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THOUGHT TEASER

Q: IF YOU ARE IN A ONE ROOM HOUSE WHICH HAS ONE WINDOW ON EACH
WALL AND EACH WINDOW HAS A SOUTHERN EXPOSURE. AS YOU LOOK OUT ONE
OF THE WINDOWS AND SEE A BEAR OUTSIDE, WHAT COLOR IS THE BEAR?
A: IT IS WHITE! IT'S A POLAR BEAR.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BATTLE CREEK

Keyword(s): ANIMAL (Q)

James Callow Keyword(s): BUILDING (Q) ; HARD WARE (Q) ; POSITION DIRECTION

Subject headings: RIDDLE -- True Riddle

Date learned: 00-00-1964

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RIDDLE

Q: THEY'RE BOTH STANDING ON THE ROAD, BUT NEITHER ONE CAN SEE THE
OTHER.
A: EYES.

Submitter comment: TRANSLATED FROM LITHUANIAN

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): ACTIONS (Q) ; PARTICULAR AREAS (Q) ; PARTS OF THE ; PERSONS (Q)

James Callow Keyword(s): PARALLELISM? ; POSITION DIRECTION

Subject headings: RIDDLE -- True Riddle

Date learned: 02-17-1971

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SUPERSTITION

THERE IS A RIGHT AND WRONG WAY TO SWEEP YOUR FLOOR. YOU ARE SUPPOSED
TO SWEEP TOWARD THE BACK DOOR AND NOT THE FRONT DOOR.

Where learned: NOT GIVEN

James Callow Keyword(s): INTERNAL RHYME ; OPPOSITES ; POSITION DIRECTION

Subject headings: Daily Life

Date learned: 11-10-1970

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HOME BELIEF

IF SOMEONE ENTERS YOUR FRONT DOOR, IT IS BAD LUCK FOR THEM
TO EXIT YOUR BACK DOOR.

Submitter comment: LEARNED IN CHILDHOOD.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION

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

Date learned: 04-00-1972

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BELIEF

ONE MUST NEVER SWEEP TOWARD A DOOR.
YOU MUST SWEEP TOWARDS THE MIDDLE OF THE ROOM TO PREVENT YOURSELF
FROM SWEEPING MONEY OUT THE DOOR.

Submitter comment: A BELIEF PASSED DOWN FROM GRANDFATHER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): BROOM ; POSITION DIRECTION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Home

Date learned: 09-20-1967

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HOUSEHOLD SUPERSTITON

IN MEXICO, WHEN PASSING SALT TO SOMEONE AT THE TABLE, PUT IT
ON THE TABLE, IF YOU HAND IT TO THE ASKER, YOU WILL FIGHT

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR

James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Home
BELIEF -- Mineral
BELIEF -- Home
BELIEF -- P86O
SPEECH -- Gesture

Date learned: 02-04-1968

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USE OF AN OBJECT BELIEF

IF YOU WANT COMPANY TO LEAVE, THAT HAVE OVERSTAYED THEIR
WELCOME, STAND YOUR BROOM UPSIDE DOWN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION

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

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ENTERING AND LEAVING A HOUSE

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

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION

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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HOUSE BELIEF

IF A GUEST COMES INTO THE HOUSE BY THE FRONT DOOR
THEY SHOULD LEAVE THE SAME WAY. OTHERWISE, YOU WILL HAVE MORE
COMPANY

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION

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

Date learned: 12-00-1969

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BELIEF

A CHILD MUST NEVER PASS BEHIND HIS UNCLE
OTHERWISE THE UNCLE WILL SUFFER FROM CHRONIC DIZZINESS.

Submitter comment: PROPER TO THE BATOORO TRIBE OF UGANDA.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION

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

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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BELIEF

ALWAYS GO OUT THE DOOR YOU CAME IN, OR YOU WILL GET MORE COMPANY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION

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

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CUSTOM

MEN ALWAYS WALK TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BECAUSE IN THE OLD DAYS
IF A CHARIOT WENT BY, IT WOULD SPLASH THE MAN INSTEAD OF THE WOMAN.

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): CHIVALRY ; POSITION DIRECTION

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

Date learned: 03-01-1971

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DATING SUPERSTITION

INFORMANT'S FATHER ALWAYS TOLD HER WHEN YOUR BOY FRIEND LETS YOU
WALK ON THE OUTSIDE PART OF THE WALK, HE DOESN'T WANT YOU
ANY MORE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): CHIVALRY ; POSITION DIRECTION

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

Date learned: 10-08-1971

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TRIP BELIEF

IF YOU LEAVE YOUR HOME TO GO ON A TRIP, AND
DISCOVER THAT YOU HAVE FORGOTTEN SOMETHING, IT IS BAD
LUCK TO GO BACK AND GET IT. IT IS BEST TO DO WITHOUT IT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS

James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION

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

Date learned: 01-30-1971

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SUPERSTITION

WHEN YOU ARE IN A CAR, AND GOING OVER RAILROAD TRACKS,
YOU MUST PUT YOUR HAND FLAT AGAINST THE ROOF OF THE CAR, OR
YOU WILL LOSE YOUR SEX APPEAL.

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness
SPEECH -- Gesture

Date learned: 02-02-1971

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SUPERSTITION

WHEN GOING BY A CEMETERY, YOU SHOULD PUT YOUR HANDS
ON THE TOP OF THE CAR, OR YOU WILL NEVER MARRY.

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Marriage
BELIEF -- Marriage Dating Courtship
SPEECH -- Gesture
SPEECH -- Gesture

Date learned: 03-26-1971

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BELIEF

IF A GIRL IS GOING OVER A RAILROAD TRACK, SHE SHOULD
LIFT HER FEET UP WHILE GOING OVER, OR ELSE SHE WILL BREAK
UP WITH THE GUY SHE IS GOING WITH.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES

James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Dating Courtship
BELIEF -- Body part Senses Feet, toes, toenails
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank

Date learned: 02-18-1971

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BELIEF

IF A MAN WALKS ON THE INSIDE OF THE WALK, IT MEANS THAT
THE GIRL HE IS WITH IS FOR SALE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): CHIVALRY ; POSITION DIRECTION

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Signs of availability
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
SPEECH -- Gesture

Date learned: 11-26-1970

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SUPERSTITION

NEVER GO IN THE FRONT DOOR AND IMMDIATELY OUT ANOTHER DOOR
WITHOUT FIRST SITTING DOWN IN THE HOUSE.

Submitter comment: CAROLYN LEARNED THIS FROM HER GRANDMOTHER WHO IS A FIRM
BELIEVER IN THE PRACTICE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION

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

Date learned: 09-20-1967

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CAR BELIEF

IF A GIRL IS RIDING IN A CAR AND IT CROSSES OVER RAILROAD
TRACKS, SHE MUST LIFT UP HER FEET OR SHE WILL NOT GET MARRIED.

Submitter comment: INFORMANTS ATTITUDE WAS QUITE SKEPTICAL.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LINCOLN PARK

James Callow Keyword(s): DISBELIEF ; POSITION DIRECTION

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Dating Courtship
BELIEF -- Body part Senses Feet, toes, toenails
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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