as in error
a false idea or belief
the belief that going outside with wet hair will cause you to catch cold is just an old wives' tale
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Recent Examples of old wives' tale
Some commenters pointed out that an old wives' tale dictates that a bride finding a spider in her wedding dress will bring her good luck, prosperity and protection.
—
Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 22 Jan. 2026
Warm milk The long-standing tradition of drinking a glass of warm milk before bed isn't just an old wives' tale.
—Lauren Manaker, SELF, 26 Nov. 2025
Ольга Симонова/iStock / Getty Images Plus Coffee in the garden isn't just an old wives' tale.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Aug. 2025
For the 39 million Americans who suffer from migraines, finding effective relief can be a constant struggle – leading many to test out old wives' tales.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2025
There are many myths, misconceptions and old wives' tales floating around regarding Arizona's high temperatures and blistering summer heat.
—Shelby Slade, AZCentral.com, 19 May 2025
According to a popular old wives' tale, going to bed with wet hair can lead to catching a nasty cold.
—Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025
An old wives' tale says heartburn during pregnancy means your unborn baby has a full head of hair, but many parents with bald babies would strongly disagree.
—Tiffany Eve Lawrence, Parents, 3 May 2024
The idea that breast milk is a cure-all might seem like an old wives' tale, but there's scientific research behind the results Williams is seeing: fresh breast milk has been proven to help with atopic eczema, diaper rash, and a collection of other maladies.
—Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 6 Dec. 2023
Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 22 Jan. 2026
Warm milk The long-standing tradition of drinking a glass of warm milk before bed isn't just an old wives' tale.
—Lauren Manaker, SELF, 26 Nov. 2025
Ольга Симонова/iStock / Getty Images Plus Coffee in the garden isn't just an old wives' tale.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Aug. 2025
For the 39 million Americans who suffer from migraines, finding effective relief can be a constant struggle – leading many to test out old wives' tales.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2025
There are many myths, misconceptions and old wives' tales floating around regarding Arizona's high temperatures and blistering summer heat.
—Shelby Slade, AZCentral.com, 19 May 2025
According to a popular old wives' tale, going to bed with wet hair can lead to catching a nasty cold.
—Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025
An old wives' tale says heartburn during pregnancy means your unborn baby has a full head of hair, but many parents with bald babies would strongly disagree.
—Tiffany Eve Lawrence, Parents, 3 May 2024
The idea that breast milk is a cure-all might seem like an old wives' tale, but there's scientific research behind the results Williams is seeing: fresh breast milk has been proven to help with atopic eczema, diaper rash, and a collection of other maladies.
—Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 6 Dec. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for old wives' tale
Noun
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Mexico opened the scoring in the ninth minute when Quiñones capitalized on a defensive error by South Africa and fired a shot down the middle, between the legs of goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.—
Eduard Cauich,
Los Angeles Times,
12 June 2026
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If the water tank was destroyed amid the larger US attack in response to the helicopter downing, Ball said the location makes an error in the weapon’s guidance unlikely.—
Gianluca Mezzofiore,
CNN Money,
11 June 2026
Noun
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This belief underwrites the common myth that true style is effortless, a form of expression that arises from indifference rather than care.—
Jacob Brogan,
The Atlantic,
11 June 2026
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Advertisement Part of why this myth persists, Masland says, is that the hardest moments are the most visible ones.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
11 June 2026
Noun
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The darkly comedic drama confronts reality, privacy, and the delusions fueling our ever-changing world.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
16 June 2026
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Also, just a little bit of delusion will carry you a long way.—
Hershal Pandya,
Vulture,
16 June 2026
Noun
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The latest tit-for-tat strikes threaten to completely shatter any lingering illusion of a ceasefire between the United States and Iran that supposedly began on April 8.—
Jeremy Hsu,
ArsTechnica,
10 June 2026
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The former offers the illusion of control while creating new vulnerabilities.—
Leonard Lim,
Fortune,
10 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Old wives' tale.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/old%20wives%27%20tale. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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