Updated Aug. 13. Happy Friday the 13th.
Aug.12. On Friday the 13th, you may think nothing good will happen. But the Wendy’s chain wants to change that.
On Friday, August 13 and Saturday, August 14, Wendy’s is bringing positive vibes to everyone’s morning, offering guests a free Sausage, Egg & Swiss Croissant or Bacon, Egg & Swiss Croissant – no purchase necessary.
Just show up at the Wendy’s in Cornelius at 20410 W. Catawba Ave. or Huntersville at 14139 Statesville Road during breakfast hours, 6:30 am to 10:30 am. Only the drive-through is open during breakfast hours.
The deal is one free croissant per car. But if you come with passengers, you can buy as many as you like for $3.59 plus tax.
Triskaidekaphobia
According to the much-quoted Stress Management Center and Phobia Institute in Asheville, an estimated 17 million to 21 million people in the United States are affected by a fear of this day, making it the most feared day and date in history.
Some people are so paralyzed by fear that they avoid their normal routines in doing business, taking flights or even getting out of bed.
Or getting a breakfast croissant at Wendy’s. If you’re one of them, don’t forget the offer stands for Saturday, too.
Wendy’s introduced this breakfast line in the first quarter 2020, with a sizable marketing budget. Then the pandemic hit so those funds are available now for this promotion, says Brent Reid, operating partner at the Wendy’s Cornelius location.
Reid says the give-away aims to promote Wendy’s as a breakfast choice. Plus, these croissant offerings are really good, he says.
Friday the 13th happens at least once a year
This year, there’s only one Friday the 13th on the calendar; next year it’s the same. There is at least one in any given calendar year, but never more than three. There were two Friday the 13ths in 2020. There will be three Friday the 13ths in 2026, and two in 2023, 2024 and 2029.
The 13th day of the month is slightly more likely to be a Friday than any other day of the week. On average, there is a Friday the 13th once every 212.35 days, whereas Thursday the 13th occurs only once every 213.59 days, according to Wikipedia.
Friday the 13th (think hockey mask donned by the character Jason) is also an American horror franchise with12 slasher films, a television series and related merchandise, novels, video games and comic books.
A real phobia
From timeanddate.com: You need to feel more than a little uneasy about the date to be diagnosed with friggatriskaidekaphobia, a psychological condition marked by a disabling fear of Friday the 13th. Some people who have this disorder are even too afraid to say the words “Friday the 13th.” Symptoms of this phobia range from mild anxiety and a nagging sense of doom to full-blown panic attacks.
The name of the phobia derives from Frigg, the Norse goddess whom Friday is named after, and triskaidekaphobia, which is Greek for the fear of 13. It’s also known as paraskevidekatriaphobia, which is based on paraskevi, the Greek word for Friday.
Origins of the superstition
There are several theories on why and when the Friday the 13th superstition began.
Some say that the concept of Friday and the number 13 being unlucky may be linked to stories from the Bible. For example, Judas Iscariot, the apostle who betrayed Jesus, has been labeled “the 13th guest” at the Last Supper.
Other biblical events that supposedly occurred on a Friday include the great flood during the time of Noah, the confusion of languages at the Tower of Babel, the day Eve tempted Adam with the apple, and Good Friday, the day Jesus was crucified.
On Friday the 13th in October 1307, a warrant was issued for the Knights Templar to be arrested. Masses of Templars were tortured or executed.
The superstition surrounding Friday the 13th could also be linked to Norse mythology. According to one legend, 12 gods were at a banquet at Valhalla when Loki, the demi-god of mischief who was not invited, turned up, bringing the total number of guests to 13. He was responsible for the chaos that led to the death of one of the good gods, Balder.
