Old wives tales are a type of folklore that have been passed down through generations. They are often stories, superstitions, or sayings that are meant to teach a lesson or provide guidance. The two words used to describe old wives tales in the crossword puzzle are 'myths' and 'LORE'. Myths are traditional stories that explain the beliefs of a particular culture or group of people. LORE is a body of knowledge, traditions, and customs that are shared among a particular group of people.