ST201902

STORIES BEHIND

SUPERSTITIONS

Why do we give meaning to numbers of magpies? One

for sorrow is not the only belief about this common bird

Considered an ill omen as far back as the early 16th

century, this beautiful bird remains disliked to this day.

Shakespeare moaned about their “chattering”, while

their love of shiny things gives them reputation as

thieves. The “one for sorrow” verse was first recorded

in around 1780, albeit varying from today’s, with “Three

for a funeral /And four for birth”. In the US, the rhyme

became used for the crow (as included in the song

‘A Murder of One’ by US band Counting Crows). Then

there are the various ways solitary magpies are greeted,

from hat-doffing to saluting, to enquiring after the

health of his wife and family, as ways of avoiding bad

luck. Such ritualistic sayings were usually associated

with banishing the devil. But before you pity the magpie

too much, get some global perspective: in some parts of

China, it’s believed to be a sacred bird.

My name is Cadbury and, yes, I can be sweet.

But never underestimate me. I’m also part of

a network of elite felines, aiming for a new

world order and avert global cat-astrophe.

We will bring about harmony through the

alliance of nations and the species. Our

leaders will be those skilled in negotiation –

their only weakness being a penchant for

catnip. Now that’s what I call demoCATcy.

Tweet us a pic of your #dogsinblankets or

#catsonmats @simplethingsmag

TIPPLE OF

THE MONTH

Brazil’s national cocktail, made with cachaça

• a spirit made from raw sugar cane. Light
  and refreshing, it’s actually thought to have
  originated as treatment for the Spanish Flu.
  It’s still sometimes used as a common cold
  remedy (it would certainly make us feel a bit
  better) – meaning, if you start administering
  t hem now, you shou ld be sick ness f ree come
  Carnival on 1 March.
  SERVING NOTES: place lime wedges in
  the bottom of a chilled Old Fashioned
  glass, with 1 tsp caster sugar and muddle.
  Add cachaça, then ice cubes and stir.

Tackle those coughs and

sne y

CAIPIRINHA

CATS ON MATS

The secret thoughts of readers’ pets:

Cadbury, 15, British shorthair

Accidentally

dropped your

book in the bath?

Insert sheets

of wax paper

between the wet

pages – it’ll dry

good as new,

promise.

HOUSEHOLD