magpie

[JOECOOL]

Does anyone know what you must do if you see a Magpie?I have been told to Spit,and I have also been told to say morning captain?

Please email me [edited by AB]

[pugwash52]

A friend always says "Hello Mr Magpie. How's your wife?" I suppose that's because it's "one for sorrow, two for joy" and she's hoping the wife is close by.

[Drusilla1S]

My daughters and I always salute a lone magpie to ward off bad luck. It's complete nonsense of course, but it's harmless fun and makes them aware of the traditional folklore and superstitions of the British Isles.

[smudge]

Driving back from Milton Keynes, my daughter & I had never seen so many Magpies at any one place. Needless to say, we didn't have to do the customary "Afternoon Captain" & salute, as there weren't any on their own! Silly but old habits die hard.

[randomsasha]

Where I live now you have to get some one to "break" your sorrow. They do this by pulling apart your pointing finger and thumb which are squeezed together.

[reddoggy]

Bow three times and enquire after its wife's health. I do it every time I see one, even if I'm in the middle of a conversation or driving (in which case I nod and hope the magpie will forgive me). It's my only superstition, I'll walk under ladders or smash mirrors, all day long ;o)

[shaneystar2]

One for sorrow, two for mirth,
Three for a wedding, four for a birth,
Five for silver, six for gold,
Seven for a secret not to be told.
Eight for heaven, nine for hell,
And ten for the devil's own sel'.
I always say ...Good morning Mr. Magpie and then clap my hands and scare him away as they are carrion eaters and will steal eggs and baby birds from other's nests.

[smudge]

I haven't heard the full version of that one before Shaney, the other one I know is:

One for Sorrow

Two for joy

Three for a girl

Four for a boy

Five for silver

Six for gold

Seven for a secret

Never to be told

[smudge]

Whoops, sorry about the spacing!

[andy-hughes]

Superstition dictates tht Satan often walks the earth in trhe guise of a magpie. Saluting him and saying "Good morning" demonstates that have identified him, and his power over you is broken.

[DMA]

Hey as a Magpie (Newcastle fan) I take great offence to some of these suggestions!!

[WaldoMcFroog]

The comedian Richard Herring has a nice piece about the Magpie rhyme...

http://www.richardherring.com/warmingup/warmingup.php?id =836

[johnlambert]

Soldiers will saute and say "morning general"

[johnlambert]

damned typo, should be:-

salute

[mindimplode]

Tell them to say their ornithological prayers then blow em away with an air rifle. If you're a farmer. Or Psycotic.

[Patch49]

My mother, when she saw a single magpie, would always count down from 10 to 1 and then spit.

[diana.m]

Shoot it?

[Pippa68]

''Hello Mr Magpie, how's your wife & family?''

[DMA]

Its thought to be the sign of someone has or is going to die sou shud say a prayer

[raysparx]

I always salute a single magpie,must be crackers

[logman]

There seems to be more superstition attached to the magpi than any other bird, personally i dont like to take chances and do the habitual "good moring mr magpie"

I remember seeing a very sinister painting of a magpie sitting on a hanging gallows, but when you look at the angles of the gallows, you can see it would be impossible to construct it like that and it kinda messes with your mind

Maybe some clever person can post the pic so we can all see it..