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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Gobeille led off the seventh with an infield single up the middle, and an error on Kiefer’s bunt put both on.—
Tom Mulherin,
Boston Herald,
30 Apr. 2026
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During day three of the trial, Elon Musk struggled to present a confident front, which led to a number of unforced errors.—
Joe Wilkins,
Futurism,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
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On her 18th studio album, In Time of Dragons, Amos draws on the long tradition of reptilian imagery to symbolize the elite, from ancient myth to David Icke’s conspiracy theories.—
Emma Madden,
Pitchfork,
30 Apr. 2026
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The Peloponnese peninsula of Greece is a land packed with myths and legend.—
Helen Brown,
TheWeek,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The first type is replete with hallucinations and delusions—voices, visions, grandiose beliefs, paranoia.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Apr. 2026
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Over pinwheeling synths, Mahesh inhabits her narrator’s misplaced longing with gooey, heart-eyed delusion and sweetly pathetic determination.—
Harry Tafoya,
Pitchfork,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
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But the illusion shatters when a stranger on the street recognizes the dog… as HER boyfriend Danny’s dog.—
William Earl,
Variety,
29 Apr. 2026
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This week, even Penny’s exceptionalism is revealed to be an illusion.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Old wives' tale.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/old%20wives%27%20tale. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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