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THE HOOK
A COUPLE WERE PARKED AT A LOVER'S LANE NEAR JACKSON STATE PRISON.
WHILE LISTENING TO THE RADIO, THEY HEARD THAT A MAN ESCAPED FROM
PRISON. HE WAS DESCRIBED AS HAVING A HOOK FOR ONE OF HIS HANDS.
AFTER STAYING THERE FOR A WHILE, THEY DECIDED TO LEAVE. WHEN
THE BOY GOT OUT OF THE CAR TO OPEN THE DOOR FOR THE GIRL, HE FOUND
THE HOOK ON THE CAR DOOR (PASSENGER SIDE).
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; 16765 Beech Daly ; REDFORD
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
This is a Cheyenne Indian legend about Devil's Tower that I
learned when I visited Wyoming years ago. First of all, Devil's
Tower is a gigantic stump-like formation which was established as
the first national United States monument in 1906. The legend
goes as follows: Once an Indian maiden was out walking about
when a big bear carried her away to his cave. When the other
Indians arrived at the cave to save her they put the bear to
sleep. After they hurried away he woke up and began to chase
them. The Indians ran and finally came upon a place where
Devil's Tower now stands. One of the Indians always carried a
rock with him. He began to sing a song and when he finished the
rock had grown. He sang four more times and when he finished the
rock was as high as it is today and the Indians were on top of
it. When the bear arrived at the rock he kept jumping up against
it. His claws made the marks that are on the rock today. The
Indians finally killed the bear with their bows and arrows and
the rock was left standing as it is today.
Where learned: Wyoming
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Creation and Order of Universe PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mineral |
Date learned: 07-00-1982
GHOST STORY
MY SISTER HELEN WAS ILL AND I WAS LIVING IN ANOTHER TOWN. I HAD
A DOG THEN AND ONE NIGHT THIS DOG STARTED HOWLING AND I COULDN'T
GET HIM TO SHUT UP. IT HOWLED ALL NIGHT, AND THE NEXT MORNING,
I GOT A CALL FROM SOMEONE WHO TOLD ME THAT MY SISTER HAD DIED.
Submitter comment:
THIS STORY IS TRUE AND MY GRANDMOTHER STILL REMEMBERS HOW SHE
FELT WHEN IT HAPPENED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 03-00-1979
GAME: SHARKS AND MINNOWS.
ONE PERSON IS THE SHARK AND WAITS ON ONE SIDE OF THE DEEP END.
THE OTHER KIDS ARE THE MINNOWS AND THEIR TASK IS TO TRY TO GET
TO THE OTHER SIDE WITHOUT BEING CAUGHT. THEY TRY TO GET TO THE
OTHER SIDE BY SWIMMING UNDERWATER TO THE OTHER SIDE. THE SHARK THEN
TRIES TO BRING UP THE MINNOWS TO BREATHE. THE GAME CONTINUES
UNTIL EVERYONE IS CAUGHT.
Submitter comment:
I USED TO PLAY THIS GAME WHEN I WAS A MEMBER OF THE DETROIT GOLF
CLUB.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Water Ice Snow |
Date learned: 00001970'S
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DEAD BABY JOKES.
Q. WHAT'S RED AND GOES ROUND AND ROUND AND ROUND ?
A. A DEAD BABY IN A GARBABE DISPOSAL.
Q. WHAT'S BLUE AND SITS IN A CORNER ?
A. A DEAD BABY IN A PLASTIC BAG.
Q. WHAT'S GREEN AND SITS IN THE CORNER ?
A. THE SAME DEAD BABY SIX DAYS LATER.
Q. WHAT IS BLACK AND SITS IN A CORNER ?
A. A DEAD BABY BURNED WITH A TORCH.
Q. WHY DON'T THEY LOAD DEAD BABIES INTO TRUCKS WITH SHOVELS ?
A. BECAUSE PITCHFORKS ARE EASIER.
Submitter comment:
I HEARD THESE JOKES WHEN I WAS GROWING UP IN NEW YORK CITY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 00001970'S
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HELEN KELLER JOKES.
Q. HAVE YOU SEEN HELEN KELLER'S NEW CAR ? A. NEITHER HAS SHE.
Q. WHAT DID HELEN KELLER SAY WHEN SHE FELL OFF THE CLIFF ?
A. NOTHING.
Q. HOW DID HELEN KELLER BURN HER HANDS ?
A. SHE TRIED TO READ THE WAFFLE IRON.
Q. HOW DO YOU DRIVE HELEN KELLER CRAZY ?
A. YOU MOVE THE FURNITURE IN THE ROOM.
Q. HAVE YOU SEEN HELEN KELLER'S NEW ACT ?
A. SHE SINGS WITH ONE HAND AND PLAYS THE PIANO WITH THE OTHER.
Submitter comment:
I FIRST HEARD THESE JOKES IN HIGH SCHOOL AT FRIEND'S SCHOOL IN
DETROIT.
I WENT TO FRIEND'S SCHOOL FOR FOUR YEARS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 00001970'S
POM-POM.
PLAYED IN THE DEEP END OF THE POOL, WIDTH WISE. ONE PERSON IS IT. THE
OTHERS STAND ON THE OUTSIDE, OPPOSITE THE PERSON WHO IS IT.
PERSON WHO IS IT YELLS " POM-POM " AFTER WHICH EVERYONE ON THE
OTHER SIDE JUMP INTO THE POOL AND TRY TO GET TO THE OTHER SIDE
WITHOUT GETTING CAUGHT. THE GAME CONTINUES UNTIL EVERYONE IS CAUGHT.
ONE THING THAT IS IMPORTANT, IS THAT ALL THOSE WHO ARE CAUGHT MUST
REMAIN WITH THE PERSON WHO WAS IT, AND TRY TO CATCH THE OTHERS.
Submitter comment:
I USED TO PLAY THIS GAME WHEN I WAS A MEMBER OF THE DETROIT
GOLF CLUB.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Water Ice Snow |
LIMERICK
THERE WAS A YOUNG MAN OF SPOKANE
WHOSE VERSES WOULD NEVER SCAN.
WHEN TOLD THIS WAS SO,
HE SAID "YES, I KNOW,
BUT I ALWAYS TRY TO GET AS MANY WORDS IN THE LAST
LINE AS I CAN."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ALEXANDRINE FOR HUMOR ; POET ; PROSODY ; RHYME DICTATES PRONUNCIATION OF PLACE NAME ; RHYME: AABBA
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR.
LIMERICK
ONE NIGHT A YOUNG AMOROUS SIOUX
HAD A DATE WITH A MAIDEN HE KNIOUX
THE CORONER LATER FOUND
THAT THE COUPLE HAD DROWNED
PADDLING A LEAKY CANIOUX
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ACCIDENT ; CACOGRAPHY ; CANOE ; DEATH ; FRENCH SPELLING ; RHYME: AABBA
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR.
WARM WEATHER CUSTOM
TO COOL OFF ON A HOT DAY RUN COLD WATER OVER YOUR WRISTS
THIS WORKS FAIRLY WELL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CLINTON TOWNSHIP
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
CONJURATION BELIEF
IF YOU CLOSE YOUR EYES IN A DARK ROOM, STAND IN FRONT OF A
MIRROR AND REPEAT "I BELIEVE IN BLOODY MARY" 99 TIMES AND THEN
ON THE 100TH REPETITION CHANGE THE STATEMENT TO "I DON'T BELIEVE
IN BLOODY MARY" SIMULTANEOUSLY OPENING YOUR EYES, BLOODY MARY
WILL EMERGE FROM THE MIRROR, CLAW YOUR FACE AND YOU WILL DIE OF
FRIGHT. IT IS UNKNOWN WHO BLOODY MARY IS OR WHY SHE CAN BE
CONJURED IN THIS WAY. WHEN I FIRST HEARD OF THIS I SCOFFED
AT IT, BUT I HAVE NEVER HAD THE NERVE TO TEST IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CLINTON TOWNSHIP
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration Favorites |
BELIEF
IF A HARE PASSES IN FRONT OF A PREGNANT WOMAN, HER CHILD WILL BE BORN
WITH A HARELIP, UNLESS SHE TEARS HER SLIP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
James Callow Keyword(s): IMITATIVE MAGIC
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Mouth, teeth, lips, tongue BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 01-22-1970
PLANTING BELIEF
IF A ROSE IS TO BE STARTED FROM A CUTTING, THE CUTTING SHOULD
BE STUCK IN A POTATO AND THEN PLANTED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Plant food Vegetable Food Drink -- Special Form and PurposeObject of Bodily Consumption BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 10-23-1969
WEDDING BELIEF
IN SMALL ITALIAN CITIES IT IS CONSIDERED
GOOD LUCK TO HAVE RAIN ON YOUR WEDDING DAY. IN LARGER ITALIAN
CITIES IT IS CONSIERED BAD LUCK WHEN IT RAINS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
Date learned: 10-00-1969
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Ethnic Joke: Polish
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A POLISH WEDDING AND A POLISH
FUNERAL? ONE LESS DRUNK.
Data entry tech comment:
BN updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
James Callow Keyword(s): DRINKING
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 00001970 SUMMER
NAMING MUSKEGON
ONCE AN INDIAN BRAVE WAS PADDLING HIS CANOE ALONG THE SHORE OF LAKE
MICHIGAN. HE HAD LEANED HIS MUSKET AGAINST THE FRONT THWART SO
THAT IT WOULD BE HANDY IN CASE HE NEEDED IT. WELL, IT WAS A
PRETTY STORMY DAY AND THE WAVES WERE KICKING UP SOMETHING FIERCE.
FINALLY ONE WAVE TUMBLED OVER THE BOW OF THE CANOE AND ALMOST
CAPSIZED HIM. HE SAW HIS MUSKET BEING CARRIED OVER THE SIDE OF
THE CANOE AND HE LEAPED TO CATCH IT. WELL, HE LOST IT AND THEN
HE EXCLAIMED, "OH NO, MUSKIE-GONE!" AND FROM THAT DAY FORWARD
THAT PLACE HAS BEEN CALLED MUSKEGON.
Submitter comment:
THIS TALE, CONCERNING THE NAMING OF MUSKEGON, WAS PASSED DOWN TO
MY DAD FROM HIS FATHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Lansing ; 2819 TULANE DR ; 48912
Date learned: 11-01-1968
NAMING MUSKEGON
ONCE AN INDIAN BRAVE WAS PADDLING HIS CANOE ALONG THE SHORE OF LAKE
MICHIGAN. HE HAD LEANED HIS MUSKET AGAINST THE FRONT THWART SO
THAT IT WOULD BE HANDY IN CASE HE NEEDED IT. WELL, IT WAS A
PRETTY STORMY DAY AND THE WAVES WERE KICKING UP SOMETHING FIERCE.
FINALLY ONE WAVE TUMBLED OVER THE BOW OF THE CANOE AND ALMOST
CAPSIZED HIM. HE SAW HIS MUSKET BEING CARRIED OVER THE SIDE OF
THE CANOE AND HE LEAPED TO CATCH IT. WELL, HE LOST IT AND THEN
HE EXCLAIMED, "OH NO, MUSKIE-GONE!" AND FROM THAT DAY FORWARD
THAT PLACE HAS BEEN CALLED MUSKEGON.
Submitter comment:
THIS TALE, CONCERNING THE NAMING OF MUSKEGON, WAS PASSED DOWN TO
MY DAD FROM HIS FATHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Lansing ; 2819 TULANE DR ; 48912
Date learned: 11-01-1968
PROVERB
IDLENESS IS THE MOTHER OF ALL VICES. TRANSLATION OF
L'OISIVETE EST LA MERE DE TOUS LES VICES.
EST LA MERE DE TOUS LES VICES.
Where learned: SCHOOL ; DETROIT, ASSUMED ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT, ASSUMED ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
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Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.
Your mama is so black, when she goes to night school the
teacher marks her absent!
Who won the race down the tunnel, the black or the pollack?
The pole because the black had to stop and write "Mutha Fucker"
on the wall!
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: SCHOOL ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): African American ; Bigot ; Black ; JOKE ; Momma ; Offensive ; RACISM ; Racist ; RIDDLE ; Stereotype ; Tasteless
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question Filter - Mature Content |
Date learned: 01-00-1991
NAMING MUSKEGON
ONCE AN INDIAN BRAVE WAS PADDLING HIS CANOE ALONG THE SHORE OF LAKE
MICHIGAN. HE HAD LEANED HIS MUSKET AGAINST THE FRONT THWART SO
THAT IT WOULD BE HANDY IN CASE HE NEEDED IT. WELL, IT WAS A
PRETTY STORMY DAY AND THE WAVES WERE KICKING UP SOMETHING FIERCE.
FINALLY ONE WAVE TUMBLED OVER THE BOW OF THE CANOE AND ALMOST
CAPSIZED HIM. HE SAW HIS MUSKET BEING CARRIED OVER THE SIDE OF
THE CANOE AND HE LEAPED TO CATCH IT. WELL, HE LOST IT AND THEN
HE EXCLAIMED, "OH NO, MUSKIE-GONE!" AND FROM THAT DAY FORWARD
THAT PLACE HAS BEEN CALLED MUSKEGON.
Submitter comment:
THIS TALE, CONCERNING THE NAMING OF MUSKEGON, WAS PASSED DOWN TO
MY DAD FROM HIS FATHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Lansing ; 2819 TULANE DR ; 48912
Date learned: 11-01-1968