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EAT SALTY FISH ON NEW YEAR'S EVE FOR GOOD LUCK.

Submitter comment: SYLVIA COLLECTED THIS FROM HER SISTER, WHO IN TURN, LEARNED
IT AT THE NURSES' LOUNGE AT BEAUMONT HOSPITAL, DETROIT (ROYAL
OAK), MICHIGAN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; ROYAL OAK ; DETROIT ; NURSES LOUNGE ; BEAUMONT HOSPITAL

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve
Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals
BELIEF -- Good luck

Date learned: 09-23-1967

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POLISH CUSTOM

ON NEW YEAR'S EVE, POLISH PEOPLE EAT HERRING BECAUSE THIS
MEANS GOOD LUCK FOR THE WHOLE NEW YEAR.

Submitter comment: CHRIS AND HERR FAMILY HAVE HERING ON NEW YEAR'S FOR GOOD
LUCK EVEN TODAY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve
Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals
BELIEF -- Good luck

Date learned: 02-24-1970

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AT THE STROKE OF MIDNIGHT ON NEW YEAR'S EVE GO OUTSIDE AND
THROW HERRING OVER YOUR SHOULDER AND YOU WILL HAVE GOOD
LUCK.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve
Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals
BELIEF -- Good luck

Date learned: 10-20-1970

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GERMAN CUSTOM

ON THE NIGHT OF DECEMBER 5, THE GERMAN CHILDREN PUT
A SHOE IN THE WINDOW OF THEIR HOUSE. THE CHILDREN
BELIEVE THAT ST. NICHOLAS PUTS COOKIES, NUTS, ETC.
IN THE SHOE.

Submitter comment: SHE LEARNED IT BECAUSE SHE LIVED IN GERMANY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; GERMANY ; DETROIT

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F120

Date learned: 02-07-1967

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CHRISTMAS IS CELEBRATED IN PUERTO RICO ON JANUARY 6.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; PUERTO RICO

Keyword(s): BALTHAZAR ; KASPAR ; MELCHIOR

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany

Date learned: 10-20-1971

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POLISH FEAST OF THE THREE KINGS

ON JANUARY 6, THE FEAST OF THE THREE KINGS, PRIESTS
VISIT THE HOMES OF POLISH CATHOLICS BEARING CHALK,
MYRRH, AND INCENSE. THEY BLESS THE HOUSE AND WRITE
THE NAMES OF THE THREE KINGS OVER THE DOORWAY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): BALTHAZAR ; KASPAR ; MELCHIOR

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany

Date learned: 11-00-1968

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LA BEFANA

SHE IS AN OLD, UGLY, BENEFICIENT LADY THAT COMES AT
NIGHT DOWN THE CHIMNEY. SHE LEAVES GIFTS IN SHOES,
STOCKINGS, SOCKS; GIFTS AND CANDIES ARE LEFT FOR GOOD
CHILDREN AND PIECES OF COAL FOR BAD CHILDREN. SHE
COMES ON THE EVE OF EPIFANY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 5

Date learned: 03-00-1968

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EACH SEMESTER, ABOUT THREE WEEKS AFTER SCHOOL STARTS,
TAU KAPPA EPSILON HAS THEIR CARNATION BALL. IT IS A
PARTY DURING WHICH BIDS ARE HANDED OUT TO PROSPECTIVE
PLEDGES. EACH BOY TO WHOM THE FRATERNITY OFFERS
A BID IS TAKEN DOWNSTAIRS ONE AT A TIME. IF HE ACCEPTS
THE BID, HE COMES UPSTAIRS WEARING A RED CARNATION IN
HIS LAPEL.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing

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WHEN I WAS A CHILD I WAS A WEBELO (PERIOD BEFORE BOY
SCOUTS). TO BE INITIATED IN THE WEBELOES, THE NEW
MEMBER WAS TOLD TO GO IN THE GARAGE AND MILK THE GOAT.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT WAS A WEBELO, AND WHEN HE WAS TOLD TO MILK
THE GOAT, HE REFUSED BECAUSE HE KNEW THAT GOATS
WEREN'T ALLOWED TO BE KEPT IN THE CITY. THERE
WASN'T ANY GOAT IN THE GARAGE, IT WAS JUST A PUT-ON.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing

Date learned: 11-10-1971

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WHEN THE FLEMISH BUILD A HOUSE, AND THE WALL BOARD IS UP,
THEY TIE AN EVERGREEN TO THE CORNER OF THE HOUSE.

Submitter comment: TOLD BY GRANDMOTHER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Foundation rite Laying of cornerstone

Date learned: 09-00-1967

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SLOVAK CUSTOM

ON THE FEAST OF THE THREE KINGS (JANUARY 6) THE SLOVAKS HAVE
A CUSTOM IN WHICH THE PARISH PRIEST VISITS EACH HOME IN THE
AREA. AS HE ENTERS THE HOUSE, HE WRITES IN CHALK THE SYMBOL
OF THE THREE KINGS OVER THE THRESHOLD OF ONE'S DOOR. THEN,
THE ENTIRE HOUSE IS BLESSED.

James Callow comment: THIS IS BACKLOG MATERIAL.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany

Date learned: 10-02-1971

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JAPANESE CUSTOM

ON JANUARY 2ND, LONG LINES OF CITIZENS GATHER AT THE IMPERIAL
PALACE OF DOUBLE BRIDGE ( NIJUBASHI ) AND GIVE CHEERS ( BANZAI )
THREE TIMES. BANZAI MEANS LONG LIFE, AND WE CHEER THREE TIMES
BECAUSE THREE IS A LUCKY NUMBER.

Submitter comment: WISH EMPEROR LUCK FOR THE COMING YEAR.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- 39815
BELIEF -- Number

Date learned: 02-04-1968

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TO TEST IF YOUR HUSBAND HAS BEEN UNFAITHFUL, DRAW
A CIRCLE ON THE GROUND, TAKE A HOT IRON WHICH
HE HAS TO CARRY ON HIS HAND THREE TIMES AROUND THE
CIRCLE AND IF HE DOESN'T BURN HIMSELF, HE IS
INNOCENT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Day after wedding

Date learned: 02-00-1968

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LIGHTNING BUG

IF YOU CATCH A LIGHTNING BUG
YOU CAN MAKE A WISH.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT IS A FRIEND OF MINE, AND HE REMEMBERS
THIS FROM HIS CHILDHOOD.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; FERNDALE ; TOLD IN

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Prayer

Date learned: 00-00-1971

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GEORGE EATS OLD GRAY RABBITS AND PAINTS HOUSES
YELLOW.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Subject headings: ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- MNEM

Date learned: 11-27-1971

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SONG

IN THE LAND OF ODEN
THERE IS A MOUNTAIN
WHICH IS TWENTY MILLION
MILES IN THE AIR.
AND EVERY MILLION YEARS
A LITTLE BIRD COMES A WINGING
TO SHARPEN HIS BEAK ON THAT MOUNTAIN;
THEN HE QUICKLY DISAPPEARS.
AND WHEN THAT MOUNTAIN
HAS WORN AWAY
THAT'S WHEN ETERNITY WILL BE
ONE SINGLE DAY
ONE SINGLE DAY
ONE SINGLE DAY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LAPEER ; CAMP O'FAIRWINDS

James Callow Keyword(s): ODIN ; RELATIVITY

Subject headings: Favorites
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Religious
BELIEF -- Bird
BELIEF -- Formation
BELIEF -- Measure of time

Date learned: 06-00-1979

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SNIPE HUNTING

SNIPE HUNTING IS ALWAYS A GOOD TRICK TO PLAY ON A
CITY SLICKER, YOU BRING THE SLICKER OUT INTO AN
APPLE ORCHARD AND PLACE HIM THERE WITH A BURLAP BAG
AND TELL HIM TO YELL, "SNIPE, SNIPE, HERE SNIPE."
WHEN THIS FICTIONAL ANIMAL COMES BY, HE IS SUPPOSED
TO BAG IT.

Submitter comment: I LEARNED THIS FROM A COUPLE OF GUYS I WORKED WITH
THIS PAST SUMMER.

Where learned: NEW HAMPSHIRE ; MILFORD

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion

Date learned: 10-12-1967

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THERE SHOULD BE IVY IN A BRIDE'S WEDDING BOUQUET.
BEFORE THE BRIDE THROWS THE FLOWERS, SHE TAKES A
PIECE OF THE IVY. LATER ON, SHE PLANTS THE IVY.
THE GROWING OF THE IVY SYMBOLIZES THE GROWING LOVE
OF THE HUSBAND AND WIFE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Day after wedding

Date learned: 03-10-1972

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CAR KNOCKING LEGEND

IF YOU DRIVE DOWN HOOVER ROAD ON HALLOWEEN NIGHT, SOMEWHERE
NEAR STATE FAIR, YOU WILL HEAR TWO KNOCKS ON YOUR CAR. A GIRL
WAS KILLED BY A CAR THERE, AND SHE HAUNTS THE INTERSECTION.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT LAUGHED AND DIDN'T APPEAR TO BELIEVE IT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN ; 7632 WESTMINSTER

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter
ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Vehicle propelled by mechanical or other force on land
BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial

Date learned: 02-22-1970

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WHENEVER YOU BUILD A SNOWMAN YOU SHOULD BUILD IT SO IT FACES
THE ROAD TO PROTECT YOUR HOUSE FROM DANGER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Water Ice Snow
BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal

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