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FOLK ETYMOLOGY: SHYSTER
THIS WORD IS THE CURRENT NAME OF AN UNSCRUPULOUS LAWYER. A
GERMAN LAWYER OF NEW YORK ONCE APPLIED FOR A WARRANT FOR A
CLIENT WHO HAD SLANDERED HIM BY CALLING HIM A VULGAR NAME
WHICH, AS PRONOUNCED BY THE LAWYER, SOUNDED LIKE SHYSTER.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): Anti-Semitic ; ETYMOLOGY ; Lawyer ; Offensive term ; Origin
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Common law SPEECH -- S478 |
Date learned: 11-29-1969
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FOLK ETYMOLOGY: SHYSTER
THIS WORD IS THE CURRENT NAME OF AN UNSCRUPULOUS LAWYER. A
GERMAN LAWYER OF NEW YORK ONCE APPLIED FOR A WARRANT FOR A
CLIENT WHO HAD SLANDERED HIM BY CALLING HIM A VULGAR NAME
WHICH, AS PRONOUNCED BY THE LAWYER, SOUNDED LIKE SHYSTER.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): Anti-Semitic ; ETYMOLOGY ; INSULT ; Jewish ; Origin ; Slur
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Common law SPEECH -- S478 |
Date learned: 11-29-1969
FOLKLORE OF GOOD LUCK
IN JAPAN, BAMBOO IS HUNG IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE HOUSE TO GIVE ITS
STRENGTH TO WARD OFF SICKNESS AND TO BE ABLE TO KEEP WORKING.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
Keyword(s): Holistic ; Japan ; LUCK ; PLANT ; SYMBOL
James Callow Keyword(s): AMULET
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: CA00001935
Play
ORIGINS OF GAMES: "MANY ARE ROOTED IN FESTIVE PLANTING
AND HARVEST CELEBRATIONS. 'DROP THE HANDKERCHIEF'
AND 'IN AND OUT THE WINDOW' PROBABLY STARTED WITH
CHILDREN MAKING FUN OF THE DATING HABITS OF BIG
BROTHERS AND SISTERS."
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: "NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SCHOOL BULLETIN"
Keyword(s): Copy ; COURTSHIP ; Festive ; GAMES ; HARVEST ; Mimic ; PLANTING ; Play ; RITUAL
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime |
ALTHOUGH THE PUERTO RICAN PEASANT (JIBARO) WALKS INTO
THE SEA DURING FESTIVAL (AT MIDNIGHT ON THE SAINT'S DAY), HE WILL NOT GO IN ANY OTHER TIME. HE CANNOT SWIM.
THIS IS A PURPOSEFUL OMISSION. IN THE PAST, MANY OF
THEM MADE A GOOD PART OF THEIR LIVING FISHING IN WATERS
WHICH WERE OCCASIONALLY KNOWN TO BE SHARK INFESTED.
THE THEORY WAS THAT IF YOU COULDN'T SWIM, YOU WOULD
DROWN QUICKLY IF YOU FELL IN. THEN YOU WOULDN'T FEEL
IT WHEN THE SHARK GOT YOU.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: PUERTO RICO ; HATO REY
Keyword(s): Peasant ; Poor ; Puerto Rico ; SUPERSTITION ; Swim ; WATER
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Typical Elements of a Festive Pattern BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Measure of time Year |
Date learned: 00-00-1961
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Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.
I HAD OBSERVED THAT THE PUERTO RICAN PEASANTRY (JIBAROS) WERE
VERY (UNDERLINED) CLEAN PEOPLE. THEIR SHACKS, WHILE
REFLECTING AN EXTREME LEVEL OF POVERTY, WERE SPOTLESS. THE
CHILDREN WERE DRESSED IN CLOTHES WHICH SHOWED THAT SOMEBODY
CARED. THEY WERE STARCHED AND IRONED WITH GREAT CARE. THE
BOYS INVARIABLY WORE LITTLE SPORT SHIRTS WHICH LOOKED NEW, AND
MUST HAVE COST A LARGE PORTION OF THE FAMILY'S INCOME. KNOWING
HOW THESE PEOPLE VALUED THEIR MALE CHILDREN, I COULDN'T HELP
WONDERING WHY THE LITTLE BOYS (UNDER FOUR) ALWAYS RAN AROUND
IN THEIR IMMACULATE SHIRTS--ONLY. NEVER DID THEY WEAR ANY
GARMENT ON THE LOWER PART OF THE BODY. WHY--IF THEY COULD
AFFORD SHIRTS, WHY NOT PANTS?
IT IS THE BELIEF THAT A BOY WILL BE MACHO (VIRILE) IF THE
SUN IS ALLOWED TO SHINE ON HIS GENITALIA AS MUCH OF THE TIME
AS POSSIBLE WHILE HE IS LITTLE. LITTLE GIRLS ARE ALWAYS
COVERED UP.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: PUERTO RICO ; SANTURCE
Keyword(s): Genitalia ; Machismo ; MASCULINITY ; Peasants ; Poor ; Puerto Rico ; Sunshine
James Callow Keyword(s): CLEANLINESS ; SEX
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Dress Lower body and legs BELIEF -- P566 |
Date learned: 00001963 ca.
JAMES MILLER AND MYSELF JOINTLY PRODUCE TELEVISION SHOWS.
OUR COMPANY IS NOT REGISTERED ANYWHERE, THEREFORE I THINK IT
IS APPROPRIATE TO INCLUDE SOME BASIC INFORMATION IN THIS
FOLK FILE. WE ARE THE "WIERD PRODUCERS" (SPELLING INTENTIONAL).
WE HAVE INTRODUCED MANY NEW CHARACTERS WHICH HAVE BEEN
SEEN ON CABLE CHANNELS ALL OVER THE METROPOLITAN DETROIT AREA.
WE HAVE A FEW FOLLOWERS, BUT MOST NORMAL PEOPLE WOULD
NOT PUBLICLY CONFESS TO LIKING OUR PROGRAMS. THUS,
TO PLEASE THE MASSES, WE ALSO USE THE NAME "POINTLESS PRODUCTIONS."
AT LEAST ONE OF US IS DESTINED AS A FAILURE, THEREFORE WE
EACH HAVE RELATED CAREERS TO FALL BACK ON: JAMES IS AN
ASTRONOMER AND I AM AN ARCHEOLOGIST. AS I'M SURE YOU CAN TELL
OUR HUMOR IS A BIT WARPED, BUT THAT IS WHY WE DON'T STAND OUT.
SOME ELITE PEOPLE ENJOY OUR SARCASM, AND THEY PASS IT
AROUND ORALLY. THEREFORE, SOONER OR LATER SOMEONE IN ONE OF
YOUR COURSES, WITH A TWISTED MIND SIMILAR TO MINE, WOULD
SURELY COLLECT INFORMATION ON US.
Submitter comment:
TAPES ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE WIERD PRODUCERS' ARCHIVES.
OUR FIRST NATIONALLY UNKNOWN PROGRAM WAS ENTITLED
"ROCKY ZERO." THE CRITICS LOVED THIS ONE. FROM THAT TIME
ONWARD, OUR PROGRAMS HAVE GOTTEN BETTER. WE KNOW THAT THEY
ARE BETTER BECAUSE FEWER PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THEM. THUS, THE
CRITICS HAVE RIPPED US APART ON OUR LAST FOUR ATTEMPTS.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
Keyword(s): DRAMA ; Entertainment ; Funny ; Gag ; JOKE ; PANTOMIME ; Personalities ; RADIO ; SARCASM ; Show ; Spoof
| Subject headings: | Shadow / Pantomime |
Date learned: 05-00-1984
LEAVES
IF THE LEAVES TURN UP AND UNDER IT'S GOING TO RAIN.
Submitter comment:
IT USUALLY DOES RAIN IF THIS HAPPENS. IT IS A VERY GOOD
SIGN FOR TELLING IF IT IS GOING TO RAIN.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector are the same person.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; 5235 25TH
James Callow Keyword(s): BELIEF ; PLANT
| Subject headings: | Air / Weather / Fire BELIEF -- Sign or prediction through Plants |
HOME STORM PROTECTION
WHENEVER A STORM WOULD ARISE, MY GRANDMOTHER WOULD PUT
A BLESSED PALM IN THE WINDOW.
Submitter comment:
BY PLACING A BLESSED PALM IN THE WINDOW, INFORMANT'S GRANDMOTHER
BELIEVED THIS WOULD PREVENT LIGHTNING FROM STRIKING THE HOUSE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; 8339 MAXWELL
James Callow Keyword(s): PLANT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Lightning Thunder BELIEF -- Weather sign or control P890.7 |
Date learned: 11-20-1971
HAZELWOOD TREE LEGEND
THERE IS A LEGEND ABOUT THE HAZELWOOD TREE. WHEN MARY AND JOSEPH AND JESUS WERE FLEEING TO EGYPT THEY CAME TO A POPLAR TREE THAT WAS BIG AND TALL AND STRAIGHT. MARY ASKED THE POPLAR TREE TO COVER HER UP AND PROTECT HER FROM THE RAIN. THE POPLAR TREE WOULD NOT. MARY SAID,"MAY YOU NEVER HAVE YOUR LIMBS DOWN AND MAY YOUR LEAVES NEVER REST." THIS IS WHY THE POPLAR TREE IS ALWAYS TREMBLING WHETHER THERE IS ANY WIND OR NOT. THE NEXT TREE MARY CAME TO WAS THE HAZLEWOOD TREE. THEY DO NOT GROW VERY HIGH, ARE SQUATTY AND ALWAYS HAVE A LOT OF BRANCHES ON THEM. MARY ASKED THE HAZELWOOD TREE TO COVER HER AND IT DID. SHE BLESSED THE TREE IN RETURN SAYING, "MAY YOU BE BLESSED FOR ETERNITY BECAUSE YOU HAD SHELTERED ME. MAY YOUR LEAVES BE A MEDICINE TO PEOPLE THAT NEED YOU. HEAL THEM OF THEIR DISEASES. AND MAY YOU BEAR FRUIT FOR MANKIND AND BEASTS." SINCE THEN THE HAZLEWOOD TREE HAS PRODUCED LOTS OF NUTS CALLED FILBERTS.
James Callow comment:
Poplar branches reach up, as if arms extended in prayer.
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): PLANT ANIMAL
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero Food Drink -- Plant food Nut BELIEF -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 02-04-1972
GARLIC BELIEF
GARLIC BUILDS UP THE BLOOD.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector share the same surname.
Where learned: informant's home
James Callow Keyword(s): PLANT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 09-20-1969
FLOWER CUSTOM AND BELIEF
IF YOU RECEIVE FLOWERS FROM SOMEONE, DON'T THANK THEM. IF YOU DO, THE FLOWERS WON'T GROW. GOD SHOULD BE THANKED FOR CREATING THE FLOWERS AND MAKING THEM GROW.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN ; 7632 WESTMINSTER ; INFORMANT'S HOME
James Callow Keyword(s): PLANT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Creator BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 02-22-1970
MAKE A WISH
MAKE A WISH AND BLOW ON A DANDELION THAT HAS GONE TO SEED AND THE SEED WILL CARRY THE WISH TO THE FOUR WINDS.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector are the same person.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): PLANT ; WEED
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: CHILDHOOD
CORN BELIEF
CORN IS FOR THE ANIMALS, NOT FOR PEOPLE.
Submitter comment:
A BELGIAN FRIEND TOLD MY HUSBAND AND I THIS, AND
HE WILL NOT EAT CORN.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant is collector's husband.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): PLANT ; VEGETABLE
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Plant food Vegetable BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 00-00-1964
MUSTARD SEED BELIEF
A GRAIN OF MUSTARD SEED IS A SYMBOL OF GOOD LUCK AND HOPE.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector share the same surname.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): PLANT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant SPEECH -- To Be Seen |
Date learned: 11-05-1969
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN YOUR LOVER AND YOU.
IF YOUR SWEETHEART SENDS YOU YELLOW ROSES, IT IS A SIGN THAT LOVE IS FADING.
IF YOUR SWEETHEART SENDS YOU RED ROSES, IT IS A SIGN OF HIS STRONG LOVE FOR YOU.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector are the same person.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): COLORS ; PLANTS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Color SPEECH -- To Be Seen |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
PLANT FOOD
PUT A PENNY IN YOUR TULIPS, THEY WILL KEEP FRESHER IN THE VASE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; 524 Rivera Terraces ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES ; TOLD AT INFORMANT'S HOME
James Callow Keyword(s): MINERAL: COPPER ; PLANT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 01-20-1971
SHAMROCK BELIEF
THE SHAMROCK HAS BECOME ONE OF THE NATIONAL EMBLEMS OF IRELAND. THE FOUR-LEAFED VARIETY IS MUCH RARER AND IS SAID TO BE FOUND ONLY WHERE A MARE DROPS HER FIRST FOAL. IT IS BELIEVED TO HAVE SPECIAL POWERS.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector are the same person.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS ; 21421 BOURNEMOUTH
James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMAL ; PLANT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Sign Color |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
DANDELION BELIEF
AS CHILDREN IN MAMARONECK, NEW YORK, WE BELIEVED THAT IF YOU PICKED A DANDELION, YOU'D HAVE TO URINATE.
Submitter comment:
Learned in late 1940s.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector appear to be the same person.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; NEW YORK ; MAMARONECK
Keyword(s): COLOR ; HOMEOPATHIC MAGIC
James Callow Keyword(s): PLANT WEED ; YELLOW COLOR ASSOCIATES WITH URINATION?
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 12-00-1971
PIPAL TREE
THE PIPAL TREE IS A TREE FOUND IN INDIA WHICH THE PEOPLE BELIEVE IS A TREE INFESTED WITH GHOSTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; EAST QUAD ; TOLD AT INFORMANT'S HOME
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; GHOST ; GHOSTS ; India ; Pipal ; SUPERSTITION ; Tree
James Callow Keyword(s): PLANT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 03-05-1971