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James T. Callow Computerized Folklore Archive
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MULE IN THE BARNYARD TIRED AND SICK
BOY WITH A PIN ON THE END OF A STICK
BOY JABS MULE, MULE GIVES A LURCH
SERVICES MONDAY AT THE CORNER CHURCH.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT SAYS THIS IS A FAVORITE POEM RIDDLE OF HIS MOTHER'S.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; 16601 LIVERNOIS ; SAINT FRANCIS CLUB

Keyword(s): ELLIPSIS ; INDIRECTION EUPHEMISM ; MISTREATMENT OF ANIMALS, PUNISHMENT FOR ; POETIC VUSTICE ; RHYME: AABB

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

Date learned: 03-20-1972

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TO GET A SMOKEY FLAVOR FOR MEAT OR FISH, DIP THEM INTO A PINT OF
WATER THAT HAS A DROP OF CREOSOTE ADDED TO IT.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS AS A CHILD IN INDIANA.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

Subject headings: Food Drink -- Manner of preparation Process

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PROVERB

FLESH ONLY BY CONTRACT.

Submitter comment: THE MEANING BEHIND THIS SAYING IS THAT THE BOND BETWEEN MARRIED
PEOPLE IS NOT AS STRONG AS THE ONE BETWEEN BROTHER AND SISTER,
MOTHER AND DAUGHTER, ETC. THE MARRIED COUPLE IS TOGETHER,
OR "FLESH," ONLY THROUGH A MARRIAGE CONTRACT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

Date learned: 02-25-1982

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PROVERB

IT'S GOT TO PINCH TO HURT.

Submitter comment: THE MEANING BEHIND THIS SAYING IS THAT PERSON A CAN'T KNOW THE PAIN
PERSON B IS FEELING UNLESS PERSON A EXPERIENCES IT HIMSELF.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

Date learned: 02-25-1982

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Proverb

Don't bite the hand that feeds you.

Submitter comment:

From - Uncertain

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Located in pile marked Duplicates and Other Rejects.

Original BN [V300] crossed out. Replaced wtih current classification.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE ; ; Whittlesey, Mary Ann

Keyword(s): ATTITUDE ; Bite ; GREED ; Hand ; METAPHOR

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

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Proverb

Love is Blind

Submitter comment:

From - Uncertain

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Located in a pile marked Duplicates and Other Rejects

Original BN [V300] crossed out. replaced with current classification.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE ; Whittlesey, Mary Ann

Keyword(s): BLIND ; Emotions ; HEART ; LOVE

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

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PROVERB

LONG POCKET, SHORT ARMS.

Submitter comment: THIS SAYING REFERS TO PEOPLE WHO ARE TIGHT WITH THEIR MONEY; THEY
CAN'T REACH INTO THEIR POCKETS BECAUSE, FIGURATIVELY SPEAKING,
THEIR ARMS CAN'T REACH THE MONEY THAT'S IN THE POCKET.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

James Callow Keyword(s): STINGINESS

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

Date learned: 02-25-1982

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PROVERB

THE LORD GIVES NUTS TO THOSE WITH NO TEETH.

Submitter comment: THE MEANING BEHIND THIS SAYING IS THAT A PERSON WHO IS
UNAGGRESSIVE OR AFRAID TO GO AFTER WHAT HE/SHE WANTS WILL BE LEFT
WITH THINGS THEY DON'T WANT OR CAN'T USE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

Date learned: 02-25-1982

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PROVERB

PUT BREAD BETWEEN YOUR TEETH AND YOUR HUNGER SHALL RETURN.

Submitter comment: THE MEANING BEHIND THIS SAYING IS LITERAL. IF A PERSON, FOR EXAMPLE,
COMES HOME FROM WORK AND SAYS HE/SHE IS NOT HUNGRY, IT WILL TAKE
JUST ONE BITE OF THE DINNER THAT HAS BEEN PREPARED TO CHANGE THEIR
MIND.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness
PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor
PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim

Date learned: 02-25-1982

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Belief: Animal

How Snakes Eat Eggs:

The snake, which has no teeth with which to chew, will swallow an egg whole, climb a tree, and then fall out of it to break the egg.

Submitter comment:

Informant was told this by the family's cleaning woman who firmly believed it to be true.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE ; Morison, Clare ; 938 3 MILE DR

Keyword(s): Consume ; Egg ; FOOD ; Hunt ; Prey ; Serpent ; Snake ; Tree

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

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PROVERB

IF YOU SPIT IN THE SKY, IN YOUR FACE IT SHALL RETURN.

Submitter comment: THE MEANING BEHIND THIS SAYING IS THAT A PERSON SHOULDN'T SAY BAD
THINGS ABOUT ANOTHER BECAUSE THE COMMENTS WILL EVENTUALLY COME BACK
TO HAUNT THE PERSON THAT SAID THEM. THIS PARTICULARLY APPLIES TO A
PERSON'S CHILDREN. IT IS BELIEVED THAT IF PERSON A TALKS ABOUT THE
THINGS THAT PERSON B'S CHILDREN DO, THOSE SAME THINGS WILL
HAPPEN TO THE CHILDREN OF PERSON A IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

Subject headings: Observation
BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal
PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

Date learned: 02-25-1982

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Fate

He who disturbs the sleeper by the wayside will be forever damned.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

BN [P880] was written 3 times across the top of the card. All but one of them was crossed out.

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE ; Hickey, William ; 80 Tourraine Rd

Keyword(s): Disturb ; FATE ; Maxim ; OMEN ; SLEEP ; Traveler ; Wayside

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance

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Belief

RED HEADED WOMEN ARE MORE PASSIONATE AND BLONDES HAVE MORE FUN.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated and Motifs added / 02-28-2011 / TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE ; 1001 CADIEUX

Keyword(s): Blonde ; Brunette ; COLOR ; Female ; HAIR ; Red ; Stereotype ; Woman ; WOMEN

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hair, on head, mustache, widow's peak

Date learned: 02-12-1970

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THE BEAR AND THE RABBIT

A BEAR AND A RABBIT WENT TO THE FOREST TO SHIT,
THE BEAR SAID TO THE RABBIT, "DO YOU HAVE TROUBLE WITH
SHIT STICKING TO YOUR FUR?" THE RABBIT SAID,"NO." SO
THE BEAR PICKED UP THE RABBIT AND WIPED HIS ASS WITH HIM.

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; WATCHING A VIDEO TAPE

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal Tale

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CAR FOR SALE

IT WAS A CADILLAC IN THE UPPER PENINSULA SIX OR SEVEN YEARS AGO.
SOMEONE HAD GONE HUNTING AND GOT LOST IN THE WOODS LOOKING FOR
FRIENDS. HE WAS 50-ISH. IT WAS A NEW CAR--A '53 OR '54 CADILLAC.
HE WANDERED AND GOT COLD AND FELL ASLEEP AND WAS ASFIXIATED AND
WAS IN THE CAR FOR ABOUT 8 MONTHS TO A YEAR. IT WAS A BRAND NEW
CAR AT THE TIME. IT HAPPENED DURING DEER SEASON--ABOUT NOVEMBER--
AND THE CAR WAS FOUND IN APRIL OR MAY.
THEY TOOK OUT THE UPHOLSTERY AND TOOK A TORCH TO THE METAL TO KILL
THE SMELL. THE CAR WAS OFFERED FOR $500. SOMEONE ASKED ME IF I
WOULD BUY IT BUT I NEVER HEARD ANY MORE FROM HIM. THEY COULDN'T
ERADICATE THE SMELL FROM THE METAL.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROCHESTER ; 1882 FAIR OAK DR

Subject headings: ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Vehicle propelled by mechanical or other force on land
BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial

Date learned: 05-10-1965

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CAR FOR SALE

IT WAS A CADILLAC IN THE UPPER PENINSULA SIX OR SEVEN YEARS AGO.
SOMEONE HAD GONE HUNTING AND GOT LOST IN THE WOODS LOOKING FOR
FRIENDS. HE WAS 50-ISH. IT WAS A NEW CAR--A '53 OR '54 CADILLAC.
HE WANDERED AND GOT COLD AND FELL ASLEEP AND WAS ASFIXIATED AND
WAS IN THE CAR FOR ABOUT 8 MONTHS TO A YEAR. IT WAS A BRAND NEW
CAR AT THE TIME. IT HAPPENED DURING DEER SEASON--ABOUT NOVEMBER--
AND THE CAR WAS FOUND IN APRIL OR MAY.
THEY TOOK OUT THE UPHOLSTERY AND TOOK A TORCH TO THE METAL TO KILL
THE SMELL. THE CAR WAS OFFERED FOR $500. SOMEONE ASKED ME IF I
WOULD BUY IT BUT I NEVER HEARD ANY MORE FROM HIM. THEY COULDN'T
ERADICATE THE SMELL FROM THE METAL.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROCHESTER ; 1882 FAIR OAK DR

Subject headings: ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Vehicle propelled by mechanical or other force on land
BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial

Date learned: 05-10-1965

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CAR FOR SALE

IT WAS A CADILLAC IN THE UPPER PENINSULA SIX OR SEVEN YEARS AGO.
SOMEONE HAD GONE HUNTING AND GOT LOST IN THE WOODS LOOKING FOR
FRIENDS. HE WAS 50-ISH. IT WAS A NEW CAR--A '53 OR '54 CADILLAC.
HE WANDERED AND GOT COLD AND FELL ASLEEP AND WAS ASFIXIATED AND
WAS IN THE CAR FOR ABOUT 8 MONTHS TO A YEAR. IT WAS A BRAND NEW
CAR AT THE TIME. IT HAPPENED DURING DEER SEASON--ABOUT NOVEMBER--
AND THE CAR WAS FOUND IN APRIL OR MAY.
THEY TOOK OUT THE UPHOLSTERY AND TOOK A TORCH TO THE METAL TO KILL
THE SMELL. THE CAR WAS OFFERED FOR $500. SOMEONE ASKED ME IF I
WOULD BUY IT BUT I NEVER HEARD ANY MORE FROM HIM. THEY COULDN'T
ERADICATE THE SMELL FROM THE METAL.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROCHESTER ; 1882 FAIR OAK DR

Subject headings: ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Vehicle propelled by mechanical or other force on land
BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial

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LEGEND

AT MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY THERE IS AN ANNUAL CELEBRATION IN
HONOR OF THE ORANGE HORSE. EVERY YEAR DURING FALL TERM, STUDENTS
HAVE A SLEEP-IN AT BESSY HALL IN HONOR OF THEIR COMPATRIOTS WHO
STAGED A SLEEP-IN IN PROTEST OF THE ENGLISH DEPARTMENT FIRING
THREE OUTSPOKEN TEACHERS. THIS PROTEST WAS NICK-NAMED THE ORANGE
HORSE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY ; Lansing

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School

Date learned: 11-05-1967

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KIBITZER

ANY CARD PLAYER WILL TELL YOU A KIBITZER IS THE LOWEST FORM OF
HUMANITY; HE'S CONTINUALLY PEEKING INTO YOUR HAND, SMIRKING AND
GIVING UNNECESSARY ADVICE. KIBITZERS AREN'T NICE. THE NAME
KIBITZER COMES FROM THE WORD KIBITZ, GERMAN FOR LAPWING OR PLOVER.
THIS CREATURE JABBERS INCESSANTLY, BUT CANNOT SING.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; 1460 MEAD ; ROCHESTER

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Bird
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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LADY

IN ANGLO-SAXON TIMES, THE PEOPLE WERE POOR, THE FAMILIES WERE VERY
LARGE, AND THE WORK LOAD WAS HEAVY, SO WHILE THE CHILDREN WERE
STILL IN THEIR PINAFORES, THEY WERE ALLOTTED VARIOUS CHORES. THE
BOYS, OF COURSE, WORKED IN THE FIELDS, PLOWING AND SEEDING AND
SEPARATING THE WHEAT FROM THE CHAFF, WHILE THE HOUSEWORK WAS LEFT
TO THE GIRLS. THEY WERE TAUGHT TO KNIT AND PURL. SOME DID THE
MILKING, OTHERS THE SPINNING, BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT TASK WAS LEFT
TO THE HOUSEWIFE HERSELF, THAT OF BAKING THE DAILY BREAD SO THAT
THE FAMILY COULD BE FED. SHE WAS CALLED THE BREAD KNEADER OR,
IN ANGLO-SAXON, THE LAE-DIGE. CENTURIES LATER, SHE WAS CALLED
"LADY."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; 1460 MEAD ; ROCHESTER

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Plant husbandry Farming
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name
Food Drink -- Plant food Cereal
BELIEF -- Home

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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