Origins of Some Superstitions

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I think it is always interesting to learn about the origins of superstitions. How they got started and where they originated. I have chosen three that I thought were interesting to share: When we hope something will happen or we want a subject to remain positive we say "knock on wood" in the U S and "touch wood' in the UK. Making sure we don't tempt fate. It has to do with a Celtic or pagan association with three spirits. It comes from the belief that knocking on the wood of once-sacred trees like oak or ash might awaken certain deities and obtain their protection. Salt was once an extremely valuable commodity. This crystalline mineral was used in ancient Greek, Roman and Jewish sacrifices. It was the primary means of preserving food before refrigeration became available. Salts association with incorruptibility and sanctity made it good for staving off rot and evil spirits. At some point in time, it became a belief that a pinch of salt thrown over the left shoulder by the right hand would counteract any bad luck. Ancient cultures believed that one's reflection could steal one's soul and so damaging a reflection could damage a person's spirit. Folklorists gave only traced the idea if bad luck from a broken glass back to about 1777. They aren't sure where the correlation between the two came from but seven years bad luck dates back to about the mid-19th century. And, the fact that the body completely replenishes itself every seven years giving it time to lift any curse. What are you thoughts on these three superstitions?