Encyclopedia of Superstitions

Radford, M.A.

Hole, Christina

Radford, Edwin

Reference

Arrow (A Division of Random House Group)

A dictionary of unusual, obscure and frequently misunderstood words in the English language. It deals with what people really say, the reasons why. It gives the stories which lie behind the odd and puzzling words and phrases which we use daily without a second thought until we wonder why.

To coin a phrase: A dictionary of origins

Foreign Language Study & Reference

Arrow Books

This classic and thoroughly delightful reference explores the origins of superstitions. You'll discover the origins behind charms, spells, fairy lore and legend, folk remedies and customs of birth, marriage, and death. This collection will be a staple in your library for years and generations to come. Edwin and Mona A. Radford were a British husband and wife writing team who published prolifically from the 1940s through 1970s. They were known for their murder-mystery series of novels about the fictional Inspector Manson.

Literature & Fiction

Literary

Philosophical Library

This classic and thoroughly delightful reference explores the origins of superstitions. You’ll discover the origins behind charms, spells, fairy lore and legend, folk remedies and customs of birth, marriage, and death. This collection will be a staple in your library for years and generations to come. Edwin and Mona A. Radford were a British husband and wife writing team who published prolifically from the 1940s through 1970s. They were known for their murder-mystery series of novels about the fictional Inspector Manson.

This volume answers the need for a work containing as complete a collection as possible of British superstitions presented in encyclopaedic form giving easy and quick reference to the reader. To those unskilled in the study of superstition, this work will come as a surprise on his discovering the widespread diffusion of superstitious beliefs still obtaining at this day in every aspect of social life among both the civilized and the savage, and to those who have given any thought to the origins of superstitions, this work cannot fail to prove of real value as a reference book; but whether it be regarded as an orderly collection of reading for the curious which will provide much entertainment as well as instruction, or as a work of reference, the general opinion will be that the compilers have hit the mark they aimed at, and have achieved a skillful and valuable piece of work. Individual classification has been carried out, and the title headings enable the reader to obtain within a few minutes the list of beliefs attached to any one subject - and, where it is possible to present it, the origin, or possible origin, of the belief. Care has been taken to distinguish between superstition and custom. Except in one or two instances, where the line of demarcation is barely distinguishable, customs have been omitted as lacking any spiritual origin. The deep research necessitated by this study did raise a topic of peculiar and fascinating interest - whether, indeed, there are such things as "British" superstitions, or whether, on the contrary, those superstitions are world-wide, inherent in all peoples of the world in exactly identical forms of fear, of avoidance, and of remedial measures… [From the Authors' Preface]

Encyclopædia of Superstitions

History

World

Greenwood Pub Group

Encyclopedia of Superstitions 1949

Radford, Mona A.

Religion & Spirituality

Kessinger Publishing

This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the original. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions that are true to the original work.

Encyclopedia of Superstitions 1949 (LARGE PRINT EDITION)

Kessinger Publishing, LLC

Politics & Social Sciences

Social Sciences

Historical Study & Educational Resources

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