Offensive content Filter is ON
Your search for SYMBOL returned 277 results.
THE POT MEETS ITS OWN COVER
THE POT ROLLED AND ROLLED UNTIL IT MET ITS OWN COVER.
IT IS SAID WHEN TWO PEOPLE THAT ARE VERY MUCH ALIKE GET MARRIED,
BECOME VERY GOOD FRIENDS, ESTABLISH A BUSINESS, OR ANY OTHER
KIND OF CLOSE RELATIONSHIP.
THE ABOVE CAN BE APPLIED TO EITHER SEX.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): COOKING UTENSIL ; SYMBOL ; UNION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
PROVERB
PURE AS THE DRIVEN SNOW.
Submitter comment: FROM UNCERTAIN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
James Callow Keyword(s): HONESTY ; SYMBOL ; WEATHER
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: 00001964 ( SUMMER )
CUSTOM DEATH
PUSHING UP DAISIES
SOMETIMES YOU REFER TO DYING AS PUSHING UP DAISIES.
Where learned: SCHOOL ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT CAMPUS, ASSUMED
James Callow Keyword(s): EUPHEMISM ; PLANT ; SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase |
Date learned: 03-05-1968
PUT THAT IN YOUR PIPE AND SMOKE IT.
Where learned: OHIO ; Sylvania
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: POSITIVE ; RETORT ; SYMBOL ; THINK IT OVER
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
CART AND HORSE
A PERSON WHO HAD BEEN CARRIED AWAY AND JUMPED
INTO SOMETHING WITHOUT THINKING MIGHT HAVE BEEN SAID TO HAVE
PUT THE CART BEFORE THE HORSE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMAL ; PRECIPITOUS ; REVERSAL ; SYMBOL ; TRANSPORTATION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase |
Date learned: 09-00-1969
HOW TO DETERMINE SEX OF UNBORN CHILD
IF AN EXPECTING MOTHER WANTS TO KNOW WHAT SEX HER CHILD WELL BE SHE
SHOULD HAVE HER FUTURE MID-WIFE AID HER IN THE FOLLOWING TEST. IF
THE WOMAN IS FIVE TO NINE MONTHS EXPECTANT SHE SHOULD REST ON THE
FLOOR ON HER BACK WITH BOTH ARMS STRAIGHT AT THEIR SIDES, HER LEGS
AND FEET TOGETHER AND RELAX ALL THOUGHTS OF DOUBT ABOUT THE TEST
WORKING OR NOT. THE MID-WIFE IS TO WASH HER HANDS IN A MIXTURE OF
VINEGAR AND SALT AND HOLD A LONG CHAIN BELONGING TO THE EXPECTANT
WOMAN'S MOTHER; THE CHAIN SHOULD HAVE A HEAVY OBJECT ON ITS END, SUCH
AS A CAMEO OR THE LIKING. THE MID-WIFE IS TO HOLD THE CHAIN AND
OBJECT OVER THE WOMAN'S STOMACH AND ASK, "WHAT'S IT GONNA BE LORD,
THE LIKINGS OF ME OR THEE, LORD?" AT THAT POINT THE HANGING OBJECT
SHOULD REST ON THE WOMAN'S STOMACH AND IT SHOULD BE SLOWLY RAISED AND
AGAIN RESTED, RAISED, RESTED AND SO ON. IF THE OBJECT ON THE CHAIN
SWINGS CLOCKWISE AS IT'S RAISED AND LOWERED ONTO THE UNBORN CHILD, IT
WILL BE A MALE. BUT IN THE EVENT THAT THE OBJECT SWINGS
COUNTER-CLOCKWISE, THE UNBORN CHILD WILL BE A FEMALE. THE OBJECT'S
MOVEMENT WILL BE ONLY SLIGHT. THIS TEST SHOULD BE DONE AT LEAST FIVE
TIMES AND IF THE TEST "PROVES" THE CHILD TO BE A MALE AT LEAST THREE
OUT OF THE FIVE TRYS, THE MOTHER SHOULD EXPECT A SON AND LIKEWISE, IF
THE OBJECT SWINGS TO THE LEFT OR COUNTER-CLOCKWISE AT LEAST THREE OF
THE FIVE TRIES, THE MOTHER
WILL HAVE A DAUGHTER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN
James Callow Keyword(s): NUMBERS ; SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 00-00-1935
POLISH FUNERAL
IN POLAND NO EMBALMING TAKES PLACE. THE DECEASED IS LAID OUT
FOR 3 DAYS IN THEIR OWN HOME.
CANDLES ARE SET AT THE HEAD AND FOOT OF THE DECEASED.
FLOWERS ARE THEN ARRANGED AROUND THE CASKET, WHICH
IS SET ON A SMALL PLATFORM USED BY THE VILLAGE. THE CASKET IS
MADE OF VARNISHED WOOD, AND IS
USUALLY DECORATED BY FOLK ART COMMON
TO THAT REGION. THIS IS SOMETIMES DONE WITH STEEL
PINS TO OUTLINE THE
DESIGN OR IS PAINTED ON TOP OF THE CASKET. ON THE FOURTH DAY,
THE BURIAL TAKES PLACE. A PROCESSION FROM THE HOUSE TO THE
CHURCH FORMS WITH THE ALTAR BOYS
GOING FIRST. THE OUTSIDE BOYS CARRY
LIGHTED CANDLES, WHILE THE BOY IN THE MIDDLE CARRIES THE CRUCIFIX.
THEN THE PRIEST FOLLOWS, LEADING HYMMS FOR THE REPOSE OF THE SOUL.
A HORSE DRAWN CARRIAGE FOLLOWS, CARRYIMG THE BODY OF THE DECEASED.
THE FLOWERS FROM THE HOUSE ARE PUT AROUND THE CASKET, AND THE REST
ARE PUT ON TOP OF THE CARRIAGE. MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY FOLLOW IN
ORDER OF RELATEDNESS TO THE DECEASED. EXAMPLE=HUSBAND AND KIDS
FIRST. A MASS IS SAID AT THE CHURCH FOR THE REPOSE OF THE SOUL.
ALL TRADITIONAL SONGS OF THE PARTICULAR REGION ARE SUNG. AT THE
END OF MASS, THE SAME PROCESSION IS FORMED IN EXACTLY THE SAME
ORDER AS BEFORE. AGAIN THE PRIEST LEADS THE MOURNERS IN LOCAL
HYMMS. THE CARRIAGE FOLLOWS WITH
THE MOURNERS BEHIND THE CARRIAGE.
AT THE CEMETERY, THE GRAVE HAS
ALREADY BEEN DUG, WITH THE PLANKS PLACED
ACROSS THE HOLE. THE PRIEST
SAYS THE RITUAL AND BLESSES THE
GROUND. THEN THE CASKET IS NAILED SHUT,
AND IS LOWERED INTO THE GRAVE.
THE RELATIVE CLOSEST TO THE DECEASED THEN THROWS THE FIRST HANDFUL
OF DIRT. THEN EVERYONE, IN FAMILY ORDER, THROWS A HANDFUL OF
DIRT. EVERYONE LEAVES IN ORDER TO GIVE THE IMMEDIATE FAMILY A
CHANCE TO PAY THEIR FINAL RESPECTS.
Submitter comment:
VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THIS FUNERAL CHANGE FROM REGION TO REGION.
ATTENDED FUNERAL AS SUCH MYSELF WHILE IN POLAND
Where learned: POLAND ; CHELMNO
James Callow Keyword(s): NUMBER ; SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 07-00-1971
IRISH GIFT BELIEF
WHENEVER A SHARP OBJECT IS GIVEN AS A GIFT A PENNY SHOULD BE GIVEN
ALONG WITH IT. THE PENNY INSURES THAT FRIENDSHIP WILL NOT BE BROKEN.
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS GIVEN TO MRS. CHESNEY BY MATILDA MELLON, HER MOTHER,
WHO WAS AN IRISH IMMIGRANT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS
James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 09-16-1975
DIVINATION OF DESTINY
WHEN A BABY IS VERY YOUNG PLACE A COIN, BEER AND A ROSARY WITHIN THE
REACH OF THE BABY. IF THE BABY FIRST REACHES FOR THE COIN, IT WILL
ALWAYS HAVE MONEY. IF IT REACHES FOR THE BEER IT WILL FAVOR THE
DRINK. IF IT FIRST REACHES FOR THE ROSARY THE BABY IS DESTINED TO
BECOME RELIGIOUS.
Submitter comment: THIS ITEM WAS GIVEN TO MRS. CHESNEY BY MATILDA MELLON, HER MOTHER, WHO WAS AN IRISH IMMIGRANT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS
James Callow Keyword(s): ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ; SYMBOLS ; SYMPATHETIC MAGIC
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 09-16-1975
IRISH BELIEF ABOUT THE MOON
WHENEVER THE MOON IS RED IT MEANS THERE WILL BE BLOODSHED.
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS GIVEN TO MRS. CHESNEY BY MATILDA MELLON, HER MOTHER,
WHO WAS AN IRISH IMMIGRANT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS
James Callow Keyword(s): INTERNAL RHYME ; SYMBOL ; SYMPATHETIC MAGIC
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Moon BELIEF -- Sign Color BELIEF -- Weather sign or control |
Date learned: 09-16-1975
IRISH GIFT BELIEF
WHENEVER A PURSE IS GIVEN AWAY THERE SHOULD ALWAYS BE A PENNY IN IT
TO INSURE THAT THE RECIPIENT WILL ALWAYS HAVE WEALTH.
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS GIVEN TO MRS. CHESNEY BY MATILDA MELLON, HER MOTHER,
WHO WAS AN IRISH IMMIGRANT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS
James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOL ; SYMPATHETIC MAGIC
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 09-16-1975
SLOVAK CHRISTMAS SUPPER CUSTOM
BEFORE CHRISTMAS DINNER THE OLDEST MALE MEMBER OF THE HOUSEHOLD
TAKES A CLOVE OF GARLIC AND DIPS IT INTO HONEY. HE THEN MAKES
THE SIGN OF THE CROSS ON THE FOREHEAD OF EACH MEMBER OF THE
HOUSEHOLD. THIS SIGNIFIES THE SWEETNESS AND BITTERNESS OF LIFE.
Submitter comment: SLOVAK IMMIGRANTS. THEY NOW LIVE IN ERII, PENNSYLVANIA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 BELIEF -- Body part Senses Forehead BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications |
SLOVAK CHRISTMAS SUPPER CUSTOM
HAY WOULD BE PLACED UNDER THE SUPPER TABLE ON CHRISTMAS TO
SIGNIFY THE STABLE IN WHICH CHRIST WAS BORN.
Submitter comment:
JOHN MIHAL
LEARNED THIS ITEM FROM HIS FATHER'S PARENTS WHO WERE
SLOVAK IMMIGRANTS. THEY NOW LIVE IN ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Food Drink -- Service Table furnishing and decoration |
Date learned: 10-15-1975
AN OLD SUPERSTITION THIS INDIVIDUAL LEARNED WAS THAT ONE COULD
ASCERTAIN THE AMOUNT OF YEARS ONE HAD REMAINING IN LIFE BY COUNTING
THE NUMBER OF CARS IN THE NEXT FUNERAL PROCESSION TO PASS BY. EACH
CAR REPRESENTED AN ADDITIONAL YEAR TACKED ON THE PERSONS LIFE SPAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE ; NUMBERS ; SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Number |
Date learned: 10-00-1975
A WOMAN MUST NOT TRIP OVER ANY TYPE CORD DURING PREGNANCY. IF THE
EXPECTANT MOTHER WAS TO BE UNFORTUNATE ENOUGH TO DO SO, THE UMBILICAL
CORD WOULD WRAP AROUND THE UNBORN CHILD'S NECK AND THE BABY WOULD BE
STRANGLED TO DEATH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOL ; SYMPATHETIC MAGIC
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 10-00-1975
ETHNIC CUSTOM
DECEMBER 6 IS THE FEAST OF ST. NICHOLAS. ON THE NIGHT OF DECEMBER 5,
IN GERMAN HOMES, CHILDREN HANG UP THEIR STOCKINGS. IF THEY HAVE BEEN
GOOD DURING THE YEAR, THEIR STOCKING IS FILLED WITH CANDY, NUTS AND
TANGERINES. IF THEY HAVE BEEN BAD, THE STOCKING IS FILLED WITH COAL
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS A CUSTOM MY MOTHER'S FAMILY FOLLOWED AND WHICH WE FOLLOWED
FROM ABOUT THE TIME I WAS 5 UNTIL I WAS 17.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOL ; THREAT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F120 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 6 Feast of St. Nicholas CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- September 23 equinox to December 20 Also used for Advent. |
Date learned: CA00001960
WEDDING SHOWER CUSTOM
AT A BRIDAL SHOWER, THE NUMBER OF RIBBONS BROKEN FROM THE PRESENTS
THE BRIDE RECEIVES INDICATES THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN SHE WILL HAVE.
SEVEN BROKEN RIBBONS MEAN SEVEN CHILDREN.
Submitter comment:
EVERYONE LAUGHS AT THIS CUSTOM, BUT AT EVERY BRIDAL SHOWER I HAVE
ATTENDED THE FUTURE BRIDE HAS BEEN VERY CAREFUL. I HAVE NEVER
SEEN A BROKEN RIBBON.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA
James Callow Keyword(s): NUMBERS ; SYMBOLS
| Subject headings: | 686 Seven / Sevenths / Several Observation BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: CA00001970
THE EVIL EYE
TWO SIGNS WHICH SHOULD BE WORN TOGETHER ON A CHAIN ARE A HAND WITH
THE INDEX AND LITTLE FINGERS EXTENDED AND AN ITALIAN HORN. THEY
ARE WORN TO WARD OFF THE EVIL EYE. THE SYMBOL OF THE HAND IS ALSO
DONE WHEN YOU WANT TO WISH PEOPLE THE EVIL EYE.
Submitter comment:
THE ITALIAN HORN HAS IN RECENT YEARS BECOME A FAD AND IS WORN BY
MANY PEOPLE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
James Callow Keyword(s): GESTURE SYMBOL ; MANU CORNUTA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Eyes, evil eye BELIEF -- Sign Color SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 11-00-1975
MOTHER'S DAY CUSTOM
IF YOU WANT TO BUY YOUR MOTHER A CORSAGE FOR MOTHER'S DAY, THERE ARE
THINGS YOU SHOULD FIRST KNOW. IF YOUR MOTHER'S MOTHER IS DEAD, YOU
SHOULD BUY HER A WHITE FLOWER. IF YOUR MOTHER'S MOTHER IS ALIVE,
YOU SHOULD BUY HER A PINK FLOWER. I DON'T KNOW WHAT A RED FLOWER
MEANS.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS TOLD TO ME WHEN I BOUGHT MY MOTHER THE WRONG COLOR OF
FLOWER. I HAVE BEEN MORE CAREFUL SINCE THEN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): COLOR SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- March 21 equinox to June 20 BELIEF -- Color |
LENTEN CUSTOMS:
DURING THE FOUR WEEKS OF LENT FOUR CANDLES ARE PLACED IN A ROUND
WREATH. EACH DAY OF THE FIRST WEEK THE FIRST CANDLE IS BURNED FOR
A FEW MINUTES AND A PRAYER IS SAID. (DURING THE SECOND, THIRD,
AND FOURTH WEEKS THE SAME IS DONE.)
Data entry tech comment:
I THINK THAT INFORMANT HAS THIS CUSTOM MIXED UP WITH THAT OF THE
FOUR WEEKS OF ADVENT THAT ARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS. IF THIS IS A TRUE
CUSTOM, I WONDER WHAT IS DONE ON THE 5TH AND 6TH SUNDAYS OF LENT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | 663 Lent |
Date learned: 10-27-1969