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SHE'S--MARKED:

BURNING "S" ON THE FACE OF A FEMALE WAS TO SHOW THAT SHE WAS AN
AN ADULTERER. THE MARK COULD BE ALSO CUT ON HER FACE.

Submitter comment: THIS ITEM WAS LEARNED DURING HIS LATE ADOLESCENT STAGE IN HIS HOME TOWN.
THIS ITEM WAS TOLD TO HIM BY HIS ACQUAINTANCES WHEN HE VISITED IRELAND. THIS
TALE CAME ABOUT IN THE EARLY YEARS OF IRELAND'S BIRTH. THE SIGN WAS PUT ON THE
WOMAN'S FACE SO TO TELL "THE WORLD" OF HER SIN. I DIDN'T GET AN EXPLANATION WHY
THEY USED THE LETTER S.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; IRELAND

James Callow Keyword(s): BRANDING ; PUNISHMENT

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank

Date learned: 00001930S

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BE CAREFUL WHEN YOU LEAVE HERE

DON'T LET THE DOOR KNOB HIT YOU
WHERE THE GOOD LORD SPLIT YOU.
THIS MEANS GOOD-BYE AND BE CAREFUL, OUT HERE IN THIS WORLD.

Submitter comment: SHE USED A PHILOSOPHICAL APPROACH IN EXPLAINING THIS ITEM.
THE INFORMANT SEEMS TO REMEMBER THIS ITEM FROM HER EARLY ADOLESCENT
YEARS IN HER NEIGHBORHOOD, WHERE SHE LIVED FOR 16 YEARS. SHE
WAS CUNNING IN THE WAY SHE TOLD THIS ITEM. HER ASSOCIATES IN THE
ROOM MAY HAVE PROMOTED THIS ACTION.
THIS IS A VERSE THAT SHE REMEMBERED FROM MOTHER.

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

James Callow Keyword(s): CROTCH OR BUTTOCKS

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

Date learned: 00001960S

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NEW YEAR'S CUSTOM

INFORMANT'S GRANDMOTHER, ON NEW YEAR'S EVE GOES OUT THE BACK DOOR
AT 11:59 AND SLOWLY WALKS TO THE FRONT DOOR AND WALKS IN AT 12:01
SIGNIFYING THE END OF THE OLD YEAR AND THE BEGINNING OF THE NEW
YEAR.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOLS

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve

Date learned: 11-22-1974

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POLISH PRAYER

ZA TWE MAMO PRACE TROSKI BEDA PROSIE MATKI BOSKI BY CIE
OBDARZYLA ZDROWIEM JAK WOSNE VIECEJ POWIEM. TRANSLATION: FOR ALL
YOUR WORK AND WORRY, I BESEECH THE MOTHER OF GOD TO GIFT YOU
WITH HEALTH AND WHEN I GROW UP I'LL TELL YOU MORE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK

James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTIONAL SHIFT: GIFT AS VERB ; PIOUS GOOD WISHES

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Custom Festival C840.643
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- March 21 equinox to June 20

Date learned: 11-07-1974

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POLISH CHRISTMAS CUSTOM

AT CHRISTMAS, THE FATHER SNEAKS OUTSIDE AND PROCEEDS TO KNOCK ON
THE DOORS AND WINDOWS. THE MOTHER WARNS THE CHILDREN THAT THE WOLF
IS COMING. THE FATHER ENTERS THE HOUSE THROUGH THE BACK DOOR. HE
HAS A BLANKET OVER HIS HEAD AND A "TURON" IN HIS HANDS. A "TURON"
IS THE HEAD OF A WOLF ON A STICK WITH FLAPPING JAWS CONTROLLED BY
A ROPE. THE FATHER CHASES THE KIDS AROUND THE ROOM THEN SNEAKS
BACK OUTSIDE.

Submitter comment: MOST OFTEN THE "TURON" IS HOMEMADE AND PASSED ON FROM FATHER TO
ELDEST SON. THIS WAS DONE BY MY GRANDFATHER IN DETROIT BUT MY
FATHER DOES NOT OBSERVE THE CUSTOM ANYMORE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): MASK

Subject headings: Favorites
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Dramatic
DRAMA -- Secular
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas Season See F645.2 for Advent Season.
ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Mask

Date learned: 10-10-1974

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POLISH CHRISTMAS CUSTOM

THE FAMILY ALWAYS SETS AN EXTRA PLACE AT THE TABLE FOR THE
CHRISTMAS MEAL IN CASE ANYONE COMES IN NEED OF FOOD.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): CHARITY HOSPITALITY

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below.

Date learned: 10-10-1974

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POLISH PROVERB

GOSC W DOMU; BOG W DOMU. TRANSLATION: GUEST IN THE HOUSE; GOD IN
THE HOUSE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): ELLIPSIS ; HOSPITALITY

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim

Date learned: 10-10-1974

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AH, AH, KOTKI DWA, SZARE BURE OBY DWA. TRANSLATION: OH, OH, KITTENS
TWO, GRAY AND BLACK ARE THE TWO

Submitter comment: RECITED WHILE ROCKING INFANT TO SLEEP.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMALS ; COLORS

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse C730.366
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse

Date learned: 09-20-1974

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FLY LEAF PROSE

IN CASE OF FIRE, THROW IN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): BOOK ; FLY-LEAF INSCRIPTION

Subject headings: Z220

Date learned: CA00001968

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FLY LEAF PROSE

IF YOU ARE HUNGARY, EAT THIS BOOK; IT IS FULL OF BOLOGNA.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): PUNS ON PLACE NAMES

Subject headings: Z220

Date learned: CA00001968

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COUNTING OUT RHYME

AKA BAKA SODA CRACKER;
AKA BAKA BOO.
AKA BAKA SODA CRACKER,
OUT GOES YOU.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): NONSENSE WORDS

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

Date learned: CA00001961

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COUNTING-OUT RHYME

MY MOTHER AND YOUR MOTHER WERE HANGING CLOTHES,
MY MOTHER PUNCHED YOUR MOTHER IN THE NOSE,
WHAT COLOR WAS THE BLOOD? (THE PERSON TO WHOM THE CALLER IS POINTING
NAMES A COLOR) EXAMPLE-BLUE
B-L-U-E SPELLS BLUE AND I WILL NOT PICK YOU.

Submitter comment: THIS COUNTING-OUT RHYME WAS A FAVORITE OF THE KIDS IN MY
NEIGHBORHOOD BECAUSE SELDOM WOULD A COLOR BE CHOSEN VERY OFTEN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): SPELLING

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

Date learned: CA00001961

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CURE FOR AN INFECTION

IF YOU SLICE AN ONION AND PLACE A SLICE ON THE INFECTED AREA
WRAPPING THE ONION AND INFECTED AREA IN GAUZE THE ONION WILL
DRAW OUT THE INFECTION.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT SAYS THAT THIS CURE REALLY WORKS, BELIEVES IT TOO

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; MADISON HEIGHTS

James Callow Keyword(s): TRANSFER

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Plant

Date learned: 10-00-1973

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MNEMONIC DEVICE

JOHN STEPHEN ULRICH NEEDS EVERY VITAMIN, MINERAL, PLUS MEAT

Submitter comment: THIS SENTENCE HELPS IN REMEMBERING THE PLANETS IN THE ORDER OF
LARGEST TO SMALLEST
INFORMANT SAID HE LEARNED THE DEVICE FROM SOME OF HIS FRIENDS AT
SCHOOL. HE DIDN'T REMEMBER WHO TOLD IT TO HIM BUT SAID IT WAS USED
BY ALMOST EVERYONE IN HIS CLASS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MADISON HEIGHTS

James Callow Keyword(s): Earth ; JUPITER ; MARS ; MERCURY ; NEPTUNE ; PLANETS ; PLUTO ; SATURN ; URANUS ; VENUS

Subject headings: Favorites
ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- MNEM

Date learned: 10-00-1973

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MNEMONIC DEVICE

MY VERY EDUCATED MOTHER JUST SERVED US NINE PICKLES.

Submitter comment: THIS SENTENCE HELPS TO REMEMBER THE PLANETS IN THE ORDER OF NEAREST
TO THE SUN TO FURTHEST FROM THE SUN
INFORMANT SAID HE LEARNED THE DEVICE FROM SOME OF HIS FRIENDS AT
SCHOOL. HE DIDN'T REMEMBER WHO TOLD IT TO HIM BUT SAID IT WAS USED
BY ALMOST EVERYONE IN HIS CLASS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MADISON HEIGHTS

James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION ; NEPTUNE ; PLANETS: MERCURY, VENUS, EARTH, MARS, JUPITER, SATURN, ; PLUTO ; URANUS

Subject headings: Favorites
ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- MNEM

Date learned: 10-00-1973

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MNEMONIC DEVICE

H-O-M-E-S

Submitter comment: THE WORD HOMES HELPS TO REMEMBER THE GREAT LAKES
INFORMANT SAID HE LEARNED THE DEVICE FROM SOME OF HIS FRIENDS AT
SCHOOL. HE DIDN'T REMEMBER WHO TOLD IT TO HIM BUT SAID IT WAS USED
BY ALMOST EVERYONE IN HIS CLASS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MADISON HEIGHTS

James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION ; LAKES: HURON, ONTARIO, MICHIGAN, ERIE, SUPERIOR

Subject headings: ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- MNEM

Date learned: 10-00-1973

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POLISH FEAST OF THE THREE KINGS

ON JANUARY 6, THE FEAST OF THE THREE KINGS, PRIESTS
VISIT THE HOMES OF POLISH CATHOLICS BEARING CHALK,
MYRRH, AND INCENSE. THEY BLESS THE HOUSE AND WRITE
THE NAMES OF THE THREE KINGS OVER THE DOORWAY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): BALTHAZAR ; KASPAR ; MELCHIOR

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany

Date learned: 11-00-1968

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LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL CHANT

PITCHER'S BAD/ CATCHER'S WORSE/ LOOK AT THAT MONKEY PLAYING FIRST

Submitter comment: OFTEN CHANTED AT LITTLE LEAGUE GAMES.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MADISON HEIGHTS

James Callow Keyword(s): SPORTS CHEER ; SPURTS CHEER

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Custom Festival Custom Festival

Date learned: 10-00-1973

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REVERSING A BABY'S SLEEP CYCLE

IF YOU WANT TO REVERSE A BABY'S SLEEP CYCLE YOU TURN IT HEAD OVER
HEELS AND THE SLEEP CYCLE WILL REVERSE.

Submitter comment: SAID HE DIDN'T REALLY BELIEVE IT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MADISON HEIGHTS

James Callow Keyword(s): DIRECTION POSITION ; HOMEOPATHIC MAGIC

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Remedy

Date learned: 10-00-1973

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CRANBERRY SCOOP

CRANBERRY SCOOP PICTURES SEE SQ692406-3 TO SQ692406-7

Submitter comment: THE CRANBERRY SCOOP WAS USED IN THE HARVESTING OF CRANBERRIES. THE
ONE PICTURED COMES FROM KINGSTON MASSACHUSETTS. AND IS ABOUT 35 YEARS
OLD. IT BELONGED TO MY GREAT UNCLE. THEY STOPPED USING THE SCOOP
FOR HARVESTING THE ENTIRE CRANBERRY BOG IN THE EARLY TO MIDDLE 1950S
WHEN A MECHANIZED PICKER WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE BUSINESS. IT WAS
STILL USED TO HARVEST ALONG THE SIDES OF THE BOG FOR THE
MECHANICAL PICKER COULDN'T HARVEST THERE.
THE OLD SCOOPS THAT ARE NO LONGER BEING USED IN THE BOG HAVE BEEN
USED IN THE HOME FOR NEWSPAPER RACKS AND MAGAZINE RACKS. IN SOME
CASES THE SCREEN WAS REMOVED AND A PIECE OF CREWEL WORK WAS PUT IN
ITS PLACE TO MAKE THE SCOOP MORE ATTRACTIVE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Massachusetts ; MADISON HEIGHTS ; KINGSTON

James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTIONAL SHIFT

Subject headings: Favorites
Favorites
ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Occupation Fishing
ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Household furniture and utensil

Date learned: 00-00-1938

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