Knock on wood

Are you tempting fate? These 10 things are said to bring bad luck!


Published on December 13, 2024


We don't want to alarm you, but there are a huge number of habits, actions, words, objects, and even calendar dates that, according to various traditions, can bring bad luck. You probably already know it's best to be extra cautious with mirrors and avoid walking under a ladder, but other "unlucky" items and actions might surprise you. In fact, chances are you're doing some of them without knowing it! If you want to avoid misfortune, check out these 10 things commonly thought to cause bad luck. Keep your fingers crossed!

1

Whatever it is, the name is fine

Credit: Austin Neill

The world of sailing is steeped in customs, beliefs, and superstitions. It's understandable; the sea can be unpredictable, so seeking ways to attract or preserve good fortune makes sense.

One long-standing superstition, which has been around for centuries, claims that changing the name of a boat brings extreme bad luck. According to this tradition, replacing the name is believed to anger the spirits that protect the boat, bringing tragedy to whoever dares to do it.

2

Choose a different gift

Credit: Erik Mclean

While it's always nice to give and receive gifts, there are some restrictions when it comes to luck.

According to many traditions, giving knives as gifts is a bad idea: the object is said to "cut" the bond between the giver and the receiver, distancing them emotionally. However, another custom has emerged as a solution to this belief! If a friend gives you a nice cooking knife, you can simply give them a penny or some other coin in return. The small amount of money turns the gift into a "transaction," effectively warding off bad fortune.

3

A task for the week

Credit: Volha Flaxeco

Many people set a specific day each week to change the sheets. Some prefer to do it on Mondays, to start the week fresh, while others prefer to leave that task for the weekend. Sadly, we have to announce bad news for those in the latter group.

Some cultures around the world consider it bad luck to flip your mattress or change your sheets on weekends, especially on Sundays. This superstition is linked to the meaning of Sunday in many religions, where it's seen as a day of rest and reflection.

4

Colorful misfortune

Credit: Stainless Images

No one can deny the mesmerizing beauty of a rainbow. Something about this phenomenon amazes us and makes us all want to look at it, admire it, and take pictures of it.

But some traditions warn us that pointing at a rainbow can cause bad luck. In fact, according to some beliefs, misfortune could particularly affect the pointing finger, causing it to rot, swell, bend, or even become paralyzed!

5

Allergies aside

Credit: Diana Polekhina

Bad luck doesn't always appear unexpectedly; it sometimes warns you beforehand. But how?

According to this belief, a bad omen can manifest through your body, particularly your nose. While sneezing is a common and everyday act, it is believed to be a sign of misfortune if it happens on the first day of the month or right before starting an important task or process. But don't worry! There's also a solution. Believers claim that you can protect yourself with the famous "bless you."

6

Don't blow out that candle yet

Credit: Lidya Nada

We love birthdays! Celebrating another year with the people you love is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful moments. But even in these instants of joy, you have to watch your luck.

Superstition recommends that you should be patient and wait until after midnight to wish a loved one a happy birthday. According to this belief, wishing someone a happy birthday too early can tempt fate. Just in case, let's not take any chances!

7

Not on the floor!

Credit: Andrew Neel

What do you do with your bag or backpack as soon as you enter a place? While most of us hang it up, some might simply place it on the floor. If you're superstitious, it's best to avoid the latter!

It's believed that leaving your backpack, purse, or wallet on the floor invites financial misfortune. Specifically, it's said that this gesture drives away money and abundance, and who would want that, right?

8

Yes, on the floor

Credit: Radek Skrzypczak

Unlike your bag, your shoes should always stay on the floor. Or, at least, tucked away in a closet or shoe cabinet. But why?

Shoes are constantly in contact with the ground and the dirt on it. For that reason, it's said that putting shoes on a clean surface—such as a table or countertop—can bring bad luck to the owner of the shoes.

9

You can sing if you prefer

Credit: Francesca Tosolini

Often, when we're in a good mood, we go around the house singing, dancing, or whistling. No one can deny that it's great fun, right? However, one of these actions comes with a superstition.

According to many cultures, whistling indoors can have serious consequences. It’s said to attract evil spirits and negative energies into the house. Do you believe it? Just in case, we'll be saving the whistling for open spaces!

10

Bananas!

Credit: Mike Dorner

There is a widespread belief among sailors and those who frequent the sea, though it's little known to the general public.

Many ingredients and foods are brought onto boats. However, one fruit is specifically avoided: bananas. It's considered bad luck to bring bananas on board a ship. According to some historians, this belief may have originated because bananas are among the first fruits to spoil, attracting insects and pests.


Classic lines

Words that stuck: 10 iconic movie quotes we all remember


Published on December 13, 2024


Credit: Denise Jans

Movies give us so much: unforgettable scenes, legendary performances, and even timeless songs. But what defines a movie's place in history are its iconic quotes. Every classic has that line that sticks with the audience, becoming a solid part of pop culture and replicating itself in unimaginable ways. Join us in remembering these 10 movie quotes that still live in our minds and hearts!

1

"Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn" - Gone with the Wind (1939)

Credit: Auke Bakker

When discussing classics, Gone with the Wind (1939) is a must. It is one of the most iconic films in the history of cinema, and for good reason.

It was the actor Clark Gable in the role of Rhett Butler who delivered the famous line that many of us remember: "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn."

The quote made a lasting impact for many reasons. Not only was that type of language unusual for cinema at the time, but the line also appeared at a crucial and emotional moment in the movie, making it even more powerful.

2

"I'm going to make him an offer he can't refuse" - The Godfather (1972)

Credit: Thomas Park

Unforgettable scenes, shots, characterizations, and dialogues define the incredible The Godfather (1972).

Among its most celebrated lines is the quote delivered by Marlon Brando as Vito Corleone in one of cinema's greatest performances: "I'm going to make him an offer he can't refuse." When you watch the film, the character's expression and demeanor make you completely believe he knows what he's saying. In a single line, Brando epitomizes the ideas of authority, power, and influence that define the criminal organization his character leads.

The line had such an impact that it was repeated in the sequel, 1974's The Godfather Part II, this time delivered by Vito's son, Michael Corleone (played by Al Pacino). And it also appears in the famous mafia series The Sopranos.

3

"You talking to me?" - Taxi Driver (1976)

Credit: Lexi Anderson

A great line often comes from a great scene. And, without a doubt, De Niro's iconic "You talking to me?" moment as Travis Bickle in Taxi Driver (1976) is one of those perfect combinations.

The quote is repeated several times in the scene, and while it's phrased as a question, Travis Bickle has no actual interlocutor. Or rather, he's speaking to an imagined one.

The intensity with which the character delivers the dialogue in this scene has made it one of the most replicated and referenced moments in cinema. Do you remember the first time you watched it?

4

"I am your father" - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

Credit: Inkredo Designer

Just like how people can't resist imitating the deep voice of the Dark Knight when they say, "I'm Batman," the same goes for Darth Vader's iconic line.

"I am your father" is not just a powerful quote that encapsulates a lot of drama and complexity in only four words; it's also one of the most intense moments in science fiction history. None other than Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker are the protagonists of this cinema's great twist.

While nothing can replace the surprise of experiencing it for the first time, it's always a joy to revisit the amazing The Empire Strikes Back (1980).

5

"Go ahead, make my day" - Sudden Impact (1983)

Credit: Katelyn Greer

It is no coincidence that great actors are the ones who give voice to some of the most remembered movie lines.

And when we talk about great actors, Clint Eastwood is impossible to overlook. Eastwood's tough-guy demeanor can be clearly seen in the delivery of the iconic line "Go ahead, make my day" in Sudden Impact (1983).

In the scene, Eastwood's character challenges a criminal to attack him, without any fear or tremor in his voice. The phrase has become part of popular culture over time and is often used with that tough and defiant attitude.

6

"I'll be back" - The Terminator (1984)

Credit: Igor Omilaev

Imagine you're at the office, and a colleague gets up from their desk to go get a snack, saying, "I'll be back." Besides the added touch of unnecessary drama, that phrase probably brings one particular movie character to mind: The Terminator.

The Terminator movie series has some catchy lines, and at least two of them are delivered by Arnold Schwarzenegger. The iconic "I'll be back" and "Hasta la vista, baby" aren't just incredibly cool; they're also universally recognized. You can use them as references, and everyone will get the nod.

7

"You can't handle the truth!" - A Few Good Men (1992)

Credit: Justin Cron

Jack Nicholson is one of the most admired American actors, famous for his incredible talent, creativity, and charisma. It's no surprise that he has delivered some of cinema's most memorable lines, including the iconic "You can't handle the truth!" from A Few Good Men (1992).

The intensity of that line is amplified by Nicholson's performance and the tension of the scene. The phrase has been replicated in many movies and shows, including some parodies like the one delivered by Homer in the final episode of The Simpsons' fifth season.

8

"Houston, we have a problem" - Apollo 13 (1995)

Credit: Niketh Vellanki

A funny way to announce a problem is to quote the famous line, "Houston, we have a problem."

As you know, Apollo 13 was the third mission intended to reach the moon. But on day 2, an oxygen tank exploded, seriously damaging the spacecraft and endangering everyone on it.

Although astronaut Jim Lovell's actual quote was slightly different, "Houston, we have a problem" became widely known thanks to Tom Hanks in the 1995 movie Apollo 13. The movie recounts the mission's dramatic incident and the successful efforts to rescue its crew.

9

"You had me at 'hello'" - Jerry Maguire (1996)

Credit: Melissa McGovern

Romantic scenes have that special "something" that speaks to our hearts, and some of them remain forever in our collective memory. But beyond the glances and kisses, certain lines steal the spotlight, and Jerry Maguire (1996) has one of those unforgettable moments.

Renée Zellweger, as Dorothy Boyd, delivers this memorable line in response to Jerry's confession. After Jerry –played by Tom Cruise declares his love for her with an emotional speech, Dorothy replies with the simple but powerful, "You had me at 'hello,'" breaking the tension and filling the screen with humor and love.

Has anyone ever "had you at 'hello'"?

10

"I'm the king of the world!" - Titanic (1997)

Credit: K. Mitch Hodge

Probably anyone who has boarded a ship after 1997 has wanted to stand at the bow to stretch out their arms, proclaiming themselves king or queen of the world. No explanation needed, as we all recognize the iconic scene from James Cameron's unforgettable Titanic.

Leonardo DiCaprio delivered the famous line that became a classic, just like the movie. The actor pronounces it early in the film, symbolizing the freedom and hope of his young character.

One of the first to make a reference to the quote was Cameron himself when he received the Oscar for Best Picture in 1998. A perfect moment to feel like the king of the world!

Looking for an extra scoop of literary fun?

Learn more with our Word of the day

infrangible

/ɪnˈfrændʒəbəl/