# Totally irrational superstitions that you hold **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 12, 2002, 6:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/totally-irrational-superstitions-that-you-hold/118578 "2002-07-12T06:26:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![madcat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/73ab20/32.png) [@madcat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madcat)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2002, 11:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/totally-irrational-superstitions-that-you-hold/118578/21 "2002-07-12T11:36:02Z")
I always heard that the Three for a girl Four for a boy in the magpie rhyme referred to the sex of your future children. ---
**Author:** ![Francesca](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/9fc348/32.png) [@Francesca](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Francesca)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2002, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/totally-irrational-superstitions-that-you-hold/118578/22 "2002-07-12T11:53:54Z")
Genius **Tansu** , genius. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2002, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/totally-irrational-superstitions-that-you-hold/118578/23 "2002-07-12T11:53:58Z")
There are dozens of magpies round my way, so the question is probably moot; I need a rhyme that starts at about 20 or so. ---
**Author:** ![Tansu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/67e7ee/32.png) [@Tansu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tansu)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2002, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/totally-irrational-superstitions-that-you-hold/118578/24 "2002-07-12T12:17:33Z")
8 for curry 9 for rice 10 for sugar 11 for spice 12 for grease 13 for wax 14 for investments 15 for tax 16 for a fork 17 for a knife 18 for a mistress 19 for a wife 20 for elves 21 for gnomes 22 for offices 23 for homes it’s easy when you get going. ---
**Author:** ![Lyllyan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b2d939/32.png) [@Lyllyan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lyllyan)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2002, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/totally-irrational-superstitions-that-you-hold/118578/25 "2002-07-12T13:37:48Z")
I have since overcome this particular problem, but, at one time I was sure that when taking the trash to the curb at night, I would be attacked by a werewolf if I ran back to the house. I would not allow myself to turn and look nor walk quickly. It must have worked, I have yet to be attacked. Whilst I was pregnant with our firstborn, I would not shop for baby things. No cribs, rockers or toys, and definately do not decorate the babies room. DH bought everything the day I gave birth. ---
**Author:** ![TroubleAgain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e480ec/32.png) [@TroubleAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroubleAgain)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2002, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/totally-irrational-superstitions-that-you-hold/118578/26 "2002-07-12T13:46:18Z")
When I let my cat out in the morning, I MUST say something like “have a good day” or “see you tonight” or maybe he’ll be gone when I come home. ☹ (He’s old.) ---
**Author:** ![The\_Wrong\_Girl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b782af/32.png) [@The\_Wrong\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Wrong_Girl)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2002, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/totally-irrational-superstitions-that-you-hold/118578/27 "2002-07-12T13:48:45Z")
When I read the thread title, I thought it was “totally irrational superPOWERS that you hold.” I was having a nice little internal conversation with myself, thinking, “well, when you get down to it, most superpowers are irrational anyway, I guess,” when I saw that it was superstitions. When I’m at home, even just for a visit, and sleeping in my old bed, I always look under the bed. I can’t help it–it’s a habit that’s completely left over from when I was a little kid, but I just have to do it, or else I know I won’t get to sleep. ---
**Author:** ![screech-owl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/82dd89/32.png) [@screech-owl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/screech-owl)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2002, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/totally-irrational-superstitions-that-you-hold/118578/28 "2002-07-12T13:51:15Z")
Dang. I’ve never seen a magpie (live or dead). My superstition? I try not to get too excited about something I really look forward to, as I usually find things don’t work out the way I planned them. (Odd way to be, but in my life, I’ve found that I have more fun if I plan on NOT having fun.) ---
**Author:** ![Podkayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@Podkayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Podkayne)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2002, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/totally-irrational-superstitions-that-you-hold/118578/29 "2002-07-12T14:00:58Z")
If I see a grey hair, I will not pluck out because surely, two will grow in its place. I tell myself it’s because I’m comfortable with myself and my appearance and I welcome my growing maturity as it reflects wisdom and experience. And, anyway, hair follicles don’t work that way anyway. Really. They don’t. ---
**Author:** ![Honey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honey/32/5074_2.png) [@Honey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Honey)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2002, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/totally-irrational-superstitions-that-you-hold/118578/30 "2002-07-12T14:02:50Z")
We had our Golden Retriever “Friday” put to sleep in April of 2001. His ashes are in an urn on a living room shelf. I just know something bad will happen to me if I leave the house without placing my hand on top of the urn and saying “I’m sorry, I love you”. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Eats\_Crayons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/278dde/32.png) [@Eats\_Crayons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eats_Crayons)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2002, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/totally-irrational-superstitions-that-you-hold/118578/31 "2002-07-12T14:17:49Z")
I’m not at all superstistious. Walking under a ladder? Pfeh! Open an umbrella indoors? Pfeh! Spill salt and toss a pinch over your shoulder? Waste of salt! But I can _not_… EVER… say the forbidden title of Shakespeare’s “Scottish Play.” I’ve worked in the performing arts and so it’s ingrained in my head. Never say MacB’s full name backstage or anywhere in the theatre! But it has gone beyond the scope of the stage. So severe is my superstitious phobia, that I cannot utter the word _ever_. So bring on your black cats, and drive over railroad tracks (I won’t lift up my feet), but please, please don’t say the M-word! ---
**Author:** ![absimia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bbe5ce/32.png) [@absimia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/absimia)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2002, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/totally-irrational-superstitions-that-you-hold/118578/32 "2002-07-12T14:30:56Z")
Waaaay back in High school, I’d stayed out far too late the night before my ACTs. I was tired and groggy and vaguely worried about how I’d do. But then I remembered reading that eating a breakfast with lots of protein improves brain functioning. So I made a couple of peanut butter sandwiches and off I went to take my test. I did very very good. Now I eat at least one Peanut butter sandwich for breakfast every day. On days that I miss, I just feel off my game somehow. I’m sure it is all in my head. AbMacBethia ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2002, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/totally-irrational-superstitions-that-you-hold/118578/33 "2002-07-12T14:42:27Z")
The one stupid superstitious practice I adhere to (and yes, I KNOW it’s stupid and irrational, so there’s no need to point that out) is related to sports. If I’m watching any sporting event on TV, and something good happens for the team/individual I’m rooting for, I will stay in the EXACT same position I was sitting in when it happened, and won’t move a muscle… at least until something bad happens, at which point, I figure the magic of my position must have worn off. ---
**Author:** ![Myron\_Van\_Horowitzski](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de053/32.png) [@Myron\_Van\_Horowitzski](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Myron_Van_Horowitzski)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2002, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/totally-irrational-superstitions-that-you-hold/118578/34 "2002-07-12T14:44:53Z")
I’ve got it backwards, too. I have to at least briefly visualize what could happen. I can’t bear the thought of something bad happening, that I never expected could. Like, I’ll read in the newspaper of a fatal car crash and figure, when those people got in the car, I bet they weren’t thinking “Today’s the day I die in a car crash.” So I always have to do that. If I’m going swimming I think, “Today’s the day I could drown,” or maybe, “Today could be the day I fall off this ladder and break my neck.” Then I try to forget about it, usually succeeding. But maybe it’s a good thing? It makes me more careful, perhaps? Or maybe I’m just nuts. Under the circumstances, it’s probably better that I don’t have any kids. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2002, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/totally-irrational-superstitions-that-you-hold/118578/35 "2002-07-12T14:59:37Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Skeezix \* > \*\* > Checked your scalp for numbers recently? 😉 > > I’m with **Opal** and **Larry** on the whole “if I can’t imagine it happening, it ain’t gonna happen” thing. Of course my mind, being the monkey that it is, constantly _starts_ visualising this stuff, forcing me to conjure up some completely unrelated image to avoid death and destruction. What kinda morose, modern day neurosis is this, anyway?\*\* It’s the same way with me. Sometimes i’ll be almost frantic in my trying to think about something else. BraheSilver: my husband does that with the yellow light thing, too. Francesca: I don’t know if I’ve ever even seen a magpie… or if i’d know one if I did! Lodrain: I do that too. I used to feel so guilty eating my cereal in the morning… I’d make sure that the last few Cheerios stayed together in a little cluster “lest they get lonely and scared”… Another thing: If I scratch something or do anything where I move my fingernails against something (palm side) I have to immediately push on my nails from the other side. Otherwise they will get loose and pop off. And I do mean my real nails… I don’t wear fake ones. I have a nagging fear that something is going to come up out of the toilet and grab me and drag me to a watery death. As for the visualization thing… I can think a thought ok… but it’s when I actually play it out in detail in my head that I know it’s going to make it happen :X ---
**Author:** ![DeadlyAccurate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ac91a4/32.png) [@DeadlyAccurate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeadlyAccurate)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2002, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/totally-irrational-superstitions-that-you-hold/118578/36 "2002-07-12T15:13:40Z")
I do the reverse, also. If I worry that my husband is late because he was in a horrific car crash, I know he’ll be home shortly. Since every tragedy I’ve ever dealt with (blessedly few) has blind-sided me, I can’t help but think this method works. I also feel that telling someone to be careful when they leave means I’ve done my part, and if something happens to them I won’t have to worry that it was my fault. My mom mentioned this same thing once after telling us to be careful as we were leaving their house. I will knock on wood, stupid as it is. D&D players have lots of superstitions. Just a few of ours: Never roll on the mat. We use a hex mat for drawing maps, and rolling on the mat means you’ll roll low. Never let the DM touch our dice. You need to “prime” your dice by pre-rolling. If you’re really superstitious, you can do what one friend does and roll several dice to see which one is best before picking out the “good” one. One friend will scrunch up his face and yell, “Come on,” to another friend just before he makes his vital roll. Oddly enough, the number of times the die-rolling friend has succeeded using this method is surprising. I’ve called the numbers on a roll just before it landed and gotten it correct. It’s happened just often enough to be freaky, but not so often that anyone truly believes it means anything. * * * Gosh, you wouldn’t think we were a bunch of well-adjusted college-educated adults by reading this. ---
**Author:** ![Beadalin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3be4f8/32.png) [@Beadalin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beadalin)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2002, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/totally-irrational-superstitions-that-you-hold/118578/37 "2002-07-12T16:45:13Z")
I knock on wood and never open umbrellas indoors. But black cats? Heck , I had one as a kid-- I used to get a kick out of wondering how many people took saw my pet as an ill omen. Cats of any color are fine by me. I have two superstitions of my own that developed over time. The biggest one is that I will never doodle “I love [my SO]”, or draw a heart around his name, or sign my first name with his last name, because whenever I’ve done that in the past, we’ve broken up. Always within a month, usually within a week. Weird. Once I noticed that, I never did it again, and then I started seeing Pat… and we got married. So it obviously has some power. Even now, I won’t even practice signing my new name, for fear that the curse will cause us to divorce. So my signature, close to two years in, still looks awkward and clumsy. The second one is more irrational fear than superstition, but I can’t abide being in the line of sight of a mirror if there isn’t a light on. If I have to pee at night, I dart past the mirror to the toilet beyond, do my thing, and run out again. I’m convinced that if I look into it I’ll see Bloody Mary (the ghost, not the drink). Stupid slumber party ghost stories! That one’s haunted me since 4th grade. Ridiculous, but I can’t shake it. ---
**Author:** ![Ol\_Gaffer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Ol\_Gaffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ol_Gaffer)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2002, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/totally-irrational-superstitions-that-you-hold/118578/38 "2002-07-12T17:16:04Z")
Oh man. I was reading the thread and thinking how none of this stuff applies to me and then I saw… > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by throatshot \* > \*\*D&D players have lots of superstitions. Just a few of ours: > > Never roll on the mat. We use a hex mat for drawing maps, and rolling on the mat means you’ll roll low.\*\* Yes. Absolutely. Of course, this isn’t a superstition, its a fact. > [@](#): > > **Never let the DM touch our dice.** Not only the DM, but the other players as well. If it does happen, then the dice need to be “cleansed” - all dice must be rolled until each die rolls its maximum number five times. Okay, maybe this one is a little superstitious. > [@](#): > > **You need to “prime” your dice by pre-rolling. If you’re really superstitious, you can do what one friend does and roll several dice to see which one is best before picking out the “good” one.** It is imperative to test each die before play commences. One never knows which dice are rolling well. Non-believers think that the rolled die result is random but the truly faithful know otherwise. Its a good thing I don’t believe in any of this stuff.😃 ---
**Author:** ![Balance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Balance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balance)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2002, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/totally-irrational-superstitions-that-you-hold/118578/39 "2002-07-12T19:15:00Z")
After reading this thread, the image I come up with is one of **Charmian** looking into a mirror in a dark room and saying, “Macbeth…Macbeth…Macbeth…” 😃 ---
**Author:** ![XCchick22](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/e19b73/32.png) [@XCchick22](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XCchick22)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2002, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/totally-irrational-superstitions-that-you-hold/118578/40 "2002-07-12T19:59:17Z")
When I’m walking from one side of my house to the other I feel like I’m being watched. Therefore,when I start to go back to the other side I must run into my room as fast as I can and lock the door behind me. Also, when saying goodbye to someone, I’ll never say “See you tomorrow.” I feel like I’m tempting the fates or something. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/totally-irrational-superstitions-that-you-hold/118578.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/totally-irrational-superstitions-that-you-hold/118578.md?page=3)