Re: [tied] Re: When Germani?

Dear Sergei,

Three raps on the wood is correct. We don't spit. Do you have pinch of
salt over the shoulder to ward off evil too?

Best regards, John Piscopo

In a message dated 9/7/01 12:33:12 PM Central Daylight Time,
S.Tarasovas@... writes:

--- In cybalist@..., jpisc98357@... wrote:

> Dear Sergei.
>
> Here in the USA we say "Knock on wood" to avert the evil
occurring
> because its name has been spoken. It implies that talking about
some evil
> can in some sense cause it to become fact and the act of touching
or knocking
> on wood will cancel out the implied curse.
>
> Best regards, John Piscopo

The Russians say 'postuc^i po derevu', Lithuanians 'pastuksenk i,
medi,', which means exactly (imperative) 'knock on wood'. The
circumstances and semantics are the same as well. Additional
constraints may be applied: eg, one should knock exaclty three times
and spit three times synchronously. Through lack of wood an ersatz
may be used - eg., a head, if one feels stupid enough :)

Sergei