The Strange History Behind Common Superstitions

Why do we knock on wood, fear Friday the 13th, panic over broken mirrors, or side-eye a perfectly innocent black cat?

In this episode of The Jocular Pugilists, we unpack the strange, unhinged, and surprisingly logical history behind common superstitions—from Ancient Rome and pagan forests to medieval Europe and plague-ridden cities.

It turns out humanity didn’t invent superstitions because we’re dumb…
 We did it because we were scared, broke, sick, and trying to survive.

This episode explores how early humans used ritual, symbolism, and guilt to create a sense of control in an uncontrollable world—and why those habits stubbornly refuse to die, even in the age of algorithms and Wi-Fi.

Expect history, psychology, dark irony, and the comforting realization that humans have always been negotiating with chaos.

Let us know what you think.

Email Phil or Tomas at:

thejocularpugilists@gmail.com

And check out our website at: thejocularpugilists.com