are you superstitious?

Paraskevidekatriaphobia. Paraskevi (Friday) + dekatreis (thirteen) + phobia (fear of) = fear of Friday the thirteenth.


Superstition has it that Friday the 13th is good or bad fortune or one's personal fate. In the solar or "Gregorian" calendar this date will occur at least once and at most three times a year, as it does on this November, Friday the thirteenth, of the year 2009. It also includes February and March. A month with Friday the 13th will happen if the month starts on a Sunday. The year 2012 will have three Friday the 13th's. 


Then there's "triskaidekaphobia". Treis (three) + kai (and) + deka (ten) + phobia (fear of) = fear of the number thirteen from Greek etymology. While not really a superstition, it is one more than a dozen and leaves a person left out if dividing into groups of 2, 3, 4 or 6. An unlucky number for some, in many cultures, it can be Tuesday the 13th to be unlucky. Another abnormal fear is the number 4 in many East Asian countries, which happens to be my favorite number:13 or 1+3.


So while I have your attention...i hope you got out of the bed the same side you got in last nite?...1 o'clock this afternoon is actually the 13th hour...check all the elevators in your town to see if there's a 13th floor...don't step on a crack...look out for the black cat crossing your path...i dare you to walk under that ladder...furlough fridays...if you find a  coin on the ground, tail side up, don't pick it up (but in these hard times, who cares!)...when you go home tonight be sure to look behind you, Jason may be lurking. Happy Friday the 13th!