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Belief

If you drop salt on the floor, shake salt over your left shoulder or there will be a catastrophe of fire or disappointment.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Various Boggs number classifications written down and crossed out:

P686

P860 = Use of Object

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Mousseau, Mary

Keyword(s): CATASTROPHE ; DISAPPOINTMENT ; FIRE ; Salt ; SUPERSTITION

Subject headings:

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Belief

When driving past a cemetery place on efinger on the roof of the car and put another finger on your mouth and say "shhhh". This is so you will not wake up the dead.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Wilson, JoAnne

Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE ; BELIEF ; CEMETERY ; GESTURE ; GRAVEYARD ; SUPERSTITION

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Gesture

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When Mrs. Bergen poured me a cup of hot tea, she said "Look at all the money that I gave you." The "money" refers to all the air bubbles which accumulate in your cup and gather at the center, which look like silver change is one stretches his imagination.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs and BN added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Original BN [N446 f578.4] crossed out. Nothing Replaces them.

Submission card located in a pile marked To Be Classified.

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON ; Bergen, Mrs.Ida ; Shiawassee Apartments ; Farmington Place

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; COIN MONEY ; Fortune Telling ; MONEY ; SUPERSTITION ; TEA

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Use of Object
BELIEF -- Use of Object Food
PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim

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Belief: Children's Song

Step on a Crack-break mother's back

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Original BN [P880] is crossed out. C860.740 replaces it.

The words Bad Luck are written across the top of the submission card, and subsequently crossed out.

Where learned: Myself

Keyword(s): Back ; BELIEF ; CHILDHOOD ; CHILDREN ; Crack ; GAME ; Line ; MOTHER ; RHYME ; SONG ; Spine ; SUPERSTITION ; VERSE

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

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Belief: Children's Song

DON'T STEP ON A CRACK OR YOU'LL BREAK YOUR MOTHER'S BACK.

Submitter comment:

IS AN OLD CHILDHOOD SAYING THAT THIS INFORMANT REMINDED ME OF.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated on 12-01-2010 / Motifs and Keywords added by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): Back ; BELIEF ; CHILDHOOD ; CHILDREN ; Crack ; GAME ; MOTHER ; RHYME ; SONG ; Spine ; SUPERSTITION ; VERSE

James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: NEGATIVE

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief
BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness
SPEECH -- Game Pastime Sport S555.500

Date learned: 03-30-1968

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Belief: Children's Song

STEP ON A LINE,
BREAK YOUR FATHER'S SPINE.
STEP ON A CRACK,
BREAK YOUR MOTHER'S BACK.
STEP ON A HOLE,
BREAK YOUR MOTHER'S SUGAR BOWL.

Submitter comment:

CHILDREN SING THIS SONG WHILE WALKING TO SCHOOL.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated on 12-01-2010 / Motifs and Keywords added by TRD

Where learned: UNKNOWN

Keyword(s): Back ; BELIEF ; CHILDHOOD ; CHILDREN ; Crack ; Domestic ; GAME ; Hole ; Line ; MOTHER ; RHYME ; SONG ; Spine ; Sugar ; SUPERSTITION ; VERSE

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief
BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness

Date learned: 01-21-1968

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Belief: Children's Song

STEP ON A CRACK, BREAK THE DEVIL'S BACK.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated on 12-01-2010 / Motifs and Keywords added by TRD

Where learned: HOME

Keyword(s): AA ; Back ; BELIEF ; CHILDHOOD ; CHILDREN ; Crack ; DEVIL ; GAME ; MOTHER ; RELIGION ; RHYME ; SONG ; Spine ; SUPERSTITION ; VERSE

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief
BELIEF -- Devil Demon

Date learned: 11-19-1969

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Belief: Children's Song

(1) DON'T STEP ON A CRACK OR YOU'LL BREAK YOUR MOTHER'S BACK.
(2) IF YOU STEP ON A LINE YOUR MOTHER DRINKS WINE.

Submitter comment:

MY BLACK NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOORS TOLD ME THESE TALES WHEN I WAS A KID.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated on 12-01-2010 / Motifs and Keywords added by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FRANKLIN VILLAGE

Keyword(s): ALCOHOL ; Back ; BELIEF ; CHILDHOOD ; CHILDREN ; Crack ; GAME ; Line ; MOTHER ; RHYME ; SONG ; Spine ; SUPERSTITION ; VERSE ; Wine

James Callow Keyword(s): NEGRO

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

Date learned: 00001960S

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Belief: Children's Song

STEP ON A CRACK, BREAK YOUR MOTHER'S BACK. STEP ON A LINE
BREAK YOUR FATHER'S SPINE.

Submitter comment:

INFORMANT USED TO SING THIS WHEN SHE PLAYED HOPSCOTCH ON
THE SIDEWALK.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated on 12-01-2010 / Motifs and Keywords added by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): Back ; BELIEF ; CHILDHOOD ; CHILDREN ; Crack ; Father ; GAME ; Line ; MOTHER ; RHYME ; SONG ; Spine ; SUPERSTITION ; VERSE

James Callow Keyword(s): GAME SONG

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Singing Dancing Marching
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief

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Belief: Children's Song

WHEN WALKING DOWN THE STREET SOME CHILDREN WILL CAREFULLY WATCH
WHERE THEY STEP AND SAY, "IF YOU STEP ON A CRACK YOUR MOTHER'S
GOT A BROKEN BACK, AND IF YOU STEP ON A LINE YOUR FATHER DRINKS
WINE.

Submitter comment:

I USED TO PLAY THIS GAME.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated on 12-01-2010 / Motifs and Keywords added by TRD

Keyword(s): ALCOHOL ; Back ; BELIEF ; CHILDHOOD ; CHILDREN ; Crack ; Father ; GAME ; Line ; MOTHER ; RHYME ; SONG ; Spine ; SUPERSTITION ; VERSE ; Wine

James Callow Keyword(s): COUNTING

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse C750.520
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Custom Festival C840.533
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief

Date learned: 00001958-00001966

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Belief: Children's Song

STEP ON A CRACK (AS IN A SIDEWALK) (SIC) BREAK YOUR MOTHER'S BACK.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs and Keywords added by TRD

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE ; ASSUMED

Keyword(s): Back ; BELIEF ; CHILDHOOD ; CHILDREN ; Crack ; GAME ; MOTHER ; RHYME ; SONG ; Spine ; SUPERSTITION ; VERSE

James Callow Keyword(s): ELLIPSIS

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief C860.533
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief
BELIEF -- Curse

Date learned: 06-00-1972

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Belief: Children's Song

If you step on a crack you'll break your mother's back.

Submitter comment:

Stepping on Cracks Superstition

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Original BN [P880] crossed out and replaced with C860.740

Where learned: CHILDHOOD ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Myself

Keyword(s): Back ; BELIEF ; CHILDHOOD ; CHILDREN ; Crack ; GAME ; Line ; MOTHER ; RHYME ; SONG ; Spine ; SUPERSTITION ; VERSE

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

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Ethnic:Polish Superstition

If you sing at the table you'll marry a crazy husband.

Submitter comment:

I distinctly recall hearing this in a Polish Verse form but I can't find anyone else who recalls it.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Original BN [P800] crossed out and replaced with P88o. The numbers 880 are crossed out and replaced with 477.

Various grammatical correction symbols.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Mroz, Stella

Keyword(s): CUSTOM ; ETHNIC ; HUSBAND ; MANNERS ; Omen, Singing ; POLISH ; SUPERSTITION ; TABLE MANNERS

Subject headings: Observation
BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal

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Ethnic:Polish Superstition

IF A YOUNG GIRL SINGS AT THE TABLE, SHE WILL MARRY A CRAZY HUSBAND.

Submitter comment:

INFORMANT IS A FRIEND OF MINE WHO REMEMBERS THIS FROM HER CHILDHOOD.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO

Keyword(s): CUSTOM ; ETHNIC ; HUSBAND ; MANNERS ; Omen, Singing ; POLISH ; SUPERSTITION ; TABLE MANNERS

Subject headings: Observation
BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal

Date learned: 02-00-1971

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Ethnic:Polish Superstition

IF YOU SING AT THE TABLE, YOU WILL MARRY A CRAZY HUSBAND.

Submitter comment:

SHE HEARD THIS FROM HER MOTHER.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): CUSTOM ; ETHNIC ; HUSBAND ; MANNERS ; Omen, Singing ; POLISH ; SUPERSTITION ; TABLE MANNERS

Subject headings: Observation
BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal

Date learned: 11-00-1967

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Superstition: Baseball

Never mention a shutout or a perspective no-hitter to a pitcher or anyone in a Major-League dugout during the feat or it will be lost to fate.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

The original BN [P880] is crossed out and replaced with P536.

The words Bad Luck are also crossed out from the top left-hand corner of the card.

Where learned: NBC TELEVISION ; RADIO PROGRAM ; Garagiola, Joe

Keyword(s): BAD LUCK ; BASEBALL ; BASEBALL STADIUM ; CHANCE ; CUSTOM ; Fan ; FATE ; jinx ; LUCK ; No-Hitter ; Shutout ; SPORTS ; SUPERSTITION

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion
BELIEF -- Entertainment Diversion
BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance

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Superstition: Baseball

WHEN THE PITCHER HAS A NO-HITTER GOING IN A BASEBALL GAME IT IS BAD
LUCK TO MENTION THIS FACT UNTIL THE GAME IS OVER. IF YOU DO MENTION
IT THE PITCHER WILL LOSE HIS NO-HITTER. DURING THE 1979 DETROIT
TIGERS BASEBALL SEASON DAVE ROZEMA HAD A NO-HITTER GOING IN THE
SEVENTH INNING AND THE UN-BASEBALL-WISE CHANNEL FOUR TV ANNOUNCER
MIKE BARRY ANNOUNCED THIS AND SURE ENOUGH THE NEXT BATTER GOT A
HOMERUN. THE OTHER TV ANNOUNCERS, FORMER BASEBALL PLAYERS AL KALINE
AND GEORGE SWELL, ALMOST THREW BARRY OUT OF THEIR THIRD-DECK BOOTH.
ANYBODY THAT KNOWS ANYTHING ABOUT BASEBALL KNOWS YOU ARE NOT SUPPOSE
TO MENTION A NO-HITTER AND BARRY SAID IT IN FRONT OF A QUARTER
MILLION PERSON TV AUDIENCE.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS

Keyword(s): BAD LUCK ; BASEBALL ; BASEBALL STADIUM ; CHANCE ; CUSTOM ; Fan ; FATE ; jinx ; LUCK ; No-Hitter ; Shutout ; SPORTS ; SUPERSTITION

James Callow Keyword(s): SPEAKING TABU

Subject headings: Favorites
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion
BELIEF -- Entertainment Diversion
BELIEF -- Bad luck

Date learned: 11-23-1979

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Superstition: Baseball

IF YOU'RE PLAYING BASEBALL AND YOUR PITCHER IS PITCHING
A NO-HITTER, IT'S BAD LUCK TO TALK ABOUT IT AND SAY
ANYTHING ABOUT IT TO HIM. JUST PRETEND LIKE YOU
KNOW NOTHING ABOUT IT.

Submitter comment:

THIS IS AN OLD CUSTOM IN BASEBALL THAT I LEARNED FROM
PLAYING IT VERY EARLY IN LIFE.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS ; ASSUMED

Keyword(s): BAD LUCK ; BASEBALL ; BASEBALL STADIUM ; CHANCE ; CUSTOM ; Fan ; FATE ; jinx ; LUCK ; No-Hitter ; Shutout ; SPORTS ; SUPERSTITION

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion
BELIEF -- Entertainment Diversion
BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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Superstition: Baseball

NO ONE SHOULD MENTION TO A PITCHER BETWEEN INNINGS THAT
HE HAS A SHUTOUT OR NO-HITTER GOING.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK

Keyword(s): BAD LUCK ; BASEBALL ; BASEBALL STADIUM ; CHANCE ; CUSTOM ; Fan ; FATE ; jinx ; LUCK ; No-Hitter ; Shutout ; SPORTS ; SUPERSTITION

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion
BELIEF -- Entertainment Diversion
BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance

Date learned: 09-24-1969

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Superstition: Baseball

NEVER MENTION A NO-HITTER TO A PITCHER DURING THE GAME.

Submitter comment:

HEARD IT ON T.V.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD 12.2.2010

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; ASSUMED

Keyword(s): BAD LUCK ; BASEBALL ; BASEBALL STADIUM ; CHANCE ; CUSTOM ; Fan ; FATE ; jinx ; LUCK ; No-Hitter ; Shutout ; SPORTS ; SUPERSTITION

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion
BELIEF -- Entertainment Diversion
BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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