h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Waving to magpies is supposed to ward off any bad luck that you may have picked up by seeing them or whatever. A lot of people still do it today.

Actually, the authorised version, as handed down to me by my Gran, is that you SALUTE the Magpie (single magpies only) and say "Good Morning Mr Magpie, and How is Mrs Magpie?" Then you keep your fingers crossed until you see a four legged animal

i always heard that you had to say 'good morning sir!' didnt hear anything about saluting.
does anyone remember the magpie rhyme? i knew one, but then heard a completely different one;
one for sorrow
two for joy
three for a girl
four for a boy
five for silver
six for gold
seven for a secret never to be told
is the original one i heard, but then came across this;
one for sorrow
two for mirth
three for a death
four for a birth
five for heaven
six for hell
seven for the devil, his own sel'
anyone know which one, if any, is the original? or anyone heard of any more?

I have heard a number of ways to ward off the bad luck which comes from seeing a single Magpie. These include, saying "Good Morning/Afternoon Mr Magpie (one always has to assume it's male??), also saluting it, and lastly you have to chatter with your hand to it!

Being wary of single Magpies, I once had a terrible day and all because I didn't say good morning to the Magpie by the side of the road, I can safely inform you that I look and sound a complete fool whenever I see a lonely little Magpie!

Yes, you should salute not wave, though I've been brung up to say "morning Mr Magpie, and how's the lady wife?" which you have to say morning, noon or night. Never heard of the crossed fingers - sounds like pure superstition to me...

According to Francesca Greenoak in her book 'British Birds: Their Folklore, Names and Literature', one of the earliest rhymes dates back to the 18th Century and goes 'One for sorrow, two for joy, three for a wedding, four for a death'. I've also heard 'One for sorrow, two for mirth, three for a wedding, four for a death', which is better because at least it rhymes. What happens if you see one magpie, salute it, then notice a second magpie? Have you cancelled out the good luck by saluting one and not the other?

The first rhyme you mentioned is the only one i know or have heard of but the version i know goes up to ten:
one for sorrow
two for joy
three for a girl
four for a boy
five for silver
six for gold
seven for a secret never to be told
eight's a wish
Nine's a kiss
and ten is a bird that you should not miss.

Also for a single magpie (from where i come from) you always saluted it and said goodmorning mr magpie hope your well today.

In my town, we have to say "hello mr magpie, hope your wife's Ok" then do the ryeme
1 for sorrow
2 for joy
3 for a girl
4 for a boy
5 for silver
6 for gold
7 for a secret never to be told.

But if the bird is dead then someone will die within a day. Spooky.

Recently my Grampy passed away, the week prior to his funeral and the week following and every day since, I have seen a single magpie......
Everyone I ask responds with 'Oh, poor you! You don't want to be seeing single magpies!!' But they never say why!!......lol