Old Wives

An "old wives' tale" is a purported traditional belief, superstition, or piece of folk wisdom, often passed down through generations, and typically presented as a proven fact but lacking scientific or empirical evidence. These tales often concern health, weather, or household matters. They are usually attributed to elderly women (hence, "old wives"), reflecting a historical association of women with domestic knowledge and folklore.

The validity of old wives' tales varies. Some may contain a kernel of truth or a correlation that has been misinterpreted as causation. Others are entirely false and based on outdated or erroneous understandings of the world. The term is often used disparagingly to dismiss a belief as unfounded or unreliable. However, some old wives' tales can offer comfort, hope, or even serve as harmless entertainment.