| 5. Riddles or American Superstitions |
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American Superstitions
In the past the fear of the unknown led to a strong belief in unseen spirits. To appease these spirits’ power, people invented all sorts of charms and spells either to bring good luck or to ward off bad luck and, most importantly, dispel the fear of the unknown.
Some common superstitions that are important in everyone’s daily existence--- food, work, money, interpersonal relations are introduced here not only to help students understand the culture and English of the United States but also to provide a fun way to enjoy English and learn it at the same time.
Section 3.1:
Numbers Can Talk!
1. It you’re born on the first day of the month
John: Goodness! What an active baby! He’s so alert.
Mary:Thanks, John. Bill and I play a lot of games with him.
John: How old is he?
Mary:He sure is lucky! Born on the first of the month to parents who think he’s the most important person in the world.
Many people believe that children born on the first day of the month will have good fortune throughout their lives. The number one is considered very lucky. |
2.All things come in threes
John: I’m so worried. I know I won’t get that new job now.
Mary:What makes you think so?
John: Bad things always come in threes. My car broke down on Tuesday, and last night I lost my new necklace.
Mary:But yesterday you found five dollars, and you got an A on today’s English test. Since good thins also come in threes, tomorrow I’m sure you’ll get that job.
Because it represents the traditional family---mother, father, and child---three is thought to be lucky. Gifts, letters and visitor come in threes. But it is said that bad events---like accidents and funerals---come in threes as well. |
3.Lucky three at the card table
Jenny: Stop walking in circles, John. sit down and let’s play cards.
John: Just a minute; I need to go around the table one more time. Last week when we played. I lost the whole night. This week I’ll do whatever it takes to win.
To change their luck when they are losing, some card players get up from their chairs and spin them around the table three times before sitting down again. |
4.Three on a match
John: Mary, please help me light up my cigarette.
Mary:I already lit cigarettes for Jenny and me. I can’t light a third with this match, and it’s my last one.
There is a superstition that warns us never to light three cigarettes with one match. The belief comes from soldiers who knew that the light of the match could show the enemy where they were. |
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