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HAM SHOULD BE EATEN ON NEW YEAR'S DAY INSTEAD OF CHICKEN
BECAUSE A CHICKEN SCRATCHES BACKWARDS FOR HIS FOOD, AND WILL
THUS BRING BAD LUCK, WHILE A PIG PUSHES HIS SNOUT FORWARD
IN SEARCH OF FOOD AND WILL THEN BRING GOOD LUCK FOR THE
COMING YEAR. THE IDEA OF THE PIG PUSHING FORWARD MEANS
THAT THE HAM-EATER WILL PROGRESS. THE CHICKEN-EATER WILL
NOT PROGRESS BUT WILL GO BACKWARDS (IN MONETARY GAINS,
JOB PROMOTION, ETC.)

Submitter comment: INFORMANT HEARD THIS WHEN A CHILD (1920S) AND STILL
PRACTICES IT NOW.

Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's
Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals
BELIEF -- Good luck
BELIEF -- Bad luck

Date learned: 10-02-1971 ; 00001920S

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