It’s the number of wonders in the world; for many, it’s the number of perfection, security, safety and rest. It’s the number of colors in a rainbow and of days in a week; of notes in a scale, and of dwarfs in Snow White’s entourage.

Here, on Glosso’s seventh birthday, are seven phrases or proverbs that include the word seven — plus one for luck.

• Seven-day wonder: A person or thing that generates interest for only a short amount of time.
• At sixes and  sevens: Frazzled or disorganized. Probably originated from a dice game in which rolling a six or seven was unfavorable.
• Seven-year itch: A supposed tendency to infidelity after seven years of marriage.
• In seventh heaven: In a state of ecstasy.
• Seven-league boots:  The ability to travel very fast on foot. This phrase comes from the fairy-tale Hop o’ My Thumb (or Little Thumbling), in which magic boots enable the wearer to travel seven leagues in each stride.
• “Keep a thing seven years and you’ll (always) find a use for it“
• “You should know a man seven years before you stir his fire“

And the last one for luck:

Twenty-four seven: All day every day …

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