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BASEBALL

WHEN A PLAYER IS DOING WELL, HE FEELS THAT IT WOULD BE
BAD LUCK FOR HIM TO WASH OR CHANGE ANY OF THE EQUIPMENT
OR CLOTHING THAT HE HAS BEEN WEARING SINCE THE STREAK
BEGAN.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT STATED THAT ONE YEAR, HE WAS DOING SO WELL, THAT
HE REFUSED TO BUY A NEW PAIR OF BASEBALL SHOES FOR FEAR
HE WOULD BREAK HIS WINNING STREAK.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime
BELIEF -- Entertainment Diversion
BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.2

Date learned: 03-03-1971

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BASEBALL

A PITCHER DOESN'T STEP ON THE CHALK LINES WHEN GOING OUT
ONTO THE FIELD. THIS WOULD BE BAD LUCK.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT PLAYED PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL AND HE FOUND THIS
TRUE ON THE TEAMS HE PLAYED FOR.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime
BELIEF -- Entertainment Diversion
BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.2

Date learned: 03-03-1971

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REMEDY

IF YOUR HANDS ARE BADLY CHAPPED, RIGHT BEFORE YOU
GO TO BED, RUB SOME URINE ON THEM AND PUT ON A
PAIR OF WHITE GLOVES AND LEAVE THEM ON FOR THE
NIGHT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Number Measure
BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness

Date learned: 01-30-1971

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IF YOU LAUGH ON A FRIDAY, YOU WILL CRY ON A SUNDAY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour

Date learned: 10-25-1969

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ELEVEN ROSES OF ONE COLOR AND ONE ROSE OF ANOTHER
COLOR MEANS I LOVE YOU WHEN SENT TO SOMEONE AS
A GIFT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS

Subject headings: 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually.
BELIEF -- Sign Color
BELIEF -- Number P686.1.11

Date learned: 01-24-1971

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TO GET RID OF WARTS THROW A POTATO OVER YOUR LEFT SHOULDER, AND
WHEN THAT POTATO ROTS, YOUR WARTS WILL BE GONE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS

James Callow Keyword(s): PLUGGING TRANSFER

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Method of Curing

Date learned: 10-25-1969

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TIE ONE KNOT IN A STRING FOR EACH WART WHICH YOU HAVE,
THEN BURY THE STRING. WHEN THE STRING ROTS, YOUR WARTS
WILL HAVE VANISHED.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS

James Callow Keyword(s): MEASURING ; PLUGGING

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Method of Curing

Date learned: 10-25-1969

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RAIN ON A WEDDING DAY MEANS BAD LUCK FOR THE COUPLE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Marriage P545.056
BELIEF -- Bad luck

Date learned: 03-17-1971

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WHEN A PERSON WANTS TO REMEMBER SOMETHING IMPORTANT,
HE WILL TIE A STRING ON HIS FINGER, WHICH KEEPS
HIM THINKING OF THE MATTER OF IMPORTANCE. (A
RUBBER BAND IS FREQUENTLY USED, ALSO).

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal

Date learned: 03-10-1968

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IF YOU STEP ON AN ANT, YOU WILL MAKE YOUR MOTHER CRY.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT SAID THAT THIS WAS A POPULAR BELIEF
AMONG SCHOOL CHILDREN. SHE SAID THAT EVERYONE WAS
VERY CAREFUL TO AVOID ANTS ON THE WAY HOME FROM
SCHOOL.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Insect
BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness

Date learned: 02-23-1971

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IT IS BELIEVED THAT IF YOU TAKE ONE BITE OUT OF A PIECE
OF WEDDING CAKE, CHEW IT UP, CLOSE YOUR EYES, AND
WALK BACKWARDS TO BED, YOU WILL DREAM OF THE MAN
YOU ARE TO MARRY. THIS IS A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT
VERSION TO WHAT YOU NORMALLY HEAR.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS

Subject headings: 862 Use of object for determining future spouse

Date learned: 10-24-1971

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MY MOTHER ONCE TOLD ME OF THIS METHOD OF PREDICTING
THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN, BOYS AND GIRLS, WE WERE TO
HAVE ONCE MARRIED. WE'D HOLD A NEEDLE DANGLING
FROM THREAD ABOVE OUR LEFT WRIST. IF THE NEEDLE
MOVED BACK AND FORTH HORIZONTALLY, IT WAS A BOY;
IF IT MOVED IN A CIRCULAR PATH, WE'D HAVE A GIRL. THE
NEEDLE REALLY WOULD MOVE IN THESE DIRECTIONS, BUT
WE'VE YET TO DISCOVER IF THIS METHOD IS VERY VALID
BUT IT'S FUN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Use of object for determining number of children or sex of unborn P863.3

Date learned: 10-08-1971

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PEOPLE WITH COLD HANDS HAVE WARM FEET.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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THE STORY GOES THAT VIETNAM IS SO TERRIBLE THAT SOLDIERS
SHOOT THEMSELVES IN THE LEG SO THAT THEY DON'T HAVE TO
GO INTO BATTLE. THIS IS BELIEVED BY MOST PEOPLE WHO
HEAR IT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Legend
BELIEF -- P535

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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LONG LOST FRIENDSHIP

INFORMANT FLEW TO AUSTRALIA DURING COMBAT DUTY. FOR TWO WEEKS
THEY WERE ALLOWED TO GO SOMEPLACE IN THE EAST. THIS WAS DURING
BOB HOPE'S CHRISTMAS SHOW IN VIETNAM. DURING "SILENT NIGHT" IT
STARTED RAINING REALLY HARD SO INFORMANT PUT HIS COAT ON A GUY
WHO WAS WOUNDED IN BOTH LEGS. AND FINALLY, AT THE END, INFORMANT
REALIZED THIS WOUNDED SAILOR HAD BEEN A REALLY GOOD BUDDY OF HIS
IN HIGH SCHOOL. INFORMANT HADN'T SEEN HIM FOR A LONG TIME AND
HAD NO IDEA HE WAS EVEN IN THE SERVICE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535

Date learned: 11-22-1971

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LEGEND: THE WHITE EAGLE

AN OLD LEGEND TELLS THAT 3 PRINCELY BROTHERS LIVED SOMEWHERE IN
THE WIDE STRETCHES OF COUNTRY BETWEEN THE BALTIC AND THE BLACK
SEA. THEIR NAMES WERE LECH, CZECH, AND RUTH.
THE FIRST TOOK THE NORTHERN LANDS AND BECAME KING OF THE LECHITES
OR POLES. THE SECOND REIGNED IN THE SOUTH, AND FOUNDED BOHEMIA,
THE CZECH KINGDOM; AND THE THIRD, RUTH, WENT TO THE EAST AND
REIGNED OVER THE RUTHENIANS.
PRINCE LECH WHILE HUNTING FOUND A NEST OF WHITE EAGLES WITH MALE
AND FEMALE TYPES. SUCH BIRDS WERE ABSOLUTELY UNKNOWN IN THOSE
PARTS. THIS WAS LOOKED UPON AS A PROPHETIC SIGN BY THE PRINCE.
HE DECIDED TO FOUND HIS CAPITOL THERE, CALLING IT GNIEGN, WHICH
MEANS "NEST TOWN," SAYING "HERE SHALL BE OUR NEST."
HE CHOSE AS HIS EMBLEM THE WHITE EAGLE, WHICH APPEARS WEARING
A CROWN ON ITS HEAD IN THE COAT OF ARMS OF POLAND. IN FACT,
POLAND IS OFTEN CALLED THE LAND OF THE WHITE EAGLE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Bird
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name

Date learned: 10-02-1968

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KNOCK KNOCK STREET

LOCATED ON ROBERT JOHN STREET IN GROSSE POINTE. WHEN A CAR IS
DRIVEN OVER IT, A KNOCKING SOUND IS MADE. THE STORY BEHIND IT
IS THAT A BOY WAS TAKING HIS GIRLFRIEND ON ROBERT JOHN AND WHEN
HE DROPPED HER OFF, HER COAT GOT CAUGHT IN THE DOOR AND HE DROVE
OFF WITH HER HANGING FROM THE DOOR. SHE KNOCKED ON HIS DOOR TO
TELL HIM SHE WAS THERE, BUT WHEN HE FINALLY STOPPED, SHE WAS
DEAD.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal
ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Vehicle propelled by mechanical or other force on land
BELIEF -- Marriage
BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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KNOCK, KNOCK ROAD

THERE IS A ROAD IN GROSSE POINTE WOODS, MICHIGAN THAT IS
CALLED "KNOCK-KNOCK ROAD" (ROBERT JOHN ROAD IS THE REAL
NAME). SUPPOSEDLY WHEN THE HOMES WERE JUST BEING BUILT,
OUT THERE, A GIRL WAS RUNNING ACROSS THE STREET AND A
TRUCK HIT HER. HER ARM WAS SEVERED OFF AND FLEW INTO
A NEARBY FIELD AND WHENEVER A CAR DRIVES BY THE SPIRIT
OF THE GIRL MAKES THE ARM KNOCK ON THE ROOF OF THE CAR.

Submitter comment: THE SEVERED ARM OF GHOST KNOCKS ON CARS.

Data entry tech comment: ON KNOCK, KNOCK ROAD-ROBERT JOHN ROAD-IN GROSSE POINTE

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter

Date learned: 05-00-1967

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SHAGGY DOG STORY

A MAN WALKS INTO A RESTAURANT AND TELLS THE WAITER THAT HIS
DOG CAN TALK.
WAITER: I DON'T BELIEVE YOUR DOG CAN TALK. BUT IF HE CAN,
I'LL BUY YOU AND YOUR DOG A FREE MEAL.
THE MAN TURNED TO HIS DOG AND ASKS, "WHAT'S THE TOP OF A
BUILDING CALLED?"
DOG: R-R-ROOF!
WAITER: NOW, LET ME ASK HIM SOMETHING, WHO IS THE GREATEST
BASEBALL PLAYER WHO EVER LIVED?
DOG: R-R-ROOF!
WAITER: JUST AS I THOUGHT. HE CAN'T TALK. GET OUT OF HERE.
THE WAITER TOSSES THE MAN AND HIS DOG OUT ONTO THE STREET.
OUT ON THE SIDEWALK THE DOG LOOKS UP AT THE MAN AND ASKS,
"DO YOU THINK I SHOULD HAVE SAID 'MICKEY MANTLE'?

Data entry tech comment: REFERENCE TO FAMOUS BASEBALL PLAYER, BABE RUTH.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS

Subject headings: 6677 Formula Tale

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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(ROUND)

WHENEVER I FOUND SOMEONE THAT KNEW THIS CIRCULAR RHYME
I HAD FUN DOING IT.
1ST PERSON: YOU REMIND ME OF A MAN.
2ND PERSON: WHAT MAN?
1ST: MAN WITH THE POWER
2ND: WHAT POWER?
1ST: POWER TO DO VOO DOO.
2ND: WHO DO?
1ST: YOU DO.
2ND: I DO WHAT?
1ST: REMIND ME OF A MAN.
2ND: WHAT MAN? ETC. ETC. ETC.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale

Date learned: 10-08-1971

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