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NOT GIVEN

IF YOUR RIGHT HAND IS ITCHY YOU'RE GOING TO SHAKE HANDS.
IF YOUR LEFT HAND IS ITCHY, YOU'RE GOING TO GET MONEY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Legend

Date learned: 10-29-1967

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NOT GIVEN

IF YOU DROP A DISH TOWEL YOU'LL HAVE A VISITOR.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Legend

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SOLDIERS IN A FOXHOLE

IT IS BAD LUCK TO LIGHT THREE CIGARETTES ON THE SAME MATCH. THIS
STORY GOES BACK TO A WAR IN WHICH THREE MEN WERE IN A FOXHOLE.
THEY ALL WANTED A CIGARETTE. IT WAS AT NIGHT AND BY THE TIME
THE SOLDIER HAD LIT THE FIRST MAN'S CIGARETTE, THE ENEMY HAD
COCKED HIS RIFLE; BY THE TIME HE HAD LIT THE SECOND ONE, THE
ENEMY HAD AIMED HIS RIFLE; AND BY THE TIME HE WAS LIGHTING
HIS OWN, THE ENEMY SHOT HIM DEAD.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT HEARD THIS FROM HIS FATHER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Legend

Date learned: 10-16-1967

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THE FOX AND THE PRIEST'S WIFE

THE PRIEST'S WIFE WAS BOTHERING HER HUSBAND FOR A NEW FUR COAT.
IN THE MEANWHILE SHE WAS COOKING SOME CAKES AND PUTTING THEM
IN THE BACKYARD TO COOL OFF. A FOX CAME BY AND SAID, "GIVE
ME YOUR CAKES, I AM HUNGRY," THE WIFE SAID, "BEFORE I GIVE YOU THE
CAKES, I NEED A NEW COAT." THE FOX SAID TO THE PRIEST'S WIFE TO
GIVE HIM THE CAKES, AND TO TELL HER HUSBAND TO WAIT AT THE SAME
TIME TOMORROW IN THE BACKYARD WITH A GUN, AND TO SHOOT THE COAT
THAT WENT BY. THE FOX TOOK THREE MORE CAKES AND LEFT. HE WENT
INTO THE WOODS NEAR THE BROOK AND BEGAN TO EAT THE THREE CAKES.
THE FOX ATE THE FIRST CAKE, AND HAD TROUBLE WITH THE SECOND
ONE BUT MANAGED TO FINISH IT, BUT HE ONLY ATE ONE-HALF OF THE
THIRD CAKE. LATER ON, THE WOLF CAME BY AND ASKED WHERE THE FOX
HAD OBTAINED SUCH A FEAST. THE FOX SAID THAT HE HAD STOLEN THEM
FROM THE PRIEST'S WIFE WHO BAKES A NEW BATCH EVERY DAY AND LETS
THEM COOL OFF IN THE BACKYARD WHILE SHE GOES OFF TO TOWN. THE
WOLF THANKED THE FOX AND THE NEXT DAY, THE WOLF WENT THROUGH THE
WOODS INTO THE BACKYARD TO GET SOME FREE CAKES, WHEN, "BANG" AND
THE WIFE HAD A NEW WOLFSKIN COAT.

Submitter comment: JAMES LEARNED THIS IN HIS CHILDHOOD.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal Tale

Date learned: 10-10-1967

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POLISH VERSION OF THE MEDUSA MYTH

LONG AGO THERE WAS A HUGE DRAGON WHICH WAS KILLING THOUSANDS OF
PEOPLE. EVERYONE TRIED TO BATTLE AGAINST IT, BUT WHENEVER THE
DRAGON LOOKED AT ANYONE, THEY WERE INSTANTLY KILLED. BUT ONE DAY
A BRIGHT YOUNG PEASANT TOOK HIS SHIELD AND SHINED IT, SO THAT SOON
IT SHONE LIKE A MIRROR. WHEN HE CONFRONTED THE DRAGON WITH THIS
SHIELD, THE DRAGON SAW HIS OWN LIKENESS IN THE SHIELD AND FELL
DEAD. THE PEASANT BOY WAS TREATED LIKE A HERO FROM THAT DAY ON.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal Tale

Date learned: 10-15-1971

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TALE

THERE WAS ONCE A MOTHER WHO WAS EXPECTING A CHILD. SHE KNEW THAT
THE BABY WAS GOING TO BE DEFORMED, BUT WHEN THE BABY WAS BORN, IT
WAS ONLY AN EYE. THE DOCTOR WENT IN TO TALK TO THE MOTHER AND
TOLD HER THAT HER BABY WAS JUST AN EYE. THE MOTHER BECAME VERY
UPSET, STARTED CRYING, AND ASKED, "WHAT COULD BE WORSE?" THE
DOCTOR REPLIED, "IT'S BLIND."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Tale

Date learned: 10-00-1969

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COURTSHIP

ITALIAN AND SPANISH PEOPLE CHAPERONE THEIR CHILDREN ON DATES UNTIL
THEY ARE MARRIED. BASICALLY, THIS CUSTOM IS RETAINED NOW BY ONLY
THE RICH AND PROPER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank

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NOT GIVEN

WE DRIVE ON THE RIGHT, AND EUROPE DRIVES ON THE LEFT.

Submitter comment: LEARNED THAT AT HOME.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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CURSE

IN THE ORIENT, IF A PERSON REFUSES A GIFT, IT IS TANTAMOUNT TO
CURSING THE GIVER'S FAMILY (LIVING AND DEAD).

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT GOT THIS INFORMATION WHILE IN VIET NAM.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank

Date learned: 10-27-1969

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CUSTOM

THE OLDEST CHILD IN THE FAMILY GETS TO RIDE IN THE FRONT SEAT OF
THE CAR.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT'S FAMILY CARRIED THIS OUT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank

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CHING,CHANG CHINAMAN./ SITTING ON A FENCE./ TRYING TO MAKE A DOLLAR
OUT OF 99 CENTS./ HE MISSED, /HE MISSED,/ HE MISSED LIKE THIS.
THIS IS DONE WHILE JUMPING UP AND DOWN AND CROSSING FEET.

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; EAST 201

Keyword(s): ACTION-RHYME ; CHARACTER ; ENDURANCE ; Jump

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

Date learned: 03-00-1971

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THE GHOST OF JOHN ANDRE

IN TARRYTOWN, NEW YORK, THERE IS A RESTAURANT IN THE HOUSE IN WHICH
THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR SPY JOHN ANDRE WAS CAPTURED AND TRIED FOR
ESPIONAGE. OUTSIDE THIS RESTAURANT, THERE STILL STANDS THE TREE
THAT ANDDRE WAS HUNG FROM. THE LEGEND GOES THAT HIS SPIRIT STILL
HAUNTS THIS RESTAURANT. I AM NOT SURE IF THIS IS FOR PUBLICITY OR
IF IT IS TRUE, BUT THE PEOPLE OF TARRYTOWN STILL BELIEVE IT.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS WHILE EATING AT THIS RESTAURANT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate

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LEGENDARY ARABIAN HERO

TARAK BEN ZIYAD OPENED SPAIN TO CONQUEST. WHEN HIS SHIPS REACHED
THE COAST, HE ORDERED THEM TO BE BURNED. HE THEN TOLD HIS MEN:
"THE ENEMY IS IN FRONT OF YOU AND THE SEA IS BEHIND YOU. FIGHT
OR BE DRIVEN INTO THE SEA." THEY FOUGHT AND WON.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero

Date learned: 10-00-1967

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MOONCAKE MESSAGES

MANY YEARS AGO, THE MONGOLS OCCUPIED CHINA. AFTER YEARS OF
SUPPRESSION, THE CHINESE ROSE UP AND DROVE THE MONGOLS OUT.
THIS WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE INFORMATION PASSED ON IN MOONCAKES
BY THE CHINESE WOMEN. EACH OF THE MOONCAKES DISTRIBUTED ON
MOONCAKE DAY CONTAINED A MESSAGE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero

Date learned: 11-00-1968

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BLUE BELLS, COCKLE SHELLS,/ EEVY, IVY OVER./ I LIKE COFFEE,/ I LIKE
TEA,/ I LIKE BOYS,/ BUT DO THEY LIKE ME?

Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; COLLECTED AT UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT

Keyword(s): ENDURANCE ; Jump

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

Date learned: 11-00-1968

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LEGEND OF GEORGE KATSOPAULOS

IN 1895, WHEN THE GREEKS WERE INVADING THE MACEDONIAN VILLAGES FOR
DRAFTEES, GEORGE WAS FOURTEEN. A GREEK OFFICER CAME TO GET
GEORGE'S FATHER FOR THE DRAFT, AND SINCE GEORGE'S FATHER REFUSED TO
GO, HE WAS KILLED ON THE SPOT BY THE OFFICER, IN FRONT OF GEORGE'S
EYES. GEORGE THEN STOLE A PISTOL AND SHOT THE GREEK OFFICER'S
FATHER. HE WAS HIDDEN BY FRIENDLY PEASANTS AND FINALLY SMUGGLED
INTO CANADA, WHERE HE STILL LIVES TODAY.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT'S FATHER TOLD HIM ABOUT GEORGE'S LIFE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero

Date learned: 12-05-1967

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HEROES

TWO GREAT HEROES IN MACEDONIA DURING THE TURKISH RULE WERE MAUSSA
KESIGIN, WHO REPRESENTED THE TURKS, AND KROULO MORKKO, OF THE
MACEDONIANS.
MAUSSA CHALLENGED KROULO TO A DUEL WHICH WOULD DECIDE THE FUTURE
OF MACEDONIA. THEY BATTLED WITH SPIKED CLUBS. AS THEY HIT EACH
OTHER, THEY DROVE EACH OTHER FURTHER INTO THE GROUND. DEEPER AND
DEEPER THEY WENT, UNTIL THE TURK WAS UP TO HIS NECK. KROULO THEN
CUT OFF HIS HEAD AND LED MACEDONIA TO VICTORY.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM HIS FATHER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero

Date learned: 12-05-1967

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MILLIONAIRE

THERE IS SOME FAMOUS PERSON (THE INFORMANT CAN'T REMEMBER HIS HAME)
WHO GOES HOME EVERY DAY AT 3:00 P.M. TO WAIT FOR SOMEONE TO COME
AND GIVE HIM ONE MILLION DOLLARS. HE'S DONE THIS FOR OVER 8 YEARS
NOW.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero

Date learned: 09-20-1968

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ROSES ARE RED, VIOLETS ARE BLUE,
YOUR NOSE IS SHAPED LIKE A B-52 (BOMBER PLANE)

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Roses are red and other such associations

Date learned: 10-23-1970

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SUPERSTITION

WALKING STRAIGHT AHEAD, TURNING AROUND, AND WALKING IN THE OPPOSITE
DIRECTION--BAD LUCK.

Submitter comment: THIS BELIEF WAS SEEN AS BAD LUCK BECAUSE IT DEMONSTRATED
A STATE OF INDECISION AND UNCERTAINTY IN WHICH DIRECTION TO
CONTINUE, AND THEREFORE THIS STATE WOULD PRODUCE HAVOC.

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

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Bad luck

Date learned: 02-22-1979

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