Weirdest Wives' Tales
(posted for the A to Z Challenge)
W is for Weird … and Wives’ Tales.
What’s an old wives’ tale?
So what’s the difference between an old wives’ tale and an urban legend? Is this anything like a fish story, a tall tale or a yarn?
Usually, an old wives’ tale involves instruction of some sort, whether true or not. Many old-time home remedies, pregnancy precautions, parenting instructions and superstitions may be traced to traditional wives’ tales.
Let’s look at some popular old wives’ tales.
- An apple a day keeps the doctor away.
- Are your ears burning? If so, then someone is talking about you.
- Don’t cross your eyes, or they might stick like that.
- Don’t step on a crack, or you’ll break your mother’s back.
- Hold your breath, while you drive past a cemetery.
- If you kill a spider, it will rain.
- If you swallow your bubblegum, it will stay in your stomach for seven years.
- Open an umbrella indoors, and you will bring back luck.
- Sitting too close to the TV can make you go blind.
- Toads cause warts.
Do you believe any of these old wives’ tales?
What other old wives’ tales have you heard?
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by Camille Pissarro
1881
Public Domain – Copyright Expired
old wives tales can be an interesting element to add in a story.
ReplyDeleteGreat meeting you through the A-Z!
nutschell
www.thewritingnut.com
Lol. I think I've heard quite a few of those from my mom. She had so many of them, I'm convinced now that she made most of them up.
ReplyDeleteAll of them make for a very entertaining read...:)
ReplyDeleteHow about:
ReplyDeleteDon't go swimming until 30 minutes after you eat.
Never get wet while you're on your period. (My grandmother and ex SIL both bought into this one.)
Don't let a baby look in a mirror or his eyes will roll to the back of his head. (My MIL chastised me about putting a mirror next to my son.)
A cat will suck the breath from an infant.
For menstrual cramps, sip some creme de menthe. (My mother did this with me.)
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ReplyDeleteI've never heard of the spider-rain old wives tale. Fun post! ~ Angela, Whole Foods Living, http://www.wholefoodsliving.blogspot.com/
ReplyDelete