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JOHN C. WOBBLESQUAW

HE WAS MY FATHER,S GREAT, GREAT, GRANDFATHER ON HIS MOTHER,S SIDE.
ACCORDING TO THE LEGEND, HE BUILT MACKINAC ISLAND.
HE HAD A GIRLFRIEND ACROSS THE STRAITS, AND HE USED TO LIKE TO SEE
HER, SO HE WOULD SWIM ACROSS THE STRAITS. HE SAW LITTLE WHITE STONES
ON THE LOWER PENINSULA SIDE AND HE USED TO TAKE THEM TO HER.
NOW HE WAS A STRONG FELLOW, BUT HE TIRED WITH ALL THE STONES WHILE
SWIMMING, SO HE USED TO DUMP THEM IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STRAITS.
THIS WAS A HOT ROMANCE, BUT HE COULDN,T GET ACROSS THE STRAITS WITH
SOME MORE STONES. THAT,S HOW HE BUILT MACKINAC ISLAND. BECAUSE IF YOU
GO THERE TODAY, YOU CAN SEE THE LITTLE WHITE STONES IN THE SAND.

 

or something like that.

Where learned: MARYGROVE COLLEGE ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): AMERICAN INDIAN ; STONES USED TO MAKE BRIDGE NOW A HISTORIC PATH ; STONES USED TO MAKE BRIDGE OF LOVE

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Creation and Order of Universe
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formation
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale

Date learned: 00001968 FALL

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JOHN C. WOBBLESQUAW

THIS WAS THE COLDEST WINTER MICHIGAN EVER KNEW, LONG BEFORE THEY
RECORDED TEMPERATURES. JOHN C. LIVED ON A RESERVATION WITH HIS FAMILY
AND FRIENDS. IT WAS SUCH A HARD WINTER THAT THEY RAN OUT OF FOOD AND
WERE IN PRETTY ROUGH SHAPE. SEEING THAT JOHN C. WAS THE STRONGEST,
THEY SENT HIM OUT TO GO HUNTING. THEY HAD SENT OTHERS OUT BEFORE,
BUT THEY DIDN,T GET ANYTHING.
JOHN C. WENT OUT AND HE WAS LOOKING THROUGH THE WOODS AND HE HAD A
FEELING THAT SOMEONE WAS FOLLOWING HIM. HE TURNED AROUND, AND THERE
WAS THIS BIG BLACK BEAR. SO THAT SCARED HIM, SINCE HE NEVER FACED
ONE BEFORE. WELL, HE WAS OUT OF AMMUNITION SINCE HE MISSED OTHER
ANIMALS, SO HE RAN AND RAN UNTIL SWEAT CAME ON HIS FOREHEAD, AND
IT WAS SO COLD THAT IT FROZE RIGHT THERE. HE GOT AN IDEA.
SO HE TOOK THE POWDER OUT OF HIS HORN AND PUT IT IN HIS GUN.
AND HE TOOK A FEW BEADS OF FROZEN PERSPIRATION OFF HIS FOREHEAD AND
PUT THEM IN TOO. THEN HE TURNED AROUND, SHOT THE BEAR, AND HIS
PEOPLE LIVED THROUGH THE WINTER.

Where learned: MARYGROVE COLLEGE ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): AMERICAN INDIAN ; FROZEN BEADS OF SWEAT USED FOR AMMUNITION

Subject headings: Favorites
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale

Date learned: 00001968 FALL

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TRICKING SPIES

IN WORLD WAR ONE, WHEN SPIES WHO HAD INFILTRATED INTO ENEMY RANKS
WERE CAPTURED. THEY WERE PUT TO THE TEST. WHEN A GERMAN SPY
WHO CLAIMED TO BE FRENCH WAS CAUGHT, HE WAS ASKED TO REPEAT THE
WORD "GRENOUILLE" (FROG), WHICH SHOULD
SOUND SOMEWHAT LIKE GRRUNWEEAH
BUT A GERMAN WOULD ALWAYS SAY GRUNWEEHKH, MAKING A HARSH GUTTURAL
SOUND. SIMILARLY, WHEN A FRENCH SPY WAS CAUGHT BY THE GERMANS, HE
WAS ASKED TO SAY HATHAWAY BUT A FRENCHMAN COULD ONLY SUCCEED IN
SAYING HASSAWAY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK ; SAINT MARYS RECTORY

Keyword(s): PRONUNCIATION OF FOREIGN WORDS REVEALS IDENTITY AND NATIONALITY

Subject headings: Favorites
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Legend

Date learned: 11-17-1968

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TALE

THERE WAS A TEACHER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT WHO WAS REALLY
STRANGE, ONE DAY HE WAS LECTURING ON A PLAY BY SHAKESPEARE, AND
HE STARTED TO READ A CHARACTER IN THE PLAY WHO HAPPENED TO BE WOUNDED
IN THE LEG. THE TEACHER LIMPED AROUND IN FRONT OF THE CLASS, HOLDING
HIS LEG WITH ONE HAND AND GESTURING WILDLY WITH THE OTHER.
IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SPEECH, THE BELL RANG. THE TEACHER PICKED UP
HIS BRIEF CASE AND LIMPED OUT OF THE ROOM, STILL HOLDING
HIS LEG.

Submitter comment: INFORNANT HEARD THE STORY FROM A FACULTY MEMBER AT THE
UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): ECCENTRIC ENGLISH PROFESSOR ; FEIGNED LAMENESS CONTINUED ; PSYCHOSOMATIC ILLNESS (LAMENESS)

Subject headings: Favorites
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being

Date learned: 03-10-1970

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NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR. ; NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR.

THERE WAS A BELIEF THAT A MOTHER WOULD DIE IF THE EVIL SPIRIT
CAME UPON HER BEFORE SHE WAS ABLE TO BE CHURCHED. MY GRANDFATHER
RECALLED THAT AFTER MY UNCLE JOSEPH WAS BORN THE EVIL SPIRIT
TRIED TO HARM MY GRANDMOTHER. ONE NIGHT, MY GRANDFATHER WAS
AWAKENED BY THE SOUND OF TAPPING AND SOMEONE CALLING FOR MY
GRANDMOTHER. MY GRANDMOTHER DID NOT HEAR IT SO MY GRANDFATHER
WENT TO THE DOOR BUT NO ONE WAS THERE. THE TAPPING AND
CALLING FOR MY GRANDMOTHER OCCURED THREE TIMES. THE THIRD TIME
WHEN HE WENT TO THE DOOR HE CALLED OUT: WHOEVER YOU ARE
SHOW YOUR FACE IF IF YOU ARE GOOD AND BEGONE IF YOU ARE EVIL.
AGAIN, THERE WAS NO ONE AND IT DID NOT HAPPEN AGAIN.

Where learned: HOME ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT ; 16290 APPOLINE

Keyword(s): CHURCHING OF WOMAN ; DEMON SUMMONS WOMAN

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon
BELIEF -- Number

Date learned: 01-15-1970

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JOKE

Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.

WHAT WAS THE POPE'S FIRST MAJOR CHANGE TO THE VATICAN?
HE HAD THE SISTINE CHAPEL WALLPAPERED.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK

James Callow Keyword(s): INTERIOR DECORATING ; TASTE OF THE FIRST POLISH POPE, JOHN PAUL II

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Poli

Date learned: 00-00-1978

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CAMPSONG SARAH THE WHALE

IN FRISCO BAY THERE WAS A WHALE, THEY FED HER OYSTERS BY THE PAIL,
BY BATHTUB, BY TEACUP, BY THIMBLE AND BY SCHOONER.
HER NAME WAS SARAH AND WHEN SHE SMILED,
SHE SHOWED HER TEETH FOR MILES AND MILES,
AND TONSILS, AND SPARE RIBS AND THINGS TOO FIERCE TO MENTION.
OH, WHAT YOU DO WITH A WHALE LIKE THAT? OH, WHAT WOULD YOU DO
IF SHE SAT ON YOUR HAT? OR YOUR TOOTHBRUSH, OR YOUR COUNSELOR,
OR ANYTHING'S THAT'S USEFUL LIKE THAT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Mount Clemens

James Callow Keyword(s): SATIRE OF CAMP COUNSELOR

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Good humor Jest
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Daily Life
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Social reunion

Date learned: 04-00-1979

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POPE JOKE

DID YOU HEAR THAT CARDINAL SICOLA IS IN THE RUNNING FOR POPE?
IF HE WERE CHOSEN THEN WE WOULD HAVE POPE SICOLA

Submitter comment: A RASH OF JOKES BEGAN IN 1978 RIGHT AROUND THE TIME OF THE
SELECTION OF THE NEW POLISH POPE. THESE JOKES ARE REALLY JUST
STANDARD POLISH JOKES WITH A RELIGIOUS TWIST.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MILFORD

James Callow Keyword(s): PUN ON PEPSI COLA, A SOFT DRINK

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote

Date learned: 00-00-1979

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PARODY OF A NURSERY RHYME

MARY HAD A LITTLE LAMB...THAT'S WHAT SHE GETS FOR SLEEPING IN THE
BARN.

Where learned: DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): BESTIALITY SODOMY BUGGERY ; BIRTH OF ANIMAL FROM HUMAN

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

Date learned: CA00001969

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PROSE ROUND ; FORMULA TALE

IT WAS A DARK AND STORMY NIGHT. WE WERE ALL SITTING AROUND THE
CAMPFIRE WHEN SUDDENLY UNCLE JOE WALKED UP, AND SOMEONE CALLED OUT
"UNCLE JOE, TELL US A STORY}" AND HE BEGAN: "IT WAS A DARK AND STORMY
NIGHT. WE WERE ALL SITTING AROUND THE CAMPFIRE WHEN SUDDENLY UNCLE
GEORGE WALKED UP, AND SOMEONE CALLED OUT, "UNCLE GEORGE, TELL US A
STORY}" (THIS IS REPEATED, USING A DIFFERENT NAME EACH TIME.)

Where learned: DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): CHAIN INVOLVING NAMES ; INTERESTING COMBINATION OF ROUND AND CHAIN TALE

Subject headings: Favorites
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale

Date learned: CA00001968

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THE CANDY BAR SITUATION

Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.

ONE DAY MR. GOODBAR THOUGHT HE WOULD LIKE A BIT OF HONEY,
SO HE WENT DOWN TO FIFTH AVENUE AND PICKED UP MISS HERSHEY.
THEY WENT BEHIND THE POWERHOUSEE.
MR. GOODBAR SAID, "LET'S PRODUCE 3 MUSKETEERS".
MR. GOODBAR STARTED FEELING HER MOUNDS,
WHICH TO HIM WAS PURE ALMOND JOY.
HE SNICKERED UP HER MILKY WAY.
THEN SHE FELT HIS BUTTERNUTS AND CRIED, "OH HENRY, I AM
FOREVER YOURS".
THE RESULTS, BABY RUTH

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HUNTINGTON WOODS

James Callow Keyword(s): EUPHEMISMS FOR BREASTS, VAGINA, AND GONADS ; PUNS ON NAMES OF CANDY BARS ; SEX

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale
Filter - Mature Content

Date learned: CA00001977

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SUPERSTITION

NO MATTER HOW I DID IN A COMPETITIVE SPORT, I STILL WANT
EVERYTHING WASHED. THINGS LIKE T-SHIRTS, SOCKS, UNDERWEAR
AND SOMETIMES THE WHOLE UNIFORM, MUST BE WASHED. MOST PEOPLE
WILL NOT WASH CERTAIN THINGS FOR FEAR THAT THEY WILL WASH
OUT THE GOOD SPIRITS. I WANT TO KEEP THOSE SPIRITS HAPPY
BY LOOKING GOOD ALL THE TIME.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; OAK PARK

James Callow Keyword(s): WASHING OF CLOTHES

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Devil Demon
BELIEF -- Entertainment Diversion

Date learned: CA00001972

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Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.

DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE POLOCK WHO:
THOUGHT MANUAL LABOR WAS THE PRESIDENT OF MEXICO?

Where learned: DETROIT ; REGINA HIGH SCHOOL

James Callow Keyword(s): PUN OF THE NAME MANUEL

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Poli

Date learned: 00-00-1979

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AUTOGRAPH RHYME

YOURS UNTIL CANADA GOES DRY

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN HEIGHTS

Keyword(s): PUN ON A SOFT DRINK

Subject headings: Z210

Date learned: 01-00-1979

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GRAFFITO

"THE U.S. ARMY CONSISTS OF THE UNEDUCATED LEADING THE UNWILLING
IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THE UNNECESSARY."

Where learned: SOUTH VIETNAM ; Vietnam ; ARMY LATRINE ; AHN KHE

James Callow Keyword(s): PARAMOION: REPETITION AT THE BEGINNINGS OF WORDS ; SATIRE

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Art Craft Architecture Art, Craft, Architecture

Date learned: CA00001969

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PROVERB

A GENIUS IS OFTEN REGARDED AS A CRACKPOT UNTIL HE HITS THE JACKPOT.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT SAID THIS WAS A FAVORITE SAYING OF A TEACHER AT MILLER HIG
IN DETROIT, ABOUT 1941, WHO WAS A FRUSTRATED INVENTOR.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; 13438 BONITA

Keyword(s): FEMININE RHYME ; RECOGNITION OF GENIUS ; SUCCESS

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim

Date learned: 10-20-1971

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PROVERB

GREAT MINDS RUN IN THE SAME TRACK.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): COINCIDENCE OF IDEAS

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

Date learned: 00-00-1965

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BRIDGE ON THE MISSISSIPPI.

WHEN THEY WERE BUILDING A BRIDGE OVER THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER, ONE
OF THE CONSTRUCTION WORKERS FELL OFF THE PART THAT WAS CONSTRUCTED
AND FELL INTO A PILLAR. THEY NEVER FOUND THE BODY. SOME WONDER
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE MAN, IF HE LIVED AND NEVER CAME BACK OR JUST
DISAPPEARED.

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT

Keyword(s): VANISH

James Callow Keyword(s): COMPARE " THE BRIDGE OF ARTA ". ; FOUNDATION

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

Date learned: 10-30-1968

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AUTOGRAPH INSCRIPTION

ON THE SHORES OF GICHIGOMI,
COME ON BY AND SOCK-IT-TO-ME.
U R A Q T
I N V U

Submitter comment: UNDATED ENTRY IN KATHY CRACCHIOLO'S AUTOGRAPH BOOK
KEPT IN ST. CLAIR SHORES MICH. IN 1968

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES

Keyword(s): PARODY OF HIAWATHA ; TROCHAIC TETRAMETER ; TYPOGRAPHICAL VERSE

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Translations, plays on words, symbol writing

Date learned: 02-27-1971 ; 00-00-1968

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AUTOGRAPH BOOK RHYME

ROSES MAY WITHER.
ROSES MAY DIE.
FRIENDS MAY DECEIVE YOU,
BUT NEVER WILL I.

Submitter comment: FROM INFORMANT'S AUTOGRAPH BOOK, JUNIOR HIGH 1929-1933

Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; GLENSHAW

Keyword(s): FRIENDSHIP ; PARODY OF " ROSES ARE RED..." ; PROMISE OF FAITHFULNESS ; RHYME: ABCB

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Friendship

Date learned: 10-02-1971

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