Thomas Craughwell has spent a large portion of his life in the thrall of folklore and apocrypha. Taking a natural step from his urban legend expertise, he examines the ''common wisdom'' that moms everywhere pass along as truth to see if it is valid or if it should be ignored. Citing legitimate studies and scientific research, Craughwell identifies the useful and helpful, and offers enlightening theories on why these myths emerged in the first place–and where they went right or wrong. In many cases, you'll find the old wives were right on the money, even if their reasoning was half-baked.

Whimsically illustrated throughout, this entertaining and educational guide allows you to make informed decisions, whether it is slurping chicken soup to help a cold (it works), waiting for an hour after eating before swimming (not necessary), believing that a dog's tongue is cleaner than a human's (not true, yuck), or walking under a ladder (dangerous).


Mom always said...
1. Big feet—big ''down below.''
2. A woman carrying her baby high will have a girl.
3. Chicken soup helps you get over a cold.

Craughwell's verdict...
1. False. Guys with double-digit shoe sizes should stop bragging.
2. False. Knit a pair of blue booties, too, just in case....
3. True. Jewish grandmothers were right all along.