by Marilla Mulwane

Created on: February 20, 2010   Last Updated: February 21, 2010

First of all, the idea that old wives create Old Wives Tales is an Old Wives Tale. Sure, many of them were created by women long ago who were trying to get their children to eat their vegetables and not tell a lie. However, many of these Old Wives Tales were based on religion, superstition and medicine. That does not mean that they were all true, although often believed to be the truth, and most of them are just plain silly.

*Old Wives Tales that are not true*

-Starve a fever, feed a cold.

Or is it, feed a fever, starve a cold? Either way, it is a bad thing to do when sick. When you are sick, your body is losing fluids and you need to drink in order to get them back. This keeps you hydrated. Further more, no matter how sick you feel, you should always try and eat. Your body needs the nutrients from the food, healthy food, to help fight the sickness.

-If you go outside with wet hair, you will catch a cold.

A similar Old Wives Tale to this one is you should not get your feet wet when outside or you will get a cold. Both of them are wrong for one very simple reason: a cold is a virus. Viruses are transmitted from person to person, not because you have wet hair or feet. This tale is often believed because people get colds most often during the wintertime, when it is cold and wet.

-Wait an hour after eating before going swimming.

This one is silly because what if you just ate a handful of potato chips? Waiting an hour before eating is a bit excessive. Many believe that if you swim right after eating, you have a higher chance of getting cramps. Truth is, you can get cramps whether you ate or not.

-The five second rule.

This rule states that if you drop a piece of food on the floor, it is still safe to eat as long as you pick it up within five seconds. Well, that and as long as you pick it up before the dog gets it. This rule is wrong because even if the food touches the floor for only one second, chances are high there will be bacteria and germs on it.

Technically, you should not eat food off the floor at all because of these germs, but that will not stop people from quickly picking up that dropped chip and shoving it in their mouth. And chances are high that it will not harm them, even if they waited ten seconds.

-Touching a toad will give you warts.

Poor toads get a bad rap because of those unsightly “warts” on their backs, but they will not harm you at all. And just so you know, kissed frogs do not become princes, either. Sorry.

*Old Wives Tales with

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