(un)lucky 13?

Yankee · Fri Jul 11, 2008 1:32 am *(un)lucky 13?*

Do you think the number 13 is unlucky?
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Amy
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ESL teacher, translator, and a native speaker of American English

Molly · Fri Jul 11, 2008 2:00 am *(un)lucky 13?*

Molly · Fri Jul 11, 2008 2:41 am *(un)lucky 13?*

Do you think your "test" would correctly identify this person's linguistic roots?

"60% General American English
25% Dixie
5% Upper Midwestern
5% Yankee
0% Midwestern.

I have no accent, incidentally, even growing up in Houston. It's either the suburban upbringing, or my father's Upper Midwest and mother's East Texas cancelling each other out. My cousins, who grew up about 5 miles away, all have East Texas semi-drawls because both their parents did."

Posted by: norbizness | July 16, 2006 at 04:27 PM

http://happyfeminist.typepad.com/happyfeminist/2006/07/do_you_have_an_.html

Molly · Fri Jul 11, 2008 2:42 am *(un)lucky 13?*

Try this one:

http://www.blogthings.com/whatkindofamericanenglishdoyouspeakquiz/

Ralf · Fri Jul 11, 2008 23:08 pm *(un)lucky 13?*

Yankee · Fri Jul 11, 2008 23:18 pm *(un)lucky 13?*

Hi Ralf

Have you ever thought about the expression "a baker's dozen"?
Now it seems to me that a customer would be rather fortunate to receive a baker's dozen. But, if we take the baker's point of view, are we back to 'unlucky'? Laughing

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_________________
Amy
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ESL teacher, translator, and a native speaker of American English

Borjana · Fri Jul 11, 2008 23:24 pm *(un)lucky 13?*

I think some time nr13, is lucky, because I have my experience and is good, but, some people have no lucky this number, and now, don`t laugh with me, but, I know one people and she changed her birthday, because nr13, was not lucky, and after she changed, everything going good and more good.Now, I remember first time I rent house in USA, and building was 28 apartments, but with number 29 because missing nr13.Can believe!

Ralf · Fri Jul 11, 2008 23:36 pm *(un)lucky 13?*

Molly · Sat Jul 12, 2008 0:38 am *(un)lucky 13?*

Hey, Amy, where is this from?

Yankee · Sat Jul 12, 2008 0:39 am *(un)lucky 13?*

Hi Borjana

Wow! I've never known anyone who had actually changed their birthday (except for a few people who claimed to have been born in a different year, that is). I'm glad to hear that the change brought her good luck.

It's amazing that high-rise buildings never have a 13th floor, isn't it. People can be amazingly superstitious, can't they? Laughing

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Amy
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ESL teacher, translator, and a native speaker of American English

lost_soul · Sat Jul 12, 2008 16:10 pm *(un)lucky 13?*

Hi, Amy

I heard that in the past people used to shun number 13 when they gave numbers to houses on streets, and this caused even more trouble connected with other people getting confused about "how come there's no house number 13" Smile

So, I think it is better not to pay heed to this number and regard it as any other number, which I always do.

And I read in the article that hotel owners usually avoid giving the number 13 to their hotels rooms, which I find perferctly justified on the part of the owners, because the owners need to ensure that their rooms are perferctly fitting for every person, so that they won't loose money.

prezbucky · Tue Jul 15, 2008 6:11 am *(un)lucky 13?*

Molly, if course you have an accent... even if you have one of those very mild Ohio or Washington (state) accents -- mostly lacking the nasality of the upper Midwest, the overly rounded vowels of California, the northeastern sound and the drawl of the South, planes states, Texas and parts of the southern Midwest -- even the blandest American sound is an accent of sorts.

hehe

As for the number 13, for me it will forever be tied to the Friday The XIIIth horror movies. In other words, to me it is unlucky, spooky, etc.

stew.t. · Tue Jul 15, 2008 9:57 am *(un)lucky 13?*

hi guys

It is interesting to note that their are two contradictory reasonings connected with Christianity, as to why Friday 13th is supposed to be unlucky.

Firstly it is said that the last supper was on Friday and their were 13 people present.
Or that the Knights Templar were arrested on October 13th, which fell on a Friday.

I think in 1308 or 1307 (not so sure on that), but not 1313. Twisted Evil

I think it is only unlucky if you invest belief in it.
A bit like Hurley from "Lost" investing belief in numbers. Was there a 13 in that series of numbers? I think possibly.

Yankee · Tue Jul 15, 2008 17:32 pm *(un)lucky 13?*

The United States of America consisted initially of 13 states. Naturally, I view this historical event as a positive one. Very Happy

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_________________
Amy
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ESL teacher, translator, and a native speaker of American English

Molly · Tue Jul 15, 2008 18:38 pm *(un)lucky 13?*

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