As children we all had superstitions, some more terrifying than others. A lot of these originated from our mothers, who were trying to keep us in check, while others came from whispers in the playground, usually passed down from scheming older siblings.
So while you keep an eye out for black cats this Friday 13th, here are ten of the most common superstitions we had as children:
- A black line would appear down the centre of your tongue if you told a lie.
- If you were making a face when the wind changed direction it would stay like that forever.
- If you stepped on a crack you’d break your mother’s back.
- Putting a buttercup under your chin to see if you liked butter. If your chin had a yellow spot it meant you liked it.
- Holding your breath when going under a bridge or through a tunnel. If you made it to the end you could make a wish.
- Crossing your fingers or your toes meant that the lie you had just told wasn’t a lie anymore.
- At the end of a rainbow there is a pot of gold.
- Believing that if you ate your crusts your hair would turn curly.
- Saying ‘Bloody Mary’ into the mirror three times would make her appear. If you were fortunate enough to escape her evil clutches you would see her face every time you looked at your reflection.
- Smelling dandelions meant that you would wet the bed that night.
