Old wives’ tales have long been a source of fascination, offering a blend of folklore, superstition, and cultural wisdom. These tales often reflect the anxieties and beliefs of past generations, presenting intriguing, if not always scientifically accurate, perspectives on everyday phenomena.
In this article, we explore eleven popular old wives’ tales, ranging from the idea that an itchy palm foretells financial gain to the belief that cracking your knuckles will lead to arthritis. We’ll delve into the origins of these myths, examine their cultural significance, and consider whether there’s any truth to these enduring stories.
Join us as we sift through these age-old beliefs to uncover which might hold a kernel of truth and which are simply charming remnants of bygone times.
Tale 1— If a Woman Is Always Warm, It Means She’s Fertile
There’s a longstanding belief that connects women’s body temperature and fertility. Although this idea is rooted more in folklore than science, it hints at a broader observation: body temperature can indeed play a role in reproductive health. For instance, a woman’s basal body temperature (BBT) often rises slightly after ovulation, a sign that the body is in a fertile phase.
Still, the notion that overall body warmth equates to fertility oversimplifies the complexities of human biology. Fertility is multifaceted, influenced by a range of factors, including hormonal balance, general health, and reproductive age, rather than just body temperature alone.
There’s enough science on the ground to let me know that old wives aren’t entirely right about this one.
Tale 2—Shaving Makes Hair Grow Back Thicker
Have you ever wanted to get rid of erratic hairs in a hurry — whether they’re on your face, arms, or elsewhere on your body, but hesitated before using a shaving stick or razor for fear that the hair you take off will come back longer and thicker?
This old wives’ tale has endured for a long time, with beauty and health magazines still pushing this myth as far back as 2010. Well, it’s actually a misconception. Scientifically, shaving has no impact on how thick or fast your hair grows. Hair growth is mostly determined by genes.
When you shave, the razor cuts hair at the surface of the skin, leaving the hair with a blunt tip. As the hair grows back, this blunt end may feel coarser or appear darker and thicker, but the shaving process does not change the structure or growth rate of the hair itself.
The myth persists because of the illusion created by the stubbly, sharp, or prickly regrowth, but in actuality, once the hairs grow longer, they’ll return to their softer, original texture.
Tale 3—The Five-Second Rule!
If you’ve ever exclaimed, “Five-second rule!” while picking up a dropped piece of meat and throwing it into your mouth, we have bad news for you. The truth is, bacteria can transfer to food almost instantly upon contact with a contaminated surface, regardless of how quickly it’s picked up. Factors such as the type of food, the nature of the surface it lands on, and the presence of moisture play significant roles in how much bacteria is transferred.
Although the five-second rule might offer a convenient excuse to salvage a fallen food or snack, it’s important to remember that any food dropped on the ground carries a risk of contamination, no matter how fast you retrieve it. So, I hate to be the one to tell you this, but it’s best not to eat anything that hits the ground at all.
Tale 4—An Itchy Palm Means Money is Coming
In many cultures, it’s said that itchy palms mean you’ll receive money unexpectedly. While the idea of unexpected money that I didn’t work for excites me, tales like this only reflect our deep-rooted desire to find signs and omens in everyday experiences.
There’s no scientific basis for this superstition, but if your palms are itchy, the skin there is either dry, irritated, or acting up due to an allergic reaction.
Tale 5—Eating Spicy Food Cures a Cold
Personally, I can fully support this. Have you ever dealt with a cold and eaten spicy food like pepper soup or really hot noodles, which provided you with so much comfort that your eyes and nose began to water?
Many people believe that eating spicy food can help clear up nasal congestion, and they are right. Spicy foods, particularly those containing capsaicin—the compound that gives chilli peppers their heat—can temporarily relieve congestion by thinning mucus and opening nasal passages, thus making breathing easier.
However, spicy foods only offer temporary relief. They don’t actually cure a cold, which is caused by a virus. The body’s immune system ultimately needs time to fight off the infection.
Tale 6—Whistling at Night Attracts Malevolent Spirits
Many cultures perpetuate the narrative that whistling at night attracts evil spirits.
The rationale:
- 1) Nighttime is often associated with unseen and potentially dangerous forces.
- 2)Whistling, which is usually a cheerful or attention-seeking act, is believed to disrupt the quiet of the night, potentially drawing the attention of malevolent spirits or bad luck.
Some cultures even go so far as to say that the act of whistling at night might summon ghosts or evil entities. While there’s no evidence to support the existence of such spirits or their aversion to whistling, the superstition continues to persist as a cautionary tale, serving as a reminder to respect the night and the mysteries it holds.
I don’t necessarily believe in this superstition, but I don’t whistle at night because I am not ready to fuck around and find out.
Tale 7—Women With Morning Sickness Throughout Pregnancy Will Have a Girl
The belief that the severity of morning sickness can predict the sex of a baby is a common old wives’ tale. According to this superstition, if a pregnant woman experiences little to no morning sickness, she’s likely carrying a boy, while persistent, intense nausea indicates she’s expecting a girl.
I hate to be that girl, but to me, this belief sounds like it came from misogyny. You know how people ignorantly talk about how difficult it is to raise girls, compared to boys? Yup, this particular old wives’ tale sounds like the origin story of that notion.
However, I was shocked to find out that there are some scientific studies that suggest a slight correlation between severe morning sickness (hyperemesis gravidarum) and carrying a girl. Still, the science isn’t backed up enough to be a reliable predictor. Ultimately, morning sickness is more about individual pregnancy experiences than an indication of the baby’s gender.
Tale 8—Bathing a Baby in Extremely Hot Water Makes the Baby Sleep Better
A grandma that is currently doing Omu gwo is not going to be happy with this point, but bathing a baby in scalding water to improve their sleep pattern is not only a misconception, but it’s also potentially dangerous.
While it’s true that a warm bath can be soothing and may help a baby relax before bedtime, the water should never be too hot. Bathing a baby in extremely hot water can lead to serious risks, including burns and overheating, which can disrupt sleep rather than promote it.
Babies are particularly sensitive to temperature, and their skin is much thinner than that of adults, making them more vulnerable to heat. A safe, lukewarm bath—around body temperature—is more effective for calming a baby and encouraging restful sleep.
Tale 9—Do Not Pick Up Money or Shiny Things that Don’t Belong to You From the Floor
Many people believe that picking up money or shiny objects from the floor in an unfamiliar place can transfer negative energy or curses. According to this old wives’ tale, malicious individuals might intentionally leave cursed or negatively charged items in public spaces, hoping an unsuspecting person will pick them up and unknowingly inherit their bad luck or misfortune.
Personally, I have watched too many Nollywood movies where ritualists will leave valuable items on the floor for kids to pick up and get turned into yam. My inner child was scarred by this so I respect this superstition as an adult—I don’t care if it’s a million dollars I saw lying down on the ground, in fact, that’s even the more reason to leave it where it is.
Tale 10—If You Buy a Man Shoes, He Will Walk Out of Your Life
According to this belief, giving a man shoes is seen as a bad omen, suggesting that the gift will lead him to leave or distance himself from the giver. The only way around this is for an exchange to happen. Your gift must be exchanged for something of value, even if it’s one Naira.
Oh well, the strength and longevity of relationships are determined by communication, trust, and mutual respect, not by the act of giving a particular gift but if this old wives tale is really true, it’s what women get for trying to do too much instead of buying their man boxers and singlet as we all have universally agreed.
Tale 11—Cracking Your Knuckles Will Give You Arthritis
While cracking your knuckles might annoy those around you, it doesn’t cause arthritis or long-term joint damage.
The sound of knuckle cracking is caused by the release of gas bubbles from the synovial fluid in the joints, not by damage to the bones or cartilage. Studies have shown that habitual knuckle cracking does not increase the risk of developing arthritis. Instead, arthritis is primarily influenced by genetic factors, age, and joint injury.
Which Old Wives Tale Do You Believe In? Tell Us In The Comments!
