Old Wives' Tales

An old wives' tale is a derogatory epithet used to indicate that a supposed truth is actually a superstition or something untrue. The phrase comes with the assumption that a story told by old women could not have credibility, regardless of the particulars of the story.

It can be said sometimes to be a type of urban legend, said to be passed down by older women to a younger generation. Such "tales" are considered superstition, folklore or unverified claims with exaggerated and/or inaccurate details.

• To prevent tears when peeling onions, hold a couple of match sticks between the teeth with the phosphorous end pointing out. 

• Apply olive oil to the face before shaving, your skin will feel wonderfully smooth afterwards. 

• After using eggs in cooking, smear the white remaining in the shell on your face, let it dry, then rinse off with cold water and pat dry, your skin will glow! 

• I have found a very good way to ward off the common cold.  When washing your hands and face, get some soapy water in the palm of your hands and sniff up both nostrils two or three times.  Do this every time you have a wash. 

• To remove grease stains on fabric, sprinkle a good coating of talcum powder over each stain. Leave it on for 10 minutes and then cover it with brown paper.  Press this with a not-too-hot iron and brush off the surplus powder and all the stains will have gone. 

• To keep a lettuce fresh, place it in cold water with a small, clean lump of coal.  The mineral properties in the coal will keep it fresh.  Change the water occasionally and it will keep about a week.  Coal also revives limp lettuce.

• Anyone who has just had his hair cut and rubs castor oil on the scalp will find it a good tonic. It prevents the hair from falling out.