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Curing Belief
Use leeches on a sick person to rid him of the illness. This takes out the diseased blood.
Submitter comment:
"Curing Belief" collected at informant's home.
Data entry tech comment:
Motif added by TRD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Zimmeth, Barbara ; 19225 STOTTER
Keyword(s): "NATURAL" REMEDY ; Bloodletting ; CURE ; ILLNESS ; Leaching ; LEECHES ; REMEDY ; REMEDY
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Remedy |
Custom
The family of the deceased attends mass for six consecutive weeks. Each week the family brings fruit, candy, or fruit for the entire parish. At the end of the six week period an entire mass is said in memory of the deceased . The family brings wine, three large raisin breads, fruit, and boiled wheat for the parish. This is done to celebrate the first stage of the deceased's ascention into Heaven. The ritual is repeated at six months to celebrate the second stage. After a person has been dead for a period of one year, the ritual is repeated for the last time. This stage signifies that the deceased has ascended into Heaven.
Submitter comment:
Despite revisions in the Orthodox mass, this custom has been preserved. It is considered an important and beautiful ritual. This custom is so old that no one knows how it exactly originated.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Self ; 20295 Westbrook
Keyword(s): BURIAL ; CUSTOM ; DEATH ; FOOD ; Funeral ; RELIGION ; SYMBOLISM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Nine Times Tables
Easy way to multiply by nine:
1x9=9
2x9=18
3x9=27
4x9=36
5x9=45
6x9=54
7x9=63
8x9=72
9x9=81
Count from one to eight for the first didgits top down, and then again from the bottom up (for the second digits).
Data entry tech comment:
Possible name variations for Collector: Cuisloh, Crisloh, Cisloh
Possible name variations for Informant: Frabiky, Frabilsy, Zrabiky, Zrabilsy
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Frabiky, Carl
Keyword(s): Arithmetic ; Calculation ; Cheat ; COUNTING ; MATHEMATICS ; MULTIPLICATION ; Multiplication Tables ; NUMBERS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Numbers System of counting Calculation |
Belief
If you drop salt on the floor, shake salt over your left shoulder or there will be a catastrophe of fire or disappointment.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Various Boggs number classifications written down and crossed out:
P686
P860 = Use of Object
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Mousseau, Mary
Keyword(s): CATASTROPHE ; DISAPPOINTMENT ; FIRE ; Salt ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: |
Superstition: Academics
Belief:
Don't shave from the time of studying for an exam until the student takes the exam.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [P880] crossed out and F537 is written next to it.
Where learned: SCHOOL ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Myself
Keyword(s): Academics ; BELIEF ; Books ; EDUCATION ; EDUCATION ADVICE ; GROOMING ; jinx ; Shaving ; Studying ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School |
Frogs and Pain
Years ago, people had rainbarrels. They would use the water for many purposes. With this old aunt of mine, she kept frogs in this rainbarrel. (If anyone asks, there were floats of cork in the rainbarrel that the frogs could hop on; they can't stay in the water all the time of they'd drown.) She had a good reason for it, too!
Because she was tiny and worked very hard, she had a weak back. When she would get a severe backache, she would send her son out to the rainbarrel to get a frog. Then her son would put the frog in her girdle. Now, she was tiny and wore a girdle for back support. Wherever the pain was, the frog would go and it would sit right where the pain was. When the frog died, the pain was gone. (It took about 15 minutes for the frog to die.) The frog would take the pain away!
Submitter comment:
[Question by Collector:] How did the frog know where the pain was?
[Answer by Informant:] The frog always goes to where the pain is localized. This never failed to work with her and all her children do the same. Men do the same with a tightly wrapped sheet around their backs in stead of a girdle.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Wahl, Mrs Frank
Keyword(s): ANIMAL CURE ; BACKACHE ; CURE ; FROG ; Girdle ; MEDICAL ; Medicinal ; PAIN ; Pain Remedy
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Animal |
THERE IS A LEGEND THAT SAYS THAT ONE OF THE MOUNTAINS IN
COUNTY SLIGO, IRELAND HAS A LUMP IN THE MIDDLE AND THE PEOPLE
SAY THAT ONE DAY THE DEVIL TOOK A BITE OF THE MOUNTAIN AND SPIT
IT AT CASHEL.
Submitter comment:
KATHY HEARD THIS FROM AN IRISHMAN WHILE HITCH-HIKING FROM CORK
TO LIMERICK IN IRELAND. CASHEL IS A ROCK ABOUT THREE HUNDRED FEET
HIGH WITH A RUIN OF A CASTLE AND CATHEDRAL ON IT. I BELIEVE IT WAS
ONCE THE SEAT OF RELIGIOUS LEADERS BUT AM NOT SURE. I DO NOT KNOW
IF THE MAN WHO TOLD KATHY BELIEVED IT BUT KATHY DOESN'T.
Data entry tech comment:
Additional (non-numbered) Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
[Please make a copy. Label it B472] - handwritten at the bottom of the card.
The original Boggs Number [P400] is crossed out and B425 and B472 are written next to it.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; PARTY ; Bieke, Kathy
Keyword(s): Castle ; Cathedral ; DEVIL ; GEOLOGY ; IRELAND ; IRISH BELIEF ; MOUNTAIN ; NATURE ; Pagan ; RELIGION ; RELIGIOUS LEGEND ; Rock ; Rock Formation
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formation |
Date learned: UNKNOWN
Belief
If you drop salt on the floor, shake salt over your left shoulder or there will be a catastrophe of fire or disappointment.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Various Boggs number classifications written down and crossed out:
P686
P860 = Use of Object
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Mousseau, Mary
Keyword(s): CATASTROPHE ; DISAPPOINTMENT ; FIRE ; Salt ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Conversions P883.17 |
Goblin Story
A few years ago, in the main plant of Valente's Men's Formal Wear, the general manager, Marty Rapp, and David Palm were cleaning out the drainage wells beside the 50 pound washers down in the laundry. These wells are about 3 feet in diameter and 6 feet deep. Marty, being general manager, directed, while Dave did the cleaning. All of a sudden, Dave found himself being pulled into the well. He was waist deep in the murky water before Marty pulled him out by the arm. Maybe it was well that Marty was there directing, far Max, a vile, loathsome creature that lives in the sewers under Valente's had tried to pull Dave down into his submarine lair. For what purpose, no one knows, but it is certain it wouldn't have been pleasant. From then on, people are cautioned not to walkalone in the laundry in the dark.
Submitter comment:
For us at Valente's, Max is something to blame accidents on. Dave didn't really get pulled into the well, Marty pushed him in. Though, if you ask anyone there about Dave falling into the well, you will probably get the version with Max in it, then the real one.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; VALENTES MENS FORMALWEAR ; Palm, David
Keyword(s): FANTASY ; Goblin ; Lore ; Mischief ; OMEN ; SEWER ; Submarine ; SUPERNATURAL ; TRICKSTER ; WATER
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome |
Goats Feet
There was a girl who liked to dance and socialize very often. Her parents objected so she used to sneak out of the house. One day her mother caught her and put a curse on her. If she went out of the house to go dancing again her feet would turn to goat's ffet. She didn't believe her mother. Next time she went out her beau picked her up and off they went. When she went to get out of the car, she looked down and her feet had turned to goat's feet. The moral is: listen to your parents.
Submitter comment:
Polish Tale (Written across the top of the card)
Co - Feet of girl turned into feet of goat when/after she is cursed by her mother for dancing. (written on an attached card that listed motifs. Signed by M. Butzen
Data entry tech comment:
Non-numbered motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original Boggs Number [B600] crossed out and B642 written nest to it.
Collector's note of Polish Tale is crossed out.
Why Polish is written at the bottom of the card, then crossed out and followed by: B. Fagan says this is a Polish FolkTale.
A separate card is attached with motif numbers listed. Bottom of card is signed by an M. Butzen.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Fagan, Bernadette
Keyword(s): Dancing ; DATING ; Fable ; FAMILY ; FEET ; Goat ; Moral ; PARENTAL RESPECT ; PARENTS ; POLISH ; SOCIAL RELATIONS ; Teenager ; YOUTH
James Callow Keyword(s): POLISH
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Magic |
Irish Belief
"It is a known fact," Mr. Faron said, "that every Irishman has his own personal leprechaun that sits on his shoulder and pulls his earlobe every time another Irishman tells him a lie."
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original Boggs Number [B423 (elf) P423] crossed out and P423 is written next to it.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; LITTLEFIELD
Keyword(s): Detection ; EARS ; IRELAND ; Irish ; Leprechaun ; Lie ; Lie Detection
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome |
Yellow Ribbon
This is a story about John and Jane. They lived next door to each other, went to school together, and loved each other very much. John was a normal happy boy and Jane was a happy girl who always wore a yellow ribbon . Jane kept answering "perhaps some day I'll tell you."
Time went by, and John and Jane were engaged. Jane told John she would tell him about the ribbon on their wedding day. On their wedding day, they forgot about the yellow ribbon. Next day, however, John asked why she wore it again. She replied that they were happily married so what difference does it make?
Time went by and it was their golden anniversary and John asked about the ribbon again. Jane asked him to wait a little longer since he has waited so long already. Finally, Jane became very ill and was dying. John asked again to please tell him why she wore the yellow ribbon.
"All right," said Jane. "You can untie it." So John untied the yellow ribbon and Jane's head fell off.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original Boggs Numbers [B600 B642] are crossed outand B667.1 is substituted.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Myself ; St Peter Gdula ; Sister M
Keyword(s): Anniversary ; BEHEADING ; BODY ; CURIOSITY ; Curious ; DEATH ; DECAPITATION ; DYING ; HEAD ; LOVE ; MARRIAGE ; Neighbors ; SECRET ; Yellow Ribbon
| Subject headings: | 6677 Formula Tale |
A teenage couple went out for a drive and the ran out of gas. The boy said he would go for gas; he told the girl not to leave the car because there has been stories of weird happenings in the area. When he returned with the gas, they got ready to leave, but they heard this DRIP! DRIP! DRIP! Finally, they discovered what it was; blood was dripping on the hood of the car.
Submitter comment:
This was an old boy scout story circulating when the informant was a boy scout.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
The word "realistic" is penciled in very lightly nest to the Boggs Number.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Splain, Robert
Keyword(s): DATING ; Drip ; Gas ; Hood ; Scary Stories ; Stranded ; Teenager
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ordinary Tale |
Play on Words
Did you hear about the nearsighted optician who fell into a lens-grinding machine and made a spectacle of himself?
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original Boggs Numbers [W400, B667] crossed out and B660 Substituted.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Walsh, George E Jr ; 6457 Ellsworth
Keyword(s): Anecdote ; HUMOR ; IRONY ; Jest ; Optician ; PUN ; Silly
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Translations, plays on words, symbol writing |
Did you hear about the butcher who backed into a meat cutting machine and got a little behind in his work?
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original Boggs Numbers [W400, B667] are crossed out and B660 is substituted.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Walsh, George E Jr ; 6457 Ellsworth
Keyword(s): Butcher, Meat, Machine ; EUPHEMISM ; Jest, Anecdote, Pun, Joke, Irony ; PARODY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Translations, plays on words, symbol writing |
Play on Words
Sermon Using Names of Soaps and Detergents
Are you SOFT SOAPING God? DUZ you DRIFT along with the TIDE? VEL now is the time to CHEER up. If you want real JOY, the TREND is to BREEZE to church regularly on Sunday mornings. But too many WOODBURY their heads in a pillow and remain in bed or work in their yard to make it sparkle, forgetting that the Lord's Day is made for LESTOIL.
But where the Lord is given foremost consideration a DOVE will never have to send an S.O.S.. Don't trust LUX chances by neglecting our worship together.
Maybe we ought to DIAL you and remind you of those IVORY palaces up yonder. This is not just silly BAB-O. Worship is intended to add to your LIFEBOUY, so why not be faithful and WISK yourself out of bed early Sunday. Dress up SPIC'N'SPAN, DASH like a COMET to God's house of prayer. DRAISE to God, you'll get a wonderful KLENZER for your soul. PLEDGE yourself and PRIDE of conscience will be yours. Life will be full of ZEST.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [B644, B667] crossed out and replaced with S570.
Original title [STORY Using Names of Soaps and Detergents] is modified to read SERMON Using Names of Soaps and Detergents.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; 7625 WESTWOOD ; St Peter Gdula ; Sister M
Keyword(s): ADVERTISING ; Anecdote ; Cleanser ; Consumerism ; Domesticity ; HOME, DOMESTIC PURSUITS ; HOUSECLEANING ; PARODY ; Sermon ; Soap
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Mnemonic Device
When one is having problems spelling the word arithmetic, just remember the sentence: "A Rat In The House May Eat The Ice Cream."
Submitter comment:
Informant's teacher told this to him when he was in third grade in 1956 at St. Francis D'Assisi School in Detroit, MI.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
BN V300 used due to previous entries/classifications using the same mnemonic device.
James Callow comment:
Mnemonic Device; Spelling
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Garland, Joseph ; 5931 LOLA
Keyword(s): Arithmetic ; MATHEMATICS ; MEMORY ; MNEMONIC ; SCHOOL ; SPELLING
James Callow Keyword(s): Mnemonic Device ; SPELLING
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- MNEM PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Caught
Three men: a Catholic, Jew and Protestant; were digging a ditch in front of a house of inequity. They looked up and saw the Rabbi coming down the street. The Rabbi stopped in front of the house, looked both ways and ran up the steps. When this happened the Catholic and Protestant really gave it to the Jew. A little later, the Protestant minister came down the street, stopped in front of the house, looked both ways and ran up the steps. Well now it was the Protestant's turn to be razzed. A little later the three saw a Catholic priest walk up to the front of the house, look both ways and run up the steps. The Catholic man yelled "There must be somebody sick in there!"
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Watson, Hugh
Keyword(s): ALLUSION TO PROSTITUTION ; Catholic ; HUMOR ; Jewish ; JOKE ; PROSTITUTION ; Protestant ; RELIGION
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Content filter on this entry.
Poor Wording
A number of GI's in England during the war decided to hold a horse race to keep up the morale of the base. For some reason they were short of active animals for the event. Now it happened that the local parish priest had a donkey and they obtained his permission to use it to make up the field. The donkey to the surprise of everyone came in third in the first race. Where upon the camp newspaper came out with the headline "Padre's Ass Shows."
This naturally caused no small scandal among the people of the parish and eventually reached the bishop. However, when called to ask about it by the bishop the padre managed to mollify the good man by explaining it was only an American slang expression. The next day a race was held and the donkey came in first. The paper then announced "Padre's Ass Out in Front."
This called for further episcopal disapproval, but again the padre succeeded in mollifying the bishop. The third day's race the donkey finished second and the paper reported "Padre's Ass back in Place." This was the last straw for the bishop and he ordered the priest to withdraw the animal from the race. The camp then came forth with the sad news: "Bishop Scratches Padre's Ass."
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [ B667 ] modified: the number zero is written over the seven. Additionally, the entire BN is crossed out and replaced with B660.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Cieslak, John
Keyword(s): AMERICAN ; Anecdote ; Culture Clash ; DONKEY ; European ; GAMBLING ; HORSE ; Jest ; Language ; MILITARY ; NEWSPAPER ; PUN ; RACING ; RELIGION ; SLANG
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote Filter - Mature Content |
Belief
When driving past a cemetery place on efinger on the roof of the car and put another finger on your mouth and say "shhhh". This is so you will not wake up the dead.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Wilson, JoAnne
Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE ; BELIEF ; CEMETERY ; GESTURE ; GRAVEYARD ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Gesture |