Old Superstitions

Scott Countians are not particularly noted for being superstitious, but there are a lot of us who are somewhat so inclined regardless of the fact that very few of us will admit it. We are like him who said, "I don't believe in "hants" but I'm afraid of 'em."

Here follow some of the old good luck and bad luck sayings. some of which remain in the ordinary speech of today.

It's bad luck to see the new moon through brush -- good luck to see it "clear."

It's bad luck for seven years if you break a mirror.

It's bad luck to walk under a ladder.

It's good luck to find a pin with its point toward you -- if you pick it up and keep it.

It's good luck to find a four leaf clover or a horseshoe.

It's bad luck for a black cat to cross the road in front of you.

If your nose itches persistently, you'll soon have visitors -- somebody is "a coming. "

If your ears are burning, somebody is talking about you.

An apple a day keeps the doctor away -- or an onion a day keeps the doctor away.

Thunder and lightning causes milk to clabber.

It's bad luck to burn sassafras wood either in the stove or fireplace.

A round or oval shaped stone makes a good "hawk rock", providing you keep it warm either in the fireplace or stove. It will keep the hawks from devouring your young chickens. (This is a melungeon superstition).

It's bad luck to bring a hoe into the house.

Corn planted in a light moon will grow only small ears which point straight up parallel with the cornstalk -- planted in a dark moon, large ears grow out from the stalk, so big and heavy they bend over and point to the ground.

Cut your finger nails on Sunday, and you'll serve the devil the whole week.

The bridesmaid or other attendant girl, who catches the bride's bouquet as she tosses it into the crowd of wedding guests, will be the next one of the assembled company to get married.