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ORIGIN OF THE JACK O LANTERN
A BOY NAMED JACK WANTED TO GO TO HEAVEN, BUT HIS CONSCIENCE
WOULD NOT LET HIM. SO JACK WANTED TO GET INTO HELL, BUT SINCE
HE PLAYED TRICKS AND JOKES, THE DEVIL WOULD NOT LET HIM IN.
SO JACK HAD TO ROAM THE EARTH FOR ALL TIME, CARRYING
A LANTERN. THEREFORE PEOPLE HAVE CALLED HIM, JACK O' LANTERN.
Data entry tech comment:
A-T 330 THE SMITH OUTWITS THE DEVIL
MT[ A2817 ORIGIN OF WILL-OF-THE-WISP (JACK-O'-LANTERN)
CK[ IGNUS FATUUS ; JACK-O'-LANTERN IS NAME FOR HOLLOWEEN PUMPKIN
WL[ ALPENA, MICHIGAN
****************** NEW D FILE 2 ******************
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALPENA
James Callow Keyword(s): IGNUS FATUUS ; JACK-O'-LANTERN IS NAME FOR HOLLOWEEN PUMPKIN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- October 31 Halloween BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 10-04-1970
CUSTOMS
CIGARS: IF YOU ARE EITHER NEWLY PROMOTED OR A NEW FATHER, YOU
DISTRIBUTE CIGARS TO ALL OFFICERS.
Where learned: NOT INCLUDED
Keyword(s): MILITARY ; PROMOTION, NEW FATHER
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Work Commerce Business CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- Number |
THE SCORPION IN THE HAIRDO
IT'S WRONG FOR GIRLS TO WEAR LARGE, RATTED HAIRDOS.
RECENTLY IN CALIFORNIA,A TEENAGE GIRL DIED, APPARENTLY WITHOUT CAUSE.
BUT THEY FOUND THAT SHE HAD BEEN WEARING THE SAME HAIRDO
FOR SIX MONTHS.
IT HAD GOTTEN SO DIRTY THAT A SCORPION GOT IN IT
AND MADE HIS NEST THERE
AND FINALLY HE BIT HER, AND SHE DIED.
Submitter comment: (I THINK SISTER REALLY BELIEVED THIS STORY.)
Where learned: 3RD OR 4TH GRADE CLASS
Keyword(s): FATAL HAIRDO ; SCORPION
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hair, on head, mustache, widow's peak |
LOVE MAKING
IT WAS MIDNIGHT ON THE BACK PORCH
TWO LIPS WERE TIGHTLY PRESSED
THE OLD_MAN GAVE THE SIGNAL
THE BULL DOG DID THE REST.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA
Keyword(s): EUPHEMISM ; KISSING ; RHYME: ABCB ; SLANG FOR FATHER
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
Date learned: 09-12-1965
SPIDER IN HAIR
A TEENAGE GIRL RATTED HER HAIR AND DIDN'T COMB IT OUT FOR TWO WEEKS.
SHE DIED SUDDENLY. AN AUTOPSY HAD TO BE PERFORMED TO DETERMINE THE
CAUSE OF DEATH. THEY FOUND THAT SPIDERS HAD MADE THEIR HOME IN HER
HAIR AND HAD EATEN THEIR WAY INTO HER BRAIN.
Submitter comment: HEARD SEVERAL TIMES ON U-D CAMPUS.
Where learned: DETROIT
Keyword(s): DEATH INSECT LAZINESS ; FATAL HAIRDO
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Body part Senses |
SPIDER LADY
A GIRL WAS GOING TO A BIG PARTY AND HAD HER HAIR DONE AT A SALON.
IT WAS FIXED IN A BEEHIVE WITH LOTS AND LOTS OF HAIRSPRAY. SHE LIKED
IT SO WELL THAT EVERYDAY SHE JUST PUT A LITTLE MORE SPRAY ON AND
NEVER TOOK IT DOWN OR WASHED IT. ONE DAY SHE SCRATCHED HER HEAD AND
BLOOD TRICKLED DOWN. SHE WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL WHEREUPON
EXAMINATION IT WAS REVEALED ANTS HAD COLONIZED IN HER HAIR.
Where learned: DETROIT
Keyword(s): FATAL HAIRDO ; INSECT HAIRDO
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Body part Senses |
Date learned: 02-20-1968
NURSERY RHYME
AS I WALKED BY MYSELF AND TALKED TO MYSELF
MYSELF SAID UNTO ME, LOOK TO THYSELF, TAKE CARE OF THYSELF,
FOR NOBODY CARES FOR THEE. I ANSWERED MYSELF,
AND SAID TO MYSELF IN THE SAME REPARTEE, LOOK TO THYSELF,
OR NOT TO THYSELF, THE SELF-SAME THING WILL BE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): FATE ; MONOLOGUE AS DIALOGUE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 00-00-1964
THE DRESS.
A GIRL, PRESUMABLY A RELATIVE OF A FRIEND OR CLASSMATE, BOUGHT A
DRESS FOR A HIGH SCHOOL PROM. WHILE WEARING THE DRESS, SHE BECAME
VIOLENTLY ILL AND DIED LATER AT A LOCAL HOSPITAL. UPON INVESTIGATION
IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE DRESS HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY PURCHASED
FROM THE STORE AND RETURNED. THE FIRST " OWNER " WAS A GIRL OF
THE SAME AGE WHO WORE THE DRESS TO BE LAID OUT BEFORE HER FUNERAL
IT WAS THE EMBALMING FLUID WHICH CAUSED THE SECOND OWNER'S DEATH.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO
Keyword(s): FATAL DRESS. ; THE POISONED DRESS. TY Z551 IN BAUGHMAN
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: CA00001965
Superstition: Baseball
WHEN THE PITCHER HAS A NO-HITTER GOING IN A BASEBALL GAME IT IS BAD
LUCK TO MENTION THIS FACT UNTIL THE GAME IS OVER. IF YOU DO MENTION
IT THE PITCHER WILL LOSE HIS NO-HITTER. DURING THE 1979 DETROIT
TIGERS BASEBALL SEASON DAVE ROZEMA HAD A NO-HITTER GOING IN THE
SEVENTH INNING AND THE UN-BASEBALL-WISE CHANNEL FOUR TV ANNOUNCER
MIKE BARRY ANNOUNCED THIS AND SURE ENOUGH THE NEXT BATTER GOT A
HOMERUN. THE OTHER TV ANNOUNCERS, FORMER BASEBALL PLAYERS AL KALINE
AND GEORGE SWELL, ALMOST THREW BARRY OUT OF THEIR THIRD-DECK BOOTH.
ANYBODY THAT KNOWS ANYTHING ABOUT BASEBALL KNOWS YOU ARE NOT SUPPOSE
TO MENTION A NO-HITTER AND BARRY SAID IT IN FRONT OF A QUARTER
MILLION PERSON TV AUDIENCE.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
Keyword(s): BAD LUCK ; BASEBALL ; BASEBALL STADIUM ; CHANCE ; CUSTOM ; Fan ; FATE ; jinx ; LUCK ; No-Hitter ; Shutout ; SPORTS ; SUPERSTITION
James Callow Keyword(s): SPEAKING TABU
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 11-23-1979
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
PROVERBIAL
...I FEEL AS IF I'D BEEN DRAWN THROUGH A KNOTHOLE...
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TRAVERSE CITY ; 49684 ; 240 WASHINGTON ST
Keyword(s): FATIGUE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase |
Date learned: 03-29-1970
Content filter on this entry.
Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.
DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE ALCOHOLIC SOLDIER IN
VIETNAM SUFFERING FROM BOTTLE FATIGUE?
Where learned: Vietnam
James Callow Keyword(s): BATTLE FATIGUE PUN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Stupid man or woman |
Date learned: 10-30-1967
THE FATAL HAIRDO
WHEN THE BUBBLE HAIR DO FIRST BECAME POPULAR MY MOTHER IN LAW
WAS GETTING HER HAIR DONE REGULARLY FROM AN UNLICENSED BEAUTY
OPERATOR IN A HOME BASEMENT. ONE DAY SHE CAME HOME WITH THE FOLLOWING
STORY WHICH THE BEAUTY OPERATOR TOLD HER HAPPENED TO THE NIECE OF ONE
OF HER CUSTOMERS. THIS GIRL GOT A BUBBLE TYPE HAIRDO AND HAD IT
RATTED SO HIGH THAT SHE DIDN'T WANT TO WASH IT LEST IT LOSE ITS
TEXTURE. A LONG PERIOD OF TIME WENT BY (I'VE HEARD FROM TWO WEEKS TO
TWO MONTHS) AND SHE BECAME ILL. THE DOCTORS FINALLY EXAMINED HER
BUT IT WAS TOO LATE. A NEST OF SPIDERS HAD DEVELOPED IN HER HAIR
AND THEY HAD BURROWED INTO HER SKULL, CAUSING AN INFECTION WHICH
RESULTED IN BLOOD POISONING. SINCE THE INFECTION WAS SO CLOSE TO THE
BRAIN THERE WAS NOTHING THE DOCTORS COULD DO AND THE GIRL DIED.
Data entry tech comment: THERE ARE TWO OTHER STORIES LIKE THIS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): THE FATAL HAIRDO
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Body part Senses |
Date learned: 00-00-1960
THE GARRISH RAILROAD
COME ALL YOU THAT FOLLOW LUMBERING, OH GOD IT'S ALL FOR GAIN
AND THINK OF YOUR DEAD COMRADE, WHO LIES SLEEPING IN HIS GRAVE.
FOR HE WAS THE NOBLEST YOUNG MAN, CUT DOWN IN ALL HIS BLOOM.
'TWAS ON THE GARRISH RAILROAD, HE MET HIS FATAL DOOM. MM MM
'TWAS ON ONE THURSDAY MORNING, THE FOURTEENTH DAY OF JUNE.
THIS YOUNG MAN WHO WAS WITH US, WAS AS FRESH AS A ROSE IN
BLOOM.
IT WAS HIS WILL TO MAKE THIS FATAL RIDE, IN ANSWER TO GOD'S
CALL.
'TWAS BETWEEN TWO LOADED CARS OF LOGS, HE MET WITH HIS
FATAL FALL. MM MM
THOSE WHO WERE COMING BEHIND HIM, THEY SAW HIS CRUSHING FATE.
THEY HURRIED TO ASSIST HIM, BUT ALAS', THEY WERE TOO LATE.
WHEN THEY SAW HIS MANGLED BODY, IT STRUCK THEIR HEARTS WITH
FEAR.
AND THE LAST WORDS THAT HE UTTERED WERE, "OH, MY MOTHER DEAR." MM MM
TWO DOCTORS CALLED, THEY CAME IN HASTE, BUT IT WAS TO NO AVAIL
FOR GOD'S CALL CAME, IT WAS FULFILLED, ALL EARTHLY POWERS
MUST FAIL.
THEY WATCHED HIS HEAVY BREATHING, WHILE THE TEARS STOOD IN HIS
EYES
FOR THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO, POOR FELLOW HE MUST DIE. MM MM
THE LUMBER WAGON WAS HIS HEARSE, THE LUMBERING SOUND HIS KNELL.
LIKE HE, HIMSELF, WHO QUICKLY SIGHED, IT FLOURISHED AND SOON
DIED.
THE LOFTY PINES HIS MOURNERS WERE, WHILE THROUGH THEM SUNSHINE
PEEP.
THEY TRAIL LONG WITH THEIR COMRADE, TO HIS EVERLASTING SLEEP. MM MM
NO MOTHER'S CRIES NOR SIGHS WERE HEARD, NO SISTER'S TEARS WERE
SHED,
NO FATHER THERE TO SAY, "ALAS, AND NOW MY SON IS DEAD,"
NO FLOWERS SCATTERED ON HIS GRAVE, NO FUNERAL SERMON PRAYED,
NO TOMBSTONE THERE TO MARK THE PLACE, WHERE THIS LUMBERING
BOY WAS LAID. MM MM
THIS YOUNG MAN'S MOTHER, SHE WILL WAIT, HER SON'S COMING TO
APPEAR,
BUT SHE WILL WATCH AND WAIT IN VAIN, FOR FOOTSTEPS SHE WILL
NOT HEAR
UNTIL SHE GETS TO THAT FAIR LAND, WHERE TRUTH AND PEACE SHE'LL
SEE
TO REST IN PEACE AND HAPPINESS, THROUGH OUT ETERNITY. MM MM
NELSON SMITH WAS THE YOUNG MAN'S NAME, FROM CANADA HE CAME O'ER
TO MEET WITH HIS UNTIMELY DEATH, ALAS LIKE MANY MORE.
WE HOPE HE IS IN PARADISE, WHERE CALM HIS REST WILL BE
TO REST WITH GOD IN HAPPINESS, THROUGH OUT ETERNITY. MM MM
THIS SONG, THE GARRISH RAILROAD, HAPPENED TO A CANADIAN
BOY, AND MY GRANDFATHER, FRANK DAVIS, WAS THERE AND SAW IT
HAPPEN WHEN THE BOY WAS CRUSHED BETWEEN TWO CARS OF LOGS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HOUGHTON LAKE
James Callow Keyword(s): FATALISM
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- C230 |
Date learned: 00001930S
IN THE GRADUATE LIBRARY (AT U. OF M.), MOST OF THE STUDY
CARRELS HAVE WINDOWS NEXT TO THEM, BUT THERE IS THIS ONE
THAT HAS A DOOR WHERE THE WINDOW USUALLY IS, AND IT'S MISSING
ITS DOORKNOB. THE DOOR HAS BEEN SHUT LIKE THAT FOR ABOUT
THIRTY YEARS AND A BIG CONTROVERSIAL QUESTION HAS ARISEN:
"WHAT IS BEHIND THAT DOOR?" THE ANSWER THAT SATISFIES MOST
PEOPLE FOR GOOD IS "THE BONES OF THOSE WHO LOOKED." THE CAMPUS
MAY NEVER KNOW.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
James Callow Keyword(s): FATAL CURIOSITY ; HUMOR
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 10-00-1983
GHOST STORY
"ONE NIGHT WHEN MY BOYFRIEND WAS LITTLE, HE WAS LYING IN BED AND
HE SAW HIS CLOSET DOOR OPEN. IN HIS CLOSET STOOD HIS GRANDFATHER
(WHO LIVED IN ANOTHER STATE). HIS GRANDFATHER SAID, 'I'VE COME TO
SAY GOODBYE' AND DISAPPEARED. HE LOOKED AT HIS CLOCK AND DIS-
COVERED IN THE MORNING THAT HE HAD SAW HIS GRANDFATHER'S IMAGE
ONE MINUTE BEFORE HE HAD DIED."
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SAID THAT TO THIS DAY HER BOYFRIEND IS AFRAID OF
CLOSETS.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; ROCHESTER
Keyword(s): DEAD GRANDFATHER
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 00001979CA
RIDDLE
WHAT RELATION IS A DOOR TO A MAT?
A STEP-FATHER. A STEP FA(R)THER. A STEP FURTHER
Submitter comment:
A STEP FARTHER
A STEP FURTHER
Where learned: NEW YORK CITY ; NEW YORK
James Callow Keyword(s): STEPFATHER
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: 05-00-1990
IN THE INCREASE OF THE MOON, CRACKLING(S) WILL NOT COOK OUT
GOOD, BUT IN THE DECREASE THEY WILL COOK OUT GOOD. IF YOU
DON'T KILL HOGS AT THE RIGHT TIME, THE CRACKLING(S) WILL BE
PUFFY AND YOU CAN'T COOK THE GREASE OUT.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; PULASKI
Keyword(s): HOG FAT PIG FAT
Date learned: 08-11-1968
WHEN ST. NICHOLAS WAS A YOUNG BOY, HIS PARENTS DIED.
THEY WERE QUITE RICH AND HE INHERITED THIS WEALTH.
ALSO AT THIS TIME, A DOWRY WAS NECESSARY IN ORDER FOR A
GIRL TO MARRY. ONE NIGHT, WHILE HE WAS WALKING HOME,
HE HEARD A GIRL CRYING BECAUSE SHE HAD NO DOWRY.
THE FATHER OF THIS GIRL HAD TWO OTHER DAUGHTERS. A
FEW NIGHTS LATER, NICHOLAS LEFT A SACK OF GOLD ON THE
FAMILY'S DOORSTEP. HE DID THIS FOR TWO MORE NIGHTS.
THUS, THERE WAS A DOWRY FOR EACH OF THE DAUGHTERS.
ON THE THIRD NIGHT, THE GIRLS' FATHER WAS AWAKE AND
SAW NICHOLAS LEAVE THE SACKS. UPON QUESTIONING,
NICHOLAS SAID THAT HE HAD NO USE FOR THE GOLD. NICHOLAS
WANTED THE WHOLE THING KEPT A SECRET, BUT WORD SPREAD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FATHER CHRISTMAS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 03-14-1972
BURIED IN THE SAND
SOME BOYS DECIDED TO PULL A JOKE ON A FRIEND AT THE
BEACH AND GAVE HIM SOME SLEEPING PILLS IN A DRINK TO
PUT HIM TO SLEEP. THEN THEY BURIED HIM IN THE SAND
AND PUT RAGS OVER HIS FACE SO THAT HE COULD BREATH.
LATER, THEY RETURNED AND THE WAVES HAD REARRANGED
THE SAND AND THEY COULDN'T FIND THEIR FRIEND. THEY
LOOKED AND LOOKED, BUT HE COULDN'T BE FOUND AND
THEY SAY HE'S STILL THERE SOMEWHERE.
Where learned: BOSTON ; Massachusetts
James Callow Keyword(s): FATAL PRANK
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 10-00-1967