Why are you not supposed to cut basil?

[finknottle]

Thinking about the pesto thread, I have always wondered why you are meant to tear basil and not cut it. Have seen an occasional reference to it being a superstition. Anyone know why?

Think it bruises the leaves or something. Makes them brown.

Lol, very down to earth. There was me imagining something to do with druids and mysteries of the moon