Deprecated: The each() function is deprecated. This message will be suppressed on further calls in /var/www/libs/inc/cfa/cfa-search.inc.php on line 473

Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in /var/www/libs/inc/cfa/cfa-item.inc.php on line 327

Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in /var/www/libs/inc/cfa/cfa-item.inc.php on line 327
The James T. Callow Computerized Folkore Archive | University of Detroit Mercy Libraries Back to Top
Top Nav content Site Footer
University Home
James T. Callow Computerized Folklore Archive
search for

Offensive content Filter is ON

Your search for HIGH SCHOOL returned 100 results.

prev | items 51 - 101 | next

THE PUTTING TOGETHER OF THE HANDS AND SLIGHTLY BOWING
FROM THE WAIST--MEANING, "PRAY PLEASE SHUT UP. I'D
LIKE TO SPEAK."

Where learned: BUFFALO ; HIGH SCHOOL ; NEW YORK

Subject headings: 602 Body Parts
SPEECH -- Instructions Directions Silence

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

View just this record

OVER THE BOTTLES

TWO LINES OF MILK BOTTLES, SPACED ABOUT TWO FEET
APART, ARE PLACED ON THE FLOOR SO THAT THE PERSON
STANDS WITH LEGS WIDE APART AND HIS FEET CAN TOUCH
THE MILK BOTTLES. THE PERSON IS THEN BLINDFOLDED AND
TOLD TO STRADDLE THE BOTTLES. THE PERSON BLINDFOLDED
IS A GIRL. THE BOTTLES ARE THEN QUIETLY REMOVED,
WITHOUT HER KNOWLEDGE, AND SHE PROCEEDS TO STRADDLE
THEM ANYWAY. WHEN SHE HAS COME TO THE END OF THE LINE
OF MILK BOTTLES THAT SHOULD BE THERE, A BOY LIES
DOWN ON THE FLOOR WHERE THE MILK BOTTLES WERE, IN THE
MIDDLE OF THE PATH, FACE UP, HOLDING A LIGHTED FLASHLIGHT
IN HIS HAND, SHINING UP. THE BLINDFOLD IS THEN REMOVED
AND THE GIRL TURNS AROUND TO SEE HOW SHE MANAGED TO
GO THROUGH THE LINE WITHOUT KNOCKING ANY BOTTLES
OVER, AND SHE SEES THIS BOY LYING THERE WITH THE
FLASHLIGHT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HIGH SCHOOL ; SAGINAW

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Bodily Activity Song: Game, Pastime, Sport

Date learned: 00-00-1964

View just this record

MYSTERIOUS LIGHT

JUST OUTSIDE OF THE CITY OF SAGINAW, MICHIGAN, IN A
SMALL VILLAGE CALLED SHIELDS, THERE IS A LEGEND OF THE
DISAPPEARING LIGHT. THE STORY GOES THAT OUTSIDE OF
SHIELDS CITY LIMITS, IN THE FORESTS THERE IS A LIGHT
WHICH APPEARS FROM A SMALL HILL IRREGULARLY. NO ONE TO
THIS DAY HAS BEEN ABLE TO ISOLATE WHERE THE LIGHT IS
COMING FROM OR WHO CAUSES IT. PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY HIGH
SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN, HAVE TRIED TO FIND THE SOURCE, AND
COME SO FAR AS TO CAPTURE IT BETWEEN TWO CARS. WHEN
THE CARS CREPT TOGETHER, HOWEVER, THE LIGHT DISAPPEARED
AND BOTH CARS HAD ELECTRICAL SHORTAGES. EVEN PROFESSIONAL
ELECTRICIANS HAVE COMBED THE COUNTRYSIDE BUT TO NO GOOD
SO FAR. PEOPLE IN AND AROUND THE CITY OF SAGINAW STILL
TRAVEL OUT ON THE HOPE OF SEEING THE MYSTERIOUS LIGHT.

Submitter comment: THIS LEGEND WAS TOLD TO ME AT ST. STEPHEN HIGH SCHOOL,
SAGINAW, MICHIGAN, BY SEVERAL DIFFERENT INFORMANTS
IN 1969.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW ; SAINT STEPHEN HIGH SCHOOL

Keyword(s): PHANTOM LIGHT

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Legend

Date learned: 00-00-1969

View just this record

MYSTERIOUS LIGHT

JUST OUTSIDE OF THE CITY OF SAGINAW, MICHIGAN, IN A
SMALL VILLAGE CALLED SHIELDS, THERE IS A LEGEND OF THE
DISAPPEARING LIGHT. THE STORY GOES THAT OUTSIDE OF
SHIELDS CITY LIMITS, IN THE FORESTS THERE IS A LIGHT
WHICH APPEARS FROM A SMALL HILL IRREGULARLY. NO ONE TO
THIS DAY HAS BEEN ABLE TO ISOLATE WHERE THE LIGHT IS
COMING FROM OR WHO CAUSES IT. PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY HIGH
SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN, HAVE TRIED TO FIND THE SOURCE, AND
COME SO FAR AS TO CAPTURE IT BETWEEN TWO CARS. WHEN
THE CARS CREPT TOGETHER, HOWEVER, THE LIGHT DISAPPEARED
AND BOTH CARS HAD ELECTRICAL SHORTAGES. EVEN PROFESSIONAL
ELECTRICIANS HAVE COMBED THE COUNTRYSIDE BUT TO NO GOOD
SO FAR. PEOPLE IN AND AROUND THE CITY OF SAGINAW STILL
TRAVEL OUT ON THE HOPE OF SEEING THE MYSTERIOUS LIGHT.

Submitter comment: THIS LEGEND WAS TOLD TO ME AT ST. STEPHEN HIGH SCHOOL,
SAGINAW, MICHIGAN, BY SEVERAL DIFFERENT INFORMANTS
IN 1969.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW ; SAINT STEPHEN HIGH SCHOOL

Keyword(s): PHANTOM LIGHT

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Legend

Date learned: 00-00-1969

View just this record

FUDGE, FUDGE CALL THE JUDGE, / MA'S GONNA HAVE A BABY./ IT'S NOT A
GIRL, IT'S NOT A BOY,/ IT'S JUST AN ORDINARY BABY./ WRAP IT UP IN
TISSUE PAPER/ AND SEND IT UP THE ELEVATOR. 1,2,3, ETC.

Where learned: SAINT STANISLAUS HIGH SCHOOL

Keyword(s): CHARACTER ; ENDURANCE ; Jump

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

Date learned: 12-03-1967

View just this record

CINDERELLA DRESSED IN YELLOW WENT UPSTAIRS TO KISS A FELLOW. 1,2,3, ETC.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; ST. STANISLAUS HIGH SCHOOL

Keyword(s): CHARACTER ; ENDURANCE JUMP

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

Date learned: 12-03-1967

View just this record

DING-DONGS

WHAT IS GREEN AND GOES DING-DONG?
I DON'T KNOW
A GREEN DING-DONG
WHAT IS RED AND GOES DING-DONG?
I DON@T KNOW-RED DING-DONG, MAYBE?
NO STUPID} A FIRE ENGINE

Submitter comment: FIRST HEARD AT MERCY HIGH SCHOOL ABOUT 1959

Where learned: DETROIT ; MERCY HIGH SCHOOL

Keyword(s): COLOR ; VEHICLE TRANSPORTATION

Subject headings: RIDDLE -- Riddle Question

Date learned: CA00001959

View just this record

I AM NO POET,
I HAVE NO FAME,
BUT JUST THE SAME,
I'LL SIGN MY NAME.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HIGH SCHOOL ; DETROIT ; SAINT CYRIL

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Announcing a signature

Date learned: 00-00-1962

View just this record

SOMETIMES I'M NAUGHTY,
SOMETIMES I'M NICE,
BUT JUST TO BE NAUGHTY,
I'LL SIGN MY NAME TWICE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HIGH SCHOOL ; DETROIT ; SAINT CYRIL

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Announcing a signature

View just this record

PUT A PIECE OF WEDDING CAKE UNDER YOUR PILLOW (I THINK IT ONLY
WORKS FOR GIRLS) AND SHE WILL DREAM OF HER FUTURE HUSBAND.

Where learned: ALABAMA ; BIRMINGHAM ; SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

Subject headings: 862 Use of object for determining future spouse
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Wedding cake
BELIEF -- Dreams Dreams about friends and lovers

View just this record

THE PRESERVED TONGUE

ONE OF HIS (FATHER PLANCK'S) FORMER STUDENTS WAS MAKING OUT WITH
HIS GIRL FRIEND AND THEY STARTED FRENCHING. THERE WAS A SUDDEN
NOISE AND WHEN THE GIRL JUMPED, SHE BIT HER BOY FRIEND'S TONGUE
OFF. FATHER PLAN; THEN PRODUCED THE TONGUE, OR WHAT LOOKED LIKE
THE TONGUE, IN A JAR OF ALCOHOL. "LET THIS BE A LESSON TO YOU
BOYS," HE WOULD THEN PROCLAIM.

Submitter comment: FATHER PLANCK OF ST. XAVIER HIGH SCHOOL IN LOUISVILLE USED TO TELL
THIS STORY TO HIS BIOLOGY CLASSES.

Where learned: KENTUCKY ; UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY ; LOUISVILLE ; SAINT XAVIER HIGH SCHOOL

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Body part Senses Mouth, teeth, lips, tongue
BELIEF -- Marriage

Date learned: 10-00-1968

View just this record

HOPE DEFERRED MAKETH THE HEART SAD.

Where learned: DETROIT, ASSUMED ; MACKENZIE HIGH SCHOOL

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim

Date learned: 10-12-1965

View just this record

AN HONEST MAN IS NEITHER AFRAID OF THE LIGHT NOR THE DARK.

Where learned: DETROIT, ASSUMED ; MACKENZIE HIGH SCHOOL

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

Date learned: 10-12-1965

View just this record

ONE TIME, A FRIEND OF MINE WENT OVER TO THE SHRINE
AT LOURDES, AND HE DOUBTED THE STORY OF THE BLESSED
VIRGIN'S APPARITION. SO WHILE HE WAS PRAYING AT
THE SHRINE, HE ASKED TO SEE A LITTLE GIRL TWELVE
YEARS OLD IN A WHITE DRESS HAND HIM A RED ROSE, AND
THEN HE WOULD BELIEVE. SO, AS HE WAS WALKING OUT,
HE SAW A LITTLE GIRL IN A RED DRESS, AND SHE HANDED
HIM A RED ROSE. SO THEN HE ASKED HER HOW OLD SHE
WAS, AND SHE SAID, "TWELVE."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT HIGH SCHOOL ; HISTORY CLASS

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal P477.13

Date learned: 00001968 FALL

View just this record

Content filter on this entry.

IN HIGH SCHOOL IN BIRMINGHAM, MICHIGAN, WE BELIEVED
SOMEONE "QUEER" (HOMOSEXUAL) IF HE CROSSED HIS
LEGS AT THE KNEE (LEAVING NO GAP BETWEEN HIS LEGS
IN HIS LAP), OR IF HIS LITTLE FINGER WAS HELD RIGID WHILE
HOLDING ONTO A CUP OF COFFEE, TEA, ETC.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HIGH SCHOOL ; BIRMINGHAM

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School
BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications
SPEECH -- Homosexuality

Date learned: 12-00-1971

View just this record

WE HAD A CUSTOM IN HIGH SCHOOL THAT BY PINCHING A PATTERN
INTO A DRINKING STRAW (FROM TOP TO BOTTOM) AND ALTERNATING
SAYING "HE LOVES ME, HE LOVES ME NOT," ONE COULD FIND
OUT THE TRUE STATE OF THEIR LOVE LIFE.

Where learned: ALABAMA ; HIGH SCHOOL ; BIRMINGHAM

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Marriage
BELIEF -- Use of Object
SPEECH -- Formula

View just this record

APPLE DIVINATION

BEFORE EATING AN APPLE, RECITE THE ALPHABET WHILE TWISTING THE
APPLE STEM, ONE TWIST PER LETTER. WHEN THE STEM BREAKS, THE LETTER
PRONOUNCED IS THE INITIAL OF THE FIRST NAME OF THE PERSON YOU
ARE GOING TO MARRY.

Submitter comment: I PERSONALLY FIND THIS RIDICULOUS. YET THE INFORMANT IS ENGAGED--

Where learned: MISSOURI ; BISHOP LEBLOND HIGH SCHOOL ; SAINT JOSEPH

Subject headings: Food Drink -- Plant food Fruit
BELIEF -- Plant
BELIEF -- Use of Object

View just this record

LEONARD QUICKBEAR

WHEN I WAS COACHING THE HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL TEAM AT THE ST.
FRANCIS MISSION ON THE SIOUX INDIAN RESERVATION IN SOUTH DAKOTA,
OUR STAR PLAYER WAS AN INDIAN BY THE NAME OF LEONARD QUICKBEAR.
HE WAS ONLY ABOUT 5' 7", BUT HE COULD TOUCH THE RIM OF THE BASKET.
EVERYONE ON THE TEAM WAS EXCEPTIONALLY QUICK, SO I USED TO GIVE
THEM A REAL PASSING WORKOUT. WHEN THEY GOT THE BALL MOVING AROUND
AS FAST AS I'D EVER SEEN A HIGH SCHOOL TEAM MOVE IT, I TOLD THEM
THEY LOOKED LIKE TIRED 8TH GRADERS. I KEPT YELLING AT THEM, AND
THEY FINALLY GOT THE BALL MOVING AROUND TEN TIMES AS FAST AS
BEFORE.
LEONARD'S BEST SHOT WAS FROM RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE BENCH. HE'D
TURN WITH HIS BACK TO THE BASKET, STANDING RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE
BENCH, AND FLIP THE BALL BACKWARDS OVER HIS HEAD. IT WENT IN
ABOUT 80 PERCENT OF THE TIME.
WELL, WE WON THE STATE HIGH SCHOOL TOURNAMENT THAT YEAR, AND THEN
WE CHALLENGED THE HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS TO A GAME. YOU KNOW HOW
THEY ALWAYS FOOL AROUND AND PLAY TRICKS DURING A GAME. WELL, THEY
BEAT US BY THREE OR FIVE POINTS, AND THEY NEVER GOT FAR ENOUGH
AHEAD TO TRY ANY TRICKS.
AFTER LEONARD GOT OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL, HE FORMED A TEAM SIMILAR TO
THE GLOBETROTTERS. THEY WERE PLAYING AT OLYMPIA ONE NIGHT. BY
THIS TIME, MY WIFE AND I HAD MOVED TO DETROIT, SO WE DECIDED TO GO
DOWN AND SEE THEM PLAY. THE SIGN OUT IN FRONT OF OLYMPIA READ,
"LEONARD QUICKBEAR & HIS SIOUX INDIANS." WELL, THAT WAS IN THE
DAYS WHEN, DURING HOCKEY SEASON, THEY'D PUT THE BASKETBALL FLOOR
RIGHT OVER THE ICE. AS THE TEAMS CAME OUT, I DIDN'T SEE LEONARD.
SO FINALLY I JUMPED RIGHT UP, RAN DOWN, JUMPED OVER THE RETAINING
WALL, AND THEN I SLIPPED ON THE ICE. FINALLY I GOT UP AND RAN
OVER TO ONE OF THE INDIANS AND ASKED HIM WHERE LEONARD WAS.
"OH," HE SAID, "WE LEFT HIM IN CHICAGO."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT HIGH SCHOOL ; HISTORY CLASS

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School

View just this record

SHOOTING A HAT

I WAS HUNTING IN THE LOWER PENINSULA OF MICHIGAN WITH A GROUP OF
FOUR OTHER MEN. WE LINED UP FIFTY YARDS FROM EACH OTHER AND
WALKED DUE NORTH. WE SAW A RUSTLING IN THE LEAVES. I WENT UP
TO THE SPOT AND SHOT, AND THEN A HAT CAME FLYING OUT OF THE
LEAVES. I'D HIT ONE OF MY COMPANIONS WHO HAD STRAYED OFF. SO
NOW I REFUSE TO HUNT IN THE LOWER PENINSULA, BECAUSE THERE ARE
TOO MANY HUNTERS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT HIGH SCHOOL ; HISTORY CLASS

Keyword(s): CROWDED CONDITIONS

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

Date learned: 09-00-1968

View just this record

CENTIPEDES ARE POISONOUS

I WAS GOING THROUGH TEXAS AND I SAW A MASS OF LITTLE BROWN THINGS
IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THEY WERE, BUT THEY
LOOKED A LITTLE LIKE CHOCOLATE BARS WITH LEGS. I DIDN'T KNOW
THEY WERE POISONOUS THEN, SO I PICKED UP ONE AND HELD IT IN MY
HAND FOR A FEW SECONDS, BUT IT DIDN'T DO ANYTHING TO ME.
THEN WHEN I GOT A LITTLE FARTHER ON DOWN THE ROAD AT THE NEXT
GAS STATION, I ASKED THE ATTENDANT WHAT THE LITTLE CREATURES WERE,
BECAUSE I KNEW THEY WEREN'T CHOCOLATE BARS. THE ATTENDANT TOLD ME
THEY WERE POISONOUS, SO AFTER THAT I DIDN'T PICK UP ANY MORE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT HIGH SCHOOL ; HISTORY CLASS

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank

Date learned: 09-00-1968

View just this record

prev | items 51 - 101 | next

Back to Top