A BETTER WHITE HOUSE

WHEN MRS. JOHNSON INVITED PAT NIXON IN TO HELP BEAUTIFY WASHINGTON,
LADY BIRD DIDN'T REALIZE THAT SHE HERSELF WOULD BE THE FIRST ITEM
TO GO.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT HEARD THIS FROM FANNIE FLAGG.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HUNTINGTON WOODS

Date learned: 11-10-1968

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KRAKOWIAK (POLISH DANCE)

LIKE THE AMERICAN SQUARE DANCE.

Where learned: CHILDHOOD ; NOT GIVEN ; HOME ; PENNSYLVANIA ; MICHIGAN ; LETTER ; OHIO ; NEW JERSEY ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; AUTOGRAPH BOOK ; GROSSE POINTE ; HARPER WOODS ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS ; WARREN ; JAPAN ; RUSSIA ; GRAND RAPIDS ; SHIPLE HALL ; GARDEN CITY ; ROYAL OAK ; TOLEDO ; TRENTON ; FARMINGTON ; KALAMAZOO ; CANADA ; ONTARIO ; MARYGROVE COLLEGE ; DETROIT ; MAIL ; INDIANA ; DETROIT, ASSUMED ; TOLD AT HOME ; FERNDALE ; SOUTHFIELD ; TENNESSEE ; MACKENZIE HIGH SCHOOL ; HAMTRAMCK ; DEARBORN ; MINNESOTA ; ILLINOIS ; NEW YORK ; FLORIDA ; KOREA ; WISCONSIN ; NEW HAMPSHIRE ; STUDENT UNION ; READING ; AUSTRALIA ; Sylvania ; Sterling Heights ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; GROSSE POINTE PARK ; OAK PARK ; SOUTHGATE ; STURGEON LAKE ; REDFORD ; TOORAK ; VICTORIA ; ROSEVILLE ; LINCOLN PARK ; TRAVERSE CITY ; HUNTINGTON WOODS ; PONTIAC ; TROY ; PORT CHESTER ; SOUTH AMERICA ; BROOKVILLE ; MONTREAL ; SEOUL ; NORTH OLMSTED ; EASTOWN THEATER ; ERIE ; University of Notre Dame ; FRANKLINVILLE ; TORONTO ; TOLD AT ; TOLD BY ; TOLD IN ; SCRANTON ; MONROE ; GLENVIEW ; MOSCOW ; GULLEY ; FINLAND ; HARBOR BEACH ; HOUGHTON LAKE ; Hudson Lake ; 1962 ; INDIANAPOLIS ; JONESBORO ; KANSASVILLE ; LEXINGTON ; MASSILLON ; MAUCH CHUNK ; MELVINDALE ; MILFORD ; NEW ROCHELLE ; NIAGARA FALLS ; PANAMA CITY ; PATAGONIA ; ARGENTINA ; RESIDENCE HALL ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES ; TOLD AT HONORS HOUSE ; AMERICAN HISTORY CLASS

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AN EVEN BETTER WHITE HOUSE

WHEN PAT NIXON WENT ON HER TOUR OF THE WHITE HOUSE WITH MRS.
JOHNSON AND THEY CAME TO THE BATHROOM OF THE PRESIDENTIAL
SUITE, PAT DECIDED THAT THE BIRD BATH HAD TO GO.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT HEARD THIS FROM FANNIE FLAGG.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HUNTINGTON WOODS

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"CHILLS" FORMULA

DOT DOT (INFORMANT GOES THROUGH THESE MOTIONS ON A
SUBJECT'S BACK WHILE SAYING THE WORDS.
LINE LINE
GREAT BIG QUESTION MARK
KNIFE IN YOUR BACK (HITTING THE SPINE HARD WITH FIST)
BLOOD TRICKLING DOWN (TRACES "BLOOD" WITH FINGERS)
HE THEN BLOWS ON THE SUBJECT'S NECK AT CLOSE RANGE
AND TICKLES IT WITH HIS FINGER, AND THEN SAYS:
ON A COLD WINTER'S NIGHT.
THIS RITUAL IS SUPPOSED TO GIVE THE SUBJECT CHILLS,
AND IT ACTUALLY DID WHEN I WITNESSED IT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HUNTINGTON WOODS

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HANDLESS - A PRIVATIONAL RIDDLE

Q: WHAT HAS TWO ARMS BUT NO HANDS?
A: AN ARMCHAIR.

Submitter comment: HEARD BY INFORMANT FIVE YEARS AGO.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HUNTINGTON WOODS

Keyword(s): FURNITURE (A) ; PARTS OF THE BODY (Q) ; PRIVATIONAL OPPOSITIONAL

Date learned: 10-28-1968

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MILKRUNNER - A LITERAL RIDDLE

Q: WHAT HAS ONE HORN, GIVES MILK, AND RUNS UP AND DOWN THE STREET?
A: A MILK TRUCK

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HUNTINGTON WOODS

Keyword(s): ACTIONS (Q) ; LITERAL ; PARTICULAR AREA (Q) ; TRANSPORTATION (A)

Date learned: 11-10-1968

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PROVERB

THE SMART CALF SUCKLES TWO COWS.

Submitter comment: THE MEANING OF THIS IS THAT YOU SHOULD GET EVERYTHING YOU CAN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HUNTINGTON WOODS

Date learned: 02-11-1979

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PEA GREEN SOUP

TO EACH PHRASE THE LISTENER REPLIES, "PEA GREEN SOUP."
WHAT DID YOU HAVE FOR BREAKFAST YESTERDAY?
WHAT DID YOU HAVE FOR LUNCH?
WHAT DID YOU HAVE FOR DINNER?
WHAT DID YOU DO ALL NIGHT?

Where learned: MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; HUNTINGTON WOODS

Date learned: 11-13-1968

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DUMMY, DUMMY DO-DO CATCH ME IF YOU CAN/ I CAN RUN FASTER THAN---CAN.
(JUMPER CALLS A PERSON'S NAME TO CHASE HER AS TWO PEOPLE SWING THE
ROPE. THE ROPE IS NOT TWIRLED.)

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; 26005 ALLOR ; HUNTINGTON WOODS

Keyword(s): CALL-RHYME

Date learned: 02-20-1970

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FUDGE, FUDGE CALL THE JUDGE/ MAMA HAS A NEW BORN BABY/ IT AIN'T A BOY
IT AIN'T A GIRL/ IT'S JUST A PLAIN OLD BABY./ WRAP IT UP IN TISSUE
PAPER./ SEND IT DOWN THE ELEVATOR. FIRST FLOOR STOP, SECOND FLOOR: GO
THIRD FLOOR : RED HOT PEPER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; 26005 ALLOR ; HUNTINGTON WOODS

Keyword(s): CHARACTER ; SPEED-JUMP

Date learned: 02-20-1970

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JOHNNY'S LICKINS

JOHNNY OVER THE OCEAN,
JOHNNY OVER THE SEA,
JOHNNY BROKE A BOTTLE AND BLAMED IT ON ME.
I TOLD MA,
MA TOLD PA,
JOHNNY GOT A LICKIN' AND A HA-HA-HA
HOW MANY LICKINS DID JOHNNY GET?

(JUMPS AT DOUBLE SPEED--RED HOT PEPPERS--UNTIL A MISS)

Data entry tech comment:

Informant and collector share the same surname and residence.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HUNTINGTON WOODS ; 26500 WYOMING RD ; informant's home

Keyword(s): CHARACTER ; ENDURANCE JUMP ; Speed Jump

Date learned: 11-10-1968

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THE CARDINAL AND THE IMMIGRANTS

CARDINAL CUSHING WAS GOING TO VISIT AN IMMIGRANT (MEXICAN-AMERICAN)
GRADE SCHOOL CLASS. THE NUN WAS GETTING THE CHILDREN READY SO THEY
COULD SHOW THE CARDINAL THAT THEY COULD SPELL ENGLISH. NOW ONE BOY
NAMED JOSE WOULD BE FIRST. SISTER SAID, "JOSE, SAY C-A-T, CAT."
JOSE REPEATED, "C-A-T, CAT."
SHE TOLD PEPI TO SAY, "D-O-G, DOG."
PEPI REPEATED, "D-O-G, DOG."
THE THIRD BOY'S NAME WAS JESUS. SISTER SAID, "NO, WE CAN'T CALL YOU
JESUS; YOU WILL BE SAMUEL FOR THE CARDINAL. SAY R-A-T, RAT."
JESUS SAID, "R-A-T, RAT."
"GOOD," SISTER SAID.
SOON IT WAS TIME FOR THE CARDINAL TO COME. WHEN HE ARRIVED, SISTER
SAID, "SHOW THE CARDINAL YOU CAN SPELL ENGLISH." JOSE GOT UP AND
SAID, "MY NAME IS JOSE. I'M GOING TO SPELL CAT. C-A-T SPELLS CAT."
PEPI GOT UP AND SAID, "MY NAME IS PEPI. I'M GOING TO SPELL DOG.
D-O-G SPELLS DOG." THEN JESUS GOT UP AND SAID, "MY NAME IS SAM.
I'M GOING TO SPELL SCHENECTADY."
"OH, JESUS, YOU CAN'T SPELL THAT!" SHOUTED THE NUN.
"OH, HELL, JUST LET HIM TRY," RETORTED THE CARDINAL.

Submitter comment: TOLD AS A TRUE STORY. INFORMANT HEARD THIS FROM FATHER WILLIAM
CHILDS, AGE ABOUT 35, THE PRODUCER OF A RADIO PROGRAM, AT A
PERSONAL MEETING.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HUNTINGTON WOODS

Date learned: 11-10-1968

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IF YOU OPEN A CUPBOARD AND A GLASS OR CUP FALLS OUT FOR NO APPARENT
REASON, IF IT WAS NOT SITTING ON AN EDGE BUT IT WAS IN THE CUPBOARD
CORRECTLY, IT MEANS A DEATH WILL OCCUR.

Submitter comment: THE WOMAN I LEARNED THIS FROM LEARNED IT FROM A FRIEND WHO FIRMLY
BELIEVES THIS IS TRUE BECAUSE IT ACTUALLY HAPPENED TO HER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HUNTINGTON WOODS

Date learned: 11-11-1977

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WHILE CHILDREN WALK TO SCHOOL, THEY PASS THE TIME BY WATCHING WHERE
THEY WALK. THEY ARE NOT ALLOWED TO WALK ON LINES OR CRACKS IN THE
SIDEWALK AND AS THEY DO THIS THEY HAVE SAYINGS SUCH AS,
"STEP ON A CRACK, BREAK YOUR MOTHER'S BACK" AND
"STEP ON A LINE, BREAK YOUR FATHER'S SPINE".

Submitter comment: THIS IS A PASTIME FOR CHILDREN AS THEY WALK TO SCHOOL THAT
MY SISTERS USED TO DO.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HUNTINGTON WOODS

Date learned: CA00001963

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JUMPROPE SONG

MISS LUCY HAD A STEAMBOAT, HER STEAMBOAT HAD A BELL,
MISS LUCY WENT TO HEAVEN AND HER STEAMBOAT WENT TO...
HELLO OPERATOR, PLEASE GIVE ME NUMBER NINE,
AND IF YOU DON'T CONNECT ME, I'LL KICK YOU RIGHT BEHIND...
THE 'FRIGERATOR, THERE WAS A PIECE OF GLASS,
MISS LUCY FELL UPON IT AND BROKE HER LITTLE ...
ASK ME NO MORE QUESTIONS, TELL ME NO MORE LIES,
FOR THIS IS WHAT MISS LUCY SAID THE NIGHT BEFORE SHE DIED.

Submitter comment: ELLIPSIS FOR HELL AND ASS
EUPHEMISM: HELLO FOR HELL
RHYME AABBCCDD
IMPERFECT RHYMES
THIS DEFINITELY HAS A TUNE

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HUNTINGTON WOODS

Date learned: CA00001963

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FIVE LITTLE ANGELS, ALL DRESSED IN WHITE,
TRIED TO GET TO HEAVEN ON THE END OF A KITE,
THE KITE STRING WAS BROKEN, DOWN THEY ALL FELL,
INSTEAD OF GOING TO HEAVEN, THEY WENT TO...
FOUR LITTLE ANGELS, ALL DRESSED IN WHITE,
TRIED TO GET TO HEAVEN ON THE END OF A KITE,
THE KITE STRING WAS BROKEN, DOWN THEY ALL FELL,
INSTEAD OF GOING TO HEAVEN THEY WENT TO...
THREE LITTLE ANGELS, ALL DRESSED IN WHITE,
TRIED TO GET TO HEAVEN ON THE END OF A KITE,
THE KITE STRING WAS BROKEN, DOWN THEY ALL FELL,
INSTEAD OF GOING TO HEAVEN THEY WENT TO...
TWO LITTLE ANGELS, ALL DRESSED IN WHITE,
TRIED TO GET TO HEAVEN ON THE END OF A KITE,
THE KITE STRING WAS BROKEN, DOWN THEY ALL FELL,
INSTEAD OF GOING TO HEAVEN, THEY WENT TO...
ONE LITTEL ANGEL, ALL DRESSED IN WHITE,
TRIED TO GET TO HEAVEN ON THE END OF A KITE,
THE KITE STRING WAS BROKEN, DOWN THEY ALL FELL,
INSTEAD OF GOING TO HEAVEN, THEY WENT TO...
FIVE LITTLE DEVILS, ALL DRESSED IN RED,
TRIED TO GET TO HEAVEN ON THE END OF A THREAD,
THE THREAD END WAS BROKEN, DOWN THEY ALL FELL,
INSTEAD OF GOING TO HEAVEN, THEY WENT TO...
FOUR LITTLE DEVILS, ALL DRESSED IN RED,
TRIED TO GET TO HEAVEN ON THE END OF A THREAD,
THE THREAD END WAS BROKEN, DOWN THEY ALL FELL,
INSTEAD OF GOING TO HEAVEN, THEY WENT TO...
THREE LITTLE DEVILS, ALL DRESSED IN RED,
TRIED TO GET TO HEAVEN ON THE END OF A THREAD,
THE THREAD END WAS BROKEN, DOWN THEY ALL FELL,
INSTEAD OF GOING TO HEAVEN, THEY WENT TO...
TWO LITTLE DEVILS, ALL DRESSED IN RED,
TRIED TO GET TO HEAVEN ON THE END OF A THREAD,
THE THREAD END WAS BROKEN, DOWN THEY ALL FELL,
INSTEAD OF GOING TO HEAVEN, THEY WENT TO...
ONE LITTLE DEVIL, ALL DRESSED IN RED,
TRIED TO GET TO HEAVEN ON THE END OF A THREAD,
THE THREAD END WAS BROKEN, DOWN THEY ALL FELL,
INSTEAD OF GOING TO HEAVEN, THEY WENT TO BED} GOOD NIGHT}

Submitter comment: STAIRCASE PARALLELISM
TWO DESCENDING CHAINS
CHAIN SONG
RHYME: AA
ELLIPSIS USED FOR RHYMING WORD: HELL
CONTRAST: ANGEL AND DEVIL, WHITE AND RED COLORS
THIS DEFINITELY HAS A TUNE

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HUNTINGTON WOODS

Date learned: CA00001967

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THE HEARTS GO THUMP, THUMP TOGETHER, TRUE LOVE FOREVER,
BRING BACK MY LOVE TO ME.
WHAT IS THE ME ME MEANING, OF ALL THIS HE HE HEART ACHE,
THEY TELL MY ST STORY, MY STORY OF LOVE FROM ME TO YOU.
THE SPADES GO SMACK, SMACK TOGETHER, TWILIGHT FOREVER,
BRING BACK MY LOVE TO ME.
WHAT IS THE ME ME MEANING, OF ALL THESE GR GR GRAVEYARDS,
THEY TELL MY ST STORY, MY STORY OF LOVE FROM ME TO YOU.
THE GUNS GO BANG, BANG TOGETHER, SPARKS FLY FOREVER,
BRING BACK YOUR LOVE TO ME.
WHAT IS THE ME ME MEANING, OF ALL THIS BL BL BLOODSHED,
IT TELLS MY ST STORY, MY STORY OF LOVE FROM ME TO YOU.
THIS SONG ALSO HAS GESTURES THAT GO ALONG WITH EACH VERSE.
THE FIRST VERSE IS ABOUT HEARTS, SO AS IT IS SUNG, YOU MAKE FISTS
WITH YOUR HANDS AND CLAP THEM TOGETHER.
AS THE SECOND VERSE IS SUNG YOU CLAP YOUR HAND FOR THE SPADES.
IN THE LAST VERSE, TO IMITATE THE GUNS, YOU PUT YOUR
FIRST TWO FINGERS TOGETHER ON EACH HAND AND CLAP.

Submitter comment: I SUPPOSE THIS COULD BE CALLED A STUTTERING SONG.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HUNTINGTON WOODS

Date learned: CA00001967

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FOUND A PEANUT, FOUND A PEANUT, FOUND A PEANUT JUST NOW,
I JUST NOW FOUND A PEANUT, FOUND A PEANUT JUST NOW.
BROKE IT OPEN, BROKE IT OPEN, BROKE IT OPEN JUST NOW,
I JUST NOW BROKE IT OPEN, BROKE IT OPEN JUST NOW.
FOUND IT ROTTEN, FOUND IT ROTTEN, FOUND IT ROTTEN JUST NOW,
I JUST NOW FOUND IT ROTTEN, FOUND IT ROTTEN JUST NOW.
I JUST NOW FOUND IT ROTTEN FOUND IT ROTTEN JUST NOW.
ATE IT ANYWAY, ATE IT ANYWAY, ATE IT ANYWAY JUST NOW,
I JUST NOW ATE IT ANYWAY, ATE IT ANYWAY JUST NOW.
GOT SICK, GOT SICK, GOT SICK JUST NOW,
I JUST NOW GOT SICK, GOT SICK JUST NOW.
I JUST NOW NOW GOT SICK, GOT SICK JUST NOW.
CALLED THE DOCTOR, CALLED THE DOCTOR, CALLED THE DOCTOR JUST NOW,
I JUST NOW CALLED THE DOCTOR, CALLED THE DOCTOR JUST NOW.
SAID I WOULDN'T DIE, SAID I WOULDN'T DIE,
SAID I WOULDN'T DIE JUST NOW.
HE JUST NOW SAID I WOULDN'T DIE, SAID I WOULN'T DIE JUST NOW.
DIED ANYWAY, DIED ANYWAY, DIED ANYWAY JUST NOW,
I JUST NOW DIED ANYWAY, DIED ANYWAY JUST NOW.
WENT TO HEAVEN, WENT TO HEAVEN, WENT TO HEAVEN JUST NOW,
I JUST NOW WENT TO HEAVEN, WENT TO HEAVEN JUST NOW.
SAID A NAUGHTY WORD, SAID A NAUGHTY WORD,
SAID A NAUGHTY WORD JUST NOW,
I JUST NOW SAID A NAUGHTY WORD, SAID A NAUGHTY WORD JUST NOW.
WENT BELOW, WENT BELOW, WENT BELOW JUST NOW,
I JUST NOW WENT BELOW, WENT BELOW JUST NOW.
SHOVELED COAL, SHOVELED COAL, SHOVELED COAL JUST NOW,
I JUST NOW SHOVELED COAL, SHOVELED COAL JUST NOW.
BURNT MY FINGER, BURNT MY FINGER, BURNT MY FINGER JUST NOW,
I JUST NOW BURNT MY FINGER, BURNT MY FINGER JUST NOW.
OUCH}

Submitter comment: TUNE: MY DARLING CLEMENTINE
CHIASMUS

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HUNTINGTON WOODS

Date learned: CA00001960

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CHILDREN'S CLAPPING SONG

SEE, SEE PLAYMATE, COME OUT AND PLAY WITH ME
AND BRING YOUR DOLLIES THREE,
CLIMB UP MY APPLE TREE,
SLIDE DOWN MY RAIN BARREL,
OPEN UP MY CELLAR DOOR
AND WE'LL BE MERRY FRIENDS FOREVER MORE.
SEE, SEE PLAYMATE, I CANNOT PLAY WITH YOU,
MY DOLLIES HAVE THE FLU,
BOO HOO HOO HOO,
CAN'T SLIDE DOWN MY RAIN BARREL
OR OPEN UP MY CELLAR DOOR,
BUT WE'LL BE JOLLY FRIENDS FOREVER MORE.
AS THIS IS SUNG, CHILDREN CLAP THEIR HANDS TO THE RHYTHM OF IT.

Submitter comment: THIS DEFINITELY HAS A TUNE TO IT

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HUNTINGTON WOODS

Date learned: CA00001967

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SONG

GLORY, GLORY, HALLELUIA, TEACHER HIT ME WITH A RULER, HID BEHIND
THE DOOR WITH A LOADED FORTYFOUR, AND THERE AIN'T NO TEACHER NO MORE

Submitter comment: THIS SONG WAS SUNG TO THE TUNE OF THE BATTLE HYMN OF THE REPUBLIC
AS GRADESCHOOLERS WE SANG THIS SONG BEHIND OUR TEACHERS BACKS

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HUNTINGTON WOODS

Date learned: 00001960S

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