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HOLDING DICE IN YOUR HAND AND BLOWING ON THEM IS
SUPPOSED TO BRING YOU GOOD LUCK IN A DICE GAME.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: NOT GIVEN

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Blow ; BREATH ; Breathe ; CUSTOM ; DICE ; GAMBLING ; GAME ; Gaming ; LUCK ; SUPERSTITION

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement
BELIEF -- Good luck P881.22

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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SOME OLD FISHERMEN OF WESTERN MICHIGAN STILL BELIEVE
THAT IF THEIR LUCK IS BAD, THAT THEY CAN SPIT ON THE
WORM, THEN PUT IT ON THE HOOK, AND GOOD LUCK WILL
FOLLOW THEIR DAY'S FISHING.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): Bait ; BEHAVIOR ; BELIEF ; CATCH ; FISH ; Fisherman ; FISHING ; GESTURE ; HOOK ; LUCK ; SPIT ; SUPERSTITION ; Worm

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion
BELIEF -- Fish
BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance
BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance
BELIEF -- Good luck P881.22

Date learned: 09-10-1969

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IF YOU AND ANOTHER PERSON SAY THE SAME THING AT THE SAME
TIME, YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO SPIT BETWEEN YOUR FINGERS
FOR GOOD LUCK.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): BEHAVIOR ; BELIEF ; CUSTOM ; Fingers ; GESTURE ; Hands ; Jinxs ; Same Time ; Simultaneous ; SPIT ; SUPERSTITION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Good luck P881.22

Date learned: 04-05-1970

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IN ORDER TO WARD OFF EVIL, ONE SHOULD POINT HIS INDEX
AND LITTLE FINGERS AT SOMETHING. (THE OTHER FINGERS
SHOULD BE CLOSED).

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: HOME

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; CUSTOM ; EVIL ; EVIL EYE ; Eye ; Fingers ; GESTURE ; Prevent ; SUPERSTITION ; Ward

James Callow Keyword(s): HORNS

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Body parts involved S602.12

Date learned: 02-14-1968

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ITALIAN GESTURE AGAINST EVIL

A GESTURE TO RETURN EVIL TO ANOTHER IS TO PLACE THE
THUMB BETWEEN THE FIRST AND SECOND FINGERS OF THE
SAME HAND.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; CUSTOM ; EVIL ; EVIL EYE ; Eye ; Fingers ; GESTURE ; Prevent ; SUPERSTITION ; Ward

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Curse

Date learned: 12-00-1969

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WHEN YOU THINK THAT YOU ARE WITH SOMEONE WHO WILL GIVE
YOU THE EVIL EYE, HOLD OUT YOUR FOREFINGER AND BABY
FINGER, HOLD THIS UNTIL THE PERSON LEAVES.

Submitter comment:

INFORMANT SAW HIS BROTHER DO THIS WHEN IN CALABRIA,
ITALY, AND BELIEVED IT WARDED OFF THE EVIL EYE.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ITALY ; OAK PARK ; CALABRIA

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; CUSTOM ; EVIL ; EVIL EYE ; Eye ; Fingers ; GESTURE ; Prevent ; SUPERSTITION ; Ward

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Curse
SPEECH -- Body parts involved S602.12

Date learned: 01-24-1972

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WHEN ONE SEES A LOVELY CHILD, ONE MUST SPIT ON THE
GROUND TO WARD OFF THE EVIL EYE, TO PREVENT SICKNESS.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED

Keyword(s): BABY ; BEAUTY ; BELIEF ; CHILD ; CUSTOM ; EVIL ; EVIL EYE ; Eye ; Fingers ; GESTURE ; Prevent ; SUPERSTITION ; Ward

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Curse
BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness
SPEECH -- Body parts involved S602.12

Date learned: 11-19-1971

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IF A PERSON LOOKS AT YOU WITH THE EVIL EYE YOU CAN
RETURN IT BY PLACING YOUR INDEX AND BABY FINGERS
APREAD OUT AND POINTED DOWN. THIS WILL MAKE
YOU SAFE FROM IT.

Submitter comment:

THIS IS DONE IN SICILY BY ALL THE PEOPLE.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; SICILY

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; CUSTOM ; EVIL ; EVIL EYE ; Eye ; Fingers ; GESTURE ; Prevent ; SUPERSTITION ; Ward

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Body part Senses Eyes, evil eye
BELIEF -- Curse
BELIEF -- Conversions P883.22
SPEECH -- Body parts involved S602.12

Date learned: 10-06-1970

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WHEN YOU ARE SUDDENLY STARTLED, SPITTING WILL AVOID
ANY HARM FROM COMING TO YOU.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; EVIL EYE ; PREVENTION ; Spitting ; Startle ; SUPERSTITION ; SURPRISE ; Ward

Subject headings: BELIEF -- P670 P670.88

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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KNOCK ON WOOD SO NOTHING WILL HAPPEN AFTER YOU SAID IT
MIGHT.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; ERIE

Keyword(s): BEHAVIOR ; BELIEF ; GESTURE ; Knock ; Knock On Wood ; LUCK ; SUPERSTITION ; WOOD

Subject headings: BELIEF -- P670 P670.88

Date learned: 00001950S

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WHEN SOMEONE SAYS SOMETHING PEJORATIVE ABOUT ANOTHER,
SPIT THREE TIMES ON THE BACK OF THE FIRST TWO FINGERS
OF THE RIGHT HAND TO WARD OFF THE INTENDED EVIL.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): BEHAVIOR ; BELIEF ; CUSTOM ; EVIL EYE ; Fingers ; GESTURE ; INSULT ; SPIT ; SUPERSTITION ; Ward

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Curse
BELIEF -- P670 P670.88

Date learned: 03-02-1972

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TO SPIT ON A NEW-BORN BABY

WHENEVER A WOMAN LOOKS AT ANOTHER'S NEW-BORN BABY, THEY
MUST HAVE A LITTLE SALIVA FALL UPON THE CHILD. IF
NOT, THE EVIL EYE IS CAST UPON THE BABY.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): BABY ; BEHAVIOR ; BELIEF ; CHILD ; CUSTOM ; EVIL ; EVIL EYE ; Eye ; GESTURE ; PREVENTION ; SPIT ; SUPERSTITION ; Ward ; Woman

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Curse
BELIEF -- Dreams P841.61 P542
SPEECH -- Body parts involved S602.12

Date learned: 11-02-1969

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TO WARD OFF THE "COOTIES" SO COMMON TO ALL GRADE
SCHOOL CHILDREN, A GESTURE OF 2 FISTS TOGETHER WITH THE
THUMBS EXTENDED IS MADE.

Data entry tech comment:

DIAGRAM IS ON 5 X 8 CARD.

Updated By TRD for BN. Card Info Update is Forthcoming.

Where learned: DORM ROOM

Keyword(s): BEHAVIOR ; BELIEF ; CHILDHOOD ; CHILDREN ; Classroom ; COOTIES ; CUSTOM ; Fists ; GAME ; GESTURE ; Grade School ; SLANG ; Thumb

Subject headings: BELIEF -- School
BELIEF -- P670 P670.88
BELIEF -- Conversions P883.22

Date learned: 10-10-1969

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THE PLACING OF THE HANDS OVER THE EYES, OR EARS, OR
MOUTH. USUALLY SIGNIFIES THE THREE LITTLE MONKEYS--
HEAR NO EVIL, SEE NO EVIL AND SPEAK NO EVIL.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; GESTURE ; Hear ; Hear No Evil ; See ; See No Evil ; Speak ; Speak No Evil ; Ward

Subject headings: BELIEF -- P670 P670.88
BELIEF -- Emblem
PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim

Date learned: 09-26-1968

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IF A PERSON CROSSES HIS ARMS OR HANDS IN THE FORM OF A
CROSS WHEN A VAMPIRE COMES, HE WILL DRIVE IT AWAY.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: NOT GIVEN

Keyword(s): Arms ; BEHAVIOR ; BELIEF ; Cross ; GESTURE ; Vampire ; Ward

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Werewolf Vampire
BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications
BELIEF -- Conversions P883.22

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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WHEN GOING UNDER A BRIDGE OR TUNNEL PUT UP YOUR ARMS AS IF
YOU WERE HOLDING UP THE ROOF OF THE CAR SO THE BRIDGE WON'T
FALL ON YOU.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): Arms ; BELIEF ; Bridge ; Collapse ; CUSTOM ; GESTURE ; LUCK ; PREVENTION ; Protection ; SUPERSTITION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness
BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.22
BELIEF -- Conversions P883.22

Date learned: 03-00-1971

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BUTTONING CLOTHING (COLLECTOR,S TITLE)

CLOTHING BUTTONED THE WRONG WAY SHOULD NOT BE CHANGED, BECAUSE YOUR
LUCK WILL ALSO CHANGE.

Submitter comment:

TOLD TO ME AT HOME

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Button ; CLOTHES ; CLOTHING ; Fashion ; LUCK ; Mismatched ; SUPERSTITION

James Callow Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC ; MAGIC

Subject headings: BELIEF -- P833 P833.22

Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

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BELIEF

A DIMPLE IN YOUR CHEEK --
YOU ARE GENTLE AND MEEK
A DIMPLE IN YOUR CHIN --
THE DEVIL IS WITHIN

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: HOME ; 24735 INDUSTRIAL HWY ; TOLD AT

Keyword(s): Cheek ; Demeanor ; DEVIL ; Dimple ; PREDICTION ; RHYME ; SONG

James Callow Keyword(s): BELIEF ; QUATRAIN

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Devil Demon
BELIEF -- Use of Object P860.438

Date learned: 02-03-1970

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PROVERB

IF YOUR EAR RINGS,
YOUR NAME SOMEONE SINGS.

Submitter comment:

THE INFORMANT FIRST HEARD THIS PROVERB IN 1976. THE STYLISTIC
DEVICES OF RHYME AND METER ARE USED. INVERSION IS PRESENT IN
THIS SHORT PIECE. KEY WORDS ARE EMPHASIZED AND A CAUSE AND EFFECT
RELATIONSHIP IS PRESENT. IT IS AN "A = B" EQUATION. THE
COLLECTOR INTERPRETS THIS TO MEAN THAT SOMEONE IS TALKING ABOUT
YOU, IF YOUR EARS RING.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALLEN PARK

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; GOSSIP ; Longing ; PREDICTION ; Relationship ; RHYME ; SIGN ; Sing ; SONG ; TALK

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief C860.477
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Speech C870.400
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Speech C870.582
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Speech C870.584
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb
BELIEF -- Use of Object P860.438
SPEECH -- Syntax

Date learned: 10-00-1980 ; 09-00-1976

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PREDICTING HOW MANY CHILDREN A FUTURE BRIDE WILL HAVE.
AT A BRIDAL SHOWER, THE NUMBER OF RIBBONS ON THE PRESENTS, BROKEN
PREDICTS THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN SHE WILL HAVE

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE

Keyword(s): Babies ; BELIEF ; Bride ; CHILDREN ; CUSTOM ; FAMILY ; GAME ; GIFT ; MARRIAGE ; Newlyweds ; Offspring ; PREDICTION ; Ribbon

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Breaking of
BELIEF -- Birth
BELIEF -- Number Counting beliefs
BELIEF -- Use of Object Occasions Events
BELIEF -- Use of object for determining number of children or sex of unborn

Date learned: 04-00-1980

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