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THE HOOKED HAND

A GUY AND HIS GIRL WERE PARKED IN HIS CAR IN A DESERTED AREA.
LISTENING TO THE RADIO, THEY HEARD A GUY HAD ESCAPED FROM A NEARBY
INSANE ASYLUM. THE ESCAPEE HAD A HOOK FOR ONE OF HIS HANDS. THE
GIRL GOT REALLY SCARED AND SAID SHE WANTED TO LEAVE. HER BOYFRIEND
SAID NO, EVERYTHING WAS OKAY. SHE INSISTED AGAIN AND AGAIN HE SAID
NO. ON MORE TIME SHE SAID' "COME ONE, I,M REALLY SCARED." HER
BOYFRIEND GOT REALLY MAD, JAMMED ON THE CAR AND THE CAR JERKED OFF.
WHEN THEY GOT TO HER HOUSE, HE GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND WALKED OVER TO
HER SIDE TO OPEN HER DOOR. HANGING FROM THE DOOR HANDLE ON HER
DOOR WAS A HOOK.

Submitter comment: EVEN THOUGH I HAVE TOLD THIS STORY DOZENS OF TIMES, IT NEVER FAILS TO
TERRIFY ME. AS I TYPE THIS I AM LOOKING OVER MY SHOULDER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): THREE REQUESTS FROM GIRL

Subject headings: 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple
Favorites
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Dating Courtship
BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails

Date learned: CA00001967

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HOSPITALITY CUSTOM

AMONG THE UKRANIANS, IT IS A CUSTOM, WHEN INVITED TO EAT AT
SOMEONE'S HOUSE, TO TURN DOWN THE INVITATION THREE TIMES. IF ASKED
A FOURTH TIME, IT WOULD BE POLITE TO ACCEPT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): HOST GUEST NUMBER ; HOST GUEST THREE

Subject headings: Favorites
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Number

Date learned: 10-02-1971

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DRINKS

WHEN COMPANY IS EXPECTED, IT IS PROPER TO PLAN FOR ENOUGH
LIQUOR FOR THREE DRINKS A PIECE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): COMPANY THREE

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank

Date learned: 11-16-1968

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CUSTOM

ALWAYS PUT THREE PENNIES IN A NEW PURSE OR WALLET SO THAT IT MAY
NEVER BE EMPTY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): THREE

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank

Date learned: 10-22-1969

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KNOCK KNOCK JOKE

KNOCK KNOCK
WHO'S THERE?
HOFFMAN
HOFFMAN WHO?
I'LL HOFFMAN I'LL PUFF AND I'LL BLOW YER HOUSE IN

Submitter comment: GEORGETOWN U. FROM FRIENDS

Where learned: GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY

Keyword(s): NAME ; THREE LITTLE PIGS

Subject headings: RIDDLE -- Riddle Question

Date learned: 11-25-1967

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CLUMPS OF THREE

SUPERSTITION HAS IT THAT BAD LUCK OR GOOD FORTUNE, GOOD NEWS OR BAD
NEWS COMES IN SETS OF THREE. WHEN ONE HEARS OF TWO
CONSECUTIVE SITUATIONS A THIRD WILL MOST CERTAINLY APPEAR.

Submitter comment: NON-ETHNIC

Where learned: OHIO ; TOLEDO

Keyword(s): THREE

Subject headings: 686 Seconds / Twice / Two
686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple
BELIEF -- Good luck
BELIEF -- Bad luck

Date learned: 09-30-1968

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ALWAYS IN THREES.

ALL MISFORTUNES OCCUR IN THREES.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED IT FROM HER MOTHER

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): THREES

Subject headings: 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple

Date learned: 08-11-1964

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NUMBER 3

DEATH ALWAYS COMES IN THREES.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): DEATH ; THREES

Subject headings: 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple

Date learned: 09-00-1969

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PROVERB

DEATH COMES IN THREE'S

Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD AT INFORMANTS HOME ; 6627 Whitefield

Keyword(s): DEATH ; THREES

Subject headings: 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple
PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim

Date learned: 01-16-1970

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SOLDIER SAYING

"A GI NEVER LEAVES HIS BUNKER THREE DAYS BEFORE HE LEAVES VIETNAM."

Submitter comment: SINCE HEARING THE ABOVE, I HAVE ASKED SEVERAL VETERANS OF VIETNAM,
(MANY OF MY STUDENTS ARE VETERANS) IF THEY EVER HEARD OF THIS SAYING
MOST SAY NO, BUT FEW DENY THAT IT IS TRUE.

Where learned: VIRGINIA ; 2 MAPLE LEAF LN ; WOODRIDGE

Keyword(s): THREE

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim

Date learned: 03-29-1970

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WHY A SHAMROCK HAS THREE LEAVES

ST. PATRICK WAS HAVING A HARD TIME CONVERTING THE PAGANS OF IRELAND
TO CATHOLICISM. NEXT HE WENT DIRECTLY TO THE KING, BUT HE FAILED
THERE TOO. ONE DAY HE WAS TELLING THEM ABOUT THE TRINITY BUT THE
PEOPLE COULDN'T CONCEIVE HOW THREE PERSONS COULD BE IN ONE. SO
ST. PATRICK TOOK A SHAMROCK AND POINTED OUT HOW THERE ARE THREE
LEAVES IN ONE ORGANISM. THE KING THOUGHT THIS A LOGICAL EXPLANATION
BECAUSE NO ONE COULD DENY IT. THUS HE WAS BAPTIZED AND HIS SUBJECTS
FOLLOWED HIM.

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; RENO HALL

Keyword(s): THREE AS HOLY NUMBER

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero

Date learned: 09-29-1968

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RIDDLE

IF YOU PUT THREE DUCKS INTO A BOX, WHAT WILL YOU HAVE?
A BOX OF QUACKERS.

Where learned: HOME ; 2319 TROMBLEY

Keyword(s): CONUNDRUM ; FOWL: DUCKS ; NUMBERS: THREE

James Callow Keyword(s): PUN ON CRACKERS

Subject headings: RIDDLE -- Riddle Question

Date learned: 11-11-1967

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EPIPHANY-JANUARY 6

FOR UKRAINIANS VARIOUS EVENTS ARE COMMEMORATED ON THIS
DAY WHICH IS ALSO CALLED "THEOPHANY" OR MANIFESTATION. IT
CELEBRATES THE BAPTISM OF CHRIST AND THEREFORE WATER IS
BLESSED IN THE CHURCHES. THE BLESSING FOLLOWS THE MASS
WHEN THE PRIEST SUBMERGES THREE SETS OF THREE LIGHTED
CANDLES. A CRUCIFIX IS ALSO MOVED THROUGH THE WATER IN
THE FORM OF A CROSS. THE PEOPLE FILL THEIR JARS WITH HOLY
WATER TO BRING HOME. EACH PERSON DRINKS SOME HOLY WATER
AND SOME IS POURED INTO THE HOLY WATER FONTS. IN THE WEEKS
FOLLOWING EPIPHANY, THE PASTOR VISITS THE HOMES OF HIS
PARISHONERS TO BLESS THEM. THE HOLY WATER IS ALSO USED FOR
BLESSING FARMS, CATTLE, AND CROPS. ON SPECIAL FEAST DAYS,
THE CHURCH ALSO BLESSES FRUIT, FLOWERS, AND FOOD. IT IS ALSO
USED IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE SACRAMENTS.

Submitter comment: TO UKRAINIANS ALL BODIES OF WATER SUCH AS LAKES, RIVERS,AND
PONDS WERE CONSIDERED HOLY. THE BLESSING OF WATER IN THE
UKRAINE TOOK PLACE AT THE EDGE OF THE RIVER NOT IN THE
PARISH CHURCH.

Where learned: NEW YORK ; ROCHESTER

Keyword(s): THREE

Subject headings: 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Typical Elements of a Festive Pattern
BELIEF -- Water
BELIEF -- Magic Book
BELIEF -- Prayer
BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications

Date learned: 00001950S

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Death

Death comes in 3's.

Submitter comment: Mother says this a lot especially if we hear of at least 2
deaths. She always says there is going to be a 3rd.

Where learned: LOUISIANA ; LAFAYETTE

James Callow Keyword(s): THREES

Subject headings: 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple
BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial

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CHILDREN'S STORY

SOME TROLL LIVED UNDER A BRIDGE--SORT OF A CULVERT, BUT HE
CALLED IT A BRIDGE--AN', UH, I BELIEVE THERE WAS THREE GOATS
LIVED ON ONE SIDE OF A HILL, AN' THERE WAS A GREEN PASTURE
ON THE OTHER SIDE (OF THE BRIDGE). THEY'D JUST EATEN UP
EVERYTHING THEY HAD ON THEIR SIDE AN' THEY WANTED TO GO OVER TO
THIS GREEN PASTURE. BUT THEY WERE AFRAID OF THE TROLL 'COS
EVERYBODY THAT WENT ACROSS THIS BRIDGE, HE CAME OUT, Y'KNOW
AN' HE GOBBLED 'EM UP, ONE WAY OR 'NOTHER, AN' THESE THREE
GOATS DECIDED THEY WOULD GO ACROSS TO THE PASTURE. SO THEY
DECIDED THEY WOULD TRY THIS RUSE, AT LEAST THEY'D GET THEIR
LITTLE ONE ACROSS AN', UH, GET OVER WHERE THE PASTURE WAS
GREEN, 'COS IT WAS PROB'LY STARVATION IF THEY DIDN'T. SO
THE LITTLE FELLA, THEY THOUGHT HE'S SO LIGHT MAYBE HE WOULDN'T
HEAR HIM ANYWAY, AN' HE'D GET ACROSS, HE TRIPPED ACROSS THIS
BRIDGE. THE OLD TROLL SAID, "WHO'S THAT TRIPPIN' ACROSS MY
BRIDGE?" HE SAID, "I'M THE LITTLE GOAL BILLY." HE SAID, "I'M
COMIN' OUT AN' EAT YOU UP." AN' HE SAID, "OH, DON'T EAT ME
UP," SAID, UH, "MY FATHER'S COMIN' AFTER A WHILE AN' HE'S
MUCH BIGGER THAN I." AN' HE SAID, "VERY WELL THEN, GO ON."
SO THEN THE MIDDLE-SIZED GOAT, WHICH WAS THE MOMMA GOAT,
WENT ACROSS. AN' HE WANTED TO KNOW, THE OLD TROLL SAYS,
"WHO'S THAT TRAPPIN' ACROSS MY BRIDGE?" THE LITTLE ONE TRIPPED,
& THIS ONE TRAPPED. "WHO'S THAT CROSSIN' MY BRIDGE?" TRAP,
TRAP, TRAP. SHE SAID SHE'S THE MIDDLE-SIZE GOAT BILLY . . .
MAYBE THE NANNY GOAT . . . HE SAYS HE'S COMIN' OUT AN' EAT HER UP.
AN' SHE SAID, "OH, NO, DON'T COME OUT AN' EAT ME UP NOW,"
SHE SAID, "WE'RE GOIN' ACROSS IN A GREEN PASTURE WHERE WE CAN
EAT GRASS AN' GROW FAT, AN' THEN WHEN WE COME BACK WE'LL BE
GOOD FOR YE TO EAT." AND HE TOLD HER, VERY WELL, THEN, BUT
BE SURE THEY CAME BACK THAT WAY. SO AFTER A WHILE THE PAPA
GOAT, THE BIG BILLY GOAT, WENT ACROSS, TROMP, TROMP, TROMP.
AN' HE SAID, "WHO'S THAT TROMPIN' ACROSS MY BRIDGE?" AND HE
SAID, "THE BIG GOAT BILLY." HE SAID, "I'M COMIN' OUT AN'
EAT YOU UP." AN' HE SAID, UH, "WELL, COME AHEAD, THEN."
SO, THE TROLL CAME OUT, AND HE (THE GOAT) WAS SO STRONG HE
TOOK HIS OL' HORNS, Y'KNOW, AN' GORED HIM WITH 'EM; HE TOOK
AHOLD OF HIS NOSE AN' BROKE IT. THE TROLL'S NOSE WAS AS
LONG AS A BROOMSTICK AN' HIS EYES WAS AS BIG AS SAUCERS, AN'
HIS HAIR LOOKED LIKE, WELL . . . IT LOOKED ABOUT LIKE YOURS
(THE COLLECTOR'S LONG HAIR). ANYWAY, HE GORED HIM AN' HE
PICKED HIM UP AN' PITCHED HIM OVER IN THE RIVER, AN'
HE WAS GONE.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT WAS DOUBTFUL AS TO WHETHER SHE WAS CORRECTLY
REPEATING THE STORY, BUT SHE FELT SHE HAD IT MOSTLY CORRECT.

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE

Keyword(s): THREE BILLY GOATS GRUFF

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal

Date learned: 07-06-1973

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THREE, SIX, NINE THE GOOSE DRANK WINE,
THE MONKEY CHEWED TOBACCO
ON THE STREETCAR LINE.
THE LINE BROKE,
THE MONKEY GOT CHOKE(ED)
AND THEY ALL WENT TO HEAVEN
IN A LITTLE ROWBOAT (CLAP, CLAP).

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE

James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMALS ; HUMOR COUNTING BY THREES

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

Date learned: 12-05-1973

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IF THE CORD IS CUT CLOSER THAN THREE INCHES TO THE NAVEL,
THE BABY WILL BLEED TO DEATH.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE ; Criss, Dorothy ; 1214 N 39th Ave

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Bleed ; CHILDBIRTH ; Cut ; DEATH ; Delivery ; Die ; Inches ; infant ; Labor ; Length ; Newborn ; PREGNANCY ; THREE ; UMBILICAL CORD

James Callow Keyword(s): UMBILICAL CORD

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Birth
BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness

Date learned: 08-20-1973

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THINGS OR PEOPLE ALWAYS COME IN THREE'S.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; CORNERSVILLE ; Woods, Terry

Keyword(s): Maxim ; NUMBERS ; NUMBERS ; NUMEROLOGY ; People ; Saying ; Things ; THREE

Subject headings: 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple

Date learned: 00001972-00001973 (ASSUMED)

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WHENEVER WALKING PAST A GRAVEYARD, SPIT THREE TIMES
THROUGH THE GATE OR THERE WILL BE A DEATH IN THE FAMILY
WITHIN A MONTH.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; MCKENZIE ; Travillian, Lloyd

Keyword(s): DEATH ; FAMILY ; GRAVEYARD ; SPIT ; SUPERSTITION ; THREE

Subject headings: 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple
BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial
BELIEF -- Conversions

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MOVIE STAR LEGEND

THIS IS A LEGEND ABOUT MOVIE STARS.
WHEN A FAMOUS MOVIE STAR DIES, TWO MORE WILL DIE IN A SHORT
WHILE. A MOVIE STAR DOESN'T DIE ALONE, BUT ALWAYS DIES IN THREE.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Stevens, Stella

Keyword(s): DEATH ; Hollywood ; MOVIE STAR ; THREE ; Triple

Subject headings: 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple
BELIEF -- Secular hero

Date learned: CHILDHOOD

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