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St. Patrick's Day
Every St. Patrick's Day, my mother cooks corned beef and cabbage
for dinner. For dessert, she usually makes a cake with green
frosting.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
Keyword(s): COLOR
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- March 17 Feast of St. Patrick Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals |
Date learned: 00001971ca
POLISH CHRISTMAS CUSTOMS
THE CELEBRATION OF CHRISTMAS BEGINS ON
CHRISTMAS EVE. THE DINNER MUST BE MEATFREE BUT
FISH IS ALLOWED. OPLATKI IS ALSO EATEN. THIS
IS BLESSED BUT NOT CONSECRATED BREAD. THE PRESENTS
ARE OPENED ON CHRISTMAS EVE, NOT CHRISTMAS MORNING.
ON CHRISTMAS ONE USUALLY HAD HAM FOR DINNER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Farmington Hills
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve |
GOOD FRIDAYS
MY MOTHER, ON GOOD FRIDAY, USED TO TAKE HER BROOM
AND SWISH IT AROUND THE HOUSE TO RID IT OF EVIL SPIRITS.
SHE EVEN SHOOK THE BROOM IN THE CLOSETS. SHE USED TO MUTTER
SOMETHING IN SICILIAN AS SHE DID IT, A CURSE; THE LAST WORD
OF WHICH WAS A SWEAR WORD.
Submitter comment: INFORMANTS MOTHER IMMIGRATED FROM SICILY AS A YOUNG GIRL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; 29254 SANDLEWOOD ; ROSEWOOD MANOR ; ROSEVILLE
| Subject headings: | 663 Good Friday Favorites BELIEF -- Devil Demon |
UNDER A NUT TREE
A PIG STUFFED HERSELF WITH NUTS AND THEN SLEPT
UNDER THE NUT TREE. WHEN SHE WOKE UP SHE STARTED
TO DIG WITH HER SNOUT. A RAVEN WAS SITTING IN
THE TREE AND SAID TO THE PIG, "YOU ARE HARMING
THE TREE WITH YOUR DIGGING! THE TREE MIGHT WHITHER."
THE PIG SAID, "LET IT WHITHER, I DON'T CARE. I
ONLY CARE ABOUT NUTS."
THE TREE THEN SAID, "YOU STUPID IDIOT! IF YOU
WOULD RAISE YOUR HEAD YOU WOULD SEE THAT THE NUTS
GROW ON ME!"
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS LEARNED IN RUSSIA AND IS IN RHYME IN
THE RUSSIAN LANGUAGE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Farmington Hills
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal Tale |
Date learned: 10-27-1983
THE GRASS IS RIZ,
WHERE LAST YEAR'S
CARELESS DRIVER IS.
Submitter comment: WRITTEN IN PARISH BULLETIN.
James Callow comment: RDNeedsReview
Where learned: MICHIGAN
Keyword(s): ADVICE ; DEATH ; DRIVING ; METER: IAMBIC ; MONOLOGUE SLANG, DIALECT ; PUN ; RHYME: MASCULINE, ABCB
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse |
NOBODY LIKES ME.
EVERYBODY HATES ME,
I,M GOING TO GO EAT WORMS.
REFRAIN:
BIG, FAT, JUICY ONES.
SMALL, THIN, SLABBY ONES.
ITSY, BITSY, FUZZY, WUZZY WORMS.
FIRST YOU GET A BUCKET,
THEN YOU GET A SHOVEL,
THEN YOU GET A BUCKET FULL OF WORMS.
REFRAIN
FIRST YOU BITE THEIR HEADS OFF,
THEN YOU SUCK THEIR GUTS OUT,
OH, HOW THEY WIGGLE AND SQUIRM.
UP COMES ONE WORM,
UP COMES TWO WORMS,
UP COMES THREE LITTLE WORMS.
REFRAIN
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BATTLE CREEK
Keyword(s): WORMS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Good humor Jest |
Date learned: 10-00-1968
Strange Cure
As a small child, I was a frequent sufferer of nose bleeds. While
staying with my grandmother, my nose began to bleed, and she
suggested a strange cure she had learned as a child. She placed a
large spoon in the freezer, and when it was cold, she placed it on
the back of my neck.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
Keyword(s): Silverware
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mineral |
Date learned: 00001980CA
A CURE FOR PIMPLES
FOR FACIAL BLACKHEADS AND PIMPLES,
SMEAR FRESH TOMATO JUICE ON FACE
BEFORE RETIRING, AND LEAVE IT ON ALL NIGHT.
THE ACID IN THE TOMATO JUICE
WILL COMBAT THE POISON.
Submitter comment: MY INFORMANT OBTAINED THIS INFORMATION FROM HER MOTHER.
Data entry tech comment: THIS SECTION OF THE ARCHIVES CONTAINS SEVERAL SIMILAR ITEMS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; PONTIAC
Keyword(s): ASTRINGENT ; FOOD
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 00-00-1956
Stain Remover
As a high school student, I was forever getting ink on some part
of my clothing. My mother informed me that if put on a fairly new ink
stain, hair spray would remove it completely.
Submitter comment:
This form of stain removal is still used by my family and
friends.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
Keyword(s): HOUSEHOLD HINT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Home |
Date learned: 00001985ca
Emergency Phone Calls
When I was a child, I always wore Penny Loafers. My mother would
put dimes in the penny slots of my shoes, just so that I would always
have twenty cents to make a phone call in case of an emergency.
Submitter comment:
The dimes I was forced to wear helped me out of a difficult
situation more than once.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
Keyword(s): Telephone call, price of
| Subject headings: | 686 First / Once / One / Newness Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of quality Monetary system Money Wealth ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Dress HandsFeet BELIEF -- Number P686.1.20 |
Date learned: 00001980CA
THE MONKEY AND THE BEAR
THE MONKEY LOOKED AT HERSELF IN THE MIRROR.
SHE KICKED THE BEAR NEXT TO HER AND SAID,
"LOOK AT THAT HORROR! LOOK AT THOSE FOLDS
AND WRINKLES! I WOULD CHOKE IF I RESEMBLED THAT
IMAGE AT ALL!"
THE BEAR SAID, "RECOGNIZE THAT IT IS YOU! I
KNOW OTHER UGLY MONKEY FRIENDS LIKE YOU. I CAN
COUNT THEM ALL ON MY FINGERS..."
THE MONKEY INTERRUPTED, "DON'T TROUBLE YOURSELF
TO COUNT THEM. TAKE A LOOK AT YOURSELF IN THE
MIRROR INSTEAD!"
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS LEARNED IN RUSSIA AND IS IN RHYME IN
THE RUSSIAN LANGUAGE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Farmington Hills
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal Tale |
Date learned: 10-27-1983
Make a Wish
When driving over railroad tracks, pick up your feet and touch a
screw. While you are in that position, make a wish. If the tracks are
cleared, and you have remained with your feet up and in contact with
the screw, your wish will come true.
Submitter comment: I practiced this in high school with friends.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Prayer SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 00001985ca
THE FOX AND THE RAVEN
A RAVEN WAS FLYING AROUND AND FOUND A
HUNK OF CHEESE. SHE ATE THE CHEESE UNTIL
SHE WAS ALMOST SATISFIED. BUT SHE STILL HAD
A PIECE OF CHEESE IN HER MOUTH. A FOX
RAN BY AND SMELLED THE CHEESE. HE STOPPED
AND SAW THE RAVEN WITH THE CHEESE.
HE SAID TO THE RAVEN: "DEAR FRIEND, HOW
LOVELY YOU ARE! WHAT SPLENDID FEATHERS, WHAT
A LOVELY BEAK! YOU MUST HAVE A HEAVENLY
VOICE. SING ME A PRETTY SONG. DON'T BE SHY,
SING! YOU ARE THE QUEEN OF ALL BIRDS!
SOMEONE AS LOVELY AS YOU SHOULD SING!"
THE RAVEN WAS SO HAPPY, SHE CROWED WITH ALL
OF HER MIGHT. THE PIECE OF CHEESE FELL OUT
OF HER BEAK WHEN SHE OPENED IT AND THE CLEVER
FOX GOBBLED IT UP. THE RAVEN THEN FLEW AWAY,
STILL NOT QUITE SATISFIED
Submitter comment:
THIS TALE WAS LEARNED IN RUSSIA AND WAS IN
RHYME IN THE RUSSIAN LANGUAGE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Farmington Hills
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal Tale |
Date learned: 10-27-1983
THE FLY AND THE BEE
ONE SPRING MORNING IN AN ORCHARD, A BEE WAS SITTING
ON A FLOWER. A FLY SAW HER GATHERING THE NECTAR AND
SAID: "DON'T YOU TIRE OF WORKING EVERY DAY FROM
MORNING TO NIGHT? I WOULDN'T TRADE PLACES WITH YOU,
I COULDN'T TAKE IT FOR A DAY. MY LIFE IS HEAVENLY.
I FLY AROUND AMONGST THE GUESTS AT BALLS, WEDDINGS,
AND BIRTHDAYS. I'M ALWAYS THE FIRST ONE THERE. I EAT
FROM RICH MEN'S PLATES; I DRINK SWEET WINE FROM
CRYSTAL GLASSES; I TAKE WHATEVER I FANCY. I CAN
EVEN BE FOUND AT THE KING'S TABLE."
THE BEE REPLIED: "I KNOW ALL OF THAT BUT I HEAR THAT
NOBODY LIKES YOU. WHEN YOU SHOW UP IN A HOME, THEY
CHASE YOU OUT IN SHAME!"
THE FLY SAID: "CHASE ME OUT, SO WHAT? IF THEY CHASE
ME OUT ONE WINDOW, I SIMPLY FLY IN THE NEXT!"
Submitter comment:
MY GRANDMOTHER LEARNED THIS IN RUSSIA. IT IS A RUSSIA
A RHYME WHEN TOLD IN RUSSIAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; RUSSIA ; Farmington Hills
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal Tale |
POLISH PRAYER
ZA TWE MAMO PRACE TROSKI BEDA PROSIE MATKI BOSKI BY CIE
OBDARZYLA ZDROWIEM JAK WOSNE VIECEJ POWIEM. TRANSLATION: FOR ALL
YOUR WORK AND WORRY, I BESEECH THE MOTHER OF GOD TO GIFT YOU
WITH HEALTH AND WHEN I GROW UP I'LL TELL YOU MORE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTIONAL SHIFT: GIFT AS VERB ; PIOUS GOOD WISHES
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Custom Festival C840.643 Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- March 21 equinox to June 20 |
Date learned: 11-07-1974
IN THE ALPHABET RIDDLE
Q: IN THE ALPHABET, AND FOR DRINKING,/ NOT IN DUMB BUT FIRST IN
THINKING.
A: TEA.
Submitter comment:
I FOUND THIS ACTIVITY BOOK IN THE ATTIC. FROM:
"LOTS OF THINGS TO DO"
(AKRON, OHIO, THE SAALFIELD PUBLISHING CO., 1951)
THE PAGES ARE NOT NUMBERED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ACTIONS (Q) ; COMMUNICATIONS AND RELATED MATTER (Q)
James Callow Keyword(s): CATCH
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Riddle True Riddle |
Date learned: 08-00-1964
Color Tag (Game)
The game is played by a group of more than four children, in a
large, outside area. One child is selected to be "It," and begins the
game by counting to ten. The other children run away, and
"It" attempts to catch them. If a child is about to be caught, he or
she can sit down and yell the name of a color. Any colors can be
used, but they cannot be repeated. "It" must either catch a child
before he or she sits down and says a color, or a color must be
repeated in order for "It" to become a player.
Submitter comment: I played this game as a small child with my school friends.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Racing Chasing Fighting |
Date learned: 00001975CA
BULLSHIT (DRINKING GAME)
EVERYONE HAS AN ANIMAL NAME.
SOMEONE STARTS OFF BY CALLING ONE OF THE NAMES. THE PERSON'S "NAME"
THAT'S CALLED ON HAS TO KEEP IN SEQUENCE. IF HE SCREWS UP, HE HAS
TO CHUG-A-LUG. EX: BULLSHIT, I SHIT, COW SHIT. THAT PERSON THAT
WAS THE COW WOULD HAVE TO REPEAT THE FIRST TWO PHRASES AND CALL
OUT ANOTHER ANIMAL.
Submitter comment: MY BROTHER PLAYED THIS GAME AT M.S.U.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Farmington Hills
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Mental Activity |
Date learned: 00-00-1977
BRIDAL SHOWER SUPERSTITION
FOR EVERY RIBBON THAT YOU CUT WITH SCISSORS ON A SHOWER GIFT, YOU
WILL HAVE A BABY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Farmington Hills
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Number Counting beliefs |
Date learned: CA0001978
Content filter on this entry.
Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.
THERE WAS A BIG FOOTBALL GAME BETWEEN A TEAM OF POLAKS AND A TEAM OF
WAPS, AND WELL INTO THE FOURTH QUARTER, THE SCORE WAS 0 TO 0. A
NEARBY FACTORY THEN BLEW ITS WHISTLE WHEREUPON THE POLAKS LEFT
THE FIELD THINKING IT TO BE THE END OF THE GAME. SIX PLAYS LATER,
THE WAPS SCORED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | ITAL BELIEF -- Poli |
Date learned: 10-17-1972