The following is not necessarily a blog. This is mostly for entertainment purposes so I hope you enjoy.
There have been many things that our parents have told us over the years, many concerns that they, mostly the mother, have presented to us. These particular stories have been known as "Old Wives' Tales." Throughout many decades, mothers have grown their concerns over their child's well-being. Many of such have gone so far as to constantly keep their child in diapers until their own death, having never letting go of their "precious little angel." It's frightening, but upon discovering what wives' tales are out there, the following can be considered just as scary as a thirty-year-old man in a diaper.
Eating Carrots Improves Your Night Vision
Technically speaking, this one is considered among many to be only a half-truth. Yes, carrots do contain Beta-carotine, which is converted into Vitamin A for the liver. And it is also true that Vitamin A does help maintain good vision but the Beta-carotine within carrots does not contain enough to hold a significant difference for night and day sights. The tale of this wives' tale roughly started during the Second World War as British armies spread the rumors of plane spotters eating carrots and easily detecting and sighting their aircraft during night raids, but this also concealed the truth of the new invention of the radar. Also during World War II, an air pilot named John "Cat's Eyes" Cunningham managed to engage and destroy more than 20 ground targets, perfectly alluding any radar detection, and this was such because Cunningham claimed to have exceptional night vision due to his carrot eating.
Having Sex Standing Up Is A Contraceptive
Completely false in all aspects as this is a perfect example of peer sex education. Sperm is totally capable of swimming up the vagina, through the uterus to the fallopian tubes where they may fertilize the egg, regardless of what position the woman is during any sexual intercourse.
Completely false in all aspects as this is a perfect example of peer sex education. Sperm is totally capable of swimming up the vagina, through the uterus to the fallopian tubes where they may fertilize the egg, regardless of what position the woman is during any sexual intercourse.
Chocolate Causes Acne
One we have all heard. One of the oldest of the wives' tales, however this is only a half-truth. Chocolate does not cause acne for otherwise healthy individuals, however, it can have an effect if one is sensitive to any specific ingredients, such as pasteurized milk or hydrogenated oil. This old wives' tale is associated with discouraging a person from consuming something that is potentially hazardous or that they are afraid of it.
One we have all heard. One of the oldest of the wives' tales, however this is only a half-truth. Chocolate does not cause acne for otherwise healthy individuals, however, it can have an effect if one is sensitive to any specific ingredients, such as pasteurized milk or hydrogenated oil. This old wives' tale is associated with discouraging a person from consuming something that is potentially hazardous or that they are afraid of it.
Masturbation Causes Blindness
I am sure that all of society around the globe have heard this false wives' tale. As this wives' tale began to spread, it was doing it so only to discourage the act of masturbation itself and associating it with blindness. This was done mostly among young male teenagers reaching the age of puberty and maturity. For males, this old wives' tale resulted in hairy palms or mental illnesses, and for females, masturbation among them resulted in infertility, both of which were equally false in the long run. Masturbation for males may reduce some of the stored sperm for the immediate future, however did not have long-term effects nor was considered good birth control. The sperm itself would automatically be replaced almost immediately. The only correlation of this wives' tale is that sperm contains significant amounts of zinc, which if a deficiency occurs, however unlikely from masturbation, could cause some potential vision problems.
I am sure that all of society around the globe have heard this false wives' tale. As this wives' tale began to spread, it was doing it so only to discourage the act of masturbation itself and associating it with blindness. This was done mostly among young male teenagers reaching the age of puberty and maturity. For males, this old wives' tale resulted in hairy palms or mental illnesses, and for females, masturbation among them resulted in infertility, both of which were equally false in the long run. Masturbation for males may reduce some of the stored sperm for the immediate future, however did not have long-term effects nor was considered good birth control. The sperm itself would automatically be replaced almost immediately. The only correlation of this wives' tale is that sperm contains significant amounts of zinc, which if a deficiency occurs, however unlikely from masturbation, could cause some potential vision problems.
Staying Out In The Cold Without A Coat Causes Pneumonia
I have been told this once or twice by a few people, only to discover that this old wives' tale is absolutely false. Pneumonia is a bacterial infection caused by such bacteria as Streptococcus pneumoniae. Some variations of this tale include that if someone stays outdoors for a significant period of time, they would potential get either a cold or flu, both of which are caused by viruses. This tale was not spread until recently, possibly dating back to only the early 1980s. As the public steadily became aware of the illness, the rumor evolved into many different pseudoscientific explanations. One of the more popular explanation was that a low core body temperature negatively impacts the effectiveness of the human immune system. This makes sense as it is known as a fever, an elevation of core body temperature. However, scientific studies have shown that there is no correlation between lowered body temperature and the decrease of the immune system's response. Yet another version of this same wives' tale has been known as if one sit by an open window or air-conditioner that it would cause a cold or pneumonia. The standing water of air-conditioner may allow some bacteria such as Legionnaire's disease to multiply, however this also depends on how close a person is sitting to the air-conditioner, but otherwise, like before, this is also false.
I have been told this once or twice by a few people, only to discover that this old wives' tale is absolutely false. Pneumonia is a bacterial infection caused by such bacteria as Streptococcus pneumoniae. Some variations of this tale include that if someone stays outdoors for a significant period of time, they would potential get either a cold or flu, both of which are caused by viruses. This tale was not spread until recently, possibly dating back to only the early 1980s. As the public steadily became aware of the illness, the rumor evolved into many different pseudoscientific explanations. One of the more popular explanation was that a low core body temperature negatively impacts the effectiveness of the human immune system. This makes sense as it is known as a fever, an elevation of core body temperature. However, scientific studies have shown that there is no correlation between lowered body temperature and the decrease of the immune system's response. Yet another version of this same wives' tale has been known as if one sit by an open window or air-conditioner that it would cause a cold or pneumonia. The standing water of air-conditioner may allow some bacteria such as Legionnaire's disease to multiply, however this also depends on how close a person is sitting to the air-conditioner, but otherwise, like before, this is also false.
Stepping On A Rusty Nail Causes Tetanus
This can actually be true, but this old wives' tale is considered to be only a half-truth. Tetanus is nothing more than a anaerobic bacterium and can be transmitted through puncture wounds such as by stepping on a rusty nail. The rust of the nail itself does not cause the tetanus to take effect, however, the dirt of the nail may contain the tetanus pathogen, even for a clean nail that had been previously in contact with soil could contain tetanus bacteria to cause infection. Also, a wound that closes on the surface before fully healing underneath may store the tetanus infection causing the bacteria to take its' toll on the immune system, as the tetanus bacterium would be effecting both the surface wound and underneath. Before the vaccination for tetanus came about, it was advised to keep the wound open as it would eventually heal from the bottom up, keeping the infection of tetanus at bay.
This can actually be true, but this old wives' tale is considered to be only a half-truth. Tetanus is nothing more than a anaerobic bacterium and can be transmitted through puncture wounds such as by stepping on a rusty nail. The rust of the nail itself does not cause the tetanus to take effect, however, the dirt of the nail may contain the tetanus pathogen, even for a clean nail that had been previously in contact with soil could contain tetanus bacteria to cause infection. Also, a wound that closes on the surface before fully healing underneath may store the tetanus infection causing the bacteria to take its' toll on the immune system, as the tetanus bacterium would be effecting both the surface wound and underneath. Before the vaccination for tetanus came about, it was advised to keep the wound open as it would eventually heal from the bottom up, keeping the infection of tetanus at bay.
Watching Too Much TV Up Close Will Give You Square Eyes
I have not heard this version of this tale. A variation would be that television would cause brain damage. Either way, both turned out to be completely false as this rumor was only to keep children from watching too much or sitting too close to the screen as it would potentially cause eye strains. Also, watching too much television may cause fatigue among some but it would not change the common optical shape of the eyes.
Other wives' tales have been announced, such as the false tales of habitual knuckle cracking causes arthritis or drinking coffee reduces body growth. Many others have also been included. Here are some quick example of some other old wives' tales:
Taking showers or washing your hands while you are sick will rehatch a virus. This is totally false as doctors would prescribe nasal congestion or recommend cold showers to lower high body temperatures.
Swallowing chewing gum will stay in your body for seven years. Another false story as chewing gum is excreted like any other undigested piece of food.
Eating the crust of bread causes your hair to curl. False, plain and simple.
A pimple on your tongue proves that you have lied about something is also a false tale.
If you make a funny face and the wind changes direction, your face will stay that way. One that many people have heard more than once. This is a completely false tale as it was prevalent among the sufferers of Bell's Palsy.
If you go swimming less than an hour after eating, you will get cramps. Again, another one that many have heard that turned out to be false, but some scientists do advise not to swim or engage in another physical activity some time after eating as it effects the sympathetic nervous system by overriding orders. This was parodied in one of the books of Limony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events.
If you touch a toad, you will get warts is false as warts are caused by a virus, which is not transferable between species.
If you consume Pop Rocks followed by a carbonated drink, such as soda, your stomach will explode and you will die. Again, a false tale but a very popular one among the categories of urban legends.
Many other wives' tales have been said and spread all around the globe and will for many years to come. Just another example of how protective and how a mother's concerns can rise over their precious little angels. The question is what will they come up with next.
I have not heard this version of this tale. A variation would be that television would cause brain damage. Either way, both turned out to be completely false as this rumor was only to keep children from watching too much or sitting too close to the screen as it would potentially cause eye strains. Also, watching too much television may cause fatigue among some but it would not change the common optical shape of the eyes.
Other wives' tales have been announced, such as the false tales of habitual knuckle cracking causes arthritis or drinking coffee reduces body growth. Many others have also been included. Here are some quick example of some other old wives' tales:
Taking showers or washing your hands while you are sick will rehatch a virus. This is totally false as doctors would prescribe nasal congestion or recommend cold showers to lower high body temperatures.
Swallowing chewing gum will stay in your body for seven years. Another false story as chewing gum is excreted like any other undigested piece of food.
Eating the crust of bread causes your hair to curl. False, plain and simple.
A pimple on your tongue proves that you have lied about something is also a false tale.
If you make a funny face and the wind changes direction, your face will stay that way. One that many people have heard more than once. This is a completely false tale as it was prevalent among the sufferers of Bell's Palsy.
If you go swimming less than an hour after eating, you will get cramps. Again, another one that many have heard that turned out to be false, but some scientists do advise not to swim or engage in another physical activity some time after eating as it effects the sympathetic nervous system by overriding orders. This was parodied in one of the books of Limony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events.
If you touch a toad, you will get warts is false as warts are caused by a virus, which is not transferable between species.
If you consume Pop Rocks followed by a carbonated drink, such as soda, your stomach will explode and you will die. Again, a false tale but a very popular one among the categories of urban legends.
Many other wives' tales have been said and spread all around the globe and will for many years to come. Just another example of how protective and how a mother's concerns can rise over their precious little angels. The question is what will they come up with next.
