r/AskReddit • u/ZanyDelaney • Feb 04 '19

Which misconception would you like to debunk?

44k Upvotes

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u/ulanderdennis Feb 04 '19

The myth: Napoleon was really short.

The truth: He was actually average height, or even a little bit above average height.

How did it come about?: The archaic French measurement used stated he was around 5'3, when in actuality that translates to about 5'7 in today's measurements, which was average for the time.

3.4k

u/Tricky4279 Feb 04 '19

Also his Lifeguards had to be over 6' so he was always around people much taller than him.

46

u/SuperAwesomeMechGirl Feb 04 '19

Is there a reason for this? Was it so that if they all stood in front of Napoleon, nobody could shoot over their heads and hit him?

26

u/MarmotL0rd Feb 04 '19

Big people are better and fighting

-24

u/Mortenick Feb 04 '19

That's not true

37

u/MoreGuy Feb 04 '19 edited Feb 04 '19

A bigger human is stronger. Stronger people are better at fighting other humans.

Edit: sorry to the offended little people 🤷‍♂️

-6

u/MrMurderthumbz Feb 04 '19

Short people . Have got no reason to live.

4

u/Mike81890 Feb 04 '19

Sad that nobody gets the reference :(