Current Superstitions Part 5

92. Children believe it is unlucky to step on the cracks in the flagstones, which are believed to contain poison. It is a game to walk a long distance on such stones without setting foot on the interstices.

_Cambridge, Ma.s.s._

93. When children are tired of swinging, or think it is time for the swinger to give way to another, the phrase is "let the old cat die."

After this has been said, it is unlucky to quicken the motion of the swing again.

_General._

VARIOUS.

94. When a child loses a tooth, if the tongue is not put into the cavity a gold tooth will come in place of it.

_New York and Northern Ohio._

95. The ideas of children about the significance of color are mixed. Thus in croquet no child (in a town near Boston) would take the red ball, because it was supposed to mean hate. Blue is the favorite color.

96. Red and yellow, catch a fellow. _Brookline, Ma.s.s._ Pink and blue, he'll catch you. _Deerfield, Ma.s.s._ Pink and blue, he'll be true. _Deerfield, Ma.s.s._ Black and white, hold him tight. _Pennsylvania._

97. An old superst.i.tion which still survives among children is, that if they crawl over an older person and do not crawl back they will never grow again.

_Haverhill, Ma.s.s._

98. "We used always as children to get X's scored with a pin on our new 'village gaiters.' We were told it was to make them safe and take the slipperiness off."

_Brookline, Ma.s.s._

99. Children say that the one who takes the first bite of an apple that is to be pa.s.sed about for eating will fail in his or her lesson.

_Chelsea, Ma.s.s._

100. Boys believe that they can prevent the st.i.tch in the side which is liable to be induced by running, by means of holding a pebble under the tongue. "I believe I could run all day, and not get tired, if I could hold a pebble under my tongue," said one.

_Cambridge, Ma.s.s._

CHAPTER III.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS.

BEAUTY.

101. If a person is very handsome, it is a sign that he will have one of the infectious diseases of childhood (measles, whooping cough, etc.) more than once.

_Ma.s.sachusetts._

DIMPLE.

102. Dimple in chin.

Devil within.

_Chestertown, Md._

103. A dimple in the chin is lucky. Some say "it shows you're no fool."

104. A dimple is the mark left by the angel's finger in turning up the face to kiss it when asleep.

_Pennsylvania._

EARS.

105. Small ears indicate that a person is stingy. Large ones show that he is generous.

_General._

106. Large ears are a mark of a liar. Small ears show that one is truthful.

_Boston, Ma.s.s._

107. Long, slim ears are a sign that you will steal.

_Chestertown, Md._

108. If the protuberance behind the ear is large, it indicates generosity.

_Ma.s.sachusetts._

EYES AND EYEBROWS.

109. Hazel eyes betoken a good disposition.

_Boston, Ma.s.s._

110. If your eyebrows meet, you will be rich.

_Somerville and Bedford, Ma.s.s._

111. A well-known children's rhyme runs:--

Blue-eye beauty, do your mammy's duty!

Black eye, pick a pie, Run around and tell a lie!

Gray-eye greedy gut Eat all the world up!

_General in the United States._

112. If the eyebrows meet, one is ill-tempered.

_General in the United States._

113. If the eyebrows are far apart, you will live away from home; if near together, you will live near home, or at home.

_Ma.s.sachusetts._

114. Heavy eyebrows are a sign of long life.

_Lawrence, Ma.s.s._

FINGER-NAILS.

115. Always keep your nails clean and you will be rich.

_Peabody, Ma.s.s._