Brewer's: Luck

Accidental good fortune. (Dutch, luk; German, glück, verb glücken, to succeed, to prosper.) Down on one's luck. Short of cash and credit. “Not in luck's way,” not unexpectedly promoted, enriched, or otherwise benefited. Give a man luck and throw him into the sea. Meaning that his luck will save him even in the greatest extremity. Referring to Jonah and Arion, who were cast into the sea, but carried safely to land, the one by a whale and the other by a dolphin.

Luck for Fools

This is a French proverb: “A fou fortune. ” And again, “Fortune est nourrice de folie.”

Luck in Odd Numbers

(See Odd.)

Luck of Eden Hall

(The). A drinking cup, said to have been given to Miss Zoe Musgrave on her marriage with Mr. Farquharson, and still in Eden Hall, Cumberland. The tale is, that is was snatched surreptitiously from the fairies, who attached this threat to it:

If that cup either break or fall, Farewell the luck of Eden Hall.

(See Eden Hall.)

Luck

or Lucky Penny. A trifle returned to a purchaser for good luck. A penny with a hole in it, supposed to ensure good luck.

Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894
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