{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Everyday Origins","title":"Cultural Traditions & Expressions","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":793,"description":"Welcome to Everyday Origins, where we explore the strange and surprising backstories behind the things we do without thinking twice!\nWith my guest Luka, I dive deep into the origins of cultural traditions and expressions with a side of hot takes and funny discussions.\nSummary of the origins discussed:\nWhy Do We Knock on Wood?Ancient Celts believed spirits lived in trees. Knocking summoned their protection - or scared away mischief-making spirits.\nOver centuries, the superstition spread across Europe and evolved into today’s casual tap tap after a risky statement.\nModern psychology: people still feel “luckier” when they perform rituals, even meaningless ones - like a placebo for luck.\nFun fact: in Turkey, people tug their earlobe and knock twice on wood instead.\nThe Origins of Saying “Bless You”Ancient belief: sneezing expelled the soul, leaving the body vulnerable to evil spirits. Saying something protective kept them at bay. \nIn the 6th century, during the bubonic plague, sneezing was seen as an early sign of illness. Pope Gregory I suggested “God bless you” as a prayer for protection.\nFun fact: other cultures had their own sneeze responses: in Japan, a sneeze meant someone was gossiping about you. In some Slavic traditions, it confirmed you were telling the truth.\nWhy Handshakes?\nOne theory: originated as a way to show you weren’t holding a weapon.\nIn Roman times, soldiers often shook forearms instead - making sure there was no dagger hidden in a sleeve.\nLater, the handshake became a gesture of trust, equality, and greeting.\nFun angle: handshakes have taken a backseat in recent years with the rise of fist bumps, waves, or nods - but the idea of a safe, shared gesture remains.\nCandles on Birthday Cakes\nAncient Greeks baked round cakes with candles to honour Artemis, goddess of the moon - the smoke carried prayers to the heavens.\nIn 18th-century Germany, Kinderfeste celebrated children’s birthdays. A cake was lit at dawn, candles burned all day, and a final wish...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/CTKiLUoHQ34O1hXJpTJXXxJdw7jCh_jNduZ3FKrou3c/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS83OGZi/MTE1YTYzZjMyNmYy/Y2RkMWY0MmFiZjZj/NjRhZi5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}