Fact or Fiction? 10 of the Most Popular Wives’ Tales
by Wives Tales, a curious blend of fact, fiction, and superstition are probably as old as man himself. And were no doubt, created for people to explain a sometimes scary world that they didn’t understand. These are 10 of the most popular wives tales.
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Cats can steal a baby’s breath…
Just like the story of a black cat being bad luck, this story probably goes back several hundred years ago to a time when cats were associated with witchcraft. Or perhaps it was invented as a possible explanation for crib death. It’s actually impossible for a cat or any other animal to steal a baby’s breath, but even so pets should always be supervised around small children.
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Touching a toad will give you warts…
The bumpy growths on a toad do resemble warts, but warts are actually caused by the human papilloma virus. Which is not transmitted by a toad.
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Cross your eyes and they’ll stay that way…
This one had to be invented by a parent with a bratty child. The worst thing that you could possibly get is a headache.
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Drinking coffee will stunt your growth…
False. Coffee has no effect on growth.
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Reading in dim light will harm your eyes…
False. The most that you will get is a case of eye strain.
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If you swallow your chewing gum it will remain inside your body for seven years…
False. It will pass on through just like any other object you have eaten.
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Too much loud noise can cause hearing loss…
True. Constant exposure to extreme noise can result in permanent hearing loss.
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Stepping on a rusty nail causes tetanus
Partly true, though it’s actually the dirt on the nail and not the rust which causes the problem.
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Handling a baby bird will cause it to be rejected by it’s parent…
False. Birds have a very limited sense of smell.
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Masturbation causes blindness…
False. If this one was true there would probably be quite a few blind young & old men.
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Post CommentIcyCucky
On August 18, 2008 at 8:57 am
This is fun to read…
Christy Tuller
On August 18, 2008 at 9:33 am
I love this! It was so fun to read. I know I heard a lot of these growing up, very interesting!
Karen N
On August 18, 2008 at 11:46 am
Thanks for the comments.
I always believed the one about the chewing gum, not that it stopped me from swallowing it
Lauren Axelrod
On August 18, 2008 at 6:23 pm
I’ve heard of a lot of these. The one about the cats is so interesting since I have three.
Melissa K
On August 19, 2008 at 9:19 pm
Cute article – I hadn’t heard that one about cats. I used to alwasy hear the one about chewing gum as a kid but I swallowed it any way too!
Melissa
On August 24, 2008 at 10:43 am
NIce artical!
Crissleigh
On August 28, 2008 at 12:53 pm
Oh Karen this is a great great article . I love #10 and no you wont go blind but it will cause hairy palms or at least that is the one I have always heard lol .
eunice tan
On October 9, 2008 at 9:30 pm
Good list. Thanks for making it