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Hello, this is 6 Minute English from BBC Learning English. I'm Rob.

And I'm Sam and I'm having a boiled egg for lunch today.

I'll just sprinkle some salt on top there.

Oh, you've spilled some salt on the floor, Sam.

Quick, throw some over your left shoulder.

Throw salt over my shoulder. What are you talking about, Rob?

It's bad luck to spill salt.

Oh, dear. It looks like Rob believes in superstitions.

Old beliefs which are based on magic and mystery rather than science.

Many superstitions are connected to food, as we'll discover in this programme.

Right, like throwing salt over your shoulder to stop bad luck.

Oh, come on, Rob. You don't really believe that, do you?

Well, lots of people do believe food superstitions,

including otherwise rational, scientific people.

For example, have you ever blown out the candles on a birthday cake and made a wish?

Or thrown rice over the bride and groom at a wedding?

Yes, to both of those. Maybe I'm more superstitious than I thought.

Well, before we find out, it's time for a quiz question

about another famous food festival, Halloween.

Ah, that's when people carve scary faces into pumpkins to frighten away evil spirits.

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