Contents:

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 3.2:
Numbers Can Talk!

5. The seven-year itch

Jenny was unhappy with her job, her family, and her house. For seven years everything had been the same. Now she wanted something different. It was time to make changes in her everyday life. It was time to scratch that seven-year itch.

A common superstition says that the body and mind of every person changes every seven years. In American tradition this change is called the “seven-year itch.”

 

 

6. Cat have nine lives

John: I believe our cat must be the luckiest animal in the world.
Mary: What makes you think so?
John: She’s been hit by a car three times now and has never been hurt seriously.
Mary: The she’s still got six accidents coming.

In ancient Egypt cats were believed to be like gods, and to kill a cat was a crime that could be punished by death. The modern belief that a cat has nine lives comes from this tradition.

 

 

7. Thirteen at a table

Jessica had invited sixteen people to her dinner party, but only thirteen were able to come. She was so afraid something would go wrong that at the last minute she invited her sister to be the fourteen guest.

Many traditions consider the number 13 to be unlucky. One such superstition says that it is unlucky to be the thirteen guest at a dinner table.