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PROVERBS OF A MATH TEACHER
NOTHING SUCCEEDS LIKE SUCCESS
James Callow comment: CREDIT SHOULD GO TO OSCAR WILDE--F. M. PAULSEN
Where learned: UNKNOWN
James Callow Keyword(s): GOOD FORTUNE ; IRONY ; OBSERVATION ; SUCCESS BREEDS ITSELF
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 12-04-1968
POLISH PROVERB
NIE MIATA BABA KIOPOTU I KUPITA SOBIE PROSIE (POLISH)
THE OLD WOMAN DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH TROUBLES AND SHE
BOUGHT HERSELF A PIG
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A POPULAR SAYING WHEN SOMEONE DOES SOMETHING USELESS
I KNOW THIS FROM HOME
Data entry tech comment: ORIGINAL 5 X 8 CARD CONTAINS POLISH TEXT
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMAL ; IRONY ; TRANSLATION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
PROVERBIAL APOTHEGM
ONLY A MEDIOCRE PERSON IS ALWAYS AT HIS BEST
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION ; IRONY
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 10-00-1971
CURE
IF A CHILD, USUALLY A BABY, IS SUFFERING FROM AN ILLNESS, USUALLY A
CHILD'S ILLNESS LIKE A COLD OR FLU, YOU SHOULD CUT OFF THE EAR OF A
CAT. THEN DRIP THE BLOOD ON A PIECE OF BREAD AND FEED IT TO THE
INFANT. THIS IS SALEM WITCHCRAFT.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT THOUGHT THIS WAS A SICKENING THING TO DO, BUT HE
TALKED OF IT AS AN AUTHENTIC CURE ACCORDING TO SOME PEOPLE. AS HE
SAID, WHAT ELSE COULD THEY DO, THE DRUG STORES WERE CLOSED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HIGHLAND PARK
James Callow Keyword(s): IRONY
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Plant food BELIEF -- Remedy BELIEF -- Use of Object Animals |
Date learned: 11-00-1975
IRISH SUPERSTITION
IF YOU WASH YOUR FACE IN DEW ON THE FIRST
DAY OF MAY, YOU WILL BE BEAUTIFUL.
Submitter comment:
IN TELLING THIS, THE INFORMANT RECALLS ACTUALLY
WASHING HER FACE IN DEW ON MAY 1ST, AND ENDING
UP WITH A TERRIBLE RASH AND A FEW VISITS TO
A DERMATOLOGIST.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
Keyword(s): BAD RESULTS FROM SUPERSTITIOUS PRACTICE ; IRONY ; SKIN
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- May 1 May Day |
Date learned: 09-23-1969
POEM
MY TEACHER LOVES ME, SHE THINKS I AM DEAR,
SHE'S KEPT ME FOR THE 4TH STRAIGHT YEAR}
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): EUPHEMISM FOR FLUNKING ; IRONY ; RHYME: AA ; RHYME: ABCB
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: 11-16-1965
LEGEND
THERE IS A STORY THAT ON KELLY'S ISLAND IN OHIO WHEN IN THE EARLY
1800'S THE CEMETERY WAS FIRST BEGINNING TO BE FIXED, SOMEHOW ONE
OF THE MEN WORKING ON THIS AREA GOT INTO A FIGHT WITH HIS BOSS AND
IN HIS ANGER HE SAID THAT HE WAS GLAD HE WASN'T GOING TO BE BURIED
IN THAT PLACE.
A FEW MONTHS LATER THIS SAME MAN WAS WORKING ON A HOUSE THAT FELL
ON HIM. HE WAS THE FIRST TO BE BURIED AT THE CEMETERY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): CONTRAST ; FALSE ASSUMPTION. ASSUMPTION PROVES FALSE. ; IRONY ; PROPHECY REVERSED. WISH REVERSED. OPPOSITE COMES TRUE. ; TEMPTING FATE
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 11-04-1967
SAINT BRENDON OF IRELAND
A SAINT MENTIONED IN THE SAGAS OF VIKINGS THIS LEGENDARY CHARACTER
SAILED TO THE NEW WORLD ON THREE OCCASIONS IN THE SIXTH CENTURY.
HE IS MENTIONED IN SPANISH MAPS (THE GREAT NAVIGATOR OF THE TIME )
WHERE HE IS CREDITED WITH THE DISCOVERY OF MANY ISLANDS. ON HIS
FIRST TRY, HE TRAVELED TO GREENLAND (WHERE THE REMAINS OF A CHURCH
IS STILL IN EXISTENCE.) HIS SECOND TRIP TOOK HIM TO NOVA SCOTIA
AND ON HIS FINAL TRIP, HE JOURNEYED TO THE MAINLAND ALL THE WAY DOWN
TO FLORIDA, WHERE HE FOUND ANOTHER IRISHMAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): HISTORICAL ; RELIGION
James Callow Keyword(s): BRENDAN ; IRONY ; SURPRISE ENDING
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 02-01-1968
THE BEGGAR WHO WAS JESUS
LONG AGO IN ARMENIA A BEGGAR WAS SEEN GOING FROM HOUSE TO HOUSE
TRYING TO GET SOME FOOD. WITH MOST OF HIS HOPE GONE, HE CAME TO THE
HOUSE OF AN ARMENIAN PRIEST AND HIS WIFE. THE WOMAN OPENED THE DOOR
AND GAVE THE BEGGAR SOME FRESH BREAD WHICH SHE WAS BAKING AT THE
HEARTH. HE THANKED HER AND ASKED HER FOR ONE MORE FAVOR. THE FAVOR
WAS THAT HE COULD GIVE HER A KISS. SHE OBLIGED. THE BEGGAR WAS
THOUGHT TO BE JESUS. WHEN HER HUSBAND CAME HOME SHE TOLD HIM WHAT
HAPPENED. HE ANSWERED HER, "FOR GOD'S SAKE, WOULD YOU JUMP IN THE
FIRE? SHE ANSWERED YES AND THREW HERSELF INTO THE HEARTH. WITHOUT
HER HE FELT THERE WAS NO REASON TO LIVE AND SO HE THREW HIMSELF INTO
THE FIRE. IT IS SAID AT THIS SPOT A SHRINE HAS BEEN ERECTED AND A
SPRING FLOWS WHICH HEALS THE SICK."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; WALSH COLLEGE ; CAMPUS ; TOLD AT
Keyword(s): IRONY GOOD VS. EVIL
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Tale |
Date learned: 03-21-1970
FABLE ABOUT A WOMAN WHO MISUNDERSTOOD HER RELIGION
IN A SMALL VILLAGE, A VERY POORLY EDUCATED WOMAN WENT TO
CONFESSION. SHE TOLD THE PRIEST THAT SHE WOULD LIKE TO GO TO HEAVEN
AND THE PRIEST IN TURN ADVISED HER THAT SHE SHOULD PREPARE HERSELF.
THE WOMAN MISUNDERSTOOD THE PRIEST. SHE CAME HOME AND MADE HER OWN
FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS AND ON SUNDAY AFTERNOON SHE WENT BACK TO THE
CHURCH AND STARTED TO PRAY BY THE SIDE ALTAR.
THE HOUR WAS LATE AND THE CARETAKER DIDN'T NOTICE HER PRAYING BY
THE ALTAR. HE LOCKED THE CHURCH.
AFTER THE WOMAN REALIZED THAT SHE WAS LOCKED IN THE CHURCH, SHE
LOOKED FOR A WAY OUT, BUT COULD NOT FIND ONE. THERE WAS NO WAY OUT,
SO SHE DECIDED TO LOOK FOR A PLACE TO SLEEP.
BY THE SACRISTY THERE WAS A LARGE LAUNDRY BASKET WITH ALL THE
PRIEST'S VESTMENTS IN IT. SHE DECIDED TO TAKE A NAP IN THIS BASKET
AND COVERED HERSELF WITH THE LID.
THAT SAME NIGHT, THIEVES BROKE INTO THE CHURCH FROM A VERY HIGH
WINDOW. ONE THIEF WAS OUTSIDE, THE OTHER WAS INSIDE. THE THIEF
OUTSIDE WAS PULLING VALUABLES OUT BY A ROPE, AND THE THIEF WHO WAS
INSIDE WAS HOOKING ANYTHING OF VALUE ONTO THE ROPE.
THE BASKET BY THE SACRISTY LOOKED GOOD, SO HE HOOKED THE ROPE UP
TO IT. THE OTHER THIEF STARTED TO PULL THE BASKET UP AND OUT OF THE
CHURCH. WHEN THE BASKET WAS ABOUT 40 FEET, CLOSE TO THE WINDOW, THE
LADY WOKE UP AND THOUGHT THAT SHE WAS BEING TAKEN TO HEAVEN. IN A
LOUD VOICE SHE SAID, "Z NIEDZIELI NA SWIENTO MNIE DO NIEBA WZIETO."
(FROM SUNDAY NIGHT TO THE HOLIDAY, I WAS TAKEN UP TO HEAVEN.)
THE THIEVES, UPON HEARING HER VOICE GOT SCARED AND LET GO OF THE
ROPE. THE BASKET FELL TO THE FLOOR AND THE WOMAN WAS KILLED. ALL
HER FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS WERE VERY USEFUL.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT LEARNED THIS STORY AS A BOY AT AN EVENING OF FAMILY STORY
TELLING FROM HIS UNCLE IN LUKOWA, POLAND. HE TOLD THIS STORY VERY
THOUGHTFULLY AND LAUGHED AT THE ENDING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): HUMOR ; IRONY
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Stupid man or woman |
Date learned: 02-07-1980 ; 00-00-1934
LOOK FOR THE FASTBALL, AND YOU'LL HIT THE CURVE. LOOK FOR THE CURVE,
AND YOU WON'T HIT THE FASTBALL.
I HAD STRUCK OUT TWICE ON CURVE BALLS IN MY FIRST GAME IN THE PONY
LEAGUE. MISTER QUINN NOTICED MY FAULT AND CORRECTED ME. LOOK FOR THE
FASTBALL, AND YOU'LL HIT THE CURVE. LOOK FOR THE CURVE, AND YOU
WON'T HIT THE FASTBALL.
Where learned: BOSTON ; Massachusetts
Keyword(s): BASEBALL
James Callow Keyword(s): CHIASMUS ; IRONY
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase |
Date learned: 00-00-1955
CAMP SONG
THE DONUTS AT THIS CAMP THEY SAY ARE MIGHTY FINE,
ONE ROLLED OFF THE TABLE AND KILLED A FRIEND OF MINE
OH I DON,T WANT NO MORE OF CAMPING LIFE, PLEASE MA LET ME COME HOME.
THE COUNSELORS AT THIS CAMP THEY SAY ARE MIGHTY FINE,
THEY WHIP YA IN THE MORNING AND THEN AGAIN AT NIGHT
OH I DON,T WANT NO MORE OF CAMPING LIFE, PLEASE MA LET ME COME HOME.
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): IRONY ; SATIRE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Good humor Jest Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children |
Date learned: 00-00-1975
RHYME
SLO--SCHOOL ZONE
DON'T KILL A CHILD
WAIT FOR A TEACHER.
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): IRONY
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Art Craft Architecture Art, Craft, Architecture |
Date learned: 00-00-1981
TAUNTING SONG
I'M GOING TO SEND MY BOY TO BONA,
ACROSS THE DIRTY RAILROAD TRACKS.
I'M GOING TO SEND MY BOY TO BONA,
AND HOPE TO HELL HE DON'T COME BACK, HE DON'T COME BACK. MM
I'M GOING TO SEND MY BOY TO BONA,
WHERE THEY WILL EDUCATE HIM WELL, LIKE HELL.
I'M GOING TO SEND MY BOY TO BONA,
OH YES I AM, LIKE HELL.
HERE'S TO DEAR OLD BONA-A! WUMPHF!
THIS SONG IS SUNG MANY TIMES AT EACH CANISIUS COLLEGE-
ST. BONAVENTURE UNIVERSITY BASKETBALL GAME BY THE CANISIUS
FANS. THERE EXISTS A FIERCE RIVALRY BETWEEN THE TWO.
Submitter comment:
"BONA" IS PRONOUNCED LIKE THE FIRST TWO SYLLABLES OF
BONAVENTURE.
Data entry tech comment:
Keypunched by R.J.Miller 11/82
Updated by TRD 01/12
Where learned: BUFFALO ; NEW YORK
Keyword(s): EDUCATION ; HUMOR ; IRONY ; Lyrics ; RHYME ; SONG
James Callow Keyword(s): EDUCATION ; IRONY ; SATIRE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ill humor Ridicule Mockery CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School |
Date learned: 11-00-1966
PENCIL TEST
THIS TEST IS TO DETERMINE HOW MANY CHILDREN A WOMAN WILL
BEAR, AND WHAT SEX THEY WILL BE. HOLD A PENCIL WITH A NEEDLE IN
THE ERASER, SUSPENDED BY A THREAD, OVER HER LEFT ARM. THE
ARM IS HELD WITH THE PALM UP, THE HAND IN A FIST. THE PENCIL
WILL CIRCLE OVER THE WOMAN'S ARM BETWEEN CHILDREN, SWING VER-
TICALLY TO INDICATE A GIRL, AND HORIZONTALLY TO INDICATE A BOY.
A DIAGONAL SWING INDICATES TWINS. A STRONG SWING INDICATES A
HEALTHY CHILD WITH A STRONG PERSONALITY.
Submitter comment:
THIS TEST HAS BEEN USED ON ALL THE WOMEN ON MY FATHER'S SIDE
OF THE FAMILY AND HAS WORKED WITH 90 PERCENT ACCURACY. CK[ IRONY
Where learned: IOWA ; ESTHERVILLE
Keyword(s): PREDICTION
James Callow Keyword(s): IRONY
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Use of Object Domestic object, wax, needle, dishware BELIEF -- Use of object for determining number of children or sex of unborn |
Date learned: 07-00-1983 ; 00001900CA
"One day two brothers were fighting and beating each
other up, almost killing each other. The neighbor saw
it and moved in to try and stop the fight. The brothers
stopped fighting and beat up the neighbor, then they went
back to fighting. Lesson: Mind your own business and
keep out of family fights."
Submitter comment:
This is a verbatim account from Maryann Leisner which
retells a story her father learned from old (Italian)
relatives.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; SKOKIE
Keyword(s): Fable, function, cautionary tale, warning
James Callow Keyword(s): Dramatic Irony ; Peacemaker
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 00001930S
PROVERBIAL COMPARISON
CLEAR AS MUD.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
Keyword(s): IRONY
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
PROVERBIAL COMPARISON
AS CLEAR AS MUD.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; COLUMBIA
Keyword(s): IRONY
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: 06-16-1970
PROVERB
DRIVING TO THE POOR HOUSE IN A CADILLAC.
Where learned: NASHVILLE ; TENNESSEE, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): IRONY
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase |
Date learned: 06-00-1972
HUMOR
HAVEN'T SEEN ANYTHING SO FUNNY SINCE THE HOGS ATE MY LITTLE
BROTHER.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
Keyword(s): IRONY
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: 05-01-1969