How to Pronounce "an old wives' tale"
expression
an OLD WYVZ TAYL
uhn OHLD WYVZ TAYL
Definition
A traditional belief or story, often about health or the natural world, that is not based on scientific evidence and is usually untrue.
IPA Transcription
American English
ˈæn/, /ən/ /ˈoʊɫd/ /ˈwaɪvz/ /ˈteɪɫ
British English
ˈɐn/ /ˈəʊld/ /waɪvz/ /tˈeɪl
Simplified Pronunciation
US
an OLD WYVZ TAYL
UK
uhn OHLD WYVZ TAYL
Listen in Context
My grandmother says eating carrots will help you see in the dark, but that's just an old wives' tale.
It's an old wives' tale that going outside with wet hair will make you sick.
Many people believe that cracking your knuckles causes arthritis, but it's an old wives' tale.
I used to think you could catch a cold from cold weather, but apparently that's just an old wives' tale.