Why is it said that when using a candle to light a cigarette a sailor is killed?

Question

I haven't asked an American yet, but several of my foreign friends have this "belief" in their home countries. I'm South American and we all know this myth. But when trying to come up with a decent answer none of us knew why we kill sailors and not, let's say, surfers... or anyone else for that matter. Poor sailors.

Answer 1

In searching around, I found it in numerous countries (though I've never heard of it in the States).

One explanation I found:
Apparently sailors often sold matches to supplement their incomes (or with smuggled tobacco, possibly!). Lighting a cigarette from a candle was denying them income from match sales.

Answer 2

I agree with mad john, it comes from the war times in the trenches at night, lighting a cig could get ya killed by the enemy seeing ure exact location.

Answer 3

I believe it comes from the first world war trenches.
at night it became unlucky to get the third light ( cigarette )from a match.
the first lighted cigarette, alerted an enemy sniper.
the second lighted cigarette, the sniper would aim.
on the third lighted cigarette, the sniper would fire. unlucky.

as for sailors, a light at sea, at night can been seen for miles, not good if you don't want to be seen.

Answer 4

Who the hell said that????