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BELIEF
IF YOU PLACE A WARM BRICK AT THE FOOT OF YOUR BED UNDER THE COVERS
DURING THE WINTER YOU WILL NOT ONLY STAY WARM, BUT YOU WILL ALSO BE
PROTECTED FROM EVIL SPIRITS THAT TRY TO ENTER YOUR BODY. THESE
SPIRITS ARE ONLY ACTIVE DURING THE WINTER BECAUSE THE COLD DRIVES
THEM OUT OF THEIR GRAVES AT NIGHT.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; WEATHERLY
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Sleeping BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Measure of time Winter |
Date learned: 00001960S
THE GHOST OF BULLIVA
3 MEN BY THE NAMES OF FELLIN, THRONE AND BULLIVA OPERATED A COAL MINE
OUTSIDE OF HAZELTON. ONE DAY THE MINE SHAFT COLLAPSED TRAPPING ALL
3 OF THE MEN. AFTER LOCATING THE MEN BY MEANS OF TEST DRILLING,
THEY DRILLED INCREASINGLY LARGER HOLES UNTIL AFTER ABOUT TEN DAYS OF
DRILLING THEY WERE ABLE TO PULL THE MEN OUT. HOWEVER, ONLY FELLIN AND
THRONE WERE RESCUED. BULLIVA WAS NEVER FOUND AND IT IS THEORIZED THAT
HE WAS TRAPPED IN A LOWER SHAFT AND DIED THERE. HOWEVER, IT IS SAID
THAT FELLIN AND THRONE ATE HIM IN ORDER TO STAY ALIVE THEMSELVES AND
THAT BULLIVA'S GHOST STILL HAUNTS THAT MINE WAITING FOR HIS CHANCE TO
ESCAPE AND SEEK HIS REVENGE.
Submitter comment:
THIS STORY IS TRUE ALTHOUGH THE FATE OF BULLIVA WAS NEVER REALLY
DETERMINED.
CANNIBALISM
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; HAZELTON
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: CA00001965
JUMP-ROPE RHYME
SHALL I TELL YOU A STORY
ABOUT JACK AND HIS GLORY?
SHALL I BEGIN IT?
THAT'S ALL THAT'S IN IT.
SHALL I TELL YOU ANOTHER
ABOUT JACK AND HIS BROTHER?
SHALL I BEGIN IT?
THAT'S ALL THAT'S IN IT.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS RECITED IN TWO PARTS AS SHOWN BY THE BREAK I PUT IN BETWEEN.
THE FIRST JUMPER ENTERS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE FIRST PART AND EXITS
AT THE END OF IT. THE SECOND JUMPER DOES THE SAME THING FOR THE
SECOND PART.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SAINT CLAIR
James Callow Keyword(s): JACK-A-NORY ; NUTSHELL NARRATIVE IN VERSE
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse C750.560 BB C82 |
Date learned: 00001960S
JEST, ANECDOTE
ON THE HOLYDAY OF THE HOLY GHOST A PRIEST SAID TO A MAN,
" WHEN I
SING HOLY GHOST SHOW YOURSELF, LET THE PIGEON OUT FROM
UNDERNEATH YOUR COAT. " THE CHURCH WAS CROWDED THAT
HOLYDAY AND THE PEOPLE BEING SO CLOSE TOGETHER, CHOKED THE BIRD
TO DEATH. THEN LATER WHEN THE PRIEST SANG OUT, " HOLY
GHOST SHOW YOURSELF " , THE MAN SANG BACK, " HE
ISN'T HERE, HE ISN'T HERE; HE CHOKED HIMSELF."
Submitter comment:
THIS IS FUNNY BECAUSE GOD ISN T SUPPOSED TO DIE. THIS WAS LEARNED
IN RUSSIA. THIS ITEM IS TRANSLATED FROM THE RUSSIAN LANGUAGE.
James Callow comment:
ANTHROPOMORPHISM ; ANIMAL
DNC[ 1,419
******************** C FILE 1 ********************
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; RUSSIA ; Sterling Heights
James Callow Keyword(s): ANTICLERICAL ; PENTECOST
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote BELIEF -- Creator |
Date learned: 11-00-1973
JEST, ANECDOTE
ONCE THERE WAS AN ORTHODOX WOMAN AND A CATHOLIC MAN. THE
HUSBAND WENT OUT IN THE WOODS TO WORK AND THE MOTHER WHO
STAYED AT HOME TOLD THE CHILDREN IF THE CATHOLIC PRIEST SHOULD
COME TO THE DOOR TELL HIM THAT NO ONE IS HOME. ONE DAY THE
PRIEST COMES TO THE DOOR AND ASKS THE CHILDREN, QUOTATION
"WHERE ARE YOUR PARENTS?" AND THEY REPLY,
"ONE PARENT WENT OUT TO THE WOODS AND THE OTHER IS HIDING BEHIND
THE OVEN."
Submitter comment:
CHILDREN DON'T KNOW HOW TO LIE. THEY APPEAR INNOCENT COMPARED
TO THE MOTHER.
THIS WAS LEARNED IN RUSSIA.
THIS ITEM IS TRANSLATED FROM THE RUSSIAN LANGUAGE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; RUSSIA ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 11-00-1973
SEVENTH BOOK OF MOSES
STAY AWAY FROM PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE SEVENTH BOOK OF MOSES. THESE
PEOPLE PERFORM DEEDS OF WITCHCRAFT. MY GRANDMOTHER KNEW A LADY WHO
POSSESSED THIS BOOK. THE LADY TOLD MY GREAT GRANDMOTHER SHE HAD TO
SAY GOOD BYE TO HER SEWING MACHINE. MY GREAT GRANDMOTHER REFUSED. THE
SEWING MACHINE THEN WALKED WITH HER UNTIL SHE SAID GOOD BYE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Witch Shaman BELIEF -- Magic Book |
Date learned: 11-15-1973
Content filter on this entry.
THE UGLY BIRD JOKE
MR.SMITH WAS VERY THIN AND PALE. ONE DAY HE WENT TO SEE A DOCTOR. THE
DOCTOR TOLD HIM TO SUNBATHE IN THE NUDE FOR A WEEK. THE FIRST DAY HE
WAS SUNBATHING AND READING THE PAPER WHEN SALLY, THE LITTLE GIRL NEXT
DOOR CAME IN THE YARD. "HI MR.SMITH" SAID SALLY. MR.SMITH IMMEDIATELY
DROPPED THE PAPER TO COVER HIMSELF. SALLY ASKED HIM WHAT HE HAD UNDER
THE PAPER. MR.SMITH REPLIED IT WAS HIS BIRD. "CAN I SEE YOUR BIRD MR.
SMITH?" ASKED SALLY. "MAYBE TOMORROW" SAID MR.SMITH. THE NEXT DAY MR.
SMITH WAS AGAIN SUNBATHING WHEN SALLY WALKED IN THE YARD. "HI MR.
SMITH" SAID SALLY. MR.SMITH AGAIN DROPPED THE PAPER TO COVER HIMSELF.
SALLY ASKED,"CAN I SEE YOUR BIRD TODAY MR.SMITH?" HE SAID "MAYBE
TOMORROW SALLY." THE NEXT DAY MR.SMITH WAS SUNBATHING AND DECIDED TO
TAKE A NAP. HE PUT THE PAPER DOWN TO COVER HIMSELF. NEXT THING HE
KNEW HE WAS IN TREMENDOUS PAIN. HE COULD NOT BELIEVE THE PAIN HE WAS
HAVING. ALSO THERE WERE DOCTORS AND NURSES AROUND. HE LOOKED AT THE
DOOR AND THERE WAS SALLY TALKING TO A POLICEMAN. SHE WAS SAYING,"MR.
SMITH TOLD ME HE HAD A BIRD UNDER THE PAPER AND I WANTED TO SEE IT.
I PICKED UP THE PAPER AND LOOKED. IT WAS THE UGLIEST BIRD I EVER SAW
SO I SMASHED ITS EGGS, WRUNG ITS NECK AND LIT ITS NEST ON FIRE."
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): PENIS
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote BELIEF -- Body part Senses |
Date learned: 11-24-1973
THUMP DRAG
THERE WAS A COUNSELOR AT CAMP NAMED JERRY. HE WAS BOSSY TO ABOUT
THREE CHILDREN. ONE DAY, AFTER A CAMP MOVIE, ONE OF THE CHILDREN TOOK
A CLUB AND HIT JERRY ON THE HEAD. THEN THEY TIED HIM UP AND POURED GAS
OVER HIM. THEY LIT A MATCH AND PRETENDED THEY WOULD IGNITE HIM. HALF OF
HIS BODY WAS BURNT. THE NEXT YEAR THE SAME CAMPERS CAME BACK. DURING THE
WINTER SOME OF THE FOOD AND SUPPLIES WERE STOLEN. THE DOCTOR THOUGHT IT
WAS A BEAR. THE CHILDREN CONFESSED WHAT HAD HAPPENED. IT WAS BELIEVED THAT
JERRY WENT INSANE. ONE DAY THEY HEARD A THUMP AND A DRAG. THIS WAS THE SOUND
THAT JERRY MADE BECAUSE HIS
LEG WAS BURNED. ONE DAY HE WALKED INTO A CABIN AND TOOK ONE OF THE
THREE CHILDREN. THE COUNSELOR HEARD THE NOISE AND CAME RUNNING. THUMP
DRAG DROPPED THE CHILD. THE COUNSELOR DECIDED TO GET THUMP DRAG. THEY
FOLLOWED HIM TO A SEWER AND SAW BLOOD AND BONES ALL OVER. THUMP DRAG
SMASHED THE HEADS OF TWO COUNSELORS. ONE COUNSELOR SHOT HIM BUT THUMP
DRAG DISAPPEARED. ONE YEAR LATER HE WAS FOUND DEAD BY A FARMER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
James Callow Keyword(s): BEOWULF ; FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed BELIEF -- Mammal |
Date learned: 11-00-1973
HAUNTED CHURCH
ON ALL SOUL'S DAY IN THE EVENING, A WOMAN WAS WALKING
BY A CHURCH THAT
WAS ALL LIT UP. SHE WENT IN TO PRAY. SHE HEARD A NOISE AND LOOKED UP
AND SAW A LOT OF PEOPLE WALKING AROUND. SHE KNEW SOME OF THE PEOPLE
BUT THEY HAD DIED A YEAR AGO. A FRIEND CAME AND TOLD HER SHE WAS NOT
WELCOME THERE, BUT TO GET AWAY SHE HAD TO WRAP HER COAT AROUND HER
SHOULDERS AND RUN OUT. SHE DID SO BUT THE SPIRITS GRABBED HER COAT.
THE NEXT DAY SHE TOLD THE PRIEST THE STORY. THEY WENT TO THE CEMETERY
AND FOUND HER COAT SHREDDED ALL OVER THE GRAVES.
James Callow comment:
COMPARE "THE VANISHING HITCHHIKER"
CN[ FOERSTNER, SCOTT 701049
C1[ 16714 FISCHER RD
C2[ LAKEWOOD, OHIO 14410
DNC[ 1,389
******************** C FILE 1 ********************
Where learned: OHIO ; CLEVELAND
Date learned: 11-25-1973
CLANCY
CLANCY WAS A COOK AT CAMP OZANAM. HE LIVED IN AN APARTMENT NOW CALLED
ASH. CLANCY WAS BELIEVED TO BE FROM ANOTHER PLANET. ONE DAY CAMPERS
HEARD SCREAMS. THE COUNSELORS WENT IN AND SAW A MEAT GRINDER AND SOME
KIDS. CLANCY WOULD TAKE KIDS AND GRIND THEM UP. HE WAS SERVING THE
CAMP CHILDREN GROUND UP PEOPLE. THE COUNSELORS CALLED THE POLICE AND
CLANCY RAN OUT. THE POLICE SHOT CLANCY BUT NOTHING HAPPENED. CLANCY
RAN ONTO A ROCK AND SHOT UP INTO THE AIR. HE WAS NEVER SEEN AGAIN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
James Callow Keyword(s): CANNIBALISM ; INEFFECTIVE BULLETS INVULNERABILITY
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Supernatural Being BELIEF -- Planet |
Date learned: 11-00-1973
LEGENDS OF ROGUES' HOLLOW
ROGUES' HOLLOW IS A SMALL, ISOLATED AREA OF LAND LOCATED ABOUT
TWO MILES SOUTH OF DOYLESTOWN, OHIO, WHICH HAS A GREAT DEAL OF OLD
RUMORS AND LEGENDS ABOUT IT. THE FEW LISTED HERE ARE ALL THAT I
REMEMBER HEARING, BUT EVERY NOW AND THEN YOU HEAR SOMETHING ELSE
ABOUT IT WHICH PEOPLE DECLARE TO BE TRUE ALSO. AS FAR AS I KNOW,
NONE OF THESE LEGENDS HAVE BEEN PROVEN OR DISPROVEN.
1--JESSE JAMES WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE HIDDEN OUT IN THE CAVES AT
ONE TIME
2--A MAN WHO WORKED IN A MILL IN ROGUES' HOLLOW WAS SUPPOSED
TO HAVE BEEN CAUGHT IN THE WATER WHEEL AND KILLED INSTANTLY. EVER
SINCE, HE WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE HAUNTED THE MILL. EVENTUALLY IT WAS
BURNED DOWN (FACT), AND THIS IS ALSO ATTRIBUTED TO THE GHOST. ONE
VERSION SAYS THAT HE DID THIS BECAUSE SOMEONE WAS GOING TO BUY IT.
3--IF YOU STAND IN A CERTAIN PLACE AT MIDNIGHT, YOU CAN HEAR
THE SOUND OF A BABY CRYING.
4--IF YOU STAND NEAR THE RAILROAD TRACKS AT MIDNIGHT, YOU CAN
HEAR THE SOUND OF A TRAIN COMING DOWN THE TRACK, THOUGH THERE IS NO
TRAIN,
5--AN OLD BEARDED HERMIT, OR HIS GHOST, LIVES IN THE COAL MINES
AND WILL TRY TO KILL ANY TRESPASSERS WITH HIS PICK.
6-- MANY MINERS WERE ONCE KILLED IN A CAVE-IN, AND THEIR GHOSTS
STILL WORK THERE TODAY.
Submitter comment:
ROGUES' HOLLOW IS A POPULAR PLACE FOR FAMILIES AND SIGHTSEERS
ON SUNDAYS, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE LEAVES ARE CHANGING COLOR, BUT
DURING THE WEEK, TEENAGERS MAKE UP THE BIGGEST PART OF THE CROWD.
GROUPS OF BOYS, OR BOY-GIRL GROUPS ARE THERE DAY AND NIGHT EXPLORING
THE MINES AND HOPING TO SEE SOMETHING SUPERNATURAL.
A GREAT MAJORITY OF PEOPLE DO SEEM TO BELIEVE AT LEAST A FEW OF
THE SUPERSTITIONS ABOUT ROGUES' HOLLOW, AND SOME CLAIM TO HAVE WIT-
NESSED THEM EITHER FIRST-HAND OR VICARIOUSLY. THE TWO BELIEFS ABOUT
THE BABY AND THE TRAIN SEEM TO BE THE ONES BEST KNOWN, AS WELL AS
THE ONES MOST BELIEVED.
Where learned: OHIO ; MASSILLON
James Callow Keyword(s): MYSTERIOUS SOUNDS
Date learned: 10-00-1973
EVERY YEAR IN MASSILLON, OHIO, BEGINNING WITH THE FIRST FRIDAY
OF THE SCHOOL YEAR, AND CONTINUING FOR TEN WEEKS, THE FOOTBALL GAMES
OF THE CITY'S ONLY HIGH SCHOOL DOMINATE THE SOCIAL, ENTERTAINMENT
AND CONVERSATIONAL ASPECTS OF THE CITIZENS. THE SEASON TRADITION-
ALLY CLOSES WITH AN INTER-CITY RIVALRY WITH CANTON'S (MASSILLON'S
NEIGHBORING CITY--LESS THAN TEN MILES AWAY) LARGEST SCHOOL--MCKINLEY,
AND APPROPRIATELY, "BEAT MCKINLEY WEEK."
THE MASSILLON TIGER--MCKINLEY BULLDOG FESTIVITIES ARE NOT PAR-
TICIPATED IN JUST BY STUDENTS. PEOPLE OF ALL AGES GET EXCITED ABOUT
THE GAME. SOME OF THE MOST ARDENT SUPPORTERS ARE OLD-TIMERS WHO
LOOK FORWARD TO IT EVERY YEAR, AND MOST EVERY CHILD HAS SEEN ONE
TIGER GAME, AND PROBABLY SPORTS A TIGER JACKET, BY THE TIME HE ENTERS
FIRST GRADE.
EACH OF THE TEAM'S THREE BOOSTER CLUBS, THE TIGER BOOSTERS, THE
SIDELINERS (EACH OF WHOSE MEMBERS SPONSOR A FOOTBALL PLAYER) AND THE
BENCHWARMERS, HOLD A "BEAT MCKINLEY RALLY" SOMETIME DURING THE WEEK,
AND THE STUDENT BODY ITSELF ALSO HOLDS A FEW RALLIES DURING THE
COURSE OF THE WEEK.
ON FRIDAY NIGHT, THE BIGGEST PRE-GAME EVENT IS HELD. A PARADE
MARCHES THROUGH THE DOWNTOWN AREA. INCLUDED IS THE MASSILLON TIGER
SWING BAND, MAJORETTES, COACHES, PLAYERS, AND FLOATS (ALL BEARING
THE THEME"BEAT MCKINLEY.") "OBIE," THE MASCOT IN A TIGER SKIN
(AND SINCE 1970, A LIVE TIGER IN A CAGE ALSO) ARE THERE, AS WELL AS
THE TRADITIONAL CALLIOPE; PLAYED ONLY DURING BEAT MCKINLEY WEEK, IT
ALSO DRIVES AROUND THE CITY STREETS PLAYING FOR A FEW HOURS
EACH NIGHT. THE PARADE MARCHES TO THE STADIUM COMPLEX, WHERE A HUGE
BONFIRE IS HELD. (STARTING IN 1973, FIRE REGULATIONS REDUCED THE
SIZE OF THE FIRE. AT THE SAME TIME THE SITE WAS CHANGED TO A PLACE
CLOSER TO THE DOWNTOWN AREA. SEE SUPPLEMENTARY PICTURE, AND NOTE
ATTENDANCE.)
INDIVIDUAL CITIZENS ALSO DO A GREAT DEAL OF "CAMPAIGNING."
BESIDES THE TIGER JACKETS, RAINCOATS, RIBBONS, CUSHIONS, BUMPER
STICKERS, AND TIGER TAILS, SOME FAMILIES DECORATE THEIR HOMES WITH
BOTH MASS-PRODUCED AND HOME-MADE SIGNS, AS WELL AS OCCASIONAL THREE-
DIMENSIONAL EXHIBITS, SUCH AS A STUFFED BULLDOG WITH A NOOSE TIED
AROUND HIS NECK.
THE SITE OF THE GAME ALTERNATES YEARLY BETWEEN MASSILLON TIGER
STADIUM AND CANTON FAWCETT STADIUM, AND IS ALWAYS PLAYED ON A SATUR-
DAY AFTERNOON AT TWO O'CLOCK. (WHEREAS ALL THE OTHER GAMES ARE
PLAYED ON FRIDAY NIGHTS.) IT NEVER DRAWS LESS THAN A SELLOUT CROWD
OF OVER TWENTY THOUSAND, EVEN THOUGH IT IS ALWAYS BROADCAST LIVE ON
THE LOCAL TELEVISION STATION.
THE FANS COME AS MUCH AS TWO HOURS BEFORE THE START OF THE GAME,
BECAUSE OF THE TRAFFIC JAMS. BEFORE THE START OF THE GAME, THE LIVE
TIGER MEETS MCKINLEY'S LIVE BULLDOG, AS DO THEIR COSTUMED COUNTER-
PARTS. LARGE CRATES OF HELIUM-FILLED BALLOONS (ORANGE AND BLACK BY
MASSILLON, AND RED AND BLACK BY CANTON) ARE ALWAYS RELEASED. THE
MAJORETTES RECEIVE CARNATIONS, AND THE SENIOR BAND MEMBERS ARE GIVEN
A FAREWELL CEREMONY. DURING THE PAST FEW YEARS, AN AIRPLANE BEARING
A BANNER WITH THE "BEAT MCKINLEY" MESSAGE HAS FLOWN BACK AND FORTH
OVER THE STADIUM, ADDING ANOTHER TRADITION TO THE GAME. DURING
HALF-TIME, THE SWING BAND PLAYS "THE TIGER RAG," AND PERFORMS SOME
ROUTINES THEY HAVE DONE FOR DECADES.
THE NIGHT OF THE GAME IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST NIGHTS FOR CELEBRA-
TION IN STARK COUNTY. WIN OR LOSE, THE ADULTS AND TEENS ALL HAVE
THEIR RESPECTIVE GET-TOGETHERS. MANY CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS SPONSOR
DANCES, INDIVIDUAL HOMES HAVE PARTIES, AND IT IS VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE
TO GET A RESTAURANT RESERVATION LESS THAN THREE TO FOUR WEEKS IN
ADVANCE OF THE GAME.
IN ADDITION TO CALLING ATTENTION TO THE EVENTS OF "BEAT MCKINLEY
WEEK," THE TOWN NEWSPAPER, THE EVENING INDEPENDENT, ALSO CARRIES OUT
CERTAIN TRADITIONS OF ITS OWN. ON THE DAY BEFORE THE BIG GAME, THE
INDEPENDENT SUPERIMPOSES THE WORDS "BEAT MCKINLEY" (IN BIG BLOCK
LETTERS PRINTED IN ORANGE) OVER THE FRONT-PAGE STORIES. ON NEARLY
EVERY OTHER PAGE (AND ESPECIALLY ON THE SPORT PAGE) THE COL-
UMNS OF THE PAPER ARE BORDERED WITH THE WORDS "BEAT MCKINLEY." ALSO,
THE PAST SCORES OF THE MASSILLON-CANTON GAME, FROM ITS ORIGIN IN
1894, ARE TRADITIONALLY PRINTED YEARLY. SOMETIME DURING THE COURSE
OF THE WEEK, PICTURES OF THE SENIORS PLAYING THEIR LAST GAME ARE
PRINTED.
Submitter comment:
CANTON CELEBRATES "BEAT MASSILLON WEEK" IN MUCH THE SAME WAY AS
MASSILLON CELEBRATES "BEAT MCKINLEY WEEK." THERE IS ALWAYS A LITTLE
"RIBBING" (SOMETIMES FRIENDLY, SOMETIMES NOT) BETWEEN MASSILLONIANS
AND CANTONIANS. I MYSELF ATTENDED THE NEAREST CATHOLIC SCHOOL, WHICH
IS LOCATED BETWEEN CANTON AND MASSILLON. EVEN THERE, THOUGH WE HAD
FOOTBALL GAMES OF OUR OWN THE SAME WEEK, STUDENTS WOULD WEAR "BEAT
MASSILLON" AND "BEAT MCKINLEY" RIBBONS, DEPENDING ON THEIR ALLEGIANCE
AND IT WAS A SIMILAR SITUATION IN ALL THE SUBURBAN AND COUNTY
SCHOOLS.
Where learned: OHIO ; MASSILLON
James Callow Keyword(s): SPORTS FOOTBALL
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 11-00-1973
WEATHER SUPERSTITION
IF YOU SEE COWS LAYING DOWN, THAT MEANS IT WILL RAIN.
Submitter comment:
I FIRST HEARD THIS ITEM FROM MY MOTHER WHEN I WAS A SMALL CHILD,
AND WE WERE TAKING A DRIVE THROUGH THE COUNTRY. SHE HAD HEARD
IT FROM HER MOTHER, WHO STRONGLY BELIEVED IT, AND WHO HAD LIVED ON A
FARM AS A SMALL GIRL. MY MOTHER "THINKS THERE MIGHT BE SOMETHING TO
IT," BUT DOES NOT TOTALLY BELIEVE IN THE IDEA. MY FATHER HAS HEARD
THE SUPERSTITION ALSO.
SOMETIMES WE WOULD SEE A GROUP OF COWS: SOME STANDING AND SOME
LYING. HAVING NO REAL ANSWER, MY PARENTS WOULD TELL ME THAT THE
COWS WERE NOT SURE WHAT IT WAS GOING TO DO.
Where learned: OHIO ; MASSILLON
Date learned: 11-00-1973
PRACTICAL JOKE
THE TRICKSTER POINTS WITH HIS INDEX FINGER TO A SPOT ABOUT
HALF-WAY DOWN THE DUPE'S SHIRT, AND ASKS HIM, "WHAT IS THAT?" WHEN
THE DUPE BOWS HIS HEAD TO LOOK DOWN, THE TRICKSTER SCOOTS HIS FINGER
UP AND SLAPS THE FORMER ON THE LOWER CHIN.
Submitter comment:
SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN HAVE BEEN USING THIS AS LONG AS I CAN RE-
MEMBER, AND YOUNG ADULTS STILL DO IT OCCASIONALLY FOR A LAUGH.
THE REALLY AMUSING THING ABOUT IT IS THAT SOMEONE WILL NEARLY ALWAYS
FALL FOR IT, NO MATTER HOW OFTEN THEY HAVE BEEN TRICKED--THE QUESTION
IS SUCH THAT THE REFLEXES ARE IMMEDIATELY STIMULATED INTO FORCING THE
EYES TO LOOK DOWN. SOMETIMES THE TRICKSTER MAY LOOK HORRIFIED, AND
EXCLAIM, "EWWWW, WHAT'S THAT:?" AND MAY AT OTHER TIMES SAY IT MATTER-
OF-FACTLY.
IN THE RARE CASE WHEN THE DUPE IS NOT FOOLED, HE USUALLY GETS A
WIDE GRIN ON HIS FACE, AND WILL NOT LOOK DOWN. THE DEFEATED
TRICKSTER DROPS HIS HAND IN DISGUST.
Where learned: OHIO ; MASSILLON
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 11-00-1973
FORMULA SPEECH
WHEN TWO PEOPLE SAY THE SAME WORD OR PHRASE AT THE SAME TIME, THE
FIRST ONE WHO PUNCHES THE OTHER ON THE ARM, AND SAYS "COKE," IS
SUPPOSED TO BE BOUGHT A COKE BY THE OTHER. (IN MY WORDS)
Submitter comment:
OCCASIONALLY, BESIDES SAYING THE ORIGINAL WORD TWICE, WHEN BOTH
PEOPLE ARE AWARE OF THE GAME USING "COKE," THEY MIGHT BOTH SAY THE
WORD "COKE," ITSELF AT THE SAME TIME, IN ATTEMPTING TO BEAT THEIR
OPPONENT AT SAYING IT. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE QUICK THINKER IMMEDI-
ATELY REPEATS "COKE" AGAIN, AND HE'S NOW THE WINNER. WHEN TWO ARE
BOTH VERY MUCH AWARE OF HOW THE GAME WORKS, THIS QUITE OFTEN HAP-
PENS. THE RESULT IS THAT THE TWO PEOPLE MAY SAY "COKE" TOGETHER
FOUR OR FIVE TIMES IN A ROW. THE QUICK PLAYER NOW OFTEN SAYS "COKE,
NO RETURNS, STOP," AND HE IS THE WINNER.
JUST LIKE ANY OTHER BET MADE IN FUN, THIS ONE IS RARELY PAID OFF, AND
IS NOT EVEN EXPECTED TO BE. THE FUN IS MERELY IN THE DOING OF IT.
Where learned: OHIO ; MASSILLON
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Athletic sport and exercise Gymnastics SPEECH -- Game Pastime Sport SPEECH -- Formula SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 10-00-1973
FLYLEAF PROSE
BORED OF EDUCATION AND
FLUNK NOW, AVOID THE JUNE RUSH
Submitter comment:
THESE TWO PHRASES WERE IMMENSELY POPULAR FOR TEXTBOOK USE IN MY
FRESHMAN AND SOPHOMORE CLASSES AT CENTRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL IN
CANTON, OHIO. BY THE TIME JUNIOR AND SENIOR CLASSES WERE REACHED,
THE NOVELTY HAD WORN OFF AND IT JUST WAS NOT "THE THING TO DO." BUT
THE NEW FRESHMAN-SOPHOMORE CLASSES HAD PICKED IT UP, AND CHECKING
BACK, ITS USE STILL EXISTS POPULARLY WITH THE FRESHMEN AND SOPHOMORES
OF TODAY. SOME OF IT IS UNDOUBTEDLY DUE TO THE FACT THAT TODAY'S
UNDERCLASSMEN ARE USING THE SAME BOOKS ORIGINALLY WRITTEN IN BY YES-
TERDAY'S UNDERCLASSMEN, BUT SOME OF IT IS NEWLY WRITTEN BY THE STU-
DENTS THEMSELVES.
BESIDES BEING WRITTEN ON THE FLYLEAVES, THE PHRASES ARE ALSO
WRITTEN ON FOREDGES.
| Subject headings: | Favorites Z220 |
Date learned: 10-00-1973
PARODY OF CHRISTMAS SONG
(SUNG TO THE TUNE OF "WE THREE KINGS OF ORIENT ARE")
WE THREE KINGS OF ORIENT ARE
SMOKING ON A RUBBER CIGAR
IT WAS LOADED AND EXPLODED
OVER OUR FRANKINCENSE
OH-OH-OH
STAR OF WONDER, STAR OF LIGHT
THIS ONE DIED ON FRIDAY NIGHT
THIS ONE DIED ON SATURDAY, AND
THIS ONE DIED ON SUNDAY NIGHT
Submitter comment:
I FIRST HEARD THIS SONG AT MY GRADE SCHOOL; (ST. MARY IN
MASSILLON, OHIO) USUALLY ONLY AROUND THE CHRISTMAS SEASON. ADULTS
DIDN'T SEEM TO KNOW IT, AND WERE SOMETIMES SHOCKED UPON HEARING
IT-- NOTABLY THE SCHOOL NUNS. FOR A WHILE I FORGOT ABOUT IT, BUT THEN
I HEARD IT AGAIN IN MY HIGH SCHOOL (CENTRAL CATHOLIC IN CANTON,
OHIO,) FROM OTHERS.
Where learned: OHIO ; MASSILLON
Date learned: 11-00-1973
MEANS OF CAUSING OR AVOIDING ILLNESS (RHEUMATISM)
BEING EXPOSED TO EITHER A FAN OR TO AIR-CONDITIONING FOR MORE THAN
A FEW MINUTES AT A TIME WILL EVENTUALLY GIVE ONE RHEUMATISM.
Submitter comment:
THIS BELIEF IS SHARED BY A PROPORTIONATE NUMBER OF LABORERS AT
REPUBLIC STEEL PLANT IN MASSILLON, OHIO WHERE I WAS EMPLOYED DURING
THE SUMMER OF 1973. I FIRST LEARNED OF THIS BELIEF WHEN I WAS
STANDING IN FRONT OF A FAN, AND A CO-WORKER, AGED ABOUT 60, TOLD ME
THAT DOING THAT JUST A LITTLE AT A TIME DOES SOMETHING TO YOUR SYSTEM
AND IN A FEW YEARS WOULD GIVE ME RHEUMATISM. HE KNEW OTHERS IT HAD
HAPPENED TO, AND HE HIMSELF AVOIDED (OR CLAIMED TO AVOID) FANS FOR
LONG PERIODS OF TIME BECAUSE OF THIS. I LATER HEARD SIMILAR COMMENTS
FROM OTHER WORKERS, RANGING IN AGE FROM 40 TO 60. SOME QUALIFIED
THAT IT IS TRUE ONLY IF YOU ARE PERSPIRING IN FRONT OF A FAN, WHILE
OTHERS CLAIMED THAT PERSPIRATION WAS NOT A NECESSARY CONDITION; IN
FACT, AIR-CONDITIONING HAS THE SAME RESULTS, AND MANY PEOPLE GETTING
THEIR HOMES AIR-CONDITIONED TODAY DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THIS, BUT THEY
WILL BE SORRY AFTER AWHILE. SOME CLAIMED THAT BUSINESSMEN WITH AIR-
CONDITIONED OFFICES HAVE DEVELOPED RHEUMATISM, TOO. ONE MAN TOLD ME
ABOUT THE BELIEF WHILE A FAN WAS ON US BOTH. HE STARTED YELLING
WORDS TO THE EFFECT, "TURN THAT THING OFF! I DON'T WANT IT ON ME!"
AND PROCEEDED TO TELL ME HIS VERSION OF THE BELIEF. BUT WHEN I LATER
OFFERED TO TURN THE FAN IN THE OTHER DIRECTION, HE TOLD ME TO NEVER
MIND--AFTER ALL THESE YEARS, ONCE MORE WOULDN'T HURT OR HELP HIM.
Where learned: OHIO ; MASSILLON
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 07-00-1973
SOUP PICNIC
EVERY LABOR DAY, FOR AT LEAST FORTY YEARS, BUT NOT SINCE 1971,
THE ROHR FAMILY HELD WHAT THEY CALLED A "SOUP PICNIC." EACH INDI-
VIDUAL FAMILY WOULD BRING A PAN OF VEGETABLE SOUP, AND AT THE PICNIC
SITE (WHICH TRADED OFF FROM FAMILY TO FAMILY YEARLY) THE SOUPS WOULD
BE COMBINED IN A BIG BUTCHERING KETTLE, AND HEATED OVER AN OPEN
FIRE. THE FAMILY MADE A DAY OF IT, AND WOULD EAT THE SOUP BOTH FOR
LUNCH AND SUPPER THAT DAY.
WHEN THE CUSTOM FIRST STARTED, THE MEALS CONSISTED SOLELY OF
SOUP AND CRACKERS. AFTER A FEW YEARS, CORN ON THE COB WAS ADDED,
SINCE MANY OF THE FAMILY MEMBERS WERE GROWING IT, AND IT WAS PLENTI-
FUL DURING THE LATE SUMMER. AFTER A FEW YEARS, DESSERTS WERE ALSO
ADDED TO THE TRADITION, BUT IT WAS ALWAYS KEPT AT THAT--NEVER ANY
SIDE DISHES, OR MEAT (OTHER THAN THAT IN THE SOUP ITSELF.) (IN MY
WORDS)
Where learned: OHIO ; MASSILLON
Date learned: 11-00-1973
OCTOBER GAVE A PARTY
OCTOBER GAVE A PARTY
THE LEAVES BY HUNDREDS CAME
THE CHESTNUT, OAK, AND MAPLE
AND LEAVES OF EVERY NAME
THE SUNSHINE SPREAD THE CARPET
AND EVERYTHING LOOKED GRAND
MISS WEATHER LED THE DANCING
PROFESSOR WIND THE BAND
THE CHESTNUTS CAME IN YELLOW
THE OAK IN CRIMSON DRESS
THE LOVELY MRS. MAPLE
IN SCARLET LOOKED HER BEST
ALL DANCED TO THEIR PARTNERS
AND GAILY FLUTTERED BY
THE SWEET ONE LIKE A RAINBOW
NEW-FALLEN FROM THE SKY
THEN IN THE RUSTIC BILLOW
AT HIDE AND SEEK THEY PLAYED
THE PARTY BROKE AT SUNDOWN
BUT STILL THE LEAVES ALL STAYED
PROFESSOR WIND PLAYED LOUDER
THEY FLEW ALONG THE GROUND
AND HERE THE PARTY ENDED
WITH A JOLLY OLD HAND ROUND
Submitter comment:
THIS SONG WAS LEARNED BY MY AUNT FROM HER MOTHER WHEN SHE WAS
SIX YEARS OLD.
Where learned: OHIO ; MASSILLON
James Callow Keyword(s): AUTUMN ; PERSONIFICATION
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children |
Date learned: 11-00-1973