Spitting on the Nail Helps Prevent Wood Splitting

There is no substitute for pre-drilling the hole. However, an old carpenter says spitting on the nail before driving it into an old board helps prevent wooden boards from splitting. Maybe dipping the nail into a glass of water is more your style. Something to keep in mind next time you repair an old picture frame or piece of furniture. Also may be appropriate for projects using reclaimed wood. Is this good advice or is it an old myth?