The Daily News lists some urban legends and their truths. The story Gothamist likes best is this one, about dropping coins from the Empire State Building:
Urban legend: Coins dropped from the top of the Empire State Building can kill pedestrians below or embed themselves in the pavement.
Real story: The aerodynamics of the skyscraper create a hefty updraft that blows any tossed pennies against the building; they generally land on the 86th-floor window ledges.
Thank God. We dropped a penny way back when we were 8 and have been worried ever since.
There may not be crocodiles in the sewer system, but there was an alligator in Queens recently.





Not to mention, even without the updraft, the pennies would reach terminal velocity in about 2 seconds due to air resistance!
I like that 86th floor fact, though. What would be cool would be a picture out somebody's office window with pennies on the ledge!
My buddy's office is on the 86th floor of that building. I need to ask him to look out the window!
You're only six years old then. You're wearing that white sweater with the hood. Did it have a zipper? No worry, we have a photo.
..... man .... what a way to go.. huh?