Fishing And The Sea
The sighting of mermaids is thought of as a premonition of death
by mariners of all types.
Friday is regarded as an unlucky day for sailors to go out to sea,
possibly because Friday was the day of the Crucifixion.
Holy Water was always taken out to the boat as a blessing to safeguard
the crew and their catch.
A 'Jonah' is a person who can catch no fish no matter where he
is, or what size of net or type of bait he uses, even though all
around him are taking an average catch. A 'Super Jonah' is the kind
whose ill fate affects all the fishermen in the vicinity and it
does not take them long to banish this unfortunate being from the
waters.
Salmon and herring wre known as 'gentle fish' (fairy fish). and
if a woman went out fishing in the salmon season neither salmon
nor herring would be caught.
Butter was not allowed on bread nor bacon eaten on boats until
about ten years ago.
To mention certain types of animal, for example, pigs, cows and
rabbits, was bad luck while at sea, possibly because they were land
animals which couldn't swim. Bacon and pigs wre collectively called
'Curly Tails' instead.
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