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THREE WISE MEN OF GOTHAM, WENT TO SEA IN A BOWL; IF THE BO; HAD BEEN STRONGER,

Submitter comment: HEARD IN SCHOOL.

James Callow comment: RDNeedsReview

Where learned: OHIO ; TOLEDO

Keyword(s): ACCIDENT NONSENSE ; NUTSHELL NARRATIVE QUATRAIN ; RHYME: ABCC ; RHYME: FEMININE, REPETITION ; SATIRE UNDERSTATEMENT EPITAPH LAMENT

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

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WHEN I'M DEAD AND IN MY GRAVE,
NO MORE WHISKEY SHALL I CRAVE,
FOR ON MY TOMBSTONE SHALL BE WROTE,
MANY A QUART'S WENT DOWN MY THROAT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GARDEN CITY

Keyword(s): DRINKING ; METER: ANAPESTIC DIMETER ; MONOLOGUE QUATRAIN EPITAPH EUPHEMISM ; POOR GRAMMAR ; RHYME: MASCULINE, AABB

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

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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HERE LIES THE BODY OF SOLOMON PEASE.
UNDER THE DAISIES, UNDER THE TREES.
BUT PEASE ISN'T HERE, ONLY THE POD.
PEASE SHELLED OUT AND WENT HOME TO GOD.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): DEATH PUN ; EPITAPH RHYME: COUPLETS ; VEGETABLES: PEAS METAPHOR SLANG

Subject headings: 730 Lyrical Verse

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NONE

I SEE YOU IN THE OCEAN,

I SEE YOU IN THE SEA,

I SEE YOU IN THE BATHTUB,

OOPS } PARDON ME }

Submitter comment: ENTRY DATED 03181960 IN HER AUTOGRAPH BOOK.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS

Keyword(s): NUDITY ; RHYME: ABCB

James Callow Keyword(s): BATHTUB VERSE. ; INCREMENTS REPITION ; ITERATION

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Wisecracks, gags, silly stories, insults

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AUTOGRAPH VERSE

HIGH UPON A MOUNTAIN
CARVED IN ROCK,
ARE THESE FOUR WORDS --
FOR GET ME NOT)

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE

Keyword(s): EPITAPTH ; FRIENDSHIP ; SURPRISE ENDING

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Forget me not

Date learned: 03-01-1972

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POLISH CHRISTMAS CUSTOM

THE FAMILY ALWAYS SETS AN EXTRA PLACE AT THE TABLE FOR THE
CHRISTMAS MEAL IN CASE ANYONE COMES IN NEED OF FOOD.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): CHARITY HOSPITALITY

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below.

Date learned: 10-10-1974

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POLISH PROVERB

GOSC W DOMU; BOG W DOMU. TRANSLATION: GUEST IN THE HOUSE; GOD IN
THE HOUSE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): ELLIPSIS ; HOSPITALITY

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim

Date learned: 10-10-1974

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MNEMONIC DEVICE

MY VERY EDUCATED MOTHER JUST SERVED US NINE PICKLES.

Submitter comment: THIS SENTENCE HELPS TO REMEMBER THE PLANETS IN THE ORDER OF NEAREST
TO THE SUN TO FURTHEST FROM THE SUN
INFORMANT SAID HE LEARNED THE DEVICE FROM SOME OF HIS FRIENDS AT
SCHOOL. HE DIDN'T REMEMBER WHO TOLD IT TO HIM BUT SAID IT WAS USED
BY ALMOST EVERYONE IN HIS CLASS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MADISON HEIGHTS

James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION ; NEPTUNE ; PLANETS: MERCURY, VENUS, EARTH, MARS, JUPITER, SATURN, ; PLUTO ; URANUS

Subject headings: Favorites
ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- MNEM

Date learned: 10-00-1973

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EPITAPHS TO BAD DRIVERS

"MEAT HEAD," "FAT HEAD," "DUMMY," "DIMBULB," "HALF-WIT"

Submitter comment:

INFORMANT UTTERED THESE ON THE ROAD WHEN FEELING THREATENED
BY OTHER DRIVERS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; 10410 SOMERSET ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): INSULTS EPITHETS

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Formula

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IF SOMEONE SWEEPS YOUR FEET SPIT ON THE BROOM AND SAY YOUR NAME.
IT WILL KEEP YOU FROM GOING TO JAIL.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): MAGICAL PROPERTIES OF SPIT ; NAME MAGIC ; PREVENTIVE MAGIC

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Custom

Date learned: 10-00-1974

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PROVERB

DON'T PRAISE THE BEGINNING, BUT THE END.

Submitter comment: TRANSLATED FROM LITHUANIAN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: NEGATIVE ; PRECIPITOUSNESS

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim

Date learned: 02-17-1971

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CART AND HORSE

A PERSON WHO HAD BEEN CARRIED AWAY AND JUMPED
INTO SOMETHING WITHOUT THINKING MIGHT HAVE BEEN SAID TO HAVE
PUT THE CART BEFORE THE HORSE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMAL ; PRECIPITOUS ; REVERSAL ; SYMBOL ; TRANSPORTATION

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase

Date learned: 09-00-1969

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HOW THE SNAKE GOT ITS RATTLE

EVERY DAY THE OL' SNAKE FOUND HIS SELF GETTIN' STEPPED ON, RAN OVER,
KICKED AROUND OR SOMETHING WHEN HE TRIED TO CROSS THE PATH DOWN BY
MASON CREEK. HE WAS GETTIN' MIGHTY TRIED OF IT: SO HE TOLD THE LORD
SAY, "LORD, I'M GETTIN' MIGHTY TRIED OF FOLKS STEPPING ON,
RUNNING OVER AND KICKING ME AROUND - JUS' AIN'T FAIR. I LIVE DOWN
HERE TOO; I GOT JUS' MUCH RIGHTS AS EVERYBODY ELSE DOWN HERE;
PEOPLE DON'T PAY NO ATTENTION TO ME, LORD: THE SNAKE COMPLAINTED.
"COULD BE THAT THEY JUST DON'T KNOW WHEN YOU'RE ABOUT. CAN'T
BLAME 'EM, CAUSE YOU IS WAY-LOW-DOWN, YA SEE", THE LORD ASKED THE
SNAKE. THE SNAKE SAID, "YOU KNOW, YOU MIGHT BE RIGHT." "I KNOW,
HERE, TAKE THIS HERE SHAKER, EVERYTIME YOU SEE SOMEBODY COMING YO'
WAY YOU JUS' SHAKE IT. YA' HEAR ME NOW?", THE LORD ASKED THE SNAKE.

Submitter comment: I HAVE HEARD A SIMILAR STORY IN ALABAMA ABOUT THIS SNAKE'S RATTLE; I
NOTICED A LOCAL NAME - "MASON CREEK".

Where learned: MISSISSIPPI

James Callow Keyword(s): COMPOUND EPITHET: WAY-LOW-DOWN ; METATHESIS: TRIED FOR TIRED

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Characteristics of Animals

Date learned: 00-00-1940

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LEGEND

IF YOU NEED MONEY, ONE WAY TO GET IT IS TO WRITE A LETTER TO A DEAD
RELATIVE. ADDRESS THE ENVELOPE AND STAMP IT JUST LIKE YOU WERE
MAILING THE LETTER. THEN PUT IT ON TOP OF A GLASS OF WATER AND
PLACE THEM UNDER YOUR BED. WHAT IS SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN IS THAT THE
RELATIVE WILL COME BACK TO YOU AND TELL YOU THE NUMBERS FOR THE
NUMBERS RACKET THE NEXT DAY. SO A LADY DID THIS, SHE WROTE TO HER
DEAD BABY SISTER AND PUT THE LETTER ON A GLASS OF WATER UNDER HER
BED. SHE WOKE UP DURING THE NIGHT WHEN SHE FELT SOMEONE GETTING
INTO BED WITH HER. SHE LOOKED AND IT WAS THE BODY OF AN ADULT WITH
THE HEAD OF HER BABY SISTER. SHE RAN OUT OF THE HOUSE AND RAN
DOWN THE STREET SCREAMING. AND SHE'S BEEN CRAZY EVER SINCE.

Submitter comment: WHEN MY INFORMANT LEARNED THIS STORY, THE PERSON WHO TOLD IT TO HER
WARNED HER TO BE SURE NOT TO TRY IT. SHE THINKS IT,S A SILLY STORY,
BUT SHE WON'T TRY TO DISPROVE IT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS

James Callow Keyword(s): DECAPITATION

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial
BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter
BELIEF -- Number
BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance

Date learned: 11-00-1975

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EASTER DAY

THE FOOD THAT WAS BLESSED ON SATURDAY MUST BE EATEN FOR BREAKFAST.
IT MUST INCLUDE HORSERADISH TO REPRESENT THE BURNING LIQUID GIVEN
CHRIST WHILE HE HUNG ON THE CROSS. THE REMAINING FOOD SHOULD BE
SHARED WITH THE DAY'S VISITORS SO THAT IT IS FINISHED ON SUNDAY.

Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; ERIE

Keyword(s): CHARITY, HOSPITALITY ; FAMILY UNITY ; FOOD CUSTOM ; SWIECZONKA ; SYMBOL

Subject headings: 663 Holy Saturday
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday
Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals

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A REMEDY

TO HEAL A BURN, PUT SALIVA ON IT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): SPITTLE

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Remedy

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POLISH TRADITION

ON CHRISTMAS EVE POLISH ALWAYS LEAVE AN EXTRA PLACE SETTING AT
THE TABLE IN CASE A STRANGER SHOULD HAPPEN BY.
IF THIS DOES HAPPEN YOU MUST INVITE THIS STRANGER IN TO YOUR HOME
FOR DINNER.

Submitter comment: ONE TIME THIS HAPPENED TO US AND WE ENDED
UP WITH A KITTEN FOR THE DAY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HUNTINGTON WOODS

James Callow Keyword(s): HOSPITALITY

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Table setting and clearing

Date learned: 02-22-1979

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PROVERB

POLISH: BO'G WDOMU, GOSE' WDOMN. TRANSLATION: GOD AT HOME, GUESTS AT HOME.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; 20181 BINDER

Keyword(s): ELLIPSIS ; HOSPITALITY? ; PARALLELISM

Subject headings: Favorites
PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim

Date learned: 03-08-1970

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POLISH PROVERB

A GUEST IN THE HOUSE IS GOD IN THE HOUSE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): HOSPITALITY

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

Date learned: 00-00-1930

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LEGEND

IN THE BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS OF VIRGINIA, THERE IS A PLACE CALLED
DEVIL'S DEN. LEGEND HAS IT THAT WHEN LUCIFER WAS CAST OUT OF
HEAVEN THAT IS THE PLACE HE WAS THROWN INTO. THE PIT IS BOTTOMLESS,
SO IT'S SAID. YOU CAN DROP A STONE INTO THE PIT AND NEVER HEAR IT
HIT BOTTOM. THEY'VE CALLED IT DEVIL'S DEN AS LONG AS ANYONE
REMEMBERS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; 5444 MARTIN ; 48210

Keyword(s): BOTTOMLESS PIT.

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name
BELIEF -- Devil Demon
BELIEF -- Formation

Date learned: 03-01-1971

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