Offensive content Filter is ON
Your search for STERLING returned 190 results.
BUZZING EARS
MY MOTHER TOLD ME IF MY EARS WERE BUZZING, THEN SOMEONE
WAS SPEAKING KINDLY OF ME; BUT IF THEY WERE HUMMING, THEN
THEY WERE SPEAKING BADLY OF ME.
Submitter comment: THIS WAS TOLD TO ME WHEN I COMPLAINED OF BUZZING EARS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | 842 Ringing ears / buzzing / hot, burning BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
AT DAWN I CRAWL ON FOUR,
AT DAY I WALK ON TWO,
AT DUSK I STEP WITH THREE;
WHAT CAN I BE?
ANSWER: A MAN. DAWN SYMBOLIZES CHILDHOOD;
DAY REPRESENTS ADULTHOOD; DUSK REPRESENTS OLD AGE.
Submitter comment: THIS WAS TOLD TO MY MOTHER IN GREECE; IT RHYMES IN GREEK ALSO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
WED IN BLACK, WISH YOURSELF BACK.
Submitter comment:
MY MOTHER WAS TOLD THIS AS A CHILD WHEN SHE ATTENDED
A WEDDING WHERE THE BRIDE WORE BLACK.
WISH YOURSELF BACK MEANS TO GO BACK TO MOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Riddle C890.30 BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Color |
MY MOTHER'S MOTHER TOLD HER THAT TO BE MARRIED IN
A GOWN THAT HAD SEED PEARLS UPON IT TOLD OF HAVING
GIRL CHILDREN. SURE ENOUGH, MY PARENTS HAVE TWO
CHILDREN, BOTH ARE GIRLS!
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
James Callow Keyword(s): SEX DETERMINATION
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Marriage |
MY MOTHER SAYS THAT THE COLOR YOU MOST FREQUENTLY
WEAR IS THE COLOR THAT SHOWS THE REAL YOU.
I WEAR EARTHY COLORS MOST FREQUENTLY, AND I AM
AN EARTHY TYPE PERSON.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
James Callow Keyword(s): PERSONALITY REVEALED BY COLOR CHOICE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Color |
Date learned: 08-00-1983
TO EXTEND YOUR FIVE FINGERS OUTWARD IN A STAR
SHAPED POSITION IS TO SAY, "GO TO HELL!"
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Gesture |
I OFTEN PLAYED THIS GAME WHEN I WAS BORED DURING CERTAIN CLASSES.
YOU NEED: 1 PENCIL, 1 SHEET OF PAPER, AND AN IMAGINATION.
YOU MAKE A SQUARE, APPROXIMATELY 2 INCHES BIG. PUT ANY NUMBER
UNDER 10, BUT GREATER THAN ZERO IN IT. THIS IS THE COUNTING
NUMBER THAT YOU WILL USE. RIGHT ABOVE THIS BOX, YOU LIST 3 BOYS'
NAMES; TO THE RIGHT OF THE BOX YOU LIST 3 TYPES OF CARS; TO THE
LEFT OF THE BOX YOU LIST 3 NUMBERS; AND BELOW THE BOX YOU LIST
3 TYPES OF HOMES (E.G- APPARTMENT, HOUSE, ETC.) THE NUMBER IN THE
NOW IS USED; YOU BEGIN WITH THE VERY FIRST BOY'S NAME, YOU CROSS
OUT THE ITEM THAT THE NUMBER LANDS ON. FOR EXAMPLE, IF THE NUMBER
IS THREE, THEN THE THIRD BOY'S NAME IS CROSSED OUT. YOU DO THIS
UNTIL BY PROCESS OF ELIMINATION, ONE OF EACH GROUP IS LEFT.
THIS TELLS YOU THE NAME OF THE PERSON YOU MARRY, THE CAR YOU
WILL DRIVE, THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN YOU WILL HAVE, AND THE
TYPE OF PLACE WHERE YOU WILL LIVE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
COMING HOME LATE AT NIGHT, I TURNED INTO MY SUBDIVISION
WHEN ON THE LEFT I SAW A FAINT WHITE GLOW. IT WAS A VISION.
IT LOOKED LIKE A YOUNG GIRL, RUNNING, RUNNING WITH NO
SHOES ON, HER DRESS (WAS) FLOWING. I SCREAMED AND
PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR--THEN THOUGHT TO MYSELF
"HOW STRANGE?" I THINK IT WAS AN ANGEL GOING TO A PROM.
BUT SHE DIDN'T HAVE A COMPANION OR SHOES.
Submitter comment:
I DON'T KNOW WHETHER TO BELIEVE THIS STORY OR NOT.
JAMES TOLD ME THIS STORY THE NIGHT IT OCCURRED AND THIS
VERSION SEEMS TO BE A BIT EXAGERRATED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
Keyword(s): DANCE
James Callow Keyword(s): MYSTERIOUS LIGHT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Angel |
Date learned: 05-00-1985
IT WAS TRADITION AT MY HOUSE THAT WHEN THE SKY WAS
PINK IN THE MORNING OR EVENING THAT MRS. SANTA CLAUS
WAS BAKING COOKIES. I THOUGHT SO BECAUSE HER OVEN
WOULD LIGHT UP THE SKY.
Submitter comment:
MY INFORMANT GOT VERY EXCITED ABOUT THE UPCOMING
HOLIDAY SEASON WHEN THIS SUBJECT CAME OUT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
Keyword(s): CHRISTMAS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Air Weather Fire |
Date learned: 00001940S
IF A PICTURE FALLS OFF THE WALL YOU'RE
GONNA DIE.
OR IF A ROCKING CHAIR ROCKS BY ITSELF.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
James Callow Keyword(s): EMPTY
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Number Emptiness, nothingness, zero |
Date learned: 00001930S
NEVER GIVE ANYBODY SOMETHING SHARP BECAUSE IT WILL
CUT YOU OFF FROM FRIENDSHIP. THERE IS SOMETHING TO
USE TO COUNTERACT BUT I CAN'T REMEMBER IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 00001930S
ABOUT MAYBE 1:30 P.M., NO, 2:00 P.M. THIS AFTERNOON I SAW
A VERY PECULIAR SIGHT. I WAS ABOUT FIVE MILES NORTHEAST
OF ALMONT, OUT ON A SLIGHTLY PAVED ROAD. IT WAS EXTREMELY
FOGGY OUT. I HEARD THE NOISE OF THE APPROACHING VEHICLE
LONG BEFORE IT CAME INTO SIGHT. I HAD MY CAR ON THE
SHOULDER, BECAUSE I WAS TAKING STILL PHOTOGRAPHS OF NEARBY
RUIN SITES. ANYHOW, THE DISTANCE OF SIGHT WAS NOT CLEAR TO
ME, AND I HEARD BEFORE I SAW. I WAS NEARLY STRUCK BY A GUY
IN A BIG GREEN CAR. LUCKILY, IT WENT RIGHT BY, BUT NO
ONE WAS DRIVING. THE GUY WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. I SAW
THE EMPTY STEERING WHEEL. IT DISAPPEARED INTO THE FOG. IT
WAS A FRIGHTENING DAY. THIS IS THE TRUTH.
Submitter comment:
JAMES TOLD ME HE TOOK A PICTURE OF THIS GHOSTDRIVER.
WHEN THE PRINT WAS DEVELOPED ONLY FOG SHOWED UP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
James Callow Keyword(s): DRIVERLESS AUTOMOBILE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
MY FATHER USED TO TELL ME THAT THE REASON HE WAS SUCH A
GOOD SWIMMER WAS BECAUSE HE ATE LOTS OF TAPIOCA PUDDING.
HE SAID THAT HE WAS NOT "PUDDING" ME ON, BUT IT WAS REALLY
MADE FROM FISH-EYES.
Submitter comment:
HER FATHER, JOHN ARTHUR "DUTCH" GRUBER, ONCE SWAM ACROSS
THE DETROIT RIVER, AND BACK AGAIN. HE DIED IN 1978.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Pastry Sweet Dessert BELIEF -- Secular hero BELIEF -- Fish BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00001940S
MY FATHER USED TO TELL US KIDS THAT WHEN IT WAS SNOWING
OUTSIDE WE SHOULD SAY A PRAYER TO THANK GOD. HE
SAID THIS BECAUSE HE TOLD US THE ANGELS WERE HAVING A
PILLOW FIGHT. AS THE PILLOWS BROKE, FEATHERS OR SNOW,
FELL DOWN FROM THE HEAVENS.
Submitter comment:
MY MOTHER TOLD ME A SIMILAR STORY, EXCEPT THE ANGELS WERE
THROWING RICE AT A HEAVENLY WEDDING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
Keyword(s): WINTER
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Angel BELIEF -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew |
Date learned: 00001940S
"SILVERKING"
THIS STORY WAS PASSED DOWN FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION.
IT TOOK PLACE SOMEWHERE IN THE OLD WEST, AROUND 1830.
MY FATHER TOLD IT TO ME, AND HIS FATHER TOLD IT TO HIM.
IT IS AN EXPLANATION FOR HOW MY GREAT-GREAT GRANDFATHER
MET HIS BRIDE.
GREAT-GREAT GRANDMA (BEFORE MEETING GREAT-GREAT GRANDPA) WAS
CAPTURED BY THE AMERICAN INDIANS. THEY TOOK HER BACK TO
THEIR CAMP AND TIED HER UP. SHE BECAME ENSLAVED TO THE REDMEN.
THEN, GREAT-GREAT GRANDPA CHARGED IN, RIDING HIS ARABIAN
STALLION NAMED SILVERKING. HE SAW GRANDMA, SWOOPED HER
UP, AND RESCUED HER. THEY WENT RIDING OFF, AND HE WAS A
HERO TO HER. SHE IMMEDIATELY MARRIED HIM, AND THE INDIANS
NEVER CAPTURED HER AGAIN.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT WAS EXCITED IN RETELLING THIS STORY!
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero BELIEF -- Human Being BELIEF -- Secular hero |
JAMES MILLER AND MYSELF JOINTLY PRODUCE TELEVISION SHOWS.
OUR COMPANY IS NOT REGISTERED ANYWHERE, THEREFORE I THINK IT
IS APPROPRIATE TO INCLUDE SOME BASIC INFORMATION IN THIS
FOLK FILE. WE ARE THE "WIERD PRODUCERS" (SPELLING INTENTIONAL).
WE HAVE INTRODUCED MANY NEW CHARACTERS WHICH HAVE BEEN
SEEN ON CABLE CHANNELS ALL OVER THE METROPOLITAN DETROIT AREA.
WE HAVE A FEW FOLLOWERS, BUT MOST NORMAL PEOPLE WOULD
NOT PUBLICLY CONFESS TO LIKING OUR PROGRAMS. THUS,
TO PLEASE THE MASSES, WE ALSO USE THE NAME "POINTLESS PRODUCTIONS."
AT LEAST ONE OF US IS DESTINED AS A FAILURE, THEREFORE WE
EACH HAVE RELATED CAREERS TO FALL BACK ON: JAMES IS AN
ASTRONOMER AND I AM AN ARCHEOLOGIST. AS I'M SURE YOU CAN TELL
OUR HUMOR IS A BIT WARPED, BUT THAT IS WHY WE DON'T STAND OUT.
SOME ELITE PEOPLE ENJOY OUR SARCASM, AND THEY PASS IT
AROUND ORALLY. THEREFORE, SOONER OR LATER SOMEONE IN ONE OF
YOUR COURSES, WITH A TWISTED MIND SIMILAR TO MINE, WOULD
SURELY COLLECT INFORMATION ON US.
Submitter comment:
TAPES ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE WIERD PRODUCERS' ARCHIVES.
OUR FIRST NATIONALLY UNKNOWN PROGRAM WAS ENTITLED
"ROCKY ZERO." THE CRITICS LOVED THIS ONE. FROM THAT TIME
ONWARD, OUR PROGRAMS HAVE GOTTEN BETTER. WE KNOW THAT THEY
ARE BETTER BECAUSE FEWER PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THEM. THUS, THE
CRITICS HAVE RIPPED US APART ON OUR LAST FOUR ATTEMPTS.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
Keyword(s): DRAMA ; Entertainment ; Funny ; Gag ; JOKE ; PANTOMIME ; Personalities ; RADIO ; SARCASM ; Show ; Spoof
| Subject headings: | Shadow / Pantomime |
Date learned: 05-00-1984
"AGNUS DUKE"
YOU HAVE TO SEE AGNUS TO SEE HER. BELIEVING HER IS A
DIFFERENT STORY. SHE WAS CREATED BY JAMES WITH HELP FROM
HIS MOTHER. AGNUS DUKE IS A PERFORMER WHO CAN'T HOLD A
TUNE, MUCH LESS SING ONE. SHE STARRED IN HER FIRST VIDEO
UNDER THE POINTLESS PRODUCTIONS LABEL, WHICH WAS OUT IN
APRIL OF 1985. FORTUNATELY, IT WAS BANNED FROM NETWORK
TELEVISION BEFORE ITS FIRST SCHEDULED AIR DATE. UNFORTUNATELY,
POINTLESS PRODUCTIONS IS NOW IN THE PROCESS OF SHOOTING
A NEW, BIOGRAPHICAL-FEATURE FILM ALL ABOUT AGNUS. IT WILL
BE OUT IN APRIL OF 1986. HER LIFE HAS SO MUCH VALUABLE LORE
IN IT THAT I WILL NOT BEGIN TO ENTER IT NOW. FRANKLY, I AM
COMPUTER TERMINALLY ILL, SO I WON'T FINISH IT NOW EITHER.
INSTEAD, I WILL SUBMIT THE TAPES INTO THE FOLKLORE ARCHIVES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 00-00-1984
"THE BUNNYMAN"
THE BUNNYMAN IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE CHARACTERS CREATED
BY THE WIERD PRODUCERS. HE MADE HIS COMMERCIAL DEBUT IN
POINTLESS PRODUCTIONS' 1984 GRAND PRIX SPECTACULAR. HE
HAS BEEN MAKING LIVE, SPECIAL APPEARANCES ALL AROUND SINCE
THE GRAND PRIX. ONE NEVER KNOWS WHERE THE BUNNYMAN WILL HOP
TO. THE BUNNYMAN'S PURPOSE IN LIFE IS TO PLAY MUSIC
ACROSS THE NATION TO BRING PEACE. SO FAR, HE HAS ACCOMPLISHED
NOTHING. TWO OF HIS BIGGEST HIT SONGS WERE "THE NEIGHBORS
RAN OVER MY CAT, BUT I STILL MOW THEIR LAWN" AND "IF YOU
GIVE ME YOUR GUN, I'LL GIVE YOU A CARROT, AND THEN I'LL SMASH
YOUR GUN."
Submitter comment: THE SEVEN FOOT TALL RABBIT IS A LIVING LEGEND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mammal |
Date learned: 00-00-1984
DON'T SING AT THE TABLE, OR YOU'LL MARRY A CRAZY MAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222. BELIEF -- Physically handicapped Deformed BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 00-00-1950
"Goodie Edition"
Submitter comment:
This is the colloquial phrase used by residents of
McBain, Michigan to indicate someone or something that
is particularly run-down or slovenly.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
Keyword(s): Sarcasm, derision
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Proper Name |