.
Feedback

Another Friday the 13th?

It's the last of three this year. Third time's the charm, but maybe not in this case.

Today is the third Friday the 13th of 2012—and thankfully, the last for the year.

But why is there such a superstition around this date? The fear of Friday the 13th dates back to Roman times, the rationale lost over the centuries. But still it persists.

According to a report in philly.com, the economy is impacted by hundreds of millions of dollars by people who decide to stay home rather than venture out.

Donald Dossey, a behavorial scientist quoted in the report, said as many as 21 million Americans have some fear of Friday the 13th.

Interesting facts:

  • In the Gregorian calendar, this day occurs at least once, but at most three times a year.
  • Any month's 13th day will fall on a Friday if the month starts on a Sunday.
  • The fear of Friday the 13th is called "friggatriskaidekaphobia." The term was derived from the name of the Norse goddess, Frigga, which is how Friday got its name.
  • A second name has been attributed to this day—triskaidekaphobia—which, says philly.com, is the irrational fear associated with Friday the 13th.
  • In 2011, May was the only month that had a Friday the 13th.
  • In 2012, three months will have a Friday the 13th—January, April and July.
  • Many buildings, even today, do not have a 13th floor.

The good news: it will be another 14 months before the next Friday the 13th rolls around in September 2013.

Newsletter & Alerts

Get the best stories each day and important breaking news

Subscribe

Not from Culver City Patch? Find your Local Patch »

Loading comments ...
Note Article
Just a short thought to get the word out quickly about anything in your neighborhood.
Share something with your neighbors. Write a new post... What's up? Make an announcement, speak your mind, or sell something
Ken Jones May 10, 2013 at 05:21 pm
Maybe more to the point, where does the methane (way more powerful than CO2 as a greenhouse gas)Read More release go from the fracking process, where do the "secret"and other cancer causing chemicals go, and who pays for clean-up costs, increased healthcare costs of residents nearby, possible increased earthquake damage, etc. and where does this oil go (we can't use it--too dirty--so probably China)?
Theodora Crawford May 10, 2013 at 03:09 pm
As I understand it, fracking wells "dry up" fairly quickly, which is why pressure to keepRead More drilling so urgent. Where do the jobs go after a year or so? Just a thought....