661. If you have to go back to the house after something forgotten, you must not sit down, but stand a moment or two, or else it is bad luck. Cape Breton.
662. If you start anywhere and go back, it is bad luck unless you make a cross-mark and spit in it. Alabama and Kentucky.
MISCELLANEOUS.
663. If two persons shake hands across the gate, they are bringing on themselves ill luck. Alabama.
664. It is unlucky to pass under a ladder. Canada.
665. Go under a ladder and you will be hanged.
666. Walking under a ladder is considered very unlucky. In the outposts girls will climb the rockiest cliffs to avoid such a contingency. On one occasion in St. John's, where a ladder extended across the sidewalk, of one hundred and twenty-seven girls who came along, only six ventured under it, the rest going along the gutter in mud ankle deep. Newfoundland.
667. If, in passing, one parts two people, it is a sign of disappointment to the parter.
668. When two or three people go between different posts, in the entrance of gardens, cemeteries, etc., it is a sign they will be separated or disappointed. General in the United States.
669. Sing on the street, Disappointment you'll meet.
670. To count the steps of stairs, as you lie on your back, indicates the number of your troubles.
671. To fall upstairs means good luck; downstairs, ill luck. Massachusetts.
672. To stumble downstairs, or on going out in the morning, means bad luck. Peabody, Mass.
673. Opals are unlucky. General in the United States.
674. The opal is unlucky, unless set with diamonds. New York.
675. Don't let the tea-kettle boil so as to make a bubbling or thumping noise, as some say it is unlucky. Eastern Massachusetts.
676. A tea-kettle boiling so as to make a bubbling sound is said to boil away luck, and should be removed from the flame. Eastern Massachusetts.
677. Never let your dish-water come to a boil, as every bubble means bad luck to the family. Eastern Massachusetts.
678. Sewing in the twilight is an ill omen. Chatham, N.H.
679. To look over another person's shoulder into a looking-glass means disappointment. Deer Isle, Me.
680. When going fishing, fishermen wear white mittens for luck. Portsmouth, N.H.
681. It is unlucky to lose a glove. Bathurst, N.B.
682. It is bad luck to have any one step across the fishing-pole; you will catch no fish. Talladega, Ala.
683. Crawl under a fence, and you will have bad luck. Western Masssachusetts.[TN-5]
684. To step over the feet of any one who is sitting is ill luck.
685. Getting out of bed with the left foot first, or taking anything with the left hand when the right is disengaged, is a sign of bad luck. Alabama.
686. In getting out of bed in the morning, the right foot is always to be placed first. Ohio.
687. To get out of bed left foot first makes one cross. "He got out of bed left foot first," is a universal saying.
688. In going in at the house door, always put the right foot foremost. This practice is observed by many intelligent people.
689. To sing at the table is a sign you will be disappointed.
690. It is an ill omen to leave the table while eating, to light the lamp. Western Massachusetts.
691. To lay the knife and fork crosswise is ill luck. Peabody, Mass.
692. When you drop a knife or fork, and it sticks up in the floor, you will have good luck.
693. It is lucky to find a rusty knife or other steel instrument. Maine.
694. If a knife be spun round, care should be taken to spin it back again, otherwise it insures bad luck.
