Ask the Outlaw Skeptic

Skeptical Inquirer Volume 33.6, November / December 2009

Online Extra

What is a "skeptoid" anyway?

The British Centre for Science Education (BCSE)

December 11, 2006

The British Centre for Science Education is a newly formed organisation with the primary purpose of stopping the teaching of...

Touch Wood

Superstition Bash

January 13, 2004

"Touch wood" or "knock on wood" is a popular saying to reverse any bad luck that might come your way, due to a recent action...

Rabbit’s Foot

Superstition Bash

January 13, 2004

Rabbits and hares were considered very lucky animals as they were associated with spring and the return of flowers and other...

Wishbones

Superstition Bash

January 13, 2004

Wishbones have become a common tradition at Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter dinners. The general rule is that the wishbone...

Umbrellas

Superstition Bash

January 13, 2004

An umbrella, according to popular superstition, should never be open indoors or you will bring bad luck on all the people...

Spiders

Superstition Bash

January 13, 2004

Apparently the superstition surrounding spiders dates back to Egyptian times when spiders were associated with riches.

Spilt Salt

Superstition Bash

January 13, 2004

Salt was once considered a very precious commodity; as important as money has grown to be. Because it was so valued...

Sailors

Superstition Bash

January 13, 2004

Sailors have attributed superstitions to almost all aspects of their work and life on the sea. One of the common traits of...

Spilt Milk

Superstition Bash

January 13, 2004

Many food and beverages that were valued had superstitions associated with them to deter the waste of such commodities.

Hats

Superstition Bash

January 13, 2004

Many superstitions are associated with hats, several now being modified into rules for manners and etiquette.

Definitions of Superstition

Superstition Bash

January 13, 2004

Superstitions are beliefs in ideas or practices based on the supernatural as opposed to laws of science. People look for...

Cracks

Superstition Bash

January 13, 2004

Ill-fortune is said to be the result from stepping on a crack in the pavement. Present day society usually associates...

Lucky Charms

Superstition Bash

January 13, 2004

A charm can be almost any object, as shown by the countless examples of charms or amulets that have been said to ward off...

Actors and Actresses

Superstition Bash

January 13, 2004

The superstitions surrounding actors and actresses were more prevalent in the Middle Ages, when performances would...

Common Superstitions

Superstition Bash

January 13, 2004

Short list of common superstitions

Horseshoes

Superstition Bash

January 13, 2004

The horseshoe is considered very lucky and used to be hung in many homes to protect and attract good fortune for the family...

Pennies

Superstition Bash

January 13, 2004

Lots of superstitions center around money. Almost all forms of currency have at least one superstition associated with them.

Four-Leaf Clovers

Superstition Bash

January 13, 2004

The superstition of the four-leaf clover is thought to originate with the Druids. Apparently they believed the shamrock...

Mirrors

Superstition Bash

January 13, 2004

Breaking a mirror can even make a skeptic shudder for a brief moment!

Black Cats

Superstition Bash

January 13, 2004

There are many superstitions associated with cats, partly because the cat has lived alongside humans for many millennia.

Walking Under Ladders

Superstition Bash

January 13, 2004

People will go to great lengths to avoid walking under ladders. Many origins for the superstition have been surfaced...