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DROP AN OBJECT SUPERSTITION
IF YOU DROP AN OBJECT THAT PREVIOUSLY WAS IN YOUR HANDS, THIS MEANS
SOMEONE IS TALKING ABOUT YOU.
Submitter comment:
HEARD FROM MOTHER, SHE HEARD FROM HER MOTHER AND ON DOWN THE FAMILY
TREE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 12-00-1982
A RINGING IN THE EARS MEANS SOMEONE YOU KNOW IS SICK.
A RINGING IN THE EARS MEANS SOMEONE HAS DIED.
IF THE SECOND TOE OF A WOMAN IS LONGER THAN HER LARGE TOE,
SHE WILL HENPECK HER HUSBAND.
Where learned: OHIO ; CONTINENTAL
Date learned: 00001909-00001919 CHILDHOOD, 00001922-00001929, TEEN AGE YEARS
HAIR-CUTTING BELIEF
IF YOU CUT YOUR HAIR WHEN THE MOON IS FULL IT WILL GROW BACK
THICKER.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT DOES NOT BELIEVE THIS TO BE TRUE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CLINTON TOWNSHIP
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hair, on head, mustache, widow's peak BELIEF -- Moon BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 11-00-1982
DIVINATION OF SEX BELIEF
THE INFORMANT'S GRANDFATHER BELIEVED THAT WHEN SOME WOMAN
HE KNEW WAS PREGNANT HE COULD LOOK AT THE MOON AND GET A
FEELING WHETHER THE CHILD WOULD BE A BOY OR A GIRL.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT'S GRANDFATHER TENDED TO DISREGARD ANY INCORRECT
PREDICTIONS REGARDING THIS PRACTICE OF HIS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CLINTON TOWNSHIP
James Callow Keyword(s): SEX
| Subject headings: | Prophet / Seer / Soothsayer Spirit / Mind / Body Observation BELIEF -- Moon BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 11-00-1982
DREAM BELIEF
IF YOU DREAM OF TEETH, SOMEONE CLOSE TO YOU WILL EITHER DIE,
BECOME ILL, OR BECOME INJURED VERY SOON. MY MOTHER TOLD
ME THAT SHE HEARD THIS FROM HER MOTHER IN DUQUESNE,
PENNSYLVANIA AROUND 1945. SHE SAYS THAT HER MOTHER
BELIEVED IT TO BE TRUE BECAUSE SHE HAD ONCE DREAMED OF TEETH
JUST BEFORE A FRIEND'S HUSBAND DIED.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT'S MOTHER'S NAME IS MARY MORSILLO GINGERICH,
BORN OCTOBER 3, 1937, FARRELL, PENNSYLVANIA. THE
GRANDMOTHER'S NAME IS ELIZABETH DORULLA MARTIN AND IS OF
SLOVAKIAN DESCENT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Dreams Foretelling a death |
Date learned: 09-00-1982
HAIR CUTTING BELIEF
HAVING YOUR HAIR CUT ON GOOD FRIDAY WILL BRING GOOD LUCK
FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR. MY GRANDMOTHER TOLD THIS TO MY
MOTHER IN DUQUESNE, PENNSYLVANIA AROUND 1945. MY MOTHER
THINKS THAT MY GRANDMOTHER BELIEVED IT TO BE TRUE BUT
DOESN'T RECALL ANYONE ACTUALLY HAVING THEIR HAIR CUT ON
GOOD FRIDAY IN ORDER TO BRING GOOD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
THE GRANDMOTHER, ELIZABETH DORULLA MARTIN IS OF SLOVAKIAN
DESCENT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
Date learned: 09-00-1982
SERBIAN CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
THE SERBIAN COMMUNITY OF DUQUESNE, PENNSYLVANIA OBSERVED
THE RUSSIAN ORTHODOX 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS BY SPREADING
STRAW ON THE FLOOR, THE KITCHEN TABLE, AND THROUGHOUT THE
KITCHEN TO REPRESENT JESUS' MANGER. A BURNING CANDLE WAS
PLACED ON THE TABLE AND IT WAS CONSIDERED BAD LUCK FOR THE
ENTIRE YEAR IF THE CANDLE WENT OUT. MY MOTHER WITNESSED
THE PRACTICE IN DUQUESNE, PENNSYLVANIA AROUND 1947.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT'S MOTHER'S NAME IS MARY MORSILLO GINGERICH,
BORN OCTOBER 3, 1937, FARRELL, PENNSYLVANIA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
Date learned: 09-00-1982
RURAL BLACK BAD LUCK OMEN
IF YOU STUB YOUR TOE, YOU MUST IMMEDIATELY SPIN AROUND
THREE TIMES IN SUCCESSION. IF YOU DO NOT, YOU WILL HAVE
BAD LUCK. WE ACTUALLY DID BELIEVE THIS AS CHILDREN AND WE
SELDOM FAILED TO SPIN AROUND WHEN THE SITUATION CALLED FOR
IT. OF COURSE, ONCE WE BECAME A BIT OLDER, IN HIGH
SCHOOL, WE NO LONGER BOTHERED WITH THIS SORT OF THING. IT
WAS STRICTLY FOR KIDS.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT SPENT HIS CHILDHOOD IN A RURAL BLACK PORTION
OF LOUISVILLE, MISSISSIPPI DURING THE 1930'S. THE FAMILY
MOVED TO DETROIT DURING WORLD WAR II AND HAS LIVED IN
DETROIT SINCE THAT TIME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 09-00-1982
RURAL BLACK BAD LUCK OMEN
BLACK CHILDREN IN LOUISVILLE, MISSISSIPPI THOUGHT THAT
STEPPING ON SOMEONE'S HEEL WOULD BRING THAT PERSON BAD LUCK.
THE BAD LUCK COULD ONLY BE REMOVED BY STRIKING THE VICTIM
ON THE BACK THREE TIMES. NOW IT HAD TO BE THE SAME PERSON
WHO HAD STEPPED ON HIS HEEL TO BEGIN WITH. SOMETIMES WE
WOULD MAKE A GAME OF IT BY REFUSING TO STRIKE THE VICTIM'S
BACK. NATURALLY, A CHASE WOULD DEVELOP, USUALLY ENDING
ONLY AFTER THE VICTIM HAD THE CURSE REMOVED. WE DIDN'T
REALLY BELIEVE IN BAD LUCK, EVEN AS KIDS, BUT WE LIKED TO
MAKE A GAME OF IT. FREQUENTLY, WE WOULD STEP ON A BUDDY'S
HEEL AND REFUSE TO REMOVE THE CURSE JUST FOR THE FUN OF THE
CHASE, OR THE WRESTLING MATCH, OR THE MOCK-FIGHT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple Observation Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Racing Chasing Fighting BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Bad luck Gestures |
Date learned: 09-00-1982
DREAM BELIEF
A CO-WORKER TOLD ME, AROUND 1956, THAT IF YOU DREAM OF
FISH, SOMEONE IN YOUR FAMILY, OR SOMEONE CLOSE TO YOU IS
GOING TO HAVE A BABY. MY FRIEND, TOMMIE PEGEUSE, SWORE
THAT IT WAS TRUE AND REFUSED TO BELIEVE ANY ARGUMENTS
TO THE CONTRARY. SHE CLAIMED THAT SHE DREAMED OF FISH
SO SELDOM THAT WHEN SHE DID IT JUST NATURALLY STUCK
IN HER MIND, AND THEN SURE ENOUGH, SHE WOULD SOON HEAR
ABOUT A FRIEND'S OR RELATIVE'S PREGNANCY.
Submitter comment:
IN 1956, THE INFORMANT WAS EMPLOYED BY THE ATLANTIC AND
PACIFIC TEA COMPANY (A&P).
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 09-00-1982
FEAST OF ST. GEORGE-APRIL 23 BYZANTINE RITE
THE USUAL PICTURE OF ST. GEORGE HAS HIM PICTURED ON A
HORSE, WITH A SPEAR IN HIS HAND. HE IS KILLING A DRAGON
WHICH IS SYMBOLIC OF PAGANISM. THE DEW OF THE FEAST DAY
IS CONSIDERED MIRACULOUS AND IF GATHERED BEFORE SUNRISE,
IT SHOULD HEAL ANY DISEASE OF THE EYES. ANOTHER COMMON
EVENT FOR THE DAY IS A PROCESSION AROUND THE FIELD WITH
RELIGIOUS SERVICES. THE PRAYERS ARE PETITIONS FOR A GOOD
HARVEST. ALSO ON THIS DAY, YOUNG GIRLS TRY TO PREDICT THEIR
MARRIAGE DATE. THEY ASK THE CUCKOO HOW LONG BEFORE THEY WILL
MARRY. IF THE CUCKOO STOPS COOING AT THE END OF THE QUESTION
SHE WILL MARRY BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR. IF IT BEGINS
COOING, THE NUMBER OF TIMES IT SINGS WILL BE THE NUMBER OF
YEARS BEFORE HER MARRIAGE.
Submitter comment:
SOME OF THESE CUSTOMS ARE BEGINNING TO DIMINISH IN THE
UNITED STATES.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; ROCHESTER
Keyword(s): ANIMALS
| Subject headings: | Observation Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- April 23 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Typical Elements of a Festive Pattern BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Measure of time Year BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour BELIEF -- Prayer BELIEF -- Number Counting beliefs BELIEF -- Remedy BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 00001950S
DAYS OF THE WEEK
VARIOUS BELIEFS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH THE DAYS OF THE WEEK.
MONDAY IS CONSIDERED A WORK DAY. THEREFORE, IF NEW YEAR'S
DAY FALLS ON A MONDAY, THE ENTIRE YEAR WILL BE HARD.
TUESDAY IS CONSIDERED A HAPPY DAY. WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY
ARE FAST DAYS COMMEMORATING GOOD FRIDAY AND THE WEDNESDAYS
OF LENT. THURSDAY IS ASSOCIATED WITH GOOD LUCK AND IS THE
DAY ASSOCIATED WITH MATCHMAKING. IF YOU ARE BORN ON THIS
DAY YOU WILL BE RICH. SATURDAY IS A DAY OF REMEMBRANCE OF
THE DEAD.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; ROCHESTER
Keyword(s): SUPERSTITION
Date learned: 00001950S
LEBANESE BELIEF
IF A WOMAN'S FIRST-BORN CHILD LOOKS LIKE HER HUSBAND, IT MEANS
THE WIFE LOVES HER HUSBAND MORE THAN HERSELF.
Submitter comment:
MY MOM OBTAINED THIS BELIEF IN FADJUNA, LEBANON AND TOLD IT TO ME
IN SOUTHFIELD, MICHIGAN
Where learned: LEBANON ; FADJUNA
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. Observation BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 00001950S
LEBANESE BELIEF
WHEN A LEBANESE COUPLE IN LEBANON GET MARRIED, THE BRIDE IS GIVEN
A HUNK OF RAISED DOUGH SO THAT SHE MAY STICK IT ON THE DOORWAY,
AS SHE IS CARRIED OVER THE THRESHOLD.
IF THE DOUGH STICKS THE LEBANESE PEOPLE BELIEVE THAT THE COUPLE
WILL HAVE MANY CHILDREN.
Submitter comment: SOME LEBANESE-AMERICANS STILL PRACTICE THIS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | Observation Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 00001960S
THE NUMBER OF RIBBONS A GIRL BREAKS AT HER WEDDING SHOWER IS THE
NUMBER OF CHILDREN SHE AND HER HUSBAND WILL HAVE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Marriage Breaking of BELIEF -- Number Counting beliefs |
Date learned: 00001970S
SEX OF UNBORN CHILD BELIEF
IF A PREGNANT WOMAN IS ONLY BIG IN THE FRONT, THE BABY WILL BE A
GIRL. IF THE WOMAN IS BIG ALL THE WAY AROUND, THE BABY WILL BE A
BOY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 09-28-1982
WEDDING BELIEF
IT IS BAD LUCK FOR A GIRL TO CATCH 3 BOUQUETS AT WEDDINGS. THIS
MEANS SHE WILL NEVER GET MARRIED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple Observation CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Bouquet CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Bouquet toss BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.545 BELIEF -- Bad luck Plants BELIEF -- Bad luck Numbers |
Date learned: 11-00-1982
THE GIRL WHO CATCHES THE BRIDAL BOUQUET IS THE NEXT ONE TO GET
MARRIED OF ALL THE GIRLS AT THE WEDDING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Bouquet CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Bouquet toss |
Date learned: 00001970S
NEVER HAVE DIRTY CLOTHES ON NEW YEARS DAY OR YOU WILL HAVE THEM
ALL YEAR LONG.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's |
Date learned: 00001950S
ALWAYS HAVE MONEY IN YOUR POCKET ON NEW YEARS DAY AND YOU WILL
ALL DURING THE YEAR.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's BELIEF -- Measure of time Year BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth |
Date learned: 00001950S