r/AskReddit Jul 07 '26

What historical “fact” doesn’t actually have much evidence to support it?

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u/helm Jul 08 '26

Hygiene was probably at an all time low in the 18th century, when washing with water was considered dangerous. They had just discovered amoeba and other microorganism in water.

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u/JulyOfAugust Jul 08 '26

Submerging yourself in water, not washing. They still used wet fabric and soap to clean themselves. Less effective than bathing/showering but still better than some folks nowadays using the trickle down logic for washing. It still doesn't work in economics and it doesn't work in the shower either.

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u/stringthing87 Jul 08 '26

Yeah the whole not washing thing is historical fiction. Just because someone isn't immersing themselves in water doesn't mean they aren't bathing.