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QUIZZIES

THERE WAS A PROFESSOR AT MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
NOTORIOUS FOR TESTS WHICH HE CONSIDERED SIMPLE ENOUGH
TO BE CALLED "QUIZZIES." ONE DAY, HE ANNOUNCED HE WOULD
GIVE A QUIZZIE ON THE FOLLOWING DAY WHICH WOULD REQUIRE
NO PREPARATORY STUDY. THE "QUIZZIE" TURNED OUT TO BE
AN HOUR LONG EXAM! ONE FURIOUS GIRL STOMPPED UP TO
THE PROFESSOR'S DESK AND, SLAMMING DOWN THE EXAM, SAID,
"IF THIS IS A QUIZZIE" I'D LIKE TO SEE YOUR TESTIES."

Submitter comment: TOLD AS A TRUE STORY AFTER THE INFORMANT'S FIRST
SEMESTER AT MICHIGAN STATE IN 1960.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Woman

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STUPID SALLY JOKE

STUPID SALLY WAS AT THE SHOW WITH HER BOYFRIEND, WHEN
SUDDENLY, HE PUTS HIS HAND DOWN HER BLOUSE. BUT
STUPID SALLY WASN'T WORRIED, SHE KNEW HER MONEY WAS
IN HER SHOE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Woman

Date learned: 00001965 SUMMER

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STUPID SALLY JOKE

STUPID SALLY WAS WALKING THEROUGH TH FOREST WHEN,
SUDDENLY, A MAN JUMPS OUT OF THE WOODS AND SAYS, "TAKE
OFF ALL YOUR CLOTHES!"
BUT SALLY WASN'T WORRIED, SHE KNEW THEY WOULDN'T
FIT HIM.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Woman

Date learned: 00001965 SUMMER

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STUPID SALLY JOKE

STUPID SALLY WENT TO THE DOCTOR WHO TOLD HER THAT SHE
WAS SEVEN MONTHS PREGNANT AND GOING TO HAVE TWINS. BUT
SALLY WASN'T WORRIED, SHE KNEW IT COULDN'T BE TRUE
BECAUSE SHE ONLY DID IT ONCE.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT HEARD IT AT DRIVERS' TRAINING.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Woman

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STARTING A CAR EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

THIS IS A STORY THAT WENT AROUND WHEN AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSIONS FIRST BECAME POPULAR.
A MAN, WHOSE CAR HAD STALLED, WAS TELLING A WOMAN,
WHO HAD OFFERED A PUSH, THAT TO TURN OVER HIS MOTOR
SHE WOULD HAVE TO GO 35 M.P.H. HE CLIMBS INTO THE
SEAT, LOOKS INTO HIS REAR VIEW MIRROR, AND LEAPS
TO SAFETY, JUST AS THE WOMAN DRIVER CRASHES INTO
HIS CAR AT 35 M.P.H.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Stupid man or woman

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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DRUNK JOKE

THE STORY IS TOLD ABOUT THE OLD DRUNK WHO WALKS
INTO A STRANGE BAR CARRYING THIS ALLIGATOR.
THE OLD DRUNK ASKS THE BARTENDER IF HE SERVES
DRUNKS AT THIS BAR. THE BARTENDER SAID YES.
"GOOD, SAID THE DRUNK, GIVE ME A WHISKEY AND
GIVE MY ALLIGATOR A DRUNK."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Stupid man or woman

Date learned: 03-15-1967

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SUPERSTITION OF THE NUMBER 13.

NO AIRLINE FLIGHT WILL EVER HAVE THE NUMBER 13 IN IT, OR NO SEAT
WILL BE LABELED SEAT 13. THIS IS CONSIDERED BAD LUCK.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA

Subject headings: 686 Specific number by specific number being described
BELIEF -- Bad luck

Date learned: CA00001979

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BASEBALL SUPERSTITION

AT THE END OF AN INNING THE OPPOSING TEAM THROWS THE BALL TO THE
MOUND AND THE PITCHER MUST BE THE FIRST ONE TO TOUCH THE BALL. THIS
IS GOOD LUCK TO THE PITCHER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA

Subject headings: 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually.
BELIEF -- Entertainment Diversion
BELIEF -- Good luck

Date learned: CA0001979

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ELEPHANT JOKE

WHAT TIME IS IT WHEN AN ELEPHANT SITS ON A FENCE? TIME TO GET A
NEW FENCE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA

Subject headings: RIDDLE -- Riddle Question

Date learned: CA0001980

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FUNERALS

COUNTING THE NUMBER OF CARS IN A FUNERAL PROCESSION,
IT IS ASSURED THAT THER WILL SOON BE A DEATH IN YOUR OWN FAMILY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial
BELIEF -- Number Counting beliefs

Date learned: CA02001980

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CURE FOR A COUGH

THE BEST CURE FOR A COUGH IS:
1 SHOT OF WHISKEY
2 SHOTS OF LEMON JUICE
3 SHOTS OF HONEY, MIX WELL AND DRINK IT DOWN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Remedy

Date learned: CA02001980

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NAME CALLING

WHEN CHILDREN GET INTO ARGUEMENTS, AMONG THEMSELVES
AND THE NAME CALLING BEGINS,
THEY CHANT
STICKS AND STONES MAY BREAK MY BONES BUT NAMES WILL NEVER HURT ME

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA

James Callow Keyword(s): RETORT

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

Date learned: CA02001980

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WHEN I WAS IN GRADE SCHOOL THE NUNS MADE US DRESS UP AS OUR PATRON
SAINT ON HALLOWEEN.

Submitter comment: GRADE SCHOOL ST. MICHAEL'S OF LIVONIA

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA

Subject headings: DRAMA -- Religious
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- October 31 Halloween
BELIEF -- Religious hero

Date learned: GRADE SCHOOL

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BIRTH BELIEF

AFTER A BABY IS BORN THERE IS A PIECE OF THE UMBILICAL CORD
WHICH IS STILL ATTACHED TO THE CHILD!S NAVEL. THIS PIECE WILL
EVENTUALLY FALL OFF. IF YOU THROW THIS PIECE AWAY, THE CHILD
WILL BE A RUN AROUND. IF YOU IMPLANT IT SOMEWHERE IN THE
HOME, THE CHILD WILL GROW UP AND NEVER LEAVE HOME.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT'S MOTHER DID THIS TO HER SON, HE IS 40 AND STILL LIVING
AT HOME.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA

Keyword(s): CONTAGIOUS MAGIC

Subject headings: Favorites
BELIEF -- Birth

Date learned: 03-11-1972

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SONG ( JEST )

ROW, ROW, ROW YOUR BOAT
GENTLY DOWN THE STREAM.
PUSH YOUR TEACHER OVERBOARD
AND LISTEN TO HER SCREAM

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT TOLD ME THAT THIS SONG IS PRESENTLY SUNG BY THE
STUDENTS OF THE HULL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN LIVONIA.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA

Keyword(s): SONG

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

Date learned: 02-07-1971

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SILVERWARE BELIEFS

WHENEVER ONE DROPS A FORK, A WOMWN IS COMING TO THE HOME; WHEN A
KNIFE IS DROPPED A MAN IS COMING; IF A SPOON IS DROPPED A CHILD IS
COMING.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA

Subject headings: Observation

Date learned: 09-24-1969

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GOOD FRIDAY CUSTOM

PRUNING ROSEBUSHES ON GOOD FRIDAY WILL RESULT IN BEAUTIFUL BLOOMS.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT RECALLS THIS AS A REGULAR PRACTICE OF ONE OF HER POLISH
NEIGHBORS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; 36783 SUNNYDALE ; LIVONIA

Subject headings: 663 Good Friday

Date learned: 04-03-1970

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WEDDING SHOWER CUSTOM

AT A BRIDAL SHOWER, THE NUMBER OF RIBBONS BROKEN FROM THE PRESENTS
THE BRIDE RECEIVES INDICATES THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN SHE WILL HAVE.
SEVEN BROKEN RIBBONS MEAN SEVEN CHILDREN.

Submitter comment: EVERYONE LAUGHS AT THIS CUSTOM, BUT AT EVERY BRIDAL SHOWER I HAVE
ATTENDED THE FUTURE BRIDE HAS BEEN VERY CAREFUL. I HAVE NEVER
SEEN A BROKEN RIBBON.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA

James Callow Keyword(s): NUMBERS ; SYMBOLS

Subject headings: 686 Seven / Sevenths / Several
Observation
BELIEF -- Birth

Date learned: CA00001970

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BIRTH BELIEF

AFTER A BABY IS BORN THERE IS A PIECE OF THE UMBILICAL CORD
WHICH IS STILL ATTACHED TO THE CHILD
EVENTUALLY FALL OFF. IF YOU THROW THIS PIECE AWAY, THE CHILD
WILL BE A RUN AROUND. IF YOU IMPLANT IT SOMEWHERE IN THE
HOME, THE CHILD WILL GROW UP AND NEVER LEAVE HOME.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT'S MOTHER DID THIS TO HER SON, HE IS 40 AND STILL LIVING AT HOME.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA

James Callow Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Body part Senses
BELIEF -- Birth

Date learned: 03-11-1972

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PREDICTION OR BELIEF

WHENEVER A BLACK HEN COMES INTO A HOUSE, IT IS SAID TO BE GOOD LUCK.
THE PEOPLE TRY TO KEEP IT IN THE HOUSE FOR A TIME AND MAKE WISHES
THAT THE MERE PRESENCE OF THE HEN WILL FULFILL.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA

James Callow Keyword(s): COLOR

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Bird
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Prayer
BELIEF -- Color
BELIEF -- Good luck P881.32

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