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MYSTERY STREET

THE INFORMANT RELATES BEING TOLD THAT "STRASBURG," A STREET ON THE
EAST SIDE OF DETROIT, WAS A MYSTERY STREET. HE SAID THAT A GIRL
WAS RUN OVER BY A CAR IN 1962 AND THAT THE DRIVER REFUSED TO STOP.
THE GIRL BEAT CONTINUOUSLY ON THE TRUNK UNTIL THE DRIVER STOPPED.
WHEN THE DRIVER DID STOP, THE GIRL WAS DEAD. NOW, EVERY TIME A
CAR GOES DOWN STRASBURG, IT GOES THUMP, THUMP, THUMP.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; 14857 ALMA

Keyword(s): KNOCK-KNOCK STREET

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate
ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Vehicle propelled by mechanical or other force on land
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank

Date learned: 03-15-1967

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FRIENDS

LAUGH, THE WORLD LAUGHS WITH YOU,
WEEP, AND YOU WEEP ALONE.
BE GLAD, AND YOUR FRIENDS ARE MANY,
BE SAD, AND YOU LOSE THEM ALL.

Where learned: ALMANAC

James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: POSITIVE ; NOBODY LIKES A CRYBABY! ; OBSERVATION

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb
PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim

Date learned: 00-00-1968

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HOLDER PAINT

IN THE NAVY, THE PROPS OF PLANES ARE PAINTED THREE COLORS:
RED ON THE INSIDE, WHITE IN THE MIDDLE, AND BLUE ON THE
OUTSIDE. THE BLUE PAINT IS CALLED BLUE HOLDER PAINT,
BECAUSE IT IS ALWAYS PUT ON THE OUTSIDE TO "HOLD"
THE RED AND WHITE PAINT AND KEEP THE RED AND WHITE
FROM FLYING OFF WHILE THE PROPS ARE MOVING.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALMA

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Color

Date learned: 03-09-1970

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HANDS

THE INFORMANT BELIEVES THAT YOU SHOULDN'T WASTE TIME COUNTING
THE STARS. NOT ONLY IS IT AN INFINITE TASK BUT ALSO YOU ARE REWARDED
WITH STAR MARKS ON YOUR PALMS.

Where learned: 14887 ALMA

Keyword(s): CAUSE ; HOMEOPATHIC MAGIC

Subject headings: Favorites
BELIEF -- Body part Senses
BELIEF -- Star
BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal
BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness

Date learned: 03-15-1967

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THERE IS A TRADITIONAL NAVY CUSTOM PLAYED ON ALL NEW CREW
MEMBERS. A CIRCLE OF SAILORS SURROUNDS A MEDIUM SIZE BOX
WITH A SMALL HOLE CUT IN THE TOP. WHEN THE UNSUSPECTING
VICTIM APPROACHES AND QUESTIONS THE PURPOSE OF THE BOX,
HE IS INFORMED THAT IT CONTAINS A SEA BAT, AND THAT HE
SHOULD PEER INTO THE HOLE TO SEE IT. UPON DOING THIS, HE IS
STRUCK FROM THE REAR RESOUNDINGLY WITH A HEAVY DECK BROOM.
WHEN HE SCREECHES IN PAIN, THE MEN INFORME HIM THAT HE HAS
JUST BEEN BIT BY A "SEA BAT."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALMA

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing

Date learned: 03-09-1970

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IT IS A TRADITIONAL CUSTOM IN THE NAVY WHILE ON BOARD SHIP
AND CROSSING THE EQUATOR THAT THE NEW CREW MEMBERS
CROSSING FOR THE FIRST TIME MUST "KISS KING NEPTUNE'S BELLY,"
THAT IS, THEY MUST FRENCH KISS THE NAVEL OF THE CAPTAIN OF
THE SHIP.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALMA

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing

Date learned: 03-09-1970

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IT IS AN OLD NAVAL CUSTOM THAT ALL MEN CROSSING THE EQUATOR
FOR THE FIRST TIME MUST CRAWL THROUGH THE GARBAGE CHUTE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALMA

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing

Date learned: 03-09-1970

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ANOTHER FAVORITE PASTIME OF THE SEASONED PETTY OFFICERS IS
TO SEND THE YOUNG RECRUITS TO THE STORE ROOM FOR "DECK DRAIN
PULLERS" OR FOR "AIR HOOKS," BOTH OF WHICH SERVE THE SAME
NON-EXISTENT PURPOSE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALMA

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing

Date learned: 03-09-1970

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ANOTHER TRICK USED BY THE PETTY OFFICERS ON BOARD SHIP
TO HARASS YOUNG RECRUITS WAS TO PERIODICALLY SEND THESE
YOUNG MEN TO THE CAPTAIN OF THE DAY TO REQUEST THE
KEYS FOR JET 27, FOR EXAMPLE. THERE ARE NO KEYS TO
JET ENGINES, AND THIS IS DONE TRADITIONALLY TO RIDE
THESE YOUNG KIDS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALMA

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing

Date learned: 03-09-1970

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IT IS A TRADITIONAL PRACTICE FOR A SEASONED OFFICER
TO TELL A "BOOT" THAT HE HAS BEEN PICKED FOR "MAIL BUOY
WATCH" FOR A CERTAIN EVENING. THE OFFICER THEN GIVES
HIM A LIFE JACKET, A PAIR OF BINOCULARS, A FLASHLIGHT,
AND A LARGE WHISTLE. HE IS THEN SENT TO THE "CROW'S
NEXT" WHERE HE MUST STAY UNTIL 6:00 THE FOLLOWING
MORNING, OR UNTIL HE SPOTS THE "MAIL BUOY." HE IS TOLD
TO LOOK FOR A SUBMARINE, WHICH WILL SURFACE HALFWAYS
AND SEND UP A MAIL BUOY. HE IS TO BLOW THE WHISTLE
AS SOON AS HE SIGHTS THIS. OBVIOUSLY, NOTHING LIKE
THIS EXISTS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALMA

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing

Date learned: 03-09-1970

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WHEN NEW "BOOTS" WERE SENT ON BOARD SHIP, IT WAS A
REGULAR CUSTOM AMONG THE PETTY OFFICERS TO HARASS
THEM. ONE TRADITIONAL SOURCE OF AGGRAVATION AROSE
WHEN THE "BOOTS" WERE SENT TO THE STORE ROOM FOR
"AFTER-BURNER FLINT," TO START THE JET ENGINES.
OBVIOUSLY, NO FLINTS ARE NECESSARY TO START JET
ENGINES, BUT INVARIABLY THESE YOUNG "BOOTCAMPS"
WOULD FALL FOR THIS TRICK.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALMA

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing

Date learned: 03-09-1970

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NEW WORKERS ARE FREQUENTLY SENT BACK TO THE SUPPLY
ROOMS FOR NEW TOOLS AFTER BEING INFORMED BY FOREMEN
OR OTHER JOKERS THAT THEY HAVE BEEN SUPPLIED WITH
"LEFT HANDED HAMMERS, SCREW DRIVERS, ETC.) (FROM
FACTORY OF DETROITER MOBILE HOMES, ST. LOUIS, MICHIGAN).

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALMA

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing

Date learned: 03-09-1970

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ANOTHER HARASSING TECHNIQUE USED WITHIN THE NAVY IS THE
ONE IN WHICH THE UNSUSPECTING "BOOT" IS SENT FOR
A GALLON OF "PROP WASH," SOMETHING WHICH DOES NOT
EXIST.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALMA

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing

Date learned: 03-09-1970

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THERE IS A NAVAL TRADITION THAT ALL MEN CROSSING THE
EQUATOR FOR THE FIRST TIME (REFERRED TO AS POLYWOGS)
MUST RUN THE GAUNTLET, AFTER WHICH THEY ARE REFERRED
TO AS SHELLBACKS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALMA

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing

Date learned: 03-09-1970

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IT IS A TRADITION IN THE NAVY THAT ALL MEN CROSSING
THE EQUATOR FOR THE FIRST TIME MUST GET HOSED DOWN
WITH A HOSE BY THE OTHER CREW MEMBERS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALMA

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing

Date learned: 03-09-1970

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CROSSING THE EQUATOR

IT IS A CUSTOM IN THE NAVY THAT ALL MEN CROSSING
THE EQUATOR FOR THE FIRST TIME MUST WEAR ALL THEIR
CLOTHES BACKWARDS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALMA

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing

Date learned: 03-09-1970

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WING PANEL STRETCHER

WHEN NEW YOUNG RECRUITS ARE FIRST PUT TO WORK
UNDER SEASONED PETTY OFFICERS IN THE NAVY AIRBORNE,
THEY HAVE MANY TRADITIONAL PRANKS PLAYED UPON THEM.
ONE CONCERNS THE SENDING OF A YOUNG "BOOT"
TO THE STORE ROOM, WITH ORDERS TO RETURN WITH A
"WING PANEL STRETCHER," A DEVICE SUPPOSEDLY DESIGNED
TO STRETCH THE WIND (SING?) PANELS OF A PLANE.
OBVIOUSLY, NO SUCH CONTRAPTION EXISTS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALMA

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing

Date learned: 03-09-1970

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MANNING THE RAILS IS AN OLD NAVAL TRADITION FOR HONORING
VISITING DIGNITARIES.
ALL THE CREW LINE UP AT THE RAILS OF THE SHIP.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALMA

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Irregular

Date learned: 03-09-1970

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EVERY TIME YOU CROSS THE INTERNATIONAL DATE LINE WHILE
ON BOARD SHIP, YOU PUT A MESSAGE IN AN EMPTY WHISKEY BOTTLE,
SEAL IT TIGHTLY WITH WAX AND THROW IT IN THE WATER.

Submitter comment: NAVY CUSTOM.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALMA

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Irregular

Date learned: 03-09-1970

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SMOKING LAMP

THERE IS A TRADITION CONCERNING THE SMOKING LAMP WHILE
ON SHIP IN THE NAVY. WHEN IT IS AFTER HOURS AND SMOKING
IS NOT PERMITTED, IT IS SAID THAT THE "SMOKING LAMP IS
OUT," AND WHEN SMOKING IS ALLOWED, IT IS SAID THAT "THE
SMOKING LAMP IS ON." NO SUCH LAMP EXISTS, BUT IT IS
UNDERSTOOD BY ALL AND CONSTANTLY REFERRED TO.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALMA

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Formula

Date learned: 03-09-1970

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showing 42 items

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