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THE BROLGA

THE BROLGA OR AUSTRALIAN CRANE
HOLDS DANCING ORGIES ON THE PLAIN;
AND STUDENTS OF THE RUSSIAN BALLET
HAVE CREPT IN CROWDS ACROSS THE MALLEE
FAR BEYOND THE DESERT GRASSES
TO WHERE THE BROLGA HOLDS ITS CLASSES;
AND MANY A MOTIF FOR THE LEG
HAS EMANATED FROM AN EGG.
BUT CERTAIN PURISTS DO NOT CARE
FOR SUCH TECHNIQUE AND PRUDES DECLARE
SPECIFIC MOVEMENTS OF THE BROLGA
UNACADEMIC, IF NOT VOLGA.

Where learned: AUSTRALIA ; TOORAK ; VICTORIA ; 17 SELBOURNE

Keyword(s): ALLITERATION ; ASSONANCE ; DANCE ; HUMOR ; MONOLOGUE ; PRONUNCIATION ; RHYME: AABB

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Prose Narrative C820.444

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THE ECHIDNA

THE MALE ECHIDNA WITH ITS MATE
SURVIVES THE MOST PRECARIOUS STATE;
HE ROLLS HER, HAIR AND SPINES AND ALL
INTO AN EENZY-WEENZY BALL--
AND BURIES HER; AND IN THIS WAY
PROVIDES AGAINST A RAINY DAY.
BUT, LIKE AS NOT, THIS SAME ECHIDNA
FORGETS JUST IF, OR WHERE, HE'S HID NA.

Where learned: AUSTRALIA ; TOORAK ; VICTORIA

Keyword(s): HUMOR ; MONOLOGUE ; PRONUNCIATION ; RHYME: AABB ; SLANG

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Prose Narrative C820.442

Date learned: CA10001968

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THE MARSUPIAL MOLE

LIKE MILTON, THE MARSUPIAL MOLE
PURSUES HIS OWN UNWORLDLY GOAL.
SIGHTLESS HE SLEEPS WITHIN THE EARTH
REMOVED FROM MADNESS AND FROM MIRTH.
AS DAYS AND NIGHTS AND SEASONS PASS
OVER THE CHANGING DESERT GRASS
HE FLOATS UPON HIS SECRET STREAMS
OF MARVELLOUS MARSUPIAL DREAMS,
AND MIXES WITH CELESTIAL BREEDS
MORE SUITED TO HIS AIMS AND NEEDS--
CONSORTING WITH (UPON THE WHOLE)
A BETTER TYPE OF LADY MOLE.

Where learned: AUSTRALIA ; TOORAK ; VICTORIA

Keyword(s): ALLITERATION ; HUMOR ; MONOLOGUE ; RHYME: AABB

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Prose Narrative C820.44I

Date learned: CA10001968

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THE KOALA

Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.

THE NATIVE BEAR IS SMALL OF STATURE
AND SPECIALLY ENDOWED BY NATURE
WITH MEANS EXCLUSIVELY EQQUIPPED ( EQUIPPED )
TO LIVE ON LEAVES OF EUCALYPT.
IT'S ( ITS ) VISCERA, THOUGH, DOUBTLESS CLEAN,
MUST NEEDS BE VERY, VERY GREEN.
AND THEREFORE WE REVEAL THIS FACT
(TOLD SOTTO VOCE AND WITH TACT)
IT'S UPHILL WORK TO GET KOALA
STAINS OFF CARPETS IN YOUR PARLOUR.

Where learned: AUSTRALIA ; TOORAK ; VICTORIA

Keyword(s): ALLITERATION ; HUMOR ; IMPERFECT RHYME ; MONOLOGUE ; PRONUNCIATION ; RHYME: AABB ; SCATOLOGICAL

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Prose Narrative C820.442

Date learned: CA10001968

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THE DOVES

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW PANE
THE DOVES ARE MATING ONCE AGAIN
THEY BOW, THEY BILL, THEY FLAP, THEY FLUTTER
FROM ROOF TO RAIL, FROM GATE TO GUTTER.
THEY PECK AND PREEN AND SCRATCH AND SCATTER,
MAKING THE MOST INFERNAL CHATTER--
A COURSE OF CONDUCT OPPORTUNE,
NO DOUBT, TO SUCH A MONTH AS JUNE.
AND YET, I MUST CONFESS I FIND
SUCH BEDLAM (TO THE TEMPERATE MIND),
WHEN EMPHASISED WITHOUT ABATEMENT,
MERELY BECOMES AN OVER-STATEMENT.

Where learned: AUSTRALIA ; TOORAK ; VICTORIA

Keyword(s): ALLITERATION ; HUMOR ; MONOLOGUE ; ONOMATOPAEIA ; PHONETIC INTENSIVE: FLAP, FLUTTER ; RHYME: AABB

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Prose Narrative C820.444

Date learned: CA10001968

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PRAYER SUPPLICATION

WHEN SOMEONE SNEEZES REPLY:
GOD BLESS YOU.
MAY THE ANGELS KISS YOU
AND THE DEVILS MISS YOU.

Where learned: DETROIT

Keyword(s): ANTITHESIS ; BLESSING ; METAPHOR ; PARALLEL STRUCTURE

James Callow Keyword(s): FINAL ITERATION

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief C860.646
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Speech Speech
SPEECH -- Formula

Date learned: 00-00-1963

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I KNOW HOW MUCH I PAID FOR MY GRANDMOTHER BEFORE SHE WAS SOLD.

Submitter comment: TOLD BY MY MOTHER THIS SUMMER INTERPRETATION, (I CAN GIVE YOU MORE
ADVICE BECAUSE I'VE LIVED LONGER.)

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; HOLDEN HALL

Keyword(s): ADVISING

James Callow Keyword(s): WISDOM ASSUMED TO RESULT FROM AGE

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

Date learned: 09-00-1967

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AFRICAN PROVERB

I KNOW HOW MUCH YOUR GRANDMOTHER WAS BOUGHT FOR.

Submitter comment: I'VE BEEN LIVING LONGER THAN YOU HAVE.

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT

Keyword(s): ADVISING

James Callow Keyword(s): WISDOM ASSUMED TO RESULT FROM AGE

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

Date learned: 00001967 (FALL)

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PROVERB

I LIKE HEMINGWAY VERY MUCH, SAID TOM EARNESTLY.

Where learned: 16800 SANTA ROSA

Keyword(s): SINCERITY

James Callow Keyword(s): LITERARY AUTHOR ; METONYMY: AUTHOR FOR HIS BOOKS ; PUN ON ERNEST HEMINGWAY

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Wellerism Quotation

Date learned: NOT RECORDED

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SAYING

I'M TURNING OVER A NEW LEAF

Where learned: 7625 WESTWOOD

Keyword(s): STARTING A NEW CHAPTER IN LIFE BY MENDING MY WAYS

James Callow Keyword(s): RESOLUTION TO BEGIN ANEW

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase

Date learned: 00001950'S

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SWIFTIE

"I'M VERY FOND OF LAMB CHOPS," HE SAID SHEEPISHLY.

Where learned: 19785 BENTLER

Keyword(s): FOOD

James Callow Keyword(s): PUN MEEKLY EMBARRASSEDLY

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Wellerism Quotation

Date learned: 10-00-1968

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WELLERISM

BY GEORGE, SAID PAUL, WHILE SITTING ON THE JOHN. WHERE DID MY
RING GO?

Submitter comment: THIS IS A WELLERISM-LIKE DEVICE SINCE THERE IS NO HUMOROUS
QUOTATION FOLLOWING. IT IS ALSO SIMILAR TO A TOM SWIFTIE, BUT
THERE IS NO ADVERBIAL PUN. THIS SAYING CONTAINS ALL FOUR OF THE
BEATLES' NAMES - GEORGE, PAUL, JOHN, RINGO - INCORPORATED IN ONE
SENTENCE. JOHN IS USED AS A SLANG FOR TOILET. GEORGE IS USED AS
A SIGN OF EXCLAMATION.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALLEN PARK

James Callow Keyword(s): NAME (GEORGE) IN EXCLAMATION ; SLANG: JOHN FOR TOILET

Subject headings: Person / Nickname
PROVERB -- Wellerism Quotation

Date learned: 10-00-1980

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IT IS BAD LUCK FOR YOU TO COMB YOUR HAIR AND FLUSH IT DOWN THE TOILET
BECAUSE YOUR MIND WILL START TO FLOAT

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

James Callow Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Body part Senses
BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal
BELIEF -- Bad luck

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ITALIAN MEN

WHAT DO YOU CALL 5 ITALIAN MEN CHASING AFTER A GARBAGE TRUCK?
THE GALLOPING GOURMETS.

Submitter comment: IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT "THE GALLOPING GOURMET" WAS THE
NAME OF A TELEVISION COOKING PROGRAM.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): GOURMET COOK-COMEDIAN, WHO HAS TRAVELED WIDELY, ; STAR OF THE PROGRAM, GRAHAM KERR, AN AUSTRALIAN

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote
ITAL

Date learned: 09-11-1980

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THERE IS A WOMAN WHO LIVES ON ALLEN RD. IN DEARBORN WHO LOST HER
YOUNG DAUGHTER ABOUT 15 YEARS AGO. AS THE STORY GOES, EVERY NIGHT AT
DUSK, SHE PLACES A DOLL IN THE WINDOW WHICH CAN BE SEEN FROM THE
ROAD. THE DOLL IS DRESSED IN APPROPRIATE FASHION IN ACCORDANCE
WITH THE WEATHER. IT WAS QUITE SCARY TO DRIVE BY THIS HOUSE ON A
DARK DREARY NIGHT WITH A GUY IN THE CAR WHO WAS A DISBELIEVER.

Submitter comment: THIS SCARY STORY WAS TOLD BY JOHN TO ME IN SOPHOMORE YEAR IN HIGH
SCHOOL. I REALLY DIDNT BELIEVE HIM, YET HE KEPT BUILDING THE STORY
UP. FINALLY AFTER CONSUMING MANY BEERS WE DROVE BY THE HOUSE AND I
WAS PROVED WRONG.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

James Callow Keyword(s): COMPARE THE WEEPING LADY OF BELLE ISLE, WHO ALSO ; LAMENTS THE LOSS OF HER CHILD.

Subject headings: Favorites
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal
ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Toy

Date learned: 00-00-1973

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UGLY IN THE CRADLE, PRETTY AT THE TABLE.

Submitter comment: THIS SAYING PROBABLY IS A NOTE OF OPTIMISM WHEN A BABY IS TRULY UGLY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): CONTRAST ; ELLIPSIS ; SLANT RHYME

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim

Date learned: 00-00-1980 ; 00-00-1950

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BACK AT THE LAST TIME WHEN DETROIT WAS IN THE SERIES
IN THE 20'S, THEIR STAR PITCHER WAS MEL FAMEY.
HE HAD THE HABIT OF DRINKING TO EXCESS HOWEVER, AND
BECAUSE OF THIS NEARLY LOST THE FINAL GAME, HAVING
GIVEN UP THREE WALKS. BUT HE GETS THE LAST OUT.
AS THE RUNNERS COME IN ONE ASKS, "WHAT'S THAT
STICKING OUT OF HIS POCKET?" THE OTHER ANSWERS,
"THAT'S THE BEER THAT MADE MEL FAMEY WALK US."

Where learned: WASHINGTON DC

James Callow Keyword(s): BASEBALL GAME. ; MADE MILWAUKEE FAMOUS. ; PUN ON BRAND OF BEER: THEIR SLOGAN: THE BEER THAT

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Stupid man or woman

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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A POLITICAL JOKE

WHAT HAPPENED WHEN THE AJAX WHITE KNIGHT RODE THROUGH
TEXAS?
THEY ELECTED HIM GOVERNOR.

Submitter comment:

HEARD ON U. OF D.'S CAMPUS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): REFERENCE TO AJAX CLEANING PRODUCTS TELEVISION COMMERCIAL

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Stupid man or woman

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"GIVE ME YOUR POOR........"

Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.

AS THE SHIP DREW CLOSER TO NEW YORK HARBOR, ONE OF THE
IMMIGRANTS ON BOARD (HE WAS POLISH) RAN UP AND DOWN
EXCITEDLY, POINTING AND CRYING OUT: "LOOK! LOOK!
THERE'S THE STASIU OF LIBERTY!"

Submitter comment:

DAN BROUGHT THIS BACK FROM SAN FRANCISCO WHERE HE
ATTENDED A SCIENCE-FICTION CONVENTION IN SEPTEMBER, 1964.
HE TOLD ME THIS JOKE BECAUSE HE THOUGHT IT WAS
TACTFUL, AND THAT NO ONE COULD POSSIBLY BE HURT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): STASIU IS A POLISH FIRST NAME.

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Man
BELIEF -- Poli

Date learned: 02-00-1965

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YOU ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO HAVE A TOOTH FILLED WHEN YOU
HAVE YOUR PERIOD. IT WILL FALL OUT.

Submitter comment: NARRATOR HAD HEARD THIS, BUT DIDN'T BELIEVE IT.
SHE SHOWED ME THE BOOK, GROWING UP AND LIKING IT,
WHERE IT IS PRINTED AS AN "OLD WIVES TALE."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): MENSTRUATION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Body part Senses
BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal

Date learned: 05-11-1965

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