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 school playgrounds. Old wives' tales often concern pregnancy, puberty and nutrition.
Famous quotes containing the word tale:
“Life is not at all what you might think it to be
A simple tale where each thing has its history
It’s much more than its scuffle and anything goes
Both evil and good, subject to the same laws.”
—John Ashbery (b. 1927)
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