DOOMSDAY TALES

Did you know about these 10 famous failed predictions?

Image: Javier Miranda

Oddly, the idea of the apocalypse has always fascinated humanity. Throughout history, many have predicted the end of the world with fervor and certainty - and many have believed in these predictions with genuine dread.

However, time and time again, these doomsday prophecies have failed to materialize, leaving many scratching their heads or just breathing a sigh of relief. Let's take a look at 10 instances where the world didn't end as predicted.

Image: Zoltan Tasi

Some historians believe that as the first millennium drew to a close, widespread panic gripped Europe, with many fearing the end of the world would coincide with the year 1000. The belief was rooted in Christian theology, as a thousand years had passed since Jesus’ birth. However, when the anticipated end-of-days came, absolutely nothing happened. Some were disappointed, while others hit the snooze button on the prophesized apocalypse until 1033, a thousand years after Jesus’ crucifixion (spoiler alert: they were also wrong).

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In 1499, Johannes Stöffler, a German mathematician and astronomer, predicted that a great flood would engulf the world on February 20, 1524. Stöffler based his prophecy on the alignment of planets under the watery sign of Pisces, believing it foretold a catastrophic deluge. His prophecy was believed by many, and boat builders saw an unexpected boom in sales, with even a German nobleman ordering to build a three-story ark.

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One of the most notable failed doomsday predictions in religious history was the prophesied by William Miller, an American clergyman. Miller predicted the Second Coming of Christ on October 22, 1844, and his prophecy led to an ardent following known as the Millerites. However, when Jesus failed to appear as expected, his followers experienced what they called the "Great Disappointment." Many were justifiably angry, as they had sold their earthly possessions in a hurry, while many others turned to different congregations, or abandoned their beliefs completely.

Image: Steve Busch

As Halley's Comet made its close approach to Earth in 1910, an observatory in Chicago announced that it had detected a toxic gas called cyanogen in the composition of the comet’s tail. Although ridiculous by modern standards, rumors then spread of the danger of the comet's poisonous gas tail, exacerbated by reports from media outlets like The New York Times, which reported that a French astronomer believed the gas could "impregnate the atmosphere" and asphyxiate all life on the planet.

Image: Daniil Silantev

Famed psychic Edgar Cayce prophesied a series of cataclysmic events he called "Earth Changes," that included the sinking of continents and the shifting of poles among many other catastrophes, during the late 20th century. Despite Cayce's reputation for accuracy in other predictions, these apocalyptic visions never materialized, leaving his followers perplexed.

Image: Tom Wheatley

In the 1970s, scientists noticed that global temperatures had decreased slightly since the 40s, and some conjectured that this trend could lead to an impending ice age. Though very few scientists actually thought this was likely - and most actually warned of the opposite trend of global warming - sensationalist media quickly picked up the ice age prediction, sparking fears of widespread famine and societal collapse. However, as subsequent research revealed the complexities of climate dynamics, the notion of an imminent ice age apocalypse was thoroughly debunked.

Image: Planet Volumes

In 1974, John Gribbin and Stephen Plagemann - two actual scientists for a change - theorized that the tidal forces resulting from the alignment of planets in our solar system, particularly Jupiter, could lead to catastrophic earthquakes in 1982. Though they later reconsidered their position after further research, their predictions gained some traction in the media. Luckily, the supposed effect failed to cause any noticeable disruption, and planetary alignments again proved to be completely harmless to life on Earth.

Image: Jake Walker

The turn of the millennium brought widespread fear of a technological meltdown due to a hypothetical software error known as the Y2K bug. Experts warned of computers crashing and electronically operated infrastructure collapsing as their internal clocks rolled over to the year 2000. Yet, when the clock struck midnight, the anticipated chaos failed to materialize, in part thanks to extensive preparation and updates to computer systems worldwide, but even where little had been done to prevent the error, problems were almost non-existent.

Image: Antonio Vivace

When the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) was switched on in 2008, concerns arose of potential black holes swallowing the Earth or the accidental creation of strange particles that could convert all matter into a new form. Since one of the stated goals of the LHC was actually to simulate microscopic black holes, it was natural for some people without knowledge of the matter to get a little nervous. However, obviously nothing bad happened, and the LHC has operated safely, advancing our understanding of particle physics without bringing about our demise.

Image: Kym MacKinnon

As the end of the Mayan Long Count calendar approached in 2012, speculation ran rampant that it signaled the end of the world. Despite Mayan scholars stating that there were no end of the world prophecies included in the ancient calendar, believers predicted all sorts of crazy catastrophes, from planetary alignment to cataclysmic events. As we all know, December 21, 2012, came and went without incident, proving doomsayers wrong once again.

Did you ever chew fat?

Why do we "break the ice"? Learn the origins of 12 social idioms

Image: Isse Anarika

We often say things like "break the ice" or "hit it off" when discussing hanging out with people, without giving much thought to these idioms. But each one has a specific origin and meaning. Have you ever stopped to think about these 12?

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The phrase "break the ice" comes from the days when trade ships got stuck in frozen waters during winter. Smaller vessels, known as icebreakers, were sent ahead to clear a navigable path.

In the same way, in social situations, initiating a conversation "breaks the ice" by easing tension and helping things flow more smoothly.

Image: Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦

The phrase "hit it off" dates back to the 18th century and originally referred to striking or starting something successfully.

Over time, it evolved to describe people who instantly connect or get along well when they first meet.

Image: Dave Duke

When we talk about "getting the ball rolling," we mean starting something in a way that sets it in motion, like beginning plans for an event with a kickoff meeting.

The phrase comes from sports, where a game begins by putting the ball into play.

Image: Timothy Dykes

To "rub elbows" means to be in close proximity to someone, often at the same event or in the same space, typically without much personal interaction.

It’s commonly used when referring to being around famous or influential people, like at a formal event or gathering.

Image: Casey Lee

To "shoot the breeze" means to engage in a relaxed, casual conversation, often without any specific purpose or agenda.

It’s usually more personal than small talk, which usually covers surface topics like the weather.

Image: Chris Karidis

A close cousin to "hit it off," the phrase "get on like a house on fire" dates back to the 18th century and compares a fast-forming friendship to a rapidly spreading fire.

It describes people who form a strong bond or connection almost immediately after meeting.

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To be "in the same boat" means to share the same problem or challenge with others.

The phrase comes from the idea of people on a ship facing the same risks together, such as storms or other dangers at sea.

Image: Ayla Verschueren

To "chew the fat" is an idiom similar to the previously mentioned "shoot the breeze," meaning to chat casually, often sharing gossip or idle talk.

The phrase evokes the image of jaws moving while speaking, much like chewing, and is associated with swapping stories or news.

Image: Madison Oren

While it might sound a bit ominous to someone unfamiliar with the phrase, to "paint the town red" means to go out and celebrate wildly, often with drinking, dancing, and general revelry.

The expression is believed to have originated in the 1830s, when the Marquis of Waterford and his friends went on a drunken rampage through the English town of Melton Mowbray, literally painting doors and buildings red during their escapades.

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The expression "come out of your shell" is derived from the image of a turtle emerging from its protective shell, which symbolizes shyness or isolation.

When someone comes out of their shell, it means they are becoming more open, confident, and social.

Image: Godfrey Nyangechi

The phrase "on the same wavelength" means that two people are thinking or feeling the same kind of things.

It originates from radio technology in the 1920s, where being on the same wavelength meant that signals matched perfectly and came through clearly.

Image: Kelly Sikkema

To have a "heart-to-heart" means to share an honest, emotional conversation, usually about personal matters, with someone you trust.