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
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
For centuries, women have relied on this old wives' tale to get shiny, irresistibly touchable hair.
—Ashlyn Messier, Fox News, 17 June 2013
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
The myth, which is partly based on an old wives' tale that claims that every year on the vernal and autumnal equinox, eggs are able to balance on their ends, appears to have surfaced annually since at least 2012.
—NBC News, 11 Feb. 2020
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
For centuries, women have relied on this old wives' tale to get shiny, irresistibly touchable hair.
—Ashlyn Messier, Fox News, 17 June 2013
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
The myth, which is partly based on an old wives' tale that claims that every year on the vernal and autumnal equinox, eggs are able to balance on their ends, appears to have surfaced annually since at least 2012.
—NBC News, 11 Feb. 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for old wives' tale
Noun
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While not massively common, losing your kit due to a loading error is very frustrating in a game like Tarkov, so any improvements to reduce the chances of that happening are always going to be a positive.Mike Stubbs, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
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The results were delayed further because of a tabulation error, though both parties were consulted on the decision to recount nearly 30,000 ballots.Hope Karnopp, Journal Sentinel, 19 Nov. 2024
Noun
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The wholesale engulfing of the myth of white superiority is what makes that kind of violence.Andy Battaglia, ARTnews.com, 20 Nov. 2024
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And once again, our two heroes — recast as Don Quixote and Sancho Panza tilting at wind turbines — struggle to reconcile the myths that men write for themselves with the realities that life is actually willing to offer them.David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 19 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Her daughter isn’t quite willing to let such delusions stand.Guy Lodge, Variety, 21 Nov. 2024
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Oh, that delusion also spreads to her Cinco de Mayo party.Brian Moylan, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Spot black swans, clash unlike things together, design bold alternatives, find hidden loopholes, and craft first-mover illusions.Jodie Cook, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
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Missing Movies argues that while streaming services offer the illusion of unlimited options and choice, there are many films that are still unavailable, and archivists are still vital to the industry.Brian Welk, IndieWire, 6 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near old wives' tale
Cite this Entry
“Old wives' tale.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/old%20wives%27%20tale. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
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