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Also Recommended
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David Leeming
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A Very Short Introduction
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£7.99
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Reissue
A Dictionary of Superstitions
Iona Opie and Moira Tatem
512 pages
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196x129mm
978-0-19-280664-2
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Paperback
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10 November 2005
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- Covers hundreds of fascinating folk beliefs and customs that have survived to the present day
- Entries give real examples of usage, illustrating the meaning, history and origin of superstitions
- Subjects covered include spells, cures, rituals, taboos, charms, and omens
- Fully cross-referenced for easy browsing
Did you know that it used to be the custom to fight at Scottish funerals until blood was drawn?
If you've ever wanted the definitive answers on subjects such as black cats, magpies and spilt milk, look no further than this classic, critically acclaimed dictionary. Hundreds of superstitions and beliefs, including spells, cures, rituals, taboos, charms, and omens are covered, and illustrated by quotations that trace their development through the centuries. Subjects include advice on the signs to observe when getting married, the significance of animals, plants, stones, colours, food and drink, the elements and heavenly bodies, precautions to be taken
after a death in the house, and many more. Superstitions are arranged alphabetically by subject, and fully cross referenced for easy browsing.
In addition to providing quotations illustrating references to superstitions in everyday life , the dictionary also contains a wealth of information illustrating the history of popular superstition. For example, the lucky horseshoe was protection against witches in the sixteenth century, and touching wood may be a lingering memory of the veneration attached to the relics of the cross.
Both informative and accessible, this dictionary is a browser's delight, and a fascinating work of reference for anyone with an interest in superstitions and their
history.Readership: General reader interested in folklore and superstitions
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Review(s) from previous edition
"a browser's delight - Sunday Times
"wholly admirable, highly readable ... a memorable piece of work" - Literary Review
"for thos who presumed they had little but magpies and spilt milk to worry about, it offers a whole new insight into the potential terrors of everyday life" - Books
"Touch wood, cross-fingers, this book will be a success ... it certainly deserves to be" - Scotsman
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Preface
Introduction
Notes to the reader
Dictionary of Superstitions
Bibliography
Analytical index
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The specification in this catalogue, including without limitation price, format, extent, number of illustrations, and month of publication, was as accurate as possible at the time the catalogue was compiled. Occasionally, due to the nature of some contractual restrictions, we are unable to ship a specific product to a particular territory. Jacket images are provisional and liable to change before publication.
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