Mama Always Told Me So Trivia Quiz

Answer: Collards and black eyed peas

The greens symbolize folded money and the peas relate to coins. The tradition of eating peas actually has its roots in Jewish history, possibly as a gesture of humility. (My family's New Year feast also includes ham hocks for good luck!)

Answer: The devil is beating his wife

I have never been able to find a concrete explanation for the origin of this, but I've heard it all my life. This phrase is common in the Southern United States, as well as Hungary.

Answer: She's frightened by an animal

Most of us have heard some variation of this: "Johnny has big eyes because his mommy was startled by an owl while she was pregnant" or "Mary has such long arms because a monkey jumped at her mother before she was born".

Birthmarks are often attributed to foods eaten by expectant mothers. (My mother confesses to eating a lot of raisins before I was born, hence the tiny spot on the back of my right calf.)

Answer: Stood still and allowed chickens to fly over them

This was a fairly common practice, especially in rural areas of the South (in the US) during the early years of the twentieth century. Nobody seems to know how this started, but we can probably assume that it stems from the days when people wrongly believed that chickens actually caused the illness. (Perhaps the thought was that the birds had the power to heal as well!)

Answer: Thank the giver

Telling your friend how much you appreciate her thoughtfulness or that you'll give it a good home is perfectly acceptable, but the belief that saying "thank you" will cause the plant to die is a widespread superstition.

One theory is that thanking the giver will get the devil's attention and he will kill the plant because he knows you treasure it.

Answer: Rain

There are a lot of beliefs about spiders and they are almost as varied as they are widespread. Some cultures consider them good luck, while others believe them to be a sign of impending tragedy. Spiders were prominently represented in the folklore of ancient civilizations, even considered gods by some.

(This particular legend could be partially factual since the spider may have entered the house to avoid the rain.)

Answer: Milk

Although medical science has found no basis for this, it is still widely believed that consuming the two together will cause an unhealthy chemical reaction. Many people will not eat New England clam chowder or seafood dishes prepared with milk products for fear of becoming sick.

Some religions prohibit certain foods being served and eaten together, but it is due strictly to religious law.

Answer: Hat

This belief most likely stems from the idea that evil spirits were able to live in the hair. Removing the hat would cause them to spill out and inhabit the area in which the hat was placed, prompting trouble between those who share the bed.

Answer: A death

Like spiders, owls hold a large place in folklore. Some cultures associate them with the release of a human soul. (This may explain the origin of the death omen.)

Although owls are widely associated with witchcraft, they are also considered wise, lucky, and even sacred in some countries.

Answer: Laundry

Washing clothes on New Year's Day will cause a loved one to be "washed" from your life during the upcoming year.

(This one is definitely not just a Southern superstition; I've heard friends from all parts of the US mention it.)