Words don’t just describe reality—they shape how we think, act, and even what we fear. Across history, people have treated certain words as dangerous, unlucky, or taboo. Some beliefs survive in modern traditions, while others linger quietly in our everyday language.
From theater curses to euphemisms for death, here’s a tour through the fascinating world of language superstitions.
Words We Avoid Saying
The “Macbeth” Curse
In theaters, actors traditionally avoid saying Macbeth aloud, calling it “The Scottish Play” instead. According to legend, Shakespeare used real spells in the play, cursing productions. Mishaps, injuries, and even deaths in performances reinforced the superstition.
Euphemisms for Death
Instead of saying someone died, we soften it with passed away, gone, departed, at rest. Many cultures treat death as a word too powerful to speak directly, fearing it might “invite” misfortune.
The Devil’s Name
In the Middle Ages, people avoided saying “the devil,” substituting Old Nick or the adversary. Naming him outright was thought to summon evil.
Animal Words with Hidden Beliefs
The Bear That Wasn’t Named
In Old English and other Germanic languages, people avoided the true word for bear, calling it bruin (“brown one”) instead. Why? Speaking the animal’s name was believed to attract it. This “taboo replacement” still lingers in language history.
Owls as Omens
In some cultures, owls’ hoots were believed to predict death. Words connected to owls carried fear, shaping folklore and idioms.
Word-Based Superstitions in Everyday Life
- Friday the 13th: Numbers are symbols too. In English, “13” is unlucky—so much so that some hotels skip the 13th floor.
- “Bless You” After Sneezing: In ancient times, sneezes were thought to expel the soul. Saying “bless you” protected the person from spirits entering the body.
- Names and Power: In fairy tales, knowing a true name (like Rumpelstiltskin’s) gives power over the person. This reflects old beliefs that words and identity were magically linked.
The Power of Avoidance: Word Taboos
Word taboos aren’t just superstition—they shape culture. Consider:
- Swear words: Strong emotions are tied to taboo language.
- Slurs: Words become so harmful that society bans their use.
- Curses and hexes: Even today, some people believe that speaking ill of someone can cause harm.
The act of avoiding or replacing words shows how much power we assign to language.
Modern Language Superstitions
Superstitions evolve, but new ones emerge:
- Autocorrect fears: People joke that typing certain words “summons trouble” when autocorrect changes them.
- Digital taboos: On forums and games, some usernames or words are “cursed” to avoid, tied to bad luck or banned accounts.
- Corporate euphemisms: Companies avoid words like layoffs, preferring downsizing—not out of magic, but fear of negative reactions.
Why Do Superstitions Around Words Exist?
Psychologists suggest three main reasons:
- Fear of the unknown: Naming something feels like bringing it closer.
- Social control: Taboo words enforce cultural boundaries.
- Symbolic thinking: Humans naturally treat words as more than symbols—they feel real and powerful.
Final Thoughts: Words as Charms and Curses
Language superstitions remind us that words aren’t just sounds or marks on paper—they carry cultural, emotional, and sometimes mystical weight. Whether it’s avoiding Macbeth in a theater, saying bless you after a sneeze, or refusing to utter the “real” name of a bear, people instinctively treat words as forces that can shape reality.
Next time you use a euphemism or dodge a taboo phrase, remember: you’re participating in centuries of linguistic superstition. Words may not be magic, but they can feel like it.
