Stepping over someone: why is it not allowed?
stepping over a child won't grow · stepping over a person superstition
- stepping over
- child
- growth
- superstition
In folk belief if you step over someone lying down, especially a child, they will stop growing. The fix is simple: step back over them the same way.
What does the superstition say?
Stepping over a person is said to stop their growth or take away their strength. It is usually said about children, but some apply it to adults too, saying it takes away health or luck.
How do you undo it?
According to folk custom, if you step over someone by accident, you should step back over them in the opposite direction. That puts everything back in its place.
Where does it come from?
The exact origin is unknown, but the rule makes obvious practical sense: stepping over a child lying on the floor is an easy way to trip and hurt them. So following this superstition does no harm at all.