R. Loeffelbeinn's Whatachma Column: "Debunking Triskaidekaphobia"

     Virgilius Ferm, in a little book titled 'A Brief Dictionary of American Superstitions" published way back in 1965, took it upon himself to debunk a raft of superstitions and "old wives tales" that had been in the American culture for years.
     Probably the most widely spread superstition concerned Friday the 13th, as a sure day for misfortune. People would refrain from undertaking anything of importance, even businesses would postpone concluding deals, others would be suspicious of foods, especially in restaurants, and brides would avoid it as a wedding day.
     Ferm reports that a group met on a Friday the 13th sometime around 1946 in a mortuary and, in the spirit of fun, sat around an open coffin upon  which stood 13 candles, the purpose being to evidence disregard for the superstition surrounding that specific recurring date.
     A later report, on  Friday, June 13, 1958, reported that 100 men, and their guests, met in the Chicago Athletic Club to actively defy superstitions associated with Friday the 13ths.The Chicago Daily Tribune duly reported next day that, under the leadership  of Ben Regan, the Anti-Superstition Society, composed of "aldermen, judges and leaders of the business and industrial community", including 13 vice-presidents, defied bad luck spells by breaking mirrors, walking under ladders, opening umbrellas inside and fondling black cats.
     Actually, the black cat crossing one's path bringing bad luck is only half of that superstition. The second part seems to have been lost, bit it originally stated, "Having a strange black cat make its home with one brings GOOD luck!"
     Fridays, in general, have not fared well in the arena of superstition. At one time the day brides selected for their weddings were listed in this order: "Monday for wealth, Tuesday for health, Wednesday the best day of all, Thursday for crosses, FRIDAY FOR LOSSES, and Saturday no luck at all."
     There even existed a listing of best days to cut one's fingernails, and Friday was listed under "Cut them with woe".
     Likewise, the superstition in northern Wisconsin at one time foretold disaster for anyone starting a new task or starting a journey on a Friday.
     And, of course, woe to anyone born on Friday the 13th!