Author Archives: Maggie Zito

Falling AC Units

Text:

In New York City, there was a common fear of Air Conditioners falling from buildings and crushing pedestrians.

Context:

Informant grew up in NYC in the 70s/80s, and was often told to be careful and look out for falling air conditioners, as apparently, they were common. At least, that is what she was told and raised to believe.

Analysis:

This belief is something I have heard of before, though it is less common now, in my experience. Still, it is rooted in a real fear, and it encouraged children to be much more cautious and aware of their surroundings.

Broken Mirrors

Text:

If you break a mirror, you are guaranteed 7 years of bad luck.

Context:

This superstition is said to originate from Ancient Greek and Roman beliefs that reflections hold parts of the soul. Therefore, if a reflection is broken, the soul too is broken, and requires seven years to heal. This informant heard this belief all throughout life, from family, friends, adults, etc.

Analysis:

This superstition is an example of a belief standing the test of time. It is rooted in fear and dark themes (bad luck, etc.), but has persisted and been passed down through time and generations.

Razors in Halloween Candy

Text:

In the 80s, there was a belief and fear that children would unknowingly receive candy at Halloween that had razors or sharp pins in it.

Context:

The informant was a child in the 80s and experienced this fear from their parents firsthand. It was a common fear that children would be injured severely by accidentally swallowing ingesting sharp objects when eating their Halloween Candy.

Analysis:

This fear still prevails today. It is rooted in real events, where parents would find dangerous items and materials in their children’s candy. It shows a belief and a way of thinking that affected parents/guardians mostly.

HAUNTED HAUS

Text:

Supposedly, the current Men’s Swim Haus at USC used to be occupied by the Women’s Swim Team years ago. Apparently, one night, one of the women in the house got locked out of her room on the top floor. She decided to crawl out of a different window on the top floor and maneuver to her room window to get in that way. However, she slipped and died. Now, it is said that her old room is haunted, and to this day, the door to that bedroom is painted red. Lights will strangely flicker rapidly without the power on, and other strange instances occur in the room.

Context:

This tale apparently gets told to residents of the house, and the strange events like flickering lights have been reported by firsthand accounts. The details are a bit vague, but the general story is as written.

Analysis:

This ghost story is specific to not only USC or the Swim team but to the current and former residents of the Swim Haus off campus. While most of the people in the house appear more amused than frightened of the tale, it is an orally told story that has been passed down and told for fun amongst members of the house and their friends.

Birds Spell Death

Text:

Apparently, if a bird flies into your home, it means death is near.

Context:

Informant was told this as a child, but was not given much reason as to why. It simply was a sign of death.

Analysis:

This superstition was passed down without much information, but it stuck. It, like many other superstitions, takes a strange occurrence and equates it with tragedy.