Old Wives: well-informed

A group of social scientists at Sheppington Hogwash University today claimed to have discovered that old wives rarely, if ever, tell tales. During the research, which has cost the tax-payer a mere twenty-seven million pounds, the team placed more than twelve thousand old wives from all social backgrounds under constant surveillance for a period of five years. To their astonishment they gradually came to realise that the women were not only not particularly prone to telling tales, but were among the most scientifically well-informed members of society.

"This is a truly momentous discovery which could change popular attitudes to old wives forever," said Dr Frank O'Stine, Head Researcher at SHU, before continuing, "My next project will explore the vital issue of whether old dogs can be taught new tricks."