What things do you know is wrong, but still stupidly believe for a moment when you think about it?

[Soubriquet]

Mine is Mexico

I know it’s near the equator. I know Canada is north of America. Yet everytime I think of Mexico, I randomly think it’s North America before I have to remind myself no, it’s south.

I was adamant there were 50 states at work the other week because there are But colleagues kept correcting me and telling me that Washington DC and Puerto Rico are also states.

This is one of those Mandela things. I'm convinced I was taught that there were 52 states in school.

Mexico is definitely in North America, OP. Ciudad Juàrez is hundreds of miles north of San Antonio, Houston, New Orleans and the entire Gulf Coast. Have you ever actually been to the southern United States?

There are 52 states! Surely

For years (I actually up until last year 🙈) I believed Scotland Yard was in Scotland!
I'd see a news report about London gun crime, terrorism incidents that happened in London & various other things & could not for the life of me work out why their headquarters would be in Scotland!!

I also thought this

I thought this also

I would have totally fallen for that!

Back in 1982 when the Falklands war broke out, I was surprised to learn the Falklands weren't off the coast of Scotland. cringe

Tbf I was only 15 then, but was rather a lot older before I realised the Scilly Isles also weren't off the coast of Scotland. double cringe

(Can you tell I dropped geography at the earliest opportunity?)

Remember that episode of Friends where Ross was trying to remember all 50 states? He still missed one 😅

The US states one might be because at various times there's been discussion/votes about adding DC and/or Puerto Rico to the 50, and people then talk about 'the 51st/52nd state'?

That it takes 45 minutes to get to Heathrow from my house. Even at 2am driving at warp speed it's not a 45 minute drive.

I always thought Billericay was a quaint Scottish seaside town similar to Balamory!

I'm with 52 states 🤣🤔

You do know that Balamory isn't a real place don't you ?

The real Balamory is Tobermory.

The real Balamory is Tobermory.

Well yes I just was wanting to make sure the poster knew that 😀

Yes, I do know it's not a real place (but is a real place iyswim - cos now I know it's Tobermory!) 🤣

I could have had my dreams shattered there 🤣

Phew I was worried I had shattered your dreams of visiting " Balamory " looking for Miss hoolie😃

That Barnstaple isn't in Yorkshire and Pontefract isn't in Wales. I was 50 until I realised this and conclude that both of these places are in the wrong place. 😊

My Dad has relatives In Pontefrat I used to think it was Wales !

There are definitely 50 states. DC is a federal district (though often treated as a state) and Puerto Rico is an unincorporated territory of the USA.

As a rather nerdy child, I memorised all 50 in alphabetical order. As a rather nerdy adult, that particular party trick has yet to be of use.

@PuttingDownRoots i also was so confused when I figured out Washington DC wasn’t in Washington state. I wouldn’t mind but I actually went to DC and loved it. It was years later I was talking to DH and looking at a map of America and was like ‘how can that be Washington? I went to Washington and then flew home from New Jersey the next day’ I was completely convinced I’d gone from one side to the other in about 24 hours.

I have used the 50 states to win the Friends competition many times. There are always more M, N and I states than you think.

You can always count the stars on the flag if you're stuck for the number.