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BELIEF IN A METHOD OF CURING A NOSE BLEED

WHEN YOUR NOSE BLEEDS, PUT ONLY THE WHITE OF A PIECE OF BREAD ON THE
ROOF OF YOUR MOUTH TO MAKE IT STOP.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM HER SISTER, GRACIA ESQUIVEL WHO IS A
HOUSEWIFE OF 23.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Plant
BELIEF -- Method of Curing

Date learned: 02-07-1980

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GOODNIGHT, SLEEP TIGHT, AND DON'T LET THE BEDBUGS BITE.

Submitter comment: BEDTIME VERSE WHICH WAS SAID BY HIS MOTHER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse C730.66

Date learned: 10-15-1967

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BELIEF CONCERNING THE USE OF SALT

IF SOMEONE YOU DISLIKE VISITS YOUR HOME, PUT SALT ON THE PORCH AND
THEY WILL NOT RETURN.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM HER SISTER, GRACIA ESQUIVEL WHO IS A
HOUSEWIFE OF 23.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS

Subject headings: Favorites
BELIEF -- Mineral
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank

Date learned: 02-07-1980

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I ASKED MY MOTHER FOR 50 CENTS
TO SEE THE COW JUMP OVER THE FENCE,
HE JUMPED SO HIGH, HE REACHED THE SKY
AND DIDN'T COME BACK TIL THE FOURTH OF JULY.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM HER MOTHER

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

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

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PREDICTION DIVINATION BELIEF

IF YOU TOUCH THE SOFT SPOT ON A BABY'S HEAD, THE ROOF OF HIS MOUTH
WILL CAVE IN

Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM HER SISTER, GRACIA ESQUIVEL WHO IS A
HOUSEWIFE OF 23.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Body part Senses Head, physiognomy, face
BELIEF -- Body part Senses Mouth, teeth, lips, tongue
BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness

Date learned: 02-07-1980

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BELIEF IN A MEANS OF CAUSING ILLNESS

IF A WOMAN BREAST FEEDS HER BABY AFTER HAVING BEEN ANGRY WITH
SOMEONE, THE BABY WILL GET SICK TO HIS STOMACH.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM HER SISTER, GRACIA ESQUIVEL WHO IS A
HOUSEWIFE OF 23.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal
BELIEF -- Birth
BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness

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BELIEF CONCERNING HAIR

IF A GIRL GETS HER HAIR BLUNTLY CUT WITH A MACHETE WHEN THE MOON IS
FULL, HER HAIR WILL GROW BACK VERY, VERY LONG.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT HEARD THIS FROM HER MEXICAN MOTHER WHO IS IN HER MID 40'S

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS

James Callow Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hair, on head, mustache, widow's peak
BELIEF -- Moon
BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness

Date learned: 02-05-1980

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JUMP-ROPE RHYME

RIN TIN TIN SAT ON A PIN.
HOW MANY INCHES DID IT GO IN?
1, 2, 3, ETC.
(UNTIL PERSON JUMPING MISSES.)

Where learned: LIBRARY ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED

Keyword(s): CHARACTER ; ENDURANCE ; Jump

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse C750.56

Date learned: 09-00-1967

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BELIEF IN A METHOD OF CURING ASTHMA

STAND AN ASTHMATIC CHILD STRAIGHT AGAINST A TREE AND MARK THE SPOT
AT THE TOP OF HIS HEAD WITH A NAIL. AFTER THE CHILD MOVES TO THE
SIDE, DRIVE THE NAIL ALL THE WAY INTO THE TREE. AS SOON AS THE
CHILD'S HEIGHT PASSES THE NAIL, HE WILL BE RID OF HIS ASTHMA.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS IN MONTERREY, MEXICO.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS

James Callow Keyword(s): MEASURING

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Method of Curing

Date learned: 02-05-1980 ; 12-00-1979

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Content filter on this entry.

Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.

FROM 20 TO 30, IF A MAN FEELS RIGHT,
IT'S ONCE IN THE MORNING AND ONCE AT NIGHT.
FROM 30 TO 40, IF HE STILL FEELS RIGHT,
HE CUTS OUT THE MORNING OR HE CUTS OUT THE NIGHT.
FROM 40 TO 50 IT'S JUST NOW AND THEN.
FROM 50 TO 60 IT'S GOD KNOWS WHEN}
FROM 60 TO 70, IF HE STILL FEELS INCLINED,
DON'T LET HIM KID YOU, IT'S ALL IN HIS MIND.

Submitter comment:

INFORMANT FELT THIS WAS QUITE HUMOROUS AND LAUGHED WHILE RECITING IT

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS

James Callow Keyword(s): AGE ; EUPHEMISM ; FREQUENCY OF SEXUAL INTERCOURSE ; LOVERS

Subject headings: 730 730.328
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Custom Festival C840.533
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Custom Festival C840.545
Filter - Mature Content

Date learned: 02-05-1980

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TRADITION

HURRICANE SEASON BEGINS NEAR THE END OF JULY, AND LASTS UNTIL THE BEGINNING OF NOVEMBER.
IN JULY THE VIRGIN ISLANDERS PRAY FOR NO HURRICANES, AND IN NOVEMBER THEY WILL THANK GOD FOR
NO HURRICANES.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS

Subject headings: --

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NEW YEAR'S CUSTOM

THE FIRST PERSON WHO COMES OVER THE THRESHOLD OF
YOUR HOUSE SHOULD BE A MAN TO BRING GOOD LUCK
TO THE HOUSE-HOLD.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): FIRST FOOTING ; SEXISM

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20
BELIEF -- Good luck P881.42

Date learned: 09-26-1971

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TRADITION

IN ST. CROIX THE ANIMAL CARNIVAL IS CELEBRATED FROM DECEMBER 23RD UNTIL JANUARY 6TH.
THE VILLAGE WILL HAVE DANCING, PARADES, AND CALYPSO MUSIC. THE PARADE OF CHILDREN IS ON
THE 1ST OF JANUARY AND THE PARADE FOR ADULTS IS ON THE 6TH, WHICH IS THE END OF THE
ANIMAL CARNIVAL.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS

Subject headings: --

Date learned: 00-00-1979

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TRADITION

IN ST. THOMAS, VIRGIN ISLANDS, AN ANIMAL CARNIVAL IS CELEBRATED
THIS TAKES PLACE AT THE END OF APRIL AND INCLUDES MANY PARADES,
NATIVE DANCING AND FOOD. THE 3RD DAY OF THE FESTIVAL IS CONSIDERED
THE DAY OF THE CHILD AND A PARADE FOR CHILDREN TAKES PLACE. AT THE
END OF THE CELEBRATION, ABOUT 15 DAYS LATER, A PARADE FOR ADULTS
IS HELD FOR THE DAY OF THE ADULT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS

Subject headings: --

Date learned: 00-00-1979

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THIS IS A GAME IN WHICH A CHILD ENCIRCLES HIS THUMB
AND FOREFINGER. IF HE MAKES ANOTHER CHILD LOOK AT
THE CIRCLE WHILE HE PLACES IT ON HIS KNEE OR ARM,
HE QUICKLY SAYS:
MADE YOU LOOK,
DIRTY CROOK,
STOLE YOUR MOTHER'S POCKETBOOK!
AFTER SAYING THIS, HE WAS ENTITLED TO HIT THE OTHER
CHILD IN THE ARM. IN ORDER TO PROTECT HIMSELF, HE
MUST THEN SAY, "NO TAGS BACK." IF HE FAILS TO
DO THIS THE OTHER CHILD MAY HIT HIM BACK.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Verse in Other Group of Folklore C800.500

Date learned: 09-22-1969

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A rhyme sung by African-American children

Lou Lou had an engine
The engine had a bell
Lou Lou went to heaven
The engine went to hello
Operator
Give me number nine
If you don't connect me
I beat your big
Behind
The refrigerator
There was a piece of glass
Lou Lou slipped upon it and
Cut her little
Ask
Me no more questions
I'll tell you no more lies
Lou Lou told me all of this
Just before she died.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; other children in the community

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Athletic sport and exercise Gymnastics
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse

Date learned: 00-00-1960

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TRADITION

MAY 31ST IS CONSIDERED TRANSFER DAY IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS
BECAUSE THIS IS THE DAY THEY WERE FREED FROM THE DANISH AND ENTERED
THE UNITED STATES.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS

Subject headings: --

Date learned: 00-00-1979

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TRADITION

FOR THE VIRGIN ISLANDERS, THE THIRD OF JULY IS MUCH MORE IMPORTANT
THAN THE 4TH, BECAUSE IN 1848 THE SLAVES WERE FREED AND THIS IS
THEIR DAY OF IMMANCIPATION.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS

Subject headings: --

Date learned: 00-00-1979

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SNAKES

THERE'S SOME KIND OF SNAKE THAT CAN PUT ITS TAIL IN
ITS MOUTH AND ROLL LIKE A HOOP.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT HAD NEVER SEEN ONE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal Tale

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A rhyme used to pick the next player of a game.

She never went to college
She never went to school
But when she came back
She was an educated fool.

Submitter comment: This game is used to pick the next person to be "it."
All players gather in a circle. One person is inside
the circle. This person covers their eyes with one hand and
points out a finger with the other hand as they spin around
in a circle. As the words to the above rhyme are sung a new
player is picked on the word "fool". Whoever the finger is
pointed at on the word "fool" takes the place of the person in
the center and becomes "it".

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; other children in the community

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

Date learned: 00-00-1960

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