Why do people cross their fingers for good luck?

The practice of people crossing their fingers may have evolved from the sign of the cross, which was believed to ward off evil.

What did the swastika stand for before Hitler used it? Before it became the Nazi symbol of Aryan superiority, the swastika had several meanings, all positive. In Sanskrit, the word swastika means "conducive to well-being." The Aryans of India believed swastikas represented the…
What is the name of Santa’s brother? According to Pennsylvania Dutch and French tradition, Santa's brother's name is Bells Nichols. He visits every home on New Year's Eve after the children are asleep, and if plates are set out for…
What was the first Fu Manchu movie made as a sound feature? The Mysterious Dr. Fu Manchu (1929), starring Warner Oland, was the first Fu Manchu movie made as a sound feature.
How many knights sat at the Round Table? The Round Table seated 150 knights, with one place left open for the Holy Grail. The table's design was conceived by Merlin to prevent any bickering about who would get places of honor.
Do any animals besides black cats supposedly bring bad luck? Yes, hares supposedly bring bad fortune. Legend has it that witches transform themselves into hares, so crossing a hare's path may mean meeting up with a witch. Further, hares have been believed by…
What is the origin of the term baker’s dozen? The term probably dates back to fifteenth-century England, where strict laws were passed to prohibit bakers from underweighing their bread. Since weights could not be precise, bakers adopted the practice of giving 13…