We all know our parents and grandparents can be a little…superstitious sometimes. From carrying a lucky rabbit’s foot to throwing spilt salt over their shoulders, it seems like Boomers have a weird superstition for every occasion.
And while some superstitions are pretty common, like avoiding walking under ladders, others are just straight-up bizarre. In this article, I discuss 18 oddball Boomer superstitions that will make you go “Huh?!”
1. Stepping on a Crack
The familiar rhyme claims you’ll “break your mother’s back” if you step on a crack in the sidewalk. This odd superstition dates back to the early 20th century, though its origins are unclear.
Some say it warns against paths of sin and temptation. Others believe it relates to avoiding back issues from uneven surfaces.
2. Umbrella Indoors
Many Boomers believe it’s bad luck to open or carry an umbrella inside the house. The roots likely stem from ancient Egypt and Persia, where umbrellas signified power reserved for nobility.
Opening one indoors was considered arrogant. Another theory involves umbrella tips poking out people’s eyes before modern designs.
3. Bread Upside-Down
Setting a loaf of bread upside-down on the table or counter is said to bring bad luck, according to some Boomer grandparents.
The superstition may come from the symbolic idea of an “upside-down” life with no stability or nourishment. Or it could just be about bread rising and baking properly. Oddly specific either way!
4. Radios After Death
Some older folks believe you must turn off radios and TVs when someone dies to prevent their soul from getting trapped in the electrical airwaves. The superstition likely arose from outdated beliefs about souls and emerging radio technology. Today it just seems like an unnecessarily gloomy ritual.
5. Seven-Year Shoes
Holding onto a worn pair of shoes for 7 years is rumored to bring good luck, or so some Boomers claim. One theory suggests it stems from old poverty beliefs around cherishing possessions. Another states it protects against the “7 year itch” of wandering eyes.
6. Spilling Bread and Salt
Many have heard you should toss salt over your shoulder if you spill it to avoid bad luck. But did you know some add tossing bread behind you too? Supposedly it helps absolve the waste and placate spiritual forces. An absurd idea today, though value on food may explain its past logic.
7. Purse on the Floor
Setting your purse or handbag on the floor is considered bad luck and a path to poverty in some Boomer circles. The peculiar notion may come from days when ladies’ handbags held their life valuables. Having it lowly on the ground was denigrating. These days it just looks messy.
8. Peacock Feathers
Despite their beauty, many Boomers avoid keeping peacock feathers in the home due to superstitions of bad luck. The belief arose from the “evil eye” lore, with the feathers’眐yes bringing ill fortune. Other legends tie it to pride and vanity associations.
9. Sweeping Over Someone
The idea you shouldn’t sweep over someone’s feet has been passed down wacky logic. One notion is it could sweep away good fortunes from the person’s life path. Another claims it can lead to arguments and severing ties.
10. Coveting a Broom
In some Boomer households, you should never take or borrow a broom from another home. Why? Supposedly it sweeps away all the luck and goodwill from the residence. The saying “a new broom sweeps clean” may have created this precaution against negative energy transference.
11. Lighting Three Cigarettes with One Match
According to certain superstitions, using one match to light three successive cigarettes will lead to a dispute between the smokers. The symbolic meaning is likely related to the “third time’s a charm” adage.
12. Buttoning Shirt Crooked
Many Boomers believe starting to button a shirt crookedly and having to rebutton it will lead to an argument with someone that day. The superstition rose from ideas that mornings set the tone, so small misdeeds spelled trouble.
13. Swallowing a Seed
Some claim you’ll grow hair on your chest, belly, or other parts if you accidentally swallow a fruit seed or pit from cherries, watermelon, etc.
The roots relate to ancient symbolism around fertility and hair representing virility. While silly now, it played on concerns over adolescent changes back then.
14. Saving Eggshells
The notion you should save cracked eggshells instead of throwing them away is said to prevent money problems. One theory traces it to the eggshell’s resemblance to a nest egg or nest of riches. But having smelly shells around seems an odd way to manifest wealth.
15. Wearing Opals
The vibrant opal gemstone is considered unlucky for anyone not born in October, according to certain jewelry superstitions. This stems from the ancient Greek and Roman belief that opals got their color from the tears of joy and sadness. Only October’s birthstone should take the risk!
16. Bananas by Boat
A weird seafaring superstition claims having bananas aboard a ship will lead to disaster and rough waters. The odd belief may trace back to the 1700s when merchant ship crews associated banana cargoes with terrible luck. Of course, it’s just an irrational phobia nowadays.
17. Burying the Bread
When starting a new business, some Boomers believe you should bury a piece of bread or roll at the construction site to bake in good luck and prosperity. The superstition likely ties into old rituals around consecrating new buildings and fertile ground. Not very appetizing in modern times!
18. Bees at Funerals
Lastly, many older folks will tell you it’s good luck if a bee enters during a funeral, as it means the deceased’s spirit is being escorted to heaven. The nectar-loving bees were mythologized by ancient Greeks to represent the dead’s souls. A sweet, if not unsettling idea in the present day.
Conclusion
While many of these Boomer superstitions sound downright bizarre today, it’s interesting to examine their peculiar origins and symbolic meanings from the past. Some seem to have arisen from practical concerns like poverty, while others developed from ancient mythologies and belief systems.
At the end of the day, these silly old wives’ tales may not make much sense now, but they provide an intriguing window into how previous generations interpreted the world around them.
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