old wives' tale

Meaning

Noun

• A supposed truth that has been passed down by word of mouth
• A rumour, myth or superstition; something which is almost certainly untrue, despite acceptance by many.

Origin

• In this context, the word “wives” means “women” and not “married women,” retaining the original sense of Old English wīf, which meant “woman” as well as “wife”. The phrase could be a reformation of Old English ealdra cwēna spell or a calque of , both literally “old women’s story.”