We have all touched wood to ward off misfortune, or seen a bride
throw a bouquet over her head at a wedding, but how often do we stop
to think about where such customs come from, or why we still use
them? The truth is that behind many of our daily rituals and beliefs
lies a fascinating history of weird and wonderful notions, some
rational, others fanciful, that provide a rich and entertaining
addition to our lives. In this charming and endlessly diverting
book, best-selling author Harry Oliver has delved into the stories
behind our rich traditions to explain them to us with characteristic
wit and flair, in a gem of a volume that will clear up any of the
niggling doubts you may have about our everyday beliefs. So before
you search for any more four-leaf clovers, worry about the next
Friday 13th or tell someone that chocolate will give them spots, dip
into this amazing tome and discover the truth about our diverse
beliefs so that next time your ear itches you'll know if someone's
really talking about you!