The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

POLISH SUPERSTITION

IF YOU ACCEPT OLD KNIVES FROM SOMEONE, YOU WILL HAVE MISFORTUNE.

Submitter comment: STELLA KRZYZANOWSKI LEARNED THIS SUPERSTITION FROM HER MOTHER,
JULIA WASIELEWSKI. THIS SUPERSTITION IS TAKEN AS FACT. IT
CAME ABOUT PROBABLY BECAUSE IT WOULD BE HIGHLY UNLIKELY
ANYONE WOULD MAKE A GIFT OF OLD KNIVES. IF THEY WOULD, THE
GIFT WOULD CAUSE SUSPICION ON THE PART OF THE WOULD-BE
RECIPIENT. THE KNIVES CAUSING MISFORTUNE MAY REPRESENT THE
ABILITY OF A KNIFE TO HARM.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 10-02-1977