Pennsylvania Superstitions

For Children

Spinning a sharp knife at the dinner table was a sign of a whooping.

Singing at the dinner table was a sign of a whooping.

For Women

Getting your belly wet while doing dishes was a sign of an increase (as in a pregnancy).

For Bad Luck

A bird flying in your house was a sign of a death in the family.

The dog howling at night was a sign of a death in the family.

An owl perching near the house was a sign of a death in the family.

Passing someone while going up or down a stairwell was a sign of bad luck.

Singing at the dinner table was a sign of bad luck.

For Good Luck

On New Year's Day, it is good luck for a man to be your first visitor.

On New Year's Day, pork and sauerkraut was the traditional good luck meal. If you didn't serve pork, you definitely wouldn't serve poultry because you wouldn't want to serve anything that would scratch out your good luck for the coming year.

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