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An idiom is a common word or phrase with a figurative, non-literal meaning that is understood culturally and differs from what its composite words' denotations would suggest; i.e. the words together have a meaning that is different from the dictionary definitions of the individual words (although some idioms do retain their literal meanings – see the example "kick the bucket" below).
Salting a bird's tail is a legendary superstition of Europe and America, and an English language idiom. The superstition is that sprinkling salt on a bird's tail will render the bird temporarily unable to fly, enabling its capture. The nursery rhyme "Simple Simon", which dates to at least the 17th century and possibly earlier, includes the verse
"Bread and butter" is a superstitious blessing or charm, typically said by young couples or friends walking together when they are forced to separate by an obstacle, such as a pole or another person.
"Break a leg" is a typical English idiom used in the context of theatre or other performing arts to wish a performer "good luck". An ironic or non-literal saying of uncertain origin (a dead metaphor), "break a leg" is commonly said to actors and musicians before they go on stage to perform or before an audition.
Here are some common superstitions associated with bad luck on Friday the 13th: Breaking a mirror : Breaking a mirror is said to bring seven years of bad luck, so handle glass carefully today.
One of the many superstitions associated with leap years is about relationships. Written and passed down in Greek and Ukranian folklore is the belief that getting married during a leap year will ...
Toi toi toi" (English: / ˈ t ɔɪ ˈ t ɔɪ ˈ t ɔɪ /) [1] is an expression used in the performing arts to wish an artist success in an imminent performance. It is similar to "break a leg" and reflects a superstition that wishing someone "good luck" is in fact bad luck. [2] [3] [4]
By Danielle Walsh Everyone knows that garlic wards off vampires and that spilling salt is terrible luck. But did you know that you should never cut a banana with a knife? And speaking of knives ...