Superstition & Folklore: English Vocabulary List

used to suggest that the dreams one has in the early morning hours may predict future events

"Early morning dreams come true."

"She always believed that early morning dreams come true if you work hard."

used to suggest that the opposite of what one dreams about may happen in reality

"I dreamed of sunshine so I brought an umbrella — dreams go by contraries."

"She dreamed everything went wrong, so she was confident it would go well — dreams go by contraries."

used to imply that dreaming of a funeral can signal a positive event like a wedding, suggesting that negative dreams can have positive outcomes

"She dreamed of a funeral last night — dream of a funeral and you hear of a marriage, they say."

"According to the old saying, dream of a funeral and you hear of a marriage — she was curious to see if it held true."

used to suggest that misfortune or bad luck often happens in groups of three, and when one negative event occurs, two more will follow

"First I lost my keys, then my wallet — bad things come in threes."

"The team suffered two major setbacks and nervously joked that bad things come in threes."

used to suggest that cats are resilient creatures that can survive dangerous situations

"That cat has survived everything — a cat has nine lives."

"He crashed his bike, broke his arm, and recovered in weeks — that man has a cat's nine lives."

used to suggest that being overly optimistic or confident at the start of the day can lead to disappointment or failure later on, as unforeseen events or circumstances may arise

"She was singing at breakfast and was crying by dinner — sing before breakfast, you will cry before night."

"Don't count your profits before the deal is signed — sing before breakfast, and you will cry before night."

used to acknowledge the arrival of someone who was being discussed, suggesting that talking about someone who is absent can attract their attention or presence unexpectedly

"Speak of the devil, he appears!"

"We were just talking about John, and speak of the devil, he walked right through the door."

used to imply that those who are superstitious and rely on omens may be more likely to experience misfortune, as their beliefs can become a self-fulfilling prophecy

"He looks for bad signs everywhere and keeps finding them — he that follows freits, freits shall follow him."

"She was superstitious about every small sign, and her anxiety grew — he that follows freits, freits will follow him."

used to suggest that the children that are born in May are more vulnerable to illness or health issues

"The lambs born in May are always weak — May chickens come cheeping."

"The new hires who joined in the slow summer period struggled to adapt — May chickens come cheeping, as the old hands noted."

used to refer to the traditional belief that a clear moonlit sky is often associated with the prediction of frost or cold weather in the near future

"The sky is very clear tonight — clear moon, frost soon."

"The farmers checked the sky and nodded — clear moon, frost soon, time to cover the crops."

used to warn one to be cautious of large trees, especially oak trees, during thunderstorms as they are more likely to be struck by lightning

"Stand away from the oak in a storm — beware of an oak, it draws the stroke."

"The safety officer reminded everyone that beware of an oak, it draws the stroke — never shelter under tall trees in lightning."