Deprecated: The each() function is deprecated. This message will be suppressed on further calls in /var/www/libs/inc/cfa/cfa-search.inc.php on line 473

Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in /var/www/libs/inc/cfa/cfa-item.inc.php on line 327

Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in /var/www/libs/inc/cfa/cfa-item.inc.php on line 327
The James T. Callow Computerized Folkore Archive | University of Detroit Mercy Libraries Back to Top
Top Nav content Site Footer
University Home
James T. Callow Computerized Folklore Archive
search for

Offensive content Filter is ON

Your search for ERIE returned 58 results.

prev | items 51 - 101 | next

THE HEN-PECKED DEVIL

SEVERAL HUNDRED YEARS AGO THE MAYOR OF HAMBURG, GERMANY,
CONTRACTED TO HAVE A BRIDGE BUILT OVER THE ELBE. THE CONTRACTOR
PROMISED TO HAVE THE JOB COMPLETED BY A CERTAIN DATE, BUT,
BECAUSE OF INCLEMENT WEATHER, HE WAS HOPELESSLY BEHIND SCHEDULE.
SINCE THE BUILDER KNEW THAT THE MAYOR WOULD NOT FULFILL HIS END
OF THE CONTRACT UNLESS THE BRIDGE WAS COMPLETED IN TIME FOR THE
SPRING FESTIVALS, HE MADE A PACT WITH THE DEVIL FOR ITS COMPLE-
TION. THE DEVIL WOULD COMPLETE CONSTRUCTION IN RETURN FOR THE
SOUL OF THE FIRST PERSON TO CROSS THE BRIDGE.
WHEN THE BRIDGE WAS COMPLETED AND TO BE DEDICATED, THE MAYOR AND
BUILDER ARGUED WITH ONE ANOTHER ABOUT WHO SHOULD BE THE FIRST TO
WALK ACROSS THE SPAN. THE MAYOR, SUSPECTING SOMETHING WAS AMISS
BECAUSE OF THE JOB'S RAPID COMPLETION, INSISTED THAT THE BUILDER
PROCEED FIRST. IN ANTICIPATION OF THIS, THE BUILDER HAD TUCKED
A HEN UNDER HIS COAT. WHEN HE APPROACHED THE MIDWAY MARK OF THE
BRIDGE WHERE THE DEVIL WAS LURKING BEHIND A COLUMN, HE THREW THE
HEN OUT TO HIM. THE DEVIL SEIZED THE BIRD, BUT WHEN HE SAW THAT
HIS CATCH WAS ONLY A HEN, HE THREW IT DOWN IN DISGUST. THE
DEVIL'S ANGER WAS SUCH THAT THE HEN WENT CLEAN THROUGH THE BRIDGE,
AND TO THIS DAY THERE IS A HOLD IN THE BRIDGE WHICH WILL NOT BE
FILLED.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT HEARD TALE FROM A GERMAN PHILOSOPHY PROFESSOR AT
GANNON COLLEGE, ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA.

Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; ERIE ; GANNON COLLEGE

Subject headings: 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually.
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Bird
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time
ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Bridge

Date learned: 10-23-1965

View just this record

Proverb

Penny wise, pound foolish

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Original BN [V600] crossed out. Replaced with current classification.

Located in pile marked Duplicates and Other Rejects

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; ; Giera, Mrs Valerie

Keyword(s): COIN ; Dollar ; MONEY ; Penny ; Pound ; Save ; Scrimp ; Spend ; THRIFT

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

View just this record

Proverb

A stitch in time saves nine.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Where learned: Giera, Mrs Valerie

Keyword(s): Aphorism ; Apothegm ; Maxim ; Nine ; NUMBER ; PROVERB ; RHYME ; Save ; Stitch ; TIME ; VERSE

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

View just this record

THE HEN-PECKED DEVIL

SEVERAL HUNDRED YEARS AGO THE MAYOR OF HAMBURG, GERMANY,
CONTRACTED TO HAVE A BRIDGE BUILT OVER THE ELBE. THE CONTRACTOR
PROMISED TO HAVE THE JOB COMPLETED BY A CERTAIN DATE, BUT,
BECAUSE OF INCLEMENT WEATHER, HE WAS HOPELESSLY BEHIND SCHEDULE.
SINCE THE BUILDER KNEW THAT THE MAYOR WOULD NOT FULFILL HIS END
OF THE CONTRACT UNLESS THE BRIDGE WAS COMPLETED IN TIME FOR THE
SPRING FESTIVALS, HE MADE A PACT WITH THE DEVIL FOR ITS COMPLE-
TION. THE DEVIL WOULD COMPLETE CONSTRUCTION IN RETURN FOR THE
SOUL OF THE FIRST PERSON TO CROSS THE BRIDGE.
WHEN THE BRIDGE WAS COMPLETED AND TO BE DEDICATED, THE MAYOR AND
BUILDER ARGUED WITH ONE ANOTHER ABOUT WHO SHOULD BE THE FIRST TO
WALK ACROSS THE SPAN. THE MAYOR, SUSPECTING SOMETHING WAS AMISS
BECAUSE OF THE JOB'S RAPID COMPLETION, INSISTED THAT THE BUILDER
PROCEED FIRST. IN ANTICIPATION OF THIS, THE BUILDER HAD TUCKED
A HEN UNDER HIS COAT. WHEN HE APPROACHED THE MIDWAY MARK OF THE
BRIDGE WHERE THE DEVIL WAS LURKING BEHIND A COLUMN, HE THREW THE
HEN OUT TO HIM. THE DEVIL SEIZED THE BIRD, BUT WHEN HE SAW THAT
HIS CATCH WAS ONLY A HEN, HE THREW IT DOWN IN DISGUST. THE
DEVIL'S ANGER WAS SUCH THAT THE HEN WENT CLEAN THROUGH THE BRIDGE,
AND TO THIS DAY THERE IS A HOLD IN THE BRIDGE WHICH WILL NOT BE
FILLED.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT HEARD TALE FROM A GERMAN PHILOSOPHY PROFESSOR AT
GANNON COLLEGE, ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA.

Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; ERIE ; GANNON COLLEGE

Subject headings: 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually.
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Bird
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time
ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Bridge

Date learned: 10-23-1965

View just this record

Proverb

a penny saved is a penny earned.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Original BN [V700] crossed out. Replaced with current classification.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Giera, Mrs Valerie

Keyword(s): Aphorism ; Apothegm ; COIN ; Earn ; Maxim ; MONEY ; Penny ; PROVERB ; Save ; THRIFT ; VERSE

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

View just this record

SOMEONE IN THE HAMBURG MESSERSCHMITT FACTORY HAD PUT A CURSE
ON THE ME-109S OF THE "RICHTHOFEN" WING OF LE HAVE {HARVE},
FRANCE, 1940. THESE PLANES TOOK OFF FOR ENGLAND AND NEVER
RETURNED. (KNOWN AS THE HEX SQUADRON IN THE LUFTWAFFE)--
UNTIL IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT FUMES FROM THE ENGINE HAD
LEAKED INTO THE COCKPIT--EARLY 1941.

Where learned: LUFTWAFFE ; SERIES NUMBER 25 ; ARCO AIRCAM

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Witch Shaman
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal
ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Aircraft propelled by any means
BELIEF -- Curse

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

View just this record

SOMEONE IN THE HAMBURG MESSERSCHMITT FACTORY HAD PUT A CURSE
ON THE ME-109S OF THE "RICHTHOFEN" WING OF LE HAVE {HARVE},
FRANCE, 1940. THESE PLANES TOOK OFF FOR ENGLAND AND NEVER
RETURNED. (KNOWN AS THE HEX SQUADRON IN THE LUFTWAFFE)--
UNTIL IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT FUMES FROM THE ENGINE HAD
LEAKED INTO THE COCKPIT--EARLY 1941.

Where learned: LUFTWAFFE ; SERIES NUMBER 25 ; ARCO AIRCAM

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Witch Shaman
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal
ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Aircraft propelled by any means
BELIEF -- Curse

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

View just this record

Sleep Johnny

Good night, sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite, little Johnny wants to sleep tonight.

 

Submitter comment:

Informant learned this in the 1920s.

Data entry tech comment:

Informant and collector share the same surname.

 

Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; ERIE

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Cradle song Lullaby

View just this record

prev | items 51 - 101 | next

Back to Top