Friday 13th – Lucky For Some

‘IT’S Friday 13th today, which – as the Mail kindly reminds us – is a harbinger of bad luck.

A good day for being unlucky, unlucky, unlucky

Having said that, Mail-readers probably think that every day is Friday 13th as their paper of choice regales them with one scare story after another.

But not only do some people apparently have a morbid fear of Friday 13th, but that fear actually has a name – paraskevidekatriaphobia.

And with a long Greek name comes a cheque from some daft research institute for some chancer to study whether Friday 13th really is unlucky.

And the result? The chancer in question was mauled to death by a black cat as he crossed the road to post his results…

Not quite. According to the Mail, there are statistically more accidents on the roads on Friday 13th, despite there being fewer people driving.

Psychologist Richard Wiseman stays out of the massage parlour long enough to explain to the paper: ”Superstitions give us a feeling of control over uncertainty.

”It doesn’t cost anything and, who knows, the benefit could be massive.”

Touch wood.

‘

Posted: 13th, June 2003 | In: Tabloids Comment | TrackBack | Permalink