Old Wives’ Tales: Separating Fact from Fiction

Remember when your grandmother told you not to go outside with wet hair or you’d catch a cold? Or you’ve heard that eating carrots will improve your eyesight. These nuggets of wisdom passed down through generations are what we affectionately call “old wives’ tales.”

But what exactly are old wives’ tales, and why do they persist in our modern, science-driven world?

Old wives’ tales are traditional beliefs, often related to health, pregnancy, or daily life, passed down orally from generation to generation. They’re the folklore of everyday life, the wisdom of our ancestors distilled into simple, memorable phrases.

In this article, we’ll explore the world of old wives’ tales, examine some of the most familiar tales, and separate fact from fiction. Along the way, we’ll discover why these bits of folk wisdom have such staying power, even in our age of information.

What Is An Old Wives’ Tale?

Old wives’ tales are more than just quirky sayings your grandmother used to recite. They’re a fascinating blend of folk wisdom, superstition, and observation passed down through generations.

An old wives’ tale is a piece of traditional advice or belief, often related to health, pregnancy, or daily life. These nuggets of wisdom are typically passed down orally from older generations to younger ones. They’re the unofficial rulebook of life, filled with do’s and don’ts that have stood the test of time—or at least, that’s what we’ve been told.

But why “old wives”? The term dates back to the 16th and 17th centuries when it was used to describe the knowledge shared by older, experienced women in a community. These women, often midwives or healers, were respected for their practical wisdom about health, childbirth, and household management.

As modern medicine progressed, a significant amount of this folk wisdom was cast aside as mere superstition by predominantly male doctors and scientists. The definition of “old wives’ tale” evolved to become linked with information deemed unreliable or lacking scientific backing.

Characteristics of Old Wives’ Remedies

What makes something an old wives’ tale? Here are a few key characteristics:

• Passed down orally: These tales are rarely found in books but are shared through conversation and storytelling.
• Based on observation or partial truths: Many old wives’ tales have a kernel of truth or are based on keen observation of patterns.
• Simple and memorable: They’re often short, catchy phrases that are easy to remember and pass on.
• Addressed everyday concerns: From health issues to weather prediction, old wives’ tales covered the gamut of daily life.
• Lack of scientific backing: While some have been proven true, many old wives’ tales need to stand up to scientific scrutiny.

The Power of Tradition

Despite their lack of scientific basis, old wives’ tales have remarkable staying power. They tap into our desire for simple solutions to life’s problems and our respect for the wisdom of our elders. For many, these tales are a comforting link to the past, a way of keeping family traditions alive.

Whether you swear by them or take them with a grain of salt, old wives’ tales are integral to our cultural fabric. They reflect the beliefs, fears, and hopes of generations past—and, in many cases, continue to shape our actions today.

Potato Slices on Forehead for a Headache? Common Old Wives’ Tales

Every family has its own set of old wives’ tales, passed down through generations like cherished heirlooms. Let’s stroll down memory lane and revisit some of the most common tales that have stood the test of time.

Health and Wellness Tales

These tales often offer simple solutions to common ailments:

• “Feed a cold, starve a fever”: This age-old advice suggests eating when you have a cold but fasting when you have a fever.
• “An apple a day keeps the doctor away”: A simple reminder of the importance of a healthy diet.
• “Chicken soup cures the common cold”: Grandma’s go-to remedy for sniffles and sore throats.
• “Potato slices on the forehead”: If you had a migraine, it was an old wives’ tale that putting potato slices on your forehead could reduce the throbbing.
• “Baby standing on head”: This old wives’ tale suggests that a baby standing on its head, in a downward-dog-like position, means they’re looking for (or predicting) a new sibling. 

While not all of these have scientific backing, they’ve comforted many during times of illness.

Pregnancy and Childbirth Tales

Pregnancy has always been a subject of fascination and speculation:

• “If you’re carrying low, it’s a boy; if you’re carrying high, it’s a girl.”: This tale predicts a baby’s gender based on how a woman carries her pregnancy.
• “Heartburn during pregnancy means a hairy baby”: A peculiar connection between a mother’s discomfort and her baby’s potential hairiness.
• “Eating spicy food can induce labor”: A tasty myth for impatient mothers-to-be.

These tales reflect both the excitement and anxiety that often accompany pregnancy and childbirth.

Weather Prediction Tales

Before meteorologists, people relied on nature’s signs to predict the weather:

• “Red sky at night, sailor’s delight; red sky in morning, sailor’s warning”: This rhyme suggests that a red sky at sunset predicts good weather, while a red sky at sunrise forecasts storms.
• “Rain before seven, fine by eleven”: A hopeful saying suggesting that early morning rain often clears up by mid-morning.

These weather-related tales show how closely our ancestors observed and interpreted natural phenomena.

Superstitions and Good Luck Tales

Some old wives’ tales are all about avoiding bad luck or inviting good fortune:

• “Breaking a mirror brings seven years of bad luck”: This tale has caused many to exercise care when handling mirrors.
• “Find a penny, pick it up, all day long, you’ll have good luck”: A simple way to invite good fortune into your day.
• “Don’t open an umbrella indoors”: A superstition that’s kept many umbrellas firmly closed until stepping outside.

These superstitions, while not grounded in fact, have influenced behaviors and beliefs for generations.

Old wives’ tales cover an impressive range of topics, offering advice on everything from health to housekeeping. While some may seem outlandish today, they all served a purpose in their time, explaining the unexplainable and offering a sense of control in an uncertain world.

Whether you grew up hearing these tales or are encountering some for the first time, they offer a fascinating glimpse into the beliefs and practices of generations past. In the next section, we’ll examine the science behind some of these tales and separate fact from fiction.

The Placebo Effect and Old Wives’ Remedies

Even when a tale isn’t scientifically accurate, belief in it can sometimes lead to real effects. This is known as the placebo effect. For instance, if you believe that a particular remedy will cure your headache, you might feel better after trying it, even if it has no medical value.

The power of tradition and ritual shouldn’t be underestimated. Sometimes, the comfort of a familiar remedy can be healing in itself. So, given the wealth of scientific information at our fingertips, why do old wives’ tales continue to thrive? The answer lies in a complex interplay of psychology, culture, and human nature.

Psychological Factors

• Comfort in tradition: Familiar advice can be reassuring, especially in times of stress or uncertainty.
• Desire for control: Old wives’ tales often offer simple solutions to complex problems, giving people a sense of control over their health and environment.

Cultural Significance

Old wives’ tales serve as cultural glue, connecting us to our heritage and shared experiences. They’re a way of preserving folk wisdom and passing down values from generation to generation.

Embracing the Wisdom of the Ages

As we’ve journeyed through the world of old wives’ tales, we’ve seen that these bits of folk wisdom are more than just outdated superstitions. They’re a living link to our past, a reflection of our ancestors’ attempts to make sense of the world around them.

While it’s crucial to approach these tales with a healthy dose of skepticism and to rely on modern medicine for serious health concerns, there’s still room for old wives’ tales in our lives. They remind us of our shared human experience, our innate desire to care for one another, and the enduring power of tradition.

So the next time you hear an old wives’ tale, whether it’s about catching a cold from wet hair or predicting the cold weather by your aches and pains, take a moment to appreciate it. Even if it’s not scientifically accurate, it’s a small piece of history, a connection to generations past, and perhaps, in its way, a different kind of truth.