Learn the superstitions about putting bread on a table upside down and knocking on wood
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| INTRODUCTION |
| Eric: Putting Bread on a Table Upside Down and Knocking on Wood. I'm Eric and I'm joined by Yasmine. |
| Yasmine: Hi, I'm Yasmine. |
| THE TWO SUPERSTITIONS |
| Eric: In this lesson we will talk about two common superstitions in France. The first superstition is about bad luck. What’s it called in French? |
| Yasmine: mettre le pain à l'envers sur la table |
| Eric: Which literally means "put the bread upside down on the table." Yasmine, can you repeat the French phrase again? |
| Yasmine: [slow] mettre le pain à l'envers sur la table [normal] mettre le pain à l'envers sur la table |
| Eric: So this is a superstition I’ve never heard of before. Putting bread upside down on a table is bad luck. Why is this considered back luck? |
| Yasmine: Well, in the Middle Ages, bakeries kept bread for the executioners upside-down. |
| Eric: Oh so, consequently, people believed putting bread upside-down would lead the executioner to their house. |
| Yasmine: In the end, it’s because bread has always been central in the French diet. |
| Eric: So it should come as no surprise that handling it the wrong way could be considered rude. |
| Yasmine: Remember listeners: Don’t disrespect French bread! |
| Eric: The second superstition is about good luck. What’s it called in French? |
| Yasmine: toucher du bois |
| Eric: Which literally means "knock on wood." Let’s hear it in French again. |
| Yasmine: [slow] toucher du bois [normal] toucher du bois |
| Eric: In France, it's believed that knocking on wood is good luck. |
| Yasmine: I think a lot of people know about this superstition, but they don’t know where it comes from. |
| Eric: In the past, everything in relation to nature was thought to be divine and to protect people. So wood became a symbol of good luck and protection. |
| Yasmine: And Jesus' cross was wood, making wood sacred to Christians. |
| Eric: So when Christians knock on wood, it’s like asking God to make their wishes come true. |
| Yasmine: So knock on wood for good luck. |
Outro |
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| Eric: There you have it - two French superstitions! Are they similar to any of your country’s superstitions? Let us know in the comments! |
| Yasmine: À bientôt! |
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