Irish Slang

On Twelfth Night the dead walk the Earth. On every tile of your house a soul is sitting waiting for your prayers to take it out of purgatory.

If a rooster comes to your threshold and crows, you may expect visitors.

While on a trip if you see three magpies on your left it is unlucky; but two on the right is a good omen.

If the first lamb of the year is born black, it means mourning garments in the family within the year.

A bunch of mint tied around the wrist is a sure remedy for disorders of the stomach.

A sick persons bed must be placed north and south not cross ways.

Nettles gathered in a churchyard and boiled down for a drink have the power to cure dropsy

An iron ring wore on the fourth finger will ward off rheumatism.

The seed of docks tied to the left hand of a woman will prevent her from being barren.

Page 4 of 6

Irish Wives Tales, Superstitions & Folklore