Definition: A misguided remedy enthusiastically promoted despite being scientifically useless and potentially harmful. Originated from protest advice to use dairy milk against tear gas, despite experts confirming it worsens eye irritation and ignores lactose allergies.
Now symbolizes any well-intentioned but catastrophically counterproductive fix—like using gasoline to douse a fire or duct-taping a broken leg. Deployed by overconfident amateurs who refuse to Google basic facts before doubling down.
Example:
Insisting vinegar cleans infected wounds is a classic misguided remedy; it kills some germs but severely damages healing tissue, worsening the problem.
His suggestion to “clean” the engine with water while it was hot, ignoring the steam explosion risk, was catastrophically counterproductive amateur advice.