Socyberty > Folklore

Fact or Fiction? 10 of the Most Popular Wives' Tales

by Karen N, Aug 18, 2008

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.

Cats can steal a baby's breath...

image: leann_b

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.
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.
Cross your eyes and they'll stay that way...

image: thejbird

This one had to be invented by a parent with a bratty child. The worst thing that you could possibly get is a headache.
Drinking coffee will stunt your growth...
False. Coffee has no effect on growth.
Reading in dim light will harm your eyes...

image: cayusa

False. The most that you will get is a case of eye strain.
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.
Too much loud noise can cause hearing loss...

image: holyholysnappers

True. Constant exposure to extreme noise can result in permanent hearing loss.
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.
Handling a baby bird will cause it to be rejected by it's parent...

image: christina007

False. Birds have a very limited sense of smell.
Masturbation causes blindness...
False. If this one was true there would probably be quite a few blind young & old men.

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Superstitions Exposed | Baby Superstitions From Around the World

Comments (8)

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#1 by IcyCucky, Aug 18, 2008

This is fun to read...

#2 by Christy Tuller, Aug 18, 2008

I love this! It was so fun to read. I know I heard a lot of these growing up, very interesting! :-)

#3 by Karen N, Aug 18, 2008

Thanks for the comments.
I always believed the one about the chewing gum, not that it stopped me from swallowing it :)

#4 by Lauren Axelrod, Aug 18, 2008

I've heard of a lot of these. The one about the cats is so interesting since I have three.

#5 by Melissa K, Aug 19, 2008

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! :)

#6 by Melissa, Aug 24, 2008

NIce artical!

#7 by Crissleigh, Aug 28, 2008

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 .

#8 by eunice tan, Oct 9, 2008

Good list. Thanks for making it