Author Archives: Kylie Kennedy

Walking Under a Ladder

The informant was told to not walk under a ladder because it can cause bad luck, and be dangerous if the ladder happens to fall because of it. This bad luck lasts for seven years.

Age: 24

Date: April 5th 2025

Language: English

Nationality: White/Hispanic

Occupation: Student

Primary Language: English

Residence: California

Analysis: This story falls into the category of superstition, and both originates from a safety concern to keep people from walking under ladders if they may fall, and also a belief that the triangle shape that is formed under a ladder is sacred, and walking under it can break its shape and cause bad luck. This superstition originated in ancient Egypt, and the triangle is thought to represent the trinity of the gods.

STEP ON A CRACK, BREAK YOUR MOTHER’S BACK

The informant was told in the third grade that if they stepped on a sidewalk crack, their mother’s back would break. This superstition lasted for years and is widespread, and is something that is often told amongst young elementary children. It is also believed that it can cause bad luck and misfortune.

Age: 24

Date: April 3rd 2025

Language: English

Nationality: White/Hispanic

Occupation: Student

Primary Language: English

Residence: California

Analysis: This story falls into the category of superstition and this story is often shared among young students in school. This superstition has racist origins, dating back to the 19th century. The original saying was “step on a crack and your mother will be black”, which then later evolved from being a harmful racist saying to being about bad luck.

GRAPES ON NEW YEARS

The informant eats a dozen grapes every year before midnight on New Year’s Eve underneath a table for good luck in the New Year and to manifest true love. Each grape represents a month in the year, and they must be finished before midnight.

Age: 24

Date: April 1st 2025

Language: English

Nationality: White/Hispanic

Occupation: Student

Primary Language: English

Residence: California

Analysis: This story falls into the category of tradition, and has been trending on social media (particularly the platform TikTok). This Tradition originated in Spain in the late 1800s, when farmers who dealt with a grape surplus needed to sell their product and used this tradition to popularize it. Over time the tradition turned into a way for single people to try and manifest a partner, and has become popular in recent years because of videos online.

CAPTAIN LOOT

The informant’s family has a tradition where every April, “Captain Loot”, a fictional pirate, comes and visits the family’s home and hides presents. He leaves clues around the house, and the children of the family would then go follow the clues and embark on a scavenger hunt. This tradition has been going on for thirty years.

Age: 21

Date: March 20th, 2025

Informant Name: Michael Butcher

Language: English

Nationality: White

Occupation: Student

Primary Language: English

Residence: California

Analysis: This falls into the category of tradition and family lore, and this tradition has been passed down among the generations. Although it is a made up holiday and will stay within the family, it is practiced every April in the informant’s family.

THE SNOW STORM 

The informant has family from Oklahoma who lived on a ranch. His great-grandfather and great-grand uncle were caught in a snow storm while riding on horseback, and they had to trek forty miles through a blizzard. His great grand uncle was right behind his great-grandfather as he was leading the way, and his great-grandfather did not survive due to the winds. Because his great-grandfather was sitting behind him, it was the only reason that he survived. This story has been shared throughout the family as family lore.

Age: 21

Date: March 3rd 2025

Language: English

Nationality: White

Occupation: Student

Primary Language: English

Residence: California

Analysis: This story falls into the category of family-lore, and this story was shared within the informant’s family and among the siblings. This story has been passed down to younger generations, from Oklahoma to California.