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A barber was giving a haircut to a minister and when he
went to pay for it, the barber said that there is no
charge for men of the cloth, so in turn the minister gave
the barber a bible. The barber gave a haircut to a priest
and told him the same so the priest gave him a rosary.
He cut the hair of a rabbi and the same applied so the
rabbi brought another rabbi.

Submitter comment: Also learned at a family reunion.

Where learned: VIRGINIA ; NORFOLK

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote

Date learned: 00001980S

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A minister, a priest and a rabbi were talking of how they
split the money between God and themselves from the
collection plate and the minister said that he would draw
a circle, throw up the money, and whatever landed in the
circle God would get and what was outside he would get.
The priest said that he drew a line, threw up the money
and what went on one side God got and the other side he
got. The rabbi said that he just threw the collection
plate in the air and whatever God caught that was God's.

Submitter comment: Told at a family reunion by my uncle.

Where learned: VIRGINIA ; NORFOLK

Subject headings: Favorites
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote

Date learned: 00001980S

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"DOLLAR DANCE"

WHEN A SPANISH COUPLE GETS MARRIED, THEY DO A SPECIAL
DANCE CALLED THE "DOLLAR DANCE." IN THE MIDDLE OF THE
WEDDING RECEPTION, THE BRIDE AND GROOM, THE ONLY COUPLE
ON THE FLOOR, START DANCING. AFTER THEY'VE DANCED A FEW
MINUTES, ANYONE WHO WANTS TO DANCE WITH EITHER THE BRIDE
OR THE GROOM, MUST FIRST PIN AT LEAST ONE DOLLAR ON THEIR
CLOTHES BEFORE THEY START DANCING. SOMETIMES MEN DANCE
WITH THE GROOM AND WOMEN DANCE WITH THE BRIDE INSTEAD OF
DANCING WITH THE OPPOSITE SEX. THE MONEY FROM THE DANCE
IS USED TO PAY FOR THE COUPLE'S HONEYMOON OR TO HELP THE
COUPLE GET STARTED IN THEIR NEW LIFE.

Submitter comment: FIVE YEARS AGO, MY BROTHER AND HIS WIFE HAD A "DOLLAR
DANCE" IN THEIR WEDDING RECEPTION.
THE "DOLLAR DANCE" WAS IN HOLLAND, MICHIGAN.
THE DANCE IS AN ENJOYABLE THING TO WATCH.

Where learned: VIRGINIA ; NORFOLK

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Crucial moment of life Life cycle Crucial Moment in Life
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage

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NEVER KILL A CRICKET IN THE HOUSE, BECAUSE IF YOU DO, YOU WILL
BE SURE TO HAVE BAD LUCK.

Where learned: SALEM ; WEST VIRGINIA, ASSUMED

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Bad luck Animals

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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FRIDAY 13TH IS A DAY OF BAD LUCK.

Where learned: SALEM ; WEST VIRGINIA, ASSUMED

Subject headings: 686 Specific number by specific number being described
BELIEF -- Bad luck Friday the Thirteenth

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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NAMING

WHORE'S BATH: NAME GIVEN TO A SUPERFICIAL CLEANING OF LABORATORY
EQUIPMENT INSTEAD OF A THOROUGH CLEANING.

Where learned: VIRGINIA ; PORTSMOUTH

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Trade & commerce

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THIS WAS COLLECTED WHILE AT VIRGINIA BEACH IN THE SUMMER
OF 1966. UPON LOOKING AT SEVERAL PEOPLE'S FEET,
MRS. SWEROCK MADE THE FOLLOWING REMARK; WHICH SHE HAD
HEARD WHEN A LITTLE GIRL:
IF A WIFE'S TOE NEXT TO THE BIG TOE IS TALLER THAN THE
BIG TOE, SHE WILL DIE BEFORE HER HUSBAND.

Where learned: MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; WYANDOTTE ; VIRGINIA BEACH ; VIRGINIA, ASSUMED

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Body part Senses
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial

Date learned: NOT GIVEN ; 00-00-1966

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THE LEGEND OF MCCULLOCH'S LEAP

A BAND OF INDIANS WERE CHASING A FRONTIERSMAN NAMED MCCULLOCH WHO
WAS TRYING TO ESCAPE WITH HIS LIFE. DURNG THE CHASE HE FOUND HIM-
SELF ON THE RIDGE OF A STEEP HILL WHICH WAS ABOUT FIVE HUNDRED
FEET HIGH, AND THERE WAS NO PATH OF ESCAPE OPEN TO HIM. AS THE
INDIANS CLOSED IN, HE AND HIS HORSE JUMPED FROM THE RIDGE, AND
BOTH LANDED SAFELY AT THE BOTTOM AND ESCAPED. THE INDIANS WERE
SO ASTONISHED THAT THEY LEFT HIM ALONE FROM THEN ON. TODAY A
BRONZE STATUE OF AN INDIAN STANDS POINTING TO THE BOTTOM OF THE
HILL WHERE MCCULLOCH JUMPED, AND THIS HILL IS KNOWN AS MCCULLOCH'S
LEAP.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT HEARD THIS LEGEND FROM HER FATHER IN WHEELING, WEST
VIRGINIA, WHERE THE STATUE OF THE INDIAN IS LOCATED. SHE AND HER
FAMILY LIVE JUST ACROSS THE RIVER FROM WHEELING IN MARTIN'S FERRY,
OHIO. SHE SAID THAT THE STORY WAS TOLD TO HER WHEN SHE WAS "VERY
YOUNG."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; WEST VIRGINIA ; INSTITUTE OF ARTS ; WHEELING

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name

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SONG PARODY (RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER)

RANDOLPH THE SHINEY-GUN COWBOY
HAD A PAIR OF SHINEY GUNS
AND IF YOU EVER SAW THEM
YOU WOULD TURN AROUND AND RUN.
ALL OF THE OTHER COWBOYS
USED TO LAUGH AND CALL HIM NAMES.
THEY NEVER LET POOR RANDOLPH
JOIN IN ANY POKER GAMES.
THEN ONE FOGGY COWBOY EVE
THE SHERIFF CAME TO SAY:
"RANDOLPH WITH YOUR GUN SO BRIGHT
WON'T YOU SHOOT MY WIFE TONIGHT."
THEN ALL THE COWBOYS LIKED HIM
AS THEY SHOUTED OUT WITH GLEE
RANDOLPH THE SHINEY GUN COWBOY
YOU'LL HANG ON A TREE.

Where learned: VIRGINIA ; WOODBRIDGE ; INFORMANT'S HOME ; 2 MAPLE LEAF LANE

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Good humor Jest

Date learned: 03-25-1970

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IN MT. CRAWFORD, VIRGINIA, THIS STORY IS OFTEN TOLD. THERE
WAS A REAL OLD LADY THAT LIVED IN A LOG CABIN. SHE WAS VERY
SUPERSTITIOUS AND EVERYONE AROUND THOUGHT THAT SHE WAS A WITCH.
SHE HAD A CAT THAT WOULD CLIMB ON TOP OF AN OLD BOARD FENCE
EVERY NIGHT AND WOULD MAKE A WHOLE LOT OF NOISE.
SO ONE NIGHT, THESE BOYS TOOK THE CAT AND CUT OFF HIS CLAWS,
SO THAT HE WOULDN'T CLIMB THE FENCE.
THEY DIDN'T HEAR ANYMORE ABOUT THE CAT. HOWEVER, WHEN SOMEONE
WENT TO VISIT THE OLD LADY, SHE WAS SITTING IN HER ROCKING
CHAIR. ALL OF HER FINGERS WERE CUT OFF AT THE ENDS AND SHE
HAD RAGS WRAPPED AROUND THEM.

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; VIRGINIA ; PEABODY COLLEGE ; NASHVILLE ; MOUNT CRAWFORD ; COLLEGE ASSIGNMENT

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Angel
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Witch Shaman
BELIEF -- Angel
BELIEF -- Witch Shaman

Date learned: 03-07-1969

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AFTER THIS MAN HAD DIED AND WAS BURIED, HIS DOG KEPT HOWLING
AT HIS GRAVE, SO SOME PEOPLE DECIDED TO UNBURY THE MAN.
WHEN THEY DID, THEY FOUND THAT HE HAD BEEN ALIVE AND USED
ENOUGH FORCE TO PUSH HIS KNEES THROUGH THE COFFIN.

Submitter comment: THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE HAPPENED IN VERONA, VIRGINIA.

Where learned: VIRGINIA ; VERONA

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial

Date learned: 03-07-1969

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THERE IS A HOUSE IN VERONA, VIRGINIA AND IF YOU GO THERE AT
NIGHT, YOU CAN SEE THIS MAN IN A CAGE AND HIS WIFE IS BEATING
HIM. HOWEVER, YOU CAN'T FIND THE HOUSE IN THE DAY.

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; VIRGINIA ; PEABODY COLLEGE ; NASHVILLE ; VERONA ; COLLEGE ASSIGNMENT

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank

Date learned: 03-07-1969

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PLACE (HOW THE MASSANUTTEN MOUNTAINS GOT THEIR NAME).

A MAN WAS WALKING IN VIRGINIA WITH A FRIEND WHEN HE ASKED,
"WHAT IS THAT OVER THERE?", POINTING TO THE MOUNTAIN. HIS
FRIEND ANSWERED, "OH, THAT'S JUST A MASS - A - NUTTEN."

Where learned: VIRGINIA

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Place

Date learned: 00-00-1966

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Superstition

Point at a shooting star or even speak of it and you lose your next wish.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Origina BN's [P600.880, P800, P880] crossed out and replaced with current classifications.

Where learned: SCHOOL ; Shaw, Virginia

Keyword(s): ASTROLOGY ; ASTRONOMY ; BELIEF ; CUSTOM ; GESTURE ; jinx ; Point ; SPEAKING TABU ; SUPERSTITION ; TABU ; WISH

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Comet
BELIEF -- Prayer
SPEECH -- Gesture

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Belief:

Never borrow salt ot you will lose a friend.

Submitter comment:

Informant learned this from her mother.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Original BN [P882.14, P880] crossed out/replaced with current classifications

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Deneweth, Virginia ; Conversation

Keyword(s): Salt, Mineral, Belief, Friendship, Custom, Ownership

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F553
Food Drink -- Flavoring
BELIEF -- Mineral
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank

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Belief: Children

Determining Sex of Unborn Child:

A pin on a thread, if held motionless over the wrist of an expectant mother, can determine sex of child by the motion which it takes up after it is perfectly still. If pin or needle takes up a circular motion than first child weill be a girl. If needle takes up back and forth motion then a boy. If pin stops and then moves again, this can be used to predict the future sex and number of children.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Original BN [P860] crossed out. Replaced with current classification

Where learned: HOME ; NEW YORK ; Sullivan, Virginia ; ROCHESTER

Keyword(s): ANAPEL ; BELIEF ; Biology ; BIRTH ; CHILDREN ; CUSTOM ; Forecasting ; gender ; Ordain ; Pendulum ; Predictions ; SEX

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth

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Custom

Wedding Custom:

When a woman in her family is engaged to be married, the aunts on her fahter's side give a shower gift to her which is a pure white negligee. This is a sign that the perspective groom has been accepted as a member of the family.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Where learned: HOME ; NEW YORK ; Sullivan, Virginia ; ROCHESTER

Keyword(s): Engagement ; FAMILY ; GIFT ; Shower ; WEDDING

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage

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Language

Tongue Twister:

I slit a seat, a seat I slit, upon the slitted seat I sit.

Data entry tech comment:

Added by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Castagna, Virginia

Keyword(s): Language ; RHYME ; TONGUE TWISTER

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

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SOLDIER SAYING

"A GI NEVER LEAVES HIS BUNKER THREE DAYS BEFORE HE LEAVES VIETNAM."

Submitter comment: SINCE HEARING THE ABOVE, I HAVE ASKED SEVERAL VETERANS OF VIETNAM,
(MANY OF MY STUDENTS ARE VETERANS) IF THEY EVER HEARD OF THIS SAYING
MOST SAY NO, BUT FEW DENY THAT IT IS TRUE.

Where learned: VIRGINIA ; 2 MAPLE LEAF LN ; WOODRIDGE

Keyword(s): THREE

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim

Date learned: 03-29-1970

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MEDICINE-VETERINARIAN FOR HORSES

TURPENTINE AND LARD HAVE BEEN USED BY THE VETERINARIAN OF
FARMINGTON HUNT CLUB OF CHARLOTTESVILLE: THE LARD KEEPS THE
TURPENTINE FROM BURNING THE HAIR OFF OF THE HORSES. ALSO THER IS
A WAY OF TAKING A NAIL OUT OF A HORSE'S HOOF AND POURING
TURPENTINE IN THE HOLE AND LIGHTING A MATCH TO IT. THIS IS
SUPPOSED TO INHIBIT INFECTION AND LAMENESS.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT'S MOTHER HAS USED TURPENTINE AS AN ANTISEPTIC FOR
PEOPLE AND ANIMAL CUTS.

Data entry tech comment: SPELLING ERRORS WERE CORRECTED

Where learned: VIRGINIA ; CHARLOTTESVILLE

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

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