9 Strange Superstitions From Around the World
| June 5, 2015
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Pausing at 20 Minutes Past the Hour
A superstition that has persisted for many years is the belief that conversations often halt or pause at 20 minutes past the hour. Some Americans believe that Abraham Lincoln died at 8:20, and this natural pause in the conversation honors his memory. For what it’s worth, Lincoln didn’t actually die at 8:20, and many scientists believe that this natural lag in conversation happens roughly every seven minutes — a habit that dates back to prehistoric times, when people would need to pause at frequent intervals to listen for approaching danger.
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