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
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
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
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
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
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
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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There aren’t any obvious errors that can be laid at Darlow’s door over the past four matches.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
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Sponsors assume no responsibility for any error, omissions, interruption, deletion, defect or delay in operation with transmission, communications, line failure, theft or destruction or unauthorized access to or allegation of submissions.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Arizona is home to numerous local legends, myths, and supernatural tales.—
Tiffany Acosta,
AZCentral.com,
17 Oct. 2025
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The series explores Bollywood myths and realities in a very insider way.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Don’t let delusions (especially those planted by gaslighters) guide your thoughts and heart.—
Lisa Stardust,
Refinery29,
14 Oct. 2025
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Chatbots are known to validate users’ obsessions and delusions, and most of the litigation around this phenomenon has so far pertained to self-harm, as in the suits Jain has brought against OpenAI and Character Technologies.—
Miles Klee,
Rolling Stone,
11 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Inspired by mirrors, which reflect reality while simultaneously generating illusion, the collection explored the tension between the two.—
Denni Hu,
Footwear News,
17 Oct. 2025
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Her research examines people’s beliefs about what others think of them, including illusions and biases that can interfere with social connection, and interventions to improve people’s social lives.—
Maya Rossignac-Milon
Erica Boothby,
CNBC,
17 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Old wives' tale.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/old%20wives%27%20tale. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
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