YourDictionary

Dictionary Home » Phrase Meanings » old wives' tale

What does "old wives' tale" mean?

A superstition, as in Toads cause warts? That's an old wives' tale. This expression was already known in ancient Greece, and a version in English was recorded in 1387. Despite invoking bigoted stereotypes of women and old people, it survives.

Learn more about old wives' tale

link/cite print suggestion box