an old wives' tale是什么 意思

看看这个解释8,蛮确切的：
An old wives' tale or old wives' saws is a proverb,much like an urban legend,which is generally passed down by old wives to a younger generation[1].Such 'tales' usually consist of superstition,folklore or unverified claims with exaggerated and/or untrue details.It is so named for the alleged lack of sophistication of old wives.[citation needed] Today old wives' tales are still common among children in school playgrounds.[2] Old wives' tales often concern pregnancy,puberty and nutrition.[3]
It should be noted that this use of the word wife simply means woman rather than married woman.This usage stems from Old English wif (woman) and is akin to the German weib,also meaning woman.This sense of the word is still used in Modern English in constructions such as midwife and fishwife.
Most old wives' tales are false and are used to discourage unwanted behavior,usually in children.[4] Among the few tales with grains of truth,the veracity is likely coincidental.[5]
它大致是说：“老妇人的故事”是指代代传承下来的街坊故事,通常是带有迷信色彩,或是关系居家常识的故事