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
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
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
That's why there's no shortage of old wives' tales surrounding the induction of labor—and no end to parents-to-be looking for signs that their little one will arrive soon.
—Melissa Mills, Parents, 19 Dec. 2023
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
According to old wives' tales, these pregnancy symptoms may suggest your baby will be assigned male at birth.
—Christin Perry, Parents, 25 July 2023
Well, the Germans like a touch of oversteer, and that's no old wives' tale.
—Larry Griffin, Car and Driver, 15 Mar. 2023
An old wives' tale that keeping raw, unpeeled onions out will keep your family safe from illnesses such as the flu is making the rounds on Facebook.
—Katie Landeck, USA TODAY, 16 June 2020
Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 5 July 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
That's why there's no shortage of old wives' tales surrounding the induction of labor—and no end to parents-to-be looking for signs that their little one will arrive soon.
—Melissa Mills, Parents, 19 Dec. 2023
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
According to old wives' tales, these pregnancy symptoms may suggest your baby will be assigned male at birth.
—Christin Perry, Parents, 25 July 2023
Well, the Germans like a touch of oversteer, and that's no old wives' tale.
—Larry Griffin, Car and Driver, 15 Mar. 2023
An old wives' tale that keeping raw, unpeeled onions out will keep your family safe from illnesses such as the flu is making the rounds on Facebook.
—Katie Landeck, USA TODAY, 16 June 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for old wives' tale
Noun
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High-profile cases have shown that spreadsheet errors can cost companies millions.—
Aleksandra Bal,
Forbes.com,
13 July 2025
-
Unforced error after unforced error plagued the team.—
Emma Moon,
Charlotte Observer,
13 July 2025
Noun
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Learn the secrets behind wands, wishing trees and other plant folklore and myths.—
Jeanette Marantos,
Los Angeles Times,
28 June 2025
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Ursula Lindsey The Moroccan writer’s works are a bracing corrective to the myth of his city as a glamorous, bohemian playground.—
Sophia Rosenfeld,
The New York Review of Books,
26 June 2025
Noun
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The private and personalized nature of AI use makes its mental health impact difficult to track, but the evidence of potential harms is mounting, from professional apathy to attachments to new forms of delusion.—
Parmy Olson,
Mercury News,
12 July 2025
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At his trial, Fish's children described a chaotic home life marked by erratic behavior, religious delusions and violence.—
Christina Coulter,
People.com,
12 July 2025
Noun
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Call it pixie dust, projection, illusion, artifice — who really cares?—
Teri Sforza,
Oc Register,
11 July 2025
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The illusion is caused by the moon being seen close to the horizon, where trees and buildings give the human brain context.—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Old wives' tale.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/old%20wives%27%20tale. Accessed 17 Jul. 2025.
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