This is a random one: (I have no clue if this is backed in any real science or history as I haven’t not looked it up)
I suspect the myth of mermaids (with lower half fish and upper half human) stemmed from woman divers along coastal regions, who wouldn’t have had any swimming clothes and so would likely be doing so undressed (or only slightly dressed) and likely obscured by the water.
I could also see the part of the myth that mermaids drown sailors as more or less of a ‘don’t mess with them’ warning to people on the ships in case they decided to go check it out or start to stare a little too hard and not focus on what they’re supposed to be doing.
This is a random one: (I have no clue if this is backed in any real science or history as I haven’t not looked it up)
I suspect the myth of mermaids (with lower half fish and upper half human) stemmed from woman divers along coastal regions, who wouldn’t have had any swimming clothes and so would likely be doing so undressed (or only slightly dressed) and likely obscured by the water.
I could also see the part of the myth that mermaids drown sailors as more or less of a ‘don’t mess with them’ warning to people on the ships in case they decided to go check it out or start to stare a little too hard and not focus on what they’re supposed to be doing.
Nah, sailors wanted to fuck seals.