10 Animal Sayings That Are Totally Misleading

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These phrases are ingrained in us from childhood, often accepted without question. Descriptions like "happy as a clam," "crazy as a loon," or "eats like a bird" are commonly understood, but have you ever questioned their accuracy? Are clams truly happy? Do loons behave irrationally? Do birds consume very little? The answers might surprise you.

Certain animal idioms hold true. For instance, the phrase "a fish out of water" perfectly describes someone in an unsuitable environment. Picture a dance floor filled with 20-somethings grooving to rock music, only to have an elderly couple attempt to waltz in the middle. The couple would clearly stand out, much like a fish struggling on land, making the expression fitting.

However, not all animal sayings are as accurate. Take "the early bird gets the worm," for example. While some bird species wake early and feast on worms, late risers also find their share. The early birds don’t consume them all. The most intriguing sayings, though, are those that are outright false. Here are 10 examples.

10: Blind as a Bat

Bats are far from blind; they don’t even suffer from mild nearsightedness. Instead, they boast extraordinary hearing and a highly advanced sonar system, surpassing even the technology used by the U.S. military [source:Science Daily]. This echolocation ability allows bats to emit ultrasonic pulses that bounce off objects, helping them navigate, hunt, and orient themselves with precision.

As bats are nocturnal creatures with extraordinary echolocation abilities, their reliance on vision is minimal. This might explain the origin of the myth that they are blind. Additionally, bats, being the only flying mammals, have always evoked a mix of fascination and aversion in humans, leading to numerous misconceptions about them.

9: Cute as a Bug's Ear

Most people wouldn’t describe bugs as cute; in fact, many find them downright unpleasant, whether it’s flies, cockroaches, or ants. (While "bug" isn’t a scientific term, it’s used here for the sake of the simile.) So, could these unappealing creatures have adorable ears? Unlikely. More importantly, bugs typically don’t have ears in the traditional sense — the structures we associate with hearing on the sides or tops of heads. Grasshoppers, for example, have ears on their abdomens, while katydids have them on their front legs. Lacewings? Their ears are on their wings [source: University of Colorado Boulder].

The origin of this saying might trace back to the word "acute," meaning sharp or keen. Insects possess acute hearing, capable of detecting faint and high-pitched sounds. In 18th-century England, "cute" was synonymous with "acute." It’s possible that people at the time described insects' hearing or ears as "cute," referring to their effectiveness rather than their charm [source: Martin].

8: Eats Like a Bird

The phrase "eats like a bird" is often used to describe someone who eats very little or picks at their food. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Birds are voracious eaters, feasting on insects, nectar, and other foods throughout the day. While they may eat small amounts at a time, they do so frequently. Some songbirds, for instance, eat every two seconds! Research from the Smithsonian reveals that birds, along with lizards and bats, consume so many insects that they indirectly support plant growth [source: Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute].

The quantity a bird eats varies by its size. Larger birds may consume a quarter of their body weight daily, while smaller ones can eat up to half. Take the tiny hummingbird, for example, which devours twice its body weight each day to sustain its rapid wing movements [source: Moss]. So, saying someone eats like a bird might actually imply they eat a lot, assuming pigs are known for their hearty appetites!

7: Happy as a Clam

The phrase "happy as a clam" originated in early 19th-century America, particularly in the northeastern regions. Clams, of course, don’t have facial expressions, but the saying comes from the fuller version, "happy as a clam at high tide." For those unfamiliar with coastal life, here’s the explanation: Clams are bivalves, meaning they have a two-part shell, and they use a muscular foot to burrow into the sand.

Clamming is typically done at low tide when the bivalves are easier to locate. Therefore, clams are thought to be happiest during high tide, as they’re safe from being dug up and served as meals [source: Know Your Phrase].

6: Crazy as a Loon

The loon often gets a bad rap, unfairly associated with madness or insanity. In truth, loons are far from crazy. These aquatic birds dive for food in large lakes and use the water’s surface as a runway to take off. There are five loon species globally, with the common loon being the most prevalent in North America [source: Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center].

Common loons are fascinating creatures. During summer, they display striking black-and-white plumage, though they adopt a more subdued gray and white appearance in winter. Despite their bulky build, they can fly at remarkable speeds, with migrating loons reaching over 70 miles (113 kilometers) per hour [source: Cornell Lab of Ornithology]. Their diving and fishing abilities are equally impressive, as they can plunge silently and maneuver swiftly underwater, executing sharp turns to catch prey.

So why are they labeled "crazy"? Common loons produce a variety of calls, including wails, yodels, and tremolos. The tremolos and yodels, in particular, resemble unsettling laughter, while their haunting wails can sound eerily unhinged.

5: Crying Crocodile Tears

When someone accuses you of shedding crocodile tears, they’re not suggesting you’re sad. Instead, they’re implying you’re being insincere, pretending to cry when you’re not truly upset. In fact, you might even be feeling quite pleased. This expression stems from the myth that crocodiles weep while eating their prey, feigning sorrow over their meal.

Crocodiles do produce tears (as do alligators), thanks to lachrymal glands that keep their eyes moist. They sometimes shed these tears while eating. Researchers at the University of Florida suggest that the excitement of eating causes air to be pushed through their sinuses, forcing tears into their eyes. However, these tears aren’t linked to sadness or any other emotion—they’re purely a physical reaction, akin to sweating when nervous.

4: The Bee's Knees

The phrase "the bee's knees" is used to describe something exceptional or outstanding. But do bees actually have knees? Like all insects, bees have six leg segments connected by joints. One segment could be loosely compared to a knee, but it’s not a true knee as we understand it. Some believe the expression refers to the pollen-carrying sacs on bees’ legs, symbolizing something valuable or excellent.

When the phrase gained popularity in 1920s America, it joined a wave of similarly whimsical animal-related expressions, such as "the cat's pajamas" and "the sardine's whiskers." The phrase likely emerged as a reflection of the era’s playful language. Its appeal was also boosted by the rhyming of "bees" and "knees," making it catchy and fun to say [source: McCabe].

3: Stubborn as a Mule

This phrase likely conjures an image of someone tugging on a mule’s rope, only for the animal to resist, planting its hooves firmly in the ground. Or perhaps you imagine a donkey. But are both animals truly stubborn? First, let’s clarify their differences. A mule isn’t a distinct species like a horse or donkey; it’s a hybrid, born from a male donkey and a female horse. Donkeys have 62 chromosomes, horses have 64, and mules end up with 63. This odd number makes them sterile [source: Lucky Three Ranch].

Both donkeys and mules are often labeled as stubborn, willful, or obstinate. However, this reputation is undeserved. Research by Canterbury Christ Church University and Devon's The Donkey Sanctuary revealed that mules excel in problem-solving and adaptability, outperforming donkeys, horses, and even dogs. So why the misconception? Mules and donkeys are highly intelligent and prioritize self-preservation. They avoid overexertion and dangerous situations, traits that have been misinterpreted as stubbornness [source: Canterbury Christ Church University].

2: Cats Have Nine Lives

It’s common knowledge that cats don’t actually possess nine lives. This saying likely stems from their mysterious and agile nature, as they often sneak around, leap from great heights, and seem to vanish and reappear magically. However, when people use this phrase, they’re usually implying that cats can survive situations that would be fatal to other animals, such as falling from significant heights. While cats are adept at surviving falls, this doesn’t mean they’re invincible. Falls from low heights (like two or three stories) may not give them enough time to right themselves, potentially causing serious injury. Similarly, falls from tall buildings can result in severe harm or death due to the impact [source: Carlson].

Cats also lose their so-called "nine lives" in other ways. Outdoor cats often face dangers like fights with other cats, attacks by animals such as dogs, or being hit by cars—all common causes of death. Additionally, one-third of pet cats in the U.S. succumb to cancer, a very ordinary cause of death [source: Rusk].

1: You Can't Teach an Old Dog New Tricks

This saying is often used to suggest that older individuals, whether human or canine, can’t learn new things. However, this isn’t accurate. Older dogs can indeed learn a variety of commands, skills, or tricks, much like puppies, though it might take a bit more time. Researchers at the University of Veterinary Medicine-Vienna studied 145 border collies aged 6 months to 14 years to observe how attention and focus change with age. They conducted two tests to measure the dogs’ responses to objects and humans. While older dogs lost interest in objects faster than younger ones, their interest remained strong when a person was involved, matching that of younger dogs [source: Science 2.0].

Your senior dog might prefer you to think he’s incapable of learning, especially if it means he can lounge on a cozy bed in the sunlight. However, just as older humans benefit from mental exercises like crossword puzzles, dogs thrive when mentally stimulated. So, grab some treats and start training!