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TRAP METAPHOR
THERE ONCE WAS AN OLD BLACK MAN NAMED UNCLE WILLIE. NOW UNCLE
WILLIE LIVED A FAIRLY HAPPY LIFE ON A FARM DOWN SOUTH. ONE DAY,
HIS MASTER DECIDED TO SELL THE FARM, BUT WILLIE DIDN'T LIKE THAT
IDEA TOO MUCH, HE JUST PLAIN DID NOT WANT TO MOVE. SO WHEN THE
BUYERS CAME TO SEE THE FARM, WILLIE HAD A PLAN. NOW WILLIE KNEW
THESE FOLKS WERE INTELLIGENT, BUT, HE WASN'T NO DUMMY EITHER.
NOW, WHITES BACK IN THEM DAYS, THEY DIDN'T TRUST THE BLACKS
SO WILLIE KNEW THAT THEM BUYER FOLKS WOULD JUST DO THE OPPOSITE
OF WHAT HE SAID. WILLIE'S MASTER TOLD HIM TO TAKE THE FOLKS AROUND
SO HE DID. AFTER HE GOT OUT OF EARSHOT, HE SAID, "NOW, IF YOU
WANT MY OPINION, YOU WON'T BUY THIS FARM 'CAUSE THERE'S GHOSTS
HERE." THEN HE TOOK THEM TO SOME SCARY SPOTS AROUND THE FARM.
"NOW IF YOU WANT MY OPINION," WILLIE SAID, " YOU WON'T BUY THIS
FARM 'CAUSE THE PLACE IS A SHAMBLES, AND THE ORCHARDS ARE DRY."
THEN HE TOOK THEM TO SOME MESSY SPOTS. THEN WILLIE SAID, "NOW IF
YOU WANT MY OPINION, YOU WON'T BUY THIS FARM, 'CAUSE YOU'LL HAVE
TO CHAIN ME HERE 'CAUSE I WANT TO LEAVE POWERFUL BAD." WELL
THE BUYER'S WIFE, NOW SHE BELIEVED HIM AND SAID, "WE BETTER NOT
BUY THIS FARM." BUT THE HUSBAND THOUGHT TO HIMSELF, SOMETHING'S
UP, SO HE DECIDED TO GO AHEAD AND BUY THE FARM, AND WHAT'S MORE,
HE MADE A DEAL WITH THE MASTER TO KEEP WILLIE ON THE FARM.
SO, WILLIE, HE GOT TO STAY ON THE FARM, JUST LIKE HE WANTED,
AND HE GOT RID OF HIS NASTY OLD MASTER TO BOOT.
Submitter comment:
THE BASIC PRINCIPLE BEHIND TRAP METAPHOR AS BOB EXPLAINED TO ME,
IS THAT "BLACKS DON'T GET MAD, THEY GET EVEN." THIS IS EVIDENT
IN HOW UNCLE WILLIE GOT RID OF HIS OLD MASTER. AS I WAS LISTENING
TO THIS STORY, I WAS AMAZED AT HOW IT CONFORMS TO ALMOST ALL OF
ULRIK'S LAWS FOR FOLKTALES. SOME EXAMPLES ARE: THE LAW OF THREES
WHEN WILLIE GIVES THEM THREE REASONS FOR NOT BUYING THE FARM, ALSO,
THE LAW OF CONCENTRATION ON A LEADING CHARACTER IS CLEARLY
FULFILLED. THE MOST INTERESTING OF THE LAWS MANIFESTED IN THIS ST-
ORY IS THE LAW OF LOGIC. NORMALLY, WE WOULD NOT CONSIDER WILLIE'S
LOGIC USEFUL TO GAIN AN END, YET IN THIS STORY IT IS NOT ONLY
REAL, BUT IT IS FEASIBLE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): OL MASSA AND JOHN STORY
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Tale |
Date learned: 11-26-1980
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POLLACK JOKE
Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.
WHY AREN'T THERE MANY SUICIDES IN HAMTRAMCK (MICHIGAN)?
IT'S HARD TO FALL OUT OF BASEMENT WINDOWS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; PLEASANT RIDGE
James Callow Keyword(s): HAMTRAMCK IS A PREDOMINENTLY POLISH COMMUNITY.
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Stupid man or woman |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
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ITALIAN JOKE
Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.
WHO PUT SIX BULLET HOLES IN MUSSILLINI'S BODY?
1000 ITALIAN SHARPSHOOTERS.
Submitter comment:
HEARD IN U. OF D.'S STUDENT UNION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): DURING WORLD WAR II. ; MOUSSOLINI ; MOUSSOLINI, ALSO KNOWN AS IL DUCE, WAS THE HEAD OF STATE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Stupid man or woman |
Date learned: 03-09-1967
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"GIVE ME YOUR POOR........"
Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.
AS THE SHIP DREW CLOSER TO NEW YORK HARBOR, ONE OF THE
IMMIGRANTS ON BOARD (HE WAS POLISH) RAN UP AND DOWN
EXCITEDLY, POINTING AND CRYING OUT: "LOOK! LOOK!
THERE'S THE STASIU OF LIBERTY!"
Submitter comment:
DAN BROUGHT THIS BACK FROM SAN FRANCISCO WHERE HE
ATTENDED A SCIENCE-FICTION CONVENTION IN SEPTEMBER, 1964.
HE TOLD ME THIS JOKE BECAUSE HE THOUGHT IT WAS
TACTFUL, AND THAT NO ONE COULD POSSIBLY BE HURT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): STASIU IS A POLISH FIRST NAME.
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Man BELIEF -- Poli |
Date learned: 02-00-1965
TRADITION
IF TWO PEOPLE SAY THE SAME THING SIMULTANEOUSLY, THE
MORE ALERT ONE WHO CATCHES THE COOINCIDENCE SAYS:
"SLUGGIES," AND SLUGS THE OTHER ONE IN THE ARM, ADDING
"YOU OWE ME A COKE."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GARDEN CITY
James Callow Keyword(s): COCA-COLA (SODA POP)
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
IF TWO PEOPLE SAY THE SAME THING AT THE SAME TIME, THEY
ARE SUPPOSED TO COUNT TO TEN AND THE FIRST ONE
FINISHED SAYS, "OWE ME A COKE."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
James Callow Keyword(s): COLA-COLA (SODA POP)
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 01-00-1968
ACTIVITY-ASTRONOMY
CORN SHOULD BE PLANTED UNDER LEO TO INSURE LARGE
EARS. MM
CORN SHOULD BE PLANTED UNDER GEMINI TO INSURE TWO
EARS PER STALK.
Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM AN UNCLE, JOHN FURR.
Data entry tech comment: GEMINI=TWINS
Where learned: INDIANA ; GREENFIELD
James Callow Keyword(s): LEO=LION, KING OF BEASTS. ; SYMBOLISM ; SYMBOLISM MM
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Plant husbandry Farming |
Date learned: 11-23-1967
ACTIVITY-ASTRONOMY
ANYTHING PLANTED UNDER GEMINI, WILL BE ABUNDANT. / LEARNED FROM HIS FATHER.
IN ORDER TO GET A GOOD CROP OF CUCUMBERS, PLANT THE SEED UNDER PISCES. / LEARNED FROM HIS MOTHER.
PLANT POTATOES DURING THE SIGN OF CAPRICORN FOR GOOD POTATO YIELD; BUT ONLY WHEN THE POINTS OF THE MOON POINT DOWNWARD. / LEARNED FROM HIS FATHER.
IF YOU DO NOT WANT POTATOES TO GROW TOO DEEP, PLANT THEM IN THE QUARTER OF THE MOON DURING ARIES. / LEARNED FROM HIS FATHER.
PLANT TOMATOES UNDER LIBRA AND THEY WOULD BE LARGE AND HEAVY. / LEARNED FROM HIS MOTHER.
Data entry tech comment: GEMINI=TWINS ; PISCES=FISH, WATER SIGN. ; LIBRA=SCALES--BALANCE
Where learned: INDIANA ; South Bend
James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOLISM
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Plant husbandry Farming |
Date learned: 11-23-1967
THE HAPPY VOICES OF THE GIRLS SOUNDED IN THE AIR
AS THEY THREW THEIR WREATHS ON THE CLEAR WATER.
THE BOY WHO CAUGHT A WREATH CHASED THE GIRL, WHEREAS
SHE HID IN THE THICK FERNS OF THE FOREST.
Where learned: RESIDENCE
James Callow Keyword(s): TRANSLATION - POLISH
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Season |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
FLYLEAF VERSE
HAIL, HAIL, BYRON'S IN JAIL.
TAFT IS ELECTED JUST AS WE EXPECTED.
Submitter comment:
THE ABOVE WAS FOUND IN MR. FINK'S "POWERS GRADED SPELLER"
COPYRIGHTED IN 1905, IN HIS OWN HANDWRITING ON THE BACK
COVER OF THE TEXT.
Data entry tech comment:
WILLIAM JENNINGS BRYAN
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CHANT ; ELECTIONS ; INSULT ; POLITICIANS ; PRESIDENTS ; RIDICULE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Wisecracks, Gags, Silly Insults |
Date learned: 09-17-1969
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY YULE,
TAKE A FRIEND AND GO TO SHULE.
Submitter comment:
YULE IS AT CHRISTMAS TIME, AND SHULE IS A JEWISH HOUSE
OF WORSHIP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; OAK PARK
Keyword(s): HOLIDAYS ; MOCK EPIC ; PARODY OF SONG ; RELIGIOUS ; RELIGIOUS OR PIOUS MOCK
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Custom Festival C840.642 |
Date learned: 10-03-1971
AFRICAN TRIBE TALE
A CERTAIN BIOLOGY PROFESSOR WAS DELIVERING A LECTURE AT MICHIGAN
STATE ON A TRIBE IN SOUTHERN AFRICA. THE SUBJECT UNDER DISCUSSION WAS
THE ABNORMALLY LARGE "PRIVATES" OF THIS TRIBE. TWO PRUDISH SORORITY
GIRLS EMBARRASSED BY THE CRUDE LECTURE ABRUPTLY LEFT THEIR SEATS
AND STARTED FOR THE DOOR. THE PROFESSOR STOPPED THEM WITH THIS
COMMENT, "WHAT'S YOUR RUSH GIRLS, THE
BOAT DOESN'T LEAVE UNTIL MORNING."
Submitter comment: TOLD TO ME AS ACTUAL FACT IN 1960.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA
Keyword(s): CLASSROOM HUMOR ; COLLEGE PROFESSOR LEGEND
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Body part Senses |
Date learned: 00-00-1960
LEGEND__BELLE ISLE
DOWN A CERTAIN STREET AT NIGHT, THERE IS A WITCH THAT HAD SPIKES IN
HER HANDS AND CLAWS AT YOUR CAR, TRYING TOO GET IN IF YOU
PARK TOO LONG
WITH YOUR GIRLFRIEND.
Submitter comment: FROM FRIEND
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; STUDENT UNION ; BALLROOM
Keyword(s): FUNCTIONAL FOLKTALE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Witch Shaman |
Date learned: 10-22-1967
LOGGER'S LEGEND
A MAN NAMED DAVID WARD USED TO OWN A LOT OF LAND AND FORESTS
AROUND WATERS, MICH. HE WAS ABOUT THE RICHEST MAN IN THE AREA.
HE NOTICED THAT SOME OF HIS TREES WERE BEING CUT DOWN SO HE SET
OUT TO CATCH THE THIEF. HE HAD A PRETTY GOOD IDEA WHO IT WAS SO HE
DRESSED UP LIKE AN OLD BUM AND WENT TO THIS PERSON'S HOUSE
AND ASKED IF HE WOULD GIVE HIM A MEAL. THE MAN SAID YES, BUT HE'D
HAVE TO WORK FOR IT, AND HE TOLD WARD TO GO CUT DOWN SOME OF HIS OWN
TREES. (NOT KNOWING, OF COURSE, THAT IT WAS DAVE WARD HE WAS
TALKING TO.) WARD WENT AND CUT THE TREES DOWN AND BROUGHT THEM
BACK TO THE MAN. HE JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE MAN WAS
GOING TO KEEP THEM. (WARD MIGHT HAVE BEEN RICH BUT HE WAS ALWAYS
FAIR.) WELL, THE MAN PUT THE WOOD IN HIS OWN SHED AND OFFERED WARD
FOOD AND LODGING FOR THE NIGHT. THEN WARD TOLD HIM WHO HE WAS AND HE
MADE THAT MAN WORK FOR HIM FOR THE NEXT SEASON, CUTTING TREES, WITH
NO PAY, ONLY ENOUGH TO EAT AND A PLACE TO LIVE.
Submitter comment: HEARD AROUND GAYLORD, MICH. ABOUT 1930
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Gaylord
Keyword(s): THIEF PUNISHED BY MAN HE STOLE FROM
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 10-00-1963
Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.
UNDER EVERY COW THERE IS A PILE OF SACRED COW MANURE.
Where learned: SEA
James Callow Keyword(s): HUMOR ; PARODY ; SCATOLOGICAL
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 00-00-1966
LUCK
A SEA SHELL (SEASHELL) PLACED AT THE FRONT DOOR INVITES LUCK
TO ENTER THE HOUSE.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT CAN'T REMEMBER WHEN OR WHERE HE LEARNED
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): HOME, DOMESTIC PURSUITS ; SALTWATER MOLLUSKS
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Wall Partition Door Window BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 11-25-1967
DEATH CUSTOMS
WHEN SOMEONE IS DYING AND HEARS A KNOCKING ON A DOOR THAT
NOONE ELSE DOES, THIS IS A SIGN OF THEIR IMPENDING DEATH, MANY
TIMES WITHIN HOURS. THE DOORS ARE TAKEN TO BE OF ETERNAL LIFE.
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 00001930S
HOLY WEEK CUSTOM
DURING HOLY THURSDAY AND FRIDAY OF HOLY WEEK WOMEN OF THE VILLAGE
DRESS BOTH DAYS IN BLACK AND DO NOT LEAVE THEIR HOMES. FOOD IS PREPA
RED ON WEDNESDAY OF HOLY WEEK AND NO WORK IS DONE ON THOSE TWO DAYS.
PREPARED
Submitter comment: A PRACTICE FROM THE INFORMANT'S HOMETOWN OF SABINAS IN MEXICO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): COLOR SYMBOLISM
| Subject headings: | 663 Holy Thursday CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Dress Overall body coverUpper body and arms BELIEF -- Prayer BELIEF -- Color |
Date learned: 11-00-1981
THREE LITTLE ANGELS
THREE LITTLE ANGELS, ALL DRESSED IN WHITE,
TRIED TO GET TO HEAVEN ON THE END OF A KITE,
BUT THE KITE STRING BROKE AND DOWN THEY FELL,
INSTEAD OF GOING TO HEAVEN THEY WENT TO...
TWO LITTLE ANGELS, ALL DRESSED IN WHITE,
TRIED TO GET TO HEAVEN ON THE END OF A KITE,
BUT THE KITE STRING BROKE AND DOWN THEY FELL,
INSTEAD OF GOING TO HEAVEN THEY WENT TO...
ONE LITTLE ANGEL...
...
INSTEAD OF GOING TO HEAVEN HE WENT TO... MM
THREE LITTLE DEVILS, ALL DRESSED IN RED,
TRIED TO GET TO HEAVEN ON THE END OF A THREAD,
BUT THE THREAD-STRING BROKE AND DOWN THEY FELL,
INSTEAD OF GOING TO HEAVEN THEY WENT TO...
TWO LITTLE DEVILS ALL DRESSED IN RED...
... MM
THREE LITTLE DEMONS, ALL DRESSED IN BLACK,
TRIED TO GET TO HEAVEN IN A CADILLAC,
BUT IT RAN OUT OF GAS AND DOWN THEY FELL,
INSTEAD OF GOING TO HEAVEN THEY WENT TO...
TWO LITTLE...
...
(LAST TIME) INSTEAD OF GOING TO HEAVEN THEY WENT TO...
DON'T GET EXCITED, DON'T LOSE YOUR HEAD,
INSTEAD OF GOING TO HEAVEN THEY WENT TO BED.
Where learned: MISSOURI ; KANSAS CITY
James Callow Keyword(s): CHAIN OF COLORS ; ELLIPSES IN LINES 4, 8, ETC. ; EUPHEMISM FOR HELL
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ballad Epic |
Date learned: 00-00-1971
AUTOGRAPH BOOK VERSE
WHEN YOU ARE MARRIED AND EATING HAM,
THINK OF ME AND MY OLD MAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
James Callow Keyword(s): INSTRUCTIONS ; RHYME: AA ; SLANG: OLD MAN FOR ; SLANT RHYME
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1933