Where do superstitions come from? - Stuart Vyse?

People make up superstitions when they think something strange happened because of a special action, like knocking on wood or saying "break a leg" before a show.

Imagine you're playing with your favorite toy, and just as you're about to lose, you say "I'm going to knock on the table!" Then you win! You might think that knocking on the table made you win. Next time you play, you knock again, and you win again! That’s how a superstition begins: when something happens in a way that feels connected to an action.

Now imagine every time you knock on the table before playing, you win. You might start to believe that knocking always helps you win. It's like having a secret trick, and the more times you use it, the more you believe in it!

Sometimes people share their special tricks with others, and soon everyone is knocking on tables or saying "break a leg" before shows. That’s how superstitions grow, from one person’s lucky action to something many people follow!