For many people, Friday the thirteenth is the unluckiest day of the year. Individuals born on Friday the thirteenth are considered lucky. And there are others in recent years who have identified Friday the thirteenth as “Silly Sayings Day.”

Where are you in this mix?

Do you run for cover on this day? Do you avoid walking under open ladders and hope to keep black cats from crossing your path? Do you get nervous if you break a mirror?

Or do you view this as just another day on the calendar, maybe a day when we all need a good laugh, or a day to be a bit offbeat, possibly a little wacky?

Worldwide, those who are superstitious view the date as bad luck.

Both Friday and the number 13 have importance with the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Friday is the day Jesus was crucified (Good Friday) and there were thirteen people present in the Upper Room at the Last Supper. Avoidance of thirteen is noticeable in many areas. High-rise buildings generally avoid having a 13th floor; it is considered bad luck to sit thirteen people at a table; and some airplane rows skip from 12 to 14.

While we recognize the Biblical and historical references, there isn’t much evidence of the two items being characterized as unlucky together before the nineteenth century. Some studies in other countries have shown that “…fewer accidents and reports of fire and theft occur when the thirteenth of the month falls on a Friday than on other Fridays.” One medical report concluded that “…more people are more careful or just stay home.”

Ziggy, an American cartoon series created by Tom Wilson, picked up on the latter a few years ago. He raised the window shade in his bedroom, saw the sun sticking out his tongue, and Ziggy exclaimed, “I can see that nothing’s going to happen today that I can handle!”

In the spirit of a day that is sometimes called “Silly Sayings Day,” other cartoon characters have added some memorable lines. Charlie Brown’s “Good Grief!” and Lucy’s statement that “Happiness is a warm puppy” are not silly but they fit the general theme.

And, from parents and grandparents have come such interesting sayings as “Don’t count your chickens before they hatch,” “Like a bull in a China shop,” “Slower than molasses in January,” and “Silence is golden unless you have kids, then silence is just plain suspicious.”

Finally, whether suspicious of this date or not, whether you take extra precautions to be safe, Friday the thirteenth is a day when you can have a little fun with silly sayings that have been passed along within your family or circle of friends.