an old wives' tale
Meaning: A traditional belief, especially about health, that is not true.
Language: English
Literally: (Already vivid in English)
Example: “Going out with wet hair doesn't give you a cold; that's an old wives' tale.”
Category: Daily Life
Origin: "Wife" once meant simply "woman." The phrase appears in English Bible translations (1 Timothy 4:7, "old wives' fables") and is found from the 16th century.
Equivalents in other languages
- French: Un remède de bonne femme — literally: A good woman's remedy
More idioms — Daily Life
- a pen-pusher — A clerk or bureaucrat doing dull paperwork.
- a word to the wise — A hint or warning that a sensible person will heed.
- a shot across the bow — A warning of more serious action to come.
- a witch hunt — A campaign to find and punish people, driven by fear or suspicion rather than evidence.
- let's hit the road — Let's leave; let's get going.
- without fanfare — Quietly, without any publicity.
More English idioms
- blood will tell — Family background and inherited character eventually show.
- at a snail's pace — Very slowly.
- no picnic — Not easy or pleasant.
- the lean years — A period of hardship and scarcity.
- worship the golden calf — To value money and wealth above everything.
- a poisoned chalice — Something that seems attractive but brings trouble to whoever accepts it.