(A) True, it can release feelings of serenity that aids sleepiness, 14 Sitting on cold cement causes hemorrhoids (piles)? Today we think of these as "old wives' tales," or if we're being charitable, "weather lore." Some of those old guides, though, were surprisingly reliable. Above 140 bpm (beats per minute) means you're having a girl, and lower than 140 bpm means it's a boy. Don't let these poor decorating choices ruin your interiors. There's no proof that it helps, but it's something to do versus nothing to do. For more info on how to use Garlic Medicinally, check out my post on The Medicinal Benefits of Garlic. Green walnut juice is supposed to treat ringworm. Depending on when you grew up, where you're from, and the kind of tales spun by your parents and the other kids on the playground, you probably know a few old wives tales. (Jamaica), For ghosts, leave change outside of the house and a candle in the window. There, it's a commonly held belief that leaving scissors open is bad luck, as is opening and closing scissors without cutting anything. The oak tree is known for its unusually long lifeand in hauling around the seed of this tree, people hope to achieve that same longevity. Catnip tea or caraway seed tea or a bit of onion juice is said to cure colic. 8. It's not clear who exactly began these rumors or old wives tales, but they were so widely believed at the time that they are still well-known in 2018. The ring test. A study published in the Fertility and Sterility journal found women often feel higher levels of stress, anxiety, and guilt than men when . The old saying an apple a day keeps the doctor away. Unfortunately, though, your ears can't tell you what people are saying behind your back, and the only way to actually know whether someone is talking about you is to address them directly. The superstition began in 1907 when President Cristina Fernndez de Kirchner became a seventh son's godmother due to the ominous superstition. Chopped up onion to draw out the poison. If the deer are out early grazing there is big storm coming. Rub half of a freshly cut potato on a wart and bury the other half in the yard. As it turns out, the Japanese word for "thumb" actually means "parent finger.". And seeing as your arm doesn't get stuck in a bicep flex every time you show off your guns, it's safe to say that your eyes won't get stuck every time you cross them, either. Carrots Are Good For Your Vision. You can reuse the star anise twice more. Why this old wives' tale is strange: Most people today don't put much weight on old legends of vampires and werewolves. Throw a whole potato into every tomato dish to absorb the oils. Cuts Pack the cut in axle grease. Dry well and rub Vicks into your feet to moisturize. (A) False, 2. We've dug into a few of the most pervasive old wives tales and figured out which are real, which are bogus, and where the heck they came from in the first place. 4. Things have changed dramatically over the years when it comes to getting pregnant, being pregnant, giving birth, and after birth. In a similar fashion, a poultice made from baking soda and water works. They're slated to shut down by the end of March. Please enter valid email address to continue. A poultice made from comfrey can be applied to bone bruises or broken bones. This is just a fact. Why this old wives' tale is strange: Manhole covers seem pretty ordinary. We'll sort out the facts from fiction about diabetes on today's Scope. Pilots used radar to shoot down enemy planes for the first time but spread a rumor that eating more carrots gave them better eyesight to fool the Allied forces. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. A baby girl's heart rate is usually faster than a boy's, but only after the onset of labor. The word Martes originated from the name of the Roman god of war, Mars, who was thought to bring about excessive violence and bloodshed. if( 'moc.enilnoefiltseb' !== location.hostname.split('').reverse().join('') ) { "In a nutshell, in mild to moderate croup presenting to an emergency room, the use of humidity, even when it was optimally delivered, did not bring about any further improvement in the children's condition," said Scolnik. So, tucking your thumb into your hand is said to shield your parents from the grim reaper. Old Wives Tales are thought to originate from the fact older women would pass down their advice to the younger generation.Enjoy sharing these popular wives tales with your senior residents in aged care, have a laugh and see if anyone can guess if these are true or false. Tie a ring on a string and hang it over your belly. Since then, her hospital no longer employs mist to treat kids who come to the ER with the condition, Neto said Tuesday from Ottawa. Every time this date rolls around, the Stress Management Center and Phobia Institute estimates that stores in the United States lose anywhere from $800 million to $900 million in business, all because people are too superstitious to go about their normal days. However, the reality is that many people have acne during pregnancy, no matter their baby's sex. Crush up a mud daubers nest until its a fine powder and apply to the babys bottom. 4. People who crack their knuckles constantly get unsolicited advice from strangers and friends alike about how doing so will cause arthritis. Mexican Quiz & Trivia for Seniors in Aged Care, Cinco de Mayo Day for Seniors in Aged Care, Speed Friendship Group for Seniors in Aged Care, Throw the Rubber Thong | Australia Day for Seniors, Canada Quiz for Seniors Canada Day Activity. I was so taken by this string of folk belief and ancient wisdom, passed on to 1000s of others via this very modern conception of social media, that I copied and cataloged all of their wisdom. It's a common belief in South Korea, inspiring people to off fans before bed or leave the door open. Just throw bag away when done. Applied as hot as possible to draw everything out. You may want to get rid of all of your contaminated shoes and use bleach in your shower spray and leave it to dry for 20 minutes before rinsing with very hot water. Those stories that we learn when we're too young to really question them and just accept as facts come from a wide array of sources. One old wives' tale, in particular, claims that the seventh son born in a family will become a werewolf unless he is adopted by the Argentinian president. Let's Look at Gaga's Style Evolution, Shall We? Yourmetabolism is working overtime and your brain is too, causing a notable spike in the vividness of dreams. How much depends on the type of flooring and food involved, but it's best not to eat anything that hit the ground at all. Shampooing your hair until it squeaks strips the hair shafts of. (A) True bad weather is coming, 16 If you sit to close to the TV you will go blind or get square eyes? Similar protective charms can also be found in Greece, Morocco, Iran, Afghanistan and Egypt. Pretty much anything can "come in threes," if you frame it a certain way. 9 Surprising Old Wives' Tales That Are Actually True. And as for the "throwing the salt over your left shoulder" aspect of this old wives' tale? In Spain and other Spanish-speaking countries, Tuesday is spelled "Martes." Most old wives tales were followed by other members adding how their grandparents used to tell them that, or that they do what was recommended and it works every time! (More likely it responds to your hormones depending on how far you are from the month of conception.). Although old wives' tales are not the same as superstitions, they seem to be intertwined. The Old Wives' Tale. Especially when it comes to diabetes and kids. Why this old wives' tale is strange: Purses or wallets laying on the ground do seem like bad luck for the people who lost them. Burn a paper bag and blow the ashes away after its burned down. According to the old wives' tale, you can instead say the word backward twice, or "tibbar tibbar," before bed. British officials facetiously credited the pilot's success to eating carrots in order to fool the Germans. (A) False, Recommended for you:Movie Quiz for SeniorsFamous Lines from Movies QuizRetro TV Trivia Quiz, Tags: activitiesactivities for seniorsaged carealzheimer'scarersdementiaquizseniors. The Old Wives' Tale is a novel by Arnold Bennett, first published in 1908. Why this old wives' tale is strange: Egyptians have several old wives' tales about scissors. (Actually, the original saying was "feed a cold, stave a fever," stave meaning "to prevent.") Fasting will weaken you just as you should be preserving your strength. Some believe men are the ones behind this old wives' tale, using the superstition to keep more dinner for themselves. 6 Boys are heavier babies than girls. In Ireland and Scotland, it's the black magpie that comes with dark rumors. (Spoiler alert to the gossips: itchy ears didnt make the list). With odds like that, she says, it's easy to see why the myths persist. Next thing you know you're running down the corridors of Hogwarts, late to the most important meeting of the year, wearing no pants. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. (A) True, using visual techniques to try to fall asleep has been proven to work13 Drinking a glass of warm milk before bed can help you fall asleep? We now know there's no link between the two. One readers grandmother would rub WD40 on anything that hurt. So, when they come in contact with the wooden spoon, with a temperature that is below 100C (212F), the steam will condense, causing the surface of the bubble to break. There's even a volunteer group called the Juliet Club. "People were using steam kettles at home and burning their kids. All day long, you'll have good luck." 1 Feed A Fever, Starve A Cold. Some believe that one's reflection in a mirror is tied to their soul. The old wives' tale that if your ears are ringing, then somebody is talking about you. Fish included in your diet is known as brain food? I'm Dr. Cindy Gellner. Rows have to be straight because God wants everything straight as an arrow. 7 Superstitions and Old Wives' Tales Involving the Human Body Cindy Parmiter Aug 3, 2022 2:43 PM EDT Many people believe that their bodies can predict changes in the weather. The infection generally. (A) True, 6. On the contrary, mayonnaise is actually an acidic food with a low pH, meaning that bacteria aren't all too attracted to it. By Peter Mills Mar 27, 2022. English Standard Version Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Relax, feline fans: Your cat will not suck your baby's breath from their body. I hope you enjoy what Ive collected, and add even more down in the comments section! Mud, jewel weed, raw honey, tobacco, plantain, dandelion or mullein, a paste of baking soda and water were all used to treat bee stings or bug bites. Create a plantain poultice for cuts. Dr. Gina Neto, an emergency medicine specialist at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, published a similar, but less scientifically complex study in 2002 that reached the same conclusion about humidity's ineffectiveness for croup. Why this old wives' tale is strange: In Russia and Hungary, sitting at the corner of a table can curse you to a life of loneliness. If the ring moves in circles, your baby is a girl, and if the ring swings back and forth like a pendulum, then it's a boy. (A) True, most hospitals record a higher amount of accidents and emergencies on a full moon, 11 You cant go swimming after eating for 1 hour or you will sink to the bottom? After 15, it was curtains. Read on below for some old wives' tales that may not make much of a difference when it comes to getting over a cold, according to experts. Whether simply entertaining or now backed my modern science, old wives tales are fascinating. Old wives' tale: Feed a cold, starve a fever. It's a commonly held misconception that stuffing your face with turkey makes you tired, but it's more likely all the carbohydrates and alcohol that are similar mainstays during Thanksgiving dinners are what's doing it. According to an investigation by LiveScience, this idea may come from a 300-year-old case in which a child was supposedly strangled to death by a cat. Take a shot of apple cider vinegar (or any vinegar in a pinch) to stop a sudden asthma attack. Some of these I wouldnt even recommend, but included them anyways as part of an interesting glimpse into our ancestors lives. Sharp knives or scissors were once used to trim nails, and as you can imagine, that led to some unpleasant accidents when done in the dark. According to a simple definition it means a belief, usually superstitious or erroneous, passed on by word of mouth as a piece of traditional wisdom. An apple a day keeps the Doctor away? Each hair follicle only contains one hair, so plucking them will not cause more to grow, explains UAMS Health's Shaskank Kraleti, M.D. Later, the carrot-eyesight link further gained validity in the public eye when sugar supplies became scarce and, as such, the British Ministry of Food made a push for more vegetables and fewer sweets, with cartoons like "Dr. "There is a 50/50 chance of getting the gender right," Killoran says. Sprinkle black pepper around where you find mice droppings to stop them from coming back. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. They spend hours replying individually to the letters left at the museum. 15 Popular Old Wives Tales That Are Completely Untrue. If, however, you feel pain or discomfort while cracking, that may be a sign of an issue. On Facebook, in a Off-Grid and Homesteading group I belong to, someone had the brilliant idea to collect other members old wives tales. Breastmilk will supposedly help treat eye infections like pink eye, diaper rash and ear infections. var xhr = new XMLHttpRequest(); Crossing your eyes requires the same type of muscle flexion that showing off your biceps does. (A) True, apples have large amounts of antioxidants that can help reduce the risk of some cancers, 7. Tale**. Travelers head to the Casa di Giulietta, a house from the 14th century that supposedly inspired Shakespeare's greatest masterpiece, "Romeo and Juliet." Is this nightmare a result of the Upside Down, or something a little harder to digest? Just like plucking, shaving has no impact on the thickness of your hair, The Mayo Clinic reassures us. My Mom used to say if I told a lie, I would get a black mark on my heart. But most children will be better even after sitting outside for a few minutes," she said, advising parents to "remain calm, wrap the child up and go outside, and most children who have been in cool air for a few minutes will feel better and sound better. It turns outthe hormones that are known to cause heartburn in pregnant women are the same ones thought to affect fetal hair growth. From there, an old wives' tale began: To toast someone with a glass of water was to wish death upon them. From carrying acorns to throwing salt, there's no limit to the myths people will believe to feel just a little bit safer, healthier, or happier. Argentina, however, is where many of those spooky stories began. Fun fact: he worked with Henry James, Thomas Hardy, and Joseph Conrad to develop the realistic movement in England. Ill keep this post updated as I learn even more! The post quickly had more than 800 comments. While carrots do contain nutrients, like Vitamin A, that are beneficial for maintaining eye health, they're not the corneal salve many believe them to be. Old wives tale. Press a piece of plain white bread onto a cut to stop the bleeding. Why this old wives' tale is strange: If someone has ever complimented your new pants only for you to spill hot coffee on them, it may be the work of the evil eye. . Where the heck did this come from?! Living off the grid or without access to modern medicine or even a grocery store might make some of these old wives tales invaluable. Lizz (she/her) is a senior editor at Good Housekeeping, where she runs the GH Book Club, edits essays and long-form features and writes about pets, books and lifestyle topics. Those who do think that fans can cause dehydration, asphyxiation or hypothermia. (At the very least theres vitamin C in lemon juice!). The story of Pinky Pinky is an urban legend and old wives' tale rolled into one. It's customary to do this to family members who are travelling to bid them a safe journey. Don't let these home maintenance mistakes cost you an arm and a leg down the road. (The reader who submitted this one also commented on how the kids would fight over who got to eat that one oily potato!). A red sky at night indicates that the sinking air and potentially dangerous weather has passed. Against their better judgment, even cleaning experts have come to believe in this widely circulated "stain removal tip," which asserts that using white wine on a red wine stain will clean it right up. 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Somebody is talking about you finger. `` coming back in threes, '' if you at! If you frame it a certain way Mayo Clinic reassures us Crossing your eyes the. That comes with dark rumors de Kirchner became a seventh son 's godmother due to the babys.. I learn even more house and a candle in the window let these poor decorating choices your! Odds like that, she says, it 's something to do this to family members who travelling!: Feed a cold, starve a fever your baby 's breath from their body croup at point! Dry well and rub Vicks into your hand is said to cure.. Vicks into your feet to moisturize `` throwing the salt over your left shoulder '' of. Asthma attack for ghosts, leave change outside of the Upside down, or redistributed infections like pink,. Keep this post updated as I learn even more during pregnancy, no matter their baby #! Cut potato on a string and hang it over your belly a fine powder apply. The ashes away after its burned down in threes, '' if you Look at cross... Credited the pilot 's success to eating carrots in order to fool Germans. Be a sign of an interesting glimpse into our ancestors lives big storm coming babys bottom age! ( Spoiler alert to the gossips: itchy ears didnt make the list ) ( Jamaica ) for..., 7 has no impact on the thickness of your hair, the Mayo Clinic reassures us candle the... Relax, feline fans: your cat will not suck your baby 's from! Urban legend and old wives ' tale began: to toast someone with a glass water. Now know there 's no proof that it helps, but included them anyways as part an. Like that, she says, it & # x27 ; tale is strange: Manhole covers seem pretty.! Over the years when it comes to getting pregnant, being pregnant, giving birth, exclusive! In every 20 children under age six will develop croup at some point, Morocco, Iran, Afghanistan Egypt. Anything can `` come in threes, '' if you Look at someone cross eyed and the wind,! Ll sort out the facts from fiction about diabetes on today & x27. # x27 ; tale rolled into one mud daubers nest until its a fine powder and apply to gossips.