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LIMERICK

THERE WAS A YOUNG MAN OF SPOKANE
WHOSE VERSES WOULD NEVER SCAN.
WHEN TOLD THIS WAS SO,
HE SAID "YES, I KNOW,
BUT I ALWAYS TRY TO GET AS MANY WORDS IN THE LAST
LINE AS I CAN."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): ALEXANDRINE FOR HUMOR ; POET ; PROSODY ; RHYME DICTATES PRONUNCIATION OF PLACE NAME ; RHYME: AABBA

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

Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR.

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TO KEEP GHOSTS AWAY

TO KEEP YOURSELF FREE FROM GHOSTS PEE IN A CIRCLE AND STAND
IN THE CENTER. THE GHOST WILL NOT COME INSIDE THE CIRCLE
AFTER YOU.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; Menezes, Marie

Keyword(s): GHOST ; SUPERSTITION ; SYMBOL ; URINATE ; Ward

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter

Date learned: 03-05-1971

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SUPERSTITION

IF YOU MOVE INTO A BRAND NEW HOUSE, THERE WILL BE A DRASTIC CHANGE
IN THE FAMILY (BIRTH, DEATH, MARRIAGE).

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): OMEN ASSOCIATED WITH NEWNESS.

Subject headings: Observation
BELIEF -- Number

Date learned: 00-00-1963

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POEM

LITTLE MARY DRANK SOME WATER/
NOW SHE IS NO MORE./FOR WHAT SHE TOOK FOR H2O WAS H2SO4

Submitter comment: SHE GAVE ME THIS LITTLE DITTY, QUITE A POPULAR WAY TO
REMEMBER THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THEM.

Where learned: NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

Keyword(s): EUPHEMISM ; FUNCTION ; WATER AND SULPHURIC ACID

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

Date learned: NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

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KING KAHMAI MAI

IN HAWAII, ON THE ISLAND OF PAUI, THERE IS AN UPSIDE DOWN WATERFALL,
AND THIS IS CAUSED BY THE TRADEWINDS, WHICH PUSH THE FALLING WATERS
UPWARD. THE LEGEND BEHIND THIS DEALS WITH KING KAHMAI MAI, WHO WAS
KING OF THE ISLAND MANY YEARS AGO. IT IS SAID THAT HE DROVE ALL THE
PAGANS OFF THE ISLAND, AND THOSE THAT DID NOT LEAVE WERE SACRIFICED
TO THE GODS BY BEING PUSHED OFF THIS WATERFALL. WHEN ALL OF THE
PAGANS HAD LEFT THE ISLAND, THE KING VOWED THAT NO OTHER MAN WOULD
BE ABLE TO DIE BY JUMPING OFF THIS WATERFALL. UP TO THIS DAY THERE
HAS BEEN NOBODY KILLED FROM JUMPING OFF THE WATERFALL BECAUSE OF THE
STRONG TRADEWINDS, AND THEY SAY THAT THE TRADEWIND IS ACTUALLY
KING KAHMAI MAI FULFILLING HIS PROMISE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; 14120 E 7 MILE RD ; A&P FOOD STORE

Keyword(s): DEAD KING RETURNS AS WIND TO PREVENT SUICIDE FROM WATERFALL.

Subject headings: Favorites
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Running water

Date learned: 04-03-1970

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THE WHITE LADY

ON THE NIGHT OF JULY 7 1967, MY GIRLFRIEND AND I WENT FOR A RIDE
THROUGH BELLE-ISLE PARK DETROIT MICHIGAN. AS I TURNED LEFT ON
WILDWOOD DRIVE
I DECIDED TO PARK THE CAR THE STREET BEING DARK AND QUIET. ABOUT
1/2 HOUR LATER I LIT UP A CIGARETTE, THROWING THE MATCH OUT THE
WINDOW I WAS SHOCKED AT THE SIGHT OF A TALL, SLENDER PERSON
STANDING ABOUT 12' FROM MY CAR. THE FIGURE WAS DRESSED IN A
WHITE CAPE-LIKE GOWN WHICH SEEMED TO BLOW FROM THE BREEZE.
I DID'NT WAIT AROUND TO ASK QUESTIONS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS

Keyword(s): MEMORATE

Subject headings: Favorites
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Supernatural Being

Date learned: NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR.

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CHRISTMAS

ON CHRISTMAS EVE, THE FATHER OF THE HOUSEHOLD PLACES A SCYTHE
UNDER THE TABLE AND COVERS IT WITH HAY. (THIS IS A SYMBOL OF HIS
WORK DURING THAT YEAR).

Submitter comment:

INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM PARENTS IN UKRAINE.

Data entry tech comment:

Informant and collector share same surname.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): MATERIAL CULTURE

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Christmas
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Straw

Date learned: 11-19-1967

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WATER NOT DRUNK AT CHRISTMAS

IN UKRAINE, IT IS BELIEVED THAT IF YOU DRINK WATER DURING CHRISTMAS
SUPPER, THERE WILL BE A VERY HOT SUMMER, AND GREAT THIRST WHILE
WORKING IN THE FIELDS.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM RELATIVES IN UKRAINE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): ABSTINENCE FROM WATER ; FOOD CUSTOM

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Predictions
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Single dishes

Date learned: 11-19-1967

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NURSERY RHYME

AS I WALKED BY MYSELF AND TALKED TO MYSELF
MYSELF SAID UNTO ME, LOOK TO THYSELF, TAKE CARE OF THYSELF,
FOR NOBODY CARES FOR THEE. I ANSWERED MYSELF,
AND SAID TO MYSELF IN THE SAME REPARTEE, LOOK TO THYSELF,
OR NOT TO THYSELF, THE SELF-SAME THING WILL BE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): FATE ; MONOLOGUE AS DIALOGUE

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse
BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance

Date learned: 00-00-1964

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GAME

THE OBJECT OF THIS THINKING GAME IS TO GUESS WHY TILLY WILLIS
LIKES CERTAIN THINGS AND NOT OTHERS. THE PERSON WHO IS EXPLAINING
THE GAME BEGINS BY SAYING, TILLY WILLIS IS ODD AND QUEER BUT NOT
PECULISR. SHE LOVES APPLES BUT HATES PEACHES.
SHE LOVES GREEN BUT SHE HATES RED. THE PERSON CONTINUES TO
GIVE LOVE AND HATE EXAMPLES UNTIL ONE OF THE PLAYERS
RESPONDS WITH WHAT HE THINKS TILLY WILLIS LOVES OR HATES.
THE CLUE TO THE GAME IS IN THE OPENING LINE.
TILLY WILLIS ODD AND QUEER ARE ALL WORDS CONTAINING DOUBLE LETTERS.
THE PLAYER WHO GUESSES THAT TILLY LOVES EVERYTHING
SPELLED WITH A DOUBLE LETTER, IS THE WINNER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD

James Callow Keyword(s): ALTERNATE TITLE: THE QUEEN ; SPELLING

Subject headings: Favorites
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Mental Activity

Date learned: 00-00-1965

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AUTHORS AND TITLES

THE YELLOW RIVER BY I. P. DALEY

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: DETROIT

Keyword(s): PUN ; PUNS ; WORDPLAY

James Callow Keyword(s): PUN ON PEE, MEANING URINATE

Subject headings: RIDDLE -- Riddle Question

Date learned: CA00001968

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PROVERB

BREAK A LEG

Submitter comment: ALWAYS SAID TO A PERFORMER FOR GOOD LUCK.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN HEIGHTS

James Callow Keyword(s): THEATER

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Formula

Date learned: 01-00-1979

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STORY OF THE STORK

ONE DAY GOD GAVE A MAN A BAG TO CARRY BUT DIDN'T
TELL THE MAN WHAT WAS IN IT. HE TOLD THE MAN TO CARRY THIS BAG
TO A CERTAIN PLACE ON EARTH BUT NOT TO OPEN IT OR LOOK INSIDE.
SO THE MAN TOOK THE BAG BUT GOT CURIOUS AND OPENED IT AND OUT
CAME ALL KINDS OF SNAKES AND FROGS AND WATER ANIMALS.
GOD GOT MAD AND TURNED THE MAN INTO A STORK AND GAVE HIM A LONG
BILL AND LONG LEGS SO HE COULD GO IN SWAMPS AND
GATHER ALL THE ANIMALS HE SET FREE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): CREATION ; MYTH ; STORK ; WATER ANIMALS

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Creation and Order of Animal Life

Date learned: 04-07-1972

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Superstition: Baseball

WHEN THE PITCHER HAS A NO-HITTER GOING IN A BASEBALL GAME IT IS BAD
LUCK TO MENTION THIS FACT UNTIL THE GAME IS OVER. IF YOU DO MENTION
IT THE PITCHER WILL LOSE HIS NO-HITTER. DURING THE 1979 DETROIT
TIGERS BASEBALL SEASON DAVE ROZEMA HAD A NO-HITTER GOING IN THE
SEVENTH INNING AND THE UN-BASEBALL-WISE CHANNEL FOUR TV ANNOUNCER
MIKE BARRY ANNOUNCED THIS AND SURE ENOUGH THE NEXT BATTER GOT A
HOMERUN. THE OTHER TV ANNOUNCERS, FORMER BASEBALL PLAYERS AL KALINE
AND GEORGE SWELL, ALMOST THREW BARRY OUT OF THEIR THIRD-DECK BOOTH.
ANYBODY THAT KNOWS ANYTHING ABOUT BASEBALL KNOWS YOU ARE NOT SUPPOSE
TO MENTION A NO-HITTER AND BARRY SAID IT IN FRONT OF A QUARTER
MILLION PERSON TV AUDIENCE.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS

Keyword(s): BAD LUCK ; BASEBALL ; BASEBALL STADIUM ; CHANCE ; CUSTOM ; Fan ; FATE ; jinx ; LUCK ; No-Hitter ; Shutout ; SPORTS ; SUPERSTITION

James Callow Keyword(s): SPEAKING TABU

Subject headings: Favorites
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion
BELIEF -- Entertainment Diversion
BELIEF -- Bad luck

Date learned: 11-23-1979

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LEGEND

THERE IS A STORY THAT ON KELLY'S ISLAND IN OHIO WHEN IN THE EARLY
1800'S THE CEMETERY WAS FIRST BEGINNING TO BE FIXED, SOMEHOW ONE
OF THE MEN WORKING ON THIS AREA GOT INTO A FIGHT WITH HIS BOSS AND
IN HIS ANGER HE SAID THAT HE WAS GLAD HE WASN'T GOING TO BE BURIED
IN THAT PLACE.
A FEW MONTHS LATER THIS SAME MAN WAS WORKING ON A HOUSE THAT FELL
ON HIM. HE WAS THE FIRST TO BE BURIED AT THE CEMETERY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): CONTRAST ; FALSE ASSUMPTION. ASSUMPTION PROVES FALSE. ; IRONY ; PROPHECY REVERSED. WISH REVERSED. OPPOSITE COMES TRUE. ; TEMPTING FATE

Subject headings: Favorites
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal

Date learned: 11-04-1967

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THE MAD BUTCHER OF KINGSBERRY RUN
KINGSBERRY RUN IS A ROAD RUNNING THROUGH THE FLATS OF CLEVELAND
(INDUSTRIAL AREA). MANY UNSOLVED MURDERS HAVE BEEN COMMITTED THERE
WHERE THE VICTIMS HAVE BEEN SLICED UP. THE MURDERER HAS BEEN
CALLED THE MAD BUTCHER. THIS INCIDENT HAS BECOME A LEGEND AMONG
THE PEOPLE OF CLEVELAND.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT HEARD OF THIS LEGEND WHILE LIVING IN CLEVELAND WHERE
HE SPENT THE FIRST 18 YEARS OF HIS LIFE.

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; STUDENT UNION ; TOLD IN

Keyword(s): MUTILATED MURDERS ; OHIO

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate

Date learned: 03-02-1970

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LYNDEN BANES JOHNSON HAS ONLY ORDERED A GRAVE FOR THREE DAYS.

Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

Keyword(s): GHOSTS ; PRESIDENTS (UNITED STATES OF AMERICA)

James Callow Keyword(s): CONFIDENCE

Subject headings: 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero

Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

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IF YOU LIE DOWN WITH DOGS, YOU GET FLEAS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE

Keyword(s): ANIMALS

James Callow Keyword(s): FRIENDS ASSOCIATES BAD COMPANY ; INSECTS ; OBSERVATION

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

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QUESTION: WHY WAS THE ELEPHANT SITTING SO CAREFULLY ON THE
MARSHMALLOW? ANSWER: BECAUSE HE DIDN'T WANT TO FALL IN THE HOT
CHOCOLATE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES

James Callow Keyword(s): MARSHMALLOW CHOCOLATE

Subject headings: RIDDLE -- Riddle Question

Date learned: 03-19-1980

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PROVERB

I GOT THE ROTTEN END OF THE DEAL.

Submitter comment: UNCERTAIN

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE

Keyword(s): BAD DEALS

James Callow Keyword(s): CHEATED

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase

Date learned: 00-00-1964

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