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Maxim

Christopher Columbus set an example the Government's never forgotten. He didn't know where he was going, he didn't know where he was when he got there, and he did it all on borrowed money.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs and BN added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Original BN [B660] crossed out. Nothing replaces it.

Submission card located in pile marked To Be Classified.

Where learned: HOME ; Trompeter, Daniel

Keyword(s): AMERICAN ; Christopher Columbus ; Government ; Jest, Anecdote, Pun, Joke, Irony ; JOKE

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim

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Custom

Buddhists wear miniature images of buddha around their necks. When displaying the image of the Lord Buddha in the homes or elsewhere, the Thai are careful to place the image high enough so that no human can be at a higher level or walk above the image.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs and BN added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Original BN [F538] crossed out. Not replaced with anything.

Submission card was located in pile labeled To Be Classified

Where learned: WHILE STATIONED IN THAILAND ; Helferty, Dennis

Keyword(s): BUDDHA ; Buddhism ; CUSTOM ; ETHNIC ; RELIGION ; RELIGIOUS ; RELIGIOUS CUSTOM ; SYMBOL ; THAILAND

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Custom
BELIEF -- Use of Object Religious objects

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Custom

Greetings:

Offering salt and bread and flowers is a way of greeting a person who has arrived from a long trip. This custom is one which was performed commonly in S.E. Poland and in Ukraine many years ago (prior to WWI) at that time it was used to greet any traveler regardless of his social position. Now recently it is used only in greeting people like priests, bishops, government officials, etc.

Submitter comment:

Although informant mentioned that this custom is carried out in Europe, I myself have observed this several months ago when people in a Ukrainian church greeted a bishop which had just been released from prison by the Russians.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; 26516 PENNIE ; Holubka, Julia ; DEARBORN HEIGHTS

Keyword(s): CUSTOM ; FLOWERS ; GREETING ; POLAND ; Salt, Bread ; Social Class ; Ukraine

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

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Custom

Good Friday and Planting Custom:

Potatoe [sic] seeds should be planted, if at all possible, on Good Friday.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Original BN [F663] has been crossed out and replaced with F535

Where learned: HOME ; NEW YORK ; Hackett, Vincent ; LeRoy

Keyword(s): AGRICULTURE ; CUSTOM ; FARMING ; Good Friday ; HARVEST ; PLANT VEGETABLE ; POTATO ; Religious Holiday ; VEGETABLE

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535

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Prank

Fletcher Tube:

The Fletcher Tube us a non-existent piece of equipment. When freshmen are having problems in lab, you tell them that a Fletcher Tube will do the trick. They go to the stockroom to check one out and are laughed at.

Submitter comment:

Informant said that he pulled this gag while he was a graduate student.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CLASSROOM ; CHEMISTRY BUILDING ; Marcantonio, Arnold

Keyword(s): ACADEMIC JOKES ; Chemistry ; COLLEGE ; COLLEGE PRANK ; COLLEGE PRANK ; Entertainment ; Freshman ; Hazing ; JOKE ; Laboratory ; PRACTICAL JOKE ; Prank

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion

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Belief: Children's Song

STEP ON A LINE,
BREAK YOUR FATHER'S SPINE.
STEP ON A CRACK,
BREAK YOUR MOTHER'S BACK.
STEP ON A HOLE,
BREAK YOUR MOTHER'S SUGAR BOWL.

Submitter comment:

CHILDREN SING THIS SONG WHILE WALKING TO SCHOOL.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated on 12-01-2010 / Motifs and Keywords added by TRD

Where learned: UNKNOWN

Keyword(s): Back ; BELIEF ; CHILDHOOD ; CHILDREN ; Crack ; Domestic ; GAME ; Hole ; Line ; MOTHER ; RHYME ; SONG ; Spine ; Sugar ; SUPERSTITION ; VERSE

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief
BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness

Date learned: 01-21-1968

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Belief: Children's Song

(1) DON'T STEP ON A CRACK OR YOU'LL BREAK YOUR MOTHER'S BACK.
(2) IF YOU STEP ON A LINE YOUR MOTHER DRINKS WINE.

Submitter comment:

MY BLACK NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOORS TOLD ME THESE TALES WHEN I WAS A KID.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated on 12-01-2010 / Motifs and Keywords added by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FRANKLIN VILLAGE

Keyword(s): ALCOHOL ; Back ; BELIEF ; CHILDHOOD ; CHILDREN ; Crack ; GAME ; Line ; MOTHER ; RHYME ; SONG ; Spine ; SUPERSTITION ; VERSE ; Wine

James Callow Keyword(s): NEGRO

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

Date learned: 00001960S

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Belief: Children's Song

WHEN WALKING DOWN THE STREET SOME CHILDREN WILL CAREFULLY WATCH
WHERE THEY STEP AND SAY, "IF YOU STEP ON A CRACK YOUR MOTHER'S
GOT A BROKEN BACK, AND IF YOU STEP ON A LINE YOUR FATHER DRINKS
WINE.

Submitter comment:

I USED TO PLAY THIS GAME.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated on 12-01-2010 / Motifs and Keywords added by TRD

Keyword(s): ALCOHOL ; Back ; BELIEF ; CHILDHOOD ; CHILDREN ; Crack ; Father ; GAME ; Line ; MOTHER ; RHYME ; SONG ; Spine ; SUPERSTITION ; VERSE ; Wine

James Callow Keyword(s): COUNTING

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse C750.520
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Custom Festival C840.533
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief

Date learned: 00001958-00001966

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Belief: Luck

If a ship has thirteen letters in its name the ship is doomed.

Submitter comment:

Read this in a book of sea lore.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Minor grammatical correction to submission card: changing had to has

Original BN [P880] crossed out and replaced with P686

Where learned: DORM ROOM ; BOOK ; Jones, Michael

Keyword(s): Boat ; Lore ; NAME ; Nautical ; NUMBERS ; NUMEROLOGY ; Ocean ; Sailor ; SEA ; Ship ; Vessel

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Number

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Belief: Weather

Red Sky in morning, sailors take warning, Red sky in evening, sailors' delight.

Submitter comment:

Believed-Usually holds true in our area.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Original BN [P890 880 800] crossed out and replaced with C880.462

Where learned: Wittig, Mary L

Keyword(s): COLOR ; NATURE ; Nautical ; Ocean ; PREDICTING WEATHER ; Sailor ; Sky ; WARNING ; WEATHER

James Callow Keyword(s): WEATHER

Subject headings: -- .C860462
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb
BELIEF -- Weather sign or control

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Belief: Weather

RED SKY IN NIGHTM SAILOR'S DELIGHT;
RED SKY IN MORNING, SAILOR'S TAKE WARNING.

Submitter comment:

THIS VERSE MEANS-IT WILL BE BREEZY, AND CLEAR TOMMORROW IF THE SKY
IS RED AT SUNSET, AND THE DAY WILL BE OVERCAST AND UNPREDICTABLE
IF THE MORNING SKY IS RED.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MAYFIELD

Keyword(s): COLOR ; NATURE ; Nautical ; Ocean ; PREDICTING WEATHER ; Sailor ; Sky ; WARNING ; WEATHER

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief
BELIEF -- Weather sign or control

Date learned: 00001970S

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Belief: Weather

RED SKY AT NIGHT, SAILORS DELIGHT,
RED SKY IN MORNING, SAILORS TAKE WARNING.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE

Keyword(s): COLOR ; NATURE ; Nautical ; Ocean ; PREDICTING WEATHER ; Sailor ; Sky ; WARNING ; WEATHER

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief
BELIEF -- Weather sign or control

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Belief: Weather

RED SKY AT NIGHT SAILOR'S DELIGHT. RED SKY IN MORNING, SAILORS
TAKE WARNING.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE

Keyword(s): COLOR ; NATURE ; Nautical ; Ocean ; PREDICTING WEATHER ; Sailor ; Sky ; WARNING ; WEATHER

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief
BELIEF -- Weather sign or control

Date learned: 02-00-1979

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Belief: Weather

RED SKY IN MORNING, SAILOR'S WARNING
RED SKY AT NIGHT, SAILOR'S DELIGHT

Submitter comment:

TAUGHT TO ME WHEN I WAS A KID.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS

Keyword(s): COLOR ; NATURE ; Nautical ; Ocean ; PREDICTING WEATHER ; Sailor ; Sky ; WARNING ; WEATHER

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief C860.891
BELIEF -- Weather sign or control
BELIEF -- Sign or prediction through Natural atmospheric phenomenon

Date learned: 11-23-1979

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Belief: Weather

RED SKY IN MORNING,
SAILORS TAKE WARNING.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): COLOR ; NATURE ; Nautical ; Ocean ; PREDICTING WEATHER ; Sailor ; Sky ; WARNING ; WEATHER

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief
BELIEF -- Weather sign or control

Date learned: 11-00-1968

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Belief: Weather

A RED SKY AT NIGHT
IS A SAILOR'S DELIGHT.
A RED SKY IN MORNING
MAKES A SAILOR TAKE WARNING.

Submitter comment:

THIS WAS TAUGHT TO ME BY MY MOTHER. I HAVE FOUND THAT IT IS USUALLY
TRUE.
COLOR

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Ortonville

Keyword(s): COLOR ; NATURE ; Nautical ; Ocean ; PREDICTING WEATHER ; Sailor ; Sky ; WARNING ; WEATHER

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief
BELIEF -- Weather sign or control

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Belief: Weather

RED SKY IN MORNING,
SAILORS TAKE WARNING.
RED SKY AT NIGHT,
SAILOR'S DELIGHT.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs Added by TRD

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE

Keyword(s): COLOR ; NATURE ; Nautical ; Ocean ; PREDICTING WEATHER ; Sailor ; Sky ; WARNING ; WEATHER

Subject headings: -- .C860462
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief
BELIEF -- Weather sign or control

Date learned: 00-00-1973

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Belief: Weather

RED SKY IN MORNING, SAILORS TAKE WARNING.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE

Keyword(s): COLOR ; NATURE ; Nautical ; Ocean ; PREDICTING WEATHER ; Sailor ; Sky ; WARNING ; WEATHER

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief C860.890
BELIEF -- Weather sign or control

Date learned: 09-17-1973

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BELIEF: WEATHER

RED SKY AT NIGHT, SAILOR'S DELIGHT.
RED SKY IN MORNING, SAILOR'S WARNING.

Submitter comment:

RED SKY AT NIGHT MEANS FAIR WEATHER THE NEXT DAY, BUT A RED SKY IN
THE MORNING INDICATES BAD WEATHER FOR THAT DAY.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; GREENEVILLE

Keyword(s): COLOR ; NATURE ; Nautical ; Ocean ; PREDICTING WEATHER ; Sailor ; Sky ; WARNING ; WEATHER

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief
BELIEF -- Weather sign or control

Date learned: 02-27-1969

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Ethnic:Polish Superstition

If you sing at the table you'll marry a crazy husband.

Submitter comment:

I distinctly recall hearing this in a Polish Verse form but I can't find anyone else who recalls it.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Original BN [P800] crossed out and replaced with P88o. The numbers 880 are crossed out and replaced with 477.

Various grammatical correction symbols.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Mroz, Stella

Keyword(s): CUSTOM ; ETHNIC ; HUSBAND ; MANNERS ; Omen, Singing ; POLISH ; SUPERSTITION ; TABLE MANNERS

Subject headings: Observation
BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal

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