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THE FOLLOWING HIGH SCHOOL CHEER WAS USED AT KICKOFFS IN FOOTBALL
GAMES AND AT TIPOFFS IN BASKETBALL GAMES:
"FEE FI FO FUM
LOOK OUT (OPPOSING TEAM'S NICKNAME) HERE WE COME."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): JACK AND THE BEANSTALK ; LINE FROM CANTE FABLE ; THREAT?

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Custom Festival Custom Festival

Date learned: 10-00-1975

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KNOCK KNOCK JOKE

KNOCK KNOCK
WHO'S THERE?
GRETTA
GRETTA WHO?
GRETTA LONG LITTLE DOGGIE-GRETTA LONG

Submitter comment: GEORGETOWN U. FROM FRIENDS

Where learned: GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY

Keyword(s): COWBOY SONG ; NAME ; TITLE OR LINE FROM SONG: GET ALONG LITTLE DOGGIES

Subject headings: RIDDLE -- Riddle Question

Date learned: 11-25-1967

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EXPRESSIONS OF UGLINESS

HE IS AS UGLY AS: "AN OLD FENCE POST." "A MUD POST." "A HOMEMADE
FENCE." "HOMEMADE SIN."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): SIMILE COMPARISON CONTRAST UGLINESS

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison

Date learned: 09-00-1969

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BELIEF CONCERNING BIRTH

IF A GIRL IS BORN WITH A WIDOW'S PEAK,
IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE A SIGN OF ROYALTY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; DORM ROOM

Keyword(s): HAIRLINE

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hair, on head, mustache, widow's peak
BELIEF -- Birth

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LIMERICK

A SENIOR AT LUNCH AT PURDUE/DISCOVERED A MOUSE IN HIS STEW.
SAID THE WAITER, "DON'T SHOUT/AND DISPLAY IT ABOUT.
OR THE PROFS WILL BE WANTING ONE TOO."

Where learned: NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

Keyword(s): 4 LINE STANZA HUMOR LIMERICK FOOD ; RHYME: AABBA

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

Date learned: NOT RECORDED BY THE COLLECTOR

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I SCREAM
YOU SCREAM
WE ALL SCREAM
FOR ICE CREAM.

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; NORTH QUAD 105

Keyword(s): FINAL ITERATION ; FOOD ; RHYME: AAAA

James Callow Keyword(s): AMPHIBRACH (LINES 3 AND 4) ; TROCHAIC MONOMETER (LINES 1 AND 2)

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

Date learned: 11-06-1971

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AUTOGRAPH BOOK MATERIAL

REMEMBER THE GIRL FROM THE CITY
REMEMBER THE GIRL FROM THE TOWN
BUT REMEMBER THE GIRL WHO SPOILED THIS BOOK
BY WRITING UPSIDE DOWN.

Where learned: HOME ; DEARBORN ; 6627 Whitefield

Keyword(s): BOAST ; FRIENDSHIP ; HUMOR ; INDIRECTION ; QUATRAIN ; REMEMBRANCE

James Callow Keyword(s): AMPHIMACERS IN FIRST LINE ; METER: ANAPESTIC ; TYPOGRAPHICAL

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Reading or writing backwards, upside down

Date learned: 10-22-1968

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THREE LITTLE ANGELS

THREE LITTLE ANGELS, ALL DRESSED IN WHITE,
TRIED TO GET TO HEAVEN ON THE END OF A KITE,
BUT THE KITE STRING BROKE AND DOWN THEY FELL,
INSTEAD OF GOING TO HEAVEN THEY WENT TO...
TWO LITTLE ANGELS, ALL DRESSED IN WHITE,
TRIED TO GET TO HEAVEN ON THE END OF A KITE,
BUT THE KITE STRING BROKE AND DOWN THEY FELL,
INSTEAD OF GOING TO HEAVEN THEY WENT TO...
ONE LITTLE ANGEL...
...
INSTEAD OF GOING TO HEAVEN HE WENT TO... MM
THREE LITTLE DEVILS, ALL DRESSED IN RED,
TRIED TO GET TO HEAVEN ON THE END OF A THREAD,
BUT THE THREAD-STRING BROKE AND DOWN THEY FELL,
INSTEAD OF GOING TO HEAVEN THEY WENT TO...
TWO LITTLE DEVILS ALL DRESSED IN RED...
... MM
THREE LITTLE DEMONS, ALL DRESSED IN BLACK,
TRIED TO GET TO HEAVEN IN A CADILLAC,
BUT IT RAN OUT OF GAS AND DOWN THEY FELL,
INSTEAD OF GOING TO HEAVEN THEY WENT TO...
TWO LITTLE...
...
(LAST TIME) INSTEAD OF GOING TO HEAVEN THEY WENT TO...
DON'T GET EXCITED, DON'T LOSE YOUR HEAD,
INSTEAD OF GOING TO HEAVEN THEY WENT TO BED.

Where learned: MISSOURI ; KANSAS CITY

James Callow Keyword(s): CHAIN OF COLORS ; ELLIPSES IN LINES 4, 8, ETC. ; EUPHEMISM FOR HELL

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

Date learned: 00-00-1971

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JACK HAGGERTY

MY NAME IS JACK HAGGERTY, FROM GREENVILLE I CAME.
MY VIRTUE'S DEPARTED, AT LAST I PROCLAIM.
THE STRONG DARTS OF CUPID HAVE CAUSED ME MUCH GRIEF.
MY HEART'S TORN ASUNDER, I GET NO RELIEF. MM MM
MY STORY I'LL TELL YOU WITHOUT NO DELAY,
HOW A SWEET LITTLE LASSIE, MY HEART STOLE AWAY.
SHE WAS THE BLACKSMITH'S OWN DAUGHTER, ON THE FLAT RIVER SIDE
AND I ALWAYS INTENDED TO MAKE HER MY BRIDE. MM MM
I WORKED ON THE RIVER, I EARNED QUITE A STEAK.
I WAS STEADFAST AND STEADY, I NE'ER PLAYED THE RAKE.
FROM TOP BAR TO HOUSE TOP, I WAS VERY WELL KNOWN.
THEY CALLED ME JACK HAGGERTY, THE PRIDE OF THE TOWN. MM MM
ONE DAY ON THE RIVER, A LETTER I RECEIVED.
IT CAME FROM MY TRUE LOVE, FROM ME SHE WAS RELIEVED.
SHE'D MARRIED AN OLD LOVE, SHE HAD LONG TIME DELAYED
AND THE NEXT TIME I'D SEE HER, SHE'D NOT BE A MAID. MM MM
TO HER MOTHER JANE TUCKER, I LAY ALL THE BLAME.
SHE CAUSED HER TO FORSAKE ME, GO BACK ON MY NAME.
SHE CAST OFF THE LOGGER, THAT GOD WOULD SOON TIE
AND LEFT ME A WANDERER TO THE DAY THAT I DIE. MM MM
SO ITS FAREWELL FLAT RIVER, FOR ME THERE'S NO REST.
I'LL SHOULDER MY PEEVE, AND I WILL GO WEST.
I'LL GO TO MUSKEGON, SOME COMFORT TO FIND
AND I'LL LEAVE THIS FLAT RIVER AND ITS GAY GIRLS BEHIND. MM MM
COME ALL YOU BOLD RAFTMEN, WITH HEARTS KIND AND TRUE.
DON'T DEPEND ON A WOMAN, YOU'LL GET LEFT IF YOU DO.
BUT IF YOU EVER MEET ONE WITH DARK CHESTNUT CURL,
JUST REMEMBER JACK HAGGERTY AND THE FLAT RIVER GIRL. MM MM
THE SONG JACK HAGGERTY WAS ABOUT A YOUNG MAN FROM OVER BY
THE GREENVILLE AND GRAND RAPIDS AREA. HIS GIRL, THAT HE
THOUGHT HE WAS TO MARRY, RAN OFF AND MARRIED ANOTHER. SO
THIS SONG WAS FORMED AS A WARNING TO THE OTHER RIVER BOYS
TO BEWARE OF WHAT THE GIRLS MIGHT DO TO THEM. AT THAT AGE
IN HISTORY, MANY EVENTS AND LORE WERE LEFT BEHIND IN THE
FORM OF SONGS OR POEMS.

Submitter comment: THIS IS A VERY POPULAR VERSION OF A VERY POPULAR LUMBER-
JACK BALLAD. THERE ARE ABOUT SIX OTHER VERSIONS OF THIS
SHANTY-BOY BALLAD. IT IS MOST COMMONLY KNOWN AS THE FLAT
RIVER GIRL."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HOUGHTON LAKE

Keyword(s): LINE 91900 STAKE FOR STEAK ; LINE 94300 RAFTSMEN FOR RAFTMEN

James Callow Keyword(s): LUMBERJACK

Subject headings: Favorites
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- C230

Date learned: 00001930S

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"I heard on the news the other day about this
guy that got killed after the Detroit Tigers won
the pennant in Detroit. It seems that in all of
the victory celebration afterwards, a man was
riding his motorcycle through the traffic jammed
cars when suddenly a car door flung open and
ripped the man's arm clean from his body. The person
in the car got out and picked the arm up and
threw it in the back seat. The police caught up
with him a few days later and the man was arrested."
You pause here for a few seconds and then you say,
"They arrested him for armed robbery."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): Punch line with a pun

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale

Date learned: 00-00-1984

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LOW FOREHEADS INDICATE LOW IQ AND BRUTISH DISPOSITIONS
WHILE HIGH FOREHEADS ARE RELATED TO HIGH INTELLECTUAL
ABILITY AND LOFTINESS OF THOUGHT AND FEELING.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): HAIRLINE

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Body part Senses

Date learned: 00001980S

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HELENA RUBINSTEIN

AT ONE TIME OR ANOTHER ANY PLEDGE OF MY SORORITY MUST PLAY
THE GAME CALLED HELENA RUBINSTEIN. THE PLEDGES TOGETHER
MUST TELL THE MEMBER ASKING WHAT THEY THINK LOOKS GOOD OR
SHOULD BE CHANGED ABOUT THEM. TIMES GET TENSE FOR THE
PLEDGE THAT BEGINS TO CRITICIZE OR TEAR DOWN THE APPEAR-
ANCE OF ANY MEMBER. BUT THEN THE PLEDGES ARE TOLD TO
BE TRUTHFUL.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS

Keyword(s): "ARE" IN LINE 3300 UNDERLINED.

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

Date learned: 10-08-1971

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Content filter on this entry.

Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.

I HAD OBSERVED THAT THE PUERTO RICAN PEASANTRY (JIBAROS) WERE
VERY (UNDERLINED) CLEAN PEOPLE. THEIR SHACKS, WHILE
REFLECTING AN EXTREME LEVEL OF POVERTY, WERE SPOTLESS. THE
CHILDREN WERE DRESSED IN CLOTHES WHICH SHOWED THAT SOMEBODY
CARED. THEY WERE STARCHED AND IRONED WITH GREAT CARE. THE
BOYS INVARIABLY WORE LITTLE SPORT SHIRTS WHICH LOOKED NEW, AND
MUST HAVE COST A LARGE PORTION OF THE FAMILY'S INCOME. KNOWING
HOW THESE PEOPLE VALUED THEIR MALE CHILDREN, I COULDN'T HELP
WONDERING WHY THE LITTLE BOYS (UNDER FOUR) ALWAYS RAN AROUND
IN THEIR IMMACULATE SHIRTS--ONLY. NEVER DID THEY WEAR ANY
GARMENT ON THE LOWER PART OF THE BODY. WHY--IF THEY COULD
AFFORD SHIRTS, WHY NOT PANTS?
IT IS THE BELIEF THAT A BOY WILL BE MACHO (VIRILE) IF THE
SUN IS ALLOWED TO SHINE ON HIS GENITALIA AS MUCH OF THE TIME
AS POSSIBLE WHILE HE IS LITTLE. LITTLE GIRLS ARE ALWAYS
COVERED UP.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: PUERTO RICO ; SANTURCE

Keyword(s): Genitalia ; Machismo ; MASCULINITY ; Peasants ; Poor ; Puerto Rico ; Sunshine

James Callow Keyword(s): CLEANLINESS ; SEX

Subject headings: ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Dress Lower body and legs
BELIEF -- P566

Date learned: 00001963 ca.

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CABIN FEVER

IN THE MOUNTAINS IN WYOMING THERE IS A PARTICULARLY
BLEAK TIME OF THE YEAR DURING THE WINTER MONTHS WITH
THE INTENSE COLD AND GREAT QUANTITIES OF SNOW. DURING
THIS TIME, THE NATIVES WILL WARN YOU OF "CABIN FEVER,"
WHICH REFERS TO THE STIR-CRAZY ATTITUDE ONE CAN GET
DURING THIS TIME. ONE FEVER STORY CONCERNS TWO LOGGERS
WHO WERE SENT UP INTO THE TIMBER IN THE EARLY AUTUMN
AND TOLD TO COME DOWN WHEN THEY HAD CLEARED THE AREA.
THESE TWO MEN QUARRELED RIGHT ABOUT THE BEGINNING OF THE
CABIN FEVER TIME AND QUIT SPEAKING. WEEKS WENT BY AND
THE TWO MEN CONTINUED TO WORK OPPOSITE ENDS OF A SAW,
SHARING BED AND BOARD, YET NEVER SPEAKING TO ONE
ANOTHER, EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS NO ONE ELSE AROUND
TO SPEAK TO. THEN, ONE DAY AFTER ABOUT SIX WEEKS OF
THIS, THEY FINISHED THE JOB AND WENT INTO DUBOIS TO
CELEBRATE. THAT NIGHT THEY ENCOUNTERED EACH OTHER NINE
TIMES IN THE BARS AND EACH TIME THEY HAD A VIOLENT
FIGHT. TOWNSPEOPLE WILL STILL POINT OUT WINDOWS THAT
WERE BROKEN AND WHERE BLOOD WAS SPILLED. AFTER THIS
RIOTOUS NIGHT, THE TWO MEN SHOOK HANDS AND WENT
BACK TO THE HILLS AGAIN. CABIN FEVER WAS OVER.

Where learned: NASHVILLE ; TENNESSEE, ASSUMED

James Callow Keyword(s): BOREDOM ; LONLINESS ; WILDERNESS

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal

Date learned: 00-00-1964

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PROVERB

SHE HAS A FACE THAT WOULD STOP AN EIGHT DAY CLOCK.

Where learned: KENTUCKY ; CRUTCHFIELD

Keyword(s): UGLINESS

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor
PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison

Date learned: 06-20-1970

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THERE IS AN OLD STORY HANDED DOWN IN THE SPLAIN FAMILY
ABOUT A GREAT-GREAT-GRANDFATHER (ONE OF THE FIRST OF THE
SPLAIN FAMILY TO SETTLE IN WASHINGTON, D. C.) WHO MARRIED
AN "OLD HAG, A STAUNCH RELIGIOUS HAG, BECAUSE HE
WANTED TO GET TO HEAVEN."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): HOLINESS

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being

Date learned: 00-00-1922

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THE PORPOISES

SEEMS THAT THERE WAS THIS ZOOLOGIST WHO WAS DEEPLY INVOLVED
IN THE STUDY OF KEEPING PORPOISES ALIVE INDEFINITELY.
SEEING AS THAT THE SEA-GULL IS THEIR MAIN FOOD, HE RAISED
THEM, IN HUNDREDS, ON A FARM NEAR THE LABORATORY. SO
EVERY DAY, HE WOULD TAKE A LOAD OF THESE BIRDS FROM THE
FARM, DOWN THE ROAD PAST THE ZOO, TO HIS LAB. WELL, ONE
DAY, AS HE WAS PASSING THE ZOO, A LION, WHO HAD ESCAPED
EARLIER, RAN OUT IN FRONT OF HIS TRUCK. HE COULDN'T
STOP, SO HE HIT IT BROADSIDE. WELL, IT WAS JUST HIS LUCK
THAT A STATE TROOPER WAS PASSING BY AT THAT POINT. THE
OFFICER GOT OUT, SURVEYED THE MESS, AND DECIDED TO TAKE
THE ZOOLOGIST BACK TO THE STATION. WHEN ASKED WHAT THE
CHARGE WAS, HE REPLIED, "YOU ARE GUILTY OF TRANSPORTING
YOUNG GULLS ACROSS A STATE LION FOR IMMORTAL PURPOISES."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): TRANSPORTING YOUNG GIRLS ACROSS A STATE LINE FOR IMMORAL

Subject headings: 6677 Formula Tale

Date learned: 00-00-1967

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THERE IS AN OLD STORY HANDED DOWN IN THE SPLAIN FAMILY
ABOUT A GREAT-GREAT-GRANDFATHER (ONE OF THE FIRST OF THE
SPLAIN FAMILY TO SETTLE IN WASHINGTON, D. C.) WHO MARRIED
AN "OLD HAG, A STAUNCH RELIGIOUS HAG, BECAUSE HE
WANTED TO GET TO HEAVEN."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): HOLINESS

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being

Date learned: 00-00-1922

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THE PORPOISES

SEEMS THAT THERE WAS THIS ZOOLOGIST WHO WAS DEEPLY INVOLVED
IN THE STUDY OF KEEPING PORPOISES ALIVE INDEFINITELY.
SEEING AS THAT THE SEA-GULL IS THEIR MAIN FOOD, HE RAISED
THEM, IN HUNDREDS, ON A FARM NEAR THE LABORATORY. SO
EVERY DAY, HE WOULD TAKE A LOAD OF THESE BIRDS FROM THE
FARM, DOWN THE ROAD PAST THE ZOO, TO HIS LAB. WELL, ONE
DAY, AS HE WAS PASSING THE ZOO, A LION, WHO HAD ESCAPED
EARLIER, RAN OUT IN FRONT OF HIS TRUCK. HE COULDN'T
STOP, SO HE HIT IT BROADSIDE. WELL, IT WAS JUST HIS LUCK
THAT A STATE TROOPER WAS PASSING BY AT THAT POINT. THE
OFFICER GOT OUT, SURVEYED THE MESS, AND DECIDED TO TAKE
THE ZOOLOGIST BACK TO THE STATION. WHEN ASKED WHAT THE
CHARGE WAS, HE REPLIED, "YOU ARE GUILTY OF TRANSPORTING
YOUNG GULLS ACROSS A STATE LION FOR IMMORTAL PURPOISES."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): TRANSPORTING YOUNG GIRLS ACROSS A STATE LINE FOR IMMORAL PURPOSES. A FELONY.

Subject headings: 6677 Formula Tale

Date learned: 00-00-1967

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THE FACE

HIS FACE LOOKS LIKE THE SOUTH END (SIDE) OF A HORSE GOING NORTH.

Submitter comment: YOU CAN USE THIS RETORT ANYTIME SOMEONE IS BRAGGING OR PUTTING
SOMEONE ELSE DOWN AND YOU WANT HIM TO KNOW HE HAS NOTHING TO TALK
ABOUT.

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS ; 1171 N RENAUD

James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMAL COMPARISON ; EUPHEMISM FOR RUMP OF HORSE ; INSULT UGLINESS

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Formula

Date learned: 02-25-1971

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