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IF A BIRD FLIES INTO YOUR HOME A DEATH IS SOON TO COME
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT'S MOTHER RELATED THIS TO HIM WHEN HE WAS A CHILD IN THE
YEAR 1924
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH ; TOLD IN
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 00-01-960
GOOD FRIDAY
IN BELGIUM, ON GOOD FRIDAY, IT IS BELIEVED THAT ALL THE CHURCH BELLS
FLEW TO ROME ON THAT DAY. THEY ALSO FLEW BACK ON EASTER SUNDAY AT
WHICH TIME THEY DROPPED EASTER EGGS FOR THE CHILDREN.
Submitter comment: RECORDED ON TAPE
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; 935 FIDELITY DR ; PITTSBURGH ; 36
| Subject headings: | 663 Good Friday Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter eggs CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday BELIEF -- Daily Life |
Date learned: 11-01-1970
HALLOWEEN
IN BELGIUM, HALLOWEEN IS NOT CELEBRATED AT THE SAME TIME AS IN
AMERICA. AS A MATTER OF FACT, OUR MARDI GRAS IS THEIR HALLOWEEN.
IT IS ALWAYS CELEBRATED THE SUNDAY, MONDAY, AND TUESDAY BEFORE
ASH WEDNESDAY.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; 935 FIDELITY DR ; PITTSBURGH ; 36
| Subject headings: | 663 Ash Wednesday CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Pre Lent |
GOOD FRIDAY BELIEF
IF YOU CUT YOUR HAIR ON GOOD FRIDAY, IT WILL COME IN THICK.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT HEARD THIS AS A CHILD DURING THE LATE TEENS AND EARLY
1920'S. INFORMANT'S MOTHER PRACTICED THIS THEN, AND DID CUT
INFORMANT'S HAIR ON GOOD FRIDAY. THE INFORMANT CLAIMS TO STILL DO
SO IF SHE REMEMBERS, BUT DOES NOT CLAIM TO DO IT EVERY GOOD FRIDAY.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; 4236 WILLOW AVE ; PITTSBURGH ; 15234
| Subject headings: | 663 Good Friday Favorites BELIEF -- Body part Senses |
Date learned: 10-02-1971
THAT WILL SET YOUR MOTHER'S PRESERVES.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT HEARD THIS SAID WHEN YOUNG (1915-20) AS A FORM OF
RETORT SIMILAR TO THAT'LL FIX YOUR APPLE CART.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH
Keyword(s): COMEBACK
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 10-02-1971
IT'S NOT THE COUGH
THAT CARRIES YOU OFF.
IT'S THE COFFIN
THEY CARRY YOU OFF IN.
Submitter comment: HEARD AND SAID WHEN YOUNG, 1915-1920.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH
Keyword(s): DEATH ; HUMOR TANGLETALK PUN ; IAMBIC-DACTYLIC, FEMININE RHYME, WORD PLAY, REPETITION ; OBSERVATION, TONGUETWISTER ; QUATRAIN SURPRISE ENDING CONTRAST ; RHYME: AABB
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse |
THE BRIDGE TO NOWHERE
LATE IN THE 1950'S, CONSTRUCTION BEGAN ON A BRIDGE ACROSS THE
ALLEGHANY RIVER LINKING DOWNTOWN PITTSBURGH WITH THE CITY'S
NORTHSIDE. THE BRIDGE WAS BUILT AT GREAT EXPENSE, OR IT SHOULD
BE SAID THAT IT WAS ALMOST BUILT. ABOUT TWO YEARS AFTER CONSTRUC-
TION BEGAN, IT ENDED, SOME 40 FEET SHORT OF THE OPPOSITE BANK.
NOT ONLY WASN'T THERE ANY ROAD ON THE OTHER SIDE TO CONNECT THE
BRIDGE TO, BUT RIGHTS-OF-WAY HAD NOT YET EVEN BEEN PURCHASED.
THE BRIDGE REMAINED UNCOMPLETED FOR 14 YEARS, AND QUICKLY ASSUMED
THE NAME OF THE "BRIDGE TO NOWHERE." THE BRIDGE BECAME A SYMBOL
FOR INEFFICIENCY IN GOVERNMENT AND THE TARGET FOR NUMEROUS JOKES.
MANY STORIES ARE TOLD ABOUT PEOPLE DRIVING OFF THE END OF IT
(SOME ACTUALLY DOCUMENTED). THE BRIDGE WAS FINALLY COMPLETED IN
1970 AND OFFICIALLY NAMED THE FORT DUQUESNE BRIDGE, BUT PITTSBURGH
RESIDENTS CONTINUE TO REFER TO IT AS THE BRIDGE TO NOWHERE.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Plan, design, color, building material, and technic ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Bridge |
Date learned: 10-02-1971
YOUR MOTHER AND MY MOTHER WERE HANGING CLOTHES.
MY MOTHER PUNCHED YOUR MOTHER RIGHT IN THE NOSE.
WHAT COLOR WAS HER BLOOD?
PERSON TOUCHED PICKS A COLOR AND THE COLOR IS SPELLED OUT,
LETTER BY LETTER.
(BLANK) SPELLS (COLOR PICKED) AND YOU ARE OUT!
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
EASTER CUSTOM
A BASKET OF FOOD CONTAINING HARD-BOILED EGGS, KHOBASI, SALT, HOMEMADE
NUT OR/AND POPPYSEED CAKE, AND BREAD (HOMEMADE IF
POSSIBLE) IS TAKEN TO THE CHURCH ON HOLY SATURDAY TO BE BLESSED BY
THE PRIEST WITH HOLY WATER. THIS FOOD CANNOT BE EATEN UNTIL
EASTER SUNDAY MORNING. ALL OF THE FOOD MUST BE EATEN. IT CANNOT BE
THROWN AWAY.
Submitter comment:
(1890'S)
INFORMANT'S PARENTS FOLLOWED THIS PRACTICE AND INFORMANT ALSO STILL
FOLLOWS IT.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; 15209 ; PITTSBURGH ; 1579 ANDERSON RD
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM ; SWIECZONKA
| Subject headings: | 663 Holy Saturday CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 10-02-1971
SONG
GRANDMOTHER IS SITTING CLOSE BY THE FIREPLACE,
WITH SNOW IN HER HAIR AND A SMILE ON HER FACE.
I BET SHE IS THINKING IT HASN'T BEEN LONG,
SINCE SHE ROCKED BABY'S MOTHER ASLEEP WITH THIS SONG.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT REMEMBERS THIS SONG AS A CHILD(1930'S).
THE INFORMANT DOES NOT
REMEMBER THE TUNE TO WHICH
THIS SONG WAS SUNG.
Where learned: HOME ; PITTSBURGH ; TOLD AT ; 1587 ANDERSON RD
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Cradle song Lullaby |
Date learned: 10-02-1971
VERSE
MOTHER, MOTHER, WHAT IS THAT
HANGING DOWN OLD GRANDMA'S BACK?
SHUT YOUR MOUTH YOU DIRTY THING,
THAT'S YOUR GRANDMA'S CORSET STRING.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT HEARD THIS SAID WHEN SHE WAS A CHILD DURING THE 1920,S
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH ; 2579 ANDERSON RD
Keyword(s): DIALOGUE ; IMPROPRIETY ; QUESTION AND ANSWER ; RHYME: ABCC
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Verse without Music |
Date learned: 10-02-1971
NEW YEAR'S
IN EUROPE DURING THE NEW YEAR'S HOLIDAY, CARDS WERE SENT BY
PEOPLE TO THEIR RELATIVES AND FRIENDS IN MUCH THE SAME WAY AS
WE DO HERE FOR CHRISTMAS. ONCE A PERSON REACHED HIS LATE TEENS,
HE WOULD HAVE NAME CARDS PRINTED (COMPARABLE TO OUR BUSINESS
CARDS) AND WOULD SEND THEM TO RELATIVES. OFTEN, UNSIGNED OR
"MYSTERIOUS" CARDS WOULD BE SENT BETWEEN LOVERS, SECRET ADMIRERS,
ETC., AND THE RECEIVER WOULD HAVE TO GUESS WHO HAD SENT THE CARD.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector share the same surname and place of residence.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; 935 FIDELITY DR ; PITTSBURGH ; informant's residence
Keyword(s): ANONYMOUS ; CARDS ; GIFTGIVING
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 |
Date learned: 11-01-1970
BELIEF
NEVER THANK PEOPLE FOR ANY FLOWERS THAT THEY MAY GIVE YOU
OR THE FLOWERS WILL NEVER GROW.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT HEARD THIS WHEN A YOUNG GIRL,1915, BUT
BUT DOES NOT BELIEVE IT NOW.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH ; 1587 ANDERSON RD ; Geidel, Gertrude
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; FLOWERS ; GIFT ; GROWTH ; MANNERS ; SUPERSTITION ; Thanks
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 10-02-1971
Ethnic:Belgium
Wedding:
In Belgium, at weddings, it was a belief and general practice that the more important or wealthy the bride, the later she would arrive at the church. There were instances where the bride would be as much as 1/2 hour late. The priests were well aware of this practice and would not grow impatient during the waiting period.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [P545, F578] crossed out. Replaced with current classification.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; 935 FIDELITY DR ; Marcischak, Mrs Helen ; PITTSBURGH
Keyword(s): Belgium ; Bride ; CEREMONY ; ETHNIC ; Late ; MARRIAGE ; PRIEST ; Tardy ; WEDDING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
THE MANGER WITH THE CHRIST CHILD SHOULD NOT BE PLACED IN THE NATIVITY
SCENE UNTIL MIDNIGHT ON CHRISTMAS EVE.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS PRACTICED BY THE INFORMANT'S FAMILY AS LONG AS THE INFORMANT
CAN REMEMBER. INFORMANT'S PARENTS DO NOT REMEMBER THEIR FAMILIES
DOING THIS WHEN THEY WERE YOUNG, AND DO NOT KNOW WHEN THEY PICKED UP
THE CUSTOM. CUSTOM IS STILL FOLLOWED.
Where learned: HOME ; PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH ; TOLD AT ; 4216 WILLOW AVE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Manger scenes |
Date learned: 10-02-1971
IN BELGIUM ON ST. NICHOLAS DAY, DECEMBER 6, THE CHILDREN
ALL PLACE THEIR SHOES ON THE WINDOW SILL IN THE HOPES
THAT ST. NICHOLAS WILL LEAVE THEM A TREAT AS HE PASSES
BY.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; BELGIUM ; PITTSBURGH
Keyword(s): Belgium ; Celebration ; CUSTOM ; holiday ; Nicholas ; Saint ; St. Nick ; tradition
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 6 Feast of St. Nicholas |
Date learned: 11-01-1970
ST. NICHOLAS' HELPER
ON DECEMBER 6, ST. NICHOLAS DAY, IN BELGIUM, ST.
NICHOLAS VISITS EACH SCHOOL DRESSED AS A BISHOP.
HE WAS ACCOMPANIED BY A HELPER WHO WAS DRESSED IN BLACK
CARRYING AN EMPTY SACK AND A BIG STICK. THE CHILDREN
WERE TERRIFIED OF THE HELPER, FOR IF THEY WERE NOT
GOOD, THE HELPER WOULD PUT THEM INTO THE SACK AND ALL
THEY WILL GET IS COAL AS A PRESENT ON ST. NICHOLAS DAY.
SO GREAT WAS THIS FEAR, THAT A NEWSPAPER ARTICLE DURING
THE PAST YEAR IN LIEGE STATED THAT TWO BOYS RAN AWAY FROM
SCHOOL SO THAT THE HELPER WOULDN'T GET THEM.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; BELGIUM ; PITTSBURGH
Keyword(s): Celebrate ; CUSTOM ; Helper ; holiday ; Nicholas ; Saint ; St. Nick
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 6 Feast of St. Nicholas |
Date learned: 11-01-1970
SUPERSTITION
NEVER GIVE ANYONE A PURSE WITHOUT PUTTING A PENNY IN IT, OR IT WILL
BE BAD LUCK
Submitter comment: INFORMANT BELIEVES THIS AND PRACTICES IT.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH ; 15215 ; 22 WINCHELL ST
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 10-01-1971
GHOST HILL
MY INFORMANT WORKED AT CAMP SEMECONON OUTSIDE BUTLER, PENNSYLVANIA
ONE SUMMER AND TOLD ME OF THIS OLD LADY THAT LIVED ON TOP OF THIS
VERY HIGH HILL WITH HER BROTHER WHO WAS ALSO AGED. ON THE WAY TO
THIS OLD LADY'S LOG CABIN THERE WAS AN OLD GRAVE YARD JUST OFF THE
PATH ABOUT 3/4 UP THE HILL. SOME OF THE TOMBSTONES WERE DATED IN
THE LATE 1700'S. THE OLD LADY WOULD TALK ABOUT HOW THE SPIRITS
OF THE PEOPLE BURIED IN THIS GRAVEYARD WOULD START YELLING AND EVEN
FIGHTING AMONG THEMSELVES. THE LADY SEEMED TO BELIEVE IN WHAT SHE
WAS SAYING AND EVERY TIME MY INFORMANT WOULD ASK HER BROTHER ABOUT
THESE THINGS, HE WOULDN'T SAY A WORD AND SEEMED TO GET FRIGHTENED
WHENEVER THE SUBJECT WAS BROUGHT UP.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Cemetery |
CUSTOM
WHEN BORROWING A PIN OR ANYTHING SHARP, ALWAYS GIVE THE LENDER A
PENNY SO YOUR FRIENDSHIP IS NOT BROKEN.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT HEARD AND SAW THIS PRACTICED SINCE SHE WAS YOUNG (1915),
BUT DOES NOT PRACTICE IT HERSELF. HOWEVER, SHE KNOWS SOME WOMEN
WHO DO PRACTICE THIS TODAY.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; 15209 ; PITTSBURGH ; 1587 ANDERSON RD
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 10-02-1971