Friday 13th and other superstitions
13 July 2007
If like me you’ve been brought up with crazy superstitions being part of every day life you may be concerned that today is Friday 13th. I’m really not too concerned, but secretly I’ll be glad when it’s Saturday! The fear of Friday 13th is known as paraskavedekatriaphobia, whereas a fear of the number 13 is known as triskaidekaphobia. Easy for the Greeks to say, which is where both words are derived from. Tri = Three, Kai = And, Deka =Ten.
Other superstitions I was brought up with include, saluting a magpie and saying good morning to him. I say ‘him’ as we always say “Good morning Mr Magpie”. My children find this most embarrassing when I salute magpies no matter where we are. One magpie is bad luck and two good luck, which comes from the rhyme, which goes on to 3 for a girl, 4 for a boy etc. My Grandad extended his salutation to sheep, but I can not find any evidence of anyone else doing this outside of our family!
My day could be ruled by superstitions such as never putting an umbrella up indoors, never putting new shoes on a table and not walking under ladders. All will bring me bad luck. A broken mirrorwill give me 7 years bad luck, but if my right hand itches I’ll receive money. However, an itch on the left hand means I’ll be paying out! One that my Nan brought to my attention, but I can’t say I follow is apparently it’s bad luck to talk when going under a bridge. She won’t wear green as this is bad luck. Pearlsare for tears so no pearls either and an itchy nose means you’ll have an argument unless you shake hands with a fool. The list is endless!
Some good books on superstitions and their possible origins are The Penguin gude to the superstitions of Britain and Ireland by Steve Roud and Dictionary of Omens and Superstitions by Phillipa Waring. Meanwhile, I won’t let the day bother me as long as I keep away from mirrors, magpies, 
shoes and umbrellas and heaven forbid I spill some salt I’ll be sure to throw some over my shoulder!
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