Popular Superstitions: Crossing a knife and fork (colour litho)

Crossing a knife and fork. When we consider the manner of holding and using a knife and fork we cannot doubt but that the early wielders of these implements must have placed them crosswise upon their plates after use. On hearing children told that correct table manners demand the placing of knives and forks side by side when finished with, we are apt to think that this is simply because they look better thus, but there is more behind the custom than that. Our forefathers thought that crossed cutlery was suggestive of Calvary and symbolised crosses and troubles to come. Hence, the modern belief that it is unlucky to cross cutlery. Illustration for one of a set of 25 cigarette cards on the subject of Popular Superstitions issued by Godfrey Phillips in 1930.