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COMIC QUESTION--GRAFFITTI
WHY DO BLONDS HAVE MORE FUN?
YOU CAN FIND THEM IN THE DARK.
Submitter comment: IN MEN'S JOHN, U. OF D.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; STUDENT UNION
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 02-08-1967
PROM NIGHT
IT WAS THE NIGHT OF THE SENIOR PROM AND THE BOY WENT TO
PICK UP HIS DATE. HE WAS SITTING IN THE LIVING ROOM
TALKING TO THE PARENTS WHILE SHE WAS UPSTAIRS MAKING
THE FINAL TOUCHES. THEN SHE PROCEEDED TO COME DOWN
THE STAIRS. SHE HAD A STRAPLESS DRESS ON, AND AS SHE
WAS COMING DOWN SOMETHING SNAPPED AND THE FRONT OF
HER DRESS FELL, EXPOSING ONE OF HER BREASTS. THE GIRL
WAS EMBARRASSED TO TEARS AND THE BOY, NOT WANTING TO
ADD TO THE EMBARRASSMENT, TRIED TO AVOID HER PARENTS
FROM SEEING IT, SO, IN ORDER TO DIVERT THEIR
ATTENTION, HE SCREECHED "LOOK AT THAT" POINTING TO THE
FRONT LAWN AND NOT KNOWING-OR HAVING ANY IDEA WHATEVER-
THAT ANYTHING WAS THERE. THERE WERE TWO DOGS MATING
ON THE LAWN.
Submitter comment:
JOHN TOLD US THAT IT ACTUALLY HAPPENED TO ONE OF HIS
FELLOW GRADUATES AT A HIGH SCHOOL IN NEW JERSEY.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; STUDENT UNION
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Tale |
Date learned: 10-00-1963
LEGEND
PEOPLE WHO PASS THE EVIL EYE IN SICILY ARE CONSIDERED TO BE
VERY DESTRUCTIVE WITH JUST ONE GLANCE.
Submitter comment: IN SICILY PEOPLE BELIEVE THIS VERY STRONGLY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; TV STUDIO
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Eyes, evil eye |
Date learned: 10-06-1970
CUSTOM
THERE IS A LAW IN SICILY THAT PEOPLE POSSESSING THE EVIL EYE
CAN BE BROUGHT TO COURT AND FINED FOR DAMAGES IF IT CAN
BE PROVEN THAT THEY HAVE IT.
Submitter comment: KNOWN TRUE IN SICILY
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; TV STUDIO
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Eyes, evil eye |
Date learned: 10-06-1970
Origins of Halloween
Samhain, October 31, is the Celtic feast of the dead, honoring the
Aryan Lord of Death, Samana (the Irish call it the Vigil of Saman).
Witches still leave offerings of "soul cakes" for the deceased
ancestors, a custom that has been transformed into the giving of
treats to the travelers who wander about on that night (i.e., "trick
or treat").
In ancient times it was believed that if the right offerings and
sacrifices were not made, the spirits of the dead would take advantage
of the opening in the seam between the worlds to come and do harm and
mischief to the living.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MANCHESTER
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- October 31 Halloween BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 01-00-1992
Meanings of the Pentacle
The following again was told to me by Carol, who has been a
practicing witch. She was a member of a coven based in Michigan.
The pentacle has a rich history in the magical and spiritual customs
of many cultures. In Greece it was the symbol of Demeter's daughter
Kore, the goddess of vegetation and the fruits of the field, because
the apple contains a star composed of five seeds in its core.
Pythagorean mystics honored the pentacle, which they called
"Pentalpha", because it consisted of five interwoven alphas: the Greek
letter "A", which stood for birth and beginnings. In Egypt a
five-pointed star represented the great underground womb of Mother
Earth. The Celtic tribes also saw it as a sign of the Goddess of the
Underworld, Morgan. In Babylon the pentacle was an amulet of
protection and healing. In Judeo-Christian traditions the pentacle
was the first of the Seven Seals, which represented the secret name of
God; and King Solomon wore a pentacle on his ring as a sign of his
power to work magic. Among the old European tribespeople the pentacle
represented the Horned God, a shapeshifter who had five
manifestations: a human, a bull, a ram, a goat, and a stag.
The star is always drawn with one continuous stroke, with one point
upright.
James Callow comment:
Puckett, Ohio, no. 25634: "Five fingers or anything to do with
five will protect you from the evil eye (Moslem)."
Puckett, Ohio, no. 26650: "Find the sign of the Pantagram on your
hand, you will be a victim of the werewolf."
Hand, North Carolina, no. 6027: "The claim for five (as "nearly
always" a lucky number) is not borne out in the literature, except,
perhaps for certain North American Indian tribes."
Cannon, Utah: "Five and multiples of five are lucky" (no. 11557);
"The five fingers of the hand, or any design or phrase associated with
the number five will protect against bad
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MANCHESTER
James Callow Keyword(s): Five as apotropaic number.
| Subject headings: | 686 Fifths 686 Seven / Sevenths / Several |
Date learned: 01-00-1992
OLD IKE
OLK IKE WAS THE STORY OF A MAN WHO COULDN'T DIE. HE WAS A GIANT OF
A MAN, AND HE LIVED IN THE WOODS OF UPPER MICHIGAN. IKE WAS
ACCUSED OF MURDER AND WAS SENTENCED TO BE HUNG, BUT HE KEPT BREAK-
ING THE ROPE. FINALLY THEY FOUND A ROPE STRONG ENOUGH, BUT IKE
BROKE THE TREE LIMB AND ESCAPED, AND HE'S STILL LOOSE IN THE WOODS
LOOKING FOR REVENGE BECAUSE HE WAS ACTUALLY INNOCENT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST TAWAS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Abnormal in size |
JOKE
"THERE IS THE ALAMO," SAID THE PROUD TEXAN TO HIS FRIEND
FROM BOSTON. "THAT RUIN IS WHERE ONLY 136 TEXANS HELD OFF
15,000 OF SANTA ANA'S ARMY FOR FOUR DAYS. DID YOU EVER
HAVE ANY HEROES LIKE THAT IN MASSACHUSETTS?" "WELL, I
SHOULD SAY WE DID!" ANSWERED THE BOSTONIAN. "WE HAD PAUL
REVERE, FOR EXAMPLE." "PAUL REVERE!" SNORTED THE TEXAN.
"DO YOU MEAN THAT FELLOW WHO HAD TO RIDE TO GET HELP?"
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 05-00-1990
BACK IN THOSE DAYS (THE EARLY 20'S) WHEN
SOMEONE DIED, THE FAMILY PREPARED THE BODY FOR
VIEWING. THE CASKET WAS SET IN THE "PARLOR"(TODAY'S
LIVING ROOM"). PENNIES WERE PUT ON THE EYES TO
KEEP THEM FROM POPPING OPEN. THIS HAPPENED AT A
FRIEND OF MY FATHER'S FUNERAL: AFTER VIEWING
THE BODY EVERYONE WENT INTO THE KITCHEN FOR COFFEE.
WHILE THE COFFEE WAS BEING SERVED THREE BOYS FROM
TOWN SNUCK INTO THE PARLOR, TOOK THE PENNIES OFF
THE OLD MAN'S EYES, AND PROPPED HIM UP WITH A STICK.
AFTER COFFEE THE FAMILY WALKED SLOWLY BACK INTO THE
PARLOR. THEY WERE TERRIFIED TO SEE THE OLD MAN
SITTING UP WITH HIS EYES OPEN, THEY THOUGHT HE HAD
COME BACK TO LIFE!
Submitter comment:
RESURRECTION
RESUSITATION
Where learned: DETROIT ; WEST VIRGINIA
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 02-00-1984
WHEN SOMEONE DOES SOMETHING BAD AS A CHILD, THE OTHER
CHILDREN RUB THE FOREFINGER OF THE RIGHT HAND
AGAINST THE FOREFINGER OF THE LEFT HAND AND SAY
"SHAME, SHAME ON (NAME)."
Submitter comment: INFORMANT WAS TOLD THIS AND SAW THIS IN 1956 IN NEW YORK.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; PORT CHESTER
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula SPEECH -- Shame |
Date learned: 00-00-1956
THERE IS A WAY TO REMEMBER HOW MANY DAYS THERE ARE
IN A PARTICULAR MONTH. THE RHYME IS AS FOLLOWS:
THIRTY DAYS HAS SEPTEMBER,
APRIL, JUNE, AND NOVEMBER,
ALL THE REST HAVE THIRTY-ONE,
SAVE FEBRUARY WITH TWENTY-EIGHT,
ADD ONE MORE WHEN LEAP YEAR COME.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; PORT CHESTER
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- MNEM |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
IF A PERSON, WHO CROSSES HIS ARMS OR HANDS IN THE FORM
OF A CROSS, WHEN A VAMPIRE COMES, HE WILL DRIVE IT
AWAY.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; PORT CHESTER
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
IF A PERSON WEARS A CROSS IT KEEPS THE DEVIL AND
VAMPIRES AWAY FROM HIM.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; PORT CHESTER
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
NEW YEAR'S EVE
ALL CHURCH BELLS WOULD RING AT MIDNIGHT.
Where learned: WEST VIRGINIA ; MINDEN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Week Day Hour |
Date learned: 00-00-1924
JACK ROCKS
THE CHILD WOULD SPREAD OUT SMALL ROCKS OR STONES. HE WOULD THEN
PICK UP AS MANY STONES AS HE COULD BEFORE THE BALL BOUNCED A
SECOND TIME.
Submitter comment:
STONES WERE USED INSTEAD OF METAL JACKS BECAUSE THE FAMILY
WAS TOO POOR AND COULD NOT AFFORD TO BUY METAL JACKS.
Where learned: WEST VIRGINIA ; MINDEN
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Toy |
Date learned: 00-00-1926
LEAP FROG
SEVERAL CHILDREN WOULD GET DOWN ON THEIR HANDS AND KNEES FORMING
A LINE. THE LAST CHILD IN THE LINE WOULD GET UP AND JUMP OVER
THE OTHER CHILDREN. HE WOULD THEN GET DOWN ON HIS HANDS AND KNEES.
THE CHILD AT THE END OF THE LINE WOULD THEN DO THE SAME.
Where learned: WEST VIRGINIA ; MINDEN
James Callow Keyword(s): VAULTING
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Athletic sport and exercise Gymnastics |
Date learned: 00-00-1925
LITHUANIAN-AMERICAN CHRISTMAS EVE MEAL
ON CHRISTMAS EVE, THE TRADITIONAL EVENING MEAL CONSISTED OF
CHRISTMAS WAFERS, SAUERKRAUT SOUP, PORRIDGE, FISH, PEAS, BREAD,
AND BUTTER.
Where learned: WEST VIRGINIA ; MINDEN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals |
SUPERSTITION
IF YOUR LEFT FOOT ITCHES YOU'LL SOON WALK ON GRAVEYARD DUST. IF YOUR
RIGHT FOOT ITCHES YOU'LL SOON WALK IN A STRANGE LAND.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT STATES THAT THIS BELIEF WAS WIDESPREAD IN
YAZOO CITY, MISSISSIPPI WHEN SHE WAS A CHILD, ABOUT 40 YEARS
AGO.
Where learned: DETROIT ; DEPARTMENT STORE
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 00-00-1939
WAYS TO KILL A VAMPIRE
SHOOTING A VAMPIRE WITH A SILVER OR OTHER BULLET WITH
A CROSS CARVED ON THE SLUG WITH A KNIFE WILL KILL HIM.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: ENGLAND ; Newman, Tom ; WORCESTER
Keyword(s): Cross ; Kill ; SUPERSTITION ; SYMBOL ; Undead ; Vampire
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Werewolf Vampire |
Date learned: 04-00-1972
PROTECTION AGAINST VAMPIRES
JUMPING OVER NATURALLY RUNNING WATER WILL PREVENT
A VAMPIRE FROM FOLLOWING YOU--BECAUSE THEY ARE UNABLE OF CROSSING IT.
Where learned: ENGLAND ; WORCESTER
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Werewolf Vampire |
Date learned: 04-00-1972