SUPERSTITIOUS:
Sayings & Doings
by Dr. ALEC GILL MBE
There are many things that people (who are 'not superstitious') say and do without knowing that there is a superstitious basis to them:
 | Say 'White Rabbits' on the first day of each month or 'Bless You' when someone sneezes. |
| Crossed Fingers - the logo of the National Lottery Logo - see Tony Banks MP swearing-in ceremony (c.1990s). |
| Wish someone 'Good Luck'. |
| Touch wood - after making a comment about ones good fortune or health. |
| Expressions: 'Don't Tempt Fate', 'In the laps of the gods', 'Everything happens in threes', 'Third time Lucky'. |
| Carry a Lucky Charm, Rabbit's Foot or Silver Coin. |
| Throw salt over their left shoulder after spilling some. |
| Avoid walking under ladders. |
| Break a wish-bone from remains of a chicken. |
| Wish upon a falling star. |
| Throw coins in a wishing well - 'Three coins in a Fountain'. |
| 'Something Old, something new, something borrowed, something blue' - Wedding Day taboo. |
| New Year resolutions. |
| Give a new-born baby a silver coin. |
| Tombolas, Raffles, Lottery, Toss a Coin, Lotto, Scratch Cards, Drawing Lots - Everyone who takes part accepts the 'authority' of the random nature of the event or 'the Luck of the Draw'. |
WEATHERLORE EXPRESSIONS:
Red sky at night,
Shepherd's delight.
Red sky in the morning.
Sailor's warning.
When birds fly low,
The wind will blow.
When the wind backs against the sun,
Trust it not, for back it will run.
When clouds are all streaky,
like mares' tales,
It is a sign of strong winds -
even the next day.