Tons of Ones

1911     "Eleven-Eleven-Eleven Day Is Here, So Beware," Sacramento Union, November 11: "If anything happens to-day that you think should not have happened, or if any unusual event occurs to cause you to wonder, there is a reason, dear reader. For to-day is the eleventh day of the eleventh year of the twentieth century.


"It may be a jinks for some and good luck for others, according to their superstitions, but in any event it is well to be careful. A few admonitions might not go amiss, for instance: don't sneeze while walking of the sunny side of the street; count every white mule you see; don't walk under ladders; and a hundred 'do's' [sic] and 'don'ts.'


"But enjoy the day all you can, because it won't happen again until November 11, 2011."


Hey, that's to-day! Be careful.


That sneezing on the sunny side of the street superstition outdid my googling abilities. I really can't tell you what it's all about. Your best bet: avoid sneezing and direct sunlight until to-morrow. The counting white mules thing was a little easier to track down. There are a few variations, but the gist is that, after you count a certain number of white mules  (usually 60 or 100), you will marry the next man you meet. One variation stipulates that the man you'll marry is actually the next one whose hand you shake. I guess ladies should be doubly careful to-day. And, of course, we all know not to walk under ladders.