Belief: Children

Wednesday's Child:

Wednesday's Child is full of woe.

Submitter comment:

(A person born on Wednesday is believed to be ill-fated through-out life.)

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Plotts, Eleanor

Keyword(s): BIRTH ; Born ; CHILDREN ; DAYS OF THE WEEK ; DESTINY ; Destiny, Fate ; Wednesday ; WOE

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Superstition:Wedding

Wedding Superstition:

For each ribbon a bride breaks on a wedding or shower gift she'll have a child.

Submitter comment:

This is a superstition common in the Oswald family

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Original BN [P545] crossed out/replaced with current classifications

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; Oswald, Sylvia

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; BIRTH ; CHILD ; CUSTOM ; FUTURE ; MARRIAGE ; OMEN ; Ribbon ; SUPERSTITION ; WEDDING

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Ethnic: Belgium

Solemn Communion:

In Belgium, at the age of 12, there would be a Solemn Communion. Although they had made their First Communion at the age of 7, at this time, the children would assemble in Church to renew their Baptismal vows. there were weeklong preparations for the event. Girls wore white gowns, much in the manner of a bridal outfit. There would be a three day celebration. On the first day, the parents and godparents gathered at the child's home. The second day saw the cousins and other immediate relatives there. And on the third day, the neighbors and friends joined in the activities.

Submitter comment:

See also F5444

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; 935 FIDELITY DR ; Marcischak, Mrs Helen ; PITTSBURGH

Keyword(s): Belgium ; CHILDREN ; CHURCH ; Communion ; Community ; ETHNIC ; FAMILY ; RELIGION ; RELIGIOUS

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Custom/Belief

Belief - Baby/Motherhood:

After delivering a baby, a woman will eat the afterbirth of an animal, so that her afterbirth delivers well.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Original BN [F542] crossed out and replaced with current classification.

Where learned: HOME ; Sturtz, Barbara

Keyword(s): Afterbirth ; BELIEF ; BIRTH ; Child Bearing ; CHILDBIRTH ; Consumption ; CUSTOM ; FOOD ; Placenta ; PREGNANCY ; SUPERSTITION

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Custom/Belief

Baptism:

In Belgium, children were baptized when they were 3 days old. When the ceremonies were completed, signified by bell ringing at the church, other children would gather outside the church, at which time, the parents of the one baptized would throw chocolate covered almonds or other candy to the awaiting children.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Original BN [F543, P686, S720, N247, F533] crossed out. Replaced with current classifications

Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; 935 FIDELITY DR ; Marcischak, Mrs Helen ; PITTSBURGH

Keyword(s): BAPTISM ; Belgium ; CANDY ; CHILDREN ; CUSTOM ; ETHNIC ; FOOD ; RELIGION ; RELIGIOUS

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Ethnic:Polish

Naming:

It is a custom in Poland, that a child is not given the name of a living grandparent, for fear that either the grandparent or the child will die within seven years.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Where learned: CANADA ; Tomaszewska, Josephine ; 160 Salter St ; WINNIPEG ; MANITOBA

Keyword(s): CHILDREN ; Cultural ; CUSTOM ; ETHNIC ; FAMILY ; Naming ; POLAND

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Belief: Children

Determining Sex of Unborn Child:

A pin on a thread, if held motionless over the wrist of an expectant mother, can determine sex of child by the motion which it takes up after it is perfectly still. If pin or needle takes up a circular motion than first child weill be a girl. If needle takes up back and forth motion then a boy. If pin stops and then moves again, this can be used to predict the future sex and number of children.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Original BN [P860] crossed out. Replaced with current classification

Where learned: HOME ; NEW YORK ; Sullivan, Virginia ; ROCHESTER

Keyword(s): ANAPEL ; BELIEF ; Biology ; BIRTH ; CHILDREN ; CUSTOM ; Forecasting ; gender ; Ordain ; Pendulum ; Predictions ; SEX

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Ethnic: Belium

Funeral:

In Belgium, during funeral processions, the children would carry boquets or wreaths of flowers which they had picked.

Submitter comment:

Recorded on tape

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; 935 FIDELITY DR ; Marcischak, Mrs Helen ; PITTSBURGH

Keyword(s): Belgium ; BURIAL ; CHILDREN ; CUSTOM ; DEATH ; ETHNIC ; FLOWERS ; Funeral ; RESPECT

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Entertainment: Game

London Bridge:

London Bridges falling down, falling down. London Bridges falling down, my fair lady. Take the key and lock her up, lock her up. Take the key and lock her up, my fair lady. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday.

Everyone says the verse, two people hold each other's hands and walk around at Monday and when Sunday comes they put someone between them, swinging their arms back and forth and throwing the person away.

Data entry tech comment:

Entered by TRD

James Callow comment:

Original BN [C730.360, C523] crossed out. Replaced with current classification

Submission card located in a pile marked C750 Jump Rope Rhyme

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Myself

Keyword(s): Bridges ; CHILDREN ; GAMES ; Jump Rope ; London ; Playground ; Rhymes

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Entertainment: Game

Method of Choosing IT:

To choose the "it" in a smae, the kids get together and someone would volunteer. Everyone eventually got chosen, and the ones that did not volunteer often enough were made "it" by mob rule. The informant learned it from the neighborhood kids.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Original BN [C570, C570.500] crossde out. Replaced with current classifications.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; Ferrence, Mike

Keyword(s): CHILDREN ; Entertainment ; GAME ; Playground

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Entertainment: Game

Method of Choosing "it" for Games:

(Rhyme is chanted by one person who, at the same time, points to the children one by one. I will indicate when the person points by partially unerlining the corresponding words.)

Ee nie meenie minie moe

Catch a rabbit by the toe

If he hollers, let him go

My mother told me to choose the very best one

O U T spells out goes you.

Submitter comment:

I learned this in my grade school days in Detroit.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Original BN [C570.560, C300.03] crossed out. Replaced with current classifications.

Where learned: Myself

Keyword(s): CHILDREN ; Entertainment ; GAME ; RHYME

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Entertainment: Game

Variations of "one potato, two potato" method of choosing "it':

(Rhyme is chanted by one person as all the children stand in a circle with both fists in front, thums up. The person taps each fist in the circle of fists, not neglecting his own. I will indicate the words correcponding to the taps by partial underlining.)

One potato, two potao, three potato, four.

Five potato, six potato, seven potato, more.

The first hit on more is put behind the back and the rhyme continues until only one fist remains, this person being "it.")

Submitter comment:

My mother learned this rhyme in her grammar school days in Detroit.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Original BN [C570.560, C300.021] crossed out. Replaced with current classification

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Toms, Alice G

Keyword(s): CHILDHOOD ; Elimination ; Entertainment ; GAME ; POTATO ; RHYME

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Entertainment: Game

A Chant for Picking the "It":

This is a chant that the neighborhood kids used to choose the "it" in their games. It went: "1 potato, 2 potato, 3 potato, 4. 5 potato, 6 potato, 7 potato, or." The person who "or" fell on was out and the rhyme started again.

Submitter comment:

The informant learned it from his friends.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Original BN [C570] crossed out. Replaced with current classification.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; Pawlick, Jim

Keyword(s): CHILDREN ; Entertainment ; GAMES ; Playground ; RHYME

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Entertainment: Game

A Chant for Picking the "IT":

To pick the "it" the people playing would gather together and someone would say: "Engine, Engine, number nine. Going down Chicago Line. If the train falls off the track, do you want your money back?" 

The person who "back" was said to is out and the rhyme is started over.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Original BN [C570] is crossed out. Replaced with current classification.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; Pawlik, Jim

Keyword(s): BASEBALL GAME. ; CHILDREN ; Elimination ; Entertainment ; Playground ; RHYME

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Entertainment: Game

Childhood Game:

When they were kids, they had a game called "Step on a crack and you'll break your mother's back." They would run along the sidewalk but not step on the pavement cracks or they would "break their mother's back" and lose.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Original BN [C870] crossed out. Replaced with current classification.

Where learned: HOME ; Klingensmith, Dale

Keyword(s): Entertainment, Tabu, Game, Childhood ; RHYME

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Ethnic: German

Tros, tros, tril,

Der Bauerhat ein Phil,

Das Philchen will nicht lauffen,

Der Bauer will verkaufen,

Tros, tros, tril.

This verse was sung by a grandfather to a small child. It accompanied a little game in which the grandfather sat with his knees crossed. On his right leg the child was seated facing the grandfather who grasped the child's hands. As the grandfather sings the verse, he gives the child a "pony" ride on his leg.

The verse tells of a farmer who had a horse, the horse would not run, so the farmer wants to sell the horse.

Submitter comment:

The informant remembers her German-born father entertaining his grandchildren with this game in Kenosha, Wisconsin about 30 years ago.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Loose (very loose) translation:

Tros, Tros, tril, The Bauerhat a Phil, The Philchen will not often run, the farmer wants to sell, Tros, Tros, tril.

James Callow comment:

Original BN [C520, C750] crossed out. Replaced with current classification.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Donofrio, Mrs. Marie

Keyword(s): CHILDREN ; Entertainment ; ETHNIC ; Fable ; GAME ; GERMAN ; HORSE ; Play ; RHYME ; SONG

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Entertainment: Game

"Pony Boy" game:

Put a small child on lap. Child should be facing you. Bounce shild up and down by bouncing your own knees. Continue the bouncing and sing:

Pony Boy, Pony Boy

Won't you be my Pony Boy?

Marry me; carry me

Right across the lane.

Giddy-up, Giddy-up....

(gradually bounce faster - at height of speed, extend your legs out and let child slide down, saying:)

Whoa! Don't you drop him!

(slide child back up).

Submitter comment:

My sister taught me it. As a nurse in the nursery she used to do it with the children.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Original BN [C524.360] crossed out. Replaced with current classification

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; 10345 BERKSHIRE

Keyword(s): CHILD ; Entertainment ; GAME ; HORSE ; Pony ; RHYME ; SONG

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Entertainment: Games

"It":

One of several methods of determining who would be "it" in games like tag and hide and seek was found in the following rhyme:

Lincoln, Lincoln, I been thinking,

What the world have you been drinking?

It ain't bourbon, it ain't wine,

Oh My God, it's turpentine!

All the participants put one foot into a circle. One goes through this rhyme and eliminates the participants one at a time. The one who is left is it.

Submitter comment:

I often used this methid to determine who would be it in the games in Washington DC (1950's)

Data entry tech comment:

motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Original BN [C500, C750, C500.1; S555] crossed out. Replaced with current classification

Where learned: Myself

Keyword(s): CHILD ; CHILDREN ; Choice ; Diversion ; Entertainment ; GAME ; Play ; RHYME

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Entertainment: Games

Hide and Seek Call:

When playing hide and seek, and the person who is it cannot find everyone, he calls out "Ally Ally in Free" and all those who are still hidden come out of their places to hide again for the next game.

Submitter comment:

The informant learned it from the other kids in the neighborhood

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Original Bn [C524, S70] crossed out. Replaced with current classification

Where learned: HOME ; Symons, Margaret

Keyword(s): CHILD ; CHILDREN ; Diversion ; Entertainment ; GAMES ; Play

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Entertainment: Games

Jump Rope Song:

Two, Four, Six, Eight, teacher's got a bellyache.

Submitter comment:

The informant learned it from a friend

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Original BN [C570] crossed out. Replaced with current classification

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Turanski, Bob

Keyword(s): CHILD ; CHILDHOOD ; Entertainment ; GAMES ; Play ; RHYME ; SONG

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