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It is a scottish tradition in Keith's family to drink out of a
special shot-type glass when an adult has a birthday. The
person having the birthday is the only one who may drink
from the glass. The print on the glass is red and green plaid.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TROY

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Private birthday or anniversary

Date learned: 01-00-1978

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RIDING NIGGER

WHEN A PERSON RIDES ALONE IN THE BACK SEAT, HE IS CONSIDERED
TO BE RIDING "NIGGER."

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; 19176 STRASBURG

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Blason Populaire
PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase

Date learned: 03-12-1970

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LUMINARI

LUMINARI IS FROM A SPANISH WORD MEANING LIGHT, AND
IS THE CUSTOM OF LIGHTING STREETS OF A NEIGHBORHOOD WITH
CANDLELIGHT TO SYMBOLIZE THE BONFIRES THE SHEPHERDS BUILT
TO LIGHT THEIR WAY TO THE MANGER IN BETHLEHEM ON THE
FIRST CHRISTMAS EVE. FOR THE MODERN DAY YOUNG-AT-HEARTS,
IT IS ALSO BE DESCRIBED AS LIGHTING THE WAY FOR SANTA.
WHEN DONE WITH UNANIMOUS COOPERATION, THE EFFECT IS
MOST IMPRESSIVE AND HEARTWARMING IN THIS SEASON OF
"GOOD WILL TOWARDS ALL MEN."
THE PROCEDURE INVOLVED IS RELATIVELY SIMPLE AND SAFE.
PLACE 2 INCHES OF SAND IN THE BOTTOM OF A BROWN PAPER
LUNCH BAG. THEN PLACE THE CANDLE IN THE BAG. KEEP THE
CANDLES IN A DRY AND WARM PLACE UNTIL CHRISTMAS EVE.
#ON CHRISTMAS EVE#
1. TAKE THE BAGS OUTSIDE PRIOR TO THE LIGHTING TIME AND
PLACE THEM IN A LINE ALONG THE STREET, SPACING THEM
ABOUT NINE (9) FEET APART. USE THE EXTRA BAGS TO LINE
YOUR DRIVEWAY.
2. PLACE EACH BAG WITH A SLIGHT TAMPING ACTION TO MAKE
SURE THE SAND IS EVENLY DISTRIBUTED IN THE BOTTOM OF
THE BAG. ALSO ENSURE THAT EACH BAG IS STANDING UP
ERECTLY AND THE TOP IS OPENED.
3. MAKE SURE THE CANDLE IS SET IN THE APPROXIMATE CENTER
OF THE BAG. IF THE DIRECTIONS ARE CARRIED OUT, THE
FLAME OF THE CANDLE WILL NOT TOUCH THE SIDE OF THE
BAG AND BURN SAFELY.
4. CANDLES ARE TO BE LIGHTED AT 5:30 P.M. SHARP ON
CHRISTMAS EVE.
5. IN THE EVENT OF INCLEMENT WEATHER ON CHRISTMAS EVE,
THE LIGHTING OF THE "LUMINARI" WILL BE POSTPONED
UNTIL CHRISTMAS NIGHT.

Submitter comment: THIS TRADITION HAS BEEN GOING ON IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD
SINCE WE MOVED THERE IN 1975. IT LOOKS IN THE DARK
WHEN DRIVING THROUGH THE SUBDIVISION LIKE AN
AIRPORT RUNWAY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW

Subject headings: Favorites
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Lights and candles
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Santa Claus

Date learned: 00-00-1975

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On New Year's Day, Keith's grandfather gives everyone in
the family a silver dollar to signify a prosperous new year.
It is bad luck to start the year off poor.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TROY

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's
BELIEF -- Measure of time Year
BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth

Date learned: 01-00-1970

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BELGIAN PEOPLE ALWAYS TREASURE THEIR FIRST
INDIAN NICKEL.

Submitter comment: IT IS SAID THAT BELGIANS ARE REALLY TIGHT
WITH THEIR MONEY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TROY

Subject headings: 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually.
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of quality Monetary system Money Wealth
PROVERB -- Blason Populaire

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AVOID WEARING RED CLOTHES, IT IS THE COLOR THAT ATTRACTS DESIRE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TROY

James Callow Keyword(s): SEX, LUST

Subject headings: ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Dress
ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Color Design
BELIEF -- Color

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TO BLEACH YOUR HAIR BOIL APPLES AND USE THE EXTRACT.
A FRIEND USED TO DO THIS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TROY

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Body part Senses

Date learned: CA00001955

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WHEN A WOMAN IS PREGNANT, SHE SHOULD NOT LOOK AT A BURNING FIRE OR
THE BABY WILL BE BORN SCARED.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TROY

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

Date learned: CA00001950

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WHEN YOU SEE THE FIRST ROBIN OF SPRING, LICK YOUR THUMB, RUB IT ON
THE OPPOSITE FIST AND BANG THEM TOGETHER. THEN MAKE A WISH.

Submitter comment: 1 HE LEARNED THIS IN GERMANY

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TROY

Subject headings: 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually.
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Spring
BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails
BELIEF -- Bird
BELIEF -- Prayer

Date learned: 00-00-1950

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WHEN IT IS SNOWING, MOTHER GOOSE IS SHAKING HER FEATHER BED.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TROY

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew

Date learned: CA00001955

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LULLABY

HUSH A BY DON'T YOU CRY
GO TO SLEEP BABY.
WHEN YOU AWAKE YOU SHALL HAVE CAKE
AND ALL THE PRETTY LITTLE HORSES DOWN IN THE MEADOW
DOWN IN THE MEADOW THERE'S A POOR LITTLE LAMBY
HUSH LITTLE BIRD DON'T SAW A WORD
CAN'T YOU HEAR THEM CRYING MAMY.

Submitter comment: HIS MOTHER USED TO SING THIS TO HIM IN ENGLISH.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TROY

Subject headings: Favorites
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Cradle song Lullaby

Date learned: 00-00-1949

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IRISH BLESSING

MAY YOU BE IN HEAVEN AN HOUR BEFORE THE DEVIL KNOWS YOU'RE GONE.

Submitter comment: HIS FATHER USED TO TELL THIS TO HIM.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TROY

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief
BELIEF -- Prayer

Date learned: CA00001950

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FOLKLORE OF DEATH

IF A PICTURE FALLS OFF THE WALL, SOMEONE IS GOING TO DIE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

Subject headings: Observation
BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial

Date learned: CA00001915

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CATNIP MIXED WITH PURE ALCOHOL WILL CURE A STOMACH ACHE.

Submitter comment: HIS MOTHER USED TO GIVE THIS TO HIM WHEN HE WAS SICK.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TROY

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Plant

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JUMP ROPE RHYME

ENGINE ENGINE NUMBER NINE
GOING DOWN CHICAGO LINE
ONE WENT EAST AND ONE WENT WEST
AND ONE WENT UNDER THE TEACHER'S DRESS.

Submitter comment: HE LEARNED THIS FROM A CHILD OF HIS WIFE'S FRIEND.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TROY

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

Date learned: CA00001960

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SANTA CLAUS COMES WITH A SWITCH AND GIVES A FEW PLAYFUL WHACKS TO
THE CHILDREN BEFORE PASSING OUT PRESENTS ON CHRISTMAS EVE.

Submitter comment: HE LEARNED THIS WHILE LIVING IN GERMANY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TROY

James Callow Keyword(s): RITUAL WHIPPING.

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below.

Date learned: 00-00-1950

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AT WEDDINGS, THE BRIDE OFFERS A GIFT OF FLOWERS TO THE BLESSED
MOTHER.

Submitter comment: THEY BEGAN DOING THIS AT THEIR FIRST DAUGHTER'S WEDDING.
THEY DID THIS WHILE IN THE CHURCH.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TROY

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage
BELIEF -- Religious hero

Date learned: 00-00-1977

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IN GERMANY MY MOM AND DAD SHOPPED AT A LOCAL BUTCHER. LATER MY MOM
FOUND OUT HE GOT SOME OF HIS MEAT FROM HUMANS. MY MOM WOULD NOT
EAT MEAT FOR A LONG TIME AFTER THAT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TROY

James Callow Keyword(s): CANNIBALISM

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Work Commerce Business
Food Drink -- Meat
BELIEF -- Work Commerce Business

Date learned: 00-00-1950

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WORMS

A TALL GLASS OF WATER IS PLACED IN FRONT OF THE PERSON TO BE CURED.
THEN A PIECE OF REGULAR SEWING THREAD IS USED TO MEASURE THE PERSON
FROM HEAD TO TOE THREE TIMES.
THEN THE PERSON SUSPENDS HIS HANDS IN THE SHAPE OF A CROSS
AND IS MEASURED FROM FINGERTIP TO FINGERTIP WITH THE SAME THREAD
THREE TIMES.
THEN THE LENGTH OF THREAD IS FOLDED IN HALF,
THEN FOLDED ONCE AGAIN IN HALF AND SO ON
UNTIL THE THREAD'S FORM HAS A LENGTH OF ABOUT 6 INCHES.
THE THREAD IS THEN HELD LENGTHWISE ABOVE THE GLASS OF WATER
AND SLOWLY CUT IN LITTLE PIECES
ABOUT AN INCH LONG.
AS THE THREAD FALLS INTO WATER SOME THREAD WILL STAY AT TOP
OR REST IN THE MIDDLE OR FALL TO THE BOTTOM.
DEPENDING ON WHERE THE THREAD RESTS, THE PERSON
PERFORMING THE CURE CAN TELL WHERE THE WORMS ARE IN THE BODY.
THIS CEREMONY IS CARRIED OUT FOR 3 DAYS IN A ROW.
AND ON THE THIRD DAY THE PERSON IS CURED
AND FEELING MUCH BETTER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; 5205 FARMBROOK ; COLLECTORS HOME

Subject headings: 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple
BELIEF -- Method of Curing

Date learned: 09-21-1969

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