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IF YOUR LEFT ELBOW ITCHES, SOMEONE IS COMING TO SLEEP
AT YOUR HOUSE; IF YOUR RIGHT ELBOW ITCHES, YOU ARE
GOING SOMEWHERE TO SLEEP.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: Observation
BELIEF -- Sensations and involuntary actions Itching elbow
BELIEF -- Use of Object Human beings and their activities

Date learned: 02-15-1968

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IF YOUR HAND ITCHES, YOU ARE EXPECTING A MALE VISITOR
WHO WILL ASK FOR MONEY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: Observation
BELIEF -- Sensations and involuntary actions Itching hands and feet
BELIEF -- Use of Object Human beings and their activities

Date learned: 11-01-1968

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SHOES

ONE MUST NOT LEAVE HIS SHOES ON THE FLOOR AT THE END OF ONES BED,
AS THE LEPRACHAUNS WILL COME AND DANCE IN THEM AT NIGHT.

Submitter comment:

THIS WAS TOLD TO THE INFORMANT BY HIS GRANDFATHER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION PLACEMENT

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome
BELIEF -- Use of Object Human beings and their activities

Date learned: 11-00-1967

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MY GRANDMOTHER EXPLAINED THAT IN ITALY, WHERE SHE WAS BORN,
IT WAS A PRACTICE TO PIERCE THE EARS OF LITTLE BABIES, BOTH
BOYS AND GIRLS. THE BELIEF BEHIND THIS CUSTOM WAS THAT IT
WOULD HELP TO MAINTAIN GOOD HEARING FOR THE CHILD THROUGHOUT
HIS OR HER LIFE.

Submitter comment: I FIND IT INTERESTING THAT THIS WAS SUCH A HIGHLY
RESPECTED CUSTOM FOR BOTH BOYS AND GIRLS, BECAUSE NOW WE
SOMETIMES THINK IT STRANGE FOR A MAN TO HAVE A PIERCED EAR.

Where learned: EAST DETROIT

Subject headings: ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Human or animal body
BELIEF -- Body part Senses Ears, noise in ear
BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness
BELIEF -- Use of Object Human beings and their activities

Date learned: 10-00-1983

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IF YOU CAN'T MAKE UP YOUR MIND WHICH WAY TO GO, SPIT
INTO THE PALM OF YOUR HAND, THEN BRING YOUR FIST DOWN
ONTO THE PALM OF YOUR HAND HARD. THE WAY THAT THE
SPIT FLICKS IS THE WAY YOU SHOULD GO.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Use of Object Human beings and their activities

Date learned: 03-17-1972

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IF YOU LOSE MONEY, SPIT ON THE BACK OF YOUR HAND AND
THROW IT OVER YOUR SHOULDER. WHICH EVER WAY THE WIND
BLOWS IT, THAT'S THE DIRECTION TO LOOK.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Use of Object Human beings and their activities

Date learned: 01-26-1972

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IF YOUR RIGHT PALM ITCHES AND YOU SPIT ON IT, THEN
PLACE INSIDE YOUR SHIRT OVER YOUR HEART, YOU WILL
RECEIVE MONEY.

Submitter comment: LEARNED AT HOME.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: Observation
BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails
BELIEF -- Use of Object Human beings and their activities

Date learned: 02-14-1967

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IF YOU FIND AN OLD TIRE, THROW IT IN THE RIVER AND
YOU WILL FIND SOME MONEY.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT THOUGHT THAT HE ORIGINATED THIS SUPERSTITION
BECAUSE WHEN HE WAS A YOUNG LAD IN JACKSON, MICHIGAN,
HE CARRIED OUT THIS PRACTICE THREE TIMES AND FOUND
MONEY EACH TIME. HE HAD NEVER HEARD OF IT, PREVIOUSLY.
HE HAS NOT DONE IT SINCE THEN, BECAUSE HE FEARS
IT WILL NOT WORK.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; JACKSON

James Callow Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth
BELIEF -- Use of Object Manufactured objects, homemade, machined
BELIEF -- Use of Object Human beings and their activities

Date learned: 04-18-1965

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TO PREVENT BAD FORTUNE

IF YOU GIVE A PPERSON A PIN OR A KNIFE, THE ERSON
MUST PICK HIMSELF WITH THE PIN OR ELSE GIVE THE
PERSON WHO GAVE HIM THE PIN OR KNIFE A PENNY.
IF THIS ISN'T DONE, THE TWO PEOPLE WILL GET INTO A
FIGHT AND WILL BECOME ENEMIES.

Submitter comment: SHE HEARD THIS SINCE THE TIME SHE WAS SMALL.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Use of Object Manufactured objects, homemade, machined
BELIEF -- Use of Object Human beings and their activities

Date learned: 11-07-1967

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IF YOU STEP ON THE CRACK OF A SIDEWALK, YOU WILL
BREAK YOUR AUNT'S BACK.

Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM MY SISTER WHEN I WAS A CHILD.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness
BELIEF -- Use of Object Human beings and their activities

Date learned: 03-22-1967

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IF YOU PLACE A TOOTH UNDER YOUR PILLOW, THE
GOOD FAIRY WILL TAKE THE TOOTH AND LEAVE YOU
SOME MONEY.

Submitter comment: FROM HER MOTHER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Use of Object Human beings and their activities

Date learned: 11-10-1967

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IF YOUR HANDWRITING IS VERY ROUND, IT MEANS YOU
ARE A ROMANTIC PERSON.

Where learned: HOME

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Use of Object Human beings and their activities

Date learned: 00-00-1966

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A DROWNING PERSON RISES TO THE SURFACE TWICE
BEFORE GOING DOWN FOR THE THIRD TIME.

Submitter comment: KNEW AS GENERAL INFORMATION.

Where learned: HOME

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Use of Object Human beings and their activities

Date learned: 10-30-1967

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IT IS BAD LUCK TO BURN SASSAFRAS IN YOUR FIREPLACE.
THE SMOKE WILL RISE UP AND SPREAD AROUND AND EVERYBODY
WILL FALL OUT WITH YOU.

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE

James Callow Keyword(s): ALIENATION ; ARGUMENT

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Plant
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Use of Object Human beings and their activities
BELIEF -- Bad luck

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WEARING AN EMERALD WILL GUARANTEE SAFETY IN CHILDBIRTH

Submitter comment: I LEARNED THIS LEGENDARY PROMISE FROM A JEWELER IN

Where learned: KENTUCKY ; LOUISVILLE

Subject headings: Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration
BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal
BELIEF -- Use of Object Human beings and their activities

Date learned: 00-00-1970

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YOU CAN'T SWEEP UNDER THE BABY'S BED UNTIL HE IS SIX
WEEKS OLD. IF YOU DO, THE BABY WILL DIE.

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE ; PEABODY COLLEGE LIBRARY

Subject headings: 686 Sixths / Six
BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial
BELIEF -- Use of Object Human beings and their activities

Date learned: 05-05-1969

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IF YOU ARE LYING ON THE FLOOR AND SOMEONE STEPS OVER YOU,
YOU WILL NOT GROW ANOTHER INCH.

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE

James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Body part Senses
BELIEF -- Use of Object Human beings and their activities

Date learned: 04-20-1972

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SPEAKING OF BREAKING UP FRIENDSHIPS, IN MANHATTAN THERE ARE
MANY AWNINGS THAT ARE HELD UP FROM THE SIDEWALKS BY POLES.
I USED TO GO WITH A GIRL WHO WOULD NEVER LET A POLE COME
BETWEEN US WHEN WE WERE WALKING, BECAUSE THAT MEANT THAT
WE WOULD BREAK UP. IF WE DID HAPPEN TO WALK ON OPPOSITE
SIDES OF A POLE, SHE WOULD MAKE ME TURN AROUND AND WALK
BY IT AGAIN WITH BOTH OF US GOING AROUND THE POLE ON THE
SAME SIDE.

Where learned: BARRETT RD ; NASHVILLE ; TENNESSEE, ASSUMED

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Use of Object Human beings and their activities

Date learned: 08-13-1968

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IF YOU DROP A PIECE OF SILVERWARE, COMPANY IS COMING; KNIFE--MAN
IS COMING; FORK--WOMAN; SPOON--CHILD.

Where learned: NOT GIVEN

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Use of Object Domestic object, wax, needle, dishware
BELIEF -- Use of Object Human beings and their activities

Date learned: 07-00-1972

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showing 33 items

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