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LANGUAGE OF ISRAEL: ELIEZER BEN-YEHUDA AND THE FORMATION OF
THE INFORMANT TOLD ME THE STORY OF ELIEZER BEN-YEHUDA, THE MAN WHO
COMPILED THE MODERN HEBREW LANGUAGE. BEN-YEHUDA FOUND THAT THE
JEWISH PEOPLE KNEW THE MEANINGS OF ONLY 7,700 HEBREW WORDS WHEN HE
COMPILED HIS FAMOUS DICTIONARY IN THE 1800'S. BEN-YEHUDA HAD TO
MAKE UP WORDS TO FIT NEW CONCEPTS THAT DID NOT EXIST WHERE ANCIENT
HEBREW WAS USED ("CARRIAGE," ETC.) SO HE COMBINED GERMAN, HEBREW
AND ARABIC TO FORM WHAT IS NOW KNOWN AS YIDDISH.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; 19510 BURLINGTON
Keyword(s): ETYMOLOGY ; Hebrew ; Jewish ; Language ; Origin
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being SPEECH -- Folk etymology |
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LANGUAGE OF ISRAEL: NO REAL NATIONAL LANGUAGE
MANY YEARS LATER, A PUPIL OF ELIEZER BEN-YEHUDA'S DECIDED TO GO
AND PINPOINT WHAT THE JEWISH PEOPLE USED FOR THEIR NATIONAL
LANGUAGE. SINCE THEY WERE ALL CAREFUL IN ORDINARY SPEAKING, THIS
PUPIL DECIDED THAT THE ONLY WAY TO FIND OUT HOW THE PEOPLE REALLY
SPOKE WOULD BE TO CATCH THEM WITH THEIR TONGUES OFF GUARD. SO ONE
DAY HE WENT TO A JEWISH SCHOOL IN JERUSALEM AND WAITED UNTIL ONE
OF THE SMALLEST BOYS CAME OUT INTO THE PLAYGROUND. THE PUPIL
WALKED UP TO HIM FROM BEHIND AND ROUGHLY KNOCKED THE LITTLE BOY'S
HAT OFF. THE PUPIL EXPECTED THE BOY TO CRY OUT "MOTHER," EITHER
SAYING "IMMA," WHICH IS HEBREW, OR "MAMALE," WHICH IS YIDDISH,
BUT INSTEAD THE LITTLE BOY PICKED UP HIS HAT, FACED BEN-YEHUDA'S
PUPIL SQUARELY AND HISSED "HAMAR" (ASSHOLE), WHICH IS THE SAME
IN BOTH LANGUAGES. SO BECAUSE OF THIS INCIDENT, THEN, WE STILL
DO NOT KNOW IF ISRAEL'S NATIONAL LANGUAGE IS HEBREW OR YIDDISH.
Data entry tech comment:
Beginning of tale is missing.
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): Culture ; ETYMOLOGY ; Hebrew ; Israel ; Jewish ; Language ; Origin ; Yiddish
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being SPEECH -- Folk etymology PROVERB -- V620 |
"BLOCKHEAD"
IF SOMEONE CALLS YOU A BLOCKHEAD, BACK IN COLONIAL AMERICA,
PEOPLE WHO WORE WIGS
WORE WIGS KEPT THEM ON WOODEN BLOCKS (SHAPED THE SAME AS THEIR HEAD
IF THEY WERE RICH ENOUGH), AND CALLING SOMEONE A BLOCKHEAD IS
COMPARING HIS HEAD TO ONE OF THOSE BLOCKS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE
| Subject headings: | Person / Nickname SPEECH -- Folk etymology |
Date learned: 11-00-1974
MARINE CORPS
HUMP IT- MEANS YOU CARRY YOUR OWN GEAR, "YOU HUMP IT". WAS ALSO
USED TO MEAN THAT YOU HAD TO WALK SOMEWHERE. MOST FREQUENTLY THAT
SOMETHING HAD TO BE CARRIED, "HUMP A MORTAR", "HUMP A RADIO".
OPPOSED TO THIS WAS, "THE GUN WILL RIDE", OR "THAT GUY WILL RIDE".
USUALLY IF ANYTHING WAS GOING TO GET THERE, YOURSELF INCLUDED, THEN
IT HAD TO BE HUMPED.
PROBABLY HAD ITS ORIGINS IN THAT YOU HAD TO HUNCH OVER TO CARRY
WHATEVER IT WAS ON YOUR BACK.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Folk etymology |
Date learned: 09-26-1972
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"GREEN GIRL"
THE O.D. GREEN BLANKET DISTRIBUTED TO ALL CADETS IS CALLED A "GREEN
GIRL". WHEN A CADET GOES OUT WITH HIS BLANKET UNDER HIS ARM , ALL
CADETS KNOW THAT HE WILL BE IN THE WOODS WITH HIS GIRL THAT NIGHT.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; WEST POINT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535 SPEECH -- Folk etymology SPEECH -- Trade & commerce Filter - Mature Content |
Date learned: 00-00-1971
PROVERBIAL METAPHOR
COLDER THAN A WELL-DIGGERS ASS.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT TOLD THIS STORY: BEFORE THE AGE OF MACHINERY WHEN PEOPLE
DUG THEIR OWN WELLS THEIR BACKSIDES WERE CLOSE TO THE SIDE OF THE
WELL WALL BECAUSE THE HOLE WAS SO NARROW. BECAUSE OF THE DAMP GROUND
THE WELL-DIGGER'S BACKSIDE OFTEN GOT VERY COLD.
Data entry tech comment: GOOD GRIEF
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CLIMATE
James Callow Keyword(s): EUPHEMISM: BACKSIDES
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Air Weather Fire SPEECH -- Folk etymology PROVERB -- Blason Populaire PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: 03-08-1970
DOGWOOD BELIEF
THE RED MARKS ON EACH OF THE FOUR PETALS OF THE DOGWOOD FLOWER
ARE CALLED BLOODSPOTS BECAUSE THEY REPRESENT THE PASSION MARKS
OF CHRIST.
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Religious hero BELIEF -- Plant SPEECH -- Folk etymology SPEECH -- Folk Name for Plant |
Date learned: 11-12-1969
SNEEZE BELIEF
IT IS KNOWN THAT WHEN ONE SNEEZES, YOU ARE SUPPOSED
TO SAY, 'GOD BLESS YOU.' BECAUSE AT THAT MOMENT THEIR HEART STOPS
AND THEY ARE CLOSEST TO DEATH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHGATE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal SPEECH -- Folk etymology SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 02-00-1972
FORMULA SPEECH
GOD BLESS YOU, SAID WHEN SOMEONE SNEEZES.
ORIGIN: PEOPLE WOULD SAY THIS WHENEVER SOMEONE SNEEZED TO FORCE
THE BAD SPIRITS BACK INTO THE PERSONS BODY. THEY
BELIEVED COLDS WERE CAUSED BY EVIL SPIRITS AND THEY COULD
PROTECT THEMSELVES FROM THE SPIRITS COMING OUT IN THE
SNEEZE, BY USING GOD'S NAME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal SPEECH -- Folk etymology |
MEANING BEHIND A CUSTOM
WHEN YOU SAY THAT YOU ARE TAKING IT WITH A GRAIN OF SALT, YOU MEAN
THAT YOU DOUBT IT VERY MUCH. THIS GOES BACK TO THE ROMAN TIMES,
WHEN SALT WAS RARE AND COSTLY AND HAD A HIGH VALUE. THEY FELT THAT
IT HAD MAGICAL POWERS AND THEY ALSO USED IT FOR SEASONING. GENERAL
POMPEII THREW SALT OVER HIS SHOULDER BEFORE GOING INTO BATTLE FOR
GOOD LUCK. THE ROMANS ALSO BELIEVED THAT IF SOME FOOD WAS BAD, THEY
COULD NEUTRALIZE IT BY PUTTING SALT ON IT. THEY WOULD ONLY EAT
ANYTHING QUESTIONABLE IF THEY PUT SALT ON IT FIRST. THIS IS WHY WE
TODAY SAY THAT WE TAKE SOMETHING DOUBTFUL WITH A GRAIN OF SALT.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT HEARD THIS ITEM ON A RADIO BROADCAST ON 102 FM WDOK.
WDOK BROADCASTS IN CLEVELAND, OHIO.
Where learned: OHIO ; CLEVELAND
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mineral SPEECH -- Folk etymology PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase |
Date learned: 10-00-1976
"POETOE" (WHISTLE CAKE)
A VENDER WOULD WALK THROUGH THE STREETS WITH A STEAM-
ING KETTLE INSIDE ONE OF HIS BASKETS. THE BASKETS HUNG
ON LONG STICK THAT WAS HANGING ON HIS SHOULDERS. WHEN
FINDING A CUSTOMER, THE VENDER WOULD MAKE CAKE IN FRONT
OF HIM. THE KETTLE WOULD HAVE BAMBOO SHOOTS COMING OUT
OF IT. IN MAKING THE CAKE, THE VENDER WOULD PUT IN RICE
FLOUR, AND BROWN SUGAR. AFTER THE CAKE WAS IN THE
BAMBOO SHOOTS FOR A WHILE, THE VENDER PUSHED IT OUT.
THE VENDER WOULD THEN SPRINKLE FLAKES OF COCONUT ON IT.
THE NAME "WHISTLE CAKE" CAME FROM THE WHISTLING SOUND
OF THE KETTLE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Manner of preparation Food Drink -- Pastry Sweet Dessert SPEECH -- Folk etymology SPEECH -- Onomatopoeia |
Date learned: 04-00-1979 ; 00001930-1950
RACING, CHASING GAME: PICKLE
THIS GAME IS PLAYED ON THE FRONT SIDEWALK. THERE ARE TWO CATCHERS
AND TWO RUNNERS, ONE STARTING AT EACH END OF THE FRONT WALK.
THE RUNNERS MUST GO BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN THE BASES WHILE THE TWO
CATCHERS THROW THE BALL BACK AND FORTH BEING CAREFUL NOT TO BE
CAUGHT OFF BASE. IF CAUGHT OFF BASE, THEY WOULD BE TAGGED OUT.
Submitter comment:
THE GAME WAS CALLED PICKLE BECAUSE THE TWO CATCHERS WOULD OFTEN CATCH
THE RUNNER BETWEEN THEM, PUTTING HIM IN A BIND, OR AS WE CALLED IT, A
PICKLE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Racing Chasing Fighting Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement SPEECH -- Folk etymology |
Date learned: 04-11-1979
HOW NOVI, MICHIGAN GOT ITS NAME
ACCORDING TO MY LATE FATHER, THE CITY OF NOVI, MICHIGAN GOT
ITS NAME BY ACCIDENT. ACCORDING TO THE STORY, A MAP MAKER
MISTOOK A SURVEYOR'S NOTATION ON A ROUGH, EARLY MAP OF THE AREA.
THE SURVEYOR HAD MARKED "NO. VI" ON THE MAP, DESIGNATING THE
LOCATION OF STAGE COACH STOP NUMBER SIX ON THE RUN BETWEEN
DETROIT AND CHICAGO. THE MAP MAKER THOUGHT THE NOTATION WAS A
WORD AND RAN ALL THE LETTERS TOGETHER. THUS, "NO. VI" BECAME NOVI.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name SPEECH -- Folk etymology |
Date learned: 00-00-1968
THE ORIGIN OF THE SANDWICH
DID YOU KNOW THAT WHAT WE CALL A SANDWICH TODAY IS NOT REALLY A
SANDWICH? IT'S A SHREWSBURY} I'M SURE YOU HEARD THE STORY ABOUT
THE EARL OF SANDWICH INVENTING THAT DELICACY,
BUT THAT STORY IS FALSE, IT WAS INVENTED BY THE DUKE OF SHREWSBURY,
TO CELEBRATE HIS INVENTION, THE DUKE INVITED ALL OF THE NOBILITY
FROM FAR AND NEAR TO A BANQUET, WHERE HE WAS GOING TO INTRODUCE
THE SHREWSBURY. HE HAPPENED TO INVITE THE EARL OF SANDWICH.
THE EARL RECOGNIZED WHAT A GOOD THING THIS WAS, SO HE INVITED
THE DUKE OVER TO HIS CASTLE THE NEXT DAY.
WHEN THE EARL SAW THE DUKE ABOUT TO ENTER THE CASTLE, HE LIFTED UP
THE DRAWBRIDGE, AND THE DUKE FELL IN THE MOAT. HE THEN PULLED THE
PLUG AND THAT WAS THE LAST ANYONE SAW OF THE DUKE. THE EARL OF
SANDWICH TOOK THE INVENTION AND MADE IT POPULAR AND THAT IS WHY WE
CALL IT A SANDWICH.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT HEARD THE STORY FROM SOMEONE AT WESTERN MICHIGAN
UNIVERSITY, WHERE HE IS A STUDENT. HE WAS NOT SURE OF THE FELLOW'S
NAME, BUT HE KNEW THAT HE WAS FROM MASSACHUSETTS.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): FOOD ; Invention ; NAME ; Origin ; Sandwich
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Pastry Sweet Dessert Bread, rolls, etc. SPEECH -- Folk etymology |
Date learned: 04-10-1965
BACHELOR
IN THE DAYS OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE, THE ANCIENT ROMANS WERE CONTINUALLY
BICKERING WITH THE GAULS, CARTHAGINIANS, AND OTHER YOUNG LADS; SO
THEY WERE ALL DRAFTED INTO THE ROMAN LEGIONS. THIS LEFT ONLY THE
CHILDREN TO SERVE AS COWHERDS. THEY WERE CALLED BACCALARIUS,
FROM BACCA (COW). HOWEVER, WHEN THEY BECAME MARRIED, THIS NAME WAS
DROPPED. IT WAS SHORTENED TO BACHELOR, FOR UNMARRIED BOYS.
Where learned: 1460 MEAD
Keyword(s): ORIGIN OF WORD
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name SPEECH -- Folk etymology |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
COMPANION
IN ANCIENT ROME, IT WAS AN UNWRITTEN LAW THAT IF ANY TRAVELER DESIRE
FOOD AND SHELTER, THE HOUSEHOLDER MUST WELCOME HIM WITH CORDIALITY.
THESE CHANCE ENCOUNTERS MIGHT BRING MEN TOGETHER ONLY ONCE IN THEIR
LIVES, BUT THE FACT OF BREAKING BREAD TOGETHER MADE THEM FRIENDS
FOREVER. LITERALLY OUR WORD "COMPANION" COMES FROM THE LATIN WORD
"COM" (TOGETHER) PLUS "PANIS" (BREAD).
Where learned: 1460 MEAD
Keyword(s): ORIGIN OF WORD
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank SPEECH -- Folk etymology |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
NICKNAME
NICKNAME BUFFALO CAME ABOUT WHEN A BELGIAN MAN WAS BEING TEASED BY
SOMEONE, HE CHARGED AT THE MAN, RAMMING HIM WITH HIS HEAD LIKE A
BUFFALO.
Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM HER FATHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name SPEECH -- Folk etymology |
Date learned: 02-16-1980
KWANZA
KWANZA IS AN AFRICAN HOLIDAY. IT IS CELEBRATED
DECEMBER 26 THROUGH JANUARY 1. IT IS AN EVENT WHICH
IS CELEBRATED ANNUALLY AND IS BASED ON AFRICAN
HARVEST CELEBRATIONS. KWANZA MEANS THE FIRST FRUIT.
THE PURPOSE OF KWANZA IS THE THANKING OF OUR ANCESTORS
IN ORDER TO INSURE A GOOD HARVEST FOR THE ENSUING YEAR.
DURING THE HARVEST CELEBRATIONS, THERE ARE
FEASTING, DRUMMING AND DANCING. STORY_TELLING
IS HEARD. FAMILY TIES ARE STRENGTHENED
AND ENCOURAGED.
MOST HOLIDAYS HAVE SYMBOLS WHICH ARE IDENTIFIABLE
WITH A PARTICULAR CELEBRATION. KWANZA DOES ALSO.
THE SYMBOLS OF KWANZA ARE: MEKA (STRAW) THE MHUMA (CANDLE),
ZAWADI (GIFTS) AND MAHINDI (CORN). THE CORN
REPRESESENTS ALL THE CHILDREN IN THE HOUSEHOLD.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST, THERE IS THE KIKOMBE (UNITY CUP).
COMMUNITIES AND HOMES ARE DECORATED, HOWEVER, EMPHASIS
IS ON THE USE OF NATURAL THINGS.
THE COLORS OF RED, GREEN AND BLACK ARE USED.
THEY ALSO SYMBOLIZES THE BLOOD SHED BY AFRICANS
IN THE STRUGGLE FOR FREEDOM AND PEACE.
THESE COLORS REPRESENTS BLOOD, LAND AND COLOR.
BLACK IS FOR THE AFRICAN SKIN COLOR. GREEN IS FOR FERTILITY.
EMPHASIS IS PLACED UPON THE CHILDREN WHO RECEIVE
MOST OF THE GIFTS AND ARE ASKED TO MAKE A COMMITMENT.
A CHILD MIGHT ASK FOR BETTER GRADES IN SCHOOL.
IF THE CHILD GRADES HAS IMPROVED CONSIDERABLY, HE IS REWARDED.
THE REWARDS ARE CLOTHING, EXTRA FOOD OR A VISIT OUT OF TOWN.
TRADITIONALLY, THE STRENTH OF THE AFRICAN FAMILY
HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE FAMILY. BECAUSE OF THIS, THE FAMILY
IS THE FOCAL POINT OF THE CELEBRATION.
Submitter comment:
THE MEANING OF THE WORD FAMILY HERE CONSIST OF
THE FATHER, MOTHER, CHILDREN, AUNTS AND UNCLES.
FAMILY MEANS THE EXTENDED FAMILY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; 4474 THIRD AVE
THREE SHEETS TO THE WIND'S EYE
THIS TERM WAS ORIGINATED IN SAILING. IF YOU HAD THREE JIB SAILS
UP AND THEY WERE ALL AT THE WRONG ANGLE TO THE WIND, THE SHIP
WOULD STAGGER DRUNKENLY UNTIL THE PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED. THE
MOVEMENT OF THE SHIP WOULD BE FROM SIDE TO SIDE.
Submitter comment:
THIS COLLECTION STARTED BECAUSE I WAS HAVING A DISCUSSION WITH
MS BOW ABOUT THE SLIDE RULE DINNER HELD BY THE ENGINEERS YEARLY
FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT. I TOLD HER OF COMMENTING TO A
STUDENT THERE THAT HE LOOKED LIKE HE WAS THREE SHEETS TO THE WIND.
HE REPLIED THAT HE WAS FOUR (SHEETS TO THE WIND). MS. BOW THEN
RESPONDED BY SAYING, DO YOU KNOW WHERE THAT TERM COMES FROM? SHE
TURNED OUT TO BE A MARVELOUS SOURCE OF ITEMS FOR THIS COLLECTION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Folk etymology |
ZOO NIGHT
IT IS A TRADITION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT THAT THURSDAY
NIGHT IS BAR NIGHT. THIS TRADITION WAS STARTED MANY YEARS AGO WHEN
"THE TWENTIES," A BAR ON LIVERNOIS ACROSS FROM THE CAMPUS, USED TO
OFFER SPECIALS ON THURSDAY NIGHT. THERE WERE EXTRA SPECIALS
FOR ANY GREEKS THAT WORE THEIR LETTERS AS WELL. SINCE THE PLACE
USUALLY BECAME QUITE ROWDY IT SOON GOT THE NAME OF "ZOO NIGHT."
THE TWENTIES NO LONGER EXISTS, AND THE RATHSKELLAR DOESN'T
OFFER ANY THURSDAY SPECIALS, BUT THE TRADITION OF GOING TO THE
BAR EVERY THURSDAY HASN'T BEEN FORGOTTEN.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Week Day Hour SPEECH -- Folk etymology |
Date learned: 00-00-1979