Offensive content Filter is ON
Your search for WASHINGTON returned 141 results.
SINGING SANDS
AT MANY POINTS ON OUR SEACOAST AND ON THE SHORES OF THE
GREAT LAKES, THE BEACH SAND HAS, IN SMALL TRACTS,
VERY CURIOUS PROPERTIES. IN CERTAIN PLACES THE DRY
SAND BETWEEN THE WATERLINE AND EXTREME HIGH-TIDE
MARKS YIELDS A PECULIAR SOUND WHEN STRUCK OBLIQUELY
BY THE FOOT, OR EVEN WHEN STROKED BY THE HAND;
. . . THE SOUNDS PRODUCED BY FRICTION, AS DESCRIBED
RESEMBLE SOMEWHAT THE DISTANT BARKING OF A DOG,
AND MAY BE REPRESENTED BY THE SYLLABLE GROOSH . . . .
UNDER FAVORABLE CIRCUMSTANCES THEY MAY BE HEARD 100
FEET. ONLY DRY SAND HAS THIS PROPERTY. . . .
SANDS HAVING THIS PECULIARITY ARE SOMETIMES CALLED
'SINGING SANDS.'
Where learned: LIBRARY OF CONGRESS ; WASHINGTON DC
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mineral |
Date learned: 03-00-1968
Proverb
It is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.
Submitter comment:
Learned from her mother.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: OHIO ; Gundlach, Lori ; WASHINGTON ; WASHINGTON COURT HOUSE
Keyword(s): Aphorism ; Apothegm ; Loss ; LOST ; LOVE ; Loved ; Maxim ; PROVERB ; VERSE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Retort
You're like a million bucks - all green and wrinkled.
Submitter comment:
Learned this from my brother, Brett Gundlach (informant quote)
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Source? Total Effect?
Where learned: OHIO ; Gundlach, Gary ; WASHINGTON ; WASHINGTON COURT HOUSE
Keyword(s): Bucks ; COLOR ; COMEBACK ; Dollars ; Green ; INSULT ; Million ; MONEY ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; SIMILE ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Retort
You're as handy as a screen door in a submarine.
Submitter comment:
Learned from classmate at school
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: OHIO ; Gundlach, Gary ; WASHINGTON ; WASHINGTON COURT HOUSE
Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; INSULT ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; Screen ; Submarine ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
BE PREPARED
ONE DAY A TOURIST WAS WALKING ALONG THE SHORES OF A LAKE IN
IRELAND. HE CAME UPON AN OLD CASTLE AND SAW AN OLD MAN IN A
GARDEN. THE FRIENDLY GARDENER LET THE TOURIST IN AND SHOWED
HIM AROUND THE GROUNDS WHICH THE OLD MAN KEPT IN PERFECT ORDER.
THE TOURIST WONDERED WHEN THE OWNER HAD LAST BEEN THERE.
"TWELVE YEARS AGO."
"DOES HE EVER WRITE TO YOU?"
"NO."
"FROM WHOM DO YOU GET YOUR INSTRUCTIONS?"
"FROM HIS AGENT."
"DOES HE COME?"
"NEVER."
"WHO, THEN, COMES HERE?"
"I AM ALWAYS ALONE. ONLY ONCE IN A WHILE A TOURIST COMES."
"BUT YOU KEEP THIS GARDEN IN SUCH FINE CONDITION, JUST AS THOUGH
YOU EXPECT YOUR MASTER TO COME HERE TOMORROW."
THE OLD MAN PROMPTLY REPLIED: "TODAY, SIR, TODAY!"
Submitter comment:
TO ENFORCE HER ADVICE TO ALWAYS BE PREPARED, THE INFORMANT TELLS
THIS LITTLE STORY:
INFORMANT IS A NATIVE OF IRELAND AND SHE BELIEVES THAT SHE HEARD
IT AS A CHILD BUT SHE SAYS IT IS POSSIBLE THAT SHE DIDN'T HEAR
IT UNTIL SHE CAME TO BOSTON AT THE AGE OF 14.
Where learned: WASHINGTON DC
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Plant husbandry Farming PROSE NARRATIVE -- Romantic Realistic |
Date learned: 11-04-1967
WAKE UP
IF YOU TALK NONSENSE, YOU WILL BE TOLD, "PUT OUT YOUR HAND
AND SEE IF YOU ARE IN."
TRANSLATION: YOU ARE DREAMING.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT SAYS SOURCE IS BOSTON, BUT HAS NO DATE.
Where learned: WASHINGTON DC
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ordinary Tale BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 11-04-1967
RIDDLE
HOW CAN YOU TELL IF AN ELEPHANT 'S BEEN IN YOUR REFRIGERATOR?
THERE ARE FOOTPRINTS IN THE JELLO
Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM FRIENDS AT SCHOOL
Where learned: OHIO ; WASHINGTON COURT HOUSE
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 10-07-1967
IRISH NAMING
IN IRELAND PEOPLE DID NOT MOVE FROM TOWN TO TOWN, THEREFORE
WAS MUCH INTERMARRYING OF RELATIVES. VERY FEW FIRST NAMES WERE
USED AND ALMOST EVERYONE IN THE TOWN HAD THE SAME LAST NAMES
SO PEOPLE WERE REFERRED TO BY A CHAIN OF THEIR ANCESTORS AND A
USE OF NICKNAMES. THEY WOULD SAY THE PERSON'S FIRST NAME, THEN
THEIR FATHER'S, AND THEIR GRANDFATHER'S AND SOMETIMES EVEN
GREAT-GRANDFATHER'S.
Submitter comment: FOR EXAMPLE, THE COLLECTOR'S NAME IS KATHY, JACK, JACK, SEAN OGO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; IRELAND ; 1234 WASHINGTON BLVD
| Subject headings: | Person / Nickname |
Date learned: 11-18-1970
PROVERBIAL APOTHEGM
ADVICE IS ONE THING THAT MOST PEOPLE WOULD RATHER GIVE THAN GET.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT MENTIONED THIS FACT A NUMBER OF TIMES DURING A RELIGIOUS
RETREAT HELD THE FIRST WEEK OF SCHOOL ALMOST EVERY YEAR. HE WAS THE
ADVISOR OF MY GROUP IN MY SENIOR YEAR. I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO
LISTEN TO THIS BIT OF WISDOM AT LEAST FIVES TIMES. PERHAPS HE WAS
TRYING TO PROVE THE POINT.
Where learned: WASHINGTON DC
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: NEGATIVE ; OBSERVATION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 09-00-1966
THINKER
THE BEST THINKING IS DONE WITH THE MOUTH CLOSED.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT WAS THE PROCTOR OF A STUDY HALL IN MY HIGH SCHOOL AND
HE USED TO REPEAT THIS ON THE AVERAGE OF TWICE A DAY.
Where learned: WASHINGTON DC
Keyword(s): HUMAN BODY
James Callow Keyword(s): CONVERSATION ; OBSERVATION ; OBSERVATION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
ONE'S SURROUNDINGS
A PERSON SOON STARTS TO TAKE-ON CHARACTERISTICS OF HIS SURROUNDINGS.
Where learned: WASHINGTON DC
James Callow Keyword(s): CONTAGION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 00-00-1970
AVOID THE MAIN DISH
IF ONE'S FORK IS ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE PLACE-SETTING AT A DINING
TABLE THAT PERSON IS GOING TO GET SICK FROM THE COOK'S FOOD; THEY
SHOULD AVOID EATING THE MAIN DISH.
Submitter comment:
I RECENTLY ASKED MY MOTHER ABOUT THIS SAYING SEEING THAT SHE WORKS
WITH A CATERING SERVICE. I THOUGHT SHE MAY HAVE HAD SOME KNOWLEDGE OF
THIS MATTER;, HOWEVER SHE HAS "NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A THING."
Where learned: WASHINGTON DC
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Food Food Drink -- Service Table furnishing and decoration Implement to handle food BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
LIGHT TREE
WHAT TREE CAN YOU HOLD IN YOUR HAND?
A PALM TREE.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT DOES NOT REMEMBER WHERE HE LEARNED THIS
Where learned: WASHINGTON DC
Keyword(s): BODY PART PLANT STRENGTH ; CONUNDRUM
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 09-12-1967
SUCCESS
WHO IS A SUCCESSFUL FARMER?
A MAN OUTSTANDING IN HIS FIELD.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT DOES NOT REMEMBER WHERE HE LEARNED THIS
Where learned: WASHINGTON DC
Keyword(s): CONUNDRUM ; DEAD METAPHOR
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 11-04-1967
RIDDLE QUESTION
HOW DO YOU STOP A CHARGING ELEPHANT?
TAKE AWAY HIS CREDIT CARD.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT HEARD THE JOKE ABOUT A WEEK AGO WITH OTHER
ELEPHANT JOKES WHICH WERE POPULAR IN SEPTEMBER, 1963.
HE DIDN'T REMEMBER HIS EXACT SOURCE.
Where learned: WASHINGTON DC
Keyword(s): PUN
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
RIDDLE QUESTION
WHAT DO YOU CALL A 6FT. 7IN. NATIVE WHO IS MEAN
AND UGLY LOOKING AND WHO HAS A SPEAR IN BOTH HANDS?
SIR
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT RECALLED HEARING THE RIDDLE ONLY TWO WEEKS EARLIER
FROM A FRIEND AT GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY. THE FRIEND COULD NOT RECALL
WHEN OR FROM WHOM HE HEARD IT.
Where learned: WASHINGTON DC
Keyword(s): CATCH ; FORM OF ADDRESS
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 09-26-1963
RIDDLE QUESTION
WHAT IS PURPLE AND COMES FROM MACEDONIA?
ALEXANDER THE GRAPE.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT HEARD THE RIDDLE TWO WEEKS AGO AT GEORGETOWN U.
IT WAS ONLY ONE IN THE POPULAR GRAPE RIDDLES POPULAR IN SEPTEMBER.
Where learned: WASHINGTON DC
Keyword(s): FRUIT ; HISTORICAL
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 09-26-1963
RIDDLE
HOW CAN YOU TELL IF AN ELEPHANT IS ON YOUR BACK IN A HURRICANE?
YOU CAN HEAR HIS EARS FLAP IN THE WIND
Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM FRIENDS IN GRADE SCHOOL
Where learned: OHIO ; WASHINGTON COURT HOUSE
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 10-07-1967
RIDDLE
WHY DO ELEPHANTS LIE DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD?
TO TRIP ANTS OR LOW FLYING BIRDS
Submitter comment: LEARNED THIS FROM FRIENDS AT GRADE SCHOOL
Where learned: OHIO ; WASHINGTON COURT HOUSE
Keyword(s): ANIMAL
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 10-07-1967
RIDDLE
HOW DOES AN ELEPHANT FIT IN A CIGARETTE PACK?
BY FIRST TAKING THE CAMEL OUT.
Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM FRIENDS AT SCHOOL
Where learned: OHIO ; WASHINGTON COURT HOUSE
Keyword(s): ANIMALS
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 10-07-1967