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IF A CAT WASHES HIS FACE IN FRONT OF A CROWD, THE FIRST
PERSON HE LOOKS AT WILL BE MARRIED.

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE

Subject headings: 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually.
Observation
BELIEF -- Mammal
BELIEF -- Marriage

Date learned: 06-26-1973

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WHEN A GIRL ACCIDENTALLY STEPS ON A CAT'S TAIL, SHE WILL
BE MARRIED WITHIN A YEAR.

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE

Subject headings: Observation
BELIEF -- Mammal
BELIEF -- Marriage
BELIEF -- Measure of time Year

Date learned: 06-26-1973

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A SKUNK IS A SIGN OF A NEW COURTSHIP.

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE

Subject headings: 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually.
BELIEF -- Mammal
BELIEF -- Marriage

Date learned: 07-01-1973

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TEETHING

IF A PERSON HAS ASTHMA, IF HE SLEEPS WITH A CHIHUAHUA IT
WILL CURE HIM.

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE

James Callow Keyword(s): DOG

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Mammal
BELIEF -- Animal

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BELIEF

CATS WILL TAKE A BABY'S BREATH WHICH MEANS CATS WILL SUPPOSEDLY
JUMP ON BABIES AND SUFFOCATE THEM.

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Mammal

Date learned: 08-10-1973

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HOWLING DOGS

HOWLING DOGS NEAR A SICK PERSON MEANS DEATH.

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; COLUMBIA

Subject headings: Observation
BELIEF -- Mammal
BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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FOLK BELIEF (PREDICTION)

IF A GROUNDHOG SEES HIS SHADOW ON GROUNDHOG DAY, THERE WILL BE SIX
MORE WEEKS OF WINTER.

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; COLUMBIA

Subject headings: 686 Sixths / Six
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- February 2 Candlemas Groundhog Day
BELIEF -- Mammal
BELIEF -- Weather sign or control
BELIEF -- Maturity P544.5
BELIEF -- Measure of time Winter

Date learned: 06-30-1972

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BELIEF

WHEN THE FOOD IS BAD IN THE CAFETERIA, THE CAMPUS SQUIRRELS WILL
DISAPPEAR MORE RAPIDLY THAN USUAL.

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Mammal
BELIEF -- School

Date learned: 00-00-1967

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PREDICTION OF DEATH

THE HOWLING OF A DOG MEANT DEATH IN THE FAMILY. FOR EXAMPLE, A MAN
IN COOKVILLE CLAIMED HIS DOG STARTED HOWLING AT THE SAME HOUR HIS
GRANDSON DROWNED IN OLD HICKORY LAKE IN NASHVILLE.

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; CENTERVILLE

Subject headings: Observation
BELIEF -- Mammal
BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial

Date learned: 07-19-1968

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PREDICTION: GOOD LUCK SIGN

IF YOU CARRY A RABBIT'S FOOT WITH YOU, IT WILL BRING YOU GOOD LUCK.

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; GREENEVILLE

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Mammal
BELIEF -- Good luck Animals

Date learned: 02-12-1969

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IF YOU WILL GO WATCH THE COWS ON DECEMBER 31, AT MIDNIGHT,
THEY WILL PRAY.

Where learned: TENNESSEE, ASSUMED ; PRIMM SPRINGS

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve
BELIEF -- Mammal

Date learned: 07-18-1968

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TALE

A BOY AND HIS SISTER ARE WALKING THROUGH A FOREST AND THEY CAME TO
A STREAM. THE BOY BENDS OVER TO TAKE A DRINK BUT THE GIRL TELLS
HIM NOT TO BECAUSE IT'S ENCHANTED. HE DIDN'T LISTEN TO HER AND HE
TURNED INTO A DEER. SHE TOOK A LITTLE BELL AND PUT IT AROUND HIS
NECK AND THEY WENT TO LIVE IN A COTTAGE BY THE EDGE OF THE FOREST.
FOR A LONG TIME EVERYBODY TRIES TO KILL THE DEER BECAUSE IT IS
SUCH A BEAUTY. ONE DAY THE OLD KING DIED AND HIS YOUNG SON BECAME
KING. HE DECIDED HE WAS GOING TO CAPTURE THE DEER AND HAVE HIM
FOR A BANQUET. SO HE SENT OUT SPIES TO FIND OUT WHERE IT WAS THAT
THE DEER ALWAYS DISAPPEARED TO. THE SPIES SAID THAT THE DEER
ALWAYS WENT INTO A COTTAGE BY THE EDGE OF THE FOREST.
ONE DAY THE GIRL HAD GONE OUT TO GET SOME FOOD. WHEN SHE CAME
BACK SHE SAW THAT THERE HAD BEEN A STRUGGLE IN THE COTTAGE AND THE
LITTLE BELL WAS LYING ON THE FLOOR. SHE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO
BUT A BIRD TOLD HER THAT THE DEER HAD BEEN TAKEN TO THE CASTLE FOR
A BANQUET. SHE HURRIED TO THE KING, FORCED HER WAY PAST ALL THE
GUARDS, AND TOLD THE YOUNG KING THE WHOLE STORY. HE SAID, "HOW
CAN YOU PROVE IT?" SO SHE ASKED HIM TO TAKE HER TO THE DEER.
WHEN THE DEER SAW HER HE RUSHED RIGHT UP AND STARTED LICKING HER.
HE HAD BEEN MEAN TO EVERYONE ELSE SO THE KING KNEW SHE WAS TELLING
THE TRUTH. THE KING SENT OUT HIS SPIES TO CATCH THE OLD WITCH WHO
HAD ENCHANTED THE FOREST. THEY CAUGHT HER AND JUST BEFORE THEY
KILLED HER, HER IRON NOSE FELL OFF. AS SOON AS IT DID THE DEER
WAS CHANGED INTO A BOY AGAIN. THE KING DECIDED TO MARRY THE GIRL
AND THAT'S THE END OF THE STORY.

Submitter comment: MISS DAMIN'S HUNGARIAN GRANDMOTHER TOLD HER THIS TALE WHEN SHE
WAS A YOUNG GIRL.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HUNGARY ; DETROIT

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Witch Shaman
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Magic
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Man
BELIEF -- Mammal

Date learned: 01-00-1964

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HAUNTED HOUSE

IN BARABOO, WISCONSIN, WHEN I WAS VERY YOUNG, THERE WAS A
HAUNTED HOUSE ON OUR BLOCK AND WE KEPT SEEING PEOPLE IN WHITE
WALKING AROUND IN THERE, AND DOGS HOWLING UP THERE AT NIGHT.

Where learned: WISCONSIN ; SUN PRAIRIE ; BARABOO

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter
BELIEF -- Mammal
BELIEF -- Sign Color

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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BOTTOMLESS LAKE

IN THE EARLY NINETEEN HUNDREDS, A HORSE AND BUGGY STOOD AT THE TOP
OF SAND DUNES OVERLOOKING GRAND SABLE LAKE IN THE U.P. (UPPER
PENINSULA). THE HORSE WAS STARTLED BY SOMETHING AND RAN DOWN THE
DUNE AND INTO THE LAKE. NO TRACE OF EITHER HORSE OR BUGGY HAS
EVER BEEN FOUND.

Submitter comment: SHE LEARNED THIS UPON SEEING SABLE LAKE FOR THE FIRST TIME (AROUND
1957) AS A VERIFICATION FOR THE DEPTH OF THE LAKE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GRAND MARAIS

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Still water Small body. Lake, pond....
BELIEF -- Mammal
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank

Date learned: 00001957 CA

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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

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NOT GIVEN

THIS GUY HAD A BIRD DOG; HE WAS ALWAYS BRAGGING ABOUT HOW GOOD
THIS DOG WAS. ONE DAY HE WENT OUT SHOOTIN' QUAIL. HE SHOT ONE
AND IT FELL INTO THE RIVER. THE DOG JUMPED INTO THE RIVER TO
GET THE BIRD. HE STARTED SWIMMING AFTER IT AND KEPT SWIMMING
AFTER. THE BIRD KEPT FLOATIN' DOWN, THE DOG KEPT SWIMMING AFTER
IT. SO FINALLY THE DOG GOT OUT OF SIGHT. HE SAW IT GO UNDER AND
FIGURED IT HAD DROWNED. HE LEFT FOR HOME. THE NEXT DAY HE WENT
BACK HUNTING IN THE SAME AREA. THE DOG CAME SWIMMING OUT WITH A
FISH, A BIG OLD CATFISH. THE GUY TOOK THE CATFISH AND THE DOG
AND WENT HOME. BUT HE COULDN'T FIGURE IT OUT. HE CLEANED THE
CATFISH AND FOUND THE BIRD IN IT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALLEN PARK

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale
BELIEF -- Animal
BELIEF -- Mammal

Date learned: 02-07-1972

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NOT GIVEN

THERE'S THIS GUY NAMED STADTON THAT DID A LOT OF HUNTING. HE WAS
HUNTING SQUIRRELS ONE EARLY MORNING ALONG BY A CORN FIELD. THERE
WAS A RAIL FENCE AT THE END OF THE FIELD WHERE THE SQUIRRELS
LIVED. THEY WOULD COME INTO THE CORN FIELD AND EAT THE CORN.
IT WAS BARELY DAYLIGHT AND THIS BEAR CAME ALONG. THAT BEAR WAS
PULLING OFF THOSE EARS OF CORN LIKE A MAN WOULD. HE GOT AN ARMFUL
OF THEM AND THEN WOULD GO DOWN TO A LOWER PLACE AND HEAVE THEM
INTO A BIG CYPRESS STUMP. STADTON SAID HE HAD TO GO DOWN THERE
AND SEE WHY THE BEAR WAS THROWING THEM IN THERE. STADTON WENT
AND HE SAID THE BEAR, HE HAD A HOG IN THAT THERE STUMP AND WAS
FATTENING HIM UP.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALLEN PARK

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale
Food Drink -- Plant food Vegetable
BELIEF -- Mammal
BELIEF -- Plant

Date learned: 02-07-1972

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THE LEGEND OF THE LESZEKS AND POPIELS

AFTER THE DEATH OF WANDA, THE LEGENDARY HEROINE AND RULER OF
CRACOW, THERE RULED A GROUP OF TWELVE PALATINES. THEY FEARED
THAT SOME ENEMY WAS APPROACHING FROM RUMORS THAT WERE GOING AROUND
IN THE COUNTRYSIDE. THE ENEMY WAS SCARED OFF BY THE FORESIGHT
AND INGENUITY OF A YOUNG GOLDSMITH, LESZEK.
ON THE BUSHES AND TREES HE HUNG UP THE SHIELDS, SHINY ONES, AND
HELMETS OF THE ARMY. WHEN THE ENEMY SAW THE MULTITUDE OF THESE
SHIELDS AND HELMETS FROM FAR OFF, THEY QUICKLY LEFT, AFRAID OF
THE "LARGE ARMY" THAT AWAITED THEM. ABOUT 760 A.D. LESZEK BEGAN
HIS REIGN. HE IS ALSO KNOWN AS PRZEMYSTAIN, "AN INGENIOUS
PERSON."
WHEN LESZEK DIED, HE LEFT NO SON. THE KINGDOM, THEREFORE, HELD
A HORSE RACE TO SEE WHO WOULD BE THE NEXT RULER. THERE WERE
FIFTEEN OR SO BRAVE VOLUNTEERS. ONE SCHEMING PARTICIPANT COVERED
THE ROAD OF THE RACE WITH NAILS THE NIGHT BEFORE THE RACE. HE
DREW HIMSELF A PATH IN THE SAND SO THAT HE COULD FOLLOW WITHOUT
HURTING HIS OWN HORSE. ANOTHER PARTICIPANT DISCOVERED THE TRICK
AND PUT IRON HORSE SHOES ON HIS OWN HORSE. HE WON THE RACE AND
BECAME LESZEK II.
AFTER SEVERAL RULERS CAME POPIEL I WHO TRANSFERRED THE CAPITOL
OF POLAND FROM CRACOW TO GNIEZNO, FROM WHICH THE KINGDOM ORIGINA-
TED. HE THEN TRANSFERRED, IT IS SAID, TO THE CITY OF KRUSZWICZ
NEAR THE LAKE OF GOPLO. IT WAS HIS SON, POPIEL II, WHO WAS A
VERY GLUTTONOUS AND WEAK CHARACTER. IT IS SAID THAT HE WAS BALD
AND HAD A THICK BEARD CALLED "CHWOSTEK." HE HAD A GERMAN WIFE
WHO WAS SAID TO BE WICKED AND CRUEL, AND WHO TEMPTED HER HUSBAND
OFTEN TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SITUATIONS AND DO WRONG.
IT WAS A CUSTOM AMONG THE SLAVS TO NAME THEIR SONS AFTER THEIR
SEVENTH BIRTHDAY. HIS HAIR WAS THEN CUT FOR THE FIRST TIME
AND A BIG FEAST WAS HELD WITH FRIENDS AND RELATIVES. POPIEL II
HELD SUCH A FEAST FOR HIS SON. MANY PEOPLE WERE INVITED.
AT THIS SAME TIME, TWO PILGRIMS CAME TO HIS CASTLE ASKING FOR
REFUGE, BUT POPIEL AND HIS WIFE ANGRILY CHASED THEM OUT. IN THE
EYES OF THE POLISH AND THE SLAVS IN GENERAL, SUCH BREAKING OF THE
LAWS OF HOSPITALITY WAS A SERIOUS CRIME. POPIEL SOON PAID FOR
IT.
IT IS SAID THAT THE TWO PILGRIMS WERE REALLY TWO ANGELS. OTHERS
SAY THEY WERE THE SAINTS CYRIL AND METHODIUS ON A MISSION. BUT
THIS INCIDENT DID NOT CHANGE POPIEL. HE CONTINUED IN HIS DRUNKEN
REVELRIES AND CRIMES ONLY TO ESCAPE THE PANGS OF HIS GUILTY CON-
SCIENCE.
FINALLY, WITH COUNSEL OF HIS WIFE, HE HELD A FEAST FOR ALL HIS
RELATIVES IN ORDER TO "MAKE UP" FOR THE TIMES HE DID THEM WRONG.
HE REALLY BELIEVED THAT THESE PEOPLE WERE THE CAUSE OF HIS GUILTY
FEELINGS. AT THIS FEAST, HE POISONED EVERYONE.
IMMEDIATELY HIS PUNISHMENT FOLLOWED. FROM THE BODIES OF THE DEAD
CAME OUT HUNDREDS OF MICE. THESE MICE CHASED POPIEL AND HIS WIFE.
THEY TRIED TO HIDE IN A TOWER, BUT DID NOT SUCCEED AND WERE EATEN
UP BY THE MICE AS WELL AS WERE HIS PEOPLE. THIS TOWER, CALLED
"MICE TOWER" OR "THE TOWER OF POPIEL," STANDS IN THE CITY OF
KRUSZIVICA, POLAND.

Submitter comment: THESE LEGENDS I'VE KNOWN SINCE CHILDHOOD DAYS FROM MY PARENTS AS
WELL AS FROM MY LESSONS IN POLISH HISTORY I TOOK FROM MRS. HELEN
CHMIELEWSKI OF DETROIT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Angel
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535
BELIEF -- Mammal
BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial
BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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TALE

A BOY AND HIS SISTER ARE WALKING THROUGH A FOREST AND THEY CAME TO
A STREAM. THE BOY BENDS OVER TO TAKE A DRINK BUT THE GIRL TELLS
HIM NOT TO BECAUSE IT'S ENCHANTED. HE DIDN'T LISTEN TO HER AND HE
TURNED INTO A DEER. SHE TOOK A LITTLE BELL AND PUT IT AROUND HIS
NECK AND THEY WENT TO LIVE IN A COTTAGE BY THE EDGE OF THE FOREST.
FOR A LONG TIME EVERYBODY TRIES TO KILL THE DEER BECAUSE IT IS
SUCH A BEAUTY. ONE DAY THE OLD KING DIED AND HIS YOUNG SON BECAME
KING. HE DECIDED HE WAS GOING TO CAPTURE THE DEER AND HAVE HIM
FOR A BANQUET. SO HE SENT OUT SPIES TO FIND OUT WHERE IT WAS THAT
THE DEER ALWAYS DISAPPEARED TO. THE SPIES SAID THAT THE DEER
ALWAYS WENT INTO A COTTAGE BY THE EDGE OF THE FOREST.
ONE DAY THE GIRL HAD GONE OUT TO GET SOME FOOD. WHEN SHE CAME
BACK SHE SAW THAT THERE HAD BEEN A STRUGGLE IN THE COTTAGE AND THE
LITTLE BELL WAS LYING ON THE FLOOR. SHE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO
BUT A BIRD TOLD HER THAT THE DEER HAD BEEN TAKEN TO THE CASTLE FOR
A BANQUET. SHE HURRIED TO THE KING, FORCED HER WAY PAST ALL THE
GUARDS, AND TOLD THE YOUNG KING THE WHOLE STORY. HE SAID, "HOW
CAN YOU PROVE IT?" SO SHE ASKED HIM TO TAKE HER TO THE DEER.
WHEN THE DEER SAW HER HE RUSHED RIGHT UP AND STARTED LICKING HER.
HE HAD BEEN MEAN TO EVERYONE ELSE SO THE KING KNEW SHE WAS TELLING
THE TRUTH. THE KING SENT OUT HIS SPIES TO CATCH THE OLD WITCH WHO
HAD ENCHANTED THE FOREST. THEY CAUGHT HER AND JUST BEFORE THEY
KILLED HER, HER IRON NOSE FELL OFF. AS SOON AS IT DID THE DEER
WAS CHANGED INTO A BOY AGAIN. THE KING DECIDED TO MARRY THE GIRL
AND THAT'S THE END OF THE STORY.

Submitter comment: MISS DAMIN'S HUNGARIAN GRANDMOTHER TOLD HER THIS TALE WHEN SHE
WAS A YOUNG GIRL.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HUNGARY ; DETROIT

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Witch Shaman
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Magic
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Man
BELIEF -- Mammal

Date learned: 01-00-1964

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HAUNTED HOUSE

IN BARABOO, WISCONSIN, WHEN I WAS VERY YOUNG, THERE WAS A
HAUNTED HOUSE ON OUR BLOCK AND WE KEPT SEEING PEOPLE IN WHITE
WALKING AROUND IN THERE, AND DOGS HOWLING UP THERE AT NIGHT.

Where learned: WISCONSIN ; SUN PRAIRIE ; BARABOO

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter
BELIEF -- Mammal
BELIEF -- Sign Color

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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