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"ONDEL, ONDEL"
THE ONDEL ONDEL IS ACTUALLY DERIVED FROM THE WAJUNG KULIT
OF INDONESIAN CULTURE. BUT WHILE THE WAJANG KULIT IS STATION-
ARY, THE ONDEL ONDEL IS ABLE TO MOVE ABOUT. ON NEW YEAR'S EVE
AN INDONESIAN NATIVE WOULD CARRY A LARGE STICK ON HIS BACK,
THE STICK WAS TWO LARGE PUPPETS. ONE WAS A MAN, THE OTHER
WAS A WOMAN, WALKING ABOUT, THE NATIVE WOULD BOUNCE UP
AND DOWN, CAUSING THE ARMS TO WAVE AROUND. THE NATIVES
DESCRIBED THE SOUNDS AND THE ACTION AS "ONDEL ONDEL".
THE IDEA WAS TO MAKE THE CHARACTERS SO RIDICULIOUS LOOKING,
THAT THEY MADE PEOPLE LAUGH. AS THIS WAS WALKING PAST
YOUR HOME, YOU WOULD PAY THEM A TIP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
Date learned: 04-00-1979 ; 00001930-1950
"POETOE" (WHISTLE CAKE)
A VENDER WOULD WALK THROUGH THE STREETS WITH A STEAM-
ING KETTLE INSIDE ONE OF HIS BASKETS. THE BASKETS HUNG
ON LONG STICK THAT WAS HANGING ON HIS SHOULDERS. WHEN
FINDING A CUSTOMER, THE VENDER WOULD MAKE CAKE IN FRONT
OF HIM. THE KETTLE WOULD HAVE BAMBOO SHOOTS COMING OUT
OF IT. IN MAKING THE CAKE, THE VENDER WOULD PUT IN RICE
FLOUR, AND BROWN SUGAR. AFTER THE CAKE WAS IN THE
BAMBOO SHOOTS FOR A WHILE, THE VENDER PUSHED IT OUT.
THE VENDER WOULD THEN SPRINKLE FLAKES OF COCONUT ON IT.
THE NAME "WHISTLE CAKE" CAME FROM THE WHISTLING SOUND
OF THE KETTLE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Manner of preparation Food Drink -- Pastry Sweet Dessert SPEECH -- Folk etymology SPEECH -- Onomatopoeia |
Date learned: 04-00-1979 ; 00001930-1950
DUTCH PROVERB
"VIER HANDEN OP EEN BUIK", TRANSLATED IT MEANS, FOUR HANDS
ON ONE STOMACH. THE DUTCH PROVERB EXPRESSES A FRIENDSHIP
BETWEEN TWO PEOPLE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase |
Date learned: 04-00-1979
WOMEN SUPERSTITION
IF A LADY IS ALWAYS SMILING IT MEANS HER GIRDLE IS ON TOO TIGHT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | 7800 ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Dress BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
JUMP ROPE RHYME
I ASKED MY MOTHER FOR FIFTEEN CENTS
TO SEE THE ELEPHANT JUMP THE FENCE
HE JUMPED SO HIGH
HE TOUCHED THE SKY
AND DIDN'T GET BACK
TILL THE FOURTH OF JULY.
HOW HIGH DID HE JUMP?
1, 2, 3, ETC.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMAL ; COUNTING ; HYBERBOLE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- July 4 Independence Day |
Date learned: 00-00-1969
AUTOGRAPH BOOK RHYME
I WISH YOU SUCCESS
I WISH YOU ALMIGHTY
I WISH YOUR PAJAMAS
NEXT TO MY NIGHTIE
NOW DON'T GET EXCITED
NOW DON'T GET RED
I MEAN ON THE CLOTHESLINE
NOT IN BED
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Humorous allusion to love |
Date learned: CA00001970
ELIMINATING GAME
EENIE MEENIE, TWIPSEY TWEENEY
APPLE JACK AND JONNIE SWEENEY
EYCHIE, PYCHIE, DAMAN EYCHIE
OUT GOES YOU
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
James Callow Keyword(s): NONSENSE WORDS.
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1968
AMERICAN PROVERB
THE MAN WHO NEVER MAKES A MISTAKE IS THE MAN WHO NEVER DOES
ANYTHING.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT IS A VERY ACTIVE INDIVIDUAL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: CA00001975
AMERICAN PROVERB
HE THE JACK-OF-ALL-TRADES AND MASTER OF NONE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase |
Date learned: CA00001970
DETERMINING SEX OF UNBORN CHILD
IF A PREGNANT WOMAN GAINS WEIGHT ONLY IN THE STOMACH, THEN SHE
WILL HAVE A BOY. IF SHE GAINS WEIGHT ALL OVER, THEN SHE WILL
HAVE A GIRL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | Observation CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Date learned: CA00001950
PREDICTION
IF YOUR EARS RING, THEN SOMEONE IS TALKING ABOUT YOU.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | 842 Ringing ears / buzzing / hot, burning |
Date learned: CA00001950
PREDICTION
IF YOU DROP A FORK, THEN YOU CAN EXPECT COMPANY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: CA00001960
AUTOGRAPH BOOK VERSE
REMEMBER M., REMEMBER E., PUT 'EM TOGETHER AND REMEMBER ME.
Submitter comment: 'EM IS ME SPELLED BACKWARDS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
James Callow Keyword(s): CHIASMUS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse |
Date learned: CA00001970
AUTOGRAPH BOOK VERSE
BUY A FORD, THEY'RE THE BEST. THEN RIDE A MILE AND WALK THE REST.
Submitter comment:
THE WORD FORD IS AN ABBREVIATION FOR A COMMON RETORT WHICH
MEANS "FIX OR REPAIR DAILY."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse |
Date learned: CA00001970
BASEBALL GAME "PITCHER-CATCHER"
TWO PEOPLE PLAY THIS GAME, ONE PERSON IS THE PITCHER,
THE OTHER IS THE CATCHER. THE PERSON PITCHING MUST
THROW STRIKES TO THE CATCHER. IF HE THROWS FOUR BALLS,
THE "IMAGINARY HITTER" WALKS AND TAKES A BASE. THE TWO
PLAY FOR THREE OR MORE INNINGS. THE PERSON WHO HAS
GIVEN UP THE MOST RUNS LOSES.
Submitter comment:
THIS GAME IS FOR THOSE WHO ENJOY BASEBALL. THE GAME
STRENGTHENS A PERSON'S ARM AND TEACHES HIM TO THROW
STRIKES AT A CONSISTANT RATE. MANY TIMES WHEN THIS
GAME WAS PLAYED, THE FINAL
OUTCOME WAS A LOW-SCORING GAME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
Date learned: CA00001967
BASEBALL GAME "FLYBALLS"
AGAIN, TWO PEOPLE PLAY HERE. THE PLAYERS CHALLENGE
EACH OTHER WITH FLYBALLS. BALLS THAT FALL IN AT
CERTAIN POINTS ARE DESIGNATED AS A SINGLE, DOUBLE,
TRIPLE, OR HOME RUN. THE PERSON THAT SCORES THE MOST
RUNS AFTER NINE INNINGS IS THE WINNER. FLYBALLS THAT
ARE CAUGHT ARE OUTS; THREE OUTS ENDS THAT PERSON'S SIDE
OF THE INNING.
Submitter comment:
THIS GAME IS FOR THOSE WHO ENJOY BASEBALL AND FOR THOSE
WHO WANT TO IMPROVE THEIR SKILLS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
Date learned: CA00001967
NAMING OF CHILDREN
IN MOST GREEK FAMILIES, THE FIRST BORN CHILD IS NAMED
AFTER THE FATHER'S PARENTS, DEPENDING ON IF IT IS A
BOY OR A GIRL. CHILDREN BORN AFTER THE FIRST CHILD
WILL BE NAMED AFTER ITS REMAINING GRANDPARENTS. IF THE
PARENTS HAVE MORE THAN FOUR CHILDREN, THEN THEY WILL BE
NAMED AFTER UNCLES AND AUNTS.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A TRADITION THAT HAS BEEN GOING ON IN GREEK
FAMILIES FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS. IT HAS BEEN PASSED
ON FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION, AND IT WILL
CONTINUE IN THE YEARS TO COME.
THIS IS A GREEK-AMERICAN CUSTOM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | Person / Nickname 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Baptism Naming rite |
Date learned: CA00001962
HOLY SATURDAY CUSTOM
SERVICES FOR HOLY SATURDAY ARE HELD AT 12:00 MIDNIGHT.
AT THIS TIME, ALL OF THE LIGHTS IN THE CHURCH ARE TURNED
OFF. THE PRIEST AND THE PARISHIONERS HAVE CANDLES. THE
PRIEST'S CANDLE IS LIT IN THE ALTAR IN THE CHURCH.
HERE THE PRIEST LIGHTS THE PARISHIONERS CANDLES UNTIL
ALL CANDLES ARE LIT. SONGS ARE THEN SUNG TO PROCLAIM
CHRIST'S RESSURECTION.
Submitter comment:
THE RESSURECTION OF CHRIST ON HOLY SATURDAY EVENING IS
CELEBRATED IN THIS MANNER AT ALL OF THE GREEK ORTHODOX
CHURCHES IN THE WORLD. AFTER THE SERVICE IS OVER, THE
FAMILIES GO HOME WHERE HUGE MEALS OF SOUP, LAMB, BREAD,
WINE, RICE, AND OTHER ASSORTED GREEK DELICACIES ARE SERVED.
THIS IS A GREEK-AMERICAN CUSTOM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | 663 Holy Saturday CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Week Day Hour Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals |
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POLISH JOKE
Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.
"WHY DO POLISH PEOPLE'S LAST NAME END IN SKI?"
"BECAUSE THEY CAN'T SPELL TOBAGGEN!"
Submitter comment:
THIS JOKE RELATES TO THE SUPERFICIAL STUPIDITY OF
THE POLISH RACE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
James Callow Keyword(s): PUN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Poli |
Date learned: CA00001974
WHITE HEATHER
THE CELTIC BARD OSSIAN HAD A DAUGHTER MALVINA WHO WAS FAIR AND
GENTLE. SHE WAS BETROTHED TO OSCAR, A WARRIOR.
ONCE IN THE GLORY OF AUTUMN, MALVINA AND HER FATHER WERE SITTING ON
THE MOOR'S EDGE TALKING OF OSCAR'S RETURN FROM WARLIKE EXPEDITION.
OVER THE HEATHER CAME LIMPING TO THEM A RAGGED MESSENGER.
WOUNDED AND WEARY HE KNELT BEFORE THEM. HOLDING OUT A SPRAY OF
PURPLE HEATHER TO MALVINA, HE TOLD HER THAT IT CAME FROM OSCAR AS
A LAST TOKEN OF HIS LOVE FOR HE WAS SLAIN IN BATTLE AND HIS
HENCHMEN HAD BARELY ESCAPED TO BRING THE NEWS.
AS MALVINA LISTENED, HER TEARS FELL ON THE PURPLE HEATHER WHICH
IMMEDIATELY BECAME WHITE.
AS SHE WANDERED OVER THE MOORS, HER TEARS OFTEN FELL UPON THE
CLUMPS OF PURPLE HEATHER WHICH IMMEDIATELY TURNED WHITE. THEN,
EVEN IN THE BITTERNESS OF HER OWN SORROW, MALVINA SAID
"ALTHOUGH IT IS THE SYMBOL OF MY SORROW, MAY THE WHITE HEATHER
BRING GOOD FORTUNE TO ALL WHO FIND IT".
Submitter comment:
I RECEIVED THIS STORY FROM LESLIE WOODS, WHO HEARD THIS FROM
HER GRANDFATHER WHEN SHE WAS A LITTLE GIRL.
HER GRANDFATHER HEARD THIS STORY HIMSELF WHEN HE WAS A LITTLE
BOY IN ENGLAND AND PASSED IT ON.
THIS STORY HAS BEEN PASSED ON FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION, AND
WILL PROBABLY CONTINUE TO BE PASSED ON.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Legend |
Date learned: 00-00-1975