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A LEGENDARY GAME
THERE WAS A PLAGUE IN ENGLAND AND THE GAME "RING AROUND THE ROSEY"
WAS REALLY A RASH WITH A RING AROUND IT, SO IT'S RING AROUND THE
ROSEY. IT USED TO SMELL, SO THEY KEPT POSIES IN THEIR POCKETS,
POCKET FULL OF POSIES. IT ALSO USED TO MAKE THEM SNEEZE, AND AFTER
THEY SNEEZED THEY WOULD FALL DEAD, SO IT ISN'T REALLY ASHES, ASHES,
THEY ALL FALL DOWN, BUT ACHOO, ACHOO, THEY ALL FALL DEAD.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM HER HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Medicine |
Date learned: 03-31-1967
SCOTT FOUNTAIN
THIS FOUNTAIN LOCATED ON BELLE ISLE WAS DONATED BY ONE OF
DETROIT'S MOST NOTORIOUS GAMBLERS AND PRACTICAL JOKERS, WHOSE
NAME THE FOUNTAIN BEARS. THE MONEY FOR THIS HISTORIC LANDMARK
WAS SUPPOSEDLY WON FROM THREE OF DETROIT'S MORE PROMINENT FIGURES
IN A GAME OF CHANCE. IT WAS THE OBJECTION OF THESE THREE THAT
DELAYED ITS CONSTRUCTION FOR SOME THIRTY YEARS. THE FOUNTAIN
NOW STANDS AS AN ETERNAL MOCKERY OF THESE NOBLE CITIZENS, WHO
SCOTT ONCE CUSSED BY SAYING HE WOULD GET THE LAST LAUGH.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Fountain Well Aqueduct |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
LADY
IN ANGLO-SAXON TIMES, THE PEOPLE WERE POOR, THE FAMILIES WERE VERY
LARGE, AND THE WORK LOAD WAS HEAVY, SO WHILE THE CHILDREN WERE
STILL IN THEIR PINAFORES, THEY WERE ALLOTTED VARIOUS CHORES. THE
BOYS, OF COURSE, WORKED IN THE FIELDS, PLOWING AND SEEDING AND
SEPARATING THE WHEAT FROM THE CHAFF, WHILE THE HOUSEWORK WAS LEFT
TO THE GIRLS. THEY WERE TAUGHT TO KNIT AND PURL. SOME DID THE
MILKING, OTHERS THE SPINNING, BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT TASK WAS LEFT
TO THE HOUSEWIFE HERSELF, THAT OF BAKING THE DAILY BREAD SO THAT
THE FAMILY COULD BE FED. SHE WAS CALLED THE BREAD KNEADER OR,
IN ANGLO-SAXON, THE LAE-DIGE. CENTURIES LATER, SHE WAS CALLED
"LADY."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; 1460 MEAD ; ROCHESTER
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Plant husbandry Farming PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name Food Drink -- Plant food Cereal BELIEF -- Home |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
KIBITZER
ANY CARD PLAYER WILL TELL YOU A KIBITZER IS THE LOWEST FORM OF
HUMANITY; HE'S CONTINUALLY PEEKING INTO YOUR HAND, SMIRKING AND
GIVING UNNECESSARY ADVICE. KIBITZERS AREN'T NICE. THE NAME
KIBITZER COMES FROM THE WORD KIBITZ, GERMAN FOR LAPWING OR PLOVER.
THIS CREATURE JABBERS INCESSANTLY, BUT CANNOT SING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; 1460 MEAD ; ROCHESTER
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Bird PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
SLEEPING BEAR DUNES
HOW THE SLEEPING BEAR DUNES (IN NORTHERN MICHIGAN) GOT THEIR
NAME: ONCE THERE WAS A GIANT BEAR AND HER TWO CUBS, AND THEY
HAD TO SWIM ACROSS LAKE MICHIGAN TO GET SOME FOOD BECAUSE THEY
WERE STARVING. THEY SWAM AND THEY SWAM, BUT IT WAS A LONG, LONG
WAY. SO ONE OF THE CUBS COULDN'T GO ANY FURTHER AND IT SANK TO
THE BOTTOM. BUT THE MAMA BEAR AND THE OTHER CUB KEPT ON SWIMMING.
FINALLY THE OTHER CUB TIRED AND SANK TO THE BOTTOM ALSO. WELL,
THE MAMA BEAR KEPT ON COMING AND SHE FINALLY MADE IT TO THE
MICHIGAN SHORE. SO SHE JUST LAID HERSELF DOWN TO WAIT FOR HER
CUBS. WELL, THE SAND CAME AND BLEW OVER HER AND SHE IS STILL
LIVING THERE TODAY, LOOKING OUT OVER THE LAKE FOR HER CUBS. AND
YOU CAN STILL SEE THOSE CUBS TODAY, ONLY THEY HAVE BEEN COVERED
BY LAND ALSO AND THEY NOW LOOK LIKE TWO ISLANDS. WHERE THAT
MOTHER BEAR LIES IS NOW CALLED THE SLEEPING BEAR SAND DUNES.
Data entry tech comment: THE TWO CUBS ARE SAID TO HAVE FORMED THE NORTH AND SOUTH
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Lansing ; 2819 TULANE DR ; 48917
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formation PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 11-01-1968
NAMING MUSKEGON
ONCE AN INDIAN BRAVE WAS PADDLING HIS CANOE ALONG THE SHORE OF LAKE
MICHIGAN. HE HAD LEANED HIS MUSKET AGAINST THE FRONT THWART SO
THAT IT WOULD BE HANDY IN CASE HE NEEDED IT. WELL, IT WAS A
PRETTY STORMY DAY AND THE WAVES WERE KICKING UP SOMETHING FIERCE.
FINALLY ONE WAVE TUMBLED OVER THE BOW OF THE CANOE AND ALMOST
CAPSIZED HIM. HE SAW HIS MUSKET BEING CARRIED OVER THE SIDE OF
THE CANOE AND HE LEAPED TO CATCH IT. WELL, HE LOST IT AND THEN
HE EXCLAIMED, "OH NO, MUSKIE-GONE!" AND FROM THAT DAY FORWARD
THAT PLACE HAS BEEN CALLED MUSKEGON.
Submitter comment:
THIS TALE, CONCERNING THE NAMING OF MUSKEGON, WAS PASSED DOWN TO
MY DAD FROM HIS FATHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Lansing ; 2819 TULANE DR ; 48912
Date learned: 11-01-1968
NOT GIVEN
ALEXANDRIA, GEORGIA, A VILLAGE OF 100 FAMILIES, WAS NAMED AFTER
ALEXANDER H. STEVENS, THE SECRETARY OF STATE UNDER JEFF DAVIS,
PRESIDENT OF THE CONFEDERACY. IT IS SITUATED BETWEEN SAVANNAH
AND ATLANTA. MR. WRIGHT ALSO SAYS THAT THERE WAS A BIG BATTLE
FOUGHT THERE.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
OFFICIAL REQUEST
THERE WAS ONCE A MAN AND A WOMAN WHO HAD TWELVE SONS, AND THE
THIRTEENTH WAS ON THE WAY. THE FIRST TWELVE HAD BEEN NAMED
AFTER THE APOSTLES AND THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THE NAME FOR THIS
ONE WOULD BE. BY THE TIME HE ARRIVED THEY HAD DECIDED TO NAME
HIM CHRIST--CHRIST MURPHY.
AFTER A FEW YEARS CHRIST MURPHY STARTED TO SCHOOL. ONE DAY
IN SECOND GRADE THE BISHOP WAS VISITING. HE SAID TO THE TEACHER,
"SISTER, I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR ONE OF YOUR PEOPLE SING. HOW ABOUT
THAT LITTLE BOY THERE," POINTING OUT LITTLE MURPHY.
"CHRIST MURPHY CAN'T SING," SHE PROTESTED.
"WELL, GODAMMIT, HE CAN TRY, CAN'T HE?"
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT HAS NO RECORD OF WHERE HE FIRST HEARD THE JOKE.
Where learned: VIRGINIA ; WOODSTOCK
| Subject headings: | 686 Specific number by specific number being described PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ordinary Tale CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Baptism Naming rite |
Date learned: 09-12-1967
LUMPY LUMPKIN STREET
A MAN WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET ONE NIGHT AND UNKNOWINGLY STRUCK DOWN A YOUNG GIRL.
THE GIRL, CAUGHT IN THE REAR FENDER, WAS DRAGGED ALONG FOR SOME DISTANCE; AND ALL THE
WHILE SHE BEAT ON THE FENDER, BUT THE DRIVER HEARD IT AND STOPPED TOO LATE--THE GIRL WAS DEAD.
NOW WHENEVER SOMEONE DRIVES ALONG THAT PARTICULAR STRETCH OF LUMPKIN STREET, HE HEARS A THUMPING
NOISE AT THE REAR OF HIS CAR. THE STREET HAS BEEN PATCHED AND EVEN REPAVED, BUT TO NO AVAIL.
THE THUMPING CONTINUES. THE STREET IS HAUNTED.
Submitter comment:
DETROIT'S LUMPKIN STREET IS SUPPOSEDLY HAUNTED NOW AS A RESULT OF
THE FOLLOWING INCIDENT:
INFORMANT DOESN'T RECALL WHERE HE HEARD THE LEGEND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): KNOCK-KNOCK STREET
Date learned: 10-23-1965
GREEN GROWS
DURING THE TEXAS-MEXICAN WAR AT MID-NINETEENTH CENTURY, AMERICAN
SOLDIERS SANG "GREEN GROWS THE LAUREL":
GREEN GROWS THE LARUEL, ALL SPARKLING WITH DEW,
I'M LONELY, MY DARLING, SINCE PARTING FROM YOU.
BUT BY THE NEXT MEETING I HOPE TO PROVE TRUE,
AND CHANGE THE GREEN LAUREL FOR THE RED, WHITE AND BLUE.
THE MEXICANS, SEIZING UPON THE FIRST WORDS OF THE SONG, CALLED
THE AMERICANS "GRINGOES," A NAME WHICH HAS STUCK TO AMERICANS
SOUTH OF THE BORDER TO THIS DAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535 SPEECH -- Vocabulary of Special Group |
Date learned: 09-17-1965
FORD'S CURVE; DEAD MAN'S CURVE
ON LAKESHORE ROAD, BETWEEN 8 AND 9 MILE ROADS IN GROSSE POINTE
SHORES, MICHIGAN, THERE IS A CURVE IN THE ROAD KNOWN AS "FORD'S
CURVE." THERE HAVE BEEN REPORTED MANY ACCIDENTS FROM KIDS
DRAG RACING ON THIS STREET. BRIAN, AT 19, RECEIVED A 1966
CORVETTE STING RAY FOR HIS BIRTHDAY. ONE DAY, DRIVING DOWN
LAKESHORE, ANOTHER CORVETTE APPROACHED HIM; THEY DECIDED TO
"DRAG." THE BOY IN THE OTHER CAR DIDN'T MAKE IT AFTER REACHING
THE CURVE--HE DIED 3 HOURS LATER. BRIAN ALSO ENDED UP IN
CRITICAL CONDITION FOR SEVERAL WEEKS. AFTER THIS FATAL ACCIDENT
THE CURVE WAS NAMED "DEAD MAN'S CURVE."
Where learned: GROSSE POINTE WOODS ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Vehicle propelled by mechanical or other force on land |
Date learned: 00-00-1966
HOW THE HUNGARIAN SCISSORBILL BIRD RECEIVED ITS NAME
THIS BIRD RECEIVED ITS NAME BECAUSE OF THE FACT THAT, WHEN CHRIST
WAS CRUCIFIED, THIS BIRD WAS ALLEGED TO HAVE TRIED TO PULL THE
NAILS OUT AND THUS RECEIVED ITS TWISTED BILL.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED FROM HER GRANDMOTHER.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Bird PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
LEGEND OF A NAME
IT IS TOLD THAT ABOUT FIFTY YEARS AGO THERE WAS A DETROIT STREETS
AND RAILWAYS BUS STOP ON GRAND RIVER PAST FARMINGTONN THAT WAS
KNOWN AS NO. VI. IT OFTEN WAS REFERRED TO AS NOVI, SO WHEN A
CITY WAS ESTABLISHED THERE IT TOOK ON THE NAME OF THIS DEPOT,
THAT IS, NOVI, MICHIGAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
INDIAN LEGEND: ARIZONA
TWO INDIAN TRIBES WERE INVOLVED IN A BATTLE, ONE TRIBE WAS APACHE.
THE APACHES WERE TRAPPED ON A CLIFF, AND RATHER THAN SURRENDER,
THEY LEAPED TO THEIR DEATH. LATER THE FEMALE MEMBERS CAME TO
MOURN THEIR DEAD. THE TEARS OF THE WOMEN TURNED INTO A BLACK
GLASS-LIKE STONE WHICH IS NOW CALLED APACHE TEARS. THE ROCK
LOOKS LIKE IT CONTAINS A TEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WAYNE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Metal Stone Bone Precious stone Gem BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 01-00-1970
THE ANNEY OAKLEY
THE SILVER DOLLAR IS CALLED AN "ANNEY OAKLEY" BECAUSE SHE WAS
ABLE TO SHOOT THEM OUT OF THE AIR AFTER SOMEONE TOSSED IT UP.
Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM HIS FATHER.
Where learned: OHIO ; WASHINGTON COURT HOUSE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name BELIEF -- Measure of quality Medium of exchange |
Date learned: 12-04-1967
DEAD MAN'S HILL
THERE IS A HILL FIVE MILES OUTSIDE OF ELMIRA, MICHIGAN WHICH IS
REFERRED TO BY LOCAL INHABITANTS AS "DEAD MAN'S HILL" BECAUSE
SOME TIME DURING THE LOGGING DAYS OF THE TURN OF THE CENTURY
THERE WAS A TRAGIC ACCIDENT INVOLVING SEVERAL DEATHS.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT LEARNED THE TALE OF THE HILL IN 1960 WHEN HE AND HIS
HIS FAMILY MOVED TO GAYLORD, MICHIGAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Gaylord
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 00-00-1960
THE LEGEND OF PRIEST'S LEAP
AN IRISH PRIEST WAS SAYING MASS IN THE HOMES OF THE PEOPLE LIVING
ON TOP OF A MOUNTAIN IN COUNTY KERRY. THE BRITISH FOUND OUT ABOUT
THIS AND CAME AFTER THE PRIEST. THEY CHASED THE PRIEST FOR A
WHILE AND HAD HIM CORNERED, ABOUT TO BE CAPTURED. THE PRIEST,
BEING ON TOP OF THIS MOUNTAIN, HAD NO WHERE TO GO. SO HE GAVE
HIS HORSE A SWIFT KICK AND HE LEAPED FROM THE MOUNTAIN, OVER
BANTRY BAY, AND LANDED TWENTY MILES AWAY IN COUNTY CORK. IF YOU
GO DOWN THE ROAD, 1/4 OF A MILE OUT OF THE CITY OF BANTRY, YOU
WILL STILL SEE A ROCK ALONG THE SIDE WITH THE HOOF PRINTS OF THE
HORSE AND THE SIGN OF THE WHIP THAT ARE STILL THERE TODAY.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT SAW THE HOOF PRINTS AND THE SIGN OF THE WHIP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Curse |
Date learned: 11-18-1970
THE LEGEND OF KILMACMOGUE
IN THE 11TH CENTURY THERE WAS A VERY PROSPEROUS AND BEAUTIFUL
CHURCH IN COUNTY CORK. BUT DURING THE REVOLUTION, WHEN THE
IRISH CATHOLICS WERE BEING PERSECUTED, THE CHURCH WAS DESTROYED.
AFTER THE END OF THE REVOLUTION, THERE WAS A MAN WHO HAD A WIFE
AND FOUR SONS, BUT COULD NOT AFFORD TO RAISE THE CHILDREN. SO
HE TOOK THEM TO THE RIVER BANKS AND PREPARED TO DROWND THEM IN
THE OVANE RIVER. A PRIEST SAW WHAT THE MAN WAS PLANNING TO DO
AND HE TOOK THE BOYS AND RAISED THEM. WHEN THE BOYS GREW UP
THEY ALL BECAME PRIESTS AND THEY REBUILT THE 11TH CENTURY CHURCH.
THUS THE CHURCH IS NAMED KILMACMOQUE, MEANING CHURCH OF THE
YOUNG SON.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; 19479 WOODBINE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious |
Date learned: 11-18-1970
MILWAUKEE'S ORIGIN
THERE WAS A MILL AND IN THE MILL THERE WAS A WALK AND ON THE WALK
THERE WAS A KEY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 03-00-1968
BEAR-MAN LEGEND
THIS STORY CONCERNS THE NAMING OF A NEARBY CHEBOYGAN LAKE WHICH
IS NOW KNOWN AS DEVEREAUX LAKE. THE NAME IS A FAMILY NAME
BELONGING TO MANY NATIVES OF NORTHERN MICHIGAN, ESPECIALLY IN THE
CHEBOYGAN VICINITY. ALTHOUGH IT IS NOT CERTAIN WHICH FAMILY IS
THE GENUINE DESCENDANT OF "OLD MAN DEVEREAUX," NUMEROUS PERSONS
CLAIM HIM AS THEIR ANCESTOR.
THIS SOUGHT AFTER PERSONAGE LIVED APPROXIMATELY SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS
AGO. TOWARDS THE END OF AN APPARENTLY LONG LIFE, HE LIVED ALONE
AND HAD THE FUNNY HABIT OF CARRYING AROUND WITH HIM AN UNLOADED
MUSKET. ONE DAY WHILE HE WAS PICKING BERRIES NEAR A LAKE, HE WAS
CONFRONTED BY A LARGE BEAR. IT IS NOT QUITE CLEAR WHAT ENSUED
(VERSIONS VARY), BUT THERE DID TAKE PLACE A TREMENDOUS HAND-TO-
HAND STRUGGLE, LASTING FOR A LONG TIME (ALSO VARIES). EVENTUALLY,
BOTH WORN OUT AND DEATHLY EXHAUSTED, THE OLD MAN LAY DOWN NEAR
THE WATER WHILE THE BEAR RETREATED TO A NEARBY KNOLL. THERE, IN
THEIR RESPECTIVE PLACES, THEY WENT TO MEET THEIR MAKER. AND SO
THEY NAMED THE BODY OF WATER AFTER THE OLD GENTLEMAN, DEVEREAUX
LAKE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CHEBOYGAN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name PROSE NARRATIVE -- Man BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 07-22-1964