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SEE MY FINGER, SEE MY THUMB,
SEE MY FIST, YOU BETTER RUN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BULLY ; DIALECT ; ELLIPSIS, SURPRISE ENDING ; METER: ANAPESTIC ; MONOLOGUE UNDERSTATEMENT FIGHTING ; RHYME: MASCULINE ; THREAT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
SCARE
SEE MY FINGER, SEE MY THUMB,
SEE MY FIST, YOU BETTER RUN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
Keyword(s): BULLY ; ELLIPSIS, SURPRISE ENDING ; METER: ANAPESTIC ; MONOLOGUE UNDERSTATEMENT DIALECT FIGHTING ; RHYME: MASCULINE ; THREAT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
THE GREEN MAN
THERE WAS A MAN WHO USED TO WORK FOR ONE OF THE POWER COMPANIES
IN PITTSBURGH. IT SEEMS THAT ONE DAY HE HAD AN ACCIDENT WITH A HIGH
TENSION WIRE AND WAS HORRIBLY DISFUGURED. THE SHOCK TURNED
HIS SKIN A GREEN COLOR AND GREATLY DISTORTED HIS FACE.
THIS MAN NOW LIVES BY HIMSELF IN A RAMSHACKLE HOUSE OUT IN
SOUTH PARK. HE IS KNOWN TO SCARE CHILDREN AND CHASE ANYONE
WHO GOES NEAR HIS PLACE AWAY. PEOPLE BELIEVE THAT THERE IS
SOMETHING WEIRD ABOUT HIM. TONY HAS NEVER SEEN THE MAN
BUT APPARENTLY HIS EXISTENCE IS ACCEPTED AS A FACT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): DISFIGUREMENT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Physically handicapped Deformed BELIEF -- Body part Senses Head, physiognomy, face |
Date learned: 11-08-1968
CUSTOM
THIS IS A SCOTCH HARVEST CUSTOM KNOWN AS THE "OLD WOMAN." THE
FIRST FARMER WHO COMPLETES HIS HARVESTING MAKES AN "OLD WOMAN" OUT
OF THE LOOSE CORN CUT. THIS FIGURE IS PASSED TO EACH FARMER. THE
LAST FARMER TO COMPLETE HIS HARVESTING MUST KEEP THE FIGURE TILL
THE FOLLOWING YEAR. THE FIGURE IS CARRIED ON A CART BY THE FARMERS.
Where learned: RESIDENCE
Keyword(s): EFFIGY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Work Commerce Business CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Autumn Fall Harvest Thanksgiving BELIEF -- Number |
Date learned: DATE NOT GIVEN BY COLLECTOR
ADAM SONG
CHORUS
THE S STANDS FOR SIGMA, THE P FOR P-I, PI.
THE S STANDS FOR SIGMA, THE P FOR P-I, PI.
AND IF YOU LOOK AROUND YOU, OR GAZE INTO THE SKY.
YOU WILL SEE THAT NAUGHT IS WRITTEN, BUT THE NAME OF SIGMA PI.
ADAM WAS THE FIRST MAN TO WEAR A SIG PI PIN,
NOAH WAS THE SECOND, THEY HAD TO LET HIM IN,
MOSES WAS THE THIRD ONE, WE HAD A LOT OF FUN,
WHEN JULIUS CAESAR CAME ALONG, THEY PLEDGED THE SON OF A GUN.
CHORUS
HE RAMBLED DOWN TO U. OF D., HE THOUGHT HE'D JOIN A FRAT,
HE THOUGHT HE'D TAKE A LOOK AROUND TO SEE WHERE HE WAS AT.
BECAUSE HE WAS A FELLOW WE KNEW HE'D BE ALL RIGHT,
THE COLORS THAT HE WORE NEXT DAY WERE LAVENDER AND WHITE.
CHORUS
HE RAMBLED DOWN TO U OF D., HE THOUGHT HE'D JOIN A FRAT,
HE THOUGHT HE'D TAKE A LOOK AROUND TO SEE WHERE HE WAS AT.
BECAUSE HE WAS A FELLOW WE KNEW HE': BE ALL RIGHT,
THE COLORS THAT HE WORE NEXT DAY WERE LAVENDER AND WHITE.
CHORUS
HE RAMBLED UP TO HEAVEN TO SEE WHO ALL WAS THERE,
HE FOUND A BUNCH A-HANGING AROUND THE FOOT OF THE GOLDEN STAIRS,
SOME WERE SMOKING CIGARETTES, THEY ALL WERE FEELING HIGH,
THEY ALL WERE DAMN GOOD FRIENDS OF HIS, THEY ALL WERE SIGMA PI'S.
CHORUS
HE RAMBLED DOWN TO HADES TO SEE THE POOR LOST SOULS,
HE FOUND A BUNCH OF THETA XI'S A-ROASTING ON THE COALS,
FOR THE TEKES AMD THEATA TAUS THE SIZZLE HAD BEGUN,
WHILE SIGMA PI'S IN VELVET CHAIRS WERE WATCHING ALL THE FUN.
CHORUS
THEN IN CAME OLD BEELZEBUB, OF HELL HE WAS THE KING;
AND ALL THE LITTLE IMPS CAME IN AND THEY BEGAN TO SING.
THEY SAW THE GANG GIVE HIM A GRIP, AND THEN THEY HEARD THE CRY.
THAT HE'S A CHARTER MENBER AND A DAMN GOOD SIGMA PI.
CHORUS
NOW DON'T BE DISCONCERTED IF YOU MISS THE NARROW PATH.
OR IF YOU FLUNK YOUR MORALS LIKE YOU USED TO FLUNK YOUR MATH,
AND DON'T BE DISCONCERTED WHEN YOU HEAR THE FUNERAL KNELL,
FOR WE HAVE A STRONG ALUMNI IN THE VERY DEPTHS OF HELL.
CHORUS
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; DORM ROOM
Keyword(s): BIBLICAL FIGURES ; FRATERNITY SONG
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Social reunion Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Religious |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR.
RIDDLE
WHAT IS THE GREATEST BUS IN THE WORLD?
COLUMBUS
Where learned: SAINT LEONARD SCHOOL ; DETROIT, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): HISTORICAL ; NAME HISTORICAL FIGURE
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
SEPERATION OF FRIENDS
IF YOU ARE WALKING DOWN THE STREET WITH SOMEONE AND YOU SEPERATE
TO GO AROUND A POLE OR OBSTACLE, YOU ARE GOING TO FIGHT.
Submitter comment: COULDN'T REMEMBER WHERE SHE HAD LEARNED THIS.
Data entry tech comment:
THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME AND A FRIEND OF MINE WHO IS NO LONGER
SPEAKING TO ME BECAUSE OF A FIGHT. WE WERE SEPERATED BY A PARKED
CAR, AND THIS COULD BE ATTRIBUTED TO THE CAUSE OF OUR FIGHT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; 19792 STOUT
Keyword(s): FIGHTS
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
GRAY DUCK
CIRCLE FORMATION. THE CHILD WHO IS "IT" WALKS
AROUND THE OUTSIDE OF THE CIRCLE. THE CHILDREN HE
TAPS (TO THEM) HE SAYS "DUCK, DUCK, GRAY DUCK."
WHEN HE TOUCHES THE CHILD AND SAYS "GRAY DUCK" HE
STARTS TO RUN AND THE CHILD TAGGED FOLLOWS, TRYING
TO CATCH HIM. IF THE CAUGHT CHILD DOES NOT GET
BACK TO HIS SPOT IN THE CIRCLE IN TIME, HE MUST
SQUAT LIKE A DUCK IN THE CENTER OF THE CIRCLE AND
THE GAME CONTINUES TILL ALL THE DUCKS ARE SQUATTING.
Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM KINDERGARDEN CHILDREN.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
James Callow Keyword(s): COLOR: GRAY ; CONFIGURATION: CIRCLE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Racing Chasing Fighting SPEECH -- Onomatopoeia |
Date learned: 12-05-1966
DUCK, DUCK, GRAY DUCK
ALL CHILDREN (SQUAT POSITION) ARE IN A CIRCLE. ONE
PERSON WALKS ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE CIRCLE AND TAPS
EACH ONE ON THE HEAD, SAYING, "DUCK" ON EACH ONE.
WHEN HE HITS A HEAD AND SAYS "GRAY DUCK" THAT PERSON
MUST CHASE THE TAPPER. THE TAPPER MUST GET TO THE
OTHER CHILD'S POSITION IN THE CIRCLE AND SQUAT
BEFORE HE IS CAUGHT. IF HE IS CAUGHT, HE NOW TAKES
THE PLACE OF THE ONE OUTSIDE THE CIRCLE AND THE GAME
CONTINUES.
James Callow Keyword(s): COLOR: GRAY ; CONFIGURATION: CIRCLE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Racing Chasing Fighting |
Date learned: 00001964-1965
DRINKING GAME
THUMPER: A GAME PLAYED BY FOUR OR MORE AT A PARTY.
EVERYONE FORMS A CIRCLE, EACH PLAYER PICKS SOME
KIND OF A MANUAL SIGNAL TO BE HIS OWN. STARTER BEGINS
GAME BY CLLING OUT, "WHAT'S THE NAME OF THE GAME?"
THE REST ANSWER, "THUMPER!" EVERYONE IS ALSO BEATING
ON THE FLOOR WITH THEIR HANDS. THE STARTER THEN GIVES
HIS SIGNAL FOLLOWED BY THAT OF ANOTHER PLAYER. THE
OTHER PLAYER MUST CATCH HIS SIGNAL, DO IT, AND THEN
GIVE SOMEONE ELSE'S. THE FIRST TO MISS MUST CHUG
A BEER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): CONFIGURATION: CIRCLE ; DIALOGUE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Memory |
Date learned: 03-00-1970
BUZZ
BUZZ IS A COUNTING GAME. THE PEOPLE PLAYING SIT IN
A CIRCLE AND COUNT OFF. THE NUMBERS CONTINUE TO
LARGE NUMBERS AND THE PLAING STOPS ONLY WHEN
SOMEONE MISSES. SEVEN AND MULTIPLES OF SEVEN ARE
REPLACED BY THE WORD BUZZ. EXAMPLE: ONE, TWO, THREE,
FOUR, FIVE, SIX, BUZZ, EIGHT, NINE, TEN, ETC.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): CONFIGURATION: CIRCLE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Memory |
Date learned: 01-23-1971
SAY "BREAD AND BUTTER" WHEN AN OBJECT COMES BETWEEN YOU
AND YOUR COMPANION OR YOU WILL HAVE AN ARGUMENT.
Where learned: MISSOURI ; KANSAS CITY
James Callow Keyword(s): FIGHT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Sign or prediction through Human condition and activities SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 00001950'S
JOHNNY APPLESEED
JOHNNY APPLESEED WAS TO HAVE STAYED OVERNIGHT AT
THEIR FARM HOUSE. FOR LETTING HIM SLEEP THERE, HE
PLANTED AN APPLE TREE IN THEIR FRONT YARD. WHICH IS
STILL THERE TODAY.
Submitter comment:
DERBY'S FARM HOUSE HAS BEEN HANDED DOWN TO THEM FROM
PAST GENERATIONS. IT IS LOCATED ABOUT TWO MILES
NORTHEAST FROM CARSONVILLE, MICHIGAN
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; CARSONVILLE ; 2 MILES NORTHEAST
Keyword(s): LEGENDARY FIGURE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero |
JOHNNY APPLESEED
JOHNNY APPLESEED WAS TO HAVE STAYED OVERNIGHT AT
THEIR FARM HOUSE. FOR LETTING HIM SLEEP THERE, HE
PLANTED AN APPLE TREE IN THEIR FRONT YARD. WHICH IS
STILL THERE TODAY.
Submitter comment:
DERBY'S FARM HOUSE HAS BEEN HANDED DOWN TO THEM FROM
PAST GENERATIONS. IT IS LOCATED ABOUT TWO MILES
NORTHEAST FROM CARSONVILLE, MICHIGAN
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; CARSONVILLE ; 2 MILES NORTHEAST
Keyword(s): LEGENDARY FIGURE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero |
Date learned: 05-00-1963
Custom/Belief
Craving of Pregnant Woman:
If a pregnant woman has a craving for something and does not get it, the baby will have a birthmark resembling the food that was craved.
Submitter comment:
Informant is a friend's mother, and she remembers this from all her life.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Reference
Original BN [P800] crossed out. Replaced with current classification
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE ; Kantz, Mrs Robert
Keyword(s): BABY ; Birthmark ; Craving ; Craving ; Disfigure ; FOOD ; Lore ; Old Wives Tale ; PREGNANCY
James Callow Keyword(s): Reference
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Birth |
Belief: Animal
Warts/Toads:
This is the belief that a person gets warts on his hands from handling toads.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [P740] crossed out. Replaced with current classification.
Where learned: HOME ; Phillip, Philip J Jr
Keyword(s): AMPHIBIAN ; ANIMAL ; BELIEF ; CURSE ; Disfigure ; SUPERSTITION ; Toad ; Toads ; Wart
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Animal |
Belief: Animal
Cause for Warts:
If you touch a frog or a toad, you will get warts.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [P400] crossed out. Replaced with P440
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Balous, Dorothy
Keyword(s): AMPHIBIAN ; ANIMAL ; BELIEF ; CURSE ; Disfigure ; FROG ; SUPERSTITION ; Toad ; Warts
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Animal |
Belief: Animal
Toads give warts.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [P600] crossed out. Replaced with current classification
Where learned: UNKNOWN
Keyword(s): Amphibians ; ANIMALS ; BELIEF ; CURSE ; Disfigure ; SUPERSTITION ; Toads ; Wart
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Animal |
Belief: Animal
Some people believe that handling toads will give a person warts.
Submitter comment:
I do not believe this statement
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [P740] is crossed out. Replaced with current classification
Where learned: UNKNOWN
Keyword(s): AMPHIBIAN ; ANIMAL ; BELIEF ; CURSE ; Disfigure ; SUPERSTITION ; Toad ; Wart
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Animal |
Belief: Animal
If you touch a frog, it will cause warts.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [P870] crossed out. Replaced with current classification
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM ; Glaser, Grace ; 32020 SHERIDAN DR
Keyword(s): AMPHIBIAN ; ANIMAL ; BELIEF ; Disfigure ; FROG ; SUPERSTITION ; Wart ; Warts
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Animal |