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TEA BELIEF

IF YOU PICK UP THE BUBBLES IN A CUP OF TEA BEFORE YOU
DRINK IT, YOU
WILL GET RICH.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM ; Knuff, Alana

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Beverage ; Bubbles ; Consume ; DRINK ; FOOD ; fortune ; Rich ; SUPERSTITION ; TEA

Subject headings: Food Drink -- Brew of leaf, bark, root
BELIEF -- Home
BELIEF -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222.
BELIEF -- Use of Object

Date learned: 01-30-1968

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ENTERING AND LEAVING A HOUSE

MANY SLAVIC PEOPLE TODAY BELIEVE THAT IF A PERSON
DOES NOT LEAVE SOMEONES HOUSE BY THE SAME DOOR THAT THEY CAME IN,
THEN THEY WILL BRING BAD LUCK TO THEMSELVES AND THE PEOPLE OF THAT
PARTICULAR HOME.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Chemny, Michael

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Entrance ; Exit ; fortune ; Guests ; HOSPITALITY ; House ; LUCK ; SUPERSTITION

James Callow Keyword(s): DIRECTION ; POSITION

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

Date learned: 09-14-1969

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PLANT BELIEF

IF A PLANT THAT WAS GIVEN TO YOU BY A FRIEND DIES, THEN
THE FRIENDSHIP DIES, TEND BOTH WELL.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; 16514 LEXINGTON ; Haggis, Polly ; 48240

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Botany ; DEATH ; fortune ; FRIENDSHIP ; GIFT ; PLANT ; Relationship ; SUPERSTITION ; WISDOM

James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE ; HOMEOPATHIC ; Positive

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

Date learned: 11-19-1971

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IF YOU VISIT PEOPLE IN A NEW HOME, BRING BREAD AND SALT
AS A GIFT, AND THE PEOPLE WILL ALWAYS HAVE PLENTY TO EAT.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; NATIONAL MANUFACTURING COMPANY ; UTICA ; Strever, Fritz

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; BREAD ; Eat ; FOOD ; GIFT ; Housewarming ; Salt ; SUPERSTITION ; SYMBOL

James Callow Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC

Subject headings: 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually.
BELIEF -- Plant
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank

Date learned: 10-31-1969

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CRUEL BABYSITTER

IN HARPER WOODS {MICHIGAN} THIS GIRL WENT TO BABYSIT FOR
A FAMILY WITH A SMALL BABY. BEFORE THE PARENTS OF THE CHILD
WERE TO COME HOME, THE SITTER THOUGHT SHE WOULD SURPRISE
THE PARENTS WITH A MIDNIGHT SNACK. SO SHE SET THE TABLE
AND TOOK THE BABY AND BAKED IT AS THE MEAL SHE WOULD
SET FOR THE PARENTS. WHEN THE PARENTS CAME HOME THEY
WERE GREETED WITH A MEAL WHICH THEY DID NOT KNOW WAS
THEIR CHILD. IT WAS LATER FOUND OUT THAT THIS GIRL
WAS TAKING LSD.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): BABY ; Babysitter ; CANNIBALISM ; Consumption ; DRUGS ; FOOD ; Hallucinogen ; HORROR ; LSD ; Urban Legend

James Callow Keyword(s): HALLUCINOGENIC DRUG

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal

Date learned: 04-00-1971

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OYSTERS WERE NEVER EATEN IN THE MONTHS THAT HAD NO
"R" IN THEM.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: OHIO ; TOLEDO

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Consumption ; CUSTOM ; FOOD ; Letter ; Oysters ; RITUAL ; SUPERSTITION

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Custom
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Month
Food Drink -- Meat Fish and other animal life related to water

Date learned: 10-00-1968

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ON DECEMBER 6, ONE OF THE NEIGHBORS WOULD DRESS
UP AS SAINT NICHOLAS IN OLD CLOTHES AND WOULD
DISTRIBUTE BAGS OF FRUIT, ESPECIALLY APPLES, NUTS,
AND CANDY TO ALL THE CHILDREN. THEY ALSO
CELEBRATED CHRISTMAS.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): CANDY ; Celebrate ; Consumption ; CUSTOM ; Feast ; FESTIVAL ; FOOD ; holiday ; Nicholas ; Nick ; Saint ; ST. NICHOLAS

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 6 Feast of St. Nicholas

Date learned: 03-31-1971

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AT SIENA HEIGHTS COLLEGE, IN ADRIAN, MICHIGAN, THE STUDENTS
WOULD PUT THEIR SHOES OUTSIDE THE DOOR OF THEIR ROOM
ON DECEMBER 6, AND THE NEXT MORNING THERE WOULD BE AN
APPLE AND SOME CANDY IN THEIR SHOES.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; ADRIAN

Keyword(s): Apples ; CANDY ; Celebrate ; CUSTOM ; FOOD ; holiday ; Nick ; Saint ; SHOES ; ST. NICHOLAS

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 6 Feast of St. Nicholas

Date learned: 10-22-1968

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CHRISTMAS EVE CUSTOM

THE ITALIANS NEVER DO DISHES AFTER CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: NOT GIVEN

Keyword(s): CUSTOM ; FOOD ; holiday ; Italian

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Christmas
Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Night mealsSupper

Date learned: 11-17-1968

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IF A SPOON AND A FORK ARE CROSSED, IT MEANS BAD LUCK.

Submitter comment:

MR. MARCHETT WAS TOLD THIS BY HIS RELATIVES WHILE
HE VISITED IN LATIN AMERICA.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): Bad ; Fork ; LUCK ; OMEN ; SIGN ; Spoon ; UTENSILS

James Callow Keyword(s): DIRECTION ; POSITION ; Silverware

Subject headings: Food Drink -- Service Table furnishing and decoration Implement to handle food
BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Angular forms
BELIEF -- Bad luck Eating utensils

Date learned: 02-28-1970

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CHRISTMAS CUSTOM

IF THE FIRST PERSON TO COME THROUGH THE DOOR OF YOUR HOUSE ON
CHRISTMAS EVE IS A DARK HAIRED MAN YOU WILL HAVE GOOD LUCK IN THE
YEAR TO COME.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; CHRISTMAS ; COLOR ; GOOD LUCK ; HAIR ; holiday ; LUCK ; Man ; OMEN ; SYMBOL

James Callow Keyword(s): FIRST FOOTING

Subject headings: 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually.
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20
BELIEF -- Good luck P881.42

Date learned: 00001930S

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IF YOU BACK INTO THE HOUSE YOUR GLASSES WILL NOT STEAM.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN ; Owens, Tom

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; DIRECTION ; Entrance ; Fog ; GLASSES ; Steam

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

Date learned: 10-00-1968

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SUPERSTITION FOR GOOD LUCK

IN ORDER TO ENSURE GOOD LUCK FOR THE COMING YEAR YOU SHOULD EAT
CABBAGE FOR DINNER ON NEW YEAR'S DAY.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; WARREN

Keyword(s): Cabbage ; Consume ; CUSTOM ; FOOD ; LUCK ; Meal ; New Years ; SUPERSTITION

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's
Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals
BELIEF -- Good luck Time (year, season, week, hour, etc.) Occasion Event

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IF ALL THE FOOD IS EATEN AT THE DINNER TABLE, RAIN WILL
FALL WITHIN 24 HOURS.

Submitter comment:

THIS FOLK BELIEF WAS COMMUNICATED TO BRIAN BY HIS MOTHER
WHEN HE WAS A CHILD AND LIVING ON A FARM IN RURAL OHIO.
THIS BELIEF WAS SIGNIFICANT ESPECIALLY DURING DRY SPELLS.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): Consumption ; FOOD ; Meal ; OMEN ; PREDICTION ; Rain ; WEATHER

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew
BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour

Date learned: 10-22-1984 ; 00001960S

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BELIEF

EATING A LARGE MEAL BEFORE BED CAUSES NIGHTMARES.

Submitter comment:

THERE MANY OTHER EXAMPLES OF HOW FOOD IS SUPPOSED TO AFFECT YOUR
SLEEP LIFE. THESE WOULD DWELL MORE ON SPECIFIC FOODS HOWEVER.
I SUSPECT THEY WERE PROBABLY STARTED BY SOMEBODY'S PARENTS.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MILFORD

Keyword(s): BODY ; DREAMS ; FOOD ; FUNCTION ; Nightmares ; SLEEP

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal
BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour
BELIEF -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222.
BELIEF -- Dreams

Date learned: 00-00-1979

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MISCELLANEOUS CUSTOMS

A SEAMAN LEAVING THE FORECASTLE TO GO AFT, EITHER FOR HIS TRICK AT
THE WHEEL OR OTHER WORK, GOES AFT ALONG THE LEESIDE OF THE VESSEL,
UNLESS HIS IMMEDIATE DUTY LIES TO THE WINDWARD.
A SEAMAN SUMMONED TO THE CAPTAIN'S CABIN REMOVED HIS CAP AND
DROPPED IT TO THE DECK JUST OUTSIDE THE DOOR.
A MARINER ENTERING A NEW SHIP, OR EVEN AN OLD SHIP, FOR THE FIRST
TIME MAKES CERTAIN THAT HIS RIGHT FOOT IS THE FIRST TO TOUCH THE
DECK.
IT WAS A BREECH OF ETIQUETTE FOR A SEAMAN TO LOCK HIS SEA CHEST
WHILE ON BOARD HIS SHIP. OFFENDERS OFTEN FOUND, WHEN THEY
RETURNED TO THE FORECASTLE FROM THEIR WATCH ON DECK, THAT THE
COVER HAD BEEN NAILED DOWN.
IN THE BRITISH AND UNITED STATES NAVIES, A SCARF OF BLACK SILK IS
WORN, ORIGINALLY AS A MARK OF WARNING (MOURNING?) FOR THE DEATH
OF LORD NELSON.
IN THE ROYAL NAVY, OFFICERS WHO HAVE BEEN ROUND EITHER THE CAPE
OF GOOD HOPE OR CAPE HORN MAY PUT ONE FOOT ON THE WARDROOM TABLE;
BOTH CAPES CARRY THE RIGHT TO PUT BOTH FEET ON THE TABLE.
BY NAVAL CUSTOM THE SENIOR OFFICER PRESENT IS ALWAYS THE LAST
INTO A BOAT AND THE FIRST OUT OF IT.

Submitter comment:

CAPTAIN LUMAS SAYS THAT HE HAS LEARNED THESE CUSTOMS THROUGH THE
YEARS THAT HE HAS BEEN SAILING, BOTH IN THE U.S. NAVY AND UP AT
MACKINAW ISLAND.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MACKINAW ISLAND

Keyword(s): British ; Captain ; Etiquette ; Language ; Lingo ; Naval ; Navy ; POSITION ; Seaman ; Ship ; Uniform ; United States

James Callow Keyword(s): DIRECTION ; LEFT ; POSITION ; RIGHT

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Work Commerce Business
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Maturity
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing
ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Dress Overall body coverUpper body and arms
BELIEF -- Body part Senses
BELIEF -- Color
BELIEF -- Number Last events: the last person to the table...
SPEECH -- Gesture

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PETE AND REPEAT WERE SITTING ON A FENCE. PETE FELL OFF,
WHO WAS LEFT?

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROCHESTER HILLS

Keyword(s): CHAIN TALE ; Circle ; Endless ; Formula Tale ; JOKE ; Repeat ; RHYME

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale

Date learned: 00-00-1980

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OUTSIDER'S LAMENT

I FELT LIKE A PORK CHOP AT A JEWISH PICNIC~

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

Keyword(s): Anecdote ; DIET ; Exclusion ; FOOD ; Jest ; Jewish ; Left-out ; METAPHOR ; Pork ; RELIGION ; SIMILE

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote

Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

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VERSE

THE GUYS WERE PLAYING FOOTBALL,
OUT IN THE YARD,
JESUS PLAYING QUARTERBACK,
MOSES PLAYING GUARD.
THE ANGELS GAVE A GREAT BIG YELL,
WHEN JESUS SCORED A TOUCHDOWN
AGAINST THE GUYS FROM HELL.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: WASHINGTON ; 721 LAWRANCE ; WASHINGTON DC

Keyword(s): ANTHROPOMORPHISM ; BIBLICAL ; Football ; God ; HELL ; JESUS ; METAPHOR ; Moses ; RELIGION ; RHYME: ABCDED

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Tale

Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

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EAT A LOT OF STARCH, FOR A WOMAN TO HARDEN HER WOMB.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

Keyword(s): AILMENT ; CHILDBEARING ; FOOD ; Homeopathy ; MAGIC ; REMEDY ; STARCH ; Womb

James Callow Keyword(s): IMITATIVE MAGIC

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness

Date learned: 09-00-1968

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