Johnson's father used to ask people to light a candle for him as a good-luck charm.

BBC: Championship chargers

Now a good-luck charm with cancer.

NEWYORKER: Lostronaut

Your chance of getting one of these places will depend on your importance, persistence, charm, and good luck.

ECONOMIST: Postcard from Faizabad

The third, however, launched in Lancaster, Pa. in 1886, turned out to be the charm, with good luck coming by way of a British importer who placed a huge order for M.

FORBES: Sugar Daddy