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IT IS BAD LUCK TO WASH CLOTHES AFTER DARK.
Where learned: TRENTON ; TENNESSEE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 06-23-1973
ARMENIAN CUSTOM
IT IS AN ARMENIAN CUSTOM THAT WHEN A CHILD IS BORN, NO
MATTER WHAT THE SEX OF THE CHILD IS, IT IS NECESSARY
TO PLACE ANY KIND OF BLUE OBJECT ON THE BABY OR NEAR
THE BABY. THIS OBJECT, FOR AN EXAMPLE, COULD BE A
BEAD OR A BUTTON. IT IS THEN BELIEVED THAT THIS OBJECT
WILL KEEP ALL EVIL, SUCH AS SICKNESS, AWAY FROM THE BABY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; WALSH COLLEGE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Color |
Date learned: 03-31-1970
NEVER START A JOB ON FRIDAY THAT YOU CANNOT FINISH; IT WILL
BRING YOU BAD LUCK.
Where learned: TRENTON ; TENNESSEE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 06-23-1973
SUPERSTITION
OWLS ARE BAD LUCK. IF YOU SEE ONE, OR IF ONE FLIES OVER YOU, YOU'LL
GET BAD LUCK FOR A WEEK. IF YOU'RE WALKING, YOU'LL FALL. IF YOU'RE
WRITING, YOU'LL MAKE MISTAKE; IF YOU DRIVE CAR, YOU'LL MAKE ACCIDENT.
Submitter comment: HE LEARNED THIS SUPERSTITION FROM HIS FAMILY AND BELIEVES IN IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; COLLECTORS HOME
James Callow Keyword(s): PALESTINIAN INFORMANT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Week Day Hour BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
IF THE PALM OF YOUR LEFT HAND ITCHES, YOU WILL HAVE VISITORS.
Where learned: TRENTON ; TENNESSEE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 06-23-1973
GIRL IN THE GLASS COFFIN AT N.D.U.
INCLOSED IN A GLASS COFFIN UNDER ONE OF THE ALTARS AT
SACRED HEART CHURCH ON THE CAMPUS OF NOTRE DAME
UNIVERSITY, NOTRE DAME, INDIANA, IS THE BODY OF A
GIRL ABOUT TWELVE YEARS OF AGE. SHE IS CLOTHED IN
WHITE AND HAS A NOTICEABLE MARK ON HER THROAT.
SHE WAS A GIRL WHO BECAME A CATHOLIC AGAINST HER
FATHER'S WISHES, AND TOOK INSTRUCTIONS FOR FIRST
COMMUNION UNBEKNOWNST TO HIM. ON THE DAY SHE
RECEIVED HER FIRST COMMUNION, HER FATHER RAN INTO
THE CHURCH AND, AS SHE TURNED FROM THE RAIL AFTER
RECEIVING COMMUNION, HE STABBED HER IN THE THROAT
AND SHE DIED IMMEDIATELY.
THAT IS WHY SHE HAS THE MARK ON HER THROAT, AND WHY
SHE IS CLOTHED IN HER FIRST COMMUNION OUTFIT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; INDIANA ; BIRMINGHAM ; NOTRE DAME
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 01-22-1968
THE GIANT'S CAUSEWAY
THERE WAS AN IRISHMAN NAMED FINN MC COUL--HE WAS A GIANT OF A
MAN--WHO USED TO SHOUT ACROSS THE IRISH SEA TO A SCOTSMAN, DARING
HIM TO FIGHT. ONE DAY HE TOLD THE SCOTSMAN TO COME ACROSS AND
HE'D REALLY GIVE HIM A GOOD FIGHT. THE SCOTSMAN SAID HE WOULD,
BUT HE COULDN'T SWIM. SO FINN MADE A STONE CAUSEWAY ACROSS THE
IRISH SEA AND THE SCOTSMAN CAME OVER. FINN BEAT HIM, OF COURSE.
Submitter comment:
THIS CAUSEWAY REALLY EXISTS. THERE IS A PATH OF HUGE STONES
JUTTING OUT INTO THE IRISH SEA, BUT NOT COMPLETELY CROSSING IT
AND IT IS CALLED "GIANT'S CAUSEWAY."
MRS. MC CLOSKEY HEARD THIS STORY IN BELFAST, IRELAND ABOUT 1915.
Where learned: IRELAND ; BELFAST
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Abnormal in size PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formation PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Yugoslavian Wedding
Each side has 14 people standing up in the wedding.
No one in the wedding party can be married, except
for the maid of honor.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UTICA
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage BELIEF -- Number P686.1.14 |
Date learned: 11-16-1990
REVERSE BUZZ
THIS IS A VARIATION ON THE FAMILIAR NUMBER GAME, BUZZ,
IN WHICH A GROUP OF PEOPLE TAKE TURNS COUNTING,
SAYING "BUZZ" IN PLACE OF EVERY NUMBER CONTAINING A
7 OR DIVISIBLE BY 7. THIS VARIATION IS USED AS A
DRINKING GAME, AND THE COUNTING GOES AROUND A TABLE
OF DRINKERS. HOWEVER, EACH TIME "BUZZ" IS SAID THE
DIRECTION OF COUNTING REVERSES ITSELF AND GOES BACK
AROUND THE TABLE IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. THIS
LEADS TO GREAT CONFUSION, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE PLAYERS
ARE A LITTLE HIGH, AND PARTICULARLY AT SPOTS LIKE 27-28,
WHERE TWO BUZZES OCCUR IN A ROW. THE FIRST PERSON
TO MAKE A MISTAKE MUST TAKE A GENEROUS DRINK OF BEER
AND BEGIN COUNTING AT ONE AGAIN.
Where learned: CALIFORNIA ; MARINES ; SAN DIEGO
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Memory |
Date learned: 09-00-1970
THIS IS A STORY ABOUT A WATER-SKIER WHO FELL WHILE SKIING
AND BECAME TANGLED IN THE SEAWEED. BY THE TIME THE BOAT
HAD TURNED AROUND AND REACHED THE SKIER, THE PERSON HAD
ALREADY DROWNED.
I HEARD THIS WHEN I WAS LITTLE AND DO NOT KNOW IF IT IS
TRUE OR NOT. I THINK IT SERVES AS A WARNING TO WATER-
SKIERS TO WATCH OUT FOR SEAWEEK. BEING A WATER-SKIER,
I KNOW THAT IT IS EASY TO BECOME TANGLED IN SEAWEED, BUT
IT IS EASY TO PULL IT OUT IF ONE IS BADLY TANGLED,
DROWNING WOULD NOT BE THAT EASY. BUT KNOWING THE STORY
EVERYTIME I HAVE FALLEN IN SEAWEED, IT SENDS CHILLS
THROUGH ME.
Where learned: HARPER WOODS ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): ACCIDENTAL DROWNING
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
BULL IN THE RING (OR RINGER)
YOU WOULD PUT MARBLES IN A CIRCLE, ABOUT A TEN FOOT
CIRCLE. YOU WOULD HAVE TO SHOOT WITH ANOTHER
MARBLE FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE CIRCLE AND THOSE
THAT WENT OUTSIDE THE CIRCLE WERE YOURS.
Submitter comment: PLAYED WHEN SHE WAS A GIRL IN GLOUCESTER, OHIO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; OHIO ; DETROIT ; GLOUCESTER
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement C560.12 |
Date learned: 05-11-1965 ; CHILDHOOD
IF THE PALM OF YOUR RIGHT HAND ITCHES, YOU WILL MEET A NICE
PERSON.
Where learned: TRENTON ; TENNESSEE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 06-23-1973
COLONEL TALBOT
A SETTLER NAMED COLONEL TALBOT CAME TO THE AREA KNOWN AS ST.
THOMAS, ONTARIO, CANADA. HE PLANTED A CROP BUT DUE TO DROUGHT,
THE HARVEST FAILED. HE WAS IN DEBT TO MANY PEOPLE "UP TO HIS
EYEBALLS." HE DECIDED TO STAY FOR A YEAR. HIS CROP WAS SUCCESS-
FUL. HE THEN STAYED YEAR AFTER YEAR. THE MAIN STREET IN ST.
THOMAS IS NAMED TALBOT STREET AFTER COLONEL TALBOT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; 14973 EDMORE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name BELIEF -- Plant husbandry Farming |
Date learned: 02-15-1970
IF YOU SEE A WHITE HORSE, MAKE A CROSS IN THE PALM OF YOUR HAND
AND STAMP IT WITH YOUR FIST; THIS BRINGS GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: TRENTON ; TENNESSEE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 06-23-1973
WAGER
PUT YOUR MONEY WHERE YOUR MOUTH IS.
Where learned: BIRMINGHAM ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 11-00-1968
TRUE FRIENDS ARE LIKE DIAMONDS
SO PRECIOUS AND RARE
FALSE ONES ARE LIKE LEAVES
FOUND EVERYWHERE.
Submitter comment:
THIS WOMAN, WHO WISHES TO REMAIN ANONYMOUS, PERMITTED
ME TO COLLECT THESE VERSES FROM HER AUTOGRAPH BOOK.
THE VERSES WERE ENTERED BY HER HIGH SCHOOL CLASS-
MATES IN 1939.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Friendship |
Date learned: 00-00-1939
IF IT RAINS ON YOUR WEDDING DAY, IT MEANS YOU WILL SHED MANY
TEARS.
Where learned: TRENTON ; TENNESSEE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 06-23-1973
IF YOU HAVE A RINGING SOUND IN YOUR EARS, IT MEANS THAT
SOMEONE IN YOUR FAMILY IS GOING TO DIE.
Where learned: TRENTON ; TENNESSEE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 06-23-1973
MARY HAD A LITTLE LAMB,
SHE TIED HIM TO A HEATER,
EVERY TIME HE TURNED AROUND,
HE BURNED HIS LITTLE SEATER.
(SIGNED) SHERRYL WALTERS
James Callow comment: PARODY
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Wisecracks, gags, silly stories, insults |
Date learned: 00-00-1950
IT IS BAD LUCK FOR A RABBIT TO RUN IN FRONT OF YOU.
Where learned: TRENTON ; TENNESSEE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 06-23-1973