Friday the thirteenth in, 13
number thirteen in, 12, 13
stork myth, 19
Noxzema, 228
Number thirteen, 11–13
“Nun,” 42
Nursery rhymes, 182–97
“Baa, Baa, Black Sheep,” 185
“Cock-a-Doodle-Doo,” 186
“The First Day of Christmas,” 186
“Hark, Hark,” 187
“Hey Diddle Diddle,” 187–88
“Humpty Dumpty,” 188
“Hush-a-bye, Baby,” 183–84
“Jack and Jill,” 188
“Jack Be Nimble,” 189
“Ladybird, Ladybird,” 191
“Little Boy Blue,” 185–86
“Little Jack Horner,” 189–90
“Little Miss Muffet,” 195–96
“London Bridge,” 191–92
“Mary, Mary,” 193–94
“Mary Had a Little Lamb,” 193
“Mother Goose,” 182–83
“Old Dame Trot, and Her Comical Cat,” 195
“Old Mother Hubbard,” 194–95
“Ride a Cock-Horse,” 184–85
“Ring-a-Ring o’ Roses,” 196
“See-Saw, Margery Daw,” 192–93
“Sing a Song of Sixpence,” 196–97
“There Was a Little Girl,” 187
“This Is the House That Jack Built,” 189
“Three Blind Mice,” 194
Nut (Egyptian goddess), 16
Nylon, 129
Nylon-bristle toothbrush, 209–10
Nylon stockings, 346–47
Oak tree, superstition about, 6–7
Obici, Amedeo, 393
Odo-Ro-No, 256
Offenbach, Jacques, 288–89
Oil lamps, 133–34
“Old Dame Trot, and Her Comical Cat” (nursery rhyme), 195
“Old Mother Hubbard” (nursery rhyme), 194–95
Olmstead, Frederick Law, 282
Olsen, Andrew, 207
Opie, Iona and Peter, 182
Oral contraceptive (the pill), 336–38
Oreo cookies, 413
Orpiment, 224
Oster company blenders, 112–13
Oxford shoe, 296
Paint, ready-mixed, 150–51
Painter, William, 216
Pajamas, 339
Panama hat, 309–10
Pancakes, 406–8
Panitt, Merrill, 363, 364
Pantaleone, St., 299–300
Pantaloons, 300
Pants, 299–303
with pockets, 300–1
suspenders, 301
Paper, toilet, 204–6
Paper bags, brown, 107–8
Paper cups, disposable, 122–24
Paper towels, 206
Papin, Denis, 121–22
Parasols, 319
Parcheesi, 377–78
Park, Roy, 410
Parker Brothers, 378–79
Parkes, Alexander, 126–27
Parkesine, 127
Parry, Sir William, 115
“Parson,” 41
Pasta, 405–6
“Pastor,” 41
Patrick, Saint, 53
Peach Melba, 401
Peanuts, 392–93
Pennsylvania Germans (Dutch), 70
Percolator, coffee, 120
Perc-O-Toaster, 120
Perfume, 238–42
Perrault, Charles, 169–76, 178–79, 183, 198
Perret, Jean Jacques, 215
Perrins, William, 403
Perrot, Bernard, 230
Persians
birthday cake, 32
walnuts, 393–94
Peruzzi, Mario, 393
Peter the Great, Tsar of Russia, 1
Petronius, 15
“Pew,” 41
Phillips, Charles, 257
Phillips’ Milk of Magnesia, 257
Photographic film, celluloid, 127
Pies, 410–11
“eat humble pie,” 94
pumpkin, 65
Piggy bank, 382–83
Pilgrims
Thanksgiving and, 64–66
wishbone superstition, 6
Pill, the (oral contraceptive), 336–38
Pincus, Gregory, 337, 338
Pins, 313
Pistachio, 395
Planters Peanuts, 393
Plastic, 126–29
Plates, 82
Platters, 82
Pledge of allegiance, 280–81
Plexiglass, 129
Pliny the Elder, 232
Plunkett, Roy, 106–7
Pockets, 300–301
Poinsettia, 69
Polo collar, 304
Polyester, 129
Polykoff, Shirley, 233
“Pontiff,” 42
Popcorn, 390–92
Poplawski, Stephen J., 111–12
Popozo, Sandro di, 265
Pop-up tissue box, 207
Porcelain-enamel cookware, 100–1
Porter, Rufus, 358
Post, Emily, 87–88
Potato chips, 388–89
Pots and pans
aluminum, 101
porcelain, 100–01
Prang, Louis, 72
Prayer, hands joined in, 38–39
Pressure cooker, 121–22
Presto company, 145
Pretzel, 389–90
Priestley, Joseph, 320
“Princess on the Pea, The” (fairy tale), 176–77
Procter, Harley, 218–19
Proctor-Silex, 145
“Prostitute,” 347–48
Public Cup Vendor Company, 123
Pulitzer, Joseph, 292
Pump (shoe), 297–98
Pumpernickel, 400–1
Pumpkin pie, 65
Puritans, 70–71
Purse, 311
Pusey, Joshua, 110
“Puss in Boots” (fairy tale), 173–75
Pyrex, 124–25
Chemex coffeemaker, 121
Rabbit, Easter, 55–56
Rabbit’s foot, 3
Racine Universal Motor Company, 236, 237
Radar Range, 126
Rainwear, 320
Rais, Gilles de, 179
Ramsay, William, 136
Ranges, kitchen, 98–99
“Rashin Coatie” (fairy tale), 172
Rattles, 373–74
Ravenscroft, Thomas, 194
Ray-Ban aviator sunglasses, 267
Razor, 214–15
safety, 215–16
Reader’s Digest, 362–63
Reagan, Ronald, 164
Réard, Louis, 322
Redding, Josephine, 356
Redenbacher, Orville, 391–92
Regina Vacuum Cleaner Company, 139
Remington shavers, 217
“Reverend,” 41
Reynolds, Richard S., 113
Rhazes, 210–11
Richardson, Earl, 145
Richardson, Lunsford, 253
Richelieu, 404
Richelieu, Duc de, 80
“Ride a Cock-Horse” (nursery rhyme), 184–85
Ring-a-Ring o’ Roses, (nursery rhyme), 196
Ring finger, 24–25
engagement, diamond, 22–24
friendship, 22
wedding, 22, 24–25
Rist, Johann, 349
Rivalto, Giordano di, 265
Robinson, Doane, 283
Roller skates, 382
Romans, 9, 10
bedrooms and beds, 327–28
birthdays, 32
bread, 400
broken mirror superstition, 11
candles, 134
central heating, 131–32
Christmas, 68
coin-flipping practice, 15
cookies, 411
cosmetics, 222, 227–28
dolls, 385
drinking toasts, 91–92
evil eye superstition, 17
funerals, 35–37
glass windown, 156
hair styling, 231–32
horseshoe superstition, 5
hosiery, 343–44
ketchup, 401
Lex Ciconaria (Stork’s Law), 19
marriage and wedding customs, 29–31
marriage rings, 22, 25
New Year’s Day, 46–47
perfume, 240
pies, 410
St. Valentine’s Day, 50–51
salt and, 15
spas, 200–01
stockings, 344–47
table manners and customs, 78
toothpaste, 210
wedding cakes, 26
wigs, 234
wishbone superstition, 6
Roosevelt, Franklin D., 67, 121
Roosevelt, Theodore, 284, 285, 374
Rosary, 39–40
Rosenthal, Ida, 343
Ross, Betsy, 279–80
Rouge, 224–25
Rubber, vulcanization of, 165
Rubber hose, 164–66
“Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer”
(poem, then song), 75 Rueckheim, F. W., 395
Rushmore, Charles E., 283
Rushmore, Mount, 282–84
Russell, S. I., 331
Rutt, Chris, 407–8
Safety glass, 157–58
Safety pin, 313–14
St. Patrick’s Day, 53–55
St. Valentine’s Day, 50–52
Salibury steak, 399
Salt, spilling, 15–16
Sandals, 294
Sandwiches, 400
Sandys, Sir Marcus, 403
Sanger, Margaret, 331, 338
Santa Anna, Gen., 416
Santa Claus, 72–75
Sardou, Victorien, 309
Saucer, 82
Saugus Pot, 100
Sauria, Charles, 109
Sausage, 396
Scandinavia
honeymoon, 28
number thirteen superstition, 12
stork myth, 19
Scarlett, Edward, 266
Schwarz, Berthold, 383
Schiaparelli, Elsa, 317
Schick, Jacob, 216–17
Schlicht, Paul J., 354
Schlumbohm, Peter, 121
Scholl, William, 262–63
Schrotter, Anton von, 110
Schueller, Eugène, 233
Scientific American (magazine), 358–59
Scotland, bathroom, 199
Scott, Clarence, 205–6
Scott, Edward, 205–6
Scott, Orlando Mumford, 163
Scrabble, 379
Sears, Roebuck, 145, 237
“Seasoning,” 94
Sedatives, 271–72
“See” (as in Holy See), 42
Seeds
Burpee, 163–64
grass, 163
“See-Saw, Margery Daw” (nursery rhyme), 192–93
Selchow & Righter, 379
Semi (game), 376
Serviettes, 81–82
Sewing machine, 147–49
Sex-related words, 347–48
Shakespeare, William, 91
Shalimar perfume, 242—43
Shampoo, 219–20
Shamrock, 54
Shaver, electric, 216–17
Shaving razors, 214–16
Shelley, Mary, 180–81
Shelley, Percy Bysshe, 180
Shen Nung, 269
Sherwin, Henry Alden, 150–51
Sherwin-Williams Company, 151
Shirts, 303–5
Shoes, 294–96
high-heeled, 297–98
thrown at the bride, 26–27
Sibthrope, John, 98
Sideburns, 215
Silly Putty, 379–80
Simmons, Zalmon, 330–31
“Sing a Song of Sixpence” (nursery rhyme), 196–97
Singer, Isaac, 148–49
Skin tights, 344
“Sleeping Beauty” (fairy tale), 168–70
Slinky, 380–81
Smallpox, 225
Smith, William and Andrew, 259–60
Smith Brothers Cough Drops, 259–60
Sneakers, 298–99
Sneezing, superstition surrounding, 10–11
“Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” (fairy tale), 176
Soap, 152–54, 217–19
Socks, 343
Socrates, 1
Sontheimer, Carl, 114
S.O.S. pads, 102–3
Southey, Robert, 177, 178
Spaghetti, 405–6
Spangler, James Murray, 139–40
Spanish flu epidemic, 253–54
Spas, 200–01
Spencer, Percy, 125–26
Sperm, 336
Spermicides, 332, 333
Spic-and-Span, 154
Spina, Alessandro, 264–65
Spoon, 79–80
Squanto, 64–65
Squibb Company, 210
Stainless steel cutlery, 89–90
Standish, Miles, Captain, 65
“Star-Spangled Banner, The” (national anthem), 287–88
Statue of Liberty, 100, 291–93
Steam heat, 132–33
Steam iron, 145–46
Steele, Sir Richard, 91
Steiff, Margaret, 374
Stetson, John B., 310
Stetson hats, 310
Stevens, Harry, 398
Stevenson, Robert Louis, 356
Stilwell, Charles, 107, 108
Stimulants, 269–70
Stockings, 344–47
Stoker, Bram, 179–80
Stone, Herbert, 356, 357
Stork-brings-baby myth, 19
Stoves, cooking, 97–99
Straparola, Gianfrancesco, 175
Strauss, Levi, 302–3
Strite, Charles, 118
Styrene, 129
Suit, man’s, 306
ready-to-wear, 323
Sumerians, 15
antacids, 256–57
bedroom, 326
medications, 245
mirrors, 229
Sunbeam, 145
Sundback, Gideon, 317
Sunglasses, 267–68
Suntan lotion, 260–61
Superstitions, 1–20
black cat, 13–15
broken mirror, 11
evil eye, 17–19
flip of a coin, 15
four-leaf clover, 8
Friday the thirteenth, 13
“God bless you,” 10–11
horseshoe, 4–5
knocking on wood, 6–8
of Neanderthals, 1–2
number thirteen, 11–13
of primitive man, 2
rabbit’s foot, 3
spilling salt, 15–16
“thumbs up” and “thumbs down” gestures, 9–10
umbrella indoors, 16
walking under a ladder, 17
wishbone, 5–6
yawning, covering one’s mouth when, 19–20
Suspenders, 301
Swan, Joseph, 136
Sweden, chlorine bleach, 155–56
Swimming suits, 321–22
Tabasco sauce, 404–5
“Table,” 83
Table manners and customs “bring home the bacon,” 93
children’s, 85–87
chopsticks, 83
crossing knife and fork, 81
“eat humble pie,” 94
“eat one’s hat,” 93–94
Emily Post, 87–88
etiquette, 83, 85, 87–88
fork, 78–79
“give the cold shoulder,” 94
grace, saying, 92–93
“ham,” pejorative use of, 94
knife, 80–81
“let them eat cake,” 95
napkins, 81–82
“seasoning,” 94
spoon, 79–80
stainless-steel cutlery, 89–91
“take the cake,” 94–95
“talk turkey,” 95
toast, drinking, 91–92
Wedgwood ware
, 88–89
“Take the cake,” 94–95
“Talk turkey,” 95
Tappan Company, 126
Tarbes, Bishop, 188
Tartar steak, 399
Taun Ch’eng-shih, 173
Tea, 269–70
Teakettle, whistling, 119
Teddy Bear, 374–75
Teeth, whitening, 211–12
Teflon cookware, 105–7
Tennant, Charles, 156
Tertullian, 22
Thanksgiving, 6, 64–67, 391
“There Was a Little Girl” (nursery rhyme), 187
Thermos bottle, 116–17
Thimmonier, Barthélemy, 147
Thirteen, number, 11–12
“This Is the House That Jack Built” (nursery rhyme), 189
Thomas, Isaiah, 352
Thompson, Benjamin, 98
“Three Blind Mice, (nursery rhyme), 194
“Thumbs up” and “thumbs down”
gestures, 9–10
Tide detergent, 154
Time (magazine), 364–66
“To Anacreon in Heaven” (song), 287
Toaster, 117–18
Toastmaster, 118
Toasts, drinking, 91–92
Toilet, flush, 203–4
Toilet paper, 204–6
Toiletries, See Cosmetics and toiletries Toilet water, 242
Toll House cookies, 415
Tombstone, 37
Toothbrush, 208–10
electric, 210
Toothpaste, 210–13
fluoride, 213
Top hat, 309
Top, 369–70
Totemism, 3
Tournament of Roses, 48
Towels, paper, 206
Toys and games, 368–87
board games, 376–77
checkers, 377
chess, 377
crossword puzzle, 375–76
dolls, 384–87
firecrackers, 383–84
Frisbee, 327–73
glow-in-the-dark toys, 381–82
hula hoop, 370–71
kites, 371–72
marbles, 368–69
Monopoly, 378–79
Parcheesi, 377–78
piggy bank, 382–83
roller skates, 382
scrabble, 379
Silly Putty, 379–80
Slinky, 380–81
Teddy Bear, 374–75
tops, 369–70
yo-yo, 371
Travers, Morris, 136
Trees
Christmas, 69–71
cults of, 6–8
Treneer, Maurice, 257
Trick-or-treating, 64
Trousers. See Pants
Tumblers, Tupperware, 129–30
Tupper, Earl, 129–30
Tupperware, 129–30
Tureen, 82
Turkey
“talk turkey,” 95
Thanksgiving Day, 65
Turnspit, 97–98
Tuxedo, 307–8
TV Guide, 363–64
“Two Men in the Army” (song), 289
Umbrella, 318–19
superstitions surrounding, 16
Uncle Sam, 274–77
Underwear, 339–41
Underwood, William, 115
Vacuum cleaner, 138–40, 236–37
Valentine, bishop of Interamna (Saint), 50–51
Valentine cards, 51–53
Valium, 271–72
Van Houten, C.J., 415
Vasectomy, 336
Vaseline, 247–48
Veil, white wedding, 29–30
Velcro, 317–18
Extraordinary Origins of Everyday Things Page 62
