If Your Nose Itches, Company’s ComingSouthern Superstition and Appalachian Folklore

A Southern superstition and home-front saying: if your nose itches, it means company is coming. The itch is seen as a friendly sign that someone’s on their way or thinking about you.

#SouthernFolklore #HomeandVisitorSigns

Hillbilly Dude Says...

I remember hearin' this one from my Momma when I was growin' up.

Hillbilly Dude Says...

I remember hearin' this one from my Momma when I was growin' up.

Origin

The belief traces back to old European folk sayings linking body sensations to omens - itching hands, ringing ears, twitching eyes. Scots-Irish and English settlers carried those ideas to the American South, where the meanings shifted toward hospitality and home life.

In the South and Appalachia, "itching nose = company coming" replaced older versions that said "someone’s talking about you." It fit naturally into a culture that prized visiting and social connection.

Notes

Southerners often use this saying playfully when they scratch their nose, especially if they expect guests or family to drop by. Some versions add a bit of teasing: "If your nose itches, a fool’s coming." But most take it as a lighthearted sign of company or conversation on the horizon.

Legacy

While few take it seriously today, the saying remains part of Southern speech - one of those little homegrown prophecies that turns ordinary life into folklore. It reflects a time when even an itchy nose could mean someone was about to knock on the door.

Kin Topics

Home and Visitor Signs

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, October 6). If Your Nose Itches, Company’s ComingSouthern Superstition and Appalachian Folklore. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/folklore/if-your-nose-itches-companys-coming
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "If Your Nose Itches, Company’s ComingSouthern Superstition and Appalachian Folklore." HillbillySlang.com, 6 Oct. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/folklore/if-your-nose-itches-companys-coming.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "If Your Nose Itches, Company’s ComingSouthern Superstition and Appalachian Folklore." HillbillySlang.com. October 6, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/folklore/if-your-nose-itches-companys-coming.

Dislaimer

What you're reading here is old Southern folklore and storytelling - not medical advice, and not meant to guide health, or pregnancy decisions (especially pregnancy decisions!). These tales are part of how folks once made sense of the world, passed down from grandparents and midwives.

If you have any medical questions or concerns, talk with a qualified healthcare professional.

Learn more on the Folklore hub page.