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TWO, THREE, AND FOUR LEGS RIDDLE
Q: TWO LEGS SAT UPON THREE LEGS,/ WITH ONE LEG IN HIS LAP;/ IN COMES
FOUR LEGS,/ AND RUNS AWAY WITH ONE LEG./ UP JUMPS TWO LEGS,/ CATCHES
UP THREE LEGS,/ THROWS IT AFTER FOUR LEGS,/ AND MAKES HIM BRING BACK
ONE LEG.
A: TWO LEGS, A BOY; THREE LEGS, A STOOL; ONE LEG, A ROAST LEG OF
LAMB; FOUR LEGS, A DOG.
Submitter comment:
I FOUND THIS IN AN OLD MOTHER GOOSE COLORING BOOK WHICH WAS IN THE
ATTIC. THE COVER AND SOME PAGES WERE MISSING. IT IS AT LEAST TEN
YEARS OLD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ACTIONS (Q) ; ANIMALS (A) ; NUMBERS AND MEASUREMENTS (Q)
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Riddle True Riddle |
Date learned: 08-00-1964
CLERGY RIDDLE
Q: TELL ME IF YOU CAN/ WHO IS THE HIGHLY FAVORED MAN/ THAT HAS
MARRIED MANY A WIFE/ BUT IS SINGLE ALL HIS LIFE.
A: A PRIEST.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): ACTIONS (Q) ; CAUSAL OPPOSITIONAL ; PERSONS (A) ; PERSONS (Q)
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Riddle True Riddle |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN BY COLLECTOR
ELIZABETH RIDDLE
Q: ELIZABETH, ELSPETH, BETSY AND BESS,/ THEY ALL WENT TOGETHER TO
SEE A BIRD'S NEST./ THEY FOUND A BIRD'S NEST WITH FIVE EGGS IN,/
THEY ALL TOOK ONE AND LEFT FOUR IN.
A: ELIZABETH, ELSPETH, BETSY AND BESS ARE ALL THE SAME GIRL.
Data entry tech comment: FUNCTION: TO TEACH NICKNAMES
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ACTIONS (Q) ; ANIMALS (Q) ; EATABLES (Q) ; NUMBERS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Riddle True Riddle |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN BY COLLECTOR
TRUE RIDDLE
Q: THOUGH GOOD FELLOWS WE ARE/ WE CAN'T HOPE TO BE SAVED; / FROM OUR
VERY FIRST DAY/ TO OUR LAST WE'RE ENSLAVED./ OUR OFFICE IS HARDEST/
AND FOOD SURE THE WORST/ BEING CRAMMED WITH RAW FLESH/ TILL WE'RE
READY TO BURST./ THOUGH LOW IN OUR STATE/ EVEN KINGS WE SUPPORT/ AND
AT BALLS HAVE/ THE PRINCIPAL SHARE OF SPORT.
A: A PAIR OF SHOES.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SAID THAT THIS IS ONE RIDDLE SHE WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER
BECAUSE IT WAS THE ONLY QUESTION ON A SENIOR ENGLISH EXAM AT
DETROIT'S MILLER HIGH SCHOOL AROUND 1940.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ACTIONS (Q) ; EATABLES (Q) ; ENTERTAINMENT (Q) ; PERSONS (Q)
James Callow Keyword(s): RHYME INVERSION ; SYNTAX
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Riddle True Riddle |
Date learned: 10-20-1971
RIDDLE
Q: THEY HAVE TONGUES, BUT THEY DO NOT TALK./ YOU TIE THEM UP WHEN
YOU GO FOR A WALK./ WHAT ARE THEY?
A: SHOES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ACTIONS (Q) ; CAUSAL ; CLOTHES (A) ; PARTS OF THE BODY (Q)
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Riddle True Riddle |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN BY COLLECTOR
WHAT AM I? RIDDLE
Q: I HAVE NO FEET, AND WHEN I RUN,/ I USE MY HANDS INSTEAD./ MY
FACE IS ROUND, JUST LIKE THE SUN, / AND YET I HAVE NO HEAD.
A: A WATCH.
Submitter comment:
I FOUND THIS ACTIVITY BOOK IN THE ATTIC.
FROM: "LOTS OF THINGS TO DO"
(AKRON, OHIO: THE SAALFIELD PUBLISHING CO., 1951)
THE PAGES ARE NOT NUMBERED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ACTIONS (Q) ; NATURAL PHENOMENA (Q) ; PARTS OF THE BODY (Q)
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Riddle True Riddle |
Date learned: 08-00-1964
PROVERB
AS UNPLANNED AS A HICCUP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GRAND RAPIDS
Keyword(s): ONOMATOPEIA
James Callow Keyword(s): COMPARISON ; INVOLUNTARY ; SPONTANEOUS REACTION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: 10-00-1971
CUSTOM
ON EASTER MORNING, APPROXIMATELY 5:00 A.M., THE PRIEST APPROCHES
( APPROACHES ) THE FRONT DOOR OF THE CHURCH AND KNOCKS 3 TIMES
WITH A CRUCIFIX.
Submitter comment:
(THIS IS A SIGN THAT CHRIST HAS RISEN WHEN THE DOOR IS OPENED LIKE
THE TOMB WAS OPENED.)
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): SYMBOLIC ACTION
| Subject headings: | DRAMA -- Religious CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday |
Date learned: 10-00-1968
CURSE OF DONERAILE
ALAS HOW DISMAL IS MY TALE;
I LOST MY WATCH IN DONERAILE.
MY DUBLIN WATCH, MY CHAIN AND SEAL
PILFERED AT ONCE IN DONERAILE.
MAY FIRE AND BRIMSTONE NEVER FAIL
TO FALL IN SHOWERS IN DONERAILE.
THE FATE OF POMPEY AT PHORSALE
BE THAT CURSE OF DONERAILE.
MAY EGYPT'S PLAGUE AT ONCE PREVAIL
TO THIN THE KNAVES OF DONERAILE.
MAY EVERY POST, GAZETTE, AND MAIL
SAD TIDINGS BRING OF DONERAILE.
MAY FROST AND SNOW AND SLEET AND HAIL
BENUMB EACH JOINT IN DONERAILE.
MAY WOLVES AND BLOODHOUNDS TRACE AND TRAIL
THE CURSED CREW OF DONERAILE.
MAY EVERY MISCHIEF FRESH AND STALE
ABIDE HENCEFORTH IN DONERAILE
MAY NEITHER FLOUR NOR OATENMEAL
BE FOUND OR KNOWN IN DONERAILE.
MAY CURSES WHOLESALE AND RETAIL
POUR WITH FULL FORCE ON DONERAILE.
MAY EVERY TRANSPORT WONT TO SAIL
A CONVICT BRING FROM DONERAILE.
MAY COLD AND HUNGER STILL CONGEAL
THE STAGNANT BLOOD OF DONERAILE.
MAY CHARON'S BOAT TRIUMPHANT SAIL
COMPLETELY MANNED FROM DONERAILE.
AND MAY GRIM PLUTO'S INNER JAIL
FOREVER GROAN WITH DONERAIL.
Submitter comment:
IT IS A GREAT CURSING BALLAD; WRITTEN IN THE YEAR 1808, IT IS AS
POPULAR TODAY AS IT WAS THEN. IN DONERAILE AT THE TIME, LIVED
A GALWAY SCHOOLMASTER, PAT O'KELLY, WHO FANCIED HIMSELF A BIT OF
A POET. ONE DAY HE LOST HIS WATCH IN THE LOVELY NORTH CORK
VILLAGE AND WAS NEVER RETURNED. HE IMMEDIATELY SAT DOWN AND WROTE
THIS BALLAD. FAR TOO LONG TO GIVE IN FULL, HERE ARE A FEW COUPLETS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; UNION
Keyword(s): CURSE ; IRELAND ; OVERREACTION
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Hate BELIEF -- Curse |
Date learned: 11-26-1972
SUPERSTITION
AT 12 MIDNIGHT, NEW YEAR'S EVE, YOU MUST IMMEDIATELY
OPEN YOUR FRONT DOOR TO LET THE OLD YEAR OUT AND
WELCOME THE NEW YEAR IN.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM HER MOTHER.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; YONKERS
Keyword(s): SYMBOLIC ACTION
Date learned: 12-31-1963
NEW YEAR'S DAY CUSTOM
GO OUT THE BACK DOOR TO LET OUT THE OLD YEAR AND IN THE FRONT
DOOR TO LET IN THE NEW YEAR.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
Keyword(s): SYMBOLIC ACTION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Fixed DateFor specific dates, use the following system: F640.1231 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 |
Date learned: 04-00-1972
New Year's Custom
AT THE STROKE OF MIDNIGHT ON NEW YEAR'S EVE IT IS A CUSTOM TO OPEN ALL THE WINDOWS AND LET THE NEW YEAR COME IN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): SYMBOLIC ACTION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Fixed DateFor specific dates, use the following system: F640.1231 |
Date learned: 09-00-1969
NEW YEAR'S CUSTOM
FOR THE LAST FIVE MINUTES OF THE OLD YEAR, AND THE FIRST FIVE MINUTES
OF THE NEW YEAR, IT IS NECESSARY TO SWEEP ONE'S HOUSE FROM BACK
TO FRONT. YOU SWEEP THE HOUSE TO "SWEEP OUT" TROUBLE AND SICKNESS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD ; 25275 BRIARBANK ; 48075 ; collector's home
Keyword(s): BROOM ; SYMBOLIC ACTION
Date learned: 10-25-1970
CUSTOM-FIRST FOOTING
THE FIRST PERSON TO STEP FOOT IN YOUR HOUSE AFTER THE NEW YEAR
CANNOT DO SO EMPTY-HANDED. IF THEY DO IT MEANS THAT YOU AND YOUR
FAMILY WILL HAVE A LEAN YEAR. IF THEY BRING A GIFT, THEN YOU AND
YOUR FAMILY WILL HAVE A FAT YEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC MAGIC ; SYMBOLIC ACTION
Date learned: 09-26-1965
GUY WHO HATES HIS JOB
I HATE THIS WORSE THAN A RACOON HATES AN AXE HANDLE.
Submitter comment: ARKANSAS ORIGIN?
Where learned: HOME ; NOT RECORDED
Keyword(s): DISSATISFACTION WITH AN UNPLEASANT JOB
James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMALS
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: 10-01-1968
ALABAMA BUSCHA, KING OF THE JEWS,
BOUGHT HIS WIFE A NEW PAIR OF SHOES.
WHEN THOSE SHOES BEGAN TO WEAR, ALABAMA BUSCHA BEGAN TO SWEAR, WIFE,
WIFE GO UPSTAIRS, WIFE, WIFE TOUCH THE FLOOR, RED HOT PEPPERS
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Keyword(s): ACTION RHYME, SPEED-JUMP ; CHARACTER
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1960
ALABAMA BUSKA, KING OF THE JEWS BOUGHT HIS WIFE A NEW PAIR OF SHOES.
WHEN THE SHOES BEGAN TO WEAR
ALABAMA BUSKA BEGAN TO SWEAR. WIFE, WIFE,
GO UP STAIRS, WIFE, WIFE COME DOWNSTAIRS.
WIFE TOUCH THE GROUND E
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; 1838 Rosemont ; BERKELEY ; TOLD AT
Keyword(s): ACTION-JUMP ; CHARACTER
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- C70 C70.560 |
Date learned: 03-17-1970
A TISKET, A TASKET, A GREEN AND YELLOW BASKET, I WROTE A LETTER TO MY
MOTHER AND ON THE WAY I DROPPED IT, I DROPPED IT, I DROPPED, AND ON
THE WAY I DROPPED IT, I WROTE A LETTER TO MY MOTHER AND ON THE WAY I
DROPPED IT.
WHILE THIS IS BEING CHANTED, ONE PERSON TAKES A HANDKERCHIEF AND
CIRCLES AROUND A RING FORMED BY THE OTHERS.
HE DROPS THE HANDKERCHIEF
BEHIND ONE, AND THEN THAT PERSON MUST CIRCLE THE OTHERS, REPEATING
THE PROCEDURE.
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): ACTION-RHYME
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1954
ALABAMA BUSKA, KING OF THE JEWS. BOUGHT HIS WIFE A NEW PAIR OF SHOES.
WHEN THE SHOES BEGAN TO WEAR, ALABAMA BUSKA BEGAN TO SWEAR- WIFE,WIFE
TURN AROUND, WIFE, WIFE TOUCH THE GROUND, WIFE, WIFE LEAVE TOWN
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
Keyword(s): ACTION-RHYME ; CHARACTER
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
ALA BARA BUSKA KING OF THE JEWS.
BOUGHT HIS WIFE A NEW PAIR OF SHOES.
WHEN THE SHOES BEGAN TO WEAR, ALA BABA BUSKA BEGAN TO SWEAR. WIFE,
WIFE TURN AROUND, WIFE, WIFE.
TOUCH THE GROUND. WIFE, WIFE SHINE MY SHOES
SHINE MY SHOES. WIFE, WIFE YOU'D BETTER SKADOO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ACTION-RHYME ; CHARACTER
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 11-05-1967