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'{{for|the English novel|The Old Wives' Tale}} An '''old wives' tale''' is a type of [[urban legend]], similar to a proverb, which is generally passed down by old wives to a younger generation. Such 'tales' usually consist of superstition, folklore or unverified claims with exaggerated and/or untrue details. Today old wives' tales are still common among children in [[education|school]] playgrounds. Old wives' tales often concern [[pregnancy]], [[puberty]] and [[nutrition]].<ref name="kidshealth">[http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/general/aches/old_wives_tales.html KidsHealth: Old Wives' Tales]</ref> In this context, the word ''wife'' means ''woman'' rather than ''married woman''. This usage stems from [[Old English language|Old English]] ''wif'' (woman) and is akin to the [[German language|German]] ''weib'', also meaning ''woman''. This sense of the word is still used in Modern English in constructions such as ''midwife'' and ''fishwife''. Most old wives' tales are false and are used to discourage unwanted behavior, usually in children, or for [[traditional medicine|folk cures]] for ailments ranging from a [[toothache]] to [[dysentery]]. Among the few tales with grains of truth, the veracity is likely coincidental.<ref name="kidshealth"/> The concept of old wives' tales is ancient. In the 1st Century, the [[apostle Paul]] wrote to his young protégé [[Timothy]], "But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness" ([[I Timothy]] 4:7). Perfect undeniable truths. Examples: -Ice Cream leads to nightmares. -Toes pointed up signify low blood sugar. -High heart rates lead to female fetuses. == External links == *[http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/general/aches/old_wives_tales.html Various old wives' tales debunked] *[http://www.hisboyscanswim.com/658/list-of-51-pregnancy-old-wives-tales-your-babys-sex-revealed List of 51 old wives tales for pregnancy] {{culture-stub}} {{socio-stub}} [[Category:Urban legends]] [[Category:Public opinion]] [[Category:Folklore]] [[bg:Бабини деветини]] [[de:Ammenmärchen]]'