, and fears that now sound silly. This list covers 18 of the most ridiculous things people thought were true back then.
1. Pop Rocks and Soda Could Explode Your Stomach
Evan-Amos on Wikimedia Commons
A widespread myth claimed that consuming Pop Rocks candy with soda would cause your stomach to explode. This urban legend gained traction in the 80s, leading to parental warnings and schoolyard fears. In reality, the combination is harmless, producing only a fizzy sensation.
2. Swallowing Watermelon Seeds Grows a Melon in Your Stomach
Vikram Aditya on Pexels
Many kids feared that swallowing watermelon seeds would result in a melon growing inside them. This harmless myth was perpetuated by cartoons and playful warnings from adults.
3. The Babysitter and the Man Upstairs
Boys in Bristol Photography on Pexels
This chilling tale told of a babysitter receiving mysterious calls, only to discover they were coming from inside the house. The story played on fears of vulnerability and was a staple of ’80s horror folklore, despite lacking any factual basis.
4. Polybius: The Mind-Control Arcade Game
Newsilver95 on Wikimedia Commons
An urban legend from the early ’80s spoke of ‘Polybius,’ an arcade game that allegedly caused seizures and amnesia. Rumors suggested it was a government experiment, but no evidence of the game’s existence has ever been found.
5. Touching Toads Causes Warts
Yaroslav Savateikin on Pexels
A common childhood belief was that handling toads would give you warts. This myth likely stemmed from the toad’s bumpy skin, but in truth, warts are caused by human viruses, not amphibians.
6. Chocolate Milk Comes from Brown Cows
stevepb on Wikimedia Commons
A surprisingly common misconception among children was that chocolate milk was produced by brown cows. This humorous belief highlights the innocence and literal thinking of youth.
7. Halloween Candy Was Laced with Poison or Razors
Photo By: Kaboompics.com on Pexeks
Parents were warned to inspect Halloween treats for tampering, fearing poison or hidden razors. Despite widespread concern, documented cases of such incidents are exceedingly rare.
8. Satanic Cults Were Operating Everywhere
Kyle Miller on Wikimedia Commons
The ‘Satanic Panic’ of the ’80s and ’90s led many to believe that satanic cults were widespread, conducting rituals and abductions. These fears were largely unfounded and fueled by sensational media coverage.
9. Using Cell Phones at Gas Stations Could Cause Explosions
Using Cell Phones at Gas Stations Could Cause Explosions on Wikimedia Commons
Warnings about cell phone use at gas stations causing fires were prevalent, despite a lack of evidence supporting such claims. The myth persisted, leading to cautionary signs at fuel pumps.
10. Y2K Would Crash All Computers and End the World
The President’s Council on the Year 2000 Conversion on Wikimedia Commons
As the year 2000 approached, fears that computers would fail due to date formatting led to widespread panic. Extensive preparations were made, but the transition occurred with minimal issues.
11. Learning Cursive Was Essential for Adulthood
MART PRODUCTION on Pexels
Students were often told that mastering cursive writing was crucial, as all adult correspondence would require it. In reality, cursive has become less prevalent with the rise of digital communication.
12. The World Was Black and White Before Color TV
Esra Korkmaz on Pexels
Some children believed that the world itself was once black and white, influenced by old photographs and television shows. This misconception highlights the tendency of young minds to interpret things literally.
13. Mix Tapes Were the Ultimate Romantic Gesture
cottonbro studio on Pexels
Creating a mix tape was seen as a heartfelt way to express affection, with each song carefully chosen to convey emotions. This practice was a staple of ’80s and ’90s courtship.
14. Cabbage Patch Snacktime Kids Tried to Eat More Than Snacks
Appalachian Artworks, Inc on Wikimedia Commons
These dolls had motorized mouths that “ate” plastic snacks, but sometimes, they kept going. Kids’ fingers and hair got painfully caught in the chewing mechanism. The dolls were eventually recalled after too many accidents scared parents and made headlines.
15. The Power Glove Was the Future of Gaming
Plusea on Wikimedia Commons
Marketed as a revolutionary gaming controller, the Power Glove promised immersive gameplay. However, its poor responsiveness and limited game compatibility left many players disappointed.
16. Chupacabra Sightings Caused Widespread Panic
LeCire / Vectorised by Karta24 on Wikimedia Commons
Reports of a blood-sucking creature terrorizing livestock emerged in the ’90s, leading to widespread fear in parts of the Americas. Despite numerous sightings, no concrete evidence of the Chupacabra’s existence has been found.
17. Scratched CDs Could Be Fixed with Toothpaste
Aaron Jacobs from Los Angeles, CA on Wikimedia Function Hall
A popular DIY fix involved applying toothpaste to scratched CDs to restore playback. While it sometimes improved minor scratches, it often caused more harm than good.
18. People Thought MSG Was a Deadly Poison
Ragesoss assumed (based on copyright claims) on Wikimedia Commons
MSG was blamed for everything from headaches to full-blown health crises. Despite the panic, no solid scientific evidence ever backed up the claims. Decades later, it is still unfairly feared by some.