Myth, Metaphor, and Wives’ Tales

In this week’s spotlight I wish to discuss the nature of myths, metaphors and wives’ tales. Science has traditionally tended to scoff at these things, dismissing them as just so much nonsense. Is that fair? There are several so-called wives’ tales that science and data have discovered are indeed true. For example, the wives’ tale that insists a long difficult labor will lead to a boy is statistically supported, at least according to a survey in the Maternity Hospital in Dublin.1 Proven Tales How about the wives’ tale that hot baths can damage sperm or the idea that carrots improve ...