FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2023 - OLD WIVES TALES

 FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2023 - OLD WIVES TALES

Yesterday was Groundhog’s Day.  (In case you didn’t pay attention, Phil the Punxsutawney Pennsylvania groundhog DID SEE HIS SHADOW). The concept comes from a Pennsylvania Dutch superstition that if a groundhog emerges from its burrow on this day and sees its shadow due to clear weather, it will retreat to its den, and winter will go on for six more weeks; if it does not see its shadow because of cloudiness, spring will arrive early.  

And, of course, when I think of Groundhog’s Day, I remember the movie with Bill Murray where he wakes up in Punxsutawney  Pennsylvania over and over again.  (With “I’ve got you Babe” with Sonny and Cher playing on the radio).

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Ground Hog day to me is in the category of “Old Wives Tales”.  Folklore may or may not have any bearing on reality.  

Maybe in Pennsylvania four-hundred years ago (1723), it had been cloudy and miserable for several days and finally, there was a clear day on the second of February.  The German settlers (Pennsylvania ``Dutch” is generally considered a translation of “Deutsch” (aka “German”) were happy to see the sun.  Maybe tongue in cheek, maybe for real, somebody said “Schade” (too bad) I can see my shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter”.  That got passed on from person to person (or from a gossipy old lady to other gossipy old ladies until it became folklore.  A while back a friend said “Don’t eat <something> on New Year's Day.  If you do, somebody in your family will die that year.  (As if eating sardines would cause uncle Frank to die).

Or the opposite (but still folklore) eating black beans on New Year’s Day will bring you luck in the upcoming year.  

If you sprinkle salt on a bird’s tail you can catch it.  (If the bird lets you get close enough to sprinkle salt on its tail, it is close enough to catch!!!)

A stitch in time will save nine.  (If your sweater is starting to unravel, catch it quickly before it all ravels away!!!)

An old wives' tale is a supposed truth that is actually spurious or a superstition. 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.

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Here are some Old Wives Tales:

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Don’t swim for at least thirty minutes after eating.  (False)

The concept was that your stomach was digesting your food and your blood was needed to help the process.  While the body does send extra blood to aid in digestion, it's not enough to keep your arm and leg muscles from functioning. You might get a small cramp, but nothing fatal. 

I’m trying to think about where such an idea started.  A mom who wanted to safeguard her children decided to keep them out of the water for a period of time to add digestion.  

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Chewing gum stays in your body for up to seven years!! (False)

If you accidentally swallow chewing gum (or do it on purpose), the stomach doesn’t do much to it in terms of digestion - but eventually, it passes it on to the intestines and gets eliminated.  It would be much better if you spit it out into a napkin or tissue and throw it out.

(Aside, I was teaching high school when our son was born.  When he was about two years old he came to visit me after school. He was entertaining himself.  When I looked up he was chewing something!  Yes, not very tall, he found ABC (already been chewed) gum on the bottom of a desk and was trying it out.)

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Human Urine Heals Jellyfish Stings (false)

(I had never heard of this one, but we didn’t live close to an ocean).  

The Mayo Clinic says that peeing on a jellyfish sting won't make it feel better. Instead, remove the stinger with fine-tipped tweezers and soak the affected area in hot water, or take a hot shower, for 20–45 minutes.

(I have heard it recommended not to eat the yellow snow!!  I don’t think that will kill you though!!!)

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Coffee stunts your growth (false)

Generally, people don’t drink coffee until they are adults - but it really doesn’t stunt your growth!!!).  

And, lots of studies have indicated that coffee is good for you in multiple ways.

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Plucking Gray Hairs Will Make Two More Grow In (false)

If you pull out a gray hair you will get one root - it won’t grow two!!

This probably came from an old wife who thought she had too much gray hair  (I haven’t heard of this for a few years - maybe because you can color your hair much easier!!!)

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So, Punxsutawney Phil really can’t forecast the weather - and other such tales are just folklore or “Old Wives Tales”!!!

LOVE WINS (that is true)

LOVE TRANSFORMS (that also is true)

KAREN ANNE WHITE, ©, FEBRUARY 3, 2023