old wives' tale


old wives' tale

noun

Definition of OLD WIVES' TALE

: an often traditional belief that is not based on fact : superstition

Examples of OLD WIVES' TALE

  1. Frogs won't give you warts. That's just an old wives' tale.
  2. the old wives' tale about the full moon causing people to act crazy

First Known Use of OLD WIVES' TALE

circa 1590

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