It's an expression we have heard many times - 'old wives' tales' - which naturally begs the questions, why are young wives not telling tales and for that matter, why are there no 'old husbands' tales'.
But those questions apart, there are a slew of old wives' tales that wehave been brought up with throughout the years - tossing salt over the shoulder, wear clean underwear when you are out, pull that face when the wind blows and you'll look like that forever - all those tales we have heard and probably repeated over and over again.
A recent study has found that many of those old wives' tales have turned out to be surprisingly true. According to list25.com, a North American site that dedicates itself to making 'lists' as its name suggests, that the following tales are true.
■ 1. Onions relieve pain from a bee sting. [Do bees cry when cut onions are used?] ■ 2. Clothes make the man. [But what makes a woman?] ■ 3. Count your blessings. [How long is your list?] ■ 4. Cheese causes bad dreams. [So do a lot of things - and are the dreams worse with sharp cheddar or mild?] ■ 5. Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise. [Sure? Ask Rip Van Winkle how he felt 40 years later.] ■ 6. Actions speak louder than words. [The opposite is true with local politicians!] ■ 7. Gain a child, lose a tooth. [Are kids beating up their parents?] ■ 8. Hot baths may cut male fertility. [Not if you are bathing with your fave!] ■ 9. Walnuts remove furniture scratches. [Who thought of that one - 'honey, I scratched the chair. Toss me a walnut, will you?] ■ 10. A wooden spoon prevents a pot from boiling over. Try that one on a hot stove!
What old wives' tales exist around your home? Check it out - some of them may just be true!
