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WHEN THE TREES WERE BARE IT BECAME APPARANT THAT THE BRANCHES LOOKED
LIKE ANOTHERS, HENCE THE FOLLOWING SAYING. ANOTHERS IN THE TREE TOP
BUT WHO GOOSED THE MOOSE.
Where learned: Massachusetts
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 00-00-1964
SOME PARTING WORDS OF ADVICE BEFORE I LEFT FOR DETROIT:
WATCH YOUR P'S AND Q'S.
Where learned: Massachusetts
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 00-00-1964
THIS BELIEF IS FOUND IN NEW ENGLAND AND NOVA SCOTIA:
"SOME PEOPLE WON'T HAVE A PARAKEET OR A CANARY IN THEIR HOME
BECAUSE IT IS A SIGN OF DEATH. THIS HAPPENED WHEN I WAS
WORKING AT A RELIGIOUS CAMP IN HAMILTON, MASSACHUSETTS.
I WAS IN ONE OF THE BUILDINGS WITH A LARGE GLASSED-IN PORCH
AND SOMEHOW A BEAUTIFUL BIRD GOT IN THE PORCH. IT FLEW
AROUND, STRIKING THE GLASS, STUNNED HIMSELF AND FELL TO
THE FLOOR. I PICKED HIM UP AND TOOK HIM OUT INTO THE YARD.
HE REVIVED IN THE FRESH AIR AND FLEW OUT OF MY HANDS. WITHIN
A VERY FEW MINUTES A TELEPHONE CALL CAME IN, TELLING US THAT
A WOMAN, A VOLUNTEER WORKER, HAD JUST BEEN KILLED ON A
NEAR-BY TURNPIKE."
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NOVA SCOTIA ; NASHVILLE ; Massachusetts ; HAMILTON ; NEW ENGLAND
| Subject headings: | Observation PROSE NARRATIVE -- Bird BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 08-00-1968
PRACTICAL JOKE
ONE PRANK INVOLVES A GROUP OF PEOPLE GAINING ENTRY TO A PERSON'S
ROOM WHILE THE PERSON IS THERE, AND REMOVING THE CONTENTS OF
THE ROOM, DESPITE THE OCCUPANT'S PROTESTS.
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS COLLECTED BY THE INFORMANT IN THE
FRESHMEN DORMS OF AMHERST COLLEGE IN AMHERST,
MASSACHUSETTS; IT WAS COLLECTED BY ME IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN.
Where learned: Massachusetts ; AMHERST
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 00001979-80 ; 03-00-1980
PRACTICAL JOKE
A COMMON PRANK INVOLVES GETTING A PERSON OUT OF HIS ROOM,
LOCKING HIM OUT, AND HIDING HIS KEYS SO HE CAN'T RE-ENTER.
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS COLLECTED BY THE INFORMANT IN THE
FRESHMEN DORMS OF AMHERST COLLEGE IN AMHERST,
MASSACHUSETTS; IT WAS COLLECTED BY ME IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN.
Where learned: Massachusetts ; AMHERST
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 00001979-80 ; 03-00-1980
PRACTICAL JOKE
ONE PRANK IS TO BLOW BABY POWDER INTO SOMEONE'S ROOM UNDER THE
DOOR, USING A HAND-HELD HAIR DRYER.
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS COLLECTED BY THE INFORMANT IN THE
FRESHMEN DORMS OF AMHERST COLLEGE IN AMHERST,
MASSACHUSETTS; IT WAS COLLECTED BY ME IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN.
Where learned: Massachusetts ; AMHERST
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 00001979-80 ; 03-00-1980
Language
after a twenty minute argument with his cousin, Jim hollored this parting statement: "Make like a tree and leave!"
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs Added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Leave-Talking?
Better-Taunt?
Original BN [C730.329] crossed out. Replaced with current classification.
Where learned: Cropper, James ; BOSTON ; Massachusetts
Keyword(s): Leave ; Leave Talking ; PLAY ON WORDS ; PUN ; TAUNT ; Tree ; WORDPLAY
| Subject headings: | -- SPEECH -- Formula |
PRACTICAL JOKE
THE DORMS AT AMHERST COLLEGE HAVE INDIVIDUAL POWER BOXES; A
FAVORITE PRANK IS TO SHUT OFF A PERSON'S POWER AT NIGHT, THEREBY
STOPPING HIS ALARM CLOCK AND MAKING HIM LATE FOR CLASS.
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS COLLECTED BY THE INFORMANT IN THE
FRESHMEN DORMS OF AMHERST COLLEGE IN AMHERST,
MASSACHUSETTS; IT WAS COLLECTED BY ME IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN.
Where learned: Massachusetts ; AMHERST
Date learned: 00001979-80 ; 03-00-1980
PRACTICAL JOKE
ONE NASTY JOKE IS EMPTYING AN UNSUSPECTING PARTY'S TOOTHPASTE
TUBE AND REFILLING IT WITH URINE.
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS COLLECTED BY THE INFORMANT IN THE
FRESHMEN DORMS OF AMHERST COLLEGE IN AMHERST,
MASSACHUSETTS; IT WAS COLLECTED BY ME IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN.
Where learned: Massachusetts ; AMHERST
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 03-00-1980
IF YOU DROP A FORK A LADY IS COMING TO SEE YOU. IF YOU DROP
A KNIFE, A MAN IS COMING TO SEE YOU. IF YOU DROP A SPOON,
EITHER IS COMING.
Submitter comment: SISTER LEARNED THIS FROM HER FAMILY AS A YOUNG GIRL IN
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE ; Massachusetts ; LYNN
| Subject headings: | Observation Food Drink -- Service Table furnishing and decoration Implement to handle food BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 08-00-1968
THIS IS COMMON BELIEF IN NOVA SCOTIA. THIS TOOK PLACE IN
LYNN, MASSACHUSETTS. THE INFORMANT KNEW THE PAINTER. THE
PAINTER WAS WORKING AT SISTER'S HOUSE, AND AT ANOTHER
WOMAN'S HOUSE AT THE SAME TIME.
"ONE AFTERNOON THE PAINTER CAME TO OUR HOUSE AND HE WAS
STARK WHITE. IT SEEMS HE HAD BEEN PAINTING THE LADY'S HOUSE
IN THE MORNING. WHILE THERE A DOG CAME INTO THE YARD FACING
TOWARD HER HOUSE, HE BEGAN TO HO; FOR NO APPARENT REASON.
THE WOMAN LAUGHED, AND SAID, 'IF I WERE HOME, (NOVA SCOTIA)
I'D REALLY BE WORRIED; BECAUSE THEY BELIEVE A HOWLING DOG
POINTING AT A HOUSE IS A SURE SIGN OF DEATH.' HE LAUGHINGLY
AGREED. HE WAS FROM NOVA SCOTIA, AND HAD HEARD THE SAME
THING. HE WENT ON PAINTING, AND SHE WENT BACK TO WORK.
WITHIN ONE HALF HOUR, HE HEARD A SCREAM AND STEPPED BACK IN
THROUGH THE WINDOW TO SEE WHAT HAD HAPPENED. THE WOMAN WAS
ON THE FLOOR, HER DAUGHTER, THE ONE WHO HAD SCREAMED, WAS
KNEELING OVER HER. THE WOMAN HAD DIED OF A HEART ATTACK.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NOVA SCOTIA ; NASHVILLE ; Massachusetts ; LYNN
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 08-00-1968
SISTER LEARNED THIS FROM HER FAMILY AS A YOUNG GIRL LIVING IN
LYNN, MASSACHUSETTS.
NEVER KILL A SPIDER THAT HAS WALKED ON YOU. YOU'LL BE GETTING
A NEW SUIT OF CLOTHES.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE ; Massachusetts ; LYNN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Insect |
Date learned: 08-00-1968
PROVERB
YA CAN TAKE THE BOY OUTTA THE COUNTRY, BUT YA CAN'T
TAKE THE COUNTRY OUTTA THE BOY.
Submitter comment:
MY FATHER'S STATEMENT WHEN I RETURNED AFTER MY FRESHMAN
YEAR AT U OF D.
Where learned: BOSTON ; Massachusetts
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 00-00-1960
THIS WAS HIS WAY OF TELLING A YOUNG BOY HOW TO PLAY
THE OUTFIELD. HE WAS INDEED A FINE LITTLE LEAGUE MANAGER.
IT IS EASIER FOR AN OUTFIELDER TO RUN IN FOR A FLY BALL,
THAN IT IS FOR HIM TO RUN OUT. THEREFORE, PLAY THE OUTFIELD
DEEP.
Where learned: BOSTON ; Massachusetts
Keyword(s): BASEBALL SPORTS
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 00-00-1955
Content filter on this entry.
Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.
DIRTY OLD MAN: "TO THE WOODS, TO THE WOODS"
YOUNG LADY: "NO, MY MOTHER WOULDN'T LIKE IT
DIRTY OLD MAN: "YOUR MOTHER LOVED IT"
Data entry tech comment:
updated by TRD on 12-2010
James Callow comment:
KEYPUNCH CARDS ARE MISSING HERE
Where learned: Massachusetts ; Framingham
Keyword(s): Abuse ; Rape ; SEX
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote Filter - Mature Content |
Date learned: 00-00-1970
MR. QUINN WAS MY LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL MANAGER. HE WAS QUITE
A STUDENT OF THE GAME. YOU CAN MAKE AN INFIELDER INTO AN OUT-
FIELDER, BUT YOU CAN'T MAKE AN OUTFIELDER INTO AN INFIELDER.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS AN ANSWER TO A QUESTION ASKED HIM ON ME PLAYING BOTH
INFIELD AND OUTFIELD.
Where learned: BOSTON ; Massachusetts
James Callow Keyword(s): VERSATILITY
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 00-00-1955
MAN WITH A HOOK: TALE
JUST OUTSIDE BOSTON IS A PLACE WHERE COUPLES PARK TO TALK, AND
MANY COUPLES ARE USUALLY THERE IN THEIR CARS. ONE NIGHT ONLY ONE
CAR WAS THERE ON A MOONLESS NIGHT. THE COUPLE HAPPENED TO HEAR
ON THE RADIO THAT AN INMANTE OF AN ASYLUM HAD ESCAPED AND WAS IN
THE AREA. THE REPORT SAID THAT HE WAS MISSING A HAND AND HAD A
HOOK INSTEAD. JUST THEN THEY HEARD A NOISE OUTSIDE AND HURRIEDLY
LEFT THE SPOT. WHEN THEY REACHED THE GIRL'S HOUSE, THE BOY WENT
TO OPEN THE GIRL'S DOOR AND THERE WAS THE HOOK ON THE DOOR HANDLE
ON A BLOODY STUMP.
Where learned: BOSTON ; Massachusetts
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Vehicle propelled by mechanical or other force on land BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 10-00-1967
NO GRASS ON THE GRAVE: TALE
THE GREAT-GRANDFATHER OF MY INFORMANT WAS ALLEGEDLY UNJUSTLY
ACCUSED OF MURDERING HIS WIFE. HE SWORE HE WAS INNOCENT UP TILL
THE TIME OF HIS EXECUTION NEAR BOSTON.
UNTIL THIS DAY, NO GRASS GROWS ON THAT GRAVE, THOUGH IT HAS BEEN
RE-SODDED SEVERAL TIMES.
Where learned: BOSTON ; Massachusetts
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate PROSE NARRATIVE -- Plant BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 10-00-1967
WAKE UP
IF YOU TALK NONSENSE, YOU WILL BE TOLD, "PUT OUT YOUR HAND
AND SEE IF YOU ARE IN."
TRANSLATION: YOU ARE DREAMING.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT SAYS SOURCE IS BOSTON, BUT HAS NO DATE.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN ; BOSTON ; Massachusetts ; WASHINGTON DC
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ordinary Tale BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 11-04-1967
BURIED IN THE SAND
SOME BOYS DECIDED TO PULL A JOKE ON A FRIEND AT THE
BEACH AND GAVE HIM SOME SLEEPING PILLS IN A DRINK TO
PUT HIM TO SLEEP. THEN THEY BURIED HIM IN THE SAND
AND PUT RAGS OVER HIS FACE SO THAT HE COULD BREATH.
LATER, THEY RETURNED AND THE WAVES HAD REARRANGED
THE SAND AND THEY COULDN'T FIND THEIR FRIEND. THEY
LOOKED AND LOOKED, BUT HE COULDN'T BE FOUND AND
THEY SAY HE'S STILL THERE SOMEWHERE.
Where learned: BOSTON ; Massachusetts
James Callow Keyword(s): FATAL PRANK
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 10-00-1967