MISCELLANEOUS
PORTENTS OF EVIL
Furniture creaking at night without visible cause, is a sign of death
or illness.
Letters crossing in the mail betoken evil fortune.
When the church bell strikes while the parson is giving out his text,
some one in the congregation will die.
Ringing sounds in the ear foretell trouble.
Three people making up a bed is a bad sign, and foretells illness to
one of them.
The ticking of a “death tick,” a minute insect that lives in wood, is a
sign of coming trouble.
BREAKING FRIENDSHIP
When poker and tongs hang both on the same side of the fireplace it
betokens a breaking of friendship.
Passing a friend on the stairs, foretells a rupture.
When two persons kindle a fire together, it foretells that they will
soon quarrel.
Two persons washing their hands in the same basin or using the same
towel at the same time, had better beware, for their friendship will be
of short duration.
In all of the above cases, making a cross with the thumb will prevent
the evil from being carried out.
DRINKING TOASTS
Drinking to the health of a friend is a very old custom and goes back
to the beginning of civilization. The Roman gallant would drink as many
glasses as there were letters in the name of his sweetheart.
The origin of the word “toast” is uncertain. An old writer claims
that in the reign of Charles the Second, a piece of toasted bread was
dropped in the wine, and that a wit, seeing that the wine had all been
quaffed, remarked: “If I can’t drink the wine, I can at least have the
toast.”
To give or drink a toast signifies to offer a sentiment in honor of
some dear person, and wish him or her good health. It is supposed to be
efficacious.
The ancients poured wine upon the ground in honor of the gods. The
modern feaster prefers to pour it into himself in honor of his friends.
Many a man drinks to the health of others and forgets about his own
health.
To break a glass while drinking a toast is a bad omen, and may result
in the early death of the person toasted.
To spill wine while drinking a toast is a good omen, and brings health
and happiness to the one concerned.
PIOUS EJACULATIONS
The custom of qualifying an assertion or a wish with some pious remark
in order to avert trouble, is well-nigh universal and was as prevalent
among the ancients as with us.
The Romans, whenever they told of their intended movements or of
anything they expected to accomplish in the future, always prefixed
their remarks with “_Deo Volente_,” or some similar words.
The modern American says, “God willing,” when he tells of something he
expects to do. This is supposed to remove any hoodoo that may interfere
with his anticipated deed.
Similarly the German says, “_So Gott will_.” The Frenchman says, “_A
Dieu ne deplaise_,” and so every language has its equivalent.
In speaking about the possibility of anything evil happening to one’s
dear ones, it is customary to say, “God forbid.”
In discussing the merits or deeds of one’s wife or other dear relative,
we often say “God bless her or him,” which is supposed to remove any
occult influence for evil.
Jews, when discussing the good points or praiseworthy traits of their
dear ones, say, “_Unbeschrien_,” which literally means “without wishing
to praise.” This prevents the praise from reacting and becoming a
reproach.
In speaking of their dead, the Germans often add the word “_selig_”
to the name. This means “blessed” or of “blessed memory,” and is
equivalent to saying, “Peace to his ashes.”
The English expressions of “Dear me,” “My goodness” and “Goodness
gracious,” are really modifications of “_dio mio_,” “My God,” “Gracious
God,” etc., and had their origin in the desire to call on the Deity to
bring comfort or help. So also “Hully Gee” is a corruption of “Holy
Jesus.”
The Europeans think nothing of interjecting the name of the Deity into
their ordinary conversation. “_Mein Gott_,” “_Ach Gott_,” “_Mon Dieu_,”
etc., take place of our “Dear me,” etc. They are not used in the spirit
of blasphemy, but as pious words to avert evil.
Many people before starting out on any errand, or even before entering
a room, say to themselves, “Good luck,” or other phrase, in the nature
of a silent prayer.
Birthday wishes, festival wishes and congratulations are all related
to this same class of prayers or pious wishes, and are supposed to
influence the mysterious power that rules the universe, to send its
best gifts and to keep away harm.