elstaffe’s Reviews > What They Say in New England and Other American Folklore > Status Update

"If you meet with a lion or a mad bull, or anything of that kind, all you have to do is to look them right in the eye, and they won't touch you. If they do, that proves you did not properly catch the eye of the creature that charged you." (101) no true Scotslion

"The young woman who is fond of cats will be an old maid.
...
If a girl likes cats better than dogs, that is a sign she will never marry." (87) the cat lady archetype goes way back

"A boy out for a walk will sometimes count all the bows he gets from his friends, and make a cross for each one on a piece of paper that he carries for the purpose. Later he buries the paper. This is supposed to insure his finding as many dollars as he received bows." (72) I only realized this was "bow" as in "take a bow" and not "bow" as in "hair-bow" at the very end of this

"There is once in a while a man who, when he sneezes, says, 'God bless it,' that the sneeze may bring him good luck. If he hears someone else sneeze, he helps them to good luck by saying, 'God bless you.'" (61)

"Wear an eelskin around your waist to keep off rheumatism. Some say they had rather have the rheumatism." (49)

"Eat poison ivy, and it will never poison you afterward. When this remedy is mentioned, the comment usually is, 'Well, I guess it wouldn't. You wouldn't live to give it the chance.'" (48)

"When you and a companion are walking together, don't allow a third person to go between you. If you do, it will out your friendship. Nevertheless, if, in spite of precautions, this should happen, say, 'Bread and butter,' and the fates will be propitiated." (44)

"Sleep before midnight is 'beauty sleep.' Therefore if you wish to be handsome go to bed early." (43)

"Often when two persons make a bargain they at its conclusion 'Shake hands on it' to make it binding." (39) wild to see this shown up in a slew of other folkloric traditions that have not persisted as equivalently common at one point

"Eat the blossoms of three innocents, and the next person of the opposite sex that you meet will be the one you are to marry." (35) I beg your pardon?