old wives' tale

Meaning

1. A supposed truth that has been passed down by word of mouth
2. A rumour, myth or superstition; something which is almost certainly untrue, despite acceptance by many.

Translations

Ammenmärchen

conte à dormir debout

conte de bonne femme

fandonia

broodjeaapverhaal

bakerpraatje

cuento de viejas

Etymology

Cognate with Old English: wīf

Cognate with Old English: ealdra cwēna spell

In summary

In this context, the word “wives” means “women” and not “married women,” retaining the original sense of Old English wīf, which meant “woman” as well as “wife”. The phrase could be a reformation of Old English ealdra cwēna spell or a calque of Latin anīlis fābula, both literally “old women’s story.”