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PROVERBIAL COMPARISON

AS COLD AS A WITCH'S TIT.

Where learned: NEW YORK ; NEW ROCHELLE

Keyword(s): CLIMATE ; DEFINITION ; SUPERNATURAL

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Witch Shaman
PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison

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RAINBOWS

AT THE END OF A RAINBOW, THERE'S A POT OF GOLD.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): COSMOS

James Callow Keyword(s): OPTIMISM ; SUPERNATURAL

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Sign or prediction through Natural atmospheric phenomenon
PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

Date learned: 11-19-1968

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PROVERBIAL PHRASE

COLDER THAN A WITCH'S TIT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): SUPERNATURAL

James Callow Keyword(s): MAMMARY

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Witch Shaman
BELIEF -- Air Weather Fire
PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

Date learned: 10-19-1970

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RUSSIAN PROVERB

CUPID IS THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN SHOOT ARROWS THROUGH TWO HEARTS
AT THE SAME TIME.

Where learned: RUSSIA

Keyword(s): NUMBERS ; SUPERNATURAL

James Callow Keyword(s): OBSERVATION

Subject headings: 686 Seconds / Twice / Two
BELIEF -- Gods
PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

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WELLERISM

'DESPONDENT DRAGONS NEVER EAT LITHUANIAN BREAD,' SAID THE
LITHUANIAN BAKER AS HE LOAFED IN THE DRAGON'S MOUTH.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT BELIEVES THIS PROVERB COMES FROM THE MURKY RECESSES OF
A DISTURBED MIND AND IS, THEREFORE, UNRELIABLE.

Data entry tech comment: KEYPUNCHER SUSPECTS THIS PROVERB.

James Callow comment: KEYPUNCHER'S JOKE, NO DOUBT

Where learned: SOUTH AMERICA ; PATAGONIA ; ARGENTINA

Keyword(s): ALLITERATION ; ANIMAL ; FOOD ; PUN ; SUPERNATURAL ; SUPERSTITION

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Blason Populaire

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POLISH PROVERB

DIABET NIE SYSI. (POLISH)
THE DEVIL DOES NOT SLEEP. (TRANSLATION)

Submitter comment: MY FATHER KNOWS THIS PROVERB FROM POLAND.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

Keyword(s): SUPERNATURAL

James Callow Keyword(s): AWAKE?

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Devil Demon
PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim

Date learned: 11-17-1967

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POLISH PROVERB

DIABLI TO WIEDZA. (POLSIH)
THE DEVILS KNOW IT. (TRANSLATION)

Submitter comment: THIS IS USED IN REFERENCE TO SOME KNOWLEDGE NOBODY KNOWS. MY FATHER
KNOWS THIS FROM POLAND.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

Keyword(s): SUPERNATURAL

James Callow Keyword(s): SECRECY?

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Devil Demon
PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

Date learned: 11-17-1967

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OLD JEWISH SAYING

THE DEVIL RAN AWAY FROM A BAD WOMAN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): SUPERNATURAL

James Callow Keyword(s): LILITH?

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Devil Demon
PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

Date learned: 00-00-1968

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TO BECOME A WEREWOLF

TAKE AN IRON COOKING POT INTO WHICH MUST BE DUMPED WATER, PARSLEY,
OPIUM, AND SAFFRON. YOU DO NOT EAT IT, IT IS TO ATTACK THE DEVIL.
RUB YOUR BODY WITH FAT OF A FRESHLY KILLED CAT AND PUT ON A
WOLF'S SKIN.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Gwizdala, Maureen ; ANN ARBOR

Keyword(s): DEVIL ; Legend ; MYTH ; SUPERNATURAL ; Werewolf

James Callow Keyword(s): TRANSFORMATION

Subject headings: Food Drink -- Plant food Vegetable
Food Drink -- Flavoring Spice
BELIEF -- Devil Demon
BELIEF -- Mammal

Date learned: 10-00-1969

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VAMPIRE BELIEF

THE ONLY WAY TO KEEP VAMPIRES AWAY IS TO WEAR A CROSS ON YOUR
NECK.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Piejak, Ron

Keyword(s): Cross ; SUPERNATURAL ; Vampire

James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOL

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Werewolf Vampire
BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications

Date learned: 03-21-1968

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PROTECTION AGAINST VAMPIRES

TORCHES WAVED WILDLY IS A PROTECTIVE DEVICE AGAINST VAMPIRES.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: ENGLAND ; Newman, Tom ; WORCESTER

Keyword(s): SUPERNATURAL ; SUPERSTITION ; Torches ; Vampires

James Callow Keyword(s): FIRE

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Werewolf Vampire

Date learned: 04-00-1972

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WHO BECOMES A VAMPIRE

WEREWOLVES KILLED BY MAGICAL MEANS WILL IN 5 DAYS RETURN AS A VAMPIRE

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: ENGLAND ; Newman, Tom ; WORCESTER

Keyword(s): SUPERNATURAL ; SUPERSTITION ; Undead ; Vampire

James Callow Keyword(s): NUMBER ; TRANSFORMATION

Subject headings: 686 Fifths
BELIEF -- Werewolf Vampire

Date learned: 04-00-1972

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WHO BECOMES A VAMPIRE

DEAD PEOPLE NOT BURIED WITHIN 5 DAYS WILL BECOME A VAMPIRE.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: ENGLAND ; Newman, Tom ; WORCESTER

Keyword(s): SUPERNATURAL ; SUPERSTITION ; Undead ; Vampire

James Callow Keyword(s): NUMBER ; TRANSFORMATION

Subject headings: 686 Fifths
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial
BELIEF -- Werewolf Vampire

Date learned: 04-00-1972

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GHOST PROVERB

EVEN THE GHOST WILL LISTEN IF YOU BEG.

Submitter comment: HERE THE GHOST REPRESENTS THE KING OF HADES, WHO IS SUPPOSED TO
SIT ON HIS THRONE OF JUDGMENT WITH A STERN FACE. WHEN THE DEAD ARE
BROUGHT INTO HIS PRESENCE ONE BY ONE, HE WEIGHS THE LOAD OF THEIR
SINS ON A BALANCE AND LOOKS AT THE SCENE OF THEIR DEEDS REFLECTED
IN A MIRROR, AND THEN HE SENDS THEM TO HELL OR HEAVEN, TO PURGATORY
OR BACK TO LIFE. IF THE SINNER IN TEARS OF REPENTANCE BEGS FOR
PARDON, HE WILL BE LENIENT. A MAN IS MORE LIKELY TO FORGIVE IF YOU
BEG HIS PARDON FOR WHAT YOU HAVE DONE WRONG.

Data entry tech comment: ETHNIC ORIGIN

Where learned: KOREA ; SEOUL

Keyword(s): SUPERNATURAL

James Callow Keyword(s): REPENTANCE ; TRANSLATION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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CURE FOR CORNS

FOR THOSE WHO SUFFERED FROM CORNS ON THEIR FEET, WOULD SAY
BEFORE BREAKFAST, 27 CONSECUTIVE TIMES, "EARTH TAKE MY PAIN" AND FOR
ANOTHER 27 CONSECUTIVE TIMES WOULD SPIT ON THE GROUND.
SPITTING ON THE GROUND ALSO HAS THE VIRTUE
OF HAVING A MEDICINE TO TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY,
AND WAS AN EFFECTIVE ANTIDOTE AGAINST THE EVIL EYE.

Submitter comment: PEOPLE STILL PRACTICE THIS CURE IN ITALY

Data entry tech comment: COLLECTOR'S SPELLING CORRECTED BY KEYPUNCHER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): PROTECTION AGAINST EVIL FORCES ; SUPERNATURAL ; SYMPATHETIC MAGIC

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Number P686.1.27
BELIEF -- Method of Curing

Date learned: 11-20-1967

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INDIAN LEGEND

FROM CODY, WYOMING: ONCE THERE WAS A MEDICINE MAN WHO WAS REALLY
A GOOD GUY. THIS WHOLE TRIBE WAS IN A STATE OF MORAL DECAY,
THEY GAVE HIM A BAD TIME AND MOCKED HIM WHEN HE TRIED TO CLEAN
THINGS UP.
FINALLY HE DECIDED TO GIVE THE PEOPLE ONE LAST CHANCE. HE CALLED
ALL THE DEPRAVED INDIANS TOGETHER AND MADE A SPEECH, ASKING THEM
TO REFORM. THEY HAD ALL COME DECKED OUT IN THEIR CEREMONIAL ROBES
RED, YELLOW AND GREEN, ALL STANDING ON THE CLIFFS AROUND THE
MEDICINE MAN AS HE MADE HIS SPEECH. THEY PLANNED TO KILL HIM AS
SOON AS HE WAS FINISHED. BUT HE PULLED A FAST ONE AND TURNED ALL
OF THEM INTO ROCKS. THIS IS HOW THE PAINTED DESERT WAS FORMED.

Data entry tech comment: CORRECTED SOME WORDING.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): SUPERNATURAL

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Myth
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formation

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LEGEND

LONG AGO, IN A CAVE IN A HIGH ROCKY HILL RUNNING ABOVE THE RIVER
VISTULA, A GREAT AND TERRIBLE DRAGON LIVED WHOSE FIERY BREATH GUSHED
FORTH LIKE A FOUNTAIN OF HISSING STEAM FROM HIS WIDE NOSTRILS, AND
WHO UTTERED MONSTROUS, UNEARTHLY SOUNDS, UNLIKE THOSE OF ANY BEAST
OF THE FOREST.
MANY BRAVE KNIGHTS HAD BEEN SENT TO SLAY THE DRAGON, BUT ALL
HAD PERISHED IN THE ATTEMPT.
PRINCE CRACUS WAS BRAVE AND KIND. HE KILLED A FAT SHEEP, FILLED
IT WITH SULPHUR. THE DRAGON ATE THE BAIT, DRANK HALF A RIVER AND
EXPLODED. THE CITY OF CRACOW WAS FOUNDED WHERE THE DRAGON EXPLODED.
THE PRINCE ERECTED A FORTRESS ON THE DRAGON'S HILL, WHERE AFTERWARDS
WAWEL CASTLE WAS BUILT, THE HOME OF THE KING OF POLAND.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE FARMS

Keyword(s): LOCAL LEGEND: POLAND ; SUPERNATURAL LEGEND

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero

Date learned: 10-02-1968

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LEGEND OF THE MAIDEN OF THE MIST

THERE ONCE WERE THREE DRAGONS THAT LIVED UNDERNEATH NIAGRA FALLS. AT
THE TIME THE TUSCARERIES, A TRIBE OF INDIANS IN NORTHWEST NEW YORK
LIVED IN THE VICINITY. THE DRAGONS WOULD GET HUNGRY AND COME UP AT
NIGHT AND ATTACK AND EAT SOME OF THE BRAVES OF THE TRIBE. THE
TUSCARERIES, SEEING THEIR TRIBE DWINDLING, WANTED TO APPEASE THE
DRAGONS. SO TO SATISFY THE DRAGONS ( DRAGONS' ) APPETITE THEY WOULD
LOAD UP A CANOE OF GOOD FOODS AND SEND IT DOWN THE NIAGRA RIVER
TOWARD THE FALLS. THIS TOO FAILED TO SATISFY THE DRAGONS AND AGAIN
THEY ATTACKED THE TRIBE TO EAT BRAVES. AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO
KEEP THE DRAGONS HAPPY, THE CHIEF AND THE MEDICINE MAN DECIDED TO
SACRIFICE A MAIDEN TO THE DRAGONS IN HOPES OF STOPPING THESE ATTACKS.
SO THE INDIANS FORMED ALL THE MAIDENS OF THE TRIBE IN ONE CIRCLE AND
SHOT AN ARROW INTO THE AIR FROM THE CENTER OF THIS CIRCLE. WHOEVER
THE ARROW LANDED CLOSEST TO WOULD BE THE SACRIFICE. IT HAPPENED THAT
THE SACRIFICE TURNED OUT TO BE LELAWELLA, THE CHIEF'S DAUGHTER. THE
INDIANS SENT THE GIRL, STARK NAKED, WITH A BIG SUPPLY OF GOOD FOOD IN
A CANOE TOWARDS THE FALLS. (IT IS AT THIS POINT THAT THE SOURCE COULD
NOT REMEMBER ANY MORE DETAILS AND FINISHED WITH GENERALITIES) OVER
THE FALLS SHE WENT BUT SOME BRAVES RESCUED HER AND IN DOING SO SLEW
THE DRAGON. THEY WENT BACK TO THE VILLAGE AND HAD A BIG CELEBRATION,
THAT TODAY IS CELEBRATED IN NIAGRA FALLS, NEW YORK, AS THE FEAST OF
THE "MAIDEN OF THE MIST."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): LOCAL LEGEND ; NIAGARA FALLS ; SUPERNATURAL LEGEND

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero

Date learned: 11-05-1968

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THUMP-DRAG

ABOUT THIRTY YEARS AGO WHEN WHAT IS NOW CYO CAMP FOR GIRLS IN
CARSONVILLE WAS JUST STARTED, IT WAS A BOYS CAMP. MANY OF THE
BUILDINGS THAT ARE THERE NOW WEREN'T EVEN BUILT YET. WHAT IS NOW THE
NATURE NOOK WAS IN THE STOREROOM. A YOUNG CHEMISTRY STUDENT WAS IN
CHARGE OF NATURE. ONCE HE WAS REACHING UP TO A HIGH SHELF TO GET SOME
CHEMICALS FOR AN EXPERIMENT. THE SHELF COLLAPSED AND A BOTTLE OF ACID
SPILLED ALL OVER HIM. HE JUMPED BACK SO QUICKLY THAT HE FELL AND
BROKE HIS LEG. HE LAY ON THE FLOOR WRITHING AND SCREAMING AS THE ACID
BURNED HIS FACE. SOMEONE HEARD HIM AND RAN FOR HELP. SOON A WHOLE
GROUP OF COUNSELORS CAME. WHEN THEY SAW THE ACID BURNING THEY
GRABBED HIM AND DRAGGED HIM TO THE LAKE. EVENTUALLY THEY WERE ABLE
TO STOP THE BURNING BUT BY THIS TIME MOST OF HIS FACE HAD BEEN EATEN
AWAY BY THE ACID, HIS BROKEN LEG WAS HOPELESSLY MANGLED AND THE
UNBEARABLE PAIN HAD MADE HIS MIND SNAP. HE WAS COMMITTED TO A MENTAL
INSTITUTION BUT HE ESCAPED SOON AFTER. PEOPLE IN THE CARSONVILLE
AREA REPORTED SEEING HIM, HIS FACE A REPULSIVE BLOB, LIMPING AROUND.
CHILDREN HEARD HIM WALKING--A THUMP FOLLOWED BY THE DRAG OF HIS
USELESS LEG. ONE NIGHT HE RETURNED TO THE CAMP. HE MET UP WITH A
CAMPER AT THE BIFFY. HE LUNGED TO GRAB THE CHILD BUT TRIPPED AND
FELL, KNOCKING THE CAMPER UNCONSCIOUS. AFTER THAT THE POLICE SET OUT
DRAGNETS TO TRY AND CATCH HIM. THE CAMP REQUIRED THAT ALL CAMPERS
TAKE A BUDDY WHEREVER THEY GO. STILL THUMP-DRAG GOES TO A DIFFERENT
CAVELL, YMCA AND YWCA. EVERY SEVENTH YEAR HE RETURNS TO THIS CAMP,
THE SCENE OF HIS ACCIDENT AND SEEKS REVENGE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CYO CAMP ; CARSONVILLE

Keyword(s): SUPERNATURAL LEGEND

Subject headings: 686 Seven / Sevenths / Several
Favorites
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed

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FLYING SAUCER BELIEF

"DRIVE DOWN ROUTE 20 NORTHWEST OF FREMONT, OHIO FOR ABOUT EIGHT
MILES UNTIL YOU COME TO COUNTY ROAD 19. PROCEED FIVE MILES ON
THIS ROAD UNTIL YOU CROSS A TWO LANE BRIDGE. GO A QUARTER MILE
BEYOND THE BRIDGE AND TURN RIGHT INTO A
FARMER'S FIELD.
IN THE FIELD FACING EAST, DRIVE IN A 360 DEGREE CIRCLE,
THERE IS A CREEK WITH A BRIDGE OVER IT. CROSS THE CREEK AND END UP
PARK, TURN OFF THE MOTOR AND TURN OFF EVERYTHING. BLINK THE LIGHTS
ON AND OFF THREE TIMES. A LIGHT APPEARS FROM THE EAST AND FLIES
DIRECTLY AT YOU AND THEN OVER YOU AND HEADS TOWARDS THE WEST. THIS
LIGHT IS IN THE FORM OF A BALL AND NEVER FAILS TO APPEAR AS LONG AS
THE LIGHTS ARE BLINKED ON AND OFF THREE TIMES."
THIS HAS BEEN VERIFIED BY MANY OF THE CONTRIBUTOR'S FRIENDS BUT THE
CONTRIBUTOR HAS NEVER SEEN IT AND ADMITS HE HASN'T
"... THE GUTS TO GO OUT
AND SEE IT." HE DOES, HOWEVER, SERIOUSLY BELIEVE IN IT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): MYSTERIOUS SUPERNATURAL LIGHT

Subject headings: 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal
BELIEF -- Fire

Date learned: 10-12-1967

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