Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in /var/www/libs/inc/cfa/cfa-item.inc.php on line 328

Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in /var/www/libs/inc/cfa/cfa-item.inc.php on line 328

Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in /var/www/libs/inc/cfa/cfa-item.inc.php on line 328

Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in /var/www/libs/inc/cfa/cfa-item.inc.php on line 328
The James T. Callow Computerized Folkore Archive | University of Detroit Mercy Libraries Back to Top
Top Nav content Site Footer
University Home
James T. Callow Computerized Folklore Archive
search for

Offensive content Filter is ON

Your search for MI returned 23829 results.

prev | items
| next

Custom: Holiday

ON CHRISTMAS EVE EACH MEMBER OF THE FAMILY LIGHTS A BAYBERRY
CANDLE AND THEN MAKES A WISH. IF THE CANDLES ARE ALLOWED TO
BURN TO THE ENDS THEN THE WISH WILL COME TRUE.

Submitter comment:

THIS IS A CUSTOM CARRIED OUT IN THE INFORMANT'S FAMILY FOR
SEVERAL GENERATIONS.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated and Motifs added / 02-28-2011 / TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE ; 1001 CADIEUX

Keyword(s): Bayberry ; Candle ; CUSTOM ; FAMILY ; Herb ; holiday ; PLANT ; RELIGION ; RELIGIOUS ; SYMBOL ; WISH

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.2
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Lights and candles

View just this record

LEGEND

IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA THERE IS A LAKE CALLED "MC LAC," IN THE
MIDDLE OF WHICH IS A GLASS HILL THAT SHINES BRILLIANTLY IN THE
SUN. LEGEND HAS IT THAT THE INDIANS BUILT THIS HILL TO HONOR
THE SUN GOD. FOR HUNDREDS OF YEARS THEY CARRIED THESE CRYSTAL
ROCKS OUT TO THE MIDDLE OF THE LAKE BY MEANS OF CANOES. A ROCK
WAS OFFERRED BY THE ENTIRE TRIBE WHENEVER A FAVOR WAS GRANTED
BY THE SUN GOD. THEY CONTINUED THIS RITUAL UNTIL THE HILL WAS
FAR ENOUGH OUT OF THE WATER TO REFLECT THE SUN'S GOODNESS BY
GIVING BACK ITS LIGHT.

Submitter comment: SISTER KATERI'S FATHER TOLD THIS STORY TO HER WHEN SISTER WAS A
YOUNGSTER:

Where learned: MINNESOTA ; MINNEAPOLIS ; SOUTH SAINT PAUL

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Sun
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formation
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mineral

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

View just this record

Content filter on this entry.

DIRTY OLD MAN: "TO THE WOODS, TO THE WOODS"
YOUNG LADY: "BUT I
DIRTY OLD MAN: "YOU

James Callow comment: KEYPUNCH CARDS ARE MISSING HERE

Where learned: Massachusetts ; Framingham

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote
Filter - Mature Content

Date learned: 00-00-1970

View just this record

Superstition: Baseball

NEVER MENTION A NO-HITTER TO A PITCHER DURING THE GAME.

Submitter comment:

HEARD IT ON T.V.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD 12.2.2010

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; ASSUMED

Keyword(s): BAD LUCK ; BASEBALL ; BASEBALL STADIUM ; CHANCE ; CUSTOM ; Fan ; FATE ; jinx ; LUCK ; No-Hitter ; Shutout ; SPORTS ; SUPERSTITION

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion
BELIEF -- Entertainment Diversion
BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

View just this record

FOOD

ON CHRISTMAS EVE ELEVEN DIFFERENT DISHES ARE PREPARED. THESE ARE
TRADITIONAL POLISH FOODS USUALLY LEFT UP TO THE DECISION OF THE
HOSTESS AS TO WHAT WILL BE SERVED. THE ONLY DISH WHICH MUST BE
SERVED IS THAT OF ANGEL BREAD.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK ; 2370 BURGER

Keyword(s): CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; FOOD ; holiday ; POLISH ; tradition

Subject headings: 122 Christmas
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82
BELIEF -- Number P686.1.11

Date learned: 03-21-1971

View just this record

FISHY

I WISH I WAS A FISHY IN THE BROOK/I WISH I WAS A FISHY IN THE BROOK/
FOR I'D SWIM IN MY NUDIE/ WITHOUT A BATHING SUITIE/ OH, I WISH I WAS
A FISHY IN THE BROOK }

Where learned: MICHIGAN

Keyword(s): ENVELOPE STRUCTURE ; FEMININE RHYME IMPERFECT RHYME ; HUMOROUS RHYME ; REPETITION FIRST PERSON ; RHYME: AABBA

Subject headings: 730 Lyrical Verse

View just this record

LITTLE BAR OF SOAP

I WISH I WAS A LITTLE BAR OF SOAP/ I WISH I WAS A LITTLE BAR OF SOAP
FOR I'D SLIPPIE AND I'D SLIDDIE/ DOWN EVERYBODY'S HIDDY/ OH, I WISH
I WAS A LITTLE BAR OF SOAP}

Where learned: MICHIGAN

Keyword(s): BATHTUB VERSE ; ENVELOPE STRUCTURE ; FEMININE RHYME NEOLOGISM ; REPETITION FIRST PERSON ; RHYME: AABBA

Subject headings: 730 Lyrical Verse

Date learned: 10-02-1965

View just this record

TALKING OF EVIL

THIS PERSON BELIEVES THAT IF ANYONE SPEAKS OF EVIL,
ESPECIALLY OF NOT WORRYING ABOUT THE EVIL,
THEN HE OR SHE IS TEMPTING FATE TO STRIKE THIS
PERSON WITH THE EVIL THAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FRASER ; 14653 14 MILE RD

Subject headings: Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration
BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance

View just this record

CAR FOR SALE

A PERSON BOUGHT THAT CAR AND EVERY TIME HE CLOSED THE WINDOWS
THE STENCH INSIDE THE CAR WOULD BE SO STRONG YOU COULDN'T GET IN
THE CAR--LIKE ON A WARM DAY. THIS STILL HAPPENED YEARS AFTERWARDS.

Submitter comment: I, THE COLLECTOR, TOLD THEM ABOUT THE CAR WHICH THE OWNER COULD NOT
SELL BECAUSE A PERSON WHO HAD DIED IN IT WAS LEFT IN IT FOR SOME
TIME AND THE ODOR REMAINED. IT PROMPTED THE FOLLOWING:
HEARD THIS IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; 19792 STOUT

Subject headings: ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Vehicle propelled by mechanical or other force on land
BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial

Date learned: 05-11-1965

View just this record

TELEPHONE CATCHES

I ONCE HEARD OF A COUPLE OF KIDS WHO WOULD CALL THEIR
LOCAL GROCERY STORE AND CARRY ON THE FOLLOWING
CONVERSATION:
THEY WOULD FIRST SAY, "I'D LIKE TO REGISTER A COMPLAINT
ON ONE OF YOUR PRODUCTS I BOUGHT THE OTHER DAY."
WHEN THE STORE MANAGER OR WHOEVER ANSWERED THE PHONE
ASKED WHICH PRODUCT THEY WERE COMPLAINING ABOUT, THEY
WOULD ANSWER, "YOUR CHICKEN ASSEMBLY KIT," AND HANG
UP THE PHONE LAUGHING.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion

Date learned: 03-27-1971

View just this record

CAR FOR SALE

A PERSON BOUGHT THAT CAR AND EVERY TIME HE CLOSED THE WINDOWS
THE STENCH INSIDE THE CAR WOULD BE SO STRONG YOU COULDN'T GET IN
THE CAR--LIKE ON A WARM DAY. THIS STILL HAPPENED YEARS AFTERWARDS.

Submitter comment: I, THE COLLECTOR, TOLD THEM ABOUT THE CAR WHICH THE OWNER COULD NOT
SELL BECAUSE A PERSON WHO HAD DIED IN IT WAS LEFT IN IT FOR SOME
TIME AND THE ODOR REMAINED. IT PROMPTED THE FOLLOWING:
HEARD THIS IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; 19792 STOUT

Subject headings: ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Vehicle propelled by mechanical or other force on land
BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial

Date learned: 05-11-1965

View just this record

LIMERICK

THERE WAS A YOUNG LADY FROM LYNN
WHO WAS EXCEEDINGLY THIN.
THAT ONE DAY IN THE SHADE,
WHILE SIPPING LEMONADE,
SHE SLIPPED THROUGH THE STRAW AND FELL IN.

Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED

Keyword(s): RHYME: AABBA

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

Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

View just this record

CAR FOR SALE

A PERSON BOUGHT THAT CAR AND EVERY TIME HE CLOSED THE WINDOWS THE
STENCH INSIDE THE CAR WOULD BE SO STRONG YOU COULDN'T GET IN THE
CAR--LIKE ON A WARM DAY. THIS STILL HAPPENED YEARS AFTERWARDS.

Submitter comment: I, THE COLLECTOR, TOLD THEM ABOUT THE CAR WHICH THE OWNER COULD NOT
SELL BECAUSE A PERSON WHO HAD DIED IN IT WAS LEFT IN IT FOR SOME
TIME AND THE ODOR REMAINED. IT PROMPTED THE FOLLOWING:
HEARD THIS IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; 19792 STOUT

Subject headings: ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Vehicle propelled by mechanical or other force on land
BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial

Date learned: 05-11-1965

View just this record

KITTENS' PAWS

THIS MEATLESS DISH IS TRADITIONALLY SERVED ON CHRISTMAS EVE
WHICH IN THE PAST WAS A DAY OF TOTAL ABSTINANCE (ABSTINENCE).
A FILLING OF CHEESE, CHOPPED SPINACH AND SPICES IS ROLLED IN SQUARES
OF PASTRY. THE ENDS OF THESE ROLLS ARE PINCHED CLOSE IN SUCH A
FASHION AS TO RESEMBLE KITTENS' PAWS. THEY ARE THEN COOKED
IN A TOMATO SAUCE AND SERVED.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: DETROIT, ASSUMED ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; 16172 DEXTER

Keyword(s): ABSTINENCE FROM MEAT ; CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; FOOD ; holiday ; Vegetarian

Subject headings: 122 Christmas

Date learned: NOT RECORDED

View just this record

DREAM

IF YOU DREAM OF FISH, SOMEONE IS EXPECTING A CHILD.

Where learned: GEORGIA ; MILLEDGEVILLE

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Birth
BELIEF -- Dreams Untamed varieties
BELIEF -- Dreams P841.61

Date learned: 00-00-1979

View just this record

WILL THE SUN EVER GET COLD? YES, IN THE YEAR 2050 EVERYTHING
WILL REVERSE. SUMMER WILL BRING SNOW AND WINTER WILL BRING
WARMT H.

Submitter comment: VERY RELIGIOUS, THIS IS WRITTEN IN THE BIBLE

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Sun
BELIEF -- Measure of time Year
BELIEF -- Measure of time Season

View just this record

ORIGIN OF IRELAND

IRELAND BEGAN WHEN A TEAR OF HOPE FELL FROM HEAVEN INTO THE
SEA. THIS FORMED THE EMERALD ISLE. THE COLOR GREEN HERE IS
A SIGN OF HOPE.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MARYGROVE COLLEGE ; DETROIT ; Claus, Maureen

Keyword(s): COLOR ; Emerald Isle ; ETYMOLOGY ; Green ; IRELAND ; Irish ; Legend ; Lore

James Callow Keyword(s): COLOR SYMBOL

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Explanation of a name

Date learned: 00001968 FALL

View just this record

ALWAYS SIT DOWN WHEN IT IS THUNDERING AND LIGHTENING BECAUSE
GOD IS CLEANING UP HIS HOUSE.

Submitter comment: VERY SUPERSTITIOUS

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Gods
BELIEF -- Lightning Thunder

View just this record

Proverb

People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.

Submitter comment:

From - Uncertain

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE ; Zuehlke, Richard

Keyword(s): Aphorism ; Apothegm ; GLASS ; House ; HYPOCRISY ; Hypocrite ; Maxim ; PROVERB ; STONE ; STONES ; Throw ; VERSE

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

View just this record

MARRIAGE BELIEF

WHEN A SINGLE GIRL HAS HER FEET SWEPT SHE'LL MARRY A WIDOWER.

Submitter comment: BELIEF COMES FROM MEXICAN TRADITION.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: Observation
Favorites
BELIEF -- Marriage

Date learned: 12-00-1981

View just this record

prev | items
| next

Back to Top