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CUSTOM FESTIVAL

ERNTENDANK FEST IS COMPARABLE TO AMERICA'S THANKSGIVING. IT IS
NOT CELEBRATED NATION WIDE ON THE SAME DAY HOWEVER. IN BAD NAUHEIM
IT IS CELEBRATED ON THE FIRST SUNDAY IN OCTOBER. VARIANTS WOULD
OCCUR IN DIFFERENT CITIES DEPENDING UPON THE HARVEST TIME.
RELIGIOUS ASPECT -- WHEAT, RYE, ETC. ARE BROUGHT TO CHURCH TO BE
BLESSED TO PRAY FOR BETTER CROPS NEXT YEAR.
FESTIVE ASPECT -- ADULTS ARE IN THE RESTAURANT DANCING AND THE
CHILDREN ARE ENJOYING A SMALL SCALE FAIR WITH A MERRY-GO-ROUND.
EATING -- THE NORMAL MEAL INCLUDES FRANKFURTERS, SAUERKRAUT, AND
APPLE TURNS ( TURN-OVERS ?).

Submitter comment: MEMORIES OF HOMELAND GERMANY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): BLESSING

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F100
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Typical Elements of a Festive Pattern
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Autumn Fall Harvest Thanksgiving

Date learned: NO DATE INDICATED.

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CHICKEN

IF A CHICKEN CROWS AFTER DARK, THAT IS A SIGN OF DEATH.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT ACTUALLY BEIEVES THIS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; 2385 MONTEREY

Keyword(s): BIRD ROOSTER

Subject headings: Observation

Date learned: 01-26-1971

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BUG

IF A LIGHTING BUG ENTERS YOUR HOME. THAT IS A SIGN, THAT A STRANGER
IS COMING TO YOUR HOUSE.

Submitter comment: INFORMANTS LEARNED IN CHILDHOOD.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): LIGHTNING BUG FIREFLY INSECT

Subject headings: Observation
BELIEF -- Insect

Date learned: 01-26-1971

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CUSTOM

IF A THAI ARRIVES AS A GUEST IN THE HOME, HE FIRST ASKS THE SPIRIT
FOR PERMISSION AND PROTECTION BEFORE HE CAN SLEEP IN THE HOME. IF
HE DOES NOT FOLLOW THIS TRADITION IT IS BELIEVED THAT HIS SLEEP WILL
BE DISTURBED WITH NIGHTMARES, WHILE THE SPIRIT SITS ON HIS CHEST AND
MAKES IT DIFFICULT FOR THE SLEEPER TO BREATHE. IN THE MORNING
THE GUEST VISITS THE SPIRIT HOUSE TO ASK FOR A SAFE JOURNEY.

Where learned: THAILAND

Keyword(s): HOST GUEST ; INCUBUS

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

Date learned: 03-00-1971

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HOSPITALITY CUSTOM

AMONG THE UKRANIANS, IT IS A CUSTOM, WHEN INVITED TO EAT AT
SOMEONE'S HOUSE, TO TURN DOWN THE INVITATION THREE TIMES. IF ASKED
A FOURTH TIME, IT WOULD BE POLITE TO ACCEPT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): HOST GUEST NUMBER ; HOST GUEST THREE

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

Date learned: 10-02-1971

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BLACK CAT

NEVER CROSS A STREET IF A BLACK CAT CROSSES BEFORE YOU.

Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; ERIE

Keyword(s): STREET BLACK CAT

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

Date learned: 00001920S

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DINNER COMPLIMENT (SYRIA)

THE HOSTESS IS PAID A COMPLIMENT BY HER GUESTS IF THEY "BELCH"
AFTER HAVING A DINNER. THIS "BELCH" SHOWS THE HOSTESS THAT THE
MEAL WAS VERY GOOD AND VERY SATISFYING.

Where learned: NOT GIVEN BY COLLECTOR

Keyword(s): BELCHING POLITENESS

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222.

Date learned: 03-25-1968

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BURPING

IN INDIA THE PLEASING MANNER OF EXPRESSING A GOOD MEAL IS TO BURP
IN YOUR HOSTESS'S PRESENCE.
THIS IS REMEMBERED AS A COMMENT AFTER A VERY GOOD MEAL AT A FINE
RESTAURANT IN ATHENS, GREECE.

Where learned: GREECE ; ATHENS

Keyword(s): POLITENESS BURPING

Subject headings: Favorites
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222.

Date learned: 08-00-1969

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CUSTOM

"ON" IS ONE OF THE MAJOR FORMS OF SOCIAL CUSTOMS WHICH FORMS THE
BASIS OF JAPANESE SOCIAL BEHAVIOR FROM
ANCIENT TIMES, ROUGHLY MEANING
"MORAL AND MATERIAL INDEBTEDNESS", IF INCURRED, IT OBLIGATES THE
INDIVIDUAL TO DISCHARGE HIS DEBT, HOWEVER GREAT OR SMALL, AT THE
COST OF ONE'S FAMILY HONOR AND NAME. EVEN IN THE MATTER OF GIFT_
GIVING, THE RECEIVER FEELS OBLIGATED TO RETURN A GIFT IN KIND.
JAPANESE DO NOT GET INVOLVED WITH OTHERS BECAUSE BY THE ACT OF
HELPING SOMEONE HE AUTOMATICALLY PLACES THAT PERSON HELPED IN A
POSITION OF "ON", WHO IN TURN MUST CANCEL OUT THIS DEBT, COME
WHAT MAY.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THE ABOVE WHILE GROWING UP IN JAPAN.

Where learned: JAPAN

Keyword(s): FRIENDS RELATIVES HONOR DEBT

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

Date learned: 08-01-1964

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SEWING

MRS. RANKIN WAS TOLD BY HER MOTHER THAT IT IS A SIN TO SEW ON SUNDAY.
SHE, IN TURN, HAS PASSED IT DOWN TO HER CHILDREN AND HER CHILDREN
HAVE PASSED IT DOWN TO THEIRS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

Keyword(s): SABBATARIANISM

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Work Commerce Business
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Week Day Hour
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Working

Date learned: 07-00-1964

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CUSTOM

PLACES OF BUSINESS USUALLY SAVE THE FIRST DOLLAR THEY HAVE MADE AS A
BUSINESS. THIS IS FOR GOOD LUCK. THIS PRACTICE IS DONE IN
MANY STORES

Where learned: NOT INCLUDED

Keyword(s): BUSINESS MONEY GOOD LUCK

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Work Commerce Business
BELIEF -- Sign Color
BELIEF -- Number

Date learned: NOT INCLUDED

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MARKET DAY IN KERRY

AT THE MARKET IN KERRY, WHEN TWO FARMERS EXCHANGE BUSINESS
THEY BARGAIN A LOT. THE FARMER WHO IS BUYING THE CATTLE TENDS
TO FIND ALL KINDS OF FAULTS WITH THE CATTLE. THE GAME IS TO FIND
WEAKNESSES IN THE OTHER MAN'S CRAFT IN RAISING CATTLE.
THE MORE "BITING" THE FARMER IS THE BETTER CATTLE_MAN HE IS.
WHEN ALL THE INSULTS ARE OVER AND THE OWNER OF THE CATTLE KNOWS
THAT "HIS MAN" IS INTERESTED,
HE GETS REALLY TOUGH AS REGARDS PRICES.
HE NEVER LOOKS AT THE BUYER IN THE FACE, BUT AWAY FROM HIM AND
SOME OTHER INTERESTING THINGS THAT HE IMAGINES HE SEES.
THE LESS HE LOOKS AT THE BUYER, THE MORE ANXIOUS HE IS TO SELL, AND
THE BUYER KNOWS THIS. BARGAINING CAN GO ON FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS.
WHEN THE DEAL IS CLOSED AND THE MONEY IS PAID, THE SELLER ALWAYS
GIVES BACK A LITTLE PER CENT OF THE PRICE FOR GOOD LUCK AND
FRIENDSHIP. THEN BOTH MEN GO INTO A PUB FOR A COUPLE OF DRINKS AND
A MAN_TO_MAN CHAT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): GOOD LUCK, FRIENDSHIP BUSINESS ; IRELAND

Subject headings: Favorites
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Work Commerce Business

Date learned: 11-00-1970

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CLEAN SWEEP

WHEN A NAVAL SHIP IS COMING INTO PORT AFTER A MISSION, A BROOM IS
TIED TO THE MAST OF THE SHIP TO SIGNIFY THAT THEY HAD A CLEAN SWEEP.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): NAVY BROOM

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Work Commerce Business

Date learned: 01-00-1968

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PLANTING BELIEF

WHEN YOU WANT TO PLANT A ROSE BUSH FROM ONE OF ITS STEMS, CUT THE
STEM WITH FIVE LEAVES SHOWING; THEN PLANT THE STEM WITH ONLY TWO OF
THE LEAVES ABOVE GROUND AND THE ROSE BUSH WILL TAKE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): NUMBER ; PLANTING CUSTOM

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Plant

Date learned: 04-04-1972

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JINGLE BELL SONG

JINGLE BELLS SANTA SMELLS
RUDOLF RAN AWAY
OLD ST. NICK HURRY QUICK
AND GET SOME BAN TODAY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): BAN, A DEODORANT FOR BODY ODOR

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ill humor Ridicule Mockery
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- FI22

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THE WORMS CRAWL IN

YOU SHOULD NEVER LAUGH AS THE HEARSE GOES BY
'CAUSE YOU MIGHT BE THE NEXT TO DIE.
THEY'LL PUT YOU IN A WOODEN BOX
AND COVER YOU UP WITH DIRT AND ROCKS.

ALL GOES FINE FOR ABOUT ONE WEEK
AND THEN THE COFFIN BEGINS TO LEAK.
THE WORMS CRAWL IN, THE WORMS CRAWL OUT,
THE WORMS PLAY PEANUCKLE ON YOUR SNOUT.
YOUR INSIDES TURN A SLIMY GREEN
AND PUSS FLOWS OUT JUST LIKE WHIPPED CREAM.
THE WORMS CRAWL IN, THE WORMS CRAWL OUT,
THE WORMS PLAY PEANUCKLE ON YOUR SNOUT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GRADE SCHOOL ; SAGINAW

Keyword(s): DECAY OF BODY AFTER DEATH ; GORE, GOTHIC HORROR ; PINOCHLE, A CARD GAME

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Death
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children
BELIEF -- Insect

Date learned: 00-00-1958

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FRATERNITY DRINKING SONG

HERE'S TO BROTHER (NAME), BROTHER (NAME), BROTHER (NAME)
HERE'S TO BROTHER (NAME) WHO'S WITH US TONIGHT.
HE EATS IT, HE BEATS IT, HE EVEN MISTREATS IT,
HERE'S TO BROTHER (NAME) WHO'S WITH US TONIGHT.
SO DRINK CHUG-A-LUG, DRINK CHUG-A-LUG, DRINK CHUG-A-LUG,
DRINK CHUG-A-LUG (CONTINUES UNTIL THE BROTHER FINISHES DRINKING)
HERE'S TO BROTHER (NAME) WHO'S WITH US TONIGHT.

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT

Keyword(s): FRATERNITY SONG ; OBSCENE DRINKING SONG

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Social reunion
Filter - Mature Content

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SOCIAL REUNION: THE SOUSE FAMILY

DRINK, DRINK, DRINK, DRINK; DRINK, DRINK, DRINK, DRINK,
DRUNK LAST NIGHT, DRUNK THE NIGHT BEFORE,
GONNA GET DRUNK TONIGHT LIKE I NEVER GOT DRUNK BEFORE;
FOR WHEN I'M DRUNK I'M AS HAPPY AS CAN BE,
FOR I AM A MEMBER OF THE SOUSE FAMILY;
AND THE SOUSE FAMILY IS THE BEST FAMILY;
THAT EVERY CAME OVER FROM OLD GERMANY.

THERE'S THE HIGHLAND DUTCH, AND THE LOW LAND DUTCH,
AND THE ROTTERDAM DUTCH, AND THE GODDAMN DUTCH,

CHORUS: SINGING; GLORIOUS, GLORIOUS, ONE KEG OF BEER FOR THE FOUR
CHORUS: OF US.
OH, GLORY BE TO GOD THAT THERE ARE NO MORE OF US,
FOR ONE OF US COULD DRINK IT ALONE, DAMN NEAR.
OH, WHAT'S THAT SMELL ON THE EVENING BREEZE,
IT'S THE GODDAMN DUTCH EATING LIMBERGER CHEESE.
CHORUS:
OH, THE GREAT STATE OF TEXAS IS A HELL OF A PLACE TO BE,
THE TEMPERATURE IN THE SHADE IS A HUNDRED AND NINETY THREE;
THERE ISN'T ANY WATER, AND THERE ISN'T GRASS,
JUST A LOT OF CACTUS TO PRICK YOU IN THE....... CHORUS.

Where learned: SAILING CLUB PARTY ; SUNG AT UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT

Keyword(s): ASS ; DRINKING SONG ; ELLIPSIS ; LIMBURGER CHEESE

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ill humor Ridicule Mockery
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Social reunion

Date learned: 10-23-1971

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CHILDREN'S SONG

DO YOUR EARS HANG LOW? DO THEY WOBBLE TO AND FRO?
CAN YOU TIE THEM IN A KNOT? CAN YOU TIE THEM
IN A BOW? CAN YOU THROW THEM OVER YOUR
SHOULDER LIKE A CONTINENTAL SOLDIER?
DO YOUR EARS HANG LOW?

Where learned: TELEPHONE

Keyword(s): EARS ; HYPERBOLE ; STRUCTURE: QUESTIONS WITHOUT ANSWERS

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ill humor Ridicule Mockery
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children

Date learned: 10-13-1967

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CHILDREN'S SONGS

CHORUS: FUZZY WUZZY WAS A GUY.
LOOKED LIKE A HAWK WITH AN EAGLE'S EYE.
FOOLING PEOPLE WAS HIS NAME.
FUZZY WUZZY WAS THE OLD GUY'S NAME.

1ST VERSE: OLD KING COLE WAS A MERRY OLD SOLE.
TRIED TO GET TO HEAVEN ON A TELEPHONE POLE.
TRIED TO GET TO HEAVEN ON A TELEPHONE POLE.
ONE FOOT SLIPPED; THE OTHER ONE FELL.
INSTEAD OF GOING TO HEAVEN HE WENT TO HELL.
CHORUS

2ND VERSE: FUZZY WUZZY HAD BIG FEET.
SPREAD ALL OVER MARKET STREET.
MARKET STREET WAS MADE OF GLASS
FUZZY WUZZY FELL DOWN AND BROKE HIS . . .
CHORUS

3RD VERSE: WAY DOWN YONDER WHERE THE GRASS GROWS GREEN.
FROG JUMPED INTO A SEWING MACHINE.
SEWING MACHINE WAS GOING SO FAST
NINETY-NINE STICHES UP HIS . . .
CHORUS

Where learned: MICHIGAN

Keyword(s): CACOGRAPHY: SOLE FOR SOUL ; ELLIPSIS ; EUPHEMISM FOR ASS ; METONYMY: SOUL OR SOLE FOR ENTIRE PERSON, BODY, ETC.

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children

Date learned: 00-00-1967

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