Carol and Spaw - If you say so I believe you. As I say I only have the urban legend end of the story.

My problem is that during my training in the Navy I saw several pictures of steam burns. There were pictures of burns from low pressure (150psi) steam and high pressure steam (1200psi). The low pressure steam burns were basicly scalds and 2nd degree burns (blisters and such). The high pressure steam caused third degree burns to the point of effectively eliminating body parts.

Two years ago we had an accident here on the base where an employee was bathed in live (low pressure) steam. It took a year of intense medical treatment and therapy to get him up and around. His is an inspiring story of courage and hope.

I just can't see a cup of coffee doing anything like that.