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The James T. Callow Computerized Folkore Archive | University of Detroit Mercy Libraries Back to Top
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MULTIPLYING TECHNIQUE

THERE IS A WAY OF MULTIPLYING BY NINES ON YOUR HANDS.
ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS HOLD UP YOUR TEN FINGERS AND PICK THE NUMBER
THAT YOU WANT TO MULTIPLY NINE BY AND THEN YOU PUSH DOWN THAT FINGER.
FOR EXAMPLE, IF YOU WANT TO MULTIPLY NINE BY THREE YOU WOULD PUT
DOWN YOUR THIRD FINGER.
ON ONE SIDE OF THIS THIRD FINGER YOU WOULD HAVE TWO FINGERS HELD
UP, ON THE OTHER SIDE YOU WOULD HAVE SEVEN FINGERS HELD UP,
THEREFORE YOUR ANSWER WOULD BE TWENTY-SEVEN.

Data entry tech comment:

Uodated by TRD on 10.11.13

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HUNTINGTON WOODS

Keyword(s): Arithmetic, Mathematics, Multiplication, Trick, Memory, Aid, Learning, Tool, Fingers,

James Callow Keyword(s): MULTIPLICATION ON FINGERS

Subject headings: 686 686.1.9
Favorites
BELIEF -- Body part Senses
BELIEF -- Number P686.3.9
SPEECH -- Gesture

Date learned: 02-22-1979

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IF YOU SAY THE EXACT THING AT THE SAME TIME, YOU HOLD
PINKIES WITH EACH OTHER AND MAKE A WISH BEFORE SAYING
ANOTHER WORD AND YOUR WISH WILL COME TRUE.

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE

James Callow Keyword(s): METONYMY: PINKIES FOR LITTLE FINGERS

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Prayer
SPEECH -- Gesture

Date learned: 10-13-1973

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YELLOW FINGER

ONCE UPON A TIME THERE WAS A CASTLE THAT WAS GUARDED BY
A HUGE YELLOW FINGER, WHO WOULDN'T LET ANYONE PASS
THE KING FROM A RIVALING CASTLE SENT ONE OF HIS BRAVEST
KNIGHTS TO GET BY THE FINGER, BUT THE FINGER KILLED HIM.
SO THE KING SENT A DUKE, BUT HE, TOO, WAS KILLED. THEN
THE KING SENT ONE OF HIS PAGES. HE JUST WALKED RIGHT
THROUGH.
MORAL: LET YOUR PAGES DO THE WALKING THROUGH THE YELLOW
FINGER.

Submitter comment: IT SEEMS TO ME THERE WAS SLIGHTLY MORE BUILD-UP ON THIS
STORY, BUT I CAN'T REMEMBER IT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): PUN ON TELEVISION ADVERTISEMENT: LET YOUR FINGERS DO THE

Subject headings: 6677 Formula Tale

Date learned: 11-18-1968

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YELLOW FINGER

ONCE UPON A TIME THERE WAS A CASTLE THAT WAS GUARDED BY
A HUGE YELLOW FINGER, WHO WOULDN'T LET ANYONE PASS
THE KING FROM A RIVALING CASTLE SENT ONE OF HIS BRAVEST
KNIGHTS TO GET BY THE FINGER, BUT THE FINGER KILLED HIM.
SO THE KING SENT A DUKE, BUT HE, TOO, WAS KILLED. THEN
THE KING SENT ONE OF HIS PAGES. HE JUST WALKED RIGHT
THROUGH.
MORAL: LET YOUR PAGES DO THE WALKING THROUGH THE YELLOW
FINGER.

Submitter comment: IT SEEMS TO ME THERE WAS SLIGHTLY MORE BUILD-UP ON THIS
STORY, BUT I CAN'T REMEMBER IT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): PUN ON TELEVISION ADVERTISEMENT: LET YOUR FINGERS DO THE WALKING THROUGH THE YELLOW PAGES. COMMERCIAL FOR THE BELL TELEPHONE CO., REGARDING SAVING TIME AND ENERGY BY PRE-SHOPPING THROUGH MAKING CAL

Subject headings: 6677 Formula Tale

Date learned: 11-18-1968

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YELLOW FINGERS

ONCE THERE WAS A KING WHO WANTED TO GET A MESSAGE THROUGH
TO A NEIGHBORING KINGDOM. BUT IN ORDER TO GET THROUGH,
THE MESSANGER WOULD HAVE TO PASS THE MONSTROUS YELLOW
FINGERS. FIRST A KNIGHT WAS SENT, BUT THE YELLOW FINGERS
PINCHED HIM TO DEATH. THEN A SQUIRE TRIED, BUT MET WITH
THE SAME FATE. FINALLY, A PAGE WAS SENT AND MADE IT
THROUGH.
THE MORAL OF THE STORY IS: LET YOUR PAGES DO THE WALKING
THROUGH THE YELLOW FINGERS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): PUN ON COMMERCIAL FOR THE BELL TELEPHONE CO., WHICH SAYS, "LET YOUR FINGERS DO THE WALKING, THROUGH THE YELLOW PAGES." TIMESAVING AND ENERGY SAVING METHOD OF SHOPPING--LOOK UP IN THE YELLOW PAGES O

Subject headings: 6677 Formula Tale

Date learned: 10-15-1969

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SALUTATION GESTURE

WAVING GOODBYE AMONG SICILIANS AND MOST LATIN AMERICANS
ENTAILS CUPPING AND UNCUPPING THE HAND--AS IS COMMON IN
THE U.S. HOWEVER, THIS IS DIRECTED TOWARD'S ONE'S OWN
BODY AND NOT TOWARD THE DEPARTING PERSON. THIS GESTURE
IS REPUTED TO BE A SYMBOLIC YEARNING OF THE OTHER'S SOON
RETURN.

Where learned: FLORIDA ; MIAMI

Keyword(s): CUP THE FINGERS, AND WAVE THEM TOWARD YOURSELF.

Subject headings: 602 Body Parts
SPEECH -- Goodbyes Leavetakings
SPEECH -- Wishes Wants Desires Predictions

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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CROSSING OF ANY TWO FINGERS IS A WISH FOR GOOD LUCK.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: TELEPHONE

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Crossing ; CUSTOM ; Finger ; Fingers ; GESTURE ; LUCK ; SUPERSTITION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Prayer
BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications
BELIEF -- Good luck P881.22

Date learned: 02-23-1971

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IF YOU CROSS YOUR FINGERS, IT'S GOOD LUCK, BUT IF
YOU CROSS THE FINGERS OF BOTH HANDS IT'S BAD LUCK.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Cross ; Crossing ; CUSTOM ; Finger ; Fingers ; LUCK ; SUPERSTITION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications
BELIEF -- Good luck P881.22
BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.22

Date learned: 10-30-1971

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IN ORDER TO EXPRESS HOPE, ONE CROSSES THE INDEX AND
MIDDLE FINGERS OF BOTH HANDS. TO GAIN ADDED
EMPHASIS, CROSS THE END TWO FINGERS ALSO.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Communication ; Cross ; Crossing ; CUSTOM ; Finger ; Fingers ; Hope ; LUCK ; SUPERSTITION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Prayer
BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications
BELIEF -- Good luck P881.22

Date learned: 10-02-1967

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WHEN A PERSON IS ABOUT TO DO SOMETHING IN WHICH HE
OR SHE NEEDS GOOD LUCK, THE PEOPLE WAITING FOR
THEM AND THEY THEMSELVES CROSS THEIR MIDDLE AND
FOREFINGERS FOR LUCK.

Submitter comment:

THIS WAS TOLD TO ME IN GRAMMAR SCHOOL 1955-1963.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: NOT GIVEN

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Cross ; Crossing ; CUSTOM ; Finger ; Fingers ; GESTURE ; LUCK ; SUPERSTITION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications
BELIEF -- Good luck P881.22

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CROSSING THE MIDDLE AND FOREFINGERS IS A
SYMBOL FOR GOOD LUCK.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: NOT GIVEN

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Cross ; Crossing ; CUSTOM ; Finger ; Fingers ; GESTURE ; LUCK ; SUPERSTITION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications
BELIEF -- Good luck P881.22

Date learned: 11-00-1968

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CROSSING YOUR FINGERS IS SUPPOSED TO BRING GOOD LUCK.
THE SAME GESTURE CAN ALSO BE USED TO ALLOW A LIE.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: FREMONT ; OHIO, ASSUMED

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Cross ; Crossing ; CUSTOM ; Finger ; Fingers ; GESTURE ; Lie ; LUCK ; SUPERSTITION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal
BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications
BELIEF -- Good luck P881.22

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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IN ORDER TO RETAIN A CERTAIN STREAK OF LUCK WHICH YOU
PRESENTLY HAVE GOING FOR YOU, ONE SHOULD CROSS HIS
FINGERS, I.E., INDEX FINGER AND THIRD FINGER OVER IT.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Cross ; Crossing ; CUSTOM ; Finger ; Fingers ; GESTURE ; LUCK ; SUPERSTITION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications
BELIEF -- Good luck P881.22

Date learned: 00001950S

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CROSSING THE FINGERS IS A SIGN ONE WOULD MAKE IF HE
WISHES TO HAVE GOOD LUCK FALL HIS WAY.

Data entry tech comment:

Belief; Custom; Superstition; Gesture; Crossing; Fingers; Cross; Finger; Luck;

Where learned: NOT GIVEN

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Cross ; Crossing ; CUSTOM ; Finger ; Fingers ; GESTURE ; LUCK ; SUPERSTITION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Prayer
BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications
BELIEF -- Good luck P881.22

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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WHEN DRIVING PAST A GRAVEYARD, CROSS YOUR FINGERS AND PUT
THEM ON THE CEILING, CROSS YOUR FEET AND LIFT THEM UP.
THIS GIVES YOU A HAPPY DEATH, GOOD LUCK IN LIFE, AND
PREVENTS SPIRITS FROM HAUNTING YOU.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Ceiling ; Cross ; Crossing ; CUSTOM ; DEATH ; FEET ; Finger ; Fingers ; GESTURE ; GRAVEYARD ; Haunt ; LUCK ; SPIRIT ; SUPERSTITION

Subject headings: Favorites
ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Cemetery
BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial
BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications
BELIEF -- Good luck P881.22

Date learned: 09-00-1969

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FOR GOOD LUCK, ONE SHOULD CROSS TWO FINGERS ON ONE HAND
BUT SHOULD HE CROSS FINGERS ON TWO HANDS, IT WILL
RESULT IN BAD LUCK.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: NOT GIVEN

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Cross ; Crossing ; CUSTOM ; Finger ; Fingers ; GESTURE ; LUCK ; SUPERSTITION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications
BELIEF -- Good luck P881.22
BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.22

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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IN GERMANY INSTEAD OF CROSSING FINGERS FOR GOOD LUCK,
THE PEOPLE HOLD THEIR THUMBS.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

James Callow comment:

CLENCHING FIST OVER THE THUMB OF THAT HAND.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Cross ; Crossing ; CUSTOM ; Finger ; Fingers ; Germany ; GESTURE ; LUCK ; SUPERSTITION ; Thumbs

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications
BELIEF -- Good luck P881.22

Date learned: 10-10-1968

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IF YOU AND ANOTHER PERSON SAY THE SAME THING AT THE SAME
TIME, YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO SPIT BETWEEN YOUR FINGERS
FOR GOOD LUCK.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): BEHAVIOR ; BELIEF ; CUSTOM ; Fingers ; GESTURE ; Hands ; Jinxs ; Same Time ; Simultaneous ; SPIT ; SUPERSTITION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Good luck P881.22

Date learned: 04-05-1970

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IN ORDER TO WARD OFF EVIL, ONE SHOULD POINT HIS INDEX
AND LITTLE FINGERS AT SOMETHING. (THE OTHER FINGERS
SHOULD BE CLOSED).

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: HOME

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; CUSTOM ; EVIL ; EVIL EYE ; Eye ; Fingers ; GESTURE ; Prevent ; SUPERSTITION ; Ward

James Callow Keyword(s): HORNS

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Body parts involved S602.12

Date learned: 02-14-1968

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ITALIAN GESTURE AGAINST EVIL

A GESTURE TO RETURN EVIL TO ANOTHER IS TO PLACE THE
THUMB BETWEEN THE FIRST AND SECOND FINGERS OF THE
SAME HAND.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; CUSTOM ; EVIL ; EVIL EYE ; Eye ; Fingers ; GESTURE ; Prevent ; SUPERSTITION ; Ward

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Curse

Date learned: 12-00-1969

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