Black Cats and April Fools: Origins of Old Wives Tales and Superstitions in Our Daily Lives
Harry Oliver
Language: English
Pages: 258
ISBN: 1843581620
Format: PDF / Kindle (mobi) / ePub
are considered extremely unlucky on board a ship, and even the word ‘egg’ was once taboo among sailors, who instead used the word ‘roundabout’. An even number of eggs is unlucky When ‘setting’ eggs, or placing them under a hen to hatch, farmers’ wives would always ensure there was an odd number, preferably thirteen if possible. If, however, an even number were set to hatch, it was said that the resulting chicks would all be male. This belief was remarkably common from the seventeenth century
when doing this, however, as they may inadvertently whistle up a gale, which is why whistling is usually taboo among sailors. Another method of bringing on the wind is to scratch the mast with a fingernail, or to throw certain objects – coins or a brush – into the sea. In former times it was also common for sailors to purchase wind from a witch in the form of three knots tied into a piece of string. Untying one knot would bring a slight wind, two would produce a stronger wind, and all three would
in the British Isles it was witches and fairies, and in India and Ancient Greece crossroads marked openings to the world of the gods and the dead. Precautions for travellers, or advice for a happy holiday In the past, travelling could be a very frightening and dangerous activity, so it is not surprising that many superstitions evolved around the act of setting out on a journey. A traveller leaving their home would look up at the sky and at the landscape around to notice any movement of
actors were traditionally thought to be very superstitious, to give them any kind of amulet or talisman, especially one that could be easily worn under a costume, is a perfect gift. Gifts for a newborn baby at his or her baptism At a baby’s baptism the most important figures are traditionally the godparents, who are expected to provide the nicest and most lavish gifts for the child. Starting in the fifteenth century it became customary for godparents to give silver spoons or cups to the baby.
after the change, and in France it became a custom to exploit this by visiting neighbours’ houses on 1 April and fooling them into thinking it was still the first day of the year. These gullible people would then become the ‘April fool’. Other superstitions dictate that marriage on this day is inadvisable for a man, as he will be a henpecked husband. To be born on this day is generally fortunate, although those with 1 April as their birthday should be careful not to take up gambling. Ascension