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SHAGGY DOG TALE

ONCE THERE WAS THIS MAN WHO HAD A DOG THAT COULD TALK. HE TOOK THIS
DOG TO THE LOCAL TAVERN AND BEGAN TO BRAG ABOUT HIS TALKING DOG.
"I DON'T BELIEVE IT" SAID THE BARTENDER. "YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO
PROVE IT" SAID ONE OF THE CUSTOMERS. "ALL RIGHT" SAID THE MAN
TURNING TO HIS DOG, "WHO WAS THE GREATEST BASEBALL PLAYER IN
HISTORY?" HE ASKED THE DOG. THE DOG REPLIED, "ROOF, ROOF."
UPON HEARING THIS THE PEOPLE IN THE BAR GOT PRETTY MAD AND
THREW THE MAN AND HIS DOG OUT ONTO THE STREET. CONFUSED,
THE DOG LOOKED UP TO HIS MASTER AND ASKED, "WAS IT WILLIE MAYS?"

Submitter comment: TOLD IN CAJUN DIALECT ON A JUSTIN WILSON RECORD

Data entry tech comment: CHAPTER 7 IN "WITCRACKS BY ALVIN SCHWARTZ
SPELLING CORRECTED BY KEYPUNCHER

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): ANIMAL ; DOG ; HUMOR ; SURPRISE ENDING ; TALKING ANIMALS ; TAVERN

James Callow Keyword(s): BABE RUTH

Subject headings: Favorites
PROSE NARRATIVE -- B203
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal Tale

Date learned: 00-00-1967

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A STORY INVOLVING A MIRACLE

ONCE THERE WAS A WEALTHY MAN AND HIS WIFE. THEY WERE SO WELL
OFF THAT THEY WEREN'T CAREFUL ABOUT CRUMBS AND BREAD. BUT AFTER
EATING, THE WIFE WOULD GO AROUND AND GATHER UP ALL THE CRUMBS AND
FEED THE BIRDS OUTSIDE, BUT SHE HAD TO BE CAREFUL BECAUSE THE
HUSBAND DIDN'T LIKE IT.
ONCE HE CAUGHT HER WITH HER HANDS FULL OF CRUMBS AND ASKED TO SEE
WHAT WAS IN HER HANDS. SHE HID HER FISTS BEHIND HER BACK. (THE
INFORMANT MADE THAT SAME GESTURE.) BUT HE STILL ASKED TO SEE WHAT
SHE HAD. WHEN HE MADE HER OPEN HER HANDS THERE WAS NOTHING IN
THEM BUT A CRUCIFIX. THE BREAD HAD TURNED INTO CHRIST.

Submitter comment: AS TOLD TO INFORMANT BY HER MOTHER WHO TOLD IT AS TRUE.
TOLD AS WE WERE EATING DINNER

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; DAUGHTERS HOME

James Callow Keyword(s): KINDNESS TO ANIMALS

Subject headings: Favorites
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero

Date learned: 10-26-1969

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A DOG IS ONE OF THE MOST PERCEPTIVE OF ANIMALS. HE IS ABLE TO
HAVE SOME SORT OF COMMUNICATION WITH THE DEAD. THERE WAS AN
INSTANCE IN NORTHERN OHIO, WHERE MRS. CAMPBELL GREW UP WHICH SHOWED
THIS POWER OF THE DOG. A WOMAN DIES AND WAS BURIED. THE FAMILY
DOG WOULD BE GONE ALL DAY FROM THE HOME AND RETURN AT NIGHT MUDDY
AND TIRED. THIS WENT ON FOR ABOUT A WEEK. FINALLY THEY DECIDED
TO FOLLOW THE DOG AND SEE WHAT IT WAS DOING. THEY FOLLOWED IT TO
A CEMETERY WHERE THEY FOUND THAT HE HAD BEEN DIGGING TO THE DEAD
WOMAN'S COFFIN. THEY OPENED THE COFFIN AND FOUND OUT THAT THE
WOMAN HAD BEEN BURIED ALIVE.

Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

Keyword(s): FAITHFUL ANIMALS

James Callow Keyword(s): PREMATURE BURIAL

Subject headings: Favorites
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Characteristics of Animals
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal

Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR.

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WITCH TALE

"MY MOTHER TOLD ME THAT ONE TIME A TURTLE WAS EATING ALL THE SOUR
CREAM AND EACH DAY IT WAS DISAPPEARING AND THEY COULDN'T FIND OUT
WHERE IT WAS GOING. SO ONE DAY THEY GOT CLOSE ENOUGH TO FIND WHAT
WAS GETTING AT THE CREAM. THEY SAW IT WAS A TURTLE. SO THEY BEAT
IT WITH A WIDE SHOVEL. SO THEY DISCOVERED IN THIS TURTLE WAS AN
OLD LADY. SO HOW THEY FOUND OUT IT WAS AN OLD LADY, THEY SAW HER
WALKING DOWN THE STREET THE NEXT DAY CRIPPLED UP WITH A BACK ACHE.
SO WHEN SHE TOLD SHE WAS BEAT WITH A SHOVEL. SO SHE NEVER STOLE NO
MORE SOUR CREAM."

Submitter comment: THE MOTHER OF THE INFORMANT WAS BORN IN HUNGARY AND RAISED IN EUROPE
SHE CAME TO THE UNITED STATES AND LIVED ON A FARM IN SCRANTON, PENN.
WITH HER HUSBAND AND FAMILY.

Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR ; TOLD AT INFORMANTS HOME

Keyword(s): ANIMALS

James Callow Keyword(s): PENNSYLVANIA

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Witch Shaman

Date learned: 11-10-1970

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SNAKE LEGEND

IN THE MOUNTAINS OF ITALY, THERE WERE MANY MAGICAL GOLDEN SNAKES.
THESE SNAKES WOULD HIDE THEMSELVES FROM THE OTHER ANIMALS. AS WELL A
FROM PEOPLE. ONLY A VERY LUCKY PERSON WILL EVER SEE ONE. HOWEVER, IF
A PERSON IS LUCKY ENOUGH TO SEE ONE OF THESE SNAKES, THEN HE SHOULD
TALK TO IT AND NOT BE AFRAID. THE SNAKE WILL THEN DISAPPEAR. BUT
LEAVE BEHIND HIS GOLDEN SKIN. THIS SKIN IS WORTH MILLIONS OF DOLLARS
NOWADAYS, YOU WON'T FIND BUT A FEW OF THESE SNAKES LIVING BECAUSE
MANY STRANGERS WHO HAVE COME TO THE MOUNTAINS HAVE FRIGHTENED THEM
AWAY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): ANIMALS ; HISTORICAL

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal

Date learned: 09-20-1969

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PROVERBS

IF THE DOG HADN'T STOPPED TO TAKE A SHIT HE WOULD HAVE GOT THE
RABBIT.

Submitter comment: TOLD BY HIS GRANDFATHER DURING A GAME OF BRIDGE.

Data entry tech comment: NONE

Where learned: RESIDENCE HALLS ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT CAMPUS

Keyword(s): ANIMALS ; OBSERVATION

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

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MUCH FAVORED ' SHIT ' VERSES

IF THE DOG DIDN'T STOP TO SHIT, HE WOULD HAVE CAUGHT A RABBIT.

Submitter comment: NONE

Data entry tech comment: DO NOT TRY TO DO TWO THINGS AT ONCE.

Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

Keyword(s): ANIMALS ; OBSERVATION

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

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MARCH

IF MARCH COMES IN LIKE A LION, IT GOES OUT LIKE A LAMB.

Where learned: OHIO ; TOLEDO

Keyword(s): ANIMAL COMPARISON ; CONTRAST. ; WEATHER.

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Measure of time Month
PROVERB -- Weather Proverb

Date learned: 10-00-1968

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MARCH

IF MARCH COMES IN LIKE A LION IT GOES OUT LIKE A LAMB.
IF MARCH COMES IN LIKE A LAMB IT GOES OUT LIKE A LION.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS

Keyword(s): ANIMAL COMPARISON ; CONTRAST. ; WEATHER.

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Measure of time Month
PROVERB -- Weather Proverb

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IF YOU LIE DOWN WITH DOGS, YOU GET FLEAS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE

Keyword(s): ANIMALS

James Callow Keyword(s): FRIENDS ASSOCIATES BAD COMPANY ; INSECTS ; OBSERVATION

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

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RUSSIAN PROVERB

IF YOU LIVE WITH WOLVES LEARN TO HOWL LIKE A WOLF.

Where learned: RUSSIA ; MOSCOW

Keyword(s): ANIMALS TEMPER

James Callow Keyword(s): ADAPTABILITY ; ADVICE: POSITIVE

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

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IF YOU PLAY WITH PUPPY, PUPPY WILL LICK YOUR MOUTH.

Submitter comment: THIS MIGHT SOUND A LITTLE STRANGE, TILL YOU KNOW WHAT IT'S ABOUT.
THE THINGS YOU DON'T WANT THE PUBLIC TO SEE, YOU SHOULDN'T DO AT ALL
BECAUSE THERE'S BOUND TO BE A MISTAKE SOMETIME, TO CAUSE YOUR
REPUTATION TO FALL.

Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

Keyword(s): EMPLOYMENT ANIMALS DOGS

James Callow Keyword(s): OBSERVATION PREDICTION

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

Date learned: 02-01-1972

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IF YOU'RE GONNA RIDE HIGH ON THE HOG, YOU BETTER TAKE SOME SPARE RIB
ON THE WAY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): ANATOMY ANIMALS PORK

James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: POSITIVE ; LIVING LAVISHLY, EXTRAVAGANTLY

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

Date learned: 00-00-1969

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PROVERBIAL SAYING

LAY DOWN WITH THE DOGS AND GET UP WITH THE FLEAS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES

Keyword(s): ANIMAL COMPARISON ; COMPANIONS ; OBSERVATION

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

Date learned: 01-20-1971

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JUMP ROPE RHYME

I ASKED MY MOTHER FOR FIFTEEN CENTS
TO SEE THE ELEPHANT JUMP THE FENCE
HE JUMPED SO HIGH
HE TOUCHED THE SKY
AND DIDN'T GET BACK
TILL THE FOURTH OF JULY.
HOW HIGH DID HE JUMP?
1, 2, 3, ETC.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights

James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMAL ; COUNTING ; HYBERBOLE

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- July 4 Independence Day

Date learned: 00-00-1969

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GUY WHO HATES HIS JOB

I HATE THIS WORSE THAN A RACOON HATES AN AXE HANDLE.

Submitter comment: ARKANSAS ORIGIN?

Where learned: HOME ; NOT RECORDED

Keyword(s): DISSATISFACTION WITH AN UNPLEASANT JOB

James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMALS

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison

Date learned: 10-01-1968

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THREATENING METAPHOR

I'LL GET ON YOU LIKE STINK OFF A SKUNK.

Where learned: TELEVISION SERIES ; GUNSMOKE

Keyword(s): THREAT

James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMAL ODOR

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison

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SICK JOKE

I DON'T LIKI FEDDO DAD.
SHUT UP AND EAT WHAT I PUT IN FRONT OF YOU.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT DOES NOT KNOW WHERE HE HEARD THIS JOKE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMAL: DOG ; FIDO

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote

Date learned: 04-08-1965

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IF YOU WOULD HAVE A CHICKEN LAY, YOU FIRST MUST HEAR HER
CACKLE.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT'S UNCLE HAS TOLD HIM THIS PROVERB OFTEN. HIS UNCLE
OWNS A CHICKEN FARM AND INFORMANT BELIEVES HIS GREAT UNCLE
WAS THE ORIGINATOR OF THIS SAYING.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): ADVICE ; ANIMALS ; BIRTH

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

Date learned: 03-28-1971

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LEGEND

IF A HORSE HAS A STRAIGHT ROMAN NOSE IT HAS AN UGLY DISPOSITION.
IF A HORSE HAS A SLOPING NOSE IT IS GENTLE.

Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

Keyword(s): ANIMAL

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Mammal

Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

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