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TO MEAN EVERYTHING IS ALL RIGHT, EXTEND ERECT THUMB
AND CLENCHED FOUR FINGERS.

Where learned: ONTARIO ; CANADA, ASSUMED ; OAKVILLE

Keyword(s): THUMBS UP

Subject headings: SPEECH -- All right O.K.

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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WHAT'S THAT ON THE ROAD--A HEAD?

James Callow comment: SAID, FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN GOING OVER A BUMPTY ROAD,
CC[ THE COLLECTOR INFORMS ME.--J.T.C.
CK[ PUN AHEAD

Where learned: ONTARIO ; CANADA, ASSUMED ; OAKVILLE

James Callow Keyword(s): PUN AHEAD

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Formula

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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CHILDREN'S NAME RHYME

DICKY, DICKY DOUT,
YOUR SHIRT HANGS OUT,
FOUR YARDS IN AND FIVE YARDS OUT.

Where learned: ONTARIO ; CANADA, ASSUMED ; OAKVILLE

James Callow Keyword(s): JUVENILE CORRECTIVE

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Speech C870.582

Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

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JESS HARPER, FROM GODRICH ONTARIO CAME INTO LONDON,
LOOKING FOR A JOB WITH THE RAILROAD. HE WAS 6'6"
TALL AND WEIGHED 240 POUNDS. HE HAD NO TROUBLE PASSING
THE PHYSICAL, BUT WHEN IT CAME TO THE MENTAL PART, HE
LEFT SOMETHING TO BE DESIRED. THE SHARP LAWYER BEHIND
THE DESK IMMEDIATELY BEGAN DRILLING TRICKLY QUESTIONS
AT JESS. "LET'S SAY THAT THERE ARE TWO TRAINS ON THE
TRACK AT THE SAME TIME, AND EACH TRAIN IS GOING 100
MILES PER HOUR. WITH 200 PEOPLE ON EACH TRAIN. WHAT
WOULD YOU DO, JESS?" "WELL," JESS SAID, "I GUESS I'D WAVE
MY HANDERCHIEF." "NO! NO!, THEY COULDN'T SEE IT IN THE
DARK," SAID THE LAWYER. "THEN I'D WAVE MY LANTERN,"
JESS SAID. "NO! NO!, THEY COULDN'T SEE THE LANTERN
EITHER." "WELL, I GUESS I'D WHISTLE AS LOUD AS I COULD."
"NO! NO! YOU COULDN'T HEAR IT ABOVE THE NOISE." "OH!
I KNOW WHAT I'D DO," JESS SAID, "I'D GO CALL MY SISTER
NELLY WHO LIVES ABOVE THE TRACKS." "CALL YOUR SISTER,
NELLY? WHY?" "WELL," JESS SAID, "I'D TELL HER TO COME
DOWN AND SEE THE GODAMNEST WRECK SHE'S EVER SEEN IN
HER LIFE!"

Submitter comment: WALLY SAID HIS DAD HAS BEEN TELLING THIS STORY EVER
SINCE HE CAN REMEMBER.

Where learned: CANADA ; ONTARIO ; TOP HAT SUPPER CLUB ; WINDSOR

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale

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Omen

A cat on board a ship will keep death and disaster away.

Data entry tech comment:

Motif added by T.R. Davidson

Where learned: CANADA ; ONTARIO ; Grove, Hugh ; TORONTO

Keyword(s): CAT ; DEATH ; Disaster ; Nautical ; OMEN ; PREVENTION ; Ship

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness

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QUESTION: WHAT DOES IT SAY ON THE BOTTOM OF POP
BOTTLES SENT TO NEWFOUNDLAND?
ANSWER: OPEN OTHER END!

Submitter comment: OBTAINED IN A LETTER AFTER I HAD REQUESTED POLISH
JOKES. SHE SAID THAT IN TORONTO THEY DIDN'T HAVE
POLISH JOKES, BUT NEWFIE JOKES.

Where learned: CANADA ; ONTARIO ; TORONTO

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote
Food Drink -- NEWF

Date learned: 11-00-1967

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QUESTION: WHAT DOES IT SAY ON THE BOTTOM OF POP
BOTTLES SENT TO NEWFOUNDLAND?
ANSWER: OPEN OTHER END!

Submitter comment: OBTAINED IN A LETTER AFTER I HAD REQUESTED POLISH
JOKES. SHE SAID THAT IN TORONTO THEY DIDN'T HAVE
POLISH JOKES, BUT NEWFIE JOKES.

Where learned: CANADA ; ONTARIO ; TORONTO

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote
Food Drink -- NEWF

Date learned: 11-00-1967

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FIFTY YEARS AGO IN MASON, QUEBEC THERE LIVED A GIRL OF
FOURTEEN OR FIFTEEN YEARS, NAMED NINE CHARETTE. SHE
HAD A DISEASE THAT OFTEN CAUSED HER TO GO INTO A
TRANCE-LIKE STATE. AFTER ONE TRANCE, SHE WAS PROCLAIMED
DEAD BY HER DOCTOR. SHE WAS THEN BURIED AFTER HER WAKE.
HER MOTHER OFTEN WORRIED THAT SHE HAD NOT BEEN DEAD,
BUT STILL IN A TRANCE. SHE HAD DREAMS OF THE GIRL
SCREAMING AND ONE DAY HEARD HER SCREAM VIOLENTLY AS
SHE DID HER DISHES. MRS. CHARETTE AND HER HUSBAND
CALLED THE UNDERTAKER TO DIG UP HER COFFIN. WHEN THEY
OPENED IT, THEY FOUND THE BODY COMPLETELY TURNED OVER
WITH HER HANDS FULL OF HAIR. SHE HAD BEEN BURIED ALIVE!

Submitter comment: INFORMANT DECLARES THIS TO BE TRUE AND SHE HERSELF
ATTENDED THE WAKE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CANADA ; DETROIT ; QUEBEC ; MASSON

Keyword(s): COMA

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being

Date learned: 03-22-1972 ; 00-00-1922

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FIFTY YEARS AGO IN MASON, QUEBEC THERE LIVED A GIRL OF
FOURTEEN OR FIFTEEN YEARS, NAMED NINE CHARETTE. SHE
HAD A DISEASE THAT OFTEN CAUSED HER TO GO INTO A
TRANCE-LIKE STATE. AFTER ONE TRANCE, SHE WAS PROCLAIMED
DEAD BY HER DOCTOR. SHE WAS THEN BURIED AFTER HER WAKE.
HER MOTHER OFTEN WORRIED THAT SHE HAD NOT BEEN DEAD,
BUT STILL IN A TRANCE. SHE HAD DREAMS OF THE GIRL
SCREAMING AND ONE DAY HEARD HER SCREAM VIOLENTLY AS
SHE DID HER DISHES. MRS. CHARETTE AND HER HUSBAND
CALLED THE UNDERTAKER TO DIG UP HER COFFIN. WHEN THEY
OPENED IT, THEY FOUND THE BODY COMPLETELY TURNED OVER
WITH HER HANDS FULL OF HAIR. SHE HAD BEEN BURIED ALIVE!

Submitter comment: INFORMANT DECLARES THIS TO BE TRUE AND SHE HERSELF
ATTENDED THE WAKE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CANADA ; DETROIT ; QUEBEC ; MASSON

Keyword(s): COMA

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being

Date learned: 03-22-1972 ; 00-00-1922

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LOST IN A STORM

DURING WORLD WAR I, THREE FRENCH CAPTAINS WERE TAKING
THREE BOATS OUT OF PORT WILLIAM, CANADA, A PORT ALONG
LAKE SUPERIOR, TO FIGHT IN THE WAR. AT THE TIME, THERE
WAS A BAD STORM ON LAKE SUPERIOR AND THE FRENCHMEN
WERE WARNED NOT TO CROSS THE LAKE. THEY LAUGHED
AND SAID THAT THEY WERE NOT AFRAID TO CROSS THAT
LITTLE PUDDLE. THEY WERE NEVER HEARD FROM AGAIN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CANADA ; DETROIT ; PORT WILLIAMS

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Wind Whirlwind Hurricane Cyclone Tornado
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal

Date learned: 11-12-1968 ; WORLD WAR 1

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WHEN SPRING CLEANING THE RUGS AND PAINTINGS MUST BE METICULOUSLY
CLEANED FOR GOOD LUCK IN THE SPRING.

Where learned: CANADA ; COLLECTED BY MAIL ; MONTREAL

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Spring
BELIEF -- Custom
BELIEF -- Good luck Activities
BELIEF -- Good luck Time (year, season, week, hour, etc.) Occasion Event

Date learned: 00-00-1970

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IF A PERSON IS ILL IN A HOUSE, ONE CAN DETERMINE
DEATH IS NEAR IF A CAT WILL NOT REMAIN IN THE HOUSE.
IT IS BELIEVED CATS COULD SMELL DEATH NEARBY.

Where learned: CANADA ; COLLECTED BY MAIL ; MONTREAL

Subject headings: Observation
BELIEF -- Mammal
BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial

Date learned: 00-00-1970

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THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF A MARRIAGE ENGAGEMENT SHOULD BE ANNOUNCED
THE DAY AFTER BOTH DREAM OF THEIR MARRIAGE. THIS
BRINGS GOOD LUCK AND SUCCESS TO THE FUTURE MARRIAGE.

Where learned: CANADA ; COLLECTED BY MAIL ; MONTREAL

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage
BELIEF -- Dreams Dreams about weddings, funerals, and other crucial moments of life
BELIEF -- Good luck Crucial moment of life

Date learned: 00-00-1970

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SUPERSTITION

IN QUEBEC, THE FRENCH WHO HAD LAND LIVED BY FARMING, AND THOSE
WHO HAD NONE LIVED BY BEGGING. THE FARMERS TREATED THE BEGGARS
WITH CARE, FOR THEY HAD POWERS--FOR GOOD, FOR ILL.

Where learned: CANADA

Subject headings: 840
BELIEF -- Witch Shaman

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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SUPERSTITION

IN QUEBEC THE FRENCH WHO HAD LAND LIVED BY FARMING, AND THOSE
WHO HAD NONE LIVED BY BEGGING. THE FARMERS TREATED THE BEGGARS
WITH CARE, FOR THEY HAD POWERS - FOR GOOD, FOR ILL.

Where learned: CANADA

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Witch Shaman

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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LOST IN A STORM

DURING WORLD WAR I, THREE FRENCH CAPTAINS WERE TAKING
THREE BOATS OUT OF PORT WILLIAM, CANADA, A PORT ALONG
LAKE SUPERIOR, TO FIGHT IN THE WAR. AT THE TIME, THERE
WAS A BAD STORM ON LAKE SUPERIOR AND THE FRENCHMEN
WERE WARNED NOT TO CROSS THE LAKE. THEY LAUGHED
AND SAID THAT THEY WERE NOT AFRAID TO CROSS THAT
LITTLE PUDDLE. THEY WERE NEVER HEARD FROM AGAIN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CANADA ; DETROIT ; PORT WILLIAMS

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Wind Whirlwind Hurricane Cyclone Tornado
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal

Date learned: 11-12-1968

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UKRAINIAN NEW YEAR'S GREETING

AT MIDNIGHT, IT IS CUSTOMARY TO TAKE A SMALL BELL AND A
HANDFUL OF WHEAT AND TO KNOCK ON THE DOOR OF THE HEAD OF
THE HOUSEHOLD. WHEN HE OPENS HIS DOOR, THE MEMBERS OF HIS
HOUSEHOLD TOSS WHEAT ON THEIR MASTER AND WISH HIM A HAPPY
NEW YEAR. THEY WISH FOR HIM MANY BLESSINGS, PLENTY OF
FOOD, AND GOOD LUCK. THE WHEAT IS SYMBOLIC OF FRUITFULNESS.
A SPECIAL NEW YEAR'S SONG IS SUNG IN WHICH GOD'S BLESSINGS
ARE INVOKED FOR THE NEW YEAR. THE HEAD OF THE HOUSE THANKS
THEM AND IN TURN WISHES THEM A HAPPY NEW YEAR. THEN THEY
HAVE A JOYOUS CELEBRATION.

Where learned: CANADA ; ONTARIO ; ANCASTER

Keyword(s): FOOD ; SPRINKLING ; THROWING

Subject headings: Favorites
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve
BELIEF -- Prayer

Date learned: 00001960S

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APPLES, PEACHES, PEARS, AND PLUMS, JUMP IN WHEN YOUR BIRTHDAY COMES
JANUARY, FEBRUARY, MARCH , APRIL, MAY, JUNE, JULY, AUGUST, SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER, NOVEMBER, DECEMBER.

Submitter comment: THIS JUMPROPE RHYME IS FROM AN INFORMANT FROM CANADA. EACH PLAYER
JUMPS INTO THE JUMPROPE WHEN THE MONTH OF HIS BIRTH IS CALLED OFF.

Where learned: CANADA

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

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Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.

A NIGGER FROM BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA WAS CAUGHT RUNNING
A TRAFFIC LIGHT. WHEN TAKEN IN CUSTODY, HE PLEADED
GUILTY. THE NEXT DAY, THE NIGGER WAS TAKEN OUT TO A
FIELD WHERE HE WAS BURIED UP TO HIS NECK IN MUD.
ALL OF A SUDDEN, A HUGE GERMAN SHEPHERD WAS TURNED
LOOSE ON THE HELPLESS NIGGER. THE NIGGER BEING QUICK
MOVED HIS HEAD TO THE RIGHT AND THE DOG FLEW BY.
ANOTHER DOG WAS RELEASED AND THE NIGGER MOVED HIS
HEAD TO THE LEFT, AND THE DOG FLEW BY. A THIRD DOG
WAS RELEASED AND THE NIGGER PUT HIS HEAD TO THE
GROUND AND AS THE DOG JUMPED OVER HIS HEAD, HE
LIFTED HIS HEAD, BITING THE DOG BETWEEN THE LEGS
AND RUPTURED THE DOG. THE WHITE SHERIFF CAME UP TO
THE NIGGER AND KICKED HIM IN THE HEAD AND SAID,
"FIGHT FAIR, NIGGER!"

Submitter comment:

HE HEARD THIS STORY IN 1964 IN SAN FRANCISCO.

Data entry tech comment:

DEROGATORY NAME

Where learned: CANADA ; ONTARIO ; TOP HAT SUPPER CLUB ; WINDSOR

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote

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WHEN AN UNFAMILIAR GUEST ENTERS YOUR HOME, YOU
MUST HAVE FRESH FLOWERS IN THE HOUSE. THIS CUSTOM
ENSURED A HAPPY VISIT FOR BOTH PARTIES.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: CANADA ; COLLECTED BY MAIL ; MONTREAL

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; CUSTOM ; FLOWERS ; Guest ; HOSPITALITY ; SUPERSTITION ; tradition

Subject headings: 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually.
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Bad luck

Date learned: 00-00-1970

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