I want to take a break from talking about writing all the time, and share those things that tend to come up while researching. Today I’d like to dive into superstitions.
Even as technology improves, superstitions are still part of our lives. For example, many buildings skip the thirteenth floor because people think it brings bad luck. Pilots often treat their planes as if they are alive and follow special routines before flying. In the military, superstitions are common. Navy members believe it’s unlucky to wash a coffee cup—though some just like to keep it “seasoned.” Tank crews sometimes think apricots cause bad luck, like equipment breaking down. I didn’t experience this myself, but I’ve heard stories about it. In the Navy, whistling is thought to bring bad weather. It’s also considered bad luck to look back at a helicopter after getting out. Some scout snipers wear a bullet called a “Hog’s Tooth” for good luck and protection.
The word “Abracadabra” might surprise you. While magicians have long used it on stage, it has an even longer history as a magical charm. It first appeared in writings from the second century BC. The word comes from shortened Hebrew words meaning Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Other references to the word align it with Abraxas, a snake-footed god worshipped in Alexandria before Christianity.
People believed the word “Abracadabra” could protect them from illness and bad luck. In the seventeenth century, some in London wore amulets with the word to guard against the plague, according to Daniel Defoe’s Journal of the Plague Years.
So, next time you hear someone say “Abracadabra,” remember that some believe saying it out loud can summon strong supernatural powers.
What unusual superstitions have you heard about? Feel free to share your stories in the comments below!
Richard Schiver 