old wives' tale

noun
UK: /ˌəʊld ˈwaɪvz ˌteɪl/
US: /ˌoʊld ˈwaɪvz ˌteɪl/

  1. A traditional belief that is not based on scientific facts, often about health or pregnancy.

    1. It's just an old wives' tale that eating cheese before bed gives you nightmares.
    2. Doctors debunked the old wives' tale about not swimming after eating a meal.

  2. A superstition or piece of folklore passed down through generations, usually untrue or unproven.

    1. According to an old wives' tale, a horseshoe brings good luck if hung above your door.
    2. Don't believe that old wives' tale about yawning being contagious after someone does it.

Synonyms

urban legend myth superstition folklore

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "old wives' tale" in English means: A traditional belief that is not based on scientific facts, often about health or pregnancy., A superstition or piece of folklore passed down through generations, usually untrue or unproven..

The phonetic transcription of "old wives' tale" is /ˌəʊld ˈwaɪvz ˌteɪl/ in British English and /ˌoʊld ˈwaɪvz ˌteɪl/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "old wives' tale": urban legend, myth, superstition, folklore.

Example usage of "old wives' tale": "It's just an old wives' tale that eating cheese before bed gives you nightmares.". More examples on the page.