Edit filter log

'{{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> == Origin == In this context, the word ''wife'' means ''woman'' rather than ''married woman''. This usage stems from [[Old English language|Ogld 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 lfjdhygfdsuch as ''midwife'' and ''fishwife''. Most old wives' tales are false and are used to discourage unwanted behavior, usually in children, or for [[traditional fdgsfdgmedicine|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 [[Saint Timothy|Timothy]], "But refusgfdggsfdgfde profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself [rather] unto godlinfdgsfdgsfdgdess" ([[I Timothy]] 4:7 [[KJV]]<ref>[http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=1Ti&c=4&v=7&t=KJV#7 Blue Letter Bible – 1 Timothy 4:7]</ref>). === The oral tradition === Old wives' tales originate in the oral tradition of storytelling. They were generally propagated by illiterate women, telling stories to each other or to children. The stories did not attempt to moralise, but to teach lessons and make difficult concepts like death or coming of age easy for children to understand. Also these stories are used to scare children so they don't do certain things.<ref>The Guardian, 15 May 2010, Greer, Germaine. "Grandmother's footsteps" http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/may/15/germaine-greer-old-wives-tales</ref> These tales were often collected by literate men, and turned into written works. Fairy tales by Basile, Perrault, and the Grimms have their roots in the oral tradition of women. These male writers took the stories from women, with their plucky, clever heroines and heroes, and turned them into morality tales for children.<ref>Zipes, Jack. "The Trials and Tribulations of Little Red Riding Hood," Routledge, 1993 ISBN 0-415-90834-5</ref> == Usage == {{Unreferenced section|date=October 2012}} Examples of old wives' tales include: * Masturbation will make you blind and have hairy palms. * Ice cream leads to nightmares. * Toes pointed up signify low blood sugar. * High heart rates lead to female fetuses. * Don't swallow gum or it will stay in your stomach for seven years. * Making silly faces when the wind direction changes will make the silly face permanent. * Chocolate leads to acne. * Shaving your legs makes the hair grow back thicker. * Eating crusts (of a sandwich) makes your hair go curly/ you grow hair on your chest * The appearance of white spots on the fingernails is due to lying/ not eating enough green vegetables. It also all appears truthful. ==See also== * [[Saw (saying)]] * [[Maxim (philosophy)]] * [[Aphorism]] ==References== {{reflist}} ==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] [[Category:Urban legends]] [[Category:Public opinion]] [[Category:Folklore]]'