TresSugar

Do You Knock on Wood?

DearSugar — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 11:00:00 -0700

Ever since I could remember, I've been "knocking on wood." I learned it from my mother actually - she is an avid wood knocker. It's something we do to prevent something bad from happening. I'll say something like, "I've never gotten pregnant while on the Pill, knock on wood." Or "It looks like it'll be sunny for our BBQ this weekend, knock on wood." And I don't just say "knock on wood," I also find wood and literally knock my knuckles on it. It's definitely one of my superstitions, and in some way, I feel like if I don't do it, I'll have bad luck.

So where did this weird little phenomenon of "knocking on wood" or "touching wood" start anyway? The origin isn't really known, but in the early 1800s, kids used to play a game called "Tiggy-touch-wood," where they had to touch wood in order to be "safe." It could be that the phrase stuck all these years.

I've also heard that people used to "knock on wood" to awaken the kind tree fairies that lived in the woods in addition to preventing the Devil from hearing your bad comments.

I came across a children's book called "Knock on Wood, " so I know I'm not the only one who believes in this, but now I'm curious to know - do you "knock on wood?"

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Have You Ever Had to Use Self-Defense?

TresSugar — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 09:00:00 -0700

I have to admit that I've never taken the time to enroll in a serious self-defense course. Luckily, I've never been in a situation requiring it (knock on wood!), but I think it's about time I sign up!

Yesterday I posted a comical vintage ad for a book on secret self-dense tips. It got me thinking: how many of you have taken a self-defense course and had the unfortunate opportunity to test it out?

Ladies' Man Gets the Vote? Vogue Declares Early Victor

CitizenSugar — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 12:15:05 -0700

Looks like the Obama-Biden ticket is starting to close in on the coveted fashionista vote. Vogue took a chance in its November issue, which will hit newsstands over the next week, by titling a feature story "All the Vice President's Women." Cute! Let's hope it's not wildly prophetic, because the profile is really about one woman - Jill Biden, the would-be vice president's wife. Second Lady?

A representative for Vogue spoke to the Huffington Post and said of the cover line, "Win or lose, we thought it was a clever cover line that would serve to get people's attention." I've written entire posts to fit headlines I've come up with, so I understand the urge, but putting it in print and on the cover seems a lot like buying a dress one size too small.

Is it just me, or is there a lot of Obama-presumptiveness around lately? To see what I mean, read more.

On last week's Political Gabfest, Slate's David Plotz went on a whole riff about when the Obama administration is sworn in, before he caught his slip. Are people going to have a lot of knocking on wood to do not to jinx their hopes (maybe Vogue has a big wood pile . . . ?) or are the numbers pointing in a way that makes printing an early result like this prudent?

Did I hear anyone say "Dewey Defeats Truman"?

Do You Throw Salt Over Your Shoulder?

DearSugar — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 11:00:00 -0700

My best friend does it. Her mom does it. I see strangers do it at restaurants, and now I do it too. Whenever a salt shaker falls over and spills, they stand it back up, pick up a pinch of salt, and throw it over their shoulder.

It's one of those obscure superstitions that have been passed down, such as knocking on wood, or not opening an umbrella inside, that we can't help but do. I'm sure many of you are salt throwers too, but do you know where this originated?

To find out read more

It goes back to biblical times when salt was a treasured commodity since it was necessary to use when preserving food. It was even used instead of money. Spilling this prized obsession was almost considered a sac-religious offense, so if you spilled some, throwing salt over your shoulder was aimed to "keep the devil at bay," (just like when you say "bless you" after someone sneezes).

Some people think the salt blinds the devil so he can't see your salt spill mess, or to keep him from sneaking up on you while you're cleaning it up. In order to follow through on this superstition correctly, you must throw the salt over your left shoulder (the "sinister" side) with your right hand (the "good" side).

The people I know who do this (myself included) just do it for good luck. Are there any other things you do for good luck, or maybe to prevent bad luck from happening? Do you even believe in luck? I'm curious to know.

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