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SUPERSTITION

IF YOU CROSS THE STREET, AND THE CAT CROSS TO THE LEFT SIDE IT'S
A SIGN OF BAD LUCK.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Mammal
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank

Date learned: CA00001966

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SUPERSTITION

IF YOU SEE A DOG EATING GRASS IT IS GOING TO RAIN.

Where learned: CALIFORNIA ; MONROVIA

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Mammal
BELIEF -- Weather sign or control
BELIEF -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew

Date learned: CA00001965

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A SUPERSTITION

IF A BLACK CAT CROSSES YOUR PATH YOU SHOULD JUMP UP IN THE
AIR AND TURN AROUND.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE

James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Mammal
BELIEF -- Sign Color
BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.31
BELIEF -- Conversions P883.31

Date learned: 04-00-1980

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HOWLING DOGS.

IF A FAMILY DOG HOWLS AT MIDNIGHT
THERE WILL BE A DEATH IN THE FAMILY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE

Subject headings: Observation
BELIEF -- Mammal
BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial
BELIEF -- Measure of time P574.45

Date learned: 04-00-1980

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FLEMISH PROVERB

IN THE DARKNESS, ALL KITTENS LOOK ALIKE.

Submitter comment: THIS WAS GIVEN TO ME WHEN HE WAS VISITING DETROIT, MICHIGAN FROM
BELGIUM.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): ALLITERATION ; CAT ; OBSERVATION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Mammal
PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

Date learned: 11-01-1967

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TRADITION

WHEN YOU ARE SITTING AROUND A CAMPFIRE AT NIGHT AND THE WIND BLOWS
SMOKE IN YOUR EYES, THE PERSON RETORTS WITH; MM
I HATE RABBITS

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT FIRST HEARD OF THIS STATEMENT WHILE CAMPING IN
ONTARIO, CANADA. WHEN QUESTIONED, HE COULD OFFER NO EXPLANATION
AND CLAIMED THAT HIS FAMILY HAD ALWAYS DONE IT. PERHAPS A RABBIT
IS ASSOCIATED WITH MISFORTUNE (SMOKE IN THE EYES). ANOTHER
EXPLANATION COULD BE THAT RABBITS ARE SUPPOSED TO SEE GOOD AND
SMOKE IN THE EYES PREVENTS PROPER SIGHT. HENCE, "I HATE RABBITS".
THE EARLIEST DATE THAT THE INFORMANT COULD RECALL THIS WAS IN THE
SUMMER AROUND 1965.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALLEN PARK

James Callow Keyword(s): NON-SEQUITUR

Subject headings: Favorites
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse
BELIEF -- Mammal
SPEECH -- Game Pastime Sport
SPEECH -- Formula

Date learned: 10-00-1980

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GOOD LUCK

ELEPHANTS WITH THEIR TRUNKS RAISED ARE GOOD LUCK. HOWEVER, THEY
ARE NOT IF THEIR TRUNK IS DOWN. THE INFORMANT HAS MANY PIECES OF
ELEPHANT JEWELRY AND ALL HAVE THEIR TRUNKS UP.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT FIRST HEARD OF THIS GOOD LUCK CHARM IN THE YEAR 1970.
SHE SEEMED TO FIRMLY BELIEVE IN THIS, BUT OFFERED NO CONSEQUENCES
TO HAVING AN ELEPHANT WITH ITS TRUNK DOWN AS GOOD LUCK. PERHAPS
IT IS GOOD LUCK SINCE AN ELEPHANT WITH ITS TRUNK DOWN IS SEEN MORE
OFTEN, MAKING THE OPPOSITE MORE NOVEL AND RARE.
HERE THE POSITION OF THE TRUNK DETERMINES THE DIRECTION OF THE
LUCK.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALLEN PARK

James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION

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

Date learned: 10-00-1980 ; 00-00-1970

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POLISH CHRISTMAS CUSTOM

AT CHRISTMAS, PUT HAY ON A TABLECLOTH. IN THE MIDDLE PUT THE
CHRISTMAS WAFERS. EVERYONE MAKES A WISH THEN. AFTER THE MEAL
THE DOG IS GIVEN WHATEVER IS LEFT OVER FROM THE MEAL.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT FIRST LEARNED THIS AROUND 1910 IN POLAND. NO REASON
WAS OFFERED AS TO WHY THIS CUSTOM WAS DONE. THE MENTION OF A WISH
COULD LEAD TO SPECULATION ABOUT LUCK OR PREDICTION. ALSO, WHAT
HAPPENS IF THE HOUSEHOLD DOES NOT HAVE A DOG?

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below.
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20
BELIEF -- P122
BELIEF -- Mammal

Date learned: 10-00-1980 ; CA00001910

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COURTSHIP CUSTOM

THE OLDEST DAUGHTER PUTS THE DOG OUTSIDE. HER FUTURE BOYFRIEND
WILL COME FROM THE DIRECTION THE DOG RUNS.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT FIRST HEARD THIS IN POLAND AROUND 1910. THIS IS A
COURTSHIP CUSTOM AND SUPERSTITION WITH ELEMENTS OF PREDICTION
INVOLVED. IT SEEMS TO IMPLY THAT THE DOG HAS SOME TYPE OF POWER
SINCE HE IS THE INSTRUMENT USED TO FORETELL THE FUTURE.
THIS IS A POSITION DIRECTION INDICATOR OF THE FUTURE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage
BELIEF -- Mammal
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Marriage
BELIEF -- Use of Object

Date learned: 10-00-1980 ; CA00001910

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EASTER BELIEF

THE REASON WHY WE HAVE BUNNIES ON EASTER IS BECAUSE A LITTLE
RABBIT IS THE FIRST THING THAT JESUS SAW WHEN HE CAME OUT OF THE
TOMB.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT FIRST HEARD THIS IN 1976. ANOTHER POSSIBLE REASON
IS THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN RABBITS, EASTER AND SPRING. FERTILITY
AND PURIFICATION ARE INHERENT TO ALL THREE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALLEN PARK

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday
BELIEF -- Religious hero
BELIEF -- Mammal
BELIEF -- Measure of time Spring

Date learned: 10-00-1980 ; 09-00-1976

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LUCK

ABLACK CAT CROSSING YOUR PATH IN FRONT OF YOU IS BAD LUCK.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Mammal
BELIEF -- Color
BELIEF -- Bad luck

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IF A CAT CROSSES TO THE LEFT OF YOU IN THE DARK, IT MEANS BAD LUCK

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): POSITOIN DIRECTION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Mammal
BELIEF -- Bad luck

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IF A BLACK CAT RUNS ACROSS YOUR PATH, WALK BACKWARDS TO THE POINT IN
WHICH IT CROSSED YOU TO UNCROSS THE BAD LUCK SPELL

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION

Subject headings: 682 682.4
BELIEF -- Mammal
BELIEF -- Color
BELIEF -- Bad luck
BELIEF -- Conversions

Date learned: 11-14-1980

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FLORIDA SUPERSTITION

"IF A BLACK CAT CROSSES YOUR PATH, YOU SHOULD WALK THE OTHER WAY
TO PREVENT BAD LUCK".

Where learned: OHIO ; FLORIDA ; ALLIANCE ; EUSTIS

James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Mammal
BELIEF -- Color
BELIEF -- Conversions

Date learned: 11-13-1980 ; 00001920S

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THE GREEK WOMAN

MY FRIEND'S GRANDMA WAS THE ONLY WOMAN IN THE VILLAGE TO OWN A HORSE.
THIS WAS UNUSUAL BECAUSE IN THE SMALL VILLAGE WHERE SHE LIVED, ONLY
THE VERY RICH AND FINEST PEOPLE HAD DONKEYS. SHE WOULD TRAVEL SIDE
SADDLE SIXTY MILES TO THE CITY TO HAVE HER SHOES ORDERED, AS SHE
HATED THE HOME-MADE ONES IN THE VILLAGE. PEOPLE WOULD LOOK AT HER
STRANGELY BECAUSE THOUGH HER CLOTHES WERN'T FINE, SHE RODE A RICH
ANIMAL.

Submitter comment: THIS STORY WAS AN INTERESTING ONE. I PICTURED IT WHEN MY NEIGHBOR
WAS TELLING IT TO ME.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Mammal
BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal

Date learned: 00-00-1980

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IN BRAZIL, DOGS ARE ALLOWED TO ROAM THROUGH CHURCHES
WITHOUT BEING BOTHERED EVEN WHILE MASS IS PERFORMED.
THIS IS BECAUSE IN A GOSPEL STORY, A DOG LICKED THE
SORES OF THE LEPER, LAZARUS.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT FOUND THIS ANNOYING.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LINCOLN PARK

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church
BELIEF -- Mammal

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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IF ONE COW LICKS ANOTHER COW, IT MEANS AN
ELECTRICAL STORM OR BLIZZARD IS COMING.

Submitter comment: TOLD TO INFORMANT BY HER UNCLE, WALTER HAAS,
OF MONTMORENCY CTY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Mammal
BELIEF -- Weather sign or control

Date learned: 00001940-1950

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IN BRAZIL, DOGS ARE ALLOWED TO ROAM THROUGH
CHURCHES WITHOUT BEING BOTHERED, EVEN WHILE
MASS IS PERFORMED. THIS IS BECAUSE, IN A GOSPEL
STORY, A DOG LICKED THE SORES OF THE LEPER,
LAZARUS.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT FOUND THIS TO BE ANNOYING.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LINCOLN PARK

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Mammal

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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