old wives' tale
a belief or story which is nonsense
TRANSLATION
old wives' tale das Ammenmärchen
STATISTICS
IN THE PRESS
"The Mail and the Mirror publish research contradicting the old wives' tale that eating cheese just before bedtime gives you nightmares."
(BBC News - 12 September 2005)
(BBC News - 12 September 2005)
Did you
know?
Here are some interesting old wives' tales from the Anglo-Saxon world:
An apple a day
Keeps the doctor away.
It's bad luck to pick up a coin if it's tails side up. Good luck comes if it's heads up.
If a black cat walks towards you, it brings good fortune, but if it walks away, it takes the good luck with it.
If the bottom of your right foot itches, you are going to take a trip. If your nose itches you will soon be kissed by a fool.
Cows lifting their tails is a sure sign that rain is coming.
Red sky at night,
Sailor's delight.
Red sky at morning
Sailors take warning.
An apple a day
Keeps the doctor away.
It's bad luck to pick up a coin if it's tails side up. Good luck comes if it's heads up.
If a black cat walks towards you, it brings good fortune, but if it walks away, it takes the good luck with it.
If the bottom of your right foot itches, you are going to take a trip. If your nose itches you will soon be kissed by a fool.
Cows lifting their tails is a sure sign that rain is coming.
Red sky at night,
Sailor's delight.
Red sky at morning
Sailors take warning.
