paranormal　pàra・nórmal / pɛrʌˈnɔrmʌl / 超常現象ともいわれる、科学では説明の出来ない現象。英語圏ではどのようなものがあるのでしょうか。

doppelganger / Dop・pel・gäng・er / dάpəlgæŋɚ / 生霊(いきりよう)

talisman /  tal・is・man / tˈælɪsmən / 護符、不思議な力のあるもの

palmreading / 手相

…などいろいろありますが、今日の授業では、いくつもの superstition / sùːpɚstíʃən / 迷信を知りました。

If you blow out all the candles on your birthday cake with the first puff your puff you will get your wish.

The new bride must enter home by the main door, and must not trip or fall hence the custom of carrying the bride over threshold.

• thresh・old / θréʃ(h)òʊld / 敷居.

If an eyelash falls out, put it on the back of the hand, make a wish and throw it over your shoulder. If it flies off the hand the wish will be granted.

• grant / grˈænt / かなえてやる　Please grant our request. どうぞ私どもの願いをお聞き入れください.

Pulling out a gray or white hear will cause ten more to grow in its place.

To break a mirror means 7 years bad luck.

Spilling salt is bad lack unless a pinch is thrown over the left shoulder.

All wishes on shooting stars come true.

It’s bad luck to open an umbrella inside the having especially if you put it over your head.

If you make a wish while throwing a coin into a well or fountain, the wish will come true.