Q:

What is the correct term for "rubbing statues' parts for luck"?

What is the correct term for the habit or action of rubbing statues' parts (noses, fingers, feet etc.) for luck or other superstitious reasons? I mean a learned word, like 'philately' for 'collecting stamps'. I'm fairly certain there is such a term, but for the life of me I can't recall what it is, and my Google-fu proved unequal to the task.

A:

I would call it statue burnishing or statue rubbing. Roadside America has an article titled: Statue Burnishing Etiquette.
I don't think you'll find single word for this practice.

