Origin

The term superstition is thought to derive from the Latin superstitio, meaning "to stand over in
awe." The term is also related to the Latin word superstes ("outliving" or "surviving"), and in this
sense refers to the remains of ideas and beliefs that continued long after their original meaning
had been forgotten. For this reason superstitions are often considered relics of outmoded ways of
thinking.[1]

Many believe that superstitious beliefs originated during the earliest days of humanity. Faced
with natural phenomena like thunderstorms and earthquakes, as well as the unpredictability of
illness and food supply, human beings attempted to create an understandable world of powers
that could be influenced by action. The earliest superstitions were created as a way to deal with
the ignorance and fear of the unknown. Chance misfortunes could be ascribed a cause, and the
potential to avoid or control them was created.[2]

Superstitions are thus a way of attempting to regain control over events, particularly when one
feels helpless. Some groups are more prone to superstitious beliefs than others. Actors, miners,
fishermen, and gamblers all tend to be more superstitious than average; the success of all these
occupations tends to be more out of the control of the individual.[3]

Often, superstitions are born from casual coincidence. For example, if an athlete wears a
particular pair of socks on a day he performs particularly well, he may continue to wear the same
pair of socks in the belief that the socks were responsible for the success. Future successes
reinforce such a belief. In some cases, it is certainly possible that the simple belief in success or
failure can influence the outcome. The athlete who cannot find his "lucky socks" may, due to
lack of confidence, perform poorly, further reinforcing the belief in the power of the socks.

Superstitions can also be learned behaviors. Children who watch those around them perform
superstitious actions like "knocking on wood" or not walking under ladders may adopt these
behaviors. The true origins of certain superstitions can be centuries old, having been passed
down from generation to generation through such an observational learning process.

The term superstition is thought to derive from the Latin superstitio, meaning "to stand over in
awe." The term is also related to the Latin word superstes ("outliving" or "surviving"), and in this
sense refers to the remains of ideas and beliefs that continued long after their original meaning
had been forgotten. For this reason superstitions are often considered relics of outmoded ways of
thinking.[1]

Many believe that superstitious beliefs originated during the earliest days of humanity. Faced
with natural phenomena like thunderstorms and earthquakes, as well as the unpredictability of
illness and food supply, human beings attempted to create an understandable world of powers
that could be influenced by action. The earliest superstitions were created as a way to deal with
the ignorance and fear of the unknown. Chance misfortunes could be ascribed a cause, and the
potential to avoid or control them was created.[2]
Superstitions are thus a way of attempting to regain control over events, particularly when one
feels helpless. Some groups are more prone to superstitious beliefs than others. Actors, miners,
fishermen, and gamblers all tend to be more superstitious than average; the success of all these
occupations tends to be more out of the control of the individual.[3]

Often, superstitions are born from casual coincidence. For example, if an athlete wears a
particular pair of socks on a day he performs particularly well, he may continue to wear the same
pair of socks in the belief that the socks were responsible for the success. Future successes
reinforce such a belief. In some cases, it is certainly possible that the simple belief in success or
failure can influence the outcome. The athlete who cannot find his "lucky socks" may, due to
lack of confidence, perform poorly, further reinforcing the belief in the power of the socks.

Superstitions can also be learned behaviors. Children who watch those around them perform
superstitious actions like "knocking on wood" or not walking under ladders may adopt these
behaviors. The true origins of certain superstitions can be centuries old, having been passed
down from generation to generation through such an observational learning process.