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Story
September 13, 1940
The Tacoma Times
Tacoma, Pierce County, Washington
What is this article about?
Dr. B. A. Cartwright of the University of Oklahoma shares common American superstitions associating physical features with personality traits, like high foreheads indicating intelligence, and lists many examples. Columbia University professors' research debunks most as false beliefs.
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BY Rich Farrar
Do you believe fat people are invariably good-natured, that red-headed people are always high-tempered, that quiet people are more intelligent than their rowdier brethren?
Many people do, says Dr. B. A. Cartwright of the University of Oklahoma. Dr. Cartwright, who's spent 30 years gathering more than 12,000 popular American superstitions, finds these are some of the common beliefs about personal traits:
A flat hand indicates a good disposition.
A weak mind and a strong back go together.
A high forehead is a sign of intelligence.
Narrowness between the eyes is the sign of a sneak.
Tickling feet causes stuttering.
Blonds are not as trustworthy as brunets.
A square jaw indicates will power.
Slender, sensitive hands indicate artistic ability.
Long thumbs indicate a stubborn disposition.
A protruding chin is a sign of pugnacity.
A pointed elbow is a sign of a sour disposition.
People with green eyes are not to be trusted.
A person with black eyes has a very hot temper.
If your fingers do not fit closely together, it is a sign you are a spendthrift.
People with long, thin ears can keep a secret.
A small mouth indicates stinginess; a large mouth indicates generosity.
A dimple in the chin means devilment within.
Teeth set far apart indicate a strong impulse toward wandering or traveling.
If you look old while young, you will look younger as the years come on.
A homely baby will become beautiful woman or a handsome man.
Baldness is caused by an excessive use of the brain.
Cold hands indicate an affectionate nature.
A child born on Wednesday will have a good memory.
To tickle a baby's feet will cause it to stutter.
If a child talks before it walks, its tongue will be its ruin.
The young lady who sits with her thumbs resting inside her hand will be dominated by her husband, while if her thumbs are extended, she will rule the household.
If the lines on a woman's forehead bend at the ends, she is a scold.
If you believe many of these superstitions, it's time to stop and reconsider.
Two Columbia university professors who spent four years digging up research to explode superstitions, have announced that most of our firmly grounded beliefs on personal traits aren't true.
Do you believe fat people are invariably good-natured, that red-headed people are always high-tempered, that quiet people are more intelligent than their rowdier brethren?
Many people do, says Dr. B. A. Cartwright of the University of Oklahoma. Dr. Cartwright, who's spent 30 years gathering more than 12,000 popular American superstitions, finds these are some of the common beliefs about personal traits:
A flat hand indicates a good disposition.
A weak mind and a strong back go together.
A high forehead is a sign of intelligence.
Narrowness between the eyes is the sign of a sneak.
Tickling feet causes stuttering.
Blonds are not as trustworthy as brunets.
A square jaw indicates will power.
Slender, sensitive hands indicate artistic ability.
Long thumbs indicate a stubborn disposition.
A protruding chin is a sign of pugnacity.
A pointed elbow is a sign of a sour disposition.
People with green eyes are not to be trusted.
A person with black eyes has a very hot temper.
If your fingers do not fit closely together, it is a sign you are a spendthrift.
People with long, thin ears can keep a secret.
A small mouth indicates stinginess; a large mouth indicates generosity.
A dimple in the chin means devilment within.
Teeth set far apart indicate a strong impulse toward wandering or traveling.
If you look old while young, you will look younger as the years come on.
A homely baby will become beautiful woman or a handsome man.
Baldness is caused by an excessive use of the brain.
Cold hands indicate an affectionate nature.
A child born on Wednesday will have a good memory.
To tickle a baby's feet will cause it to stutter.
If a child talks before it walks, its tongue will be its ruin.
The young lady who sits with her thumbs resting inside her hand will be dominated by her husband, while if her thumbs are extended, she will rule the household.
If the lines on a woman's forehead bend at the ends, she is a scold.
If you believe many of these superstitions, it's time to stop and reconsider.
Two Columbia university professors who spent four years digging up research to explode superstitions, have announced that most of our firmly grounded beliefs on personal traits aren't true.
What sub-type of article is it?
Curiosity
What themes does it cover?
Deception
Moral Virtue
What keywords are associated?
American Superstitions
Physical Traits
Personality Beliefs
Debunking Myths
What entities or persons were involved?
Dr. B. A. Cartwright
Two Columbia University Professors
Where did it happen?
University Of Oklahoma, Columbia University
Story Details
Key Persons
Dr. B. A. Cartwright
Two Columbia University Professors
Location
University Of Oklahoma, Columbia University
Story Details
Dr. B. A. Cartwright has collected over 12,000 American superstitions linking physical traits to personality characteristics, listing examples such as flat hands indicating good disposition and high foreheads signifying intelligence. Columbia professors' research shows most such beliefs are untrue.