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BIRTH PREDICTION
THIS ENTRY WAS MADE JAN. 17, 1967 FROM MRS. SWEROCK WHO,
UPON VISITING HER EXPECTANT NIECE, PREDICTED THE SEX
OF THE UNBORN CHILD. SHE LEARNED THIS METHOD OF
DETERMINING THE SEX FROM HER MOTHER, A NATIVE
OF CZECHOSLOVAKIA.
IF THE WOMAN IS POINTED IN THE FRONT, SHE WILL HAVE
A BOY; IF SHE IS BROAD AND WIDE FROM BEHIND, THEN
SHE'LL HAVE A GIRL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; WYANDOTTE
| Subject headings: | Observation CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
THE SISTER-IN-LAW, IN HER SLEEP, IMAGINED THAT HER
MOTHER WAS CALLING TO HER. SHE AWAKENED FRIGHTENED
BUT SHRUGGED IT OFF AS A BAD DREAM. THE NEXT MORNING
WHEN SHE WENT TO SEE HER MOTHER, WHO LIVED TWO
HOUSES AWAY, SHE WAS DEAD. THE DOCTOR SAID SHE DIED
ABOUT 4:30 THAT MORNING, THE SAME TIME THAT THE
SISTER-IN-LAW AWAKENED FROM HER DREAM.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS COLLECTED ON JAN. 31, 1967; MRS. SWEROCK
RELATED THIS INCIDENT AS HEARD FROM HER SISTER-IN-LAW.
Where learned: MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; WYANDOTTE
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Dreams Foretelling a death |
Date learned: 01-31-1967
WHAT'D YA DO DISCOVER AMERICA?
Submitter comment:
USED TO GET BACK AT A PERSON WHEN THE PERSON ACTS AS THOUGH HE
IS THE GREATEST PERSON ALIVE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; SOUTH QUAD
Keyword(s): COMEBACK
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 03-03-1971
MILKRUNNER - A LITERAL RIDDLE
Q: WHAT HAS ONE HORN, GIVES MILK, AND RUNS UP AND DOWN THE STREET?
A: A MILK TRUCK
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HUNTINGTON WOODS
Keyword(s): ACTIONS (Q) ; LITERAL ; PARTICULAR AREA (Q) ; TRANSPORTATION (A)
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: 11-10-1968
HANDLESS - A PRIVATIONAL RIDDLE
Q: WHAT HAS TWO ARMS BUT NO HANDS?
A: AN ARMCHAIR.
Submitter comment: HEARD BY INFORMANT FIVE YEARS AGO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HUNTINGTON WOODS
Keyword(s): FURNITURE (A) ; PARTS OF THE BODY (Q) ; PRIVATIONAL OPPOSITIONAL
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: 10-28-1968
SLEEPING BEAR POINT
A MOTHER BEAR AND TWO CUBS, SEEKING LUSCIOUS BERRIES ON THE
OPPOSITE SHORE, ATTEMPTED THE LONG SWIM ACROSS THE LAKE.
AS THE MAINLAND CAME INTO VIEW, THE CUBS BECAME EXHAUSTED. THEIR
MOTHER COULD NOT HELP THEM AND THEY SANK. UPON THE LEELANAU
SHORE CRAWLED THE MOTHER BEAR, THERE TO WAIT FOR THE CUBS TO
REAPPEAR. THEY DID NOT RETURN AS SUCH, BUT THE GREAT SPIRIT,
TO REWARD HER FOR HER VIGIL, CAUSED THE CUBS TO COME OUT OF THE
DEEP IN THE FORM OF TWO BEAUTIFUL ISLANDS, AFTERWARD NAMED SOUTH
AND NORTH MANITOU. ON THE MAINLAND, WHITE SANDS COVERED THE
MOTHER BEAR AND A GREAT DUNE GREW WHERE SHE HAD WAITED.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS AN INDIAN LEGEND THAT EXPLAINS HOW SLEEPING BEAR POINT
IN LEELANAU COUNTY, MICHIGAN CAME INTO EXISTENCE. THE POINT
WAS NAMED FOR THIS LEGEND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIBRARY ; DETROIT ; DETROIT PUBLIC LIBRARY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
THE WHIFFENPOOF
THE 800-POUND WHIFFENPOOF WAS CAPABLE OF RUNNING BACKWARD. IT WAS
CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACE OF AN ELK, ANTLERS, SHARP HOOVES AND
HIND QUARTERS THAT SLOPED ABRUPTLY LIKE THOSE OF A GIRAFFE. THE
BULL WHIFFENPOOFS WERE EQUIPPED WITH TWO ADAM'S APPLES WHICH
CLICKED TOGETHER LIKE A PAIR OF DICE, AND PROVIDED A MEANS OF
CONVERSATION. THE COWS SCREAMED LIKE A SOPRANO SINGING WITH A
SORE THROAT.
THE WHIFFENPOOF UNDERWENT PHYSICAL IMPROVEMENTS WITH MODERNITY,
AND IN ITS MOST RECENT FORM, BORE RED AND GREEN LIGHTS AT THE
STERN. WHEN THE WHIFFENPOOF RAN FORWARD, IT SWITCHED ON ITS GREEN
LIGHT; AND WHEN IT RAN BACKWARD IT FLASHED THE RED LIGHT.
THEIR ENEMY WAS THE TIMBER WOLF.
THE WHIFFS AND THE TIMBER WOLVES WERE IN A CONTINUAL STATE OF WAR-
FARE. THE WHIFFS USUALLY OUTSMARTED THE WOLVES. THEY GOT THE
WOLVES TO CHASE THEM, AND THEN SUDDENLY RAN BACKWARD, TRAMPLING
THEIR ENEMIES INTO THE EARTH.
THE WARFARE BECAME VERY BITTER. WOLVES MOVED DOWN FROM MICHIGAN TO
EXTERMINATE THE WHIFFENPOOF AND THE BATTLE WAS TERRIFIC. THE
EARTH SHOOK FROM THE THUNDER OF THE WHIFFENPOOF HOOVES, AND
KNOCKED PICTURES FROM THE WALLS OF THE PIONEERS' HOMES. THE
WHIFFS HAD THEIR GREEN LIGHTS ON, AND THE NIGHT BECAME SO BRIGHT
THAT SCHOOL CHILDREN COULD READ THEIR PRIMERS WITHOUT THE AID
OF TALLOW DIP CANDLES.
THEY CHASED THE MICHIGAN WOLVES INTO LAKE ERIE; BUT A BIG DISPLAY
OF NORTHERN LIGHTS, OR AURORA BOREALIS, WAS ON, AND THE WHIFFS
BECAME CONFUSED. THEY THOUGHT THEIR COMRADES WERE FLASHING ON THE
GREEN LIGHTS FOR GUIDANCE, AND SWAM AROUND IN CIRCLES UNTIL THEY
WERE SO EXHAUSTED THAT THEY DROWNED. ONE WHIFFENPOOF SURVIVED.
HE SWAN TO A LAKE ERIE ISLAND OFF THE OHIO COAST AND LIVED THERE
FOR YEARS. HE WAS KNOWN AS "OLD OTTO."
BUT ONE DAY "OLD OTTO" ATE A PAIR OF OVERALLS FROM A FARMER'S
CLOTHESLINE, AND THE OVERALLS CLOGGED HIS THROAT. HIS TWO
ADAM'S APPLES WOULDN'T CLICK TOGETHER, AND HE WAS UNABLE TO TALK
TO HIMSELF. SO HE DIED OF LONELINESS.
Submitter comment:
THE WHIFFENPOOF WAS CREATED BY THE HESSIAN MERCENARIES WHO FOUGHT
FOR ENGLAND DURING THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. AFTER THE WAR MANY
OF THEM SETTLED IN PENNSYLVANIA AND CONTRIBUTED TO THE PEOPLE
KNOWN AS THE PENNSYLVANIA DUTCH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIBRARY ; DETROIT ; DETROIT PUBLIC LIBRARY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
ON THE STAIRS
IF YOU PASS SOMEONE ON THE STAIRS, IN THE HOUSE, IT IS AN OMEN
OF BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
GRANDMA HAS KNOWN THIS ONE AS LONG AS SHE CAN REMEMBER AND THINKS
SHE GOT IT FROM HER MOTHER WHO CAME FROM IRELAND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; IRELAND
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.2 |
Date learned: 09-00-1963
REMEDY
FOR TONSIL CASES THE BEST THING TO DO IS TO BOIL POTATOES WITH
THEIR SKINS ON. WHEN THEY ARE DONE MASH THEM A LITTLE WITH A FORK,
PUT THEM IN A SCARF AND WRAP THE SCARF AROUND THE NECK.
THE HEAT WILL DRAW OUT THE INFECTION.
Submitter comment: MEMORIES OF HOMELAND GERMANY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; BEAUTY SHOP ; 17619 6 MILE
Keyword(s): POULTICE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 01-00-1971
SLEEPING BEAR POINT
A MOTHER BEAR AND TWO CUBS, SEEKING LUSCIOUS BERRIES ON THE
OPPOSITE SHORE, ATTEMPTED THE LONG SWIM ACROSS THE LAKE.
AS THE MAINLAND CAME INTO VIEW, THE CUBS BECAME EXHAUSTED. THEIR
MOTHER COULD NOT HELP THEM AND THEY SANK. UPON THE LEELANAU
SHORE CRAWLED THE MOTHER BEAR, THERE TO WAIT FOR THE CUBS TO
REAPPEAR. THEY DID NOT RETURN AS SUCH, BUT THE GREAT SPIRIT,
TO REWARD HER FOR HER VIGIL, CAUSED THE CUBS TO COME OUT OF THE
DEEP IN THE FORM OF TWO BEAUTIFUL ISLANDS, AFTERWARD NAMED SOUTH
AND NORTH MANITOU. ON THE MAINLAND, WHITE SANDS COVERED THE
MOTHER BEAR AND A GREAT DUNE GREW WHERE SHE HAD WAITED.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS AN INDIAN LEGEND THAT EXPLAINS HOW SLEEPING BEAR POINT
IN LEELANAU COUNTY, MICHIGAN CAME INTO EXISTENCE. THE POINT
WAS NAMED FOR THIS LEGEND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIBRARY ; DETROIT ; DETROIT PUBLIC LIBRARY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
THE WHIFFENPOOF
THE 800-POUND WHIFFENPOOF WAS CAPABLE OF RUNNING BACKWARD. IT WAS
CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACE OF AN ELK, ANTLERS, SHARP HOOVES AND
HIND QUARTERS THAT SLOPED ABRUPTLY LIKE THOSE OF A GIRAFFE. THE
BULL WHIFFENPOOFS WERE EQUIPPED WITH TWO ADAM'S APPLES WHICH
CLICKED TOGETHER LIKE A PAIR OF DICE, AND PROVIDED A MEANS OF
CONVERSATION. THE COWS SCREAMED LIKE A SOPRANO SINGING WITH A
SORE THROAT.
THE WHIFFENPOOF UNDERWENT PHYSICAL IMPROVEMENTS WITH MODERNITY,
AND IN ITS MOST RECENT FORM, BORE RED AND GREEN LIGHTS AT THE
STERN. WHEN THE WHIFFENPOOF RAN FORWARD, IT SWITCHED ON ITS GREEN
LIGHT; AND WHEN IT RAN BACKWARD IT FLASHED THE RED LIGHT.
THEIR ENEMY WAS THE TIMBER WOLF.
THE WHIFFS AND THE TIMBER WOLVES WERE IN A CONTINUAL STATE OF WAR-
FARE. THE WHIFFS USUALLY OUTSMARTED THE WOLVES. THEY GOT THE
WOLVES TO CHASE THEM, AND THEN SUDDENLY RAN BACKWARD, TRAMPLING
THEIR ENEMIES INTO THE EARTH.
THE WARFARE BECAME VERY BITTER. WOLVES MOVED DOWN FROM MICHIGAN TO
EXTERMINATE THE WHIFFENPOOF AND THE BATTLE WAS TERRIFIC. THE
EARTH SHOOK FROM THE THUNDER OF THE WHIFFENPOOF HOOVES, AND
KNOCKED PICTURES FROM THE WALLS OF THE PIONEERS' HOMES. THE
WHIFFS HAD THEIR GREEN LIGHTS ON, AND THE NIGHT BECAME SO BRIGHT
THAT SCHOOL CHILDREN COULD READ THEIR PRIMERS WITHOUT THE AID
OF TALLOW DIP CANDLES.
THEY CHASED THE MICHIGAN WOLVES INTO LAKE ERIE; BUT A BIG DISPLAY
OF NORTHERN LIGHTS, OR AURORA BOREALIS, WAS ON, AND THE WHIFFS
BECAME CONFUSED. THEY THOUGHT THEIR COMRADES WERE FLASHING ON THE
GREEN LIGHTS FOR GUIDANCE, AND SWAM AROUND IN CIRCLES UNTIL THEY
WERE SO EXHAUSTED THAT THEY DROWNED. ONE WHIFFENPOOF SURVIVED.
HE SWAN TO A LAKE ERIE ISLAND OFF THE OHIO COAST AND LIVED THERE
FOR YEARS. HE WAS KNOWN AS "OLD OTTO."
BUT ONE DAY "OLD OTTO" ATE A PAIR OF OVERALLS FROM A FARMER'S
CLOTHESLINE, AND THE OVERALLS CLOGGED HIS THROAT. HIS TWO
ADAM'S APPLES WOULDN'T CLICK TOGETHER, AND HE WAS UNABLE TO TALK
TO HIMSELF. SO HE DIED OF LONELINESS.
Submitter comment:
THE WHIFFENPOOF WAS CREATED BY THE HESSIAN MERCENARIES WHO FOUGHT
FOR ENGLAND DURING THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. AFTER THE WAR MANY
OF THEM SETTLED IN PENNSYLVANIA AND CONTRIBUTED TO THE PEOPLE
KNOWN AS THE PENNSYLVANIA DUTCH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIBRARY ; DETROIT ; DETROIT PUBLIC LIBRARY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
SLEEPING BEAR POINT
A MOTHER BEAR AND TWO CUBS, SEEKING LUSCIOUS BERRIES ON THE
OPPOSITE SHORE, ATTEMPTED THE LONG SWIM ACROSS THE LAKE.
AS THE MAINLAND CAME INTO VIEW, THE CUBS BECAME EXHAUSTED. THEIR
MOTHER COULD NOT HELP THEM AND THEY SANK. UPON THE LEELANAU
SHORE CRAWLED THE MOTHER BEAR, THERE TO WAIT FOR THE CUBS TO
REAPPEAR. THEY DID NOT RETURN AS SUCH, BUT THE GREAT SPIRIT,
TO REWARD HER FOR HER VIGIL, CAUSED THE CUBS TO COME OUT OF THE
DEEP IN THE FORM OF TWO BEAUTIFUL ISLANDS, AFTERWARD NAMED SOUTH
AND NORTH MANITOU. ON THE MAINLAND, WHITE SANDS COVERED THE
MOTHER BEAR AND A GREAT DUNE GREW WHERE SHE HAD WAITED.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS AN INDIAN LEGEND THAT EXPLAINS HOW SLEEPING BEAR POINT
IN LEELANAU COUNTY, MICHIGAN CAME INTO EXISTENCE. THE POINT
WAS NAMED FOR THIS LEGEND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIBRARY ; DETROIT ; DETROIT PUBLIC LIBRARY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
HAVE A BEE IN YOUR BONNET
WHEN A PERSON IS INTERESTED IN A PROJECT AND IS DILIGENTLY
TRYING TO COMPLETE IT, THE ABOVE COULD BE SAID OF HIM.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS PHRASE AT HOME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROUTE 1 ; SHELBY ; BOX 324
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase |
Date learned: 10-17-1970
Content filter on this entry.
Belief: Animal
Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.
Belief in Oysters:
Oysters make a man sexually potent.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [P500, N245.8] crossed out. Replaced with current classifications
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE ; French, Henry ; 221 Merriweather
Keyword(s): ANIMAL ; APHRODISIAC ; BELIEF ; Male ; Oysters ; Potent ; Prowess ; SEX ; Sexuality ; SHELLFISH ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Animal Filter - Mature Content |
HAUNTED CABIN
THERE IS AN OLD LOGGING CABIN IN EAST TAWAS ON ONE OF THE BACK
LOGGING ROADS DATING BACK TO AROUND CIVIL WAR TIME, AND THE CABIN
IS IN VERY GOOD SHAPE FOR HOW OLD IT IS. THE LEGEND GOES THAT THE
PERSON WHO ONWED THE PLACE DIED IN A STABLE JUST OFF ONE ROOM,
ALONG WITH HIS DOG AND HORSE. PRIOR TO OUR ARRIVAL IN EAST TAWAS
(ABOUT 1953), A GROUP OF PEOPLE APPROACHED THE CABIN. ONE PERSON
FROM THE GROUP OPENED THE TOP PART OF THE DUTCH-DOOR AND CLIMBED
OVER AND INTO THE CABIN. HE SEARCHED THE CABIN AND FOUND THE
BONES OF A HUMAN BEING, A HORSE AND A DOG, IN THE STABLE AREA.
WHEN HE CAME OUT OF THE CABIN HE TOLD THE GROUP WHAT HE HAD FOUND
AND IMMEDIATELY KEELED OVER DEAD. THE GROUP FLED, LEAVING THE
TOP PART OF THE DOOR OPEN AND NO ONE HAS ENTERED THE CABIN SINCE
THEN. ALL THE UTENSILS USED BY THE DEAD OWNER COULD BE SEEN IN
THE CABIN IN 1958--THE TIME WHEN THE INFORMANT WAS THERE. THE
INFORMANT BELIEVES THAT THIS REALLY HAPPENED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST TAWAS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 00-00-1958
NEW PURSE
A NEW PURSE SHOULD BE HANSELED WITH A PIECE OF MONEY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; 19493 Biltmore
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
HOLDER PAINT
IN THE NAVY, THE PROPS OF PLANES ARE PAINTED THREE COLORS:
RED ON THE INSIDE, WHITE IN THE MIDDLE, AND BLUE ON THE
OUTSIDE. THE BLUE PAINT IS CALLED BLUE HOLDER PAINT,
BECAUSE IT IS ALWAYS PUT ON THE OUTSIDE TO "HOLD"
THE RED AND WHITE PAINT AND KEEP THE RED AND WHITE
FROM FLYING OFF WHILE THE PROPS ARE MOVING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALMA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Color |
Date learned: 03-09-1970
RED LIGHTNING
THE BANNER OR INSIGNIA FOR VF 194 WAS THAT OF RED
LIGHTNING, SO DESIGNATED FROM THE SAFE RETURN, THROUGH
A RED LIGHNING THUNDERSTORM, OF ALL OF VF 194'S FLYERS IN
YUMA, ARIZONA.
Data entry tech comment: A WAR STORY?
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALMA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Sign Color |
Date learned: 03-09-1970
Content filter on this entry.
PARODY OF "MY BONNIE"
MY BONNIE HAS TUBERCULOSIS, MY BONNIE HAS ONLY ONE LUNG;
SHE SPITS UP THOSE BLOODY RED OYSTERS, AND ROLLS THEM AROUND
WITH HER TONGUE.
COME UP, COME UP, COME UP DEAR DINNER, COME UP} COME UP}
REPEAT CHORUS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ill humor Ridicule Mockery |
HOW THE CITY OF CHEYBOYGAN GOT ITS NAME.
ONCE THERE WAS THIS GREAT INDIAN CHIEF WHO LIVED IN THE NORTHERN
PART OF THE LOWER PENINSULA. THIS CHIEF WAS BLESSED WITH A LARGE
FAMILY AND HE WAS VERY PROUD EXCEPT THAT ALL HIS CHILDREN WERE
BOYS. AT THIS TIME THE GREAT CHIEF HAD THE TASK OF NAMING
THE NEW HOMESTEAD THAT HIS TRIBE HAD LAID OUT WHICH HAPPENED
TO BE RIGHT ON THE SPOT WHERE CHEBOYGAN IS NOW. THE CHIEF
DECIDED TO NAME THEIR HOMESTEAD AFTER HIS FIRST DAUGHTER. AS TIME
PASSED ONE OF THE CHIEF'S WIVES BECAME PREGNANT AND WAS GIVING
BIRTH IN THE CHIEF'S TEEPEE. THE CHIEF THEN SURE THAT THIS CHILD
WILL BE A GIRL TOLD THE OTHERS THAT HE WILL COME OUT SPEAKING THE
NAME OF HIS FIRST DAUGHTER AND THE NAME OF THEIR NEW HOMESTEAD.
THE CHIEF THEN ENTERED THE TEEPEE AND CAME OUT A FEW MINUTES AFTER
THE CHILD WAS BORN SAYING "SHE BOY AGAIN!" WHICH HAS BEEN THE
NAME OF THE CITY EVER SINCE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CHEYBOYGAN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |