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TRADITION
"TAKING PEOPLE OUT" IS A LONG TRADITION AT THE SAINT FRANCIS CLUB,
AN ALL-MALE SOCIAL COOPERATIVE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT. TAKING
SOMEONE OUT REFERS TO TAKING A MEMBER OUT INTO THE COURTYARD AND
DUMPING COLD WATER ON HIM. THIS IS DONE ONLY TO MEMBERS FOR SUCH
OCCASIONS AS BIRTHDAYS OR WHEN SOMEONE DOES SOMETHING STUPID AT
DINNER. IT IS ALWAYS DONE IN WARM WEATHER AND IN FUN. AT TIMES
ALMOST EVERYONE AT DINNER WILL GO OUT, SUCH AS THE FIRST NICE DAY
IN THE SPRING. I DON'T KNOW HOW FAR BACK THIS GOES, BUT IT HAS BEEN
DONE FOR YEARS BEFORE I JOINED THE CLUB IN 1978.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Private birthday or anniversary CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting |
DRINKING GAME
A GAME PLAYED BY THREE OR MORE PLAYERS. A GLASS IS FILLED WITH BEER,
THE FIRST PERSON TRIES TO BOUNCE A QUARTER OFF THE TABLE OR OTHER
SURFACE AND INTO THE GLASS OF BEER. IF HE MISSES HE MAY PASS TO THE
NEXT PLAYER OR TRY AGAIN. IF HE MISSES THE SECOND TIME HE MUST
DRINK THE BEER. IF HE MAKES IT ON EITHER TURN HE CHOOSES THE PERSON
THAT DRINKS THE BEER.
Submitter comment:
THERE IS NO WINNER, YOU EITHER TRY TO GET DRUNK YOURSELF OR GET
SOMEONE ELSE DRUNK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Drink |
WEATHER BELIEF
WHEN THE LONG LACY FINGERS OF THE SEAS WHITECAPS TOUCH EACH OTHER,
THE WIND IS BLOWING IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Wind Whirlwind Hurricane Cyclone Tornado BELIEF -- Still water Large body. BELIEF -- Weather sign or control |
Date learned: 10-00-1981
WEATHER BELIEF
RED SKY AT MORNING, SAILOR TAKE WARNING
RED SKY AT NIGHT, SAILOR'S DELIGHT
Submitter comment:
THE MORNING RED SKY SIGNALS A BAD STORM, WHILE THE NIGHT SIGNALS A
A BEAUTIFUL DAY TO COME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Weather sign or control |
Date learned: 10-00-1981
DRINKING THE DOLPHINS
CEREMONY WHERE A SUBMARINER RECEIVES HIS DOLPHIN PIN FOR COMPLETING
THREE CRUISES. THE PIN IS PLACED IN A PITCHER OF BEER AND THE
SUBMARINER MUST GUZZLE THE BEER DOWN, CATCHING THE DOLPHIN PIN IN
HIS TEETH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Irregular |
Date learned: 10-00-1981
PLANTING CUSTOM
DURING HARVEST, THE FARMER WITH THE BEST HARVEST, GIVES A PARTY
TO WHICH ALL THE OTHER FARMERS ARE INVITED AND THEY CELEBRATE HIS
GOOD FORTUNES, GIVING HIM A TITLE FOR HIS ACHIEVEMENT.
Submitter comment: THIS IS DONE IN NIGERIA
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F476 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Autumn Fall Harvest Thanksgiving BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 10-00-1981
GOOD LUCK
IF YOU ARE WORKING AND YOU STUMBLE ON A ROCK WITH YOUR RIGHT FOOT,
GOOD LUCK IN THE FUTURE. IF IT IS THE LEFT FOOT THEN THE FUTURE
HOLDS BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS IN NIGERIA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Measure of time Working BELIEF -- Good luck BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 10-00-1981
BLUE NOSE
BLUE-NOSE: NAME GIVEN TO SUBMARINERS WHO PASS AN INITIATION CEREMONY
UPON CROSSING THE ARCTIC CIRCLE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing SPEECH -- Trade & commerce |
Date learned: 10-00-1981
GOOD LUCK
OLD SCOTTISH WOMEN WOULD APPROACH A U.S. NAVY SAILOR WHO WAS WEARING
THE "CRACKER JACK" UNIFORM, WHICH IS THE UNIFORM WITH THE BELL-BOTTOM
TROUSERS, AND RUB THE STARS ON THE BACK FLAP OF THE UNIFORM SHIRT
FOR GOOD LUCK. THIS TOOK PLACE IN 1976 IN HOLY LOCH SCOTLAND.
Submitter comment:
THE GOOD LUCK FEELING ATTACHED TO THIS PRACTICE SEEMS TO HAVE COME
FROM WORLD WAR TWO WHEN THE AMERICANS ENTERED THE WAR TO HELP THE
BRITISH ISLES IN FIGHTING GERMANY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Dress BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 10-00-1981
MARRIAGE CUSTOM
IN THE NIGERIAN TRIBE HAUSA, THE COUPLE DOES NOT BEGIN TO LIVE
TOGETHER UNTIL TWO WEEKS FOLLOWING THE WEDDING.
Submitter comment: THIS IS DONE IN NIGERIA
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | 686 Seconds / Twice / Two CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Week Day Hour BELIEF -- Number P686.1.14 |
Date learned: 10-00-1981
I AM GOING DOWN TOWN TO SMOKE MY PIPE
THIS GAME IS PLAYED WITH A BIG GROUP OF PEOPLE. ONE PERSON IS
PICKED AS THE MOTHER AND ONE PERSON IS PICKED AS THE WITCH. THE
REST ARE CHILDREN. THE WITCH GOES TO HER HOUSE WHICH IS IN A DESIG-
NATED AREA. THE CHILDREN THEN STAND IN A LINE AND THE MOTHER BEGINS
HER CHANT, POINTING AT EACH CHILD AS SHE SAYS EACH WORD:
I'M GOING DOWNTOWN TO SMOKE MY PIPE,
AND I WONT BE HOME TILL SATURDAY NIGHT.
I'LL WHIP YOU BLACK, I'LL WHIP YOU BLUE,
ESPECIALLY YOU, MY DAUGHTER SUE.
THE PERSON THE MOTHER POINTS TO WHEN SHE SAYS SUE WILL BE SUE
FOR THIS PART OF THE GAME. THE MOTHER THEN LEAVES AND THE WITCH
COMES TO THE DOOR. SHE KNOCKS ON THE DOOR AND SUE GOES TO ANSWER IT.
THE WITCH THEN ASKS FOR SOME PIE OR CAKE OR SOMETHING, AND SUE BRINGS
SOME TO HER, PRETENDING TO BE HOLDING IT IN HER HANDS. THE WITCH
THEN HITS SUES HANDS AND SAYS:
I DON'T WANT THE PIE, I WANT YOU, AND GRABS HER
AND TAKES HER TO THE WITCH'S HOUSE. THEN THE MOTHER COMES HOME AND
STARTS COUNTING HER CHILDREN, 1,2,3,4,5,6?6? WHERES 6? WHERES SUE?
SO THE MOTHER GOES TO THE WITCH'S HOUSE AND ASKS THE WITCH IF SHE
HAS SEEN SUE. THE WITCH ANSWERS THAT I THINK I SAW HER ON (AND SHE
MAKES UP THE NAME OF A STREET SUCH AS BANANA PEEL STREET), SO THEN
THE MOTHER GOES DOWN BANANA PEEL STREET, SLIPPING ON BANANA PEELS,
AND DOESN'T FIND SUE, SO SHE GOES BACK HOME. THEN SHE STARTS WITH
I'M GOING DOWNTOWN,
ALL OVER AGAIN UNTIL ALL THE CHILDREN ARE TAKEN
BY THE WITCH. SHE KEEPS SENDING MOM DOWN DIFFERENT STREETS SUCH AS
NAIL STREET, FIRE STREET, AND HOT FUDGE STREET,
UNTIL THERE ARE NO MORE
CHILDREN TO GO HOME TO. SO SHE GOES BACK TO THE WITCH'S HOUSE AND
ASKS IF SHE COULD COME IN. THE WITCH SAYS YES BUT FIRST, YOUR FEET
ARE DIRTY, SO YOU MUST CUT THEM OFF. SO THE MOTHER CUTS OFF HER FEET.
THEN THE WITCH SAYS, YOU WILL GET BLOOD ALL OVER MY CARPET, WIPE OFF
THE BLOOD. SO THE MOTHER WIPES OFF THE BLOOD AND IS ALLOWED TO GO
IN THE HOUSE. ALL THE CHILDREN ARE LINED UP TOGETHER WITH THEIR
HANDS OUT, PALMS UP. THE MOTHER SAYS, WHAT A BEAUTIFUL PIANO, MAY
I PLAY IT? THE WITCH SAYS, HERE, I WILL PLAY IT FOR YOU. AND SHE HITS
THE HANDS, AND THE CHILD WHO BELONGS TO THE HAND THAT IS HIT SAYS A
NOTE, (DO, RE, MI, ETC,) THEN THE MOTHER SAYS, I WANT TO PLAY IT AND
WHEN SHE HITS THE HANDS, THE CHILDREN REPLY, MAMA, MAMA, AND THE
MOTHER SAYS, MY CHILDREN, AND THEY ALL RUN HOME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Dramatic |
Date learned: CA00001960
WHEN PLAYING CARDS, NEVER ALLOW A PERSON TO STAND
OVER YOU AND LOOK AT YOUR CARDS, YOU WILL NEVER
WIN.
Submitter comment: FROM FRIENDS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY ; Lansing
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 10-21-1967
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POLISH JOKE
Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.
THIS POLACK GOES TO A LUMBERYARD AND SAYS, "I WANT TO
BUY SOME WOOD."
"HOW LONG DO YOU WANT IT?" THEN ASKS THE OWNER.
"FOR A LONG TIME," REPLIES THE POLACK, "I'M BUILDING
A GARAGE."
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT HEARD IT FROM A FRIEND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY ; Lansing
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Stupid man or woman |
Date learned: 00001967 FALL
CUSTOM
IT IS A CUSTOM IN OUR FAMILY TO GIVE THE FIR'ST SON HIS FATHERS
NAME AS A MIDDLE NAME, SUCH AS JOHN--EDWARD JOHN--KEITH EDWARD.
Submitter comment:
I AM NOT SURE WHEN THIS CUSTOM ORIGINATED, BUT I CAN TRACE IT BACK
TO 1900.
Where learned: MICHIGAN
| Subject headings: | Person / Nickname |
Date learned: CA00001960
MNENOMIC DEVICE
ARITHMETIC--A RAT IN THE HOUSE, MIGHT EAT THE ICE CREAM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Memory ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- MNEM |
Date learned: 00001960S
LEAVE TAKING FORMULA
AFTER AWHILE, CROCODILE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN
James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMAL
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Speech Speech |
Date learned: 00001960S
LEAVE TAKING REPLY
SAME TO YOU, KANGAROO.
Submitter comment: REPLY TO "SEE YOU LATER, ALLIGATOR."
Where learned: MICHIGAN
James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMAL
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Speech Speech |
Date learned: 00001960S
LEAVE TAKING FORMULA
SEE YOU LATER, ALLIGATOR
Where learned: MICHIGAN
James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMAL
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Speech Speech |
Date learned: 00001960S
BELIEF
DURING DIFFERENT TIMES OF THE YEAR, LITTLE WHITE FLUFFS FLOAT IN
THE AIR. WE CALL THEM SANTA CLAUSES AND IF YOU CATCH ONE AND MAKE
A WISH, THEN LET IT GO, YOUR WISH WILL COME TRUE.
Submitter comment:
I AM NOT SURE WHAT THE LITTLE WHITE FLUFF IS, BUT SOME HAVE SAID IT
COULD BE A COTTONWOOD TREE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Prayer SPEECH -- Folk Name for Plant |
Date learned: 00001960S