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It is Greek belief that if one misplaces something from as small
as a ring to as large as a missing child, it can be relocated by
baking an offering known as a "Fanouropita" to St. Fanourio.
(Fanouropita means Bread of St. Fanourio.) Then taking the offering
and donating it to a church. The missing object is then said to
mysteriously turn up.
Where learned: GREECE
James Callow Keyword(s): compare St. Anthony
| Subject headings: | Favorites Food Drink -- Plant food BELIEF -- Religious hero BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Church BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color |
Religious belief or tale
When I was a little girl my mother used to try and soothe me
during a thunder and lightning storm by telling me that when it
thunders, it is God bowling and when it lightnings God hits a
strike.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ANTHROPOMORPHISM
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement BELIEF -- Gods BELIEF -- Lightning Thunder |
Date learned: 00-00-1980
Baby Belief
Babies born with "outtie" (a navel that sticks out) navels will
have good luck.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK
James Callow Keyword(s): outie -- variant spelling?
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 03-00-1992
When the Devil Beats his Wife
It is said that when you see a whirlwind it usually means that
the devil is beating his wife.
Submitter comment: The informant was giggling when she told this to me.
Where learned: MISSISSIPPI ; Louise
Keyword(s): Small Storms
James Callow Keyword(s): ANTHROPOMORPHISM
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Wind Whirlwind Hurricane Cyclone Tornado |
Date learned: 00-00-1970
A snowstorm is actually the angels having a pillow fight in
Heaven.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): ANTHROPOMORPHISM
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Angel BELIEF -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew BELIEF -- Weather sign or control |
Date learned: 00-00-1982
The Ant and the Grasshopper
All day long all through the warm days of summer, a green
grasshopper went happily about. Whenever the grasshopper was
thirsty, he would sip nectar from any plant he saw. One
afternoon, as the grasshopper was leaping from flower to flower,
he saw beneath him a little black ant struggling to carry a fat
leaf bigger than himself. "Little friend," said the grasshopper,
"What are you doing down there?" "Why, I am carrying this leaf
off to my nest. I must fill my nest with food to last through
winter." "Winter?" said the grasshopper. "Who cares about
winter? Why don't you climb up to this flower and enjoy its
sweet nectar? Winter will take care of itself." "That isn't the
way things work in this world," said the ant. "Winter will be
here soon. The flowers will be gone, and there will be nothing
to eat." "Well, suit yourself," said the grasshopper. And off
he went, singing happily and having no cares at all. The ant
returned to carry each leaf, but he did not mind. He knew he
would have enough to last the winter. Soon the cold weather
came. The ant was snug in his
nest with plenty of food to eat. The grasshopper? He had
nothing to eat and soon was no more. A WISE PERSON KNOWS THAT
SUMMER DOES NOT LAST FOREVER.
Submitter comment: My informant remembers reading this fable in Aesop.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Lansing
Keyword(s): Nectar = A sweet liquid secreted by plants
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal Tale BELIEF -- Measure of time Winter |
Date learned: 11-00-1991
Sing-song
When my children were very young, I overheard my grandmother
reciting this little sing-song to them:
Eyes, Nose, Cheekie, Cheekie, Chin
Cheekie, Cheekie, Chin, Nose, Eyes
Submitter comment:
The sing-song was accompanied by pointing to the child's eyes,
nose, cheeks and chin. She said this was how they would easily
learn parts of their body.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): Antistrophe
Date learned: 00001970S
MISTLETOE
DURING THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS, MISTLETOE IS HUNG FROM
CHANDELIERS, ARCHWAYS, ETC. WHEN A PERSON STANDS
UNDER THIS MISTLETOE, THE FIRST PERSON OF THE
OPPOSITE SEX TO COME UP TO SUCH PERSON, IS TO KISS
HIM OR HER.
Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM PARENTS WHEN VERY YOUNG.
Keyword(s): PARASITE ; poison ; POISONOUS PLANT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Mistletoe and other greenery |
Date learned: 11-27-1967
MISTLETOE
DURING THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS, MISTLETOE IS HUNG FROM
CHANDELIERS, ARCHWAYS, ETC. WHEN A PERSON STANDS
UNDER THIS MISTLETOE, THE FIRST PERSON OF THE
OPPOSITE SEX TO COME UP TO SUCH PERSON, IS TO KISS
HIM OR HER.
Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM PARENTS WHEN VERY YOUNG.
Keyword(s): PARASITE ; poison ; POISONOUS PLANT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Mistletoe and other greenery |
Date learned: 11-27-1967
Saying
We'll cross that bridge when we come to it.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: Harwell, H Q
Keyword(s): Anticipate ; Bridge ; Cross ; Language ; Saying
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Group of Vowels and Consonants, and of Words |
THE HILL
THERE IS A HILL IN THE ROSEDALE PARK CEMETERY. WHENEVER ANYONE PARKED THEIR CAR IN FRONT OF THE HILL, THE CAR WOULD BEGIN ROLLING UP THE HILL.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS A STORY WHICH CIRCULATED AROUND MY HIGH SCHOOL. I HAD "HEARD" IT ACTUALLY HAPPENNED TO SOMEONE, BUT I DIDN'T KNOW ANYONE WHO ACTUALLY EXPERIENCED IT.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector are the same person.
Learned in late 1960s.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; OAK PARK
James Callow Keyword(s): ANTI-GRAVITY
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Formation |
Date learned: 00001960S LATE
HILL LEGEND
THERE IS A CERTAIN HILL IN NORTH CAROLINA, AROUND WINSTON-SALEM, WHERE A CAR WILL ROLL UP A HILL WITH THE DRIVER'S FOOT OFF THE GAS.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector share the same surname.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; 18054 PELKEY ; collector's home
James Callow Keyword(s): ANTI-GRAVITY
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Creation and Order of Universe BELIEF -- Formation |
Date learned: 04-00-1970
MYSTERY SPOT-GRAVITY
THIS IS A PARK AT ST. IGNACE, MICHIGAN, IN THE U.P. WHERE, BECAUSE OF A GHOST HAUNTING IT, THE GRAVITY IS EXTRA-STRONG, AND YOU CAN STAND ON THE WALL OF A CABIN AND NOT FALL BECAUSE OF THIS
GRAVITATIONAL FORCE.
Data entry tech comment:
"U.P." IS MICHIGAN'S UPPER PENINSULA
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; 16860 FREELAND ; informant's home
James Callow Keyword(s): ANTI-GRAVITY ; UPPER PENINSULA = U.P.
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Creation and Order of Universe BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Earth BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal P477.13 |
Date learned: 03-08-1970
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WEATHER BELIEF
IT'S A COMMON BELIEF THAT ON ANY JEWISH HOLIDAY IT'S GOING TO RAIN, EVEN IF THE DAY STARTS OUT AS SUNNY AND BRIGHT.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector share the same surname.
Where learned: NOT RECORDED
James Callow Keyword(s): ANTI-SEMITISM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F000 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Typical Elements of a Festive Pattern BELIEF -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew BELIEF -- Weather sign or control P890.7 |
Date learned: 11-15-1969
IN THE OLD COUNTRY THEY CURED WARTS BY THROWING BEANS IN A
FIRE AND REPEATED A SECRET FORMULA SOMETHING LIKE WART,
WART, GO AWAY.
Where learned: HUNGARY
James Callow Keyword(s): INCANTATION ; TRANSFER
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 00-00-1918
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JEWISH BRIDES
INFORMANT WAS TOLD BY SOMEONE HE ONCE WORKED WITH
WHO INTENSELY DISLIKED JEWISH PEOPLE THAT "PART OF
THE JEWISH RELIGION" TEACHES THAT THE NIGHT BEFORE A
JEWISH GIRL MARRIES, SHE MUST HAVE SEXUAL INTERCOURSE
WITH HER FATHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
Keyword(s): ANTISEMITISM
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Marriage First night, honeymoon, and day after wedding |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
PUT ST. JOHN'S WORK (WORT?) IN (A) PILLOW TO FORETELL ONE'S
FUTURE IN DREAMS.
Where learned: HOME ; VIRGINIA, ASSUMED ; NORTH GARDEN
Keyword(s): PLANT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Dreams BELIEF -- Use of Object Plant |
Date learned: 03-29-1969
A LARGE NUMBER OF COB WEBS INDICATES A BAD WINTER.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; DOYLE
James Callow Keyword(s): COBWEBS ; QUANTITY
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Weather sign or control BELIEF -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew BELIEF -- Measure of time Winter |
Date learned: 07-27-1968
BELCHEWELL SOPHIE
THE INFORMANT CAN DATE THIS STORY IN HIS FAMILY AT LEAST
AS FAR BACK AS 1820.
ONCE THERE WAS A COW WHO HAD A PARTICULARLY POPULAR CALF,
LOVED BY ALL THE OTHER ANIMALS. THIS CALF'S NAME WAS
BELCHEWELL SOPHIE, AND EVERY EVENING AT DINNERTIME, THE
MOTHER COW WOULD CALL OUT:BELCHEWELL SOPHIE
COME GET YOUR INDIA LINEN
COME GET YOUR CALICO
AND THE CALF WOULD COME FOR HER DINNER. ONE NIGHT WHEN
THE MOTHER COW CALLED, BELCHEWELL SOPHIE DIDN'T COME.
NOR DID SHE COME HOME THE NEXT DAY. BY THIS TIME, THE
MOTHER WAS SURE SHE HAD BEEN EATEN BY ONE OF THE OTHER
ANIMALS, SO A CONCLAVE OF ALL THE ANIMALS WAS CALLED TO
DECIDE HOW TO FIND THE CULPRIT. FINALLY, IT WAS DECIDED
THAT THEY WOULD BUILD A BONFIRE AND ASK ALL THE ANIMALS
TO JUMP OVER IT, THE IDEA BEING THAT ANY ANIMAL WHO HAD
EATEN AS MUCH AS A CALF WOULD BE TOO FAT TO MAKE IT OVER
THE FIRE. SO THE FIRE WAS BUILT, AND THE ANIMALS LINED UP
TO JUMP OVER. THE RABBIT WAS FIRST AND AS HE JUMPED, HE SANG
(MUSIC WRITTEN ON THE 5 X 8 CARD):
I AIN'T NO LIAR AND I AINT NO ROGUE;
I DIDN'T EAT BELCHEWELL SOPHIE SO JUMP OVER ITT
AND OVER HE WENT. ALL THE OTHER ANIMALS FOLLOWED HIM
SINGING THE SAME SONG, EXCEPT THE WOLF. HE SLUNK IN THE
SHADOWS AND REFUSED TO JUMP. FINALLY WHEN HE HAD
EXHAUSTED THE PATIENCE OF THE OTHERS, HE APPROACHED
THE FIRE AND SANG:
(MUSIC ON THE 5 X 8 CARD)
I AM A LIAR AND I AM A ROGUE;
I DID EAT BELCHEWELL SOPHIE SO JUMP IN IT.
SO HE JUMPED INTO THE FIRE AND WAS BURNED UP.
(MUSIC WRITTEN ON 5 X 8 CARD)
James Callow comment: MUSIC ON THE 5 X 8 CARD
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): CANTE FABLE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal |
Date learned: 08-12-1968
PHANTOM TRAIN
AT MIDNIGHT AT THE RAILROAD CROSSING OF CHAPEL HILL,
TENNESSEE, THE INFORMANT AND A FRIEND SAW A LARGE LIGHT
APPROACHING FROM DOWN THE TRACK. THE LIGHT SEEMED
TO HAVE NO CENTER. WHEN IT WAS ONLY A FEW FEET AWAY,
SHE SAW IT WAS A TRAIN AND SHE QUICKLY STEPPED OFF THE
TRACK. AS IT PASSED HER AND DISAPPEARED, IT MADE NO
NOISE AT ALL.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): GHOST TRAIN ; PHANTOM TRAIN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 11-00-1969