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THE VANISHING HITCHHIKER
THERE IS A STORY THAT HAS BEEN AROUND AS LONG AS I CAN
REMEMBER. IT IS SAID TO BE TRUE BUT NO ONE KNOWS FOR
SURE. IT IS A STORY ABOUT A LADY GHOST WHO HITCHHIKES
A RIDE FROM PASSING CARS. THE EVENT USUALLY TAKES PLACE
BETWEEN 3 A.M. AMD 6 A.M. AND IT USUALLY HAPPENS TO
DOCTORS ON THEIR WAY TO WORK(THERE IS A HOSPITAL NEARBY).
THEY WILL SEE A YOUNG GIRL HITCHING A RIDE. THEY WILL
PICK THE GIRL UP, SHE WILL GET INTO THE BACK SEAT OF
THE CAR. SHE IS WEARING A WHITE DRESS AND HAS LONG
LONG HAIR. SINCE IT IS EARLY MORNING, IT USUALLY COLD
OUTSIDE. THE DOCTOR USUALLY OFFERS HIS COAT TO THE
WOMAN. HE THEN DRIVES HER TO THE ADDRESS WHICH SHE GAVE
HIM (WHICH IS RIGHT NEAR THE HOSPITAL). WHEN HE GETS THERE
SHE IS GONE AND SO IS HIS COAT. THE PERSON WHO PICKED
THE GIRL UP WILL USUALLY GET OUT OF THE CAR AND GO UP
TO THE HOUSE TO SEE IF THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE THERE KNOW THE
GIRL WHICH THEY DESCRIBE. WHOEVER ANSWERS THE DOOR SAYS
YES, AND THAT SHE HAS BEEN DEAD FOR ? YEARS. THEY TELL THE
PERSON WHERE HER GRAVE IS. THE CEMETERY IS RIGHT ACROSS
THE WAY FROM THE HOSPITAL. WHEN THE PERSON GETS TO
THE GRAVESITE, THEIR COAT IS FOUND ON THE GRAVESTONE.
Submitter comment:
I AM NOT EXACTLY SURE OF THE INFORMANT, BUT THIS STORY
HAS BEEN AROUND AS LONG AS I CAN REMEMBER. MANY PEOPLE
SWEAR THAT IT IS TRUE. AND EVERYTIME IT DOES HAPPEN,
THE STORY ALWAYS IS THE SAME. ONE STRANGE THING THAT
NO ONE UNDERSTANDS IS THAT IT IS USUALLY A MALE THAT
PICKS HER UP, NEVER A FEMALE.
Where learned: HOME ; ILLINOIS
Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 00-00-1974 ; 00-00-1974
THE MAN WITH LEPROSY
IN THE TOWN OF ARECIBO THERE USED TO LIVE A MAN WITH LEPROSY.
HE LIVED IN THE MOUNTAINS AND USED TO COME TO SELL CHICKEN.
LONG AFTER HE DIED AND UP UNTIL TODAY, MANY PEOPLE
FROM THE VILLAGE CAN SEE HIM WALKING DOWN THE MOUNTAIN WITH
CHICKENS TO SELL.
Submitter comment:
SHE SAYS THAT THE STORY IS TRUE AND THAT MANY OF HER
RELATIVES HAVE SEEN THE GHOST.
Where learned: PUERTO RICO
Keyword(s): ARECIBO, PUERTO RICO
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
Date learned: 00001960S ; 11-00-1987
BAD LUCK
IT IS A BELIEF IN PUERTO RICO THAT IF YOU WALK BACKWARDS
INTO ANY OCEAN, THAT IT WILL TAKE AWAY ALL OF YOUR BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment: HER GRANDFATHER TOLD HER THIS
Where learned: PUERTO RICO
Keyword(s): BAD LUCK
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Still water Large body. BELIEF -- Conversions |
Date learned: 00-00-1970 ; 11-00-1987
WHY DID THE BLACK MAN WEAR A TUXEDO TO HIS VASECTOMY?
ANSWER. IF I'M GONNA BE IMPOTENT I MIGHT AS WELL LOOK
IMPOTENT.
Submitter comment:
I GOT THIS JOKE FROM THE MOVIE "SOUL MAN." IT WAS TOLD
BY TWO WHITE GUYS IN FRONT OF A BLACK GUY TO MAKE HIM
FEEL BAD.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): IMPOTENT- USED INSTEAD OF THE WORD IMPORTANT TO MAKE ; THE BLACK MAN'S SPEECH SEEM BAD.
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- BLAC |
Date learned: 10-00-1987
3, 6, 9- THE GOOSE DRANK WINE, THE MONKEY
SHOOT TABACC0 ON THE STREET CAR LINE,
THE LINE BROKE, THE MONKEY GOT CHOKED
AND THEY ALL WENT TO HEAVEN IN A LITTLE
ROW BOAT.
Where learned: DETROIT ; RIDING IN A CAR
James Callow Keyword(s): TOBACCO
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
JAIN BUDDHISTS DON'T EAT MEALS AFTER SUNSET FOR FEAR THAT THEY
WILL EAT GERMS AND SIN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
Keyword(s): JAIN IS A CLASS OF BUDDHISTS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222. |
Date learned: 00-00-1967
TAKE A DIP IN THE GANGA RIVER AND YOU WILL WASH AWAY YOUR SINS.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A HINDU RITUAL. THE RIVER IS FAST RUNNING AND VERY
POLLUTED. A DIP IN THIS RIVER COULD KILL YOU.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
James Callow Keyword(s): GANGES? ; RITUAL BATHING
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Running water Large current. |
Date learned: 00-00-1967
EATING BATTER GIVES YOU BIGGER BOOBS.
Submitter comment: THIS WAS TOLD TO ME BY MY GRANDMOTHER WHEN I WAS MAKING PANCAKES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; NEW BUFFALO
James Callow Keyword(s): ALLITERATION ; BOOBS = BREASTS (ASSUMED)
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses |
Date learned: 00-00-1981 ; 10-14-1987
IT WAS ME, MY SISTER, MY 2 STEP BROTHERS
AND 2 GIRLS WHO WERE OUR FRIENDS.
WELL, IN THE MIDDLE OF SUMMER WHEN WE WERE PLAYING OUR WEEGIE
BOARD, WE STARTED PLAYING AND WE COULD FEEL COLD SPOTS AND I HAD
SEEN A MOVIE THAT SAID THE WEEGIE BOARD WAS THE DEVIL AND I DID
NOT WANT TO PLAY. IT SAID IT DIDN'T WANT TO PLAY MORE AND IT WAS
GETTING PISSED OFF. SO IT SPELLED OUT SLAM JEFF, AND JEFF GOT A
WEIRD FEELING AND CAT WENT WEIRD AND THE CONVERTER WENT OFF THE
TV AND AFTER THIS EVERYONE WAS WORRIED AND EVERYONE WANTED TO
STOP PLAYING AND IT STARTED GOING FAST AND WANTED TO LEAVE BECAUSE
THE DEVIL WAS COMING AND STARTED GOING REAL SLOW AND WE ASKED
WHO WAS THERE AND IT SAID SATAN AND ONE GIRL WANTED TO CONTINUE
AND SHE RAN OUT OF THE ROOM AND STOPPED AT THAT POINT AND WENT TO
BED. SHE FELT A BIG COLD SPOT BEHIND HER AND FELT LIKE SOMEONE
WAS BEHIND HER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CANTON
Keyword(s): DEVIL IN WEEGIE BOARD
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 05-00-1985 ; 11-18-1987
WHY DO SAILOR UNIFORMS HAVE THIRTEEN
BUTTONS ON THEIR PANTS?
THEY REPRESENT THE ORIGINAL THIRTEEN
COLONIES.
Submitter comment: MY HUSBAND GAVE ME THIS EXPLANATION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BUTTONS
| Subject headings: | 686 Specific number by specific number being described CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535 ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Dress Lower body and legs |
Date learned: 10-00-1987
MOTHER'S DAY
GOING TO MASS ON MOTHER'S DAY AT OUR POLISH
CHURCH, ALL THE MOTHERS WOULD BE WEARING
FLOWERS, ESPECIALLY CARNATIONS. THERE WAS
A SIGNIFICANCE TO THE COLOR OF THE CARNATION
FOR THE MOTHERS: IF A MOTHER'S OWN MOTHER AND
MOTHER-IN-LAW WERE ALIVE, SHE WOULD WEAR A
RED FLOWER, IF ONE OF THEM HAD DIED, SHE WOULD
WEAR A PINK FLOWER, AND IF BOTH HER MOTHERS
HAD DIED, SHE WOULD WEAR A WHITE FLOWER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): SYMBOLS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- May CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church |
Date learned: 00-00-1950
APPLY MEAT TENDERIZER SUCH AS "ACCENT" TO A BEE STING
OR BUG BITE, IT WILL TAKE AWAY THE PAIN AND ITCH.
Submitter comment:
I HEARD THIS AT A PARTY FROM A NEIGHBOR, WHEN SOMEONE WAS
STUNG BY A BEE. SHE SAID SHE HEARD IT SOMEWHERE, AND TRIED
IT ON HER SON WHEN HE WAS STUNG.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; NORTHVILLE
Keyword(s): BEE STINGS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Remedy |
Date learned: 09-00-1987
DAB BUTTER ON A BURN, IT WILL MAKE IT FEEL BETTER.
Submitter comment:
MY GRANDMOTHER TOLD ME TO DO THIS WHEN I BURNED
MY HAND WHEN I WAS VISITING HER. I LATER FOUND OUT
THIS IS A TERRIBLE THING TO DO. IT SORT OF FRIES THE
SKIN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; REDFORD
Keyword(s): BURN CURE ; REMEDY
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Remedy |
Date learned: 00-00-1967
When my grandmother was alive, she would always refer to the
banshees, which were spirits returning to give warnings to
the living. One afternoon when her mother was very ill back
in Ireland, the only photograph of her mother suddenly fell
off the wall and the glass shattered. It was the very same
day that her mother died and it was believed that the
Banshees used this as a warning to my grandmother.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): banshees
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Supernatural Being |
Date learned: 00001940S
It is extremely bad luck for a bride-to-be to sew
even one stitch in her own wedding dress.
Submitter comment:
Elaine first heard this warning as a young woman, when her
friend was sewing her own wedding gown. The bride's relatives
(Polish) warned her not to, as it would surely bring trouble.
They dismissed it as an "old-wives tale." Later, however,
her best friend died an unexpected and premature death.
She now believes this to be true.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
Keyword(s): Superstition, advice, tabu
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Dress Overall body coverUpper body and arms BELIEF -- Bad luck Crucial moment of life |
Date learned: 00001950S
If you leave food uneaten at a big family gathering
you will have bad weather the next day. Conversely,
if you make sure that all the food has been consumed,
you will be sure to have good weather on the morrow.
Submitter comment:
Elinor heard this saying while a young girl. She has
been told that it is a German belief. To this day in her
family, the phrase "Finish it so it'll be a good day
tomorrow" is used to encourage everyone to eat.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FRASER
Keyword(s): function, prediction, celebrations, meals
Date learned: 00001950S
(sung to a funeral dirge)
The worms crawl in
The worms crawl out
The worms play pinochle on your snout.
(spoken in a hushed and fearful tone)
When you see a hearse go by
You may be the next to die.
They wrap you up in a big white sheet
And drop you down a couple of feet.
(sung)
They eat out your eyes
They eat out your nose
They eat out the dirt that's between your toes.
Submitter comment:
When I hummed the melody of the dirge in this song and
asked Elinor if she had learned a children's song with
this same tune, she knew exactly the one I was referring
to, and repeated the one that I had learned, word for word.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FRASER
Keyword(s): Death, Burial, Decomposition, Gore
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children |
Date learned: 00001950S
"Great Green Gobs"
(sung to the tune of "The Old Gray Mare")
Great green gobs of greasy, grimy, gopher guts
Mutilated monkey meat
Dirty little birdies' feet
French fried eyeballs lying in a pool of blood,
And I forgot my spoon!
Submitter comment:
This "classic" children's parody of the "The Old Gray Mare"
was learned by Terry in Ohio during the 50's. It is still
being sung in much the same manner by children in the Detroit
area, as well as children in the Chicago area. Probably
versions of it are sung throughout the United States.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALLEN PARK
Keyword(s): mock horror, cannibalism, humor, gore
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children |
Date learned: 00001950S
Every old crow
Thinks its baby white as snow.
Submitter comment:
This proverb was told to Maryann by her Italian father,
as a way of dismissing praise given to children by
their own parents.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; SKOKIE
Keyword(s): sarcasm, humor, parental pride
James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMAL METAPHOR ; BIRD ; COLOR
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 00001960S
When you see the Northern Lights at night, whistle
very loudly and the light will become brighter.
Submitter comment:
Elinor learned this belief from a student of her's who
identified herself as "full-blooded North American Indian."
This woman had lived in northern Canada for some time.
When the informant demonstrated the technique for
whistling, she placed both of her baby fingers in
her mouth to indicate that the whistle was to be
extremely loud.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
Keyword(s): Aurora Borealis
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Weather sign or control BELIEF -- Lightning Thunder BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |