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James T. Callow Computerized Folklore Archive
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ELEPHANT JOKE

QUESTION: WHAT TIME IS IT WHEN AN ELEPHANT SITS ON A FENCE?
ANSWER: TIME TO BUT {BUY} / A NEW FENCE.

Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD IN

Subject headings: RIDDLE -- Riddle Question

Date learned: 10-23-1972

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IF YOUR NOSE ITCHES, SOMEONE IS COMING WITH HOLES IN THEIR
BRITCHES.

Submitter comment: MRS. HAMPTON CAN'T REMEMBER WHERE SHE GOT IT FROM BUT SHE'S
KNOWN IT A LONG TIME. JUST SOMETHING SAID WHEN YOUR NOSE ITCHES.

Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD IN

James Callow Keyword(s): RHYME

Subject headings: Spirit / Mind / Body
BELIEF -- Body part Senses
SPEECH -- Formula

Date learned: 10-07-1972

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NOSE BLEED

PUT A SMALL PIECE OF PAPER BAG UNDER THE TOP LIP.

Submitter comment: THIS REMEDY WAS HANDED DOWN TO MRS. SULLIVAN BY HER GRANDMOTHER
WHO WAS FULL BLOODED CHEROKEE.

Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD IN

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Method of Curing

Date learned: 10-11-1972

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IF YOU DROP CANDY OR ANYTHING THAT IS GOOD ON THE GROUND, IF YOU
HOLD IT UP TO THE SKY (TO GOD) AND KISS IT, THEN THE GERMS WILL
BE GONE.

Submitter comment: KEITH HEARD THIS (AND DID IT IN PENNSYLVANIA) AND I HEARD AND DID
THE SAME THING IN MY CHILDHOOD IN DETROIT.

Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD IN

James Callow Keyword(s): DISINFECT

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

Date learned: 09-21-1972

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IT IS A CUSTOM AT A WEDDING RECEPTION FOR THE GROOM TO REMOVE A
BLUE GARTER FROM THE BRIDES' LEG AND THROW IT OVER HIS RIGHT
SHOULDER TO THE BACHELORS. THE LUCKY ONE WHO CATCHES IT WILL BE
THE NEXT ONE TO GET MARRIED.

Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD IN

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Garter toss
BELIEF -- Use of Object

Date learned: 09-06-1972

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FOR GOODLUCK FOR A YEAR, ON NEW YEAR'S DAY, EAT SOUL FOOD,
ESPECIALLY BLACKEYED PEAS.

Submitter comment: MRS. LOCKHART'S FAMILY HAS PRACTICED THIS FOR GENERATIONS.

Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD IN

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20
Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals
BELIEF -- Good luck P881.36
BELIEF -- Good luck P881.42

Date learned: 01-01-1972

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FOR GOOD LUCK FOR A YEAR, A GOOD LUCKING PERSON, MAN OR WOMAN
1MUST RING THE DOORBELL ON NEW YEARS EVE OR DAY.

Submitter comment: I KNOW OF MANY FAMILIES BESIDES THE LOCKHARTS WHO BELIEVE IN THIS

Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD IN

James Callow Keyword(s): GOOD LOOKING? HANDSOME?

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Year
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20
BELIEF -- Good luck P881.42

Date learned: 01-01-1972

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WHATS SAUCE FOR THE GOOSE IS SAUCE FOR THE GANDER.

Submitter comment: TOLD ORIGINALLY FROM MRS. SULLIVAN'S GRANDMOTHER. IN OTHER WORDS
WHAT'S GOOD ENOUGH FOR ME IS GOOD ENOUGH FOR YOU.

Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD IN

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

Date learned: 10-11-1972

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A WHISTLING GIRL AND A CACKLING HEN COMES TO NO GOOD END.

Submitter comment: MRS. SULLIVAN'S GRANDMOTHER TOLD HER THAT IN CHILDHOOD WHENEVER
SHE HEARD HER WHISTLE, AND IS STILL SAID TODAY.

Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD IN

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

Date learned: 10-11-1972

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POLISH JOKE

Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.

DID YOU HEAR THE ONE ABOUT THE POLLACK WHO WENT ICE FISHING AND
BROUGHT HOME FIFTY POUNDS OF ICE AND HOW HIS WIFE TRIED TO COOK
IT AND DROWNED?

Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD IN

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Poli

Date learned: 10-11-1972

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JESUS WEPT, MOSES CREPT, PETER FELL DOWN THE FRONT STEP.

Submitter comment: A SIMPLE SAYING USED AT TIMES AS A MOCK PRAYER, OR JUST SAID AT
TIMES TO BE FUNNY.

Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD IN

James Callow Keyword(s): BIBLICAL

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

Date learned: 10-15-1972

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PUT A LIVE SNAKE IN A BARREL OF CIDER AND IT WILL KEEP THE
CIDER FROM SPOILING AND KEEPS IT SWEET.

Submitter comment: ORIGINALLY TOLD BY MRS. HAMPTON'S MOTHER WHO I THINK REALLY
BELIEVED THIS.

Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD IN

Subject headings: Food Drink -- Non-alcoholic fruit beverage
BELIEF -- Animal

Date learned: 10-11-1972

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TO CURE CHICKEN POX, AFTER DARK GO TO THE CHICKEN HOUSE, LAY DOWN
AND LET A BLACK HEN FLY OVER YOU.

Submitter comment: MRS. HAMPTON WAS TOLD THIS SEVERAL YEARS AGO BUT DID NOT BELIEVE
IT.

Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD IN

James Callow Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Method of Curing

Date learned: 10-11-1972

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WAIT FOR THE FULL MOON TO CUT YOUR HAIR.

Submitter comment: A PHRASE HANDED DOWN TO MRS. SULLIVAN BY HER MOTHER BUT NOT
REALLY BELIEVED IN.

Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD IN

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Body part Senses
BELIEF -- Moon

Date learned: 10-11-1972

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HAPPY IS THE BRIDE THE SUN SHINES ON.

Submitter comment: CAN ALSO REFER TO GOOD LUCK FOR THE BRIDE THE SUNSHINES ON.
THIS /IS VERY OLD AND IS STILL BELIEVED TODAY.

Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD IN

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Marriage
BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance
BELIEF -- Good luck P881.41

Date learned: 10-11-1972

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DON'T SLEEP IN THE MOONLIGHT, IT MAY CAUSE YOU TO GO CRAZY.

Submitter comment: I HEARD THIS A FEW YEARS AGO PERTAINING TO THE POWER THE MOON HAD
OVER PEOPLE'S LIVES.

Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD IN

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Physically handicapped Deformed
BELIEF -- Moon

Date learned: 10-11-1972

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IF SHOE COMES UNTIED OR STOCKING COMES UNDONE THEN YOUR GIRL
FRIEND OR BOYFRIEND IS THINKING OF YOU.

Submitter comment: A LINE SAID WHEN YOUR SHOE COMES UNTIED OR STOCKING COMES UN:ONE,
USUALLY RIGHT OFF THE TOP OF YOUR HEAD.

Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD IN

Subject headings: Observation

Date learned: 10-11-1972

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IF YOUR THUMB ITCHES, THIS MEANS YOU'LL HAVE COMPANY

Submitter comment: SAID OFTEN FOR MANY GENERATIONS BUT NOT NECESSARILY BELIEVED IN.

Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD IN

Subject headings: Spirit / Mind / Body
BELIEF -- Body part Senses

Date learned: 10-11-1972

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DON'T SWEEP UNDER ANYBODIES FEET, ITS BAD LUCK.

Submitter comment: TOLD BY MRS. SULLIVAN WHO WAS TOLD BY HER GRANDMOTHER.

Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD IN

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.21

Date learned: 10-11-1972

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DON'T SWEEP OUT THE DOOR AT NIGHT, IT'S BAD LUCK.

Submitter comment: TOLD BY MRS. SULLIVAN WHO WAS TOLD BY HER GRANDMOTHER.

Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD IN

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Week Day Hour
BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.21

Date learned: 10-11-1972

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