Instances of the magical use of English are presented with commentary from material in I. Opie & P. Opie's The Lore and Language of Schoolchildren (1959) & I. Opie & M. Tatem's A Dictionary of Superstitions (1989). A glimpse of a particular object is the occasion for the recitation of many of the 18 cited spells & verbal charms, which are intended to bring luck or repel harm; three divination spells with accompanying ritual acts are suggested to be akin to performative utterances. A multiplicity of taboo words among sailors & fisherman include terms denoting animals & elements of religion, which must be replaced by euphemisms; magical aspects of naming & constraints on the timing of magical utterances are also discussed