What the heck is an old wives tale??

Question

Is it like a fairy tale or a rumor?

Answer 1

A superstitious belief or story belonging to traditional folklore.

Further, "The Old Wives' Tale" is the title of a novel by Arnold Bennett, first published in 1908. It deals with the lives of two very different sisters, Constance and Sophia Baines, following their stories from their youth, working in their mother's draper's shop, into old age. It is generally regarded as one of Bennett's finest works.

1989 Album by Exene Cervenka

1997 Album by Joy Electric

Answer 2

My mother in law saw me put something on a high shelf and scolded me about lifting my arms over my head, how that would make the umbilical cord wrap around the babies neck. I had to laugh; that was an old wives tale I had never heard before.

Answer 3

Gosh, I think it is a group of ideas, hints, cures and suggestions put together by the poor wives who had to "invent" cures to what ailed them; ie, necessity is the mother of invention. What at first seems to be a :"tale" oft becomes a real cure or answer.
Garlic is beneficial in good health.
If the cows are laying down in a field it is going to snow.
If you sit too close to the TV, you'll go blind.
Perhaps it is the prelude to Urban Legends...... :-)

Answer 4

Something like that. Old wives tales are things like rumors, tricks, tips and such that are passed down through generations.

Answer 5

An old wives tale is a phrase that means something is just a superstition, like black cats crossing your path brings bad luck.

Answer 6

Generally it refers to traditional 'folk wisdom', usually remedies, so called because they were traditionally passed down by old wives. It now carries the connotation of something that is widely believed, but nevertheless untrue, like a superstition.

Answer 7

It's an old saying or belief that's been handed down through the generations, and has little basis in fact. It's mainly derived from superstitions, and should not be taken seriously.

Answer 8

its something thats been told thru the generations by lots of mainly women,(but ive heard a man tell a few!!),that has something to do with life expriences.like dont raise your arms above your head when youre preggers because the imbilical cord will wrap around the babys neck.i dont kno if its true or not but i didnt ever do it tho'! who wants to chance something like that. its lots of supersticious stuff. not all bad. just a little out there on some of them tho'. hope this helped.

Answer 9

It;s Just Something Older People Made Up And In Most Cases It's BS.

Answer 10

Yes exactly that - like a little white lie that seems to be passed down through the ages - like if you eat your crusts your hair will go curly.