Card-table Superstitions:—“Good luck in cards, bad luck in a husband (or wife).” “A shuffling cut is good for the dealer.” “1 2 3 4 played in succession kiss the dealer.” To cut an honour for the trump card is unlucky, for “When quality opens the door there is poverty behind;” but “Good luck lurks under a black deuce” (it should be touched by the cutter).
Superstitions connected with the body:—A twitching in the eyelid is lucky; but you must not say when it comes nor when it goes.
Right eye itching, a sign of laughter; but left over right, you’ll cry before night.
Right cheek burning, some one praising you; left one, abusing (a knot tied in the apron-string will cause the slanderer to bite his or her tongue); but left or right are both good at night. “If the cheek burns, someone is talking scandal of you. I have often heard the lines spoken:—
Right cheek! left cheek! why do you burn?
Cursed be she that doth me any harm;
If she be a maid, let her be staid;
If she be a widow, long let her mourn;
But if it be my own true love—burn, cheek, burn!”—T. Q. Couch.
Nose itching, you will be kissed, cursed, or vexed; or shake hands with a fool.