Old Wives' Tales and Superstitions

[ThistleMae]

What have you heard over the years and you wonder where it came from, it's origin and whether it was true or not? Was it from an Old Wives' Tale? Who are these Old Wives' anyway? Is there some superstition you've abided by for example, it's bad luck if a black cat crosses your path, or don't ever walk under a ladder, or the dreaded step on a crack and break your mother's back! Share the things you've heard over the years. Do the Old Wives' truly have some wisdom we should know about?

 

[TCRAIG]

My mother in law (very country woman from the south) maintained that if you cut a baby’s nails, they would grow up to be a thief - you’re supposed to bite them instead…don’t know about the stealing part - but I've read that it is recommend you not use scissors or clippers on new babies nails.

 

[ThistleMae]

My mother in law (very country woman from the south) maintained that if you cut a baby’s nails, they would grow up to be a thief - you’re supposed to bite them instead…don’t know about the stealing part - but I've read that it is recommend you not use scissors or clippers on new babies nails.

There's probably some truth in this then. Definitely not the stealing, IMHO....LOL!

 

[Simba's Mom]

My grandmother always told me that "Rabbitt" should be the first thing you say on the first morning of the month.

If you do that, you'll be blessed with good luck all month. Her ancestors were part Penobscott Indians, so I wonder about the history of that old wives tale.

 

[Her Dotness]

A great aunt who lived in S. Texas for a number of years used to bring black-eyed peas to Christmas dinner at my grandparents' home every year after she retired back to Kansas.

She insisted everyone must have at least a bite of them to assure financial prosperity for the new year.

That's an old Southern tradition that must've worked for her as a single woman who managed a department store and kept it going during the Great Depression.

I hated the things and only pretended to eat some which is probably why I've never been as well off as she was.

 

[xipotec]

My Nana said you never open an umbrella in the house…

and when opening outside you opened it downward first, and it would catch the luck in it …

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

When my mom was expecting me there was a lunar eclipse, and it was said that it was bad luck for a pregnant woman not to look at an eclipse and to tie keys around her waist. My father recounted that he told her, "I don't believe in that "stuff" but I'm not taking any chances." lol

When I had nightmares around 3 (saw a dog tear a kitten apart), my grandmother put a broom under my bed and lit candles. My parents said my nightmares stopped after that.

I've never abided by any of those...

For my nephew that had nightmares - he came to our house one weekend, and I gave him a little wooden box and told him it was a dream catcher box, and he should put all his nightmares in there and lock them up before going to sleep. My (ex) sister-in-law told me that he would do that each night and not have any nightmares.

In Spain, my great aunt (she was 89 at the time) wouldn't let me take a shower after eating because I would die (her words). I used to have to sneak to other relatives' houses in the village if I wanted to take a shower after a meal. lol

 

[Luv Bunnies]

My grandmother always told me that "Rabbitt" should be the first thing you say on the first morning of the month.

If you do that, you'll be blessed with good luck all month. Her ancestors were part Penobscott Indians, so I wonder about the history of that old wives tale.

Yep! This is popular among us rabbit people. It's frequently mentioned on the Facebook rabbit owners groups I follow. You say "Rabbit Rabbit Rabbit" on the first day of the month for good luck. If you want extra luck, you say "White Rabbit White Rabbit White Rabbit." My son and I make sure to say it every month.

 

[Buzz Rules]

A spoon under the mattress/pillow should guarantee a snow day. It only worked 50% of the time when I was growing up. I think that tradition goes back to colonial times. It makes me wonder why a spoon though.

I also remember reading something about moss and Rhode Island having health benefits. That was from the 18th century.

 

[antmaril]

My mother believed that putting new shoes on a table would bring bad luck.

 

[mjkacmom]

A spoon under the mattress/pillow should guarantee a snow day. It only worked 50% of the time when I was growing up. I think that tradition goes back to colonial times. It makes me wonder why a spoon though.

I also remember reading something about moss and Rhode Island having health benefits. That was from the 18th century.

I lost many spoons due to this, I think they also flushed ice cubes down the toilet and slept in inside out pajamas. All of my friends and I sad rabbit rabbit on the first of the month growing up.

 

[PollyannaMom]

I had never heard some of these!

I like the dream catcher ones, though, even it's just believing them that made the kids feel better.

I expect not using sharp nail scissors is really because babies are squirmy and you could nick the skin. (I would think biting them is an infection rusk though - so either way, you're worrying.)

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

The dream catcher reminded me that I grew up with one hung on my bed post. I used to immediately reach and look for it if I woke up from a bad dream and it soothed me.

 

[Mysterian]

My mother believed that putting new shoes on a table would bring bad luck.

Probably because of what mom would do to us if we put shoes on the table.

 

[Mysterian]

Yep! This is popular among us rabbit people. It's frequently mentioned on the Facebook rabbit owners groups I follow. You say "Rabbit Rabbit Rabbit" on the first day of the month for good luck. If you want extra luck, you say "White Rabbit White Rabbit White Rabbit." My son and I make sure to say it every month.

Is there any luck given for singing Jefferson Airplane's "White Rabbit" on the first of the month?

 

[Mysterian]

My grandmother always told me that "Rabbitt" should be the first thing you say on the first morning of the month.

If you do that, you'll be blessed with good luck all month. Her ancestors were part Penobscott Indians, so I wonder about the history of that old wives tale.

Ah wild! My grandmother is part Penobscott too. It's not one of those tribes you typically hear about. She never passed on any superstitions though.

 

[DeeBee3]

I've always been told you have to leave through the same door you entered. Not sure why but my mom's family is serious about this. We all know it's silly and superstitious, but for the most part, we do it.

 

[loves to dive]

I'm southern so we have many. My MIL told me it was bad luck if it rained the day you got married, it meant that was how many tears you would shed during your marriage. She was right.

My mama always told me not to be on the toilet or take a shower during a storm cause lightening could come hit me. Not sure about that one but I was cooking one day during one and my stove got zapped and a ball of fire spit out at me. Pretty sure that one was just because she was afraid of storms.

My grand daddy was part native American and told me I should always have a cat's eye stone to ward off evil. He gave me my first one. I lost it but immediately bought a new one. One stays in the bottom of my purse at all times and if I'm not carrying a purse, one is in my pocket and I keep one in my car.

My grandmother always told us we should never look in a mirror at night. Not sure what would happen or the origin or that one but I don't look in a mirror at night unless lights are on in the room.

Oh, and yes, I still don't wear white after Labor Day and before Easter. I know where that one came from and it's not southern. In the early 1900s, those who were well-to-do often favored lightweight, bright clothing—white linen suits and breezy dresses. Wearing white after Labor Day meant you were someone who had the means to have end-of-summer vacations. Wearing your whites beyond Labor Day was just, well… showing off.

 

[Kennywood]

I would highly recommend the "Foxfire" set of books. They're extremely interesting.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Opening the windows in your house when a tornado is approaching. And hiding in the southwest corner of the house for the approaching tornado.