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James T. Callow Computerized Folklore Archive
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PROVERB

LAUGH AND THE WORLD LAUGHS WITH YOU, SNORE AND YOU SLEEP ALONE.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT HEARD THIS FROM HIS GRANDMOTHER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): ALIENATION ; HUMOR ; OBSERVATION

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim

Date learned: 07-15-1964

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POLISH PROVERB

IN THE OLD STOVE, THE DEVIL IS BURNING.
TRANSLATION OF
W STARYM PIECU DIABEL PALI. (POLISH)

Submitter comment: THE CONTEXT IS INTERESTING. IT IS GENERALLY APPLIED TO AN OLDER MAN
WHO SHOWS INTEREST IN A YOUNGER GIRL OR GIRLS.

Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

Keyword(s): ASSONANCE ; OBSERVATION

James Callow Keyword(s): OLD AGE DOES NOT RULE OUT AMOROUS INCLINATIONS. ; SYMBOL: FIERY DEVIL FOR SEXUAL INTEREST

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Devil Demon
PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

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POLISH JOKE

Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.

WHY DON'T THEY HAVE DOGS IN HAMTRAMCK? BECAUSE THEY
PISS ON THE POLES.

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; VARSITY NEWS OFFICE

James Callow Keyword(s): URINATION

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Stupid man or woman
BELIEF -- Poli

Date learned: 04-11-1967

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Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.

DO YOU KNOW HOW A POLAK TAKES A SHOWER? PISSES INTO
THE WIND.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): URINATION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Poli

Date learned: 03-11-1967

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POLLACK JOKE

WHY DON'T THEY ALLOW DOGS IN HAMTRAMCK.
BECAUSE DOG PEE ON POLES.

Submitter comment:

HEARD THIS AT UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT CAMPUS.
INFORMANT HEARD THIS ON CAMPUS, UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): URINATION

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale

Date learned: 04-08-1965

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QUITTERS NEVER WIN, AND WINNERS NEVER QUIT.

Submitter comment: HEARD IT FROM OLD BASKETBALL COACH.

Data entry tech comment: CHIASMUS

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; 205 SHIPLE HALL

Keyword(s): DETERMINATION

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim

Date learned: NONE GIVEN

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ONE DAY IN JUNE, WHEN MY FATHER WAS ALIVE,
THERE WAS A BAD STORM HEADED IN OUR DIRECTION.
AS MY FATHER LOOKED TO THE SKY HE SAID,
"WE BETER GET INSIDE, IT'S GOING TO RAIN LIKE
A COW PEEING ON A FLAT ROCK."

Submitter comment: MY FATHER WAS RAISED A FARM BOY IN ILLINOIS;
THIS WAS A COMMON EXPRESSION THERE.

Where learned: GROSSE POINTE WOODS

James Callow Keyword(s): URINATION

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase

Date learned: 06-00-1975

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SAY, "MOTHER MAY I" AND THEN SPELL CUP.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK

James Callow Keyword(s): URINATION

Subject headings: RIDDLE -- Riddle Question

Date learned: 00-00-1961

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MY MOTHER'S MOTHER TOLD HER THAT TO BE MARRIED IN
A GOWN THAT HAD SEED PEARLS UPON IT TOLD OF HAVING
GIRL CHILDREN. SURE ENOUGH, MY PARENTS HAVE TWO
CHILDREN, BOTH ARE GIRLS!

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights

James Callow Keyword(s): SEX DETERMINATION

Subject headings: Observation
BELIEF -- Birth
BELIEF -- Marriage

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Superstition

A pregnant woman should mix her urine with Drano. The
resultant color determines the sex of the child.
Unfortunately, the informant (a nurse) forgets which color is
which.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): Childbirth, divination

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth
BELIEF -- Color
BELIEF -- Use of Object

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TO DETERMINE THE SEX OF A PREGNANT WOMAN'S BABY, TAKE
A NEEDLE AND THREAD IT WITH A LONG PIECE OF THREAD.
HOLD IT BY THE END OF THE THREAD SO THAT THE NEEDLE CAN
SWING FREELY. HOLD IT OVER THE PREGNANT WOMAN'S BELLY.
IF THE NEEDLE SWINGS IN A BACK AND FORTH DIRECTION THEN
THE BABY IS A BOY. IF THE NEEDLE SWINGS IN A CIRCULAR
MOTION, THEN THE BABY IS A GIRL.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): ANAPEL

James Callow Keyword(s): SEX DETERMINATION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Birth
BELIEF -- Use of Object

Date learned: 00001930ca

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If a pregnant woman is carrying her baby high
closer to the rib cage then it will be a girl.
If she carries lower, in the pelvic region,
then it is a girl.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALLEN PARK

Keyword(s): SEX DETERMINATION

Subject headings: Observation
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth

Date learned: 00001970S

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If the pregnant woman is grouchy then she is going to have a
girl.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE

James Callow Keyword(s): SEX DETERMINATION

Subject headings: Observation
BELIEF -- Birth

Date learned: 00-00-1989

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If the baby's heartbeat is strong while it is still inside
the mother that it is going to be a boy.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE

James Callow Keyword(s): SEX DETERMINATION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Birth

Date learned: 00-00-1989

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One day Toto was at the park with his mother.
"I want to pee," Toto exclaimed in front of many people.
"Toto," his embarrassed mother said. "Don't say you have to pee,
Toto. Say you have to...whistle and I'll know what you mean."
The next day Toto went to a movie with his dad.
"Daddy," Toto said. "I want to whistle."
"Not here," his father replied.
"But father," Toto said again. "I really want to whistle."
"O.K. Toto," his angered father replied. "If you have to whistle,
then whistle quietly in my ear."

Where learned: GREECE

Keyword(s): urination, jokes

Subject headings: Favorites
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote

Date learned: 00001947CA

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The souls of ancestors were reborn in other living things or
objects.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): African Reincarnation Myths

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter
BELIEF -- Birth
BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial

Date learned: 02-00-1992

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Butter

Someone picks a yellow dandelion flower and places it under
someone's chin. If their chin showed yellow, they liked butter; if
it did not, they did not like butter. After this was established,
the head of the dandelion was popped off into the person's face.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE ; Neighborhood children

James Callow Keyword(s): DIVINATION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Plant
BELIEF -- Color

Date learned: 00001950S

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Electronic Data Systems

My father is a systems analyst that supports General Motors
Corporation. He has many opportunities to work with GM's computer
specialists, Electronic Data Systems. He said that sometimes the
EDS technicians are so unhappy and surly that he renamed "E.D.S.",
"Every Day Sucks."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): Explanation

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Folk etymology
SPEECH -- To Be Seen

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Why we say "His name is Mud"

The doctor who treated John Wilkes Booth was Dr. Mud. This is
where the saying "his name is Mud" originated. This saying is
widespread and frequently used. An ancestor of Dr. Mud is currently
trying to clear the family name.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GRAND BLANC

James Callow Keyword(s): Lincoln assassination

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate
SPEECH -- FamilyGroup

Date learned: 01-00-1991

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