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A VARIATION OF THE GARTER DANCE

IN A TYPICAL WEDDING RECEPTION THERE IS A GARTER DANCE WHERE
THE GROOM TAKES THE GARTER OFF THE BRIDE AND THROWS IT OVER
HIS SHOULDER TO ALL THE SINGLE MEN. THE BRIDE THEN TAKES
HER BOUQUET OF FLOWERS AND THROWS IT OVER HER SHOULDER TO
ALL THE SINGLE WOMEN. IT THEN FOLLOWS THAT THE MAN WHO CAUGHT
THE GARTER PUTS IT ON THE LEG OF THE WOMAN WHO CAUGHT THE
BOUQUET. THE VARIATION ON THIS IS THAT WHICHEVER LEG
THE MAN PUTS THE GARTER ON, MIKE TELLS THEM IT'S THE WRONG LEG
AND THAT THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE TO DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN ON THE
RIGHT LEG.
MIKE NIXON IS THE MEMBER OF A WEDDING BAND AND THIS IDEA
CAME TO HIM WHEN SOMEONE ASKED HIM AT ANOTHER WEDDING
WHICH LEG IS THE GARTER SUPPOSED TO GO ON? MIKE TOOK
ADVANTAGE OF THIS OPPORTUNITY FOR A LITTLE LIGHT-HEARTED
FUN AND NOW USES THIS VARIATION AT EVERY WEDDING HE PERFORMS AT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN ; WEDDING

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Reception

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(PROSE NARRATIVE: REPETITIOUS HOAX)

TALE THAT IS BEGUN EVERY OTHER SATURDAY NIGHT AT THE
CAMPFIRE. IT USUALLY STARTS OUT WITH THE CAMP
DIRECTOR LEAVING HIS CABIN AT ABOUT 1:00 A.M. TO
INVESTIGATE A STRANGE NOISE, FROM THERE IT GOES ON
TO ANYONE WHO FEELS LIKE ADDING TO IT.
EVENTUALLY ALL THE COUNSELORS GET INTO IT. IT
HELPS TIRE THE BOYS OUT SO THAT THEY WILL BE
EASIER TO GET TO SLEEP.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MEMPHIS ; SAINT MARYS CAMP

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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PROVERB: NEVER A QUARREL

WHERE SISTERS DWELL AND BROTHERS MEET, QUARREL SHOULD NEVER COME.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; 1838 Rosemont ; BERKELEY

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

Date learned: 03-24-1970

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HOLY COMMUNION

YOU SHOULD NEVER GO TO HOLY COMMUNION IF YOU FEEL SICK OR IF
YOU THINK YOU WILL BE. SHE REMEMBERS ONE OF HER STUDENTS RECEIVING
COMMUNION AT MASS, THEN LEAVING CHURCH BECAUSE HE WAS GOING TO VOMIT
SHE FOLLOWED HIM OUT, AND FOUND HIM BEING SICK. INSTANTLY
APPEARED THOUSANDS OF MAGGOTS, WHO ATE UP ALL THE VOMIT
AND THEN DISAPPEARED.
SHE BELIEVES THAT THIS WAS A MIRACLE TO KEEP THE HOST FROM BEING
DEFILED

Submitter comment:

THE SHE, REFERS TO THE INFORMANTS 5TH GRADE TEACHER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GRAND RAPIDS

James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMAL INSECT LARVA

Subject headings: Favorites
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Insect
BELIEF -- Church

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WHAT'S A JEWISH WOMAN'S FAVORITE WINE? WHEN ARE WE
GOING TO MIAMI!

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

James Callow Keyword(s): FLORIDA ; PUN ON WHINE

Subject headings: JEWI

Date learned: 10-00-1983

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SUPERSTITION (FIXED DATE)

A PERSON MUST BE HOME BY MIDNIGHT OF NOVEMBER 1ST, BECAUSE ON
NOVEMBER 2ND ALL THE SOULS ARE ALLOWED TO RETURN TO EARTH.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- November 1 All Saints
BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter

Date learned: 10-25-1969

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FIXED DATE

APRIL 20 IS CELEBRATED AS FOUNDER'S DAY BY THE NATIONAL SOCIAL
SORORITY OF SIGMA SIGMA SIGMA. ON THIS DAY EACH CHAPTER HAS A
DINNER AND CONDUCTS SOME TYPE OF A PROGRAM IN MEMORY OF THE
FOUNDERS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- April 20

Date learned: NO DATE INDICATED.

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

View just this record

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

View just this record

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

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