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ONE NIGHT MY WIFE AND I WERE INVITED TO GO TO AN ENGAGEMENT
PARTY. MY WIFE SAID, "I'M NOT GOING UNLESS I BRING HIS WIFE
SOMETHING."
WE WENT TO THE GROSSE POINTE FLORIST TO BUY A GIFT. I SAID,
"LOOK, I FOUND A PLANT."
"HOW MUCH," SHE ASKED.
I SAID, "THIRTY FIVE DOLLARS."
"THAT'S TOO EXPENSIVE," SHE SAID. "HERE'S ONE FOR TWENTY
DOLLARS."
JUST AS SHE SAID THAT, THE PLANT SLIPPED FROM HER HANDS
AND FELL ONTO OTHER FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS. WE HAD TO PAY
FIFTY-TWO DOLLARS WORTH OF DAMAGE. THE MORAL OF THE STORY
IS: WE SHOULD HAVE PAID THE THIRTY-FIVE DOLLARS, IT WOULD
HAVE BEEN LESS EXPENSIVE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote

Date learned: 00-00-1980

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I WAS WORKING AT WENDY'S OLD FASHIONED HAMBURGERS.
I WAS PLACED TO WORK ON THE CASH REGISTER. THE MANAGER
CLEARED THE CASH DRAWER FOR ME TO START WORKING. AFTER
A FEW CUSTOMERS, A LADY APPROACHED ME. SHE ASKED ME TO
GIVE HER A TWENTY DOLLAR BILL FOR HER TEN ONE DOLLAR BILLS
AND TWO FIVE DOLLAR BILLS. I AGREED, REACHED UNDER MY
CASH DRAWER AND HANDED HER A TWENTY. I STARTED TO PUT THE
MONEY SHE GAVE ME INTO THE DRAWER WHEN SHE SAID, "I'M
SORRY MISS, BUT YOU ONLY GAVE ME ONE DOLLAR." AS QUICKLY AS
I HAD HANDED HER THE TWENTY, SHE HAD SHOWED ME A ONE DOLLAR
BILL. I APOLOGIZED AND LOOKED UNDER THE DRAWER AGAIN. I DID
NOT HAVE A TWENTY UNDERNEATH. SHE THEN SAID, "I SHOULD HAVE
ASKED FOR THE MANAGER IN THE FIRST PLACE, YOU CAN'T DO ANYTHING
RIGHT." I CALLED THE MANAGER OVER AND ASKED HIM TO COUNT THE
MONEY IN MY CASH DRAWER; MEANWHILE I HAD GIVEN HER HER MONEY
BACK AS SHE STARTED TO ACCUSE ME OF CHEATING HER. AS THE
MANAGER STARTED TO COUNT THE MONEY, SHE SAID, "I CAN'T
STAND HERE ALL DAY WAITING. I'M NOT GOING TO COME HERE AGAIN."
AS SHE LEFT, THE MANAGER TOLD ME SHE HAD TAKEN ME FOR NINETEEN
DOLLARS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate

Date learned: 08-00-1985

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WHEN THINGS ARE NOT GOING SMOOTHLY, ONE SAYS, "WELL,
MAKES THE CHEESE MORE BINDING."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Formula
PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase

Date learned: 00-00-1930

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MANY HANDS MAKE LIGHT WORK.

Submitter comment: TOLD WHEN SOMEONE WANTS HELP DOING SOMETHING LIKE
SETTING OR CLEARING A TABLE TO THE REST OF THE FAMILY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

Date learned: 00-00-1930

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WHEN ONE WANTS TO PICK UP A LUCKY PENNY FROM THE GROUND,
ONE MUST MAKE SURE IT'S HEADS UP; IF IT ISN'T, DON'T PICK
IT UP BECAUSE IT'S BAD LUCK.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Good luck
BELIEF -- Bad luck

Date learned: 00-00-1982

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CORN BEEF AND CABBAGE IS EATEN ON NEW YEAR'S DAY.
IF IT ISN'T EATEN, THE PERSON WILL HAVE A BAD YEAR.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's
Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals
BELIEF -- Measure of time Year
BELIEF -- Bad luck

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YOURS UNTIL THE COWS RUN DRY.

Submitter comment: FOUND IN AUTOGRAPH IN YEARBOOK.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES

Subject headings: Z210

Date learned: 12-06-1985

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Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.

A POLACK CALLED A LOCKSMITH, GAVE HIM THE LOCATION OF HIS
CAR, EXPLAINED THAT HE HAD LOCKED HIMSELF OUT, AND ASKED THAT
THE LOCKSMITH ARRIVE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
"THE QUICKEST I CAN MAKE IT THERE IS TWO HOURS," REPLIED
THE LOCKSMITH OVER THE PHONE.
"TWO HOURS!" CRIED THE POLACK. "CAN YOU MAKE IT ANY
SOONER? IT'S GOING TO RAIN IN A FEW MINUTES, UH, YOU SEE,
MY CAR'S A CONVERTIBLE, MY FAMILY'S INSIDE, AND THE TOP'S
DOWN!"

Submitter comment:

I HEARD THIS AT A BIRTHDAY PARTY FOR MY COUSIN EDDIE.
I OVERHEARD THE JOKE AMONG THE REST OF THE NOISE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Poli

Date learned: 05-00-1978 ; 05-00-1978

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MAKING A WISH

WHEN ELENA WAS YOUNG, SHE WAS TOLD BY HER OLDER SISTER
THAT WHEN SHE WAS RIDING IN A CAR AND IT CROSSED OVER A RAILROAD
TRACK THAT SHE SHOULD TOUCH SMETHING MADE OF METAL AND
LIFT HER FEET OFF THE FLOOR AND MAKE A WISH.

Submitter comment: FORMER ROOMMATE

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES

Keyword(s): RAILROAD TRACK

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

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Split

This is a game involving some skills and some logic.
The game is called split. Two people play this game.
All that is required is a patch of grass and a pocket
knife. The two people stand facing each other about
two feet apart. One person takes the knife and
tries to get it to stick into the ground within
two feet of the opponent's foot. If this is
accomplished then the person must place their foot
where the knife is in the ground. Now it is his turn
to throw the knife. This goes on until one person
can't place their foot where the knife is since they
are as far into the splits as they can go. One rule
of the game is that if the knife does not stick
completely it can be checked by pulling the
blade straight up. If some of the grass's roots
get pulled up with the blade then the opponent must
place their foot there. Otherwise it's their turn.
The logic part comes in as to where to throw the
knife for optimum leg movement.
In this game the term "splits" refers to the gymnastic
move of putting your legs out parallel to the ground.
Sometimes the knife doesn't stick always straight up
or down. This is where checking to see if there are
any grass roots on the blade comes into play.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement

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THIS GAME IS CALLED "MURDER AT MIDNIGHT" AND CAN BE
PLAYED WITH 4 OR MORE PLAYERS. IT IS BEST INDOORS
ON A STORMY NIGHT. SLIPS OF PAPER ARE FOLDED AND
PLACED INSIDE A BASKET. THERE IS ONE FOR EACH PLAYER.
ALL OF THEM ARE BLANK BUT ONE, WHICH HAS AN "X" ON IT.
EACH PLAYER DRAWS ONE OF THE PAPERS, LOOKS AT IT AND
RETURNS IT TO THE BASKET. THE PLAYERS ARE NOT TO TELL
ANYONE IF THEY DREW THE "X" OR NOT. ALL OF THE LIGHTS
ARE TURNED OUT AND THEN EACH PLAYER QUIETLY FINDS A
HIDING PLACE. WHEN ALL IS STILL, THE PLAYER THAT DREW
THE "X" SLIPS OUT OF HIS HIDING PLACE, PLACES HIS HANDS
AROUND THE THROAT OF A HIDING PLAYER THEN QUIETLY RETURNS
TO HIS PLACE. AFTER SUFFICIENT TIME HAS ELAPSED FOR THE
"MURDERER" TO RETURN TO HIS PLACE, THE VICTIM CALLS OUT
"THERE HAS BEEN A MURDER." THE LIGHTS ARE THEN TURNED
ON AND THE VICTIM HAS TO TRY TO IDENTIFY HIS ASSAILANT.

Submitter comment: THIS GAME WAS OFTEN PLAYED AT PAJAMA PARTIES.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement

Date learned: 00-00-1970

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VIKING BURIAL CUSTOM

VIKING WARRIORS WHO LIVED BY THEIR SHIPS DIED BY
THEM AS WELL. THE REMAINS WERE PLACED ABOARD SHIP,
SURROUNDED WITH WEAPONS AND THEN CONSUMED IN A FLAMING
FUNERAL PYRE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial

Date learned: 10-23-1968

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EGYPTIAN BURIAL CUSTOM

FOR THE EGYPTIANS, DEATH WAS BUT A CONTINUATION OF
LIFE. BEFORE ENTOMBMENT, THE BODY SPENT UP TO
70 DAYS IN THE "HOUSE OF THE DEAD" BEING TREATED WITH
SPECIAL OILS AND RESIN. AFTER EMBALMING, THE MUMMY
WAS WRAPPED AND PLACED IN SEVERAL HUMAN SHAPED COFFINS.
THEN BORNE IN AN ELABORATE PROCESSION TO THE PYRAMID
TOMB.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES

Keyword(s): ROYALTY ONLY?

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial

Date learned: 10-23-1968

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ROMAN BURIAL CUSTOM

THE BODIES OF THE DEAD WERE PLACED IN STONE AND LAID
TO REST ON BEDLIKE SHELVES IN SUBTERRANEAN
PASSAGES. THIS CUSTOM CAN BE TRACED TO THE EARLY
YEARS OF THE SECOND CENTURY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial

Date learned: 10-23-1968

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PALESTINIAN CUSTOM

AT THE TIME OF A DEATH IN PALESTINE, THE RELATIVES MOURN
AND ALL THEIR FRIENDS COME AND MOURN WITH THEM FOR A
PERIOD OF THREE DAYS. DURING THESE DAYS, CERTAIN OTHER
FAMILIES OF THE TOWN COOK THE MEALS FOR ALL THOSE
PRESENT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial

Date learned: 03-06-1970

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IF YOU BURY A PERSON WITHOUT SHOES, THEY WILL COME
BACK AND HAUNT YOU.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial
BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial

Date learned: 02-27-1971

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AT THE MOMENT OF DEATH, IF IT OCCURS IN THE HOUSE, ONE
OF THE SURVIVORS OF THE DECEASED MUST OPEN THE WINDOW
TO LET THE SOUL OUT.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT SAID THAT THIS WAS PRACTICED IN THE LAST
GENERATION OF HER FAMILY AND SHE HEARD OF THE PRACTICE
FROM HER MOTHER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial

Date learned: 02-27-1971

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IF SOMEONE DIES IN THE FAMILY, STOP ALL THE CLOCKS IN
THE HOUSE UNTIL AFTER THE FUNERAL. THIS WILL PREVENT
THE DEAD PERSON FROM RETURNING AT THE TIME OF HIS
DEATH ON THE FOLLOWING NIGHT.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT SAID THAT HER MOTHER TOLD HER THE ABOVE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial

Date learned: 02-18-1971

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IN PALESTINE, ON THE NIGHT BEFORE A WEDDING, A LARGE
PARTY IS HELD AT THE HOME OF THE GROOM. EVERYONE
DANCES AND SINGS FOR MOST OF THE NIGHT. THE PARENTS
OF THE GROOM MUST FEED ALL THE PEOPLE PRESENT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Bachelor parties

Date learned: 03-06-1970

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AT A POLISH WEDDING IT IS CUSTOMARY FOR THE MEN
TO REQUEST A DANCE WITH THE BRIDE. AN EMPTY BARREL
IS PUT ON THE CENTER OF THE DANCE FLOOR. THE MEN
LINE UP AND AS IT COMES THEIR TURN TO DANCE, THEY
MUST ROLL A PIECE OF CURRENCY IN A BALL AND THROW
IT IN THE BARREL.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT SAID THIS CUSTOM IS STILL PRACTICED
TODAY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Paying for dance

Date learned: 02-20-1972

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