defective yeti: Ask the Answer Guy!

Dear Answer Guy,

Why is Friday the 13th considered bad luck? Thanks, Curious in Kansas

Great question, Curious! The belief that Friday the 13th is unlucky dates all the way back to 1923, when a supposedly unsinkable ship called "The Titanic" hit an iceberg while enroute to England and went to the bottom of the sea, killing over 1000 people. The disaster occured on Friday the 13th, and that day has been considered bad luck ever since. -- Answer Guy

Update: Marcus Sandison writes:

?? why are u talking about the titanic like noone's ever herd of it? didnt u see the movie? i guess not because if you had you'd know that it sank in 1912. also it sank on sunday the 14th.

Thanks for writing, Marcus. Yes, some scientists believe in an alternate theory of the Titanic (that it sank in 1912) and I should have mentioned this in my original reply. But my essential point still stands: Friday the 13th is considered unlucky because of the many disasters that have fallen on that day, such as the sinking of the Titanic and the attack on Pearl Harbor. -- Answer Guy

Update: Aaron writes:

What the hell, dude? Pearl Harbor got bombed on December 7th, everbody knows that. And it took me, like, 5 seconds on Google to find out December 7th, 1941 was a Sunday. It's called "research" -- you should try it, sometime.

While that may be "true," Arron, I find it disheartening that readers such as yourself seem determined to find small inconsistancies in my reply, instead of focusing on its overall truth. Friday the 13th is rightly feared because so many bad things have happened on that day. I could name a lot more, but, if I did, you all would probably jump all over me with your "that happened at 12:03 am so it was technically Saturday!" nitpicking. Needless to say, I stand by my original answer. -- Answer Guy

Update: Anna Eoin writes:

The Titanic was sailing from England, not to it. Didn't you see the movie?

Look, people: Answer Guy is a free service, okay? You're not paying a dime for these answers, so quit your bitching already. Or start your own goddamned column if you're such a genius. How do you like that answer, Smarty McKnowitall? -- Answer Guy

P.s. I'm right about Friday the 13th! If you don't believe me, try reading a book sometime, moron.


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Ask the Answer Guy! Dear Answer Guy, Why is Friday the 13th considered bad luck? Thanks, Curious in Kansas Great question, Curious! The belief that Friday the 13th is unlucky dates all the way back to 1923, when a supposedly unsinkable ship called "The Titanic" hit an iceberg while enroute to England and went to the bottom of the sea, killing over 1000 people. The disaster occured on Friday the 13th, and that day has been considered bad luck ever since. -- Answer Guy Update: Marcus Sandison writes: ?? why are u talking about the titanic like noone's ever herd of it? didnt u see the movie? i guess not because if you had you'd know that it sank in 1912. also it sank on sunday the 14th. Thanks for writing, Marcus. Yes, some scientists believe in an alternate theory of the Titanic (that it sank in 1912) and I should have mentioned this in my original reply. But my essential point still stands: Friday the 13th is considered unlucky because of the many disasters that have fallen on that day, such as the sinking of the Titanic and the attack on Pearl Harbor. -- Answer Guy Update: Aaron writes: What the hell, dude? Pearl Harbor got bombed on December 7th, everbody knows that. And it took me, like, 5 seconds on Google to find out December 7th, 1941 was a Sunday. It's called "research" -- you should try it, sometime. While that may be "true," Arron, I find it disheartening that readers such as yourself seem determined to find small inconsistancies in my reply, instead of focusing on its overall truth. Friday the 13th is rightly feared because so many bad things have happened on that day. I could name a lot more, but, if I did, you all would probably jump all over me with your "that happened at 12:03 am so it was technically Saturday!" nitpicking. Needless to say, I stand by my original answer. -- Answer Guy Update: Anna Eoin writes: The Titanic was sailing from England, not to it. Didn't you see the movie? Look, people: Answer Guy is a free service, okay? You're not paying a dime for these answers, so quit your bitching already. Or start your own goddamned column if you're such a genius. How do you like that answer, Smarty McKnowitall? -- Answer Guy P.s. I'm right about Friday the 13th! If you don't believe me, try reading a book sometime, moron. Posted on September 13, 2002 to Humor	Home Archive Favorite Posts About Contact Search: