CHAPTER XVI
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.