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- Dictionaryold wives' tale
noun
- 1. a widely held traditional belief that is now thought to be unscientific or incorrect.
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OLD WIVES' TALE definition: 1. a piece of advice or a theory, often related to matters of health, that was believed in the past…. Learn more.
The meaning of OLD WIVES' TALE is an often traditional belief that is not based on fact : superstition. How to use old wives' tale in a sentence.
An " old wives' tale " is a colloquial expression referring to spurious or superstitious claims. They can be said sometimes to be a type of urban legend, said to be passed down by older women to a younger generation.
Old wives' tale definition: a traditional belief, story, or idea that is often of a superstitious nature.. See examples of OLD WIVES' TALE used in a sentence.
(disapproving) an old idea or belief that has proved not to be scientific: When you’re expecting a baby, people tell you all sorts of old wives’ tales. ♢ The belief that make-up ruins your skin is just an old wives’ tale.
An old wives' tale is a traditional belief, especially one which is incorrect. Ann Bradley dispels the old wives' tales and gives the medical facts. Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary .
An old wives' tale is a well-known belief that is actually just superstition. One old wives' tale you may have heard warns that if you swallow chewing gum, it will stay in your stomach for years.
old wives’ tale meaning, definition, what is old wives’ tale: a belief based on old ideas that are now...: Learn more.
That's an old wives' tale. This expression was already known in ancient Greece, and a version in English was recorded in 1387. Despite invoking bigoted stereotypes of women and old people, it survives.
Old Wives' Tale definition: A superstitious or spurious belief belonging to traditional folklore.
