Questions tagged [superstition]
a belief that is not based on reason or scientific thinking and that explains the causes for events in ways that are connected to magic
3 questions with no upvoted or accepted answers
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Refraining from whistling while out at sea
A friend who served in the IDF Navy told me that some soldiers there believed it was bad luck to whistle while at sea, because it might infuriate Neptune. Supposedly it was like whistling at his wife ...
5
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Crooked/uncrooked arm as sign of truth-telling. Has anyone come across this in any folklore? My example is from a Cornish folktale
I came across this in a Cornish folktale. Girl appears to be telling wild stories (about fairies). Wise woman tests to see if it is true: she has to crook her arm and repeat the story. If it is untrue ...
3
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Why you should never buy a broom or wash blankets in May?
According to Project Britain's folklore calendar buying a broom or washing blankets in May should be avoided:
Never buy a broom in May or wash blankets.
Wash a blanket in May.
Wash a dear one away.
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