   If You Drop a Dishrag, Company’s ComingSouthern Superstition and Appalachian FolkloreA Southern and Appalachian superstition: if you drop a dishrag while cleaning or cooking, company’s coming. Sometimes it’s said to mean a man will visit, or that the company will be unexpected. OriginThis bit of homefront folklore goes back generations in the rural South, where household chores and omens often mixed. Like other signs tied to daily life - an itchy nose, a rocking chair that moves on its own - it gave ordinary moments a touch of mystery.
NotesYou’ll still hear this saying in older Southern homes, sometimes said with a laugh when a towel hits the floor. In some versions, the meaning depends on who drops it: if a woman does, a man’s coming; if a man does, a woman’s coming. Others say the kind of visit - friendly, formal, or foolish - depends on how the rag lands. LegacyThough few take it seriously today, "drop a dishrag, company’s coming" remains part of the region’s living folklore - one of those charming reminders that the South once found signs and stories in nearly everything, even the day’s chores. DislaimerAll folklore shared here is part of Southern tradition and storytelling. It's not medical, legal, or practical advice - just the way our grandparents told it. Believe it or not, that's up to you.Learn more on the Folklore hub page. | ...
About Created by The Hillbilly Dude, this site is a growing field guide to culture, speech, memory, and meaning - rooted in Appalachia but reaching across the world. Every slang word, saying, accent and story is gathered from first-hand experience and trusted sources. The goal: preserve authentic voices and share them with writers, learners, and culture lovers everywhere - with a little humor thrown in here and there. Read more... |
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