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Ringing in the ears

Ringing in the ears: right ear means praise, left means criticism. First recorded in Roman era; Pliny records it as a sign of being discussed, it is about 1976 years old — the 10th oldest of the 40 superstitions we have dated. Tinnitus, affecting roughly 15% of adults, most often from noise exposure. Persistent ringing in one ear only is a medical sign, not a social one.

When it actually starts

How old is this one

First recorded Roman era; Pliny records it as a sign of being discussed
That makes it about 1,976 years old
Rank by age 10 oldest of 40 dated here
Category Body
Searched 880 a month

Same family as itchy palms and twitching eyes: a small unexplained sensation given social meaning. Pliny the Elder recorded the belief that ringing ears mean someone is speaking of you, and it has barely changed since.

What people say

Right ear means praise, left means criticism.

What is going on

Tinnitus, affecting roughly 15% of adults, most often from noise exposure. Persistent ringing in one ear only is a medical sign, not a social one.

Where it applies. Europe, the Americas and much of Asia, with the sides sometimes reversed.

Other body superstitions

Itchy palm 2,590/mo Sneezing omens 1,000/mo Left hand superstitions 2,590/mo Right hand superstitions 2,400/mo Pregnancy superstitions 1,030/mo Hiccups superstitions 480/mo

Recorded around the same time

Ringing in the ears is the 10th oldest of the 40 dated superstitions here. Of those, 6 are younger than a century and 5 predate the common era.

Owls as omens 50 Moon superstitions 50 Left hand superstitions 50 Right hand superstitions 50

First-recorded dates are the earliest documented appearance in written sources, not the earliest possible origin — an unrecorded practice can be older. How the dating works and where it is uncertain →