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CORN

IF YOU PLANT CORN IN THE OLD OF THE MOON, IT WILL EAR OUT BETTER.

Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED

Keyword(s): AGRICULTURE FARMING NATURE

James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: POSITIVE IMPLIED ; OBSERVATION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Moon
BELIEF -- Plant husbandry Farming
PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim

Date learned: 02-09-1968

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PROVERB

LAUGH AND THE WORLD LAUGHS WITH YOU, SNORE AND YOU SLEEP ALONE.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT HEARD THIS FROM HIS GRANDMOTHER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): ALIENATION ; HUMOR ; OBSERVATION

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim

Date learned: 07-15-1964

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STOLEN CORPSE OF DOG

TWO OLD LADIES IN BROOKLYN, N. Y., GOT UP ONE MORNING AND FOUND
THEIR OLD TERRIER HAD DIED DURING THE NIGHT. THEY CALLED THE HUMANE
SOCIETY WHO SAID THAT THERE WAS ONLY ONE TRUCK AVAILABLE, IT BEING
SATURDAY, AND WOULD NOT BE AROUND UNTIL THE NEXT TUESDAY. THEY SAID
THE LADIES COULD BRING THE DOG DOWNTOWN IF THEY WISHED. NOT HAVING
THE MONEY FOR A TAXI FROM BROOKLYN TO THE SOCIETY HEADQUARTERS IN
MANHATTAN, THEY TOOK THE SUBWAY DEEP DOWN TO A MANHATTAN STATION
SEVERAL LEVELS BELOW GROUND. MEANWHILE, THEY HAD PUT THE DEAD DOG IN
AN OLD SUITCASE. WHILE THEY WERE TRUDGING ALONG, A YOUNG NEGRO
OFFERED TO CARRY THE SUITCASE UP THE STAIRS. HE DID SO BUT WHEN HE
REACHED THE STREET HE QUICKLY TOOK OFF WITH HIS PRIZE.

Submitter comment: ( GOTTEN ) FROM A SALESMAN FROM NEW YORK CITY
BROOKLYN, NEW YORK IS THE SETTING.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): URBAN BELIEF TALE

Subject headings: Favorites
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate

Date learned: 08-00-1964

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A GRAVE MATTER

IN THE EARLY NINETEENTH CENTURY, THE DAUGHTER OF A WEALTHY
KENTUCKY LANDOWNER CONTRACTED A FEVER, FELL INTO A COMA, AND WITHIN
TWO DAYS PASSED AWAY. ON THE FOLLOWING DAY SHE WAS BURIED IN THE
FAMILY CEMETERY. HER BODY WAS ADORNED IN BEAUTIFUL GARMENTS AND
PRECIOUS GEMS WERE PLACED ABOUT HER ACCORDING TO THE LOCAL CUSTOM.
ON THE NIGHT OF HER BURIAL, TWO GRAVE-ROBBERS EXUMED THE CASKET.
THEY OPENED THE LID AND WERE IN THE PROCESS OF REMOVING ONE OF HER
EARRINGS WHEN, IT WAS ALLEGED, SHE AWAKENED FROM HER COMA. THE
SURPRISED GRAVE-ROBBERS IMMEDIATELY GRABBED A SHOVEL AND STRUCK THE
SCREAMING GIRL ACROSS THE BACK OF HER HEAD. THEY THEN LOWERED THE
CASKET INTO THE PIT AND RECOVERED THE HOLE.
THIS STORY BECAME A LEGEND OVER THE COURSE OF THE FOLLOWING
ONE-HUNDRED-TWENTY-FIVE YEARS UNTIL FINALLY IN THE 1920'S LOCAL
OFFICIALS, IN AN EFFORT TO REPUDIATE THE TALE, OPENED THE GRAVE.
THEY FOUND THE REMAINS OF THE YOUNG LADY LYING FACE DOWN WITH THE
REAR OF HER SKULL BASHED IN.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT HEARD TALE WHILE A RESIDENT OF LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): BELIEF TALE ; LOCAL LEGEND

Subject headings: Favorites
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate

Date learned: 10-23-1965

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WISCONSIN KILLER

A MAN IN NORTHERN WISCONSIN WAS INVOLVED AND SUSPECTED IN A
NUMBER OF DISAPPEARANCES IN THE VICINITY. THE POLICE CAME TO HIS HOME
AND AFTER A BRIEF STAY, ONE OF THEM NOTICED THAT ALL OF THE
FURNITURE IN THE HOUSE WAS UPHOLSTERED IN HUMAN SKIN. LATER
INVESTIGATION FOUND THAT HIS COOKIE JAR WAS FILLED WITH HUMAN FINGERS
AND TOES.

Where learned: DETROIT ; 2822 EWALD CIRCLE ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED

Keyword(s): LOCAL LEGEND ; URBAN BELIEF TALE

Subject headings: Favorites
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate

Date learned: 02-03-1968

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BELIEF

IF SOMEONE COMES IN THE FRONT DOOR AND LEAVES BY THE BACK DOOR IN
IRELAND IT WILL BRING BAD LUCK TO THE HOUSE, BECAUSE THE PERSON
TOOK ALL THE GOOD LUCK OUT WITH HIM.

Submitter comment: THE POLICE USED TO DO THIS ALL THE TIME IN IRELAND JUST
TO DISTURB THE WOMEN.

Where learned: LIBRARY ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT, ASSUMED

Keyword(s): HOME, DOMESTIC PURSUITS ; IRISH BELIEF

James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION

Subject headings: Favorites
BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.2

Date learned: 11-15-1968

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PRIEST AND LUCK

JAPANESE BELIEVE THAT A PERSON WILL HAVE BAD LUCK IF THE FIRST
PERSON HE MEETS ON THE STREET IS A BUDDIST (BUDDHIST) PRIEST.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): JAPANESE BELIEF

Subject headings: 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually.
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.2

Date learned: 11-00-1968

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GOOD LUCK

IN JAPAN, IT IS A VILLAGE BELIEF THAT WHEN STANDING ON A CERTAIN
ROCK FOUND ON A BEACH, ONE SEES THE EMPEROR, GOOD LUCK FOR ONE
YEAR WILL BE HIS.

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT DORMS

Keyword(s): JAPANESE BELIEF ; NUMBERS: ONE ; TIME

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Formation
BELIEF -- Measure of time Year
BELIEF -- Good luck P881.2

Date learned: 11-13-1969

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FOLK BELIEF (LUCK)

IN GERMAN VILLAGES WHEN A MAN ENTERS AN INN HE MUST HIDE HIS FACE
AND SEEK OUT HIS FRIENDS. HE MUST THEN BUY ALE FOR HIS CHRONIES
(CRONIES) BEFORE THEY RECOGNIZE HIM. THIS WILL BRING GOOD LUCK.
IF SOMEONE ELSE BUYS THE FIRST BEER FOR HIM IT IS
AN OMEN OF BAD LUCK.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): DRINKING ; GERMAN BELIEF ; SOCIAL RELATIONS

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Body part Senses
BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Good luck P881.2
BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.2
SPEECH -- Gesture

Date learned: 09-21-1968

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BELIEF

IN UKRAINE, IT IS BELIEVED THAT IF A PERSON SPEAKS OF HIS OWN GOOD
FORTUNE, HE SHOULD AFTERWARDS KNOCK THREE TIMES ON SOME RAW,
UNFINISHED WOOD SO HIS LUCK WON'T CHANGE.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT COLLECTED INFORMATION PASSED ON BY GRANDPARENTS IN UKRAINE

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): CONVERSION ; SUPERNATURAL: KNOCKING ON WOOD ; UKRAINIAN BELIEF

Subject headings: 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple
BELIEF -- Conversions P883.22
SPEECH -- Gesture

Date learned: 10-01-1967

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BELIEF

MANY SPANISH PEOPLE BELIEVE THAT AFTER SEEING A PRIEST CLOTHED IN
BLACK, THEY SHOULD TOUCH SOMETHING MADE OF WOOD TO AVOID BAD LUCK.

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT

Keyword(s): CONVERSION ; SPANISH BELIEF ; SUPERNATURAL: TOUCHING WOOD

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Color
BELIEF -- Conversions P883.22
SPEECH -- Gesture
PROVERB -- Blason Populaire

Date learned: 02-17-1970

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RIDDLE QUESTION

WHAT HAS FOUR WHEELS AND FLIES?
A GARBAGE TRUCK.

Where learned: NOT GIVEN

Keyword(s): CONUNDRUM ; INSECTS: FLIES ; PUN ON FLY (INSECT) AND FLY (VERB)

Subject headings: RIDDLE -- Riddle Question

Date learned: 11-16-1965

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FLY RIDDLE

THERE ARE THREE FLIES IN THE KITCHEN. WHICH ONE IS THE FOOTBALL
PLAYER? THE ONE IN THE SUGAR BOWL.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Mount Clemens

James Callow Keyword(s): FLIES ; PUN ON SUGAR BOWL

Subject headings: RIDDLE -- Riddle Question

Date learned: 10-00-1981

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FLY RIDDLE

THERE ARE THREE FLIES ON THE WINDOW. WHICH ONE IS THE MOVIE STAR?
THE ONE ON THE SCREEN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Mount Clemens

James Callow Keyword(s): FLIES ; PUN ON SCREEN

Subject headings: RIDDLE -- Riddle Question

Date learned: 10-00-1981

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KNOCK KNOCK JOKE

KNOCK, KNOCK
WHO'S THERE?
GOLIATH
GOLIATH WHO?
GO-LIATH DOWN, YOU LOOKETH TIRED.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FRANKLIN VILLAGE

James Callow Keyword(s): GO LIE DOWN, YOU LOOK TIRED

Subject headings: RIDDLE -- Riddle Question

Date learned: 00001960S

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ONE NIGHT MY UNCLE SAID HE WENT TO A PARTY AND HE JUST SAT AROUND
WATCHING EVERYONE HAVE A GOOD TIME. EVERYONE WAS HAVING A GOOD
TIME DANCING. MY UNCLE WAS VERY SHY AND HE COULDN'T DANCE VERY
WELL. ALL OF A SUDDEN, HE LOOKS ACROSS THE ROOM AND SEES THIS
GIRL AND THE GIRL CAUGHT HIS EYE AND SHE BEGIN TO STARE AT HIM.
HE KEPT STARING AT HER. SOMETHING DREW HIM TO HER AND SHE GOT HIM
HIM TO DANCE. NO ONE EVER GOT HIM TO DANCE. HE HAD A GOOD TIME
DANCING WITH HER. SHE WAS PRETTY. HE TOLD HER HE WOULD LIKE TO
TAKE HER HOME AFTER THE DANCE. SHE SAID OKAY. SO AFTER THE DANCE
HE TOOK HER HOME. WHEN THEY GOT IN FRONT OF HER HOUSE, SHE TOLD
MY UNCLE TO CALL HER AS SOON AS HE GOT HOME. HE SAID OKAY AND
SHE GAVE HIM HER PHONE NUMBER. THEN SHE KISSED HIM GOOD NIGHT.
HE RUSHED HOME AND CALLED HER. HER MOTHER ANSWERED THE PHONE. HE
SAID, "HELLO! IS ALICIA HOME?" AND THE LADY SAID, "WHO? I DON'T KNOW
WHAT KIND OF GAME YOU'RE PLAYING AND HUNG UP THE PHONE. THINKING
HE HAD THE WRONG NUMBER, HE CALLED BACK. THE LADY ANSWERED THE
PHONE AGAIN AND SAID: "I DON'T KNOW WHAT KIND OF GAME YOU'RE
PLAYING, BUT I'M GOING TO CALL THE OPERATOR AND HAVE HER CALL
THE POLICE AND HAVE YOU ARRESTED IF YOU KEEP CALLING HERE." HE
SAID: "ISN'T THIS ALICIA'S HOUSE?" THE LADY HUNG UP THE PHONE
AGAIN. SO HE DECIDED TO GO OVER HER HOUSE TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS
GOING ON. HE KNOCKED ON THE DOOR AND THE LADY ANSWERED THE DOOR.
HE SAID, "IS ALICIA HERE?" SHE SAID: "ARE YOU THE GUY WHO KEPT
CALLING HERE ALL DAY?" HE SAID, "YEAH. I'M TRYING TO SEE IF
ALICIA IS HERE. I DROPPED HER OFF FROM THE PARTY A LITTLE WHILE
AGO." THE LADY SAID: "I DON'T KNOW WHAT KIND OF GAME YOU'RE
PLAYING," AND HE CUT HER OFF SAYING: "WAIT A MINUTE, NOW, THAT'S
HER PICTURE ON THE MANTLE PIECE." AND SHE SAID: "I'M SORRY!
ALICIA HAS BEEN DEAD FOR FIVE YEARS."

Submitter comment: HE SAID THIS ACTUALLY HAPPENED TO HIS UNCLE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): BELIEF ; VANISHING HITCHHIKER

Subject headings: Favorites
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter

Date learned: 00-00-1956

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THIS IS A BELIEF IN MY FAMILY, THEY BELIEVE THAT BY KEEPING A
A PIECE OF RED CLOTH IN THEIR POSSESSION THEY ARE PROTECTED
FROM EVIL AND HARM, FOR THIS CLOTH SIGNIFIES THE SHROUD THAT
COVERED JESUS WHEN HE ROSE FROM DEATH AFTER DYING ON THE
CROSS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Lansing

Keyword(s): RED BELIEF

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Sign Color
BELIEF -- Color

Date learned: 00001980S

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It is unlucky for the newly married couple
to go home from church on the same road they came.

Submitter comment: She was told this on her wedding day.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): BELIEF

Subject headings: 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually.
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Marriage

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Thunder is God's way of showing anger at the wrong and sin
happening on Earth.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): Nature Beliefs

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Gods
BELIEF -- Lightning Thunder

Date learned: 02-00-1992

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RAINBOW

IT HAS BEEN ONE OF THE "OLD FOLKISMS" THAT AFTER A RAIN, WHEN THE
RAINBOW COMES OUT, IF YOU GO TO THE END OF THIS RAINBOW YOU WILL FIND
A POT OF GOLD, OR A SACK OF MONEY.


 

Submitter comment:

INFORMANT SAID SHE ONCE BELIEVED THIS BUT NOW THAT SHE HAS GROWN OLDER, SHE FOUND THAT
THIS WAS JUST AN OLD FOLKISM.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): BELIEF ; DISBELIEF

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew
BELIEF -- Mineral
BELIEF -- Weather sign or control P890.7

Date learned: 02-10-1972

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