When it comes to describing their past, people tend to exaggerate. For example, parents who grew up in the 1980s and 1990s lie about their youth to make them seem cooler. 

Research shows the most common fibs are that they were punks or goths or went to Glastonbury Festival or Ibiza before they became "too commercial."

They also claim to have been part of anti-Government protests or have been present at key sporting events.

A survey of 2,000 British adults revealed 73 percent have lied about their pasts, with 30 percent doing so just to impress the younger generations.

Attending Live Aid, joining a youth sub-culture, and taking part in a political protest top the 1980s lie list.

Trips to Glastonbury or Ibiza, YBA art exhibitions, and edgy haircuts are most commonly lied about for those who grew up in the 1990s.

More than half of the people surveyed (57 percent) admit they weren't as cool as they make out, while some parents say they can't actually remember what they got up to.

Interestingly, nearly a quarter admitted it was easier to lie before life was documented by social media and camera phones, but a fifth believed people would still try. 

However, one in two people revealed that at some point they were still caught out when telling a made-up or exaggerated story about the past. Which makes you wonder, could it have been someone who was featured on this subreddit?

Despite the evidence of exaggeration, 41 percent said they believe their generation was cooler in its heyday than young people today. The coolest decade was voted to be the 1980s (27 percent).