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BUTTERFLIES DENOTE BAD LUCK.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA

James Callow Keyword(s): INSECT

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Bad luck Animals

Date learned: 04-03-1970

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NEVER COUNT THE CARS OF A PASSING TRAIN. THIS WILL
BRING YOU BAD LUCK IN ALL YOU ATTEMPT DURING THAT
DAY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Number Counting beliefs
BELIEF -- Bad luck Numbers

Date learned: 04-03-1970

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WHEN A PREGNANT WOMAN IS NOT LOOKING, SPRINKLE SOME
SALT IN HER HAIR. IT WILL CAUSE HER TO ITCH HER CHIN OR
NOSE. IF SHE ITCHES HER CHIN, THE BABY WILL BE A GIRL.
IF SHE ITCHES HER NOSE, THE BABY WILL BE A BOY.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT SAID THIS WAS A FAVORITE SYRIAN BELIEF IN
PREDICTING THE SEX OF AN UNBORN CHILD.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA

Keyword(s): SCRATCH

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Mineral
BELIEF -- Use of object for determining number of children or sex of unborn P863.1

Date learned: 03-11-1972

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BEING THE LAST CAR IN A FUNERAL PROCESSION DENOTES ILL
FATE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA

Subject headings: Observation
BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial

Date learned: 04-03-1970

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AFTER A FUNERAL YOU MUST WASH YOUR HANDS IN A BASIN
OF WATER BEFORE (UNDERLINED) ENTERING YOUR HOME.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT SAID THIS WAS A JEWISH CUSTOM WHICH SHE
HAD HEARD DURING HER TEENS (SHE LIVED IN A JEWISH
NEIGHBORHOOD). THE WASHING OF THE HANDS WAS TO PREVENT
THE DEATH FROM COMING INTO THEIR HOME. THIS WAS DONE BY
FRIENDS OF THE DECEASED WHO WENT TO THE FUNERAL.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial

Date learned: 03-18-1972

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IT IS BAD LUCK TO GET MARRIED IN THE MONTH OF MAY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA

Keyword(s): WEDDING

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- May
BELIEF -- Measure of time Month
BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.41

Date learned: 04-03-1970

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IF YOU WASH YOUR HAIR ON FRIDAY, YOU WILL HAVE AN
ARGUMENT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour

Date learned: 04-03-1970

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IT IS GOOD LUCK IF IT RAINS ON YOUR WEDDING DAY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Marriage P545.056
BELIEF -- Good luck

Date learned: 04-03-1970

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IT IS BAD LUCK TO GET MARRIED IN THE MONTH OF MAY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Marriage Time or day of ceremony
BELIEF -- Measure of time Month

Date learned: 04-03-1970

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IF A BRIDE KEEPS COINS IN HER SHOES DURING HER WEDDING, SHE
WILL HAVE GOOD LUCK.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Marriage Penny in shoe

Date learned: 04-03-1970

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OPEN UMBRELLAS INDOORS MEAN BAD LUCK.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA

Subject headings: Prediction / Divination
BELIEF -- Bad luck

Date learned: 00-00-1964

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A SHOE ON THE TABLE MEANS BAD LUCK.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA

Subject headings: Prediction / Divination
BELIEF -- Bad luck

Date learned: 00-00-1964

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IF YOU DREAM OF GOD, YOU MAY EXPECT A LONG LIFE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA

Subject headings: Spirit / Mind / Body
Observation

Date learned: 04-03-1970

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IF YOU SLEEP ON A PIECE OF WEDDING CAKE, ON THE THIRD
NIGHT, YOU WILL DREAM OF YOUR HUSBAND.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA

Subject headings: 862 Use of object for determining future spouse

Date learned: 04-03-1970

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DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE TWO ESKIMOS WHO WERE RUBBING
NOSES AND GOT "SNIFFILIS?"

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA

James Callow Keyword(s): BLEND ; NEOLOGISM ; PUN ON SYPHILIS

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote
ESKI

Date learned: 11-02-1969

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WHO'S GOT MY LIVER?

THERE WAS ONCE A LITTLE GIRL WHO'S MOTHER SENT HER TO
THE STORE TO GET SOME LIVER. THE GIRL'S MOTHER GAVE HER
SOME MONEY AND TOLD HER NOT TO STOP AT THE CANDY STORE,
BUT TO GO DIRECTLY TO THE STORE FOR THE LIVER. WELL,
WHILE THE LITTLE GIRL WAS WALKING, SHE GOT A TERRIBLE
TASTE FOR SOME CANDY, SO SHE STOPPED AT THE CANDY STORE
AND SPENT ALL HER MONEY. NOW THIS LITTLE GIRL KNEW THAT
HER MOTHER WOULD BE VERY, VERY ANGRY AND BEAT HER IF
SHE DIDN'T COME HOME WITH SOME LIVER. THE LITTLE GIRL
DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO, BUT AS SHE WAS WALKING, SHE SAW
A GRAVEYARD. IN THIS GRAVEYARD SHE SAW A DEAD PERSON
WHO WAS READY TO BE BURIED. THIS GAVE THE GIRL AN
IDEA, SHE DECIDED TO CUT OUT THE LIVER OF THE DEAD
PERSON AND TAKE IT HOME. WHEN SHE GOT HOME, HER MOTHER
FIXED THE LIVER FOR DINNER. NOW IT WAS TIME TO GO TO
BED. THE LITTLE GIRL GOT INTO BED. AFTER IT WAS REAL
LATE AND PITCH BLACK OUTSIDE, THE LITTLE GIRL HEARD A
STRANGE VOICE CALLING, "WHO'S GOT MY LIVER?" "WHO'S
GOT MY LIVER?" ALL THIS TIME THE VOICE KEPT COMING
CLOSER. "WHO'S GOT MY LIVER?" "I'M ON THE FIRST STEP,
WHO'S GOT MY LIVER?" "I'M ON THE SECOND STEP, WHO'S
GOT MY LIVER?" "I'M ON THE THIRD STEP, WHO'S GOT MY
LIVER?" "I'M ON THE LAST STEP, WHO'S GOT MY LIVER.
YOU'VE GOT MY LIVER!!"
AT THIS POINT THE NARRATOR GRABS A PERSON OF HIS CHOICE.

Submitter comment: MY GRANDMOTHER TELLS THIS STORY TO ALL THE YOUNG
CHILDREN IN OUR FAMILY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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WHO'S GOT MY LIVER?

THERE WAS ONCE A LITTLE GIRL WHO'S MOTHER SENT HER TO
THE STORE TO GET SOME LIVER. THE GIRL'S MOTHER GAVE HER
SOME MONEY AND TOLD HER NOT TO STOP AT THE CANDY STORE,
BUT TO GO DIRECTLY TO THE STORE FOR THE LIVER. WELL,
WHILE THE LITTLE GIRL WAS WALKING, SHE GOT A TERRIBLE
TASTE FOR SOME CANDY, SO SHE STOPPED AT THE CANDY STORE
AND SPENT ALL HER MONEY. NOW THIS LITTLE GIRL KNEW THAT
HER MOTHER WOULD BE VERY, VERY ANGRY AND BEAT HER IF
SHE DIDN'T COME HOME WITH SOME LIVER. THE LITTLE GIRL
DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO, BUT AS SHE WAS WALKING, SHE SAW
A GRAVEYARD. IN THIS GRAVEYARD SHE SAW A DEAD PERSON
WHO WAS READY TO BE BURIED. THIS GAVE THE GIRL AN
IDEA, SHE DECIDED TO CUT OUT THE LIVER OF THE DEAD
PERSON AND TAKE IT HOME. WHEN SHE GOT HOME, HER MOTHER
FIXED THE LIVER FOR DINNER. NOW IT WAS TIME TO GO TO
BED. THE LITTLE GIRL GOT INTO BED. AFTER IT WAS REAL
LATE AND PITCH BLACK OUTSIDE, THE LITTLE GIRL HEARD A
STRANGE VOICE CALLING, "WHO'S GOT MY LIVER?" "WHO'S
GOT MY LIVER?" ALL THIS TIME THE VOICE KEPT COMING
CLOSER. "WHO'S GOT MY LIVER?" "I'M ON THE FIRST STEP,
WHO'S GOT MY LIVER?" "I'M ON THE SECOND STEP, WHO'S
GOT MY LIVER?" "I'M ON THE THIRD STEP, WHO'S GOT MY
LIVER?" "I'M ON THE LAST STEP, WHO'S GOT MY LIVER.
YOU'VE GOT MY LIVER!!"
AT THIS POINT THE NARRATOR GRABS A PERSON OF HIS CHOICE.

Submitter comment: MY GRANDMOTHER TELLS THIS STORY TO ALL THE YOUNG
CHILDREN IN OUR FAMILY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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THE BLACK LINE

A BLACK LINE IN THE CEMENT OF A SIDEWALK IS A LINE TO AVOID.
IF YOU SHOULD PURPOSELY STEP ON A BLACK LINE YOU WILL GET COOTIES.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA ; Matson, Janet

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; COOTIES ; CUSTOM ; SIGN ; SYMBOL

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

Date learned: 10-03-1968

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POLISH JOKE

Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.

DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE POLACK WHO STAYED UP ALL NIGHT
PRACTICING FOR HIS URINE TEST?

Submitter comment:

INFORMANT LEARNED IT FROM A FRIEND.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Stupid man or woman

Date learned: 00001967 FALL

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DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE TWO ESKIMOS WHO WERE RUBBING
NOSES AND GOT "SNIFFILIS?"

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA

James Callow Keyword(s): PUN ON SYPHILIS

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote
ESKI

Date learned: 11-02-1969

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