STORIES BEHIND
SUPERSTITIONS
First footing: a New Year tradition that has all eyes on the
threshold – and the milkman’s hair colour...It’s a tradition that’s dying out, yet all over the UK –
especially in Scotland and Northern England – people
watch their front doors, awaiting the first person to
cross the threshold on New Year’s Day morning and
hoping the ‘first footer’ will be male and dark haired to
bring luck for the year ahead. The superstition’s thought
to date back to the Viking times, when someone fair at
your door would very much be bad news. However,
neither the phrase ‘first footing’, nor the custom, can
be traced earlier than the turn of the 19th century.
Nevertheless, the idea was then embraced with gusto.
Customs vary from area to area. First footers are often
expected to bring gifts, such as coal (symbolising a warm
hearth), something green (symbolising life) or whisky
(with obvious benefits). And surely a little bit of
hospitality is always a good way to start a year?New year resolution: to live up to the
meaning of my name. I don’t mean Billy, silly. I
mean Shitzu, or “little lion”. HEAR ME ROAR!
The hair though – sorry mane – pretty leonine
right? Or very pretty at least. I’m not sure
how this is going and your lap does look
awfully comfortable... Right, I’m changing my
resolution: how about a life that’s more
‘little lying’ from now on?
Tweet us a pic of your #dogsinblankets or
#catsonmats @simplethingsmagTIPPLE OF
THE MONTH
ThisHorlicksofacocktailisattributed
to British author Pierce Egan in the 1820s,
and is named for his own book
(the cartoon came later).
ERVING NOTES: Separate an egg. Beat
1 tsp sugar into egg yolk, add half a shot
(12.5ml) rum, stirring constantly. Whisk
egg white until frothy; fold into rum.
Transfer to a mug and add hot milk; stir to
combine. Add a dash of brandy and a
grating of nutmeg to serve.Be the cat who’sgot the milk (and
brandy) with this winter warmerTOM AND JERRY
DOGS IN BLANKETS
The secret thoughts of readers’ pets:
Billy, Shitzu, aged 4Smeared bathroom
mirror? Apply
traditional shaving
foam and wipe
away with a paper
towel or rag cloth.
Bonus: it’ll also stop
it fogging up for a
few weeks.
HOUSEHOLD