Old Wives’ Tales: Why So Many Are False

Some of the most familiar old wives’ tales are not just outdated — they’re flat-out false, and the science behind them is more surprising than you’d expect. In this episode, we break down the biggest health myths, why they spread, and what actually matters instead, so listen now before another “sure thing” turns out to be completely wrong.

Old Wives’ Tales are everywhere—from “don’t swim after eating” to “wet hair causes colds”—but many of these familiar beliefs crumble under controlled studies and modern medicine. In this episode, we unpack the science behind old wives’ tales, health myths, pregnancy folklore, shaving and hair growth, knuckle cracking, and why false stories spread so easily in everyday life.

• Why confirmation bias and authority bias keep myths alive
• How viruses, HPV, and follicle biology explain the facts
• Which pregnancy and parenting myths can mislead real decisions
• Why partial truths make outdated advice sound believable
• How science communication can replace fear with clarity

0:00 - The swimming-after-eating myth
4:10 - Wet hair, cold weather, and colds
9:55 - Shaving, knuckle cracking, and hair myths
15:40 - Pregnancy sex-prediction tales
20:05 - Why folklore sticks around

Related resources: [Episode transcript](/transcript) | [American Red Cross](https://www.redcross.org) | [Mayo Clinic](https://www.mayoclinic.org)
If you’ve heard a myth worth testing, share this episode, send it to a friend, and subscribe for more science-backed myth-busting.

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