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James T. Callow Computerized Folklore Archive
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MY MOTHER SAYS THAT THE COLOR YOU MOST FREQUENTLY
WEAR IS THE COLOR THAT SHOWS THE REAL YOU.
I WEAR EARTHY COLORS MOST FREQUENTLY, AND I AM
AN EARTHY TYPE PERSON.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights

James Callow Keyword(s): PERSONALITY REVEALED BY COLOR CHOICE

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Color

Date learned: 08-00-1983

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THE NATIVE ZULU TRIBE OF SOUTH AFRICA HAD A UNIQUE WAY OF
PUNISHING WRONGDOERS. THEY MADE THE PERSON BEND OVER, AND
SLOWLY HAMMERED RED HOT BAMBOO SKEWERS UP HIS RECTUM WITH A
KNOBBIE (CLUB). AFTER THIS, THEY HUNG HIM FROM A TREE TO
SUFFER TERRIBLY UNTIL HE DIED.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Common law

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THE CAVE IN ARECIBO

THERE IS CAVE THAT IS CLOSE TO THE OCEAN WHERE INDIANS
USED TO LIVE. THERE ARE MANY INDIAN DRAWINGS ON THE WALLS.
IT HAS BEEN SAID THAT AT CERTAIN TIMES OF THE YEAR, WHEN
THE CROPS ARE DUE FOR HARVEST, IF YOU GO INTO THE CAVE
YOU CAN HEAR THE HARVEST CHANTS OF THE INDIANS
WHO ONCED LIVED THERE.

Submitter comment: SHE HAS VISITED THIS CAVE, BUT HEARD NO NOISES.

Where learned: PUERTO RICO

Keyword(s): GHOSTLY VOICES

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter
BELIEF -- Formation

Date learned: 00001960S ; 11-00-1987

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It is extremely bad luck for a bride-to-be to sew
even one stitch in her own wedding dress.

Submitter comment: Elaine first heard this warning as a young woman, when her
friend was sewing her own wedding gown. The bride's relatives
(Polish) warned her not to, as it would surely bring trouble.
They dismissed it as an "old-wives tale." Later, however,
her best friend died an unexpected and premature death.
She now believes this to be true.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

Keyword(s): Superstition, advice, tabu

Subject headings: ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Dress Overall body coverUpper body and arms
BELIEF -- Bad luck Crucial moment of life

Date learned: 00001950S

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THE GRASS IS RIZ,
WHERE LAST YEAR'S
CARELESS DRIVER IS.

Submitter comment: WRITTEN IN PARISH BULLETIN.

James Callow comment: RDNeedsReview

Where learned: MICHIGAN

Keyword(s): ADVICE ; DEATH ; DRIVING ; METER: IAMBIC ; MONOLOGUE SLANG, DIALECT ; PUN ; RHYME: MASCULINE, ABCB

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

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It is bad luck to name a boat after a boy instead of a girl.

Submitter comment: Elinor's dance instructor was concerned that a friend of hers
would regret that she had named her boat after her son.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights

Keyword(s): ship, christening, advice

James Callow Keyword(s): SEXISM

Subject headings: Favorites
BELIEF -- Bad luck Activities
SPEECH -- Proper Name

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It is bad luck to open an umbrella in the house only
if you place it over your head.

Submitter comment: Elinor's dance instructor is very convinced of this belief's
veracity, and dislikes her students bringing umbrellas into
class.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights

Keyword(s): proscription, advice

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Bad luck Umbrella
BELIEF -- Bad luck Activities

Date learned: 00001987ca

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It is unlucky for someone who is not a Scorpio to
wear an opal.

Submitter comment: Elinor's great aunt was a Scorpio (Oct. 23 - Nov. 21),
and owned a lovely opal ring. Her daughter, Nettie, wanted
the ring, but her mother cautioned her against wearing it,
as it would bring bad luck. Nettie wore the ring anyway. The
first time she wore it, she was almost hit by a car. The
second time that she wore the opal, she had a mishap,
mangling the ring beyond repair, and losing the opal. After
that, Nettie believed what her mother had told her.
Nettie told this to Elinor as a warning, because they are both
Sagittarius. Elinor also was told by one of her students,
Molly, that she had a terrible string of bad luck for a
whole week, until she gave away her opal ring.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FRASER

Keyword(s): Horoscope, proscription, advice, astrology, gems, jewelry

Subject headings: Favorites
ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Metal Stone Bone Precious stone Gem
BELIEF -- Mineral
BELIEF -- Bad luck Jewelry (gems, rings, etc.)
BELIEF -- Bad luck Time (year, season, week, hour, etc.) Occasion Event

Date learned: 00001960S

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Wearing opals when you are not a Scorpio is only bad
luck if you are single; if you are married they won't
harm you.

Submitter comment: Jane, a friend of Elinor's, states that wearing an opal if
you are not supposed to interferes in the finding of
a husband. She then told Elinor that she could wear
an opal if she wanted to, since she was married.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD

Keyword(s): horoscope, astrology, spinster, advice, reassurance, gems

James Callow Keyword(s): JEWELRY

Subject headings: Favorites
ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Metal Stone Bone Precious stone Gem
BELIEF -- Mineral
BELIEF -- Marriage
BELIEF -- Bad luck Jewelry (gems, rings, etc.)
BELIEF -- Bad luck Time (year, season, week, hour, etc.) Occasion Event

Date learned: 00001987ca

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If you are going to wear jewelry with opals, it is
better luck to wear an odd number of opals than an
even number.

Submitter comment: Elinor's friend, Jane, states that the ring (or other piece
of jewelry) will be stronger this way.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights

Keyword(s): Advice, gems

Subject headings: Favorites
ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Metal Stone Bone Precious stone Gem
BELIEF -- Mineral
BELIEF -- Number Even number (not specific)
BELIEF -- Number Odd number (not specific)
BELIEF -- Good luck Numbers
BELIEF -- Bad luck Jewelry (gems, rings, etc.)
BELIEF -- Bad luck Numbers
BELIEF -- Bad luck Time (year, season, week, hour, etc.) Occasion Event
BELIEF -- Conversions Jewelry (gems, rings, etc.)

Date learned: 00001980S

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An opal will shine more brightly for someone who
is supposed to wear it, but will look dull, or will crack,
if the wrong person wears it. If you have Scorpio rising
in your astrological sign, that is as good as being born
under Scorpio.

Submitter comment: Annie, an acquaintance of Elinor's, complimented Elinor
on the beauty of her opal ring. When Elinor related her
misgivings about wearing the ring, Annie reassured her
that it was safe, since Scorpio was her rising sign. She
also warned her not to let anyone wear it, as the ring
might crack if that person was not born under the proper
sign.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights

Keyword(s): Advice, gems

Subject headings: Favorites
ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Metal Stone Bone Precious stone Gem
BELIEF -- Mineral
BELIEF -- Bad luck Jewelry (gems, rings, etc.)
BELIEF -- Bad luck Time (year, season, week, hour, etc.) Occasion Event
BELIEF -- Conversions Jewelry (gems, rings, etc.)
BELIEF -- Conversions Time (year, season, week, hour, etc.) Occasion Event

Date learned: 00001980S

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BACK WHEN MY GREAT UNCLE WAS GROWING UP, ON SUNDAYS
WHEN THEY SAT DOWN TO EAT DINNER AND UNEXPECTED COMPANY
SHOWED UP, HIS MOTHER WOULD SAY TO THE CHILDREN NOT TO
EAT ANY OF THE MEAT SO THE COMPANY COULD HAVE SOME. AS THE
MEAT DISH WAS PLACED AROUND THE DINNER TABLE, THE CHILDREN
WOULD PASS ON THE MEAT. AT THE END OF DINNER WHEN HIS
MOTHER GOT UP TO GET THE DESSERT, SHE WOULD SAY, "ALL
THE CHILDREN WHO DIDN'T EAT ANY MEAT FOR DINNER COULDN'T
HAVE ANY DESERT."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW

Keyword(s): UNFAIR PRACTICE

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222.

Date learned: 00001970S

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HOW TO FIND SOMETHING YOU LOST

IF YOU LOSE SOMETHING IN YOUR HOUSE, YOU SHOULD TAKE AN EMPTY
GLASS, AND IT MUST BE GLASS, AND TURN IT UPSIDE DOWN NEAR
RUNNING WATER (A SINK, ETC.). LEAVE THE GLASS THERE UNTIL YOU
FIND WHAT YOU LOST. YOU WILL FIND IT, AS LONG AS IT IS IN THE
HOUSE. THIS ALWAYS WORKS.

Submitter comment: MR. SNIDER LEARNED THIS FROM HIS MOTHER IN OHIO WHO IS NOT THE
LEAST BIT SURPRISED WHEN SOMEBODY FINDS SOMETHING BY EMPLOYING
THIS METHOD. IT IS TAKEN FOR GRANTED THAT THIS WORKS.

Where learned: OHIO ; CLEVELAND

Keyword(s): ADVICE ; FAUCET

Subject headings: Favorites
BELIEF -- Use of Object

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EVIL EYE

IF YOU BRAG ABOUT A CHILD, OR YOUR WIFE, OR ABOUT ANYTHING, THE
EVIL EYE WILL TAKE IT AWAY. TO AVOID THIS, WHENEVER BRAGGING
YOU SHOULD END THE ADULATION WITH A CRITICAL COMMENT.

Submitter comment: AS AN EXAMPLE, INSTEAD OF SAYING, "MY SON IS SO PERFECT. HE
ALWAYS GETS GOOD MARKS IN SCHOOL." A CAUTIOUS PERSON WOULD SAY,
"MY SON IS SO PERFECT. HE ALWAYS GETS GOOD MARKS IN SCHOOL, BUT
HE NEVER CLEANS HIS ROOM."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WEST BLOOMFIELD

Keyword(s): ADVICE ; COMPENSATION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal
BELIEF -- Curse

Date learned: 09-12-1990

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"EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENS IN THE DARK WILL COME TO LIGHT."
THIS CAN MEAN THINGS DONE IN THE DARK LITERALLY, SUCH AS
HAVING AN AFFAIR OR ROBBING A HOUSE OR IT CAN MEAN THINGS
DONE SYMBOLICALLY IN THE DARK, SUCH AS CHEATING ON A TEST.
WHATEVER IS DONE IN THE DARK WILL BE FOUND OUT AND MADE
PUBLIC.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): ADVICE ; PROPHECY

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

Date learned: 00001976CA

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Singing in the shower after you are drunk is supposed to
help sober you up a lot quicker than coffee or tea. When
you get out you will feel much more revived.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): Voice.

Subject headings: Food Drink -- Non-alcoholic fruit beverage Coffee
Food Drink -- Brew of leaf, bark, root
BELIEF -- Method of Curing

Date learned: 00-00-1987

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If yo tink yo bundle of dirty clothes too heavy, try
picking up yo neighbor's own.

Submitter comment: People always believe that they have the worst of everything
until they realize that other people have problems too.

Where learned: VIRGIN ISLANDS ; Saint Thomas

Keyword(s): tink = think ; yo = you or your

James Callow Keyword(s): Advice -- Positive ; Metaphor: problems = bundle of clothes ; RELATIVITY ; WEIGHT

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

Date learned: 02-00-1991

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Shut yo do' an lick yo chil'.

Submitter comment: This is not a literal suggestion but means that one should
deal with personal matters privately and not let the whole
world be privy to your business.

Where learned: VIRGIN ISLANDS ; Saint Thomas

Keyword(s): an = and ; chile = child ; do = door ; lick = spank (punish) ; yo = your

James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

Date learned: 03-00-1991

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AN OLD SAYING: IF YOU SPEND MOST YOUR TIME COMPLAINING YOU
MIGHT AS WELL SHUT UP, BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY NO ONE CARES.

Where learned: MISSOURI

James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE--NEGATIVE

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim

Date learned: 00-00-1950

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This little piggy went to the market.
This little piggy stayed home.
This little piggy had roast beef.
This little piggy had none.
This little piggy cried wee, wee all the way home.

Submitter comment: I learned this song from my older brother and sisters. When I was
a baby they played this verse with me to make me laugh and keep me
from crying. As I've gotten older I heard that this verse is to
combat sibling rivalry. It teaches a child that sometimes things
don't seem fair, but that everyone experiences it.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): ADVICE

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse C730.522
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank

Date learned: 00001970S

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