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RIDDLE
Q: WHAT WALKS IN THE MORNING ON 4 LEGS, IN THE DAY ON 2, AND IN THE
EVENING ON 3?
A: A MAN.
Submitter comment: TRANSLATED FROM LITHUANIAN
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ACTIONS (Q) ; NUMBERS ; PARTS OF THE BODY (Q)
James Callow Keyword(s): "LEGS" SYMBOLIZING AGE OR STAGES IN LIFE ; CANE OEDIPUS
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: 02-17-1971
ORIGIN OF IRELAND
IRELAND BEGAN WHEN A TEAR OF HOPE FELL FROM HEAVEN INTO THE
SEA. THIS FORMED THE EMERALD ISLE. THE COLOR GREEN HERE IS
A SIGN OF HOPE.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MARYGROVE COLLEGE ; DETROIT ; Claus, Maureen
Keyword(s): COLOR ; Emerald Isle ; ETYMOLOGY ; Green ; IRELAND ; Irish ; Legend ; Lore
James Callow Keyword(s): COLOR SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 00001968 FALL
PROVERBIAL APOTHEGM
POLISH:
A PAIR OF LEGS IN YOUTH ARE BETTER THAN THREE IN OLD AGE
LEPSZE DWIE NOGI W MTODOSCI ANIZELI TRZY W STAROSCI
Submitter comment: MY FATHER KNOWS THIS FROM POLAND
Data entry tech comment: ORIGINAL 5 X 8 CARD CONTAINS POLISH TEXT
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
James Callow Keyword(s): NUMBERS ; THIRD LEG=CANE ; TRANSLATION
| Subject headings: | 686 Seconds / Twice / Two 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple BELIEF -- Body part Senses Lower body, legs PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: 11-21-1967
" THE GOBLET SONG "
GET OUT THE OLD SILVER GOBLET
WITH THE SIGMA PI UPON IT
AND WE'LL OPEN UP ANOTHER KEG OF BEER
FOR IT'S A DAMN FINE COLLEGE
BUT WE DIDN'T COME FOR KNOWLEDGE
SO WE'LL RAISE HELL WHILE WE'RE HERE.
BRING OUT THE OLD SILVER GOBLET
WITH THE SIGMA PI UPON IT
AND WE'LL OPEN UP ANOTHER KEG OF BEER
THERE'S ENOUGH FOR ALL THE BROTHERS
SO TO HELL WITH ALL THE OTHERS
AND WE'LL RAISE HELL WHILE WE'RE HERE.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Keyword(s): COLLEGE FRATERNITY DRINKING SONG
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Admiration Praise Adulation Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Social reunion |
A TUNE OF "HARK THE HAROLD ANGELS SING"
HARK THE HORNED ANGELS SHOUT.
EIGHT MORE DAYS 'TILL WE GET OUT
NO MORE TEXTS AND NO MORE THINKING,
BACK TO SEX AND SOCIAL DRINKING.
EIGHT MORE DAYS TIL WE CAN TELL,
WESTERN MICHIGAN TO GO TO HELL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): COLLEGE SONG ; PARODY OF RELIGIOUS SONG
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ill humor Ridicule Mockery Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Social reunion |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
PREDICTION, DIVINATION, OBSERVATION
"IF A GUY HAS LOTS OF HAIR ON HIS LEGS HE'LL MAKE A RICH HUSBAND."
Submitter comment: INFORMANT HEARD THIS AT A BAND JOB.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; 17315 SPRENGER
Keyword(s): HUSBAND ; LEGS ; MARRIAGE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hair, on head, mustache, widow's peak BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 11-13-1971
THE SHOPPER
WHEN I WAS WORKING AT THE J.L. HUDSON COMPANY AT NORTHLAND CENTER,
I NOTICED AN UNUSUAL WOMAN SHOPPER. SHE WAS A MIDDLE AGED WOMAN
WHO PUSHED A BABY BUGGY THROUGHOUT THE STORE. HOWEVER, THERE WAS
NO BABY INSIDE OF THE BUGGY. INSTEAD, IN THE BUGGY, WERE HER
MOST PRIZED POSSESSIONS. WHENEVER SHE WENT SHOPPING SHE LOADED
UP HER BUGGY AND TOOK OFF.
I INQUIRED ABOUT THIS STRANGE BEHAVIOR AND WAS TOLD BY THE WOMAN WHO
HAD BEEN WORKING AT HUDSON'S FOR MANY YEARS THAT THIS WOMAN WAS
ONCE ROBBED. AND, IN ORDER TO BE SURE THAT IT WOULD NOT HAPPEN
AGAIN, SHE TOOK ALL HER VALUABLES WITH HER WHEREVER SHE WENT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): UNUSUAL BEHAVIOR
James Callow Keyword(s): DEPARTMENT STORE LEGEND
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
COLLEGE FOLKLORE
WHEN THE CLOCK-TOWER STRIKES 10 P.M.-A LIVE STAGE SHOW CAN BE SEEN
PERFORMING IN THE WINDOWS OF THE HOLDEN HALL'S RESIDENCE FACING THE
MEN'S RESIDENCE WINDOWS AT RENO HALL.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Keyword(s): HUMOR COLLEGE FUN
James Callow Keyword(s): I ASKED COLLECTOR ABOUT THIS. HE SAID THE GIRLS PUT THIS ON FOR ; THE BOYS' BENEFIT.
| Subject headings: | -- |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
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
SAINT MAGNUS - APOSTLE OF THE ALLGAU
IN FUSSEN THERE IS A WATERFALL WHICH IS SPRING-FED FROM TYROL.
THE WATER FROM THE FALL FLOWS INTO A VERY NARROW GORGE.
ONE DAY ST. MAGNUS, THE APOSTLE OF THE ALLGAU, WAS BEING CHASED
BY HIS ENEMIES. THEY CORNERED HIM ABOVE THE WATERFALL. ST. MAGNUS HAD
TWO CHOICES: JUMP AND DROWN IN THE RUSHING WATERS OR BE CAPTURED BY
HIS ENEMIES. HE JUMPED AND MADE IT ALL THE WAY ACROSS THE GORGE.
TODAY, THERE STILL EXISTS A FOOTPRINT IN THE ROCK WHERE ST.
MAGNUS LANDED. NO MATTER WHAT MAN TRIES TO STEP INTO IT OR WHAT SIZE
SHOE HE WEARS, HIS SHOE WILL FIT THE FOOTPRINT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
Keyword(s): RELIGIOUS LEGEND ; SAINT'S LEGEND: SAINT MAGNUS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 10-10-1968
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
A GRAVE MATTER
IN THE EARLY NINETEENTH CENTURY, THE DAUGHTER OF A WEALTHY
KENTUCKY LANDOWNER CONTRACTED A FEVER, FELL INTO A COMA, AND WITHIN
TWO DAYS PASSED AWAY. ON THE FOLLOWING DAY SHE WAS BURIED IN THE
FAMILY CEMETERY. HER BODY WAS ADORNED IN BEAUTIFUL GARMENTS AND
PRECIOUS GEMS WERE PLACED ABOUT HER ACCORDING TO THE LOCAL CUSTOM.
ON THE NIGHT OF HER BURIAL, TWO GRAVE-ROBBERS EXUMED THE CASKET.
THEY OPENED THE LID AND WERE IN THE PROCESS OF REMOVING ONE OF HER
EARRINGS WHEN, IT WAS ALLEGED, SHE AWAKENED FROM HER COMA. THE
SURPRISED GRAVE-ROBBERS IMMEDIATELY GRABBED A SHOVEL AND STRUCK THE
SCREAMING GIRL ACROSS THE BACK OF HER HEAD. THEY THEN LOWERED THE
CASKET INTO THE PIT AND RECOVERED THE HOLE.
THIS STORY BECAME A LEGEND OVER THE COURSE OF THE FOLLOWING
ONE-HUNDRED-TWENTY-FIVE YEARS UNTIL FINALLY IN THE 1920'S LOCAL
OFFICIALS, IN AN EFFORT TO REPUDIATE THE TALE, OPENED THE GRAVE.
THEY FOUND THE REMAINS OF THE YOUNG LADY LYING FACE DOWN WITH THE
REAR OF HER SKULL BASHED IN.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT HEARD TALE WHILE A RESIDENT OF LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BELIEF TALE ; LOCAL LEGEND
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate |
Date learned: 10-23-1965
WISCONSIN KILLER
A MAN IN NORTHERN WISCONSIN WAS INVOLVED AND SUSPECTED IN A
NUMBER OF DISAPPEARANCES IN THE VICINITY. THE POLICE CAME TO HIS HOME
AND AFTER A BRIEF STAY, ONE OF THEM NOTICED THAT ALL OF THE
FURNITURE IN THE HOUSE WAS UPHOLSTERED IN HUMAN SKIN. LATER
INVESTIGATION FOUND THAT HIS COOKIE JAR WAS FILLED WITH HUMAN FINGERS
AND TOES.
Where learned: DETROIT ; 2822 EWALD CIRCLE ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): LOCAL LEGEND ; URBAN BELIEF TALE
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate |
Date learned: 02-03-1968
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 |
THE TALE OF THE HODAG
A LUMBERJACK IN RHINELANDER, WISCONSIN MADE UP THIS TALE. HE, WHILE
IN THE WOODS DEVELOPED AN IMAGENARY ( IMAGINARY ) MONSTER. WHEN HE
TOLD THE PEOPLE IN THE TOWN, THEY DIDN"T BELIEVE HIM, SO HE GOT A
BEARSKIN, TUSKS, AND HORNS AND MADE THE MONSTER. HE PUT IT IN A CAVE
AND CALLED THE TOWNFOLK OUT TO SEE IT. THEY BELIEVED HIM FROM THEN
ON. PEOPLE FROM A MUSEUM CAME AND DISCOVERED THE HOAX. THE TOWN STILL
USES THE HODAG AS ITS MASCOT.
Keyword(s): LOCAL LEGEND
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
AFRICAN TRIBE TALE
A CERTAIN BIOLOGY PROFESSOR WAS DELIVERING A LECTURE AT MICHIGAN
STATE ON A TRIBE IN SOUTHERN AFRICA. THE SUBJECT UNDER DISCUSSION WAS
THE ABNORMALLY LARGE "PRIVATES" OF THIS TRIBE. TWO PRUDISH SORORITY
GIRLS EMBARRASSED BY THE CRUDE LECTURE ABRUPTLY LEFT THEIR SEATS
AND STARTED FOR THE DOOR. THE PROFESSOR STOPPED THEM WITH THIS
COMMENT, "WHAT'S YOUR RUSH GIRLS, THE
BOAT DOESN'T LEAVE UNTIL MORNING."
Submitter comment: TOLD TO ME AS ACTUAL FACT IN 1960.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA
Keyword(s): CLASSROOM HUMOR ; COLLEGE PROFESSOR LEGEND
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Body part Senses |
Date learned: 00-00-1960
Content filter on this entry.
Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.
HOW CAN YOU TELL THE BRIDE AT A POLISH WEDDING? SHE'S
THE ONE WITH BRAIDED ARM PITS!
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
James Callow Keyword(s): CUSTOM OF SHAVING HAIR FROM ARMPITS AND LEGS.
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Poli |
Date learned: 10-00-1983
Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.
GREEN M&M CANDIES MAKE A PERSON HORNY.
CHILDREN AND EVEN ADULTS WOULD ALWAYS SCRAMBLE TO GET THE
PRECIOUS FEW GREEN M&M'S IN A BAG OF THE CANDIES SO THAT
THEY MIGHT HAVE BETTER LUCK FINDING OR STAYING WITH A MATE.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
Keyword(s): APHRODISIAC ; CANDY ; COLOR ; Green ; Sexuality ; Urban Legend
James Callow Keyword(s): SEXUALLY AROUSED = HORNY ; SLANG
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Pastry Sweet Dessert BELIEF -- Color |
Date learned: 00001976CA
Etymology
Origin of Name:
Hungry Mother State Park gets its name from the little boy who is said to have been found wandering through the park (which was at the time only pasture) crying and saying "Hungry, Mother." Later the child's mother was found dead.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: Hull, Linda
Keyword(s): CHILD ; Dead ; ETYMOLOGY ; HUNGRY ; Legend ; MOTHER ; NAME ; Origin ; Pasture
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Folk etymology |
AT NORTH CAROLINA COLLEGE IN ILLINOIS, THERE IS A ROCK THAT
IT IS TRADITIONAL FOR EVERY CLASS TO PAINT. EACH CLASS TRIES
TO "OUT-DO" THE OTHERS.
Submitter comment: "OUT-DO" MEANS TO DO BETTER THAN.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; PALOS PARK
James Callow Keyword(s): COLLEGE PRANK
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School |
Date learned: 00-00-1972