Every once in a while the calendar delivers a date that makes people pause before leaving the house.
Today is one of those days.
Friday the 13th.
If you’ve ever wondered why Friday the 13th makes people nervous, the history behind the superstition is stranger—and funnier—than you might think.
For centuries people have treated this date like the universe’s official “Bad Things Might Happen Today” warning label. Flights feel bumpier, ladders suddenly look more dangerous, and some folks won’t even schedule a haircut.
But where did this superstition actually come from?
Let’s take a quick look at the strange history of Friday the 13th—and then we’ll have a little fun with it.
The Origins of Friday the 13th
The fear of Friday the 13th is so common that psychologists even gave it a name:
Paraskevidekatriaphobia.
Try saying that five times fast! Most stepdads just call it “Teenagers Home All Day Syndrome.”
Don’t worry if you can’t pronounce it. Most people can’t even spell it… including the people who named it.
Several historical ideas contributed to the superstition.
The Number 13 Was Already Considered Unlucky
In many ancient cultures, the number 12 represented completeness.
Think about it:
• 12 months in a year
• 12 zodiac signs
• 12 hours on a clock face
• 12 Olympian gods in Greek mythology
• 12 tribes of Israel
The number 13 was seen as one step beyond order, which made it feel unsettling.
The Last Supper
In Christian tradition, the Last Supper included 13 people at the table—Jesus and the twelve disciples.
Judas, the disciple who betrayed Jesus, is often described as the 13th to sit down.
This association reinforced the idea 13 brings misfortune.
Friday Was Already Considered an Unlucky Day
Long before horror movies existed, Friday had a bad reputation.
Some traditions claim:
• Jesus was crucified on a Friday
• Adam and Eve were expelled from the Garden of Eden on a Friday
• Cain killed Abel on a Friday
By the time these beliefs mixed together, Friday + 13 became the ultimate unlucky combination.
The Knights Templar Theory
One popular historical explanation points to Friday, October 13, 1307.
On that day, King Philip IV of France ordered the arrest of hundreds of members of the Knights Templar, a powerful medieval order.
Many were tortured or executed.
While historians debate how much this event influenced the superstition, it certainly added to the eerie reputation of the date.
Modern Friday the 13th Superstitions
Even today, the superstition still affects people.
Some interesting facts:
• Many buildings skip the 13th floor.
• Some airlines omit row 13.
• The U.S. economy reportedly loses hundreds of millions of dollars when people avoid travel or business on Friday the 13th.
• About 10% of Americans admit they feel uneasy about the day.
Then again… some stepdads feel uneasy every time a teenager says, “We need to talk.”
Friday the 13th Stepdad Superstitions
Let’s be honest. Stepdads deal with enough mystery in daily life that Friday the 13th barely makes the list.
Here are a few superstitions stepdads understand.
If a teenager says, “Nothing’s wrong,” something is definitely wrong.
Breaking a mirror brings seven years of bad luck, but borrowing your stepdad’s tools without returning them may bring consequences much sooner.
Walking under a ladder is bad luck…
but walking into a conversation between your wife and her teenager can be far riskier.
Some people avoid black cats on Friday the 13th.
Stepdads sometimes avoid eye contact with the Wi-Fi router when the internet goes down.
A Few More Friday the 13th Jokes
• If Friday the 13th feels unlucky, try stepping on a LEGO in the dark. That’s real fear.
• Some people knock on wood for good luck. Stepdads usually knock on the bathroom door asking, “How long have you been in there?”
• People worry about black cats crossing their path. Stepdads worry about teenagers crossing the kitchen five times looking for snacks.
• On Friday the 13th some people avoid ladders. Stepdads avoid homework questions involving math.
The Truth About Friday the 13th
Despite the superstition, studies show Friday the 13th is statistically no more dangerous than any other day.
Which is good news.
Because if stepdads worried about every superstition, they’d never survive:
• teenage mood swings
• family group chats
• missing car keys
• or the mysterious disappearance of leftovers from the refrigerator.
In reality, the bravest people in any household might not be the ones facing Friday the 13th.
It’s the stepdad who walks into the living room and says:
“Alright everyone… who used my charger?”
Now that takes courage.
Final Thought
So if Friday the 13th shows up on the calendar this year, don’t panic.
Just remember:
Broken mirrors, black cats, and unlucky numbers are nothing compared to the real adventure of raising a blended family.
And if something strange does happen today…
It was probably the teenager.
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