More than 71,575 people have 'liked' the post, with 10,000 users weighing in on the discussion, including a huge number of women insisting that you are meant to keep the plastic on to protect your ears.

 

Others expressed shock about the revelation with one woman in disbelief that she had been walking around with 'plastic things' on her ears for years.

 

After finding out the news, another wrote: 'My whole life has been a joke,'

 

And even a jewellery shop worker voiced confusion over the post. Ej Bonifacio wrote: 'I worked at a jewelry² store for three years and my brain just exploded.'

 

But a counter-argument is gathering³ pace as many comments suggest you should be keeping the backing on.

 

One of the most popular comments with over 3,000 likes said the plastic provides a purpose. One woman said: 'It keeps heavier or larger earrings in place so that they don't hang down on your ear.'

 

Another said the plastic prevents the piercing from stretching too much and can stop you from having saggy⁴ lobes⁵ later in life. Colleen Lyons wrote: 'It's for people whose ear piercings have stretched with age.'

 

But some people have now decided⁶ to take the plastic off following on from the Facebook debate. Carolin Koch wrote: 'The moment when you realize your ears are stretched and you don't care about the plastic.' Claiming she knew along, another said: 'Everyone knows to take the plastic off, I feel smart for once.'

点击收听单词发音