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REAL ESTATE VOCABULARY

REAL ESTATE TERM FOR PEOPLE WHO LIKE TO VISIT OPEN HOUSES OF SUNDAY,
50 YRS. + MOSTLY HOSTILE, BECAUSE REAL ESTATE PEOPLE WASTE BUSINESS
TIME ON USELESS CLIENTS. "SUNDAY SHOPPERS"

Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Trade & commerce

Date learned: 00-00-1968

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HOLY WEEK CUSTOM

IF YOU STAND PERFECTLY STILL DURING THE READING OF THE GOSPEL
ON PALM SUNDAY, YOU GET PLENARY INDULGENCE

Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO

Keyword(s): RELIGIOUS CUSTOM

Subject headings: 663 Palm Sunday
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Tuesday

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Toast

An Irish Toast:

may you be in Heaven a half hour b'fore th' Divil knows you're dead.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Where learned: ILLINOIS ; Conroy, Mr M E ; CHICAGO

Keyword(s): Dead ; DEVIL ; ETHNIC ; HEAVEN ; Irish ; Social ; TOAST

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Speech Speech
SPEECH -- Formula

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Ethnic:Polish Superstition

IF A YOUNG GIRL SINGS AT THE TABLE, SHE WILL MARRY A CRAZY HUSBAND.

Submitter comment:

INFORMANT IS A FRIEND OF MINE WHO REMEMBERS THIS FROM HER CHILDHOOD.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO

Keyword(s): CUSTOM ; ETHNIC ; HUSBAND ; MANNERS ; Omen, Singing ; POLISH ; SUPERSTITION ; TABLE MANNERS

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

Date learned: 02-00-1971

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AUTOGRAPH BOOK VERSE

THE SMALLER THE TREE
THE TIGHTER THE BARK
THE YOUNGER THE COUPLE
THE MORE THEY SPARK.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; 16436 W CHICAGO

Keyword(s): COURTSHIP ; RHYME: ABCB

James Callow Keyword(s): SLANG: SPARKING FOR KISSING AND HUGGING

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Humorous allusion to love

Date learned: 11-05-1967

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AUTOGRAPH BOOK VERSE

AS SURE AS THE VINE GROWS 'ROUND THE STUMP
YOU'LL BE MY SUGAR LUMP.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; 16436 W CHICAGO

Keyword(s): LOVE ; PROMISE ; RHYMING COUPLET

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Humorous allusion to love

Date learned: 11-05-1967

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CURE FOR WARTS

IF YOU HAVE A WART ON YOUR BODY, YOU MUST DO THE FOLLOWING:
A) CUT AN ONION IN HALF
B) RUB THE ONION ON THE WART
C) BURY THE ONION OUTSIDE SOMEWHERE
IF THIS PROCEDURE IS FOLLOWED CORRECTLY, THE WART WILL DISAPPEAR IN
A FEW DAYS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO ; CAMPUS

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Body part Senses Specific distinguishing characteristic Dimple, wart, mole, scar, freckle, birthmark, strawberry mark, bruise, spot (on any part of body)
BELIEF -- Plant
BELIEF -- Method of Curing

Date learned: 11-00-1973

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CURE FOR HEADACHES

IF YOU HAVE A HEADACHE OR A BUMP ON YOUR HEAD, IN ORDER TO STOP THE
PAIN OR SWELLING, YOU MUST DO THE FOLLOWING FIVE STEPS:
1) GET SOME POTATOES
2) CUT THEM IN HALVES
3) CUT THEM IN QUARTERS
4) PUT THEM IN A TOWEL
5) WRAP THE TOWEL AROUND YOUR HEAD, OR AROUND THE BUMP

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO ; CAMPUS

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Body part Senses Head, physiognomy, face
BELIEF -- Plant
BELIEF -- Method of Curing

Date learned: 10-00-1973

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BELIEF

IF YOU GO SWIMMING IN THE OCEAN, OR ANY OTHER LARGE BODY OF WATER ON
HOLY THURSDAY, YOU WILL TURN INTO A FISH.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO ; CAMPUS

Subject headings: 663 Holy Thursday
Favorites
BELIEF -- Fish
BELIEF -- Still water Large body.

Date learned: 10-00-1973

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FIRE ESCAPE COUNTERWEIGHTS

THERE IS AN OLD CUSTOM IN CHICAGO OF ELABORATELY DESIGNING THE
COUNTERWEIGHTS ON THE LAST SECTION OF A FIRE ESCAPE (THAT PORTION
OF THE ESCAPE THAT KEEPS THE LAST SECTION RAISED), THESE WEIGHTS
ARE CAST IRON AND THE CASTINGS HAVE INTRICATE DESIGNS OF LETTERS OR
FIGURES. THIS CUSTOM SHOWS UP ON SOME FAIRLY
OLD BUILDINGS I'VE
SEEN SOME FROM THE 20S), HOWEVER, THE NEWER BUILDINGS HAVE DIFFERENT
FIRE ESCAPE SYSTEMS SO IT'S NOT DONE ANYMORE.

Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO

Subject headings: ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- M 84

Date learned: 00001960S

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RUN MY GOOD SHEEP RUN

PLAYERS FOR THIS GAME ARE DIVIDED INTO TWO TEAMS, EACH WITH A CAPTAIN
(ABOUT EIGHT PLAYERS ARE NEEDED). EACH TEAM MEETS AND DETERMINES A
THREE-WORD CODE, (USUALLY COLORS), 1 STANDING FOR FAR AWAY, 1 FOR
COMING CLOSER AND ONE FOR VERY CLOSE. ONE TEAM IS THEN PICKED TO
HIDE AND THEIR CAPTAIN HIDES THEM, THEN COMES BACK TO THE OTHER TEAM
WHO ARE THE SEARCHERS. HE ACCOMPANIES THEM WHILE THEY LOOK FOR HIS
SHEEP (TEAM). WHILE THEY ARE SEARCHING HE CALLS OUT THE CODE WORDS
TO INFORM HIS TEAM OF THEIR PROGRESS. HE CAN ALSO CALL OUT OTHER
WORDS TO CONFUSE THE SEARCH TEAM. WHEN FINALLY THEY GET VERY CLOSE
TO HIS TEAM AND COULD SEE THEM FROM WHERE THEY ARE, HE CALLS RUN MY
GOOD SHEEP RUN AND BOTH TEAMS RACE BACK TO THE STARTING POINT. THE
FIRST TEAM (IN THE FORM OF ANY MEMBER) TO REACH THAT POINT WINS.
THE TEAMS THEN EXCHANGE ROLES AND A RUNNING SCORE IS KEPT.

Submitter comment: I LEARNED THIS GAME FROM MY PARENTS WHO PLAYED IT ON THE WEST SIDE
OF CHICAGO IN THE 1930S.

Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO ; WESTCHESTER

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Racing Chasing Fighting

Date learned: CA00001960

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CRACKS

STEP OVER A CRACK AND YOU'LL BREAK THE DEVIL'S DISHES.

Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Devil Demon

Date learned: 00-00-1968

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TURKEY-DAY

THERE IS A CUSTOM IN AMERICA IN WHICH THE PRIMARY FOOD ON
THANKSGIVING IS TURKEY. IT IS BELIEVED THAT WHEN THE PILGRIMS
CELEBRATED THE FIRST THANKSGIVING, THE INDIANS GAVE THEM TURKEY
TO EAT, AND IT HAS CARRIED OVER.

Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Autumn Fall Harvest Thanksgiving

Date learned: 00-00-1955

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GOOD CORN

"KNEE HIGH BY THE FOURTH OF JULY" MEANS THE CORN CROP IS DOING
WELL.

Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO

Subject headings: Observation

Date learned: 00-00-1962

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ITCHING EYES

IF YOUR LEFT EYE ITCHES, YOU'LL CRY. IF YOUR RIGHT EYE ITCHES,
YOU'LL LAUGH.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT IS A FRIEND OF MINE WHO REMEMBERS THIS FROM HER CHILDHOOD.

Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO

Subject headings: Observation

Date learned: 02-00-1971

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BLACK BIRD

IF A BLACK BIRD FLIES INTO THE HOUSE, IT MEANS THAT SOMEONE IS
GOING TO DIE.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT IS MY GRANDMOTHER, AND THIS IS APPARENTLY A CHILDHOOD
BELIEF.

Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO

Subject headings: Observation

Date learned: 00-00-1971

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UNEXPECTED GUESTS

WHEN EATING A MEAL, IF YOU SHOULD TAKE A SECOND PIECE OF BREAD BEFORE
FINISHING THE FIRST, IT IS AN INDICATION THAT A STRANGER WILL BE
COMING TO THE HOUSE.

Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO

Subject headings: Observation

Date learned: 00-00-1960

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MORE VISITORS

IF YOU DROP A KNIFE, A MAN IS COMING TO VISIT YOUR HOUSE. IF YOU DROP
A FORK OR A SPOON, THE VISITOR WILL BE A WOMAN.

Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO

Subject headings: Observation

Date learned: 00-00-1963

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CHARM

THE ACORN MADE OF TIN OR COPPER.
IT HAD ONCE BEEN THE CUSTOM FOR PEOPLE TO CARRY A DRIED
ACORN FOR SUSTAINING YOUTHFULNESS AND VIGOR.
NOW IT IS SUPPOSED TO MAKE A WAYWARD LOVER RETURN
TO HIS OR HER COMPANION.

Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO

Subject headings: Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration

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GOOD NIGHT

GOOD NIGHT, SLEEP TIGHT.
DON'T LET THE BED BUGS BITE.
IF THEY DO, PUT THEM IN A STEW
AND GET UP AND EAT THEM AT HALF PAST TWO.

Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO

Keyword(s): FOOD ; GORE ; INSECTS ; INTERNAL RHYME ( TWO PAIRS) ; RHYME: AABB

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief

Date learned: 00-00-1955

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