Lone Magpies Receive Morning Salutes

In the UK, many people salute a lone magpie and say, "Good morning, Mr. Magpie," to ward off bad luck. The ritual comes from the rhyme "One for sorrow, two for joy," which treats a single magpie as an omen of sorrow. Some versions add, "How is your wife?" to suggest that the bird has a mate and therefore represents a luckier pair. By greeting the magpie respectfully, believers hope to prevent the misfortune it might otherwise bring.

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