Friday the 13th might find some people treading a little more carefully. But where does this widespread superstition actually come from? Dr. Lance Lusk, a professor of American Studies at the University of Texas-Dallas, and a pop culture expert, sheds some light on this fascinating "intersection of history, mathematics, and psychology."
The superstition is a "collision" of two distinct sources of unease: the day Friday and the number 13. Friday has long been associated with the crucifixion of Christ, and historically, even sailors were wary of beginning voyages on that day. The number 13, on the other hand, is often viewed as "unstable" or "imperfect," especially when contrasted with the "perfection" of the number 12, which appears everywhere from the months of the year to the signs of the zodiac. When you combine the two, you get what Dr. Lusk calls a "double whammy of superstition."
Interestingly, while we may consider ourselves rational, modern people, the fear of Friday the 13th still has a measurable impact. Insurance companies have found that people actually tend to be more cautious on this day, leading to fewer accidents. However, this caution comes with a price tag—it's estimated that millions of dollars are lost in productivity and travel as people choose to stay home rather than conduct business or fly.
The superstition truly cemented its place in American pop culture with the release of the Friday the 13th film franchise in 1980. Since then, it’s become more than just a day to hide away; some embrace the day by watching horror movies or taking advantage of special deals, like the $13 tattoos offered by many parlors.
Whether you're leaning into the fun or staying home to avoid any "bad luck," it seems the calendar itself is working against the superstitious. Due to the structure of the Gregorian calendar, the 13th is statistically more likely to fall on a Friday than any other day of the week (and in fact, there is a Friday the 13th coming next month as well).
So, this Friday the 13th, you might want to double-check that ladder—but at least you're in good, if slightly cautious, company.