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James T. Callow Computerized Folklore Archive
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SAYING

LAND'S SO RICH THAT WHEN YOU PLANT CORN, YOU HAVE TO JUMP BACK SO IT
WON'T HIT YOU IN THE EYE.

Submitter comment: I HEARD MY 5TH COUSIN SAY THIS ABOUT FIVE YEARS AGO. IT WAS IN THE
SAN JOAQUIN DELTAS OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA. HE WAS DESCRIBING A
MUDFLAT THAT HE HAD LEASED.

Where learned: CALIFORNIA ; SAN JOAQUIN DELTA

Keyword(s): AGRICULTURE ; FERTILITY ; HYPERBOLE ; LAND

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Plant
PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison

Date learned: 10-08-1968

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JUMP-ROPE RHYME

CINDERELLA
DRESSED IN YELLA
WENT DOWNTOWN
TO MEET A FELLA
HOW MANY FELLAS DID SHE MEET? MM
COUNT BY TENS AS YOU JUMP. THE ROPE IS TURNED FASTER AND FASTER.

Submitter comment: EVERYBODY KNOWS THIS JUMP-ROPE RHYME. IT'S AS COMMON AS ANTS
AT A PICNIC.
THIS IS STILL RECITED IN 1980.

Where learned: DETROIT

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse
PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison

Date learned: CA00001930 ; 01-13-1980

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CONTRAST PROVERB

"YOU HAVE AS MUCH CHANCE AS A SNOWBALL IN HELL."

Submitter comment: THIS IS A WELLERISM, IT IS EASY TO IDENTIFY BUT HARD
TO IMAGINE. SINCE HELL IS KNOWN TO BE A HOT PLACE, A
COLD ITEM SUCH AS A SNOWBALL WOULD MELT QUICKLY. THIS
PROVERB IS USED WHEN A TASK THAT SEEMS IMPOSSIBLE IS
ABOUT TO BE PREFORMED. FOR EXAMPLE, THE PHRASE COULD
BE USED WHEN SOMEONE IS TRYING TO PASS AN EXAM WITHOUT
STUDYING FOR IT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison

Date learned: CA00001977

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GUY WHO HATES HIS JOB

I HATE THIS WORSE THAN A RACOON HATES AN AXE HANDLE.

Submitter comment: ARKANSAS ORIGIN?

Where learned: HOME ; NOT RECORDED

Keyword(s): DISSATISFACTION WITH AN UNPLEASANT JOB

James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMALS

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison

Date learned: 10-01-1968

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THREATENING METAPHOR

I'LL GET ON YOU LIKE STINK OFF A SKUNK.

Where learned: TELEVISION SERIES ; GUNSMOKE

Keyword(s): THREAT

James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMAL ODOR

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison

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I LOOK LIKE "THE WRECK OF THE HESPERS."

Submitter comment: MY MOTHER USES THIS PHRASE TO DESCRIBE HERSELF OR ANY OTHER WOMAN
WHO IS REALLY A MESS, OFTEN, SHE SAYS THIS ON SATURDAY MORNINGS
BEFORE GETTING HER HAIR DONE.

Data entry tech comment: SPELLING ERROR*** HESPERUS***

Where learned: NOT RECORDED ; SAID AT MY HOME

Keyword(s): APPEARANCE

James Callow Keyword(s): LONGFELLOW

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison

Date learned: 03-31-1971

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PASTIME

WHENEVER DANDELIONS WERE IN SEASON, THE CHILDREN IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD
WOULD PINCH UNDER THE TOP OF THE FLOWER, CAUSING IT TO BREAK OFF THE
STEM. THE FLOWER WOULD THEN FLY THROUGH THE AIR. AT THE SAME
TIME, THE FOLLOWING WAS CHANTED: MM
MAMA HAD A BABY
AND ITS HEAD POPPED OFF.

Submitter comment: THE COLLECTOR FIRST HEARD OF THIS DANDELION PASTIME AS A CHILD IN
TAYLOR, MICH. IN 1970 AND CONTINUED PLAYING IT UPON MOVING TO
SOUTHGATE, MICH. AN ANALOGY IS MADE BETWEEN A MOTHER'S BABY AND
A DANDELION FLOWER. WHEN PLAYED AS DESCRIBED, NO COMPETITION IS
INVOLVED. HOWEVER, WITH TWO OR MORE CHILDREN, THE ELEMENT OF
DISTANCE IS PRESENT AND THE WINNER IS THE ONE WHO POPS THE FLOWER
THE FARTHEST. THIS IS SIMILAR TO THE BEHEADING OF A FLOWER AS
IT RELATES AS A SYMBOL OF A BABY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; USA ; SOUTHGATE

James Callow Keyword(s): BEHEADING OF FLOWER (BABY)

Subject headings: Favorites
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse
BELIEF -- Plant
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison

Date learned: 00-00-1970

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IRONY

COLDER THAN A SNOWBALL IN A WARM REGION.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison

Date learned: 00-00-1935

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EXPRESSION

NUTTIER THAN A FRUITCAKE. THIS IS USED WHEN REFERRING TO
SOMEBODY WHO DOES SOMETHING CRAZY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison

Date learned: 00-00-1920

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RETORT

QUICK AS A FLASH

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison

Date learned: 09-20-1967

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UGLY AS HOMEMADE SIN.

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; JONESBORO

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison

Date learned: NONE GIVEN

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UGLY AS A HOMEMADE FENCE.

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; JONESBORO

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison

Date learned: NONE GIVEN

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SAYING

USELESS AS TITS ON A BOAR HOG.

Where learned: NOT GIVEN

Keyword(s): ANIMALS

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison

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PROVERBIAL PHRASE

SILK PURSE,SOW,S EAR

Submitter comment: THIS ONE WAS PRETTY DEEP, BUT MY INFORMANT SAID THIS WAS
A SIMPLE CASE OF EXPRESSING EXTREME CONTRAST. MAKES SENSE.

Where learned: HOME ; DETROIT

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison

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TALKING TO YOU IS LIKE TRYING TO KEEP WATER ON A DUCK,S BACK.

Submitter comment: APPARENTLY THERE IS A BIG COMMUNICATION GAP.

Where learned: HOME ; DETROIT

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison

Date learned: 10-17-1981

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A HARD HEAD MAKES A SOFT BEHIND.

Where learned: HOME ; DETROIT

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison

Date learned: 10-17-1981

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PROVERBIAL PHRASE

LIVE BY THE SWORD, DIE BY THE SWORD

Submitter comment: VIOLENCE BEGETS VIOLENCE

Where learned: HOME ; DETROIT

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison

Date learned: 10-17-1981

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PROVERB

YOU LOOK LIKE THE WRECK OF THE HESPERLUS.

Submitter comment: COMMENT ON A PERSONS LOOKS, USED AS A PUTDOWN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LINCOLN PARK

James Callow Keyword(s): HESPERLUS

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison

Date learned: 09-00-1981

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WEATHER PREDICTION

IF THERE IS ENOUGH BLUE IN THE SKY TO MAKE AN OLD MAN A SHIRT, IT
WON'T RAIN

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GRAND LEDGE

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew
PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison

Date learned: 00-00-1930

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THE EYES ARE MUCH REVERED IN LEBANESE CULTURE. PEOPLE OFTEN SWEAR
ON THEIR MOTHER'S EYES, THEIR BABY'S EYES, ETC., TO CONVINCE
PEOPLE THAT THEY ARE TELLING THE TRUTH. MM
LEBANESE PEOPLE ALSO REFER TO THE EYES WHEN PROFESSING GREAT LOVE.
"I LOVE YOU MORE THAN MY EYES," IS A COMMONLY HEARD EXPRESSION.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

James Callow Keyword(s): ASSERVATIONS

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Body part Senses Eyes, evil eye
SPEECH -- Formula
PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison

Date learned: 00001950S

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