五、笑談美國迷信

American Superstitions

Many of us already know about several American superstitions. Having a black cat cross your path, walking under a ladder, and breaking a mirror are all bad luck. In addition to these, there are many other superstitions that are worth knowing. Understanding them will keep you safe from evil spirits—if you believe in such things—and impress your American friends when you mention them.

Like the superstitions in other cultures, American superstitions often involve the things important in daily life, such as health, numbers, and marriage. For example, have you ever had a cough that would not go away? According to one American superstition, you should take a piece of your hair and put it between two slices of buttered bread. Next, feed this hair sandwich to a dog and say, “Eat well, you hound, may you be sick and I be sound.” This will trick the evil spirits and help your cough. It will also raise some eyebrows if you try it.

In American superstitions, the number three is very important. Often, Americans will say, "All things come in threes." Three is lucky because it represents the traditional family: mother, father, and child. Therefore, gifts, letters, and guests will often arrive at your home in groups of three. However, it is also possible for bad events, like accidents and funerals, to come in threes as well.

Another time people pay attention to superstitions is when they get married. During a wedding, brides must wear or carry “something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue.” The old and borrowed things will bring luck to the person who gives them to the bride. The new and blue things will bring good fortune to the bride herself. The next time someone you know is getting married, be sure to recite this phrase.

As it would be unlucky to discuss one more superstition, we will wind things up here. Keep your fingers crossed, and stay lucky!

笑談美國迷信

我們許多人已經知道一些美國的迷信。路上碰見黑貓，從梯子下走過和打破了一面鏡子都是不吉利的。此外還有其它許多迷信值得一知。了解這些迷信能讓你遠離惡靈──如果你相信它們的話──而當你在美國朋友面前提起這些迷信時，會讓他們對你刮目相看。

正像其它文化中的迷信，美國的迷信通常與日常生活中的重要事情有關，如健康、數字和婚姻。如你有沒有咳個不停的經歷？根據美國的迷信，你應該把你的一根頭發夾進兩片涂了黃油的面包中。然后把這個夾有發絲的三明治拿去喂狗并對它說“好好吃，狗兒，希望你生病我健康”。這招就可以騙過惡靈，幫你治好咳嗽。如果你想這樣做，也會讓一些人感到驚訝。

在美國迷信中，數字“三”很重要。美國人常會說“無三不成禮”。三是個幸運數字，因為它代表了一個傳統的家庭︰母親，父親和孩子。因此，禮物、信件和客人常常會成三出現在你的家。不過，事故和葬禮等不幸的事件也有可能會成三的出現。

人們留意迷信的另一個時刻是他們結婚的時候。婚禮中，新娘必須穿或帶“一件舊的，一件新的，一件借來的和一件藍色的東西。”舊的及借來的東西會給送東西給新娘的人帶來幸運。而新的和藍色的東西會給新娘本人帶來好運。下次你認識的人結婚的時候，一定要背這句話給她聽。

既然再講一個迷信會倒霉，那我們就在這里結束吧。把食指和中指交叉，祈求好運而且永遠走運！