trattles

Mr. Sinclair professes that his proofs of the existence of Devils "are no old wife's trattles about the fire, but such as may bide the test."

Adventures Among Books Andrew Lang 1878

To speake of the many vaine trattles founded vpon that illusion: How there was a King and Queene of _Phairie_, of such a iolly court & train as they had, how they had a teynd, & dutie, as it were, of all goods: how they naturallie rode and went, eate and drank, and did all other actiones like naturall men and women: I thinke it liker VIRGILS

Daemonologie. King of England James I 1595

Whereupon they build, that such as fell in the fire, or in the aire, are truer then they, who fell in the water or in the land, which is al but meare trattles, & forged by the author of al deceit.

Daemonologie. King of England James I 1595

Surelie I long to heare your owne opinion of this: For they are like old wiues trattles about the fire.

Daemonologie. King of England James I 1595