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Room Location

The master bedroom should be located in the northeastern corner of the house to maintain harmony and fortune in the family.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Where learned: VIRGINIA ; Taylor, Steven G ; Roanoke

Keyword(s): Bedroom ; Feng Shui ; fortune ; Harmony ; House ; LOCATION ; Master

Subject headings: ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Plan, design, color, building material, and technic

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OFFICIAL REQUEST

THERE WAS ONCE A MAN AND A WOMAN WHO HAD TWELVE SONS, AND THE
THIRTEENTH WAS ON THE WAY. THE FIRST TWELVE HAD BEEN NAMED
AFTER THE APOSTLES AND THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THE NAME FOR THIS
ONE WOULD BE. BY THE TIME HE ARRIVED THEY HAD DECIDED TO NAME
HIM CHRIST--CHRIST MURPHY.
AFTER A FEW YEARS CHRIST MURPHY STARTED TO SCHOOL. ONE DAY
IN SECOND GRADE THE BISHOP WAS VISITING. HE SAID TO THE TEACHER,
"SISTER, I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR ONE OF YOUR PEOPLE SING. HOW ABOUT
THAT LITTLE BOY THERE," POINTING OUT LITTLE MURPHY.
"CHRIST MURPHY CAN'T SING," SHE PROTESTED.
"WELL, GODAMMIT, HE CAN TRY, CAN'T HE?"

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT HAS NO RECORD OF WHERE HE FIRST HEARD THE JOKE.

Where learned: VIRGINIA ; WOODSTOCK

Subject headings: 686 Specific number by specific number being described
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ordinary Tale
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Baptism Naming rite

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YOU MUST GO OUT BEFORE DAWN AND CUT A PIECE FROM A FRESH-CUT STUMP.
RUB THE DEW FROM IT ON THE WART TO GET RID OF IT.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM A LADY IN WEST VIRGINIA.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WEST VIRGINIA ; ROCHESTER HILLS

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Remedy

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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IT IS BAD LUCK TO PASS THE SALT AND PEPPER SEPARATELY. ALWAYS
KEEP THEM TOGETHER WHEN YOU PASS THEM.

Submitter comment: SUSAN IS VERY SUPERSTITIOUS.

Where learned: VIRGINIA ; R-MWC ; LYNCHBURG

Subject headings: Food Drink -- Flavoring
BELIEF -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222.
BELIEF -- Bad luck Food and drink

Date learned: 00001967-1968

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IF YOU GIVE A BRIDE-TO-BE A KNIFE, SHE HAS TO GIVE YOU A PENNY
SO IT WON'T CUT YOUR FRIENDSHIP.

Submitter comment: SOMEONE HAD JUST GIVEN SUSAN A KNIFE AT A SHOWER WE HAD FOR

Where learned: VIRGINIA ; R-MWC ; LYNCHBURG

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Marriage
BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth

Date learned: 00001967-1968

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IF YOU EAT OFF TWO PLATES, YOU WILL BE AN OLD MAID.

Submitter comment: AT R-M, IF NOT ALL THE PLACES ARE FILLED AT THE TABLE, WHOEVER

Where learned: VIRGINIA ; R-MWC ; LYNCHBURG

Subject headings: 686 Seconds / Twice / Two
686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple
Food Drink -- Food
BELIEF -- Marriage
BELIEF -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222.
BELIEF -- Number Counting beliefs

Date learned: 00001967-1968

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IN THE INFORMANT'S WEST VIRGINIA HOME, CABBAGE WAS ALWAYS
FIXED ON NEW YEAR'S DAY AND A QUARTER COOKED IN WITH THE
GREENS. WHOEVER WAS SERVED THE SERVING OF CABBAGE THAT
CONTAINED THE QUARTER WOULD HAVE GOOD LUCK THROUGH HE
YEAR.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT SAID THAT THOUGH SHE HATED CABBAGE, SHE

Where learned: WEST VIRGINIA

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's
BELIEF -- Measure of time Year

Date learned: 06-20-1972

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LIFE

DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME BECAUSE THIS IS THE BASIC ELEMENT OF
LIFE, AS YOU KNOW LIFE IS WHAT YOU MAKE OF IT, IF YOU
WASTE ALL YOUR TIME, THINK...WHAT YOU HAVE GAINED IN LIFE.

Submitter comment: SHE REMEMBERED THIS ITEM FROM TIMES WHEN SHE WAS YOUNG. BUT
IT WAS TOLD TO HER FROM HER MOTHER AND NEIGHBORS USUALLY BY WORD
OF MOUTH. HER MOTHER AS WELL AS HER MOTHER'S MOTHER BELIEVED
THAT OLD SAYINGS ARE WORTH REMEMBERING. THE INFORMANT REGARDS
THIS FOLK ITEM AS A PIECE OF GOLD FOR A GUIDE LINE OF LIFE'S
EXPERIENCE.
SHE LEARNED THIS ITEM IN RICHMOND, VIRGINIA
THIS IS A SAYING CONCERNING THE IMPORTANCE OF TIME.

Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; VIRGINIA ; PHILADELPHIA ; RICHMOND

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim

Date learned: 00-00-1935

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SPEED PLUS ACCURACY

QUESTION: WHAT CAN KILL YOU FASTER THAN A TRAVELING
BULLET?
ANSWER: YOUR HEART.

Submitter comment: SHE REMEMBERED THIS ITEM FROM TIMES WHEN SHE WAS YOUNG. BUT
IT WAS TOLD TO HER FROM HER MOTHER AND NEIGHBORS USUALLY BY WORD
OF MOUTH. HER MOTHER AS WELL AS HER MOTHER'S MOTHER BELIEVED
THAT OLD SAYINGS ARE WORTH REMEMBERING. THE INFORMANT REGARDS
THIS FOLK ITEM AS A PIECE OF GOLD FOR A GUIDE LINE OF LIFE'S
EXPERIENCE.
SHE LEARNED THIS ITEM IN RICHMOND, VIRGINIA
THIS ITEM IS A QUESTIONING RIDDLE.

Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; VIRGINIA ; PHILADELPHIA ; RICHMOND

Subject headings: --

Date learned: 00-00-1935

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GOOD LUCK

IF YOU STUMPLE ON YOUR FOOT, OR IT MAY ITCH, THAT'S A
SIGN FOR GOOD LUCK.

Submitter comment: SHE REMEMBERED THIS ITEM FROM TIMES WHEN SHE WAS YOUNG. BUT
IT WAS TOLD TO HER FROM HER MOTHER AND NEIGHBORS USUALLY BY WORD
OF MOUTH. HER MOTHER AS WELL AS HER MOTHER'S MOTHER BELIEVED
THAT OLD SAYINGS ARE WORTH REMEMBERING. THE INFORMANT REGARDS
THIS FOLK ITEM AS A PIECE OF GOLD FOR A GUIDE LINE OF LIFE'S
EXPERIENCE.
SHE LEARNED THIS ITEM IN RICHMOND, VIRGINIA
THIS IS A SUPERSTITIOUS BELIEF.

Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; VIRGINIA ; PHILADELPHIA ; RICHMOND

James Callow Keyword(s): STUMBLE?

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Body part Senses Feet, toes, toenails
BELIEF -- Sensations and involuntary actions Itching hands and feet
BELIEF -- Good luck P881.2

Date learned: 00-00-1935

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RABBIT'S FOOT---RETORT

WHEN SOMEONE COMES UP TO YOU AND SAY "HERE IS A RABBIT
FOOT, TAKE IT FOR GOOD LUCK," YOU TELL THEM "HOW IT COULD
BE FOR GOOD LUCK, WHEN THE RABBIT HAS LOST HIS FOOT."

Submitter comment: SHE REMEMBERED THIS ITEM FROM TIMES WHEN SHE WAS YOUNG. BUT
IT WAS TOLD TO HER FROM HER MOTHER AND NEIGHBORS USUALLY BY WORD
OF MOUTH. HER MOTHER AS WELL AS HER MOTHER'S MOTHER BELIEVED
THAT OLD SAYINGS ARE WORTH REMEMBERING. THE INFORMANT REGARDS
THIS FOLK ITEM AS A PIECE OF GOLD FOR A GUIDE LINE OF LIFE'S
EXPERIENCE.
SHE LEARNED THIS ITEM IN RICHMOND, VIRGINIA

Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; VIRGINIA ; PHILADELPHIA ; RICHMOND

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Good luck P881.16
BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.16
SPEECH -- Formula

Date learned: 00-00-1935

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Legend has it that Washington was very worried about his
troops at Valley Forge often, but one day a beautiful woman
appeared before him telling him the outcome of the war and
American history which gave him renewed strength and vigor,
thanks to the heavenly visitor.

Submitter comment: My uncle told me this story of Washington's life.

Where learned: VIRGINIA ; Mount Vernon

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Angel

Date learned: 00001980S

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West Virginia hillbillies are called "hoopies" by people
living along the West Virginia border of eastern Ohio. In this
area the word "hoopie" is not only synonymous with, but has
actually replaced the word "hillbilly." The term comes from barrel
making which was a common occupation in the Wheeling, West
Virginia area. Those who made the metal hoops for the barrels were
called "hoopies". Eventually the term "hoopie" became synonymous
with hillbilly.

James Callow comment: The earliest passage equating hoopie with hillbilly is
dated 1940. See F. G. Cassidy, DARE, s.v. "hoopy."

Where learned: OHIO ; WEST VIRGINIA

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Proper Name

Date learned: 00-00-1960

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Wait'll Martin Comes

A man decided to spend the night in a haunted house on a
dare. He was reading and all of a sudden he saw two cats
come in. One asked the other "What'll we do with im?"
The other says "Wait'll Martin comes."
Soon another cat came in, one bigger than the first two.
He asked the other two "What'll we do with im?"
The others say, "Wait'll Martin comes."
The man is scared but keeps his calm.
Soon however, a great big black cat comes strolling in.
He asks the other three cats, "What'll we do with im?"
The others say "Wait'll Martin comes."
The man runs out the door saying,
"Tell Martin I couldn't wait!"

Submitter comment: I learned this while we were camping with my cousins
telling ghost stories

Where learned: VIRGINIA ; Hampton

James Callow Keyword(s): HUMOR

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Tale

Date learned: OOOO1970s

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BELIEF

AFTER PULLING A CHILD'S FIRST TOOTH, PUT IT UNDER HIS PILLOW AT
NIGHT. THE FAIRY WILL LEAVE HIM MONEY.

Where learned: VIRGINIA ; NORTH GARDEN

Subject headings: 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually.
Prediction / Divination
BELIEF -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome
BELIEF -- Body part Senses Mouth, teeth, lips, tongue

Date learned: 03-29-1969

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PROVERB

YOU CAN'T TEACH AN OLD DOG NEW TRICKS AND YOU CAN'T BREAK
AN OLD DOG FROM OLD TRICKS.

Where learned: VIRGINIA ; NORTH GARDEN

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

Date learned: 03-29-1969

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PROVERB

YOU CAN'T HAVE YOUR CAKE AND EAT IT TOO.

Where learned: VIRGINIA ; NORTH GARDEN

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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PROVERB

YOU CAN TAKE A HORSE TO WATER BUT YOU CAN'T MAKE HIM
DRINK.

Where learned: VIRGINIA ; NORTH GARDEN

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor
PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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PROVERB

WHY DIDN'T YHOU SAY SO BEFORE YOU SPOKE?

Where learned: VIRGINIA ; NORTH GARDEN

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim

Date learned: 03-25-1969

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PROVERB

WHAT YOU DON'T KNOW WON'T HURT YOU.

Where learned: VIRGINIA ; NORTH GARDEN

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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