Take a banana on a boat, and you'll likely be branded a landlubber. You see, bringing a banana aboard is considered by many boaters — particularly fishermen — as bad luck. There are several theories about the origins of this superstition, which is one among many myths propagated by mariners worldwide.
One theory dating back to the 18th century purports that when trade ships would sink while sailing from the Caribbean laden with this yellow fruit, bananas were found amongst the floating detritus (the heavier cargo having sunk to the sea bottom, while bananas float). Thus omen-fearing seafarers concocted a correlation between the lost vessels and the presence of bananas aboard. Bananas are also blamed for unsuccessful fishing days.
The origin for this belief may be rooted in the fact that bananas ripen quickly. Those ships heading out from tropical climes needed to sail fast to get to their destinations before the fruit spoiled. It is said that the speed of these banana-carrying ships made it impossible for trolling fishermen to haul in a catch.
More banana boating myths and possible origins Due to the science behind why some fruits ripen after picking and some don't , bananas possess special ripening powers. This is because of a gaseous hormone, ethylene, that ripening bananas emit. For this reason, a banana can be one fruity ingredient that helps to ripen avocados quickly — simply place a banana in a bag with an unripe avocado, and you can make guacamole in a day or two.
