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NUMBERS-THIRTEEN

NEVER SIT THIRTEEN PEOPLE AT A TABLE. ONE ALWAYS DIES.
(THIS HAPPENED THREE TIMES IN HER FAMILY.) HER REFERS TO MY
GRANDMOTHER

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Subject headings: 686 Specific number by specific number being described

Date learned: 11-00-1967

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A NUMBER SUPERSTITION

YOUR FATHERS PEOPLE BELIEVED THAT IF THIRTEEN PEOPLE SAT AT A TABLE
BAD LUCK WOULD COME TO ONE OF THEM.

Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM HER HUSBAND AND HIS RELATIVES

Where learned: HOME ; TOLD AT

Subject headings: 686 Specific number by specific number being described

Date learned: 03-10-1967

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THIRTEEN FOR DINNER

AN OLD IRISH SUPERSTITION IS THAT THEY WILL NOT SIT DOWN FOR A MEAL
IF THERE ARE THIRTEEN PEOPLE-THEY MUST CALL IN A NEIGHBOR.

Where learned: HOME

Subject headings: 686 Specific number by specific number being described

Date learned: 07-00-1964

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BUILDINGS

PEOPLE BELIEVED THAT IF YOU HAD A THIRTEENTH STORY IN A BUILDIN IT
WAS BAD LUCK. THIS IS THE REASON THEY SKIP FROM 12 TO 14 .

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: 686 Specific number by specific number being described

Date learned: 00-00-1968

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THIRTEENTH FLOOR

IN AMERICA, THERE IS NEVER A 13TH FLOOR IN ANY BUILDING USED FOR
LIVING OR OFFICE PURPOSES. IT'S A SUPERSTITION THAT SINCE THE FLOOR
NUMBER IS 13, THAT SOMETHING AWFUL WILL HAPPEN ON IT.

Where learned: DETROIT, ASSUMED ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED

Subject headings: 686 Specific number by specific number being described

Date learned: NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

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NUMBER THIRTEEN

IT IS UNLUCKY TO WEAR ANYTHING WITH THE NUMBER THIRTEEN ON IT OR TO
OWN ANYTHING WITH THIRTEEN ON IT.
HEARD THIS IN GRADE SCHOOL

Where learned: OHIO ; CANTON

Subject headings: 686 Specific number by specific number being described

Date learned: 11-26-1967

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NUMBER 13

MOST HOTELS DON'T HAVE A 13TH FLOOR. EVEN HOLDEN HALL HAS NO ROOM
THIRTEENTH ROOM IS THE STUDY ROOM.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Subject headings: 686 Specific number by specific number being described

Date learned: 03-04-1968

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IF THIRTEEN ARE AT THE TABLE, ONE WILL DIE BEFORE THE YEAR HAS
ENDED
I HAD ALWAYS HEARD THIS AS A CHILD, AND READ IN AN ETIQUETTE BOOK
JUST RECENTLY THAT ANY CONSIDERATE HOSTESS WOULD AVOID HAVING 13 AT
THE TABLE TO ELIMINATE ANY UNEASINESS AMONGST HER GUESTS.

Where learned: OHIO ; TOLEDO

Subject headings: 686 Specific number by specific number being described

Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

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FRIDAY THE THIRTEENTH IS A DAY WHEN EVERYTHING GOES WRONG.

Where learned: NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

Subject headings: 686 Specific number by specific number being described

Date learned: 09-00-1968

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VIGILIA

CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER SHOULD BE WITH THE ENTIRE FAMILY AT THE MOTHER'S
HOUSE--CALLED VIGILIA. THERE SHOULD BE 13 DIFFERENT DISHES
SERVED AND EACH PERSON SHOULD HAVE AT LEAST ONE OF EACH ITEM.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; ERIE

Keyword(s): CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; Dinner ; FOOD ; holiday ; tradition ; Vigilia

Subject headings: 122 Christmas
686 Specific number by specific number being described

Date learned: 00001920'S

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AMOUNT OF FOOD ON THE TABLE

AT THE FESTIVE MEAL ON CHRISTMAS EVE THE PEOPLE IN POLAND
WERE ONLY ALLOWED TO HAVE A CERTAIN NUMBER OF ITEMS OF FOOD
ON THE TABLE. AT FIRST THE NUMBER WAS NINE BUT THAN (THEN) IT
WAS CHANGED, EVENTUALLY TO 13. THE NUMBER COULD NOT BE EVEN
IT ALWAYS HAD TO BE AN ODD NUMBER.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; CUSTOM ; FOOD ; holiday

Subject headings: 122 Christmas
686 Specific number by specific number being described
686 Ninths / Nine
BELIEF -- Number Odd number (not specific)

Date learned: 00-00-1968

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VIGIL OF CHRISTMAS

ON CHRISTMAS EVE THERE WOULD BE A FAMILY GATHERING FOR DINNER.
EVERYONE WOULD BREAD (EAT?) OPLATKI (WAFER BREAD). FOR DINNER
THERE WOULD BE THIRTEEN DIFFERENT DISHES INCLUDING: CABBAGE, TWO
KINDS OF FISH, RICE PUDDING, TWO KINDS OF BOILED BEANS, PIEROGI,
STEWED PRUNES, AND NOODLES WITH OIL AND POPPYSEED.
STRAW WAS OFTEN STREWN UNDER THE TABLE.

Submitter comment:

(PRACTICED) IN DETROIT ALTHOUGH COLLECTOR'S GRANDMOTHER KNEW
AS A CUSTOM IN POLAND.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

Keyword(s): CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; FOOD ; holiday

Subject headings: 122 Christmas
686 Specific number by specific number being described
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Straw

Date learned: 03-00-1968

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MAGIC

(IN TURKEY) IF YOU SEE A BLACK PERSON YOU'LL SEE SOMEONE YOU HAVEN'T
SEEN FOR A LONG TIME BUT YOU HAVE TO SQUEEZE THE BLACK'S ARM AND SAY
THIRTEEN AND A HALF

Submitter comment: THERE AREN'T TOO MANY BLACKS IN TURKEY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

Subject headings: 686 Specific number by specific number being described
Observation
SPEECH -- Formula

Date learned: 10-00-1977

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SPORTS SUPERSTITIONS

THE UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT BASEBALL TEAM IS NOT ALLOWED
TO WEAR THE NUMBER 13.

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT

Subject headings: 686 Specific number by specific number being described
BELIEF -- Entertainment Diversion

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SUPERSTITION

I ABSOLUTELY REFUSE TO WEAR OR HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH
THE NUMBER 13. THE ONE TIME I WAS "FORCED" TO WEAR IT, I
INJURED MY RIGHT SHOULDER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; OAK PARK

Subject headings: 686 Specific number by specific number being described
BELIEF -- Entertainment Diversion
BELIEF -- Bad luck

Date learned: CA00001966

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SUPERSTITION OF THE NUMBER 13.

NO AIRLINE FLIGHT WILL EVER HAVE THE NUMBER 13 IN IT, OR NO SEAT
WILL BE LABELED SEAT 13. THIS IS CONSIDERED BAD LUCK.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA

Subject headings: 686 Specific number by specific number being described
BELIEF -- Bad luck

Date learned: CA00001979

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"WYGILIA" IS A MEAL CELEBRATED AT CHRISTMAS EVE. AT THIS MEAL
THIRTEEN DIFFERENT FOODS ARE LAID IN A BED OF STRAW. STRAW REPRESENT
THE CRIB. THE THIRTEEN DIFFERENT FOODS REPRESENT THE BLESSED MOTHER,
THE THREE KINGS, AND ALL OF THE ANIMALS. IT IS A TRADITIONAL MEAL
COOKED BEFORE NOON CHRISTMAS EVE DAY. NO COOKING IS DONE AFTER NOON
UNTIL THE DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BERKELEY

Subject headings: 686 Specific number by specific number being described
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Typical Elements of a Festive Pattern
Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals

Date learned: 00-00-1950

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TUESDAY THE THIRTEENTH IS A TRADITIONAL BAD LUCK DAY IN SPAIN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MARQUETTE

Subject headings: 686 Specific number by specific number being described
BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour
BELIEF -- Bad luck

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IT IS BAD LUCK TO HAVE THIRTEEN AT THE DINNER TABLE AND IF YOU DO,
THE NEXT TIME THAT GROUP MEETS, ONE OF THEM WILL BE MISSING.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES

Subject headings: 686 Specific number by specific number being described
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial
BELIEF -- Bad luck

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NEVER SEAT THIRTEEN AT A TABLE.

Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM HER MOTHER.

Where learned: INDIANA ; South Bend

Subject headings: 686 Specific number by specific number being described
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Daily Life

Date learned: 12-02-1967

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