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MONTANA LADIES

Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.

NOT ALL SHEEP ARE MONTANA LADIES

Submitter comment:

INFORMANT IS A FRIEND'S FATHER AND HE RECALLED THIS FROM
SEVERAL YEARS AGO.
PROBABLY A SLUR ON MONTANA LADIES

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE

Keyword(s): ANIMALS ; ANTHROPOMORPHISM

James Callow Keyword(s): IRONY ; SEXISM

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Blason Populaire

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PROVERB IN VERSE

NOTHING IS HARDER TO TAKE THAN A TIME OF OVERABUNDANCE (IN THE
SENSE THAT WEALTH CAN RUIN THE CHARACTER OF A HUMAN BEING)

Submitter comment: INFORMANT HEARD THIS IN MUNICH, GERMANY
THIS IS SIMILAR TO AN ENGLISH SAYING THAT I HAVE HEARD
OFTEN IN FERNDALE MICHIGAN. MONEY IS THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL

Data entry tech comment: ORIGINAL 5 X 8 CARD CONTAINS GERMAN TEXT

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE

James Callow Keyword(s): GOOD FORTUNE ; IRONY

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb

Date learned: 12-04-1967

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GOOD OLD DAYS

NOTHING IS MORE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE GOOD OLD DAYS
THAN A BAD MEMORY

Where learned: KENTUCKY ; LOUISVILLE

James Callow Keyword(s): IRONY ; REMENISENCE

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim

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PROVERBS OF A MATH TEACHER

NOTHING SUCCEEDS LIKE SUCCESS

James Callow comment: CREDIT SHOULD GO TO OSCAR WILDE--F. M. PAULSEN

Where learned: UNKNOWN

James Callow Keyword(s): GOOD FORTUNE ; IRONY ; OBSERVATION ; SUCCESS BREEDS ITSELF

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim

Date learned: 12-04-1968

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POLISH PROVERB

NIE MIATA BABA KIOPOTU I KUPITA SOBIE PROSIE (POLISH)
THE OLD WOMAN DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH TROUBLES AND SHE
BOUGHT HERSELF A PIG

Submitter comment: THIS IS A POPULAR SAYING WHEN SOMEONE DOES SOMETHING USELESS
I KNOW THIS FROM HOME

Data entry tech comment: ORIGINAL 5 X 8 CARD CONTAINS POLISH TEXT

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMAL ; IRONY ; TRANSLATION

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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PROVERBIAL APOTHEGM

ONLY A MEDIOCRE PERSON IS ALWAYS AT HIS BEST

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION ; IRONY

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim

Date learned: 10-00-1971

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PROVERB ( LITHUANIAN )

POUND THE IRON WHILE IT IS STILL HOT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): ADAPTABILITY ; ADVICE: ; MALLEABLE ; STRIKE WHILE THE IRON IS HOT

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

Date learned: 03-07-1968

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CURE

IF A CHILD, USUALLY A BABY, IS SUFFERING FROM AN ILLNESS, USUALLY A
CHILD'S ILLNESS LIKE A COLD OR FLU, YOU SHOULD CUT OFF THE EAR OF A
CAT. THEN DRIP THE BLOOD ON A PIECE OF BREAD AND FEED IT TO THE
INFANT. THIS IS SALEM WITCHCRAFT.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT THOUGHT THIS WAS A SICKENING THING TO DO, BUT HE
TALKED OF IT AS AN AUTHENTIC CURE ACCORDING TO SOME PEOPLE. AS HE
SAID, WHAT ELSE COULD THEY DO, THE DRUG STORES WERE CLOSED.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HIGHLAND PARK

James Callow Keyword(s): IRONY

Subject headings: Food Drink -- Plant food
BELIEF -- Remedy
BELIEF -- Use of Object Animals

Date learned: 11-00-1975

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SUPERSTITIONS SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS

NO GRAVES ARE DUG OR FIELDS PLOWED ON GOOD FRIDAY. THERE IS SOME
TABOO AGAINST THE USE OF IRON ON THIS DAY.

Data entry tech comment: THE TABOO AGAINST THE USE OF IRON STEMS FROM THE FACT THAT NAILS WERE
USED TO CRUCIFY CHRIST.

Where learned: RESIDENCE

Keyword(s): IRON ; WORK TABOO

Subject headings: 663 Good Friday
Favorites
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Typical Elements of a Festive Pattern

Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

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SUPERSTITION

IT'S A GRAVE SIN TO POUND NAILS ON GOOD FRIDAY.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT'S MOTHER ALWAYS SAID THIS TO INFORMANT AROUND EASTER TIME.

Data entry tech comment: THIS APPEARS TO RELATE TO THE SCOTTISH SUPERSTITION REGARDING THE
USE OF IRON ON GOOD FRIDAY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC MAGIC ; IRON ; WORK TABOO

Subject headings: 663 Good Friday
Favorites
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Typical Elements of a Festive Pattern

Date learned: 11-00-1971

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GOOD FRIDAY BELIEF

IT IS A SIN TO USE A NEEDLE ON GOOD FRIDAY, OR TO USE ANY KIND OF
ANIMAL FATS ON GOOD FRIDAY.

Submitter comment: SHE LEARNED THESE BELIEFS FROM HER MOTHER AS A CHILD, BUT DOES NOT
BELIEVE IN THEM OR PRACTICE THEM NOW. (1920'S)

Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; 15209 ; PITTSBURGH ; 1579 ANDERSON RD

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM ; IRON ; SEWING ; WORK TABOO

Subject headings: 663 Good Friday

Date learned: 10-02-1971

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IRISH SUPERSTITION

IF YOU WASH YOUR FACE IN DEW ON THE FIRST
DAY OF MAY, YOU WILL BE BEAUTIFUL.

Submitter comment: IN TELLING THIS, THE INFORMANT RECALLS ACTUALLY
WASHING HER FACE IN DEW ON MAY 1ST, AND ENDING
UP WITH A TERRIBLE RASH AND A FEW VISITS TO
A DERMATOLOGIST.

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

Keyword(s): BAD RESULTS FROM SUPERSTITIOUS PRACTICE ; IRONY ; SKIN

Subject headings: 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually.
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- May 1 May Day

Date learned: 09-23-1969

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POEM

MY TEACHER LOVES ME, SHE THINKS I AM DEAR,
SHE'S KEPT ME FOR THE 4TH STRAIGHT YEAR}

Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

Keyword(s): EUPHEMISM FOR FLUNKING ; IRONY ; RHYME: AA ; RHYME: ABCB

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

Date learned: 11-16-1965

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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

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SAINT BRENDON OF IRELAND

A SAINT MENTIONED IN THE SAGAS OF VIKINGS THIS LEGENDARY CHARACTER
SAILED TO THE NEW WORLD ON THREE OCCASIONS IN THE SIXTH CENTURY.
HE IS MENTIONED IN SPANISH MAPS (THE GREAT NAVIGATOR OF THE TIME )
WHERE HE IS CREDITED WITH THE DISCOVERY OF MANY ISLANDS. ON HIS
FIRST TRY, HE TRAVELED TO GREENLAND (WHERE THE REMAINS OF A CHURCH
IS STILL IN EXISTENCE.) HIS SECOND TRIP TOOK HIM TO NOVA SCOTIA
AND ON HIS FINAL TRIP, HE JOURNEYED TO THE MAINLAND ALL THE WAY DOWN
TO FLORIDA, WHERE HE FOUND ANOTHER IRISHMAN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): HISTORICAL ; RELIGION

James Callow Keyword(s): BRENDAN ; IRONY ; SURPRISE ENDING

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero

Date learned: 02-01-1968

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THE BEGGAR WHO WAS JESUS

LONG AGO IN ARMENIA A BEGGAR WAS SEEN GOING FROM HOUSE TO HOUSE
TRYING TO GET SOME FOOD. WITH MOST OF HIS HOPE GONE, HE CAME TO THE
HOUSE OF AN ARMENIAN PRIEST AND HIS WIFE. THE WOMAN OPENED THE DOOR
AND GAVE THE BEGGAR SOME FRESH BREAD WHICH SHE WAS BAKING AT THE
HEARTH. HE THANKED HER AND ASKED HER FOR ONE MORE FAVOR. THE FAVOR
WAS THAT HE COULD GIVE HER A KISS. SHE OBLIGED. THE BEGGAR WAS
THOUGHT TO BE JESUS. WHEN HER HUSBAND CAME HOME SHE TOLD HIM WHAT
HAPPENED. HE ANSWERED HER, "FOR GOD'S SAKE, WOULD YOU JUMP IN THE
FIRE? SHE ANSWERED YES AND THREW HERSELF INTO THE HEARTH. WITHOUT
HER HE FELT THERE WAS NO REASON TO LIVE AND SO HE THREW HIMSELF INTO
THE FIRE. IT IS SAID AT THIS SPOT A SHRINE HAS BEEN ERECTED AND A
SPRING FLOWS WHICH HEALS THE SICK."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; WALSH COLLEGE ; CAMPUS ; TOLD AT

Keyword(s): IRONY GOOD VS. EVIL

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Tale

Date learned: 03-21-1970

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FABLE ABOUT A WOMAN WHO MISUNDERSTOOD HER RELIGION

IN A SMALL VILLAGE, A VERY POORLY EDUCATED WOMAN WENT TO
CONFESSION. SHE TOLD THE PRIEST THAT SHE WOULD LIKE TO GO TO HEAVEN
AND THE PRIEST IN TURN ADVISED HER THAT SHE SHOULD PREPARE HERSELF.
THE WOMAN MISUNDERSTOOD THE PRIEST. SHE CAME HOME AND MADE HER OWN
FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS AND ON SUNDAY AFTERNOON SHE WENT BACK TO THE
CHURCH AND STARTED TO PRAY BY THE SIDE ALTAR.
THE HOUR WAS LATE AND THE CARETAKER DIDN'T NOTICE HER PRAYING BY
THE ALTAR. HE LOCKED THE CHURCH.
AFTER THE WOMAN REALIZED THAT SHE WAS LOCKED IN THE CHURCH, SHE
LOOKED FOR A WAY OUT, BUT COULD NOT FIND ONE. THERE WAS NO WAY OUT,
SO SHE DECIDED TO LOOK FOR A PLACE TO SLEEP.
BY THE SACRISTY THERE WAS A LARGE LAUNDRY BASKET WITH ALL THE
PRIEST'S VESTMENTS IN IT. SHE DECIDED TO TAKE A NAP IN THIS BASKET
AND COVERED HERSELF WITH THE LID.
THAT SAME NIGHT, THIEVES BROKE INTO THE CHURCH FROM A VERY HIGH
WINDOW. ONE THIEF WAS OUTSIDE, THE OTHER WAS INSIDE. THE THIEF
OUTSIDE WAS PULLING VALUABLES OUT BY A ROPE, AND THE THIEF WHO WAS
INSIDE WAS HOOKING ANYTHING OF VALUE ONTO THE ROPE.
THE BASKET BY THE SACRISTY LOOKED GOOD, SO HE HOOKED THE ROPE UP
TO IT. THE OTHER THIEF STARTED TO PULL THE BASKET UP AND OUT OF THE
CHURCH. WHEN THE BASKET WAS ABOUT 40 FEET, CLOSE TO THE WINDOW, THE
LADY WOKE UP AND THOUGHT THAT SHE WAS BEING TAKEN TO HEAVEN. IN A
LOUD VOICE SHE SAID, "Z NIEDZIELI NA SWIENTO MNIE DO NIEBA WZIETO."
(FROM SUNDAY NIGHT TO THE HOLIDAY, I WAS TAKEN UP TO HEAVEN.)
THE THIEVES, UPON HEARING HER VOICE GOT SCARED AND LET GO OF THE
ROPE. THE BASKET FELL TO THE FLOOR AND THE WOMAN WAS KILLED. ALL
HER FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS WERE VERY USEFUL.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS STORY AS A BOY AT AN EVENING OF FAMILY STORY
TELLING FROM HIS UNCLE IN LUKOWA, POLAND. HE TOLD THIS STORY VERY
THOUGHTFULLY AND LAUGHED AT THE ENDING.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): HUMOR ; IRONY

Subject headings: Favorites
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Stupid man or woman

Date learned: 02-07-1980 ; 00-00-1934

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LOOK FOR THE FASTBALL, AND YOU'LL HIT THE CURVE. LOOK FOR THE CURVE,
AND YOU WON'T HIT THE FASTBALL.
I HAD STRUCK OUT TWICE ON CURVE BALLS IN MY FIRST GAME IN THE PONY
LEAGUE. MISTER QUINN NOTICED MY FAULT AND CORRECTED ME. LOOK FOR THE
FASTBALL, AND YOU'LL HIT THE CURVE. LOOK FOR THE CURVE, AND YOU
WON'T HIT THE FASTBALL.

Where learned: BOSTON ; Massachusetts

Keyword(s): BASEBALL

James Callow Keyword(s): CHIASMUS ; IRONY

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase

Date learned: 00-00-1955

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CAMP SONG

THE DONUTS AT THIS CAMP THEY SAY ARE MIGHTY FINE,
ONE ROLLED OFF THE TABLE AND KILLED A FRIEND OF MINE
OH I DON,T WANT NO MORE OF CAMPING LIFE, PLEASE MA LET ME COME HOME.
THE COUNSELORS AT THIS CAMP THEY SAY ARE MIGHTY FINE,
THEY WHIP YA IN THE MORNING AND THEN AGAIN AT NIGHT
OH I DON,T WANT NO MORE OF CAMPING LIFE, PLEASE MA LET ME COME HOME.

Where learned: DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): IRONY ; SATIRE

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Good humor Jest
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children

Date learned: 00-00-1975

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RHYME

SLO--SCHOOL ZONE
DON'T KILL A CHILD
WAIT FOR A TEACHER.

Where learned: DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): IRONY

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Art Craft Architecture Art, Craft, Architecture

Date learned: 00-00-1981

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