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ITALIAN PROVERB
PUT THE BREAD TO YOUR MOUTH
AND YOU WILL FIND AN APPETITE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MILFORD
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: POSITIVE ; FOOD ; YOU CAN DO WITH WHAT YOU HAVE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 09-22-1968
CART AND HORSE
A PERSON WHO HAD BEEN CARRIED AWAY AND JUMPED
INTO SOMETHING WITHOUT THINKING MIGHT HAVE BEEN SAID TO HAVE
PUT THE CART BEFORE THE HORSE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMAL ; PRECIPITOUS ; REVERSAL ; SYMBOL ; TRANSPORTATION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase |
Date learned: 09-00-1969
EXPRESSIONS OF ANGER
I HEARD THE COLORED LABORERS OF THE CITY OF DETROIT
USE THE EXPRESSION PUT THE SCREAMS ON, TO MEAN A BAWLING OUT
GIVEN ONE PERSON BY ANOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: NEGATIVE ; NEGRO EXPRESSION ; REPRIMAND
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase |
Date learned: 08-10-1964
PROVERBIAL METAPHOR
AN OLD SAYING TO EXPRESS DISGUST OVER A NICE THING
BEING RUINED BY NEGLECT IS CALLED
PUTTING A TUXEDO ON A HOG.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ANIMAL ; ANIMAL ; CLOTHING ; CONTRAST ; INCONGRUITY
James Callow Keyword(s): COVER UP: SURFACE DRESSING
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase |
Date learned: 03-10-1968
PROVERBIAL METAPHOR
PUT UP OR SHUT UP
James Callow comment: SIMILAR TO THE PROVERB ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: POSITIVE ; ELLIPSIS ; FUNCTION ; PARALLELISM
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
PROVERB
PUT YOUR BEST FOOT FORWARD.
Submitter comment: FROM UNCERTAIN
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: POSITIVE ; FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 00001964 (SUMMER)
PROVERB
POGGI SEIFEC F GHANTEC GHAX BILLI TGHATI TIEHU (MALTESE)
PUT YOUR SWORD AT YOUR SIDE - THOSE THAT LIVE BY
THE SWORD DIE BY THE SWORD.
Data entry tech comment: ORIGINAL 5 X 8 CARD CONTAINS MALTESE TEXT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: POSITIVE ; OBSERVATION ; THREAT ; TRANSLATION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 03-08-1970
LITTLE BLACK SAMBO
ONE DAY A LONG WAY FROM HERE AND NOT YET OVER THERE, PEOPLE KNEW OF
A BOY NAMED SAMBO. NOW SAMBO WAS A LITTLE AND DARK ONE, SO THE
PEOPLE CALLED HIM LITTLE BLACK SAMBO. ONE DAY SAMBO'S MOTHER AND
FATHER WENT AWAY LEAVING SAMBO WITH NOTHING BUT A BREAD CRUST TO EAT
AND NO CLOTHING BUT HIS SUNDAY BEST; A NEW YELLOW COAT AND MATCHING
CAP, A BRIGHT RED SHIRT THAT ONLY HAD BEEN WORN BY A HANGER AND A
PAIR OF SHINEY SHOES. SAMBO WAS A LITTLE FELLA BUT HE WAS ALIVE AND
HAD TO EAT TOO, TO KEEP THE LITTLE WEIGHT HE HAD - PUT. SO SAMBO HAD
TO DIVIDE THAT LITTLE BIT OF BREAD FOR BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND DINNER
FOR TWO DAYS. "NOW I GOTTA DO SOMETHIN' 'BOUT MY EATIN' SITUATION",
SAMBO SAID ON THE THIRD DAY, HOLDING HIS BELLY, BUT ALL I GOT IS MY
NEW CLOTHES, NOBODY CAN WEAR 'EM BUT ME, NO HOW." SO SAMBO STARTED
OUT TO FIND A WAY TO FIND SOME FOOD. HE HAD TO CROSS THE RIVER THAT
WAS TOO DEEP TO CROSS, THE MOUNTAIN THAT WAS TOO HIGH TO CLIMB, THE
JUNGLE THAT WAS TOO THICK TO BREATHE IN AND THEN THE TOWN WHERE ALL
THE SHOPS WERE. LITTLE BLACK SAMBO CAME TO THE RIVER AND SWAM ACROSS,
STOPPING BUT ONCE TO ASK AN OLD FISHERMAN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RIVER,
"WOULD YOU GIVE SOME BREAD? MY MAMA AND PAPA WENT AWAY AND LEFT ME
NOTHING BUT MY OWN AND MY NEW CLOTHES." THE FISHERMAN SAID, "SORRY
LITTLE BLACK SAMBO, I'M HERE WITH NOTHING BUT MY OWN AND A FISHING
HOOK OR TWO BUT IF YOU GIVE ME THOSE SHINEY SHOES, MAYBE I CAN HELP
YOU. SO THE FISHERMAN GAVE LITTLE BLACK SAMBO A LINE AND A HOOK SO
THAT SAMBO COULD CATCH HIS OWN FOOD. AFTER WAITING TEN MINUTES SAMBO
DECIDED, "FISHING WAS TOO SLOW, I'L FIND SOME FOOD IN THE MOUNTAINS
I HOPE." SO HE STARTED FOR THE MOUNTAINS, BIDDING THE FISHERMAN WELL
AND LEAVING BEHIND HIS SHINEY SHOES. AS LITTLE BLACK SAMBO CAME TO
THE FOOT OF THE MOUNTAIN HE MET A MOOSE. "MR. MOOSE WILL YOU HELP ME
GET SOMETHING TO EAT, PLEASE? MY MAMA AND PAPA WENT AWAY AND DIDN'T
LEAVE ME NOTHING BUT MYSELF AND MY NEW CLOTHES," LITTLE BLACK SAMBO
SAID TO THE MOOSE. "GIVE ME THAT PRETTY YELLOW CAP AND I'LL SHOW
YOU HOW TO GET FOOD FOR YOURSELF," THE MOOSE SAID TO LITTLE BLACK
SAMBO. "OKAY, THAT SOUNDS FAIR ENOUGH, ALTHOUGH I WANT MY YELLOW
CAP," SAMBO SAID. WELL THE MOOSE STARTED WALKING AWAY WHEN SAMBO
SAID "BUT I DO WANT TO EAT TOO, OKAY."" "WELL, DO YOU LIKE BUSHES AND
TREE LEAVES", THE MOOSE ASKED LITTLE BLACK SAMBO. THE TRUTH MR
MOOSE IS I HAIN'T NEVER TRIED NO TREES AND LEAVES FOR SUPPA, BUT I
GOT NOTHING ELSE TO EAT. I'LL TRY EM:," LITTLE BLACK SAMBO SAID TO
THE MOOSE. LITTLE BLACK SAMBO FOLLOWED BEHIND THE MOOSE, PICKING OVER
THE BUSHES AND TREE LEAVES LIKE THE MOOSE UNTIL HE SAID, "THESE
TREES AND LEAVES FOR SUPPA AIN'T GONNA GET IT, MR. MOOSE" AND
CONTINUED TO THE JUNGLE WITHOUT ANYTHING IN HIS STOMACH AND WITHOUT
HIS LITTLE YELLOW CAP, SHINEY SHOES AND STILL NO MEANS OF FOOD. AS
LITTLE BLACK SAMBO CAME TO THE TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN THAT NOBODY COULD
CLIMB HE LOOKED OVER THE OTHER SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN AND SPOTTED A
TIGER. LITTLE BLACK SAMBO CALLED OUT, "MR. TIGER, WILL YOU HELP ME
GET SOMETHING TO EAT? MY MAMA AND PAPA WENT OFF AND LEFT ME AND MY
NEW CLOTHES ALONE." THE TIGER YELLED BACK, "IF YOU GIVE ME THAT
BRIGHT RED SHIRT I'LL TRY TO HELP YOU." LITTLE BLACK SAMBO FIGURED
HE DIDN'T HAVE MUCH TO LOSE, SO HE AGREED, "OKAY, YOU CAN HAVE MY
BRIGHT RED SHIRT." THE TIGER TOLD HIM TO DO AS HE DID,
KEEP BEHIND THE RABBIT AND DON'T LET THE RABBIT OUT OF SIGHT. WELL
LITTLE BLACK SAMBO TRIED AND TRIED BUT HE COULDN'T EVEN KEEP UP WITH
THE TIGER. SO HE SAID "I CAN'T KEEP UP WITH YOU, MR. TIGER, WILL YOU
PLEASE CATCH ME THE RABBIT AND I'LL GIVE YO ALL I HAVE - MY NEW
YELLOW PANTS AND COAT." THE TIGER SAID "AGREED, BUT FIRST, YOU GIVE
ME THE YELLOW PANTS AND COAT," INTENDING TO CATCH THE RABBIT AND KEEP
RUNNING WITH THE RABBIT AND CLOTHES. LITTLE BLACK SAMBO DID AS THE
TIGER TOLD HIM TO DO. THE TIGER WAS RUNNING, RUNNING, AND WAS
ABOUT TO CATCH THE RABBIT WHEN "BOOM!!!," A GUN SHOT KILLED THE TIGER
OVER. IT WAS LITTLE BLACK SAMBO'S MAMMA AND PAPA AND A TIGER FOR
SUPPA.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A LONG STORY; I THOUGHT SINCE MY INFORMANT'S BEEN HANDED DOWN
LONG NARRATIVE STORIES, HE MAY PASS THESE SAME STORIES ON IN A
SIMILAR FORM IF NOT THE SAME AS THEIR ORIGINAL VERSIONS.
THIS STORY PUSHES A BLACK IMAGE; THE MAIN CHARACTER, LITTLE BLACK
SAMBO, BREAKS AWAY FROM ALL OF HIS PROBLEMS IN THE END BY DOING FOR
HIMSELF.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): NEGRO MARALE? ; PERSONIFICATION
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal Tale |
Date learned: 00-00-1960
HOW GOD MADE "FLUTTER-BYS"
WELL, THE LORD HAD JUST FINISHED MAKING THE WORLD AND HE SAT BACK
IN HIS BIG OL' ROCKER TO LOOK IT OVER. "NOT A BAD JOB, IF I SAY SO
MYSELF." HE LIT UP A BIG, FINE CIGAR AND WAS FEELING PRETTY GOOD
ABOUT IT UNTIL HE NOTICED THAT THE WORLD LOOKED KIND OF BARE. THE
FACT OF THE MATTER WAS THERE WASN'T A THING TO THE WORLD EXCEPT LAND,
TREES AND A LOTS OF WATER. THERE WAS EVEN MORE WATER THAN LAND.
"WONDER HOW I DID THAT," THE LORD SAID. "SEEMS TO ME I'D PLANNED FOR
THERE TO BE MORE LANDTHAN WATER." WELL, HE SHRUGGED HIS SHOULDERS AND
TURNED HIS MIND TO MAKE THE WORLD LOOK A BIT PRETTIER. "GIMME MY
PRUNING SHEARS," HE CALLED OUT AND ONE OF THE CUTE, LITTLE ANGELS RAN
AND GOT THEM. THEN THE GREAT LORD ALMIGHTY LEANED OUT OF HIS ROCKING
CHAIR, TRIMMED THE TREES, AND THREW THE TRIMMINGS ALL OVER THE EMPTY
GROUND. THAT'S WHAT MADE THE GRASS, BUSHES, AND ALL THE FLOWERS.
"NOW THAT DON'T LOOK TOO BAD," HE SAID AND LEANED BACK. "YESSIRY
I'VE DONE MADE A AWFUL PRETTY WORLD." AND SO SAYING, HE WENT TO BED
TO REST UP FROM ALL THAT WORK. THE NEXT MORNING THE LORD HADN'T EVEN
HAD ONE EYE OPEN YET, WHEN HE HEARD THE FLOWERS WHISPERING AMONG
THEMSELVES, "IT'S LONELY DOWN HERE"; THE OTHER FLOWER SAID, "WE
WERE PUT HERE TO KEEP THE GROUND COMPANY AND MAKE EVERYTHING LOOK
PRETTY, BUT IT SURE IS MIGHTY LONELY." THE LORD SHOOK HIS HEAD IN
DISGUST. "HAVE MERCY, FATHER. YOU GET THROUGH MAKING ONE THANG AND
AND THE NEXT THANG YOU KNOW YOU GOTTA MAKE SOMETHING TO GO WITH THE
FIRST. GIMME THEM LITTLE SHEARS, ONE OF YOU ANGELS, PLEASE." AN
ANGEL BROUGHT HIM THE TEENICHY PAIR OF SHEARS AND HE BENT OVER TO THE
EARTH AND STARTED SNIPPING LITTLE PIECES OFF OF EVERYTHING - THE SKY,
THE GROUND, THE TREES, THE ANIMALS, THE BUSHES, THE FLOWERS;
EVERYTHING HE PUT HIS SHEARS ON, GOT SNIPPED. "THE VERY IDEA OF
GETTING COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE WORLD AND IT AIN'T EVEN A DAY OLD.
THAT'S GRATITUDE." THE LORD HAD A FEELING HE WAS GOING TO BE GETTING
COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE WORLD FROM THEN ON. HE WAS SO MAD THAT HE DID
NOT CARE WHAT HE SNIPPED - SNIP, SNIP, ALL MORNING LONG. WELL, WHEN
THE FOLKS LOOKED UP AND SAW THE TINY CLIPPINGS FLUTTERING AROUND.
THEY CALLED THEM FLUTTER-BYS. THE BLUE FLUTTER-BYS HAD BEEN SNIPPED
FROM THE SKY; THE YELLOW FLUTTER-BYS HAD BEEN CLIPPINGS FROM THE SUN;
AND THERE WERE THE LORD'S WHITE FLUTTER-BYS THAT WERE CLIPPINGS FROM
THE STARS. EVERY COLOR FLUTTER-BY YOU COULD THINK OF WAS FLUTTERING
AROUND.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS ANOTHER LONG NARRATIVE WITH A STRONG BLACK IMAGE, AS REFERRED
TO IN MY COLLECTION'S SEQUENCE NUMBER 731772-1; I GET THE
IMPRESSION THAT THIS IS A BLACK GOD.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): Butterfly ; CREATION ; ETYMOLOGY ; God ; NAME ; Origin ; PERSONIFICATION ; Tale
James Callow Keyword(s): PERSONIFICATION
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Creation and Order of Animal Life SPEECH -- Proper Name |
Date learned: 00-00-1954
WHY PEOPLE HAVE TO WORK IN ORDER TO LIVE
WHY MUST PEOPLE WORK IN ORDER TO LIVE? WELL, AT ONE TIME GOD HAD
PLACED THE SKY SO NEAR TO THE GROUND THAT WHENEVER A PERSON WAS
HUNGRY AND WANTED SOMETHING TO EAT HE ONLY HAD TO BREAK ALL HE WANTED
TO EAT FROM THE LOVELY-BLUE SKY AND EAT. AFTER PEOPLE STARTED
GETTING TOO FAT AND LAZY, THEY WOULD BREAK OFF HUGE PIECES OF THE SKY
AND EAT ONLY SOME PORTIONS AND THROW THE REST ON THE GROUND AND WALK
AWAY. NOW THE LORD DIDN'T LIKE THIS. HE WANTED EVERYBODY TO HAVE
PLENTY TO EAT BUT HE DIDN'T WANT THEM TO TAKE THINGS TOO LIGHTLY;
"TAKE ONLY WHAT YOU'RE ABLE TO EAT," HE WARNED THEM. THE PEOPLE
FOLLOWED HIS ADVICE FOR A SHORT WHILE, THEN RETURNED TO WHAT THEY
WERE DOING BEFORE, BREAKING OFF MORE THAN THEY COULD EAT. THE LORD
DECIDED TO MOVE THE SKY MILES AWAY SO NOBODY COULD GET TO IT, AND IN
ORDER TO EAT, EVERY SOUL HAD TO WORK HARD AT THE LAND.
Submitter comment:
I HAVE HEARD THIS STORY AS TOLD BY A REGULAR CHURCH-GOER; IT WAS TOLD
BASICALLY THE SAME.
Where learned: ALABAMA
James Callow Keyword(s): GREED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Creation and Order of Universe BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00-00-1930
ONE'S SURROUNDINGS
A PERSON SOON STARTS TO TAKE-ON CHARACTERISTICS OF HIS SURROUNDINGS.
Where learned: WASHINGTON DC
James Callow Keyword(s): CONTAGION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 00-00-1970
WHY DOGS AND CATS DON'T GET ALONG
NOW THE DOG, HE WAS A FREE MAN ALWAYS. HE MINED THE YARD. ONE DAY
THE DOG WAS GONNA GO FOR A WALK AND HE DRESSED, GOT HIS CANE AND ALL.
NOW HE HAD TO GO THROUGH HIS MASTER HOUSE TO GET TO THE FRONT, SO HE
HAD TO PASS THE CAT WHO WAS ALWAYS IN THE KITCHEN BY THE FIRE-IRON.
THE DOG SAY, "SISS CAT, HOW YOU FIND YO' HEALTH THESE HERE DAYS?"
SAY, "BR'ER, I AIN'T DOING SO WELL, THANK YOU FOE ASKING." I'M
GOING OUT FOR A WALK AND I WISH YOU BE SO KIND AS TO TAKE CHARGE OF
MY PAPER FOR ME, TEL I GET BACK. SISS CAT SAY, "SHOW, I SHOW WILL
BR'ER-DOG, WITH PLESURE. SO BR'ER-DOG HAND SISS-CAT HIS PAPER AND
WENT OUT FOR HIS WALK. SISS-CAT WAS TRYING TO STAY CAREFUL WITH
BR-ER-DOG'S PAPER BUT SHE REALLY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH IT OR
HOW TO DO IT. SO SHE KINDLY PUT IT ON THE FLOOR, MADE A MAT AND SOON
FELL TO SLEEP ON IT. WELL THE RAT STUCK HIS LITTLE HEAD OUT HIS HOLE
TO SEE WHAT THE NEWS WAS. WHEN HE SAW THE PAPER UNDER THE CAT HE
STARTED THANKING HOW HE WAS GONNA GET IT FROM HER. AND HE DECIDED
TO TAKE JUST A NIBBLE OFF A LITTLE PIECE, THAT WOULD'NT WAKE-UP THE
CAT BUT BEFORE HE GOT THE WHOLE PIECE IN HIS LITTLE MOUTH SIS' CAT
WOKE-UP, FORGOT ALL ABOUT BEING CAREFUL WITH BR'ER-DOG'S PAPER AND
JUMPED AFTER THE RAT, AS HE MADE HIS GET-A-AWAY THROUGH HIS HOLE WITH
A LITTLE PIECE OF BR'ER DOG'S PAPER IN HIS MOUTH. SO SIS' CAT CAME
BACK OUT OF BREATH AND SHE HAD TO LOOK FOR THE PAPER BECAUSE THE
WIND HAD BLOWN IT ABOUT. SHE LOOKED, LOOKED AND LOOKED, AIN'T FOUND
NO TRACE OF THE PAPER, YET. AND WHEN BR'ER DOG CAME BACK HE ASKED,
"WHERE MY PAPER I LAID WITH YOU?" SIS' CAT SAYS, "WHO TOLD YOU TO
LAY YO' PAPER WITH ME I WANT TO KNOW:" I GO TO COMBAT THAT HOUSE-RAT
I CANN'T LOOK OUT FOR YO' PAPER TOO, SOMEBODY MUST HAVE PLAYED
THIEF WHEN I TURNED FOR A MINUTE." BR'ER DOG SAY, "YOU NO GOOD FOE
NOTHING THANG YO. WHAT IS CATS FOE ANYWAY - THAT I WANT TO KNOW;
I AIN'T GOT NO USE FOR THEM. BOW-WOW-WOW:" SIS' CAT ANSWERED,
"SP-T-Z-Z" AND THEY STOPPED SPEAKING AND TODAY THEY AIN'T SPEAKING.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A NEW STORY TO ME. I FOUND SOME WORDS IN THE STORY, SUCH AS
BR'ER FOR MY BROTHER AND SIS FOR SISTER, TO BE COMMON LANGUAGE AMONG
BLACKS MAINLY IN THE SOUTH.
Data entry tech comment:
A-T 200 THE DOG'S CERTIFICATE
MT[ A2281.1 CAT LOSES DOG'S CERTIFICATE: ; A2281.1 (CONT'D) ENMITY BETWEEN CATS AND DOGS
****************** NEW D FILE 2 ******************
Where learned: ALABAMA
James Callow Keyword(s): PERSONIFICATION
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal |
Date learned: 00-00-1920
HOW TO DETERMINE SEX OF UNBORN CHILD
IF AN EXPECTING MOTHER WANTS TO KNOW WHAT SEX HER CHILD WELL BE SHE
SHOULD HAVE HER FUTURE MID-WIFE AID HER IN THE FOLLOWING TEST. IF
THE WOMAN IS FIVE TO NINE MONTHS EXPECTANT SHE SHOULD REST ON THE
FLOOR ON HER BACK WITH BOTH ARMS STRAIGHT AT THEIR SIDES, HER LEGS
AND FEET TOGETHER AND RELAX ALL THOUGHTS OF DOUBT ABOUT THE TEST
WORKING OR NOT. THE MID-WIFE IS TO WASH HER HANDS IN A MIXTURE OF
VINEGAR AND SALT AND HOLD A LONG CHAIN BELONGING TO THE EXPECTANT
WOMAN'S MOTHER; THE CHAIN SHOULD HAVE A HEAVY OBJECT ON ITS END, SUCH
AS A CAMEO OR THE LIKING. THE MID-WIFE IS TO HOLD THE CHAIN AND
OBJECT OVER THE WOMAN'S STOMACH AND ASK, "WHAT'S IT GONNA BE LORD,
THE LIKINGS OF ME OR THEE, LORD?" AT THAT POINT THE HANGING OBJECT
SHOULD REST ON THE WOMAN'S STOMACH AND IT SHOULD BE SLOWLY RAISED AND
AGAIN RESTED, RAISED, RESTED AND SO ON. IF THE OBJECT ON THE CHAIN
SWINGS CLOCKWISE AS IT'S RAISED AND LOWERED ONTO THE UNBORN CHILD, IT
WILL BE A MALE. BUT IN THE EVENT THAT THE OBJECT SWINGS
COUNTER-CLOCKWISE, THE UNBORN CHILD WILL BE A FEMALE. THE OBJECT'S
MOVEMENT WILL BE ONLY SLIGHT. THIS TEST SHOULD BE DONE AT LEAST FIVE
TIMES AND IF THE TEST "PROVES" THE CHILD TO BE A MALE AT LEAST THREE
OUT OF THE FIVE TRYS, THE MOTHER SHOULD EXPECT A SON AND LIKEWISE, IF
THE OBJECT SWINGS TO THE LEFT OR COUNTER-CLOCKWISE AT LEAST THREE OF
THE FIVE TRIES, THE MOTHER
WILL HAVE A DAUGHTER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN
James Callow Keyword(s): NUMBERS ; SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 00-00-1935
HOW THE SNAKE GOT ITS RATTLE
EVERY DAY THE OL' SNAKE FOUND HIS SELF GETTIN' STEPPED ON, RAN OVER,
KICKED AROUND OR SOMETHING WHEN HE TRIED TO CROSS THE PATH DOWN BY
MASON CREEK. HE WAS GETTIN' MIGHTY TRIED OF IT: SO HE TOLD THE LORD
SAY, "LORD, I'M GETTIN' MIGHTY TRIED OF FOLKS STEPPING ON,
RUNNING OVER AND KICKING ME AROUND - JUS' AIN'T FAIR. I LIVE DOWN
HERE TOO; I GOT JUS' MUCH RIGHTS AS EVERYBODY ELSE DOWN HERE;
PEOPLE DON'T PAY NO ATTENTION TO ME, LORD: THE SNAKE COMPLAINTED.
"COULD BE THAT THEY JUST DON'T KNOW WHEN YOU'RE ABOUT. CAN'T
BLAME 'EM, CAUSE YOU IS WAY-LOW-DOWN, YA SEE", THE LORD ASKED THE
SNAKE. THE SNAKE SAID, "YOU KNOW, YOU MIGHT BE RIGHT." "I KNOW,
HERE, TAKE THIS HERE SHAKER, EVERYTIME YOU SEE SOMEBODY COMING YO'
WAY YOU JUS' SHAKE IT. YA' HEAR ME NOW?", THE LORD ASKED THE SNAKE.
Submitter comment:
I HAVE HEARD A SIMILAR STORY IN ALABAMA ABOUT THIS SNAKE'S RATTLE; I
NOTICED A LOCAL NAME - "MASON CREEK".
Where learned: MISSISSIPPI
James Callow Keyword(s): COMPOUND EPITHET: WAY-LOW-DOWN ; METATHESIS: TRIED FOR TIRED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Characteristics of Animals |
Date learned: 00-00-1940
DROPPING CANDY
WHEN A KID DROPS SOME CANDY OR FOOD ON THE FLOOR OR GROUND, BY
STUMPING HIS LEFT FOOT AND SAYING ALOUD, "GOD KISS IT,"
THE CANDY OR FOOD CAN BE EATEN WITHOUT FEAR OF DIRT OR GERMS MAKING
THEM ILL.
Submitter comment:
I HAVE HEARD THE SAME BELIEF IN BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA (EXCLUDING THE
PART ABOUT STAMPING ONE'S FOOT); I HAVE ALSO RECENTLY HEARD
THIS BELIEF IN DETROIT.
Where learned: MISSISSIPPI
James Callow Keyword(s): DISINFECT
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Speech Speech Food Drink -- Food BELIEF -- Prayer SPEECH -- Formula SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 00-00-1965
UNWIND CLOCK
IF A PERSON LETS THEIR ALARM CLOCK COMPLETLY UNWIND AND STOP TICKING
THE OWNER OF THE CLOCK WILL DIE IN HIS SLEEP
Submitter comment: ONE MAY LOOK AT THE CLOCK'S MAIN-SPRING AS ONE'S OWN LIFE SPAN.
Where learned: ALABAMA
James Callow Keyword(s): SYMPATHETIC MAGIC
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 00-00-1932
POLISH FUNERAL
IN POLAND NO EMBALMING TAKES PLACE. THE DECEASED IS LAID OUT
FOR 3 DAYS IN THEIR OWN HOME.
CANDLES ARE SET AT THE HEAD AND FOOT OF THE DECEASED.
FLOWERS ARE THEN ARRANGED AROUND THE CASKET, WHICH
IS SET ON A SMALL PLATFORM USED BY THE VILLAGE. THE CASKET IS
MADE OF VARNISHED WOOD, AND IS
USUALLY DECORATED BY FOLK ART COMMON
TO THAT REGION. THIS IS SOMETIMES DONE WITH STEEL
PINS TO OUTLINE THE
DESIGN OR IS PAINTED ON TOP OF THE CASKET. ON THE FOURTH DAY,
THE BURIAL TAKES PLACE. A PROCESSION FROM THE HOUSE TO THE
CHURCH FORMS WITH THE ALTAR BOYS
GOING FIRST. THE OUTSIDE BOYS CARRY
LIGHTED CANDLES, WHILE THE BOY IN THE MIDDLE CARRIES THE CRUCIFIX.
THEN THE PRIEST FOLLOWS, LEADING HYMMS FOR THE REPOSE OF THE SOUL.
A HORSE DRAWN CARRIAGE FOLLOWS, CARRYIMG THE BODY OF THE DECEASED.
THE FLOWERS FROM THE HOUSE ARE PUT AROUND THE CASKET, AND THE REST
ARE PUT ON TOP OF THE CARRIAGE. MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY FOLLOW IN
ORDER OF RELATEDNESS TO THE DECEASED. EXAMPLE=HUSBAND AND KIDS
FIRST. A MASS IS SAID AT THE CHURCH FOR THE REPOSE OF THE SOUL.
ALL TRADITIONAL SONGS OF THE PARTICULAR REGION ARE SUNG. AT THE
END OF MASS, THE SAME PROCESSION IS FORMED IN EXACTLY THE SAME
ORDER AS BEFORE. AGAIN THE PRIEST LEADS THE MOURNERS IN LOCAL
HYMMS. THE CARRIAGE FOLLOWS WITH
THE MOURNERS BEHIND THE CARRIAGE.
AT THE CEMETERY, THE GRAVE HAS
ALREADY BEEN DUG, WITH THE PLANKS PLACED
ACROSS THE HOLE. THE PRIEST
SAYS THE RITUAL AND BLESSES THE
GROUND. THEN THE CASKET IS NAILED SHUT,
AND IS LOWERED INTO THE GRAVE.
THE RELATIVE CLOSEST TO THE DECEASED THEN THROWS THE FIRST HANDFUL
OF DIRT. THEN EVERYONE, IN FAMILY ORDER, THROWS A HANDFUL OF
DIRT. EVERYONE LEAVES IN ORDER TO GIVE THE IMMEDIATE FAMILY A
CHANCE TO PAY THEIR FINAL RESPECTS.
Submitter comment:
VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THIS FUNERAL CHANGE FROM REGION TO REGION.
ATTENDED FUNERAL AS SUCH MYSELF WHILE IN POLAND
Where learned: POLAND ; CHELMNO
James Callow Keyword(s): NUMBER ; SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 07-00-1971
THE CHRISTMAS TREE
ALL THE CHRISTMAS TREES IN POLAND ARE DECORATED WITH ORNAMENTS
MADE BY THE PEOPLE OF THE HOUSE. THESE ARE USED FROM
YEAR TO YEAR. SOMETIMES NUTS AND CRANBERRIES ARE
STRUNG TOGETHER AND THE GARLAND HUNG ON THE BRANCHES OF THE TREE.
THE LIGHTS ARE USUALLY SMALL CANDLES LIT CAREFULLY BY THE LADY
OF THE HOUSE. THE TREE IS ALWAYS DECORATED ON CHRISTMAS EVE,
LONG AFTER THE LITTLE ONES HAVE GONE TO BED.
Submitter comment: RECEIVED BY LETTER FROM POLAND SEVERAL YEARS AGO
Where learned: POLAND ; KRAKOW
James Callow Keyword(s): PLANTS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Food Drink -- Plant food Fruit Food Drink -- Plant food Nut |
Date learned: 12-01-1975
IRISH GIFT BELIEF
WHENEVER A SHARP OBJECT IS GIVEN AS A GIFT A PENNY SHOULD BE GIVEN
ALONG WITH IT. THE PENNY INSURES THAT FRIENDSHIP WILL NOT BE BROKEN.
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS GIVEN TO MRS. CHESNEY BY MATILDA MELLON, HER MOTHER,
WHO WAS AN IRISH IMMIGRANT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS
James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 09-16-1975
DIVINATION OF DESTINY
WHEN A BABY IS VERY YOUNG PLACE A COIN, BEER AND A ROSARY WITHIN THE
REACH OF THE BABY. IF THE BABY FIRST REACHES FOR THE COIN, IT WILL
ALWAYS HAVE MONEY. IF IT REACHES FOR THE BEER IT WILL FAVOR THE
DRINK. IF IT FIRST REACHES FOR THE ROSARY THE BABY IS DESTINED TO
BECOME RELIGIOUS.
Submitter comment: THIS ITEM WAS GIVEN TO MRS. CHESNEY BY MATILDA MELLON, HER MOTHER, WHO WAS AN IRISH IMMIGRANT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS
James Callow Keyword(s): ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ; SYMBOLS ; SYMPATHETIC MAGIC
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 09-16-1975