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James T. Callow Computerized Folklore Archive
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Toast

A Gaelic toast when drinking: Priad

Sliante agus saoghal agat
Bean agus ciall agat
Talamh gan raol agat

Translation:

Health and long life to you
A sensible woman for a wife
And land without rent.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs Added by TRD

James Callow comment:

original BN [P500 Custom] crossed out. Replaced with current classification

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; O'Neill, John

Keyword(s): Cultural ; Gaelic ; TOAST ; Translate

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Formula

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CHRISTMAS BELIEF

TWO CANDLES ARE LIT AND PLACED ON THE TABLE DURING THE CHRISTMAS EVE
MEAL. AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE MEAL BOTH THE FATHER AND THE MOTHER
WOULD BLOW OUT A CANDLE AND THEN WOULD WATCH THE SMOKE. IF THE SMOKE
WENT UP YOU WOULD LIVE ANOTHER YEAR. IF THE SMOKE WENT OUT THE DOOR
YOU WOULDN'T.

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; TROY ; 4706 JOHN R

Keyword(s): DEATH ; PREDICTION

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Predictions
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Lights and candles

Date learned: 10-24-1970

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LEGEND OF FALLING ROCK

ONCE UPON A TIME THIS OLD INDIAN CHIEF WAS GETTING READY TO DIE.
HE HAD TO CHOOSE BETWEEN HIS TWO SONS WHITE FEATHER AND FALLING
ROCK AS TO WHO WOULD BECOME CHIEF. SO HE PLANNED THIS LONG RACE
AND ABOUT 30 DAYS LATER WHITE FEATHERS RETURNED. HE BECAME
CHIEF. BUT FALLING ROCK NEVER RETURNED. INDIANS STILL
TO THIS DAY LOOK FOR FALLING ROCK. THEY HAVE POSTED
SIGNS ALONG CERTAIN HIGHWAYS WHERE THEY SUSPECT HE MIGHT
BE SEEN. THE SIGNS READ, WATCH FOR FALLING ROCK.

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; JOHNSON CITY

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being

Date learned: 07-00-1973

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CARNIVAL

CARNIVAL IS A FESTIVE EVENT WHICH IS CELEBRATED FROM JUNE 30 TO
JULY 4 IN THE UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS.
IT HAS A DOUBLE SIGNIFICANCE TO THE PEOPLE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS
BECAUSE MANY YEARS AGO ON JULY 3 THE SLAVES WERE NO LONGER IN
BONDAGE (JULY 3 IS CALLED EMANCIPATION DAY), AND ON JULY 4 THE
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE IS CELEBRATED. VARIOUS EVENTS ARE
INVOLVED IN CARNIVAL SUCH AS J'OUVERT, A PARADE, A FAIR AND A
BOAT RACE. A BAND COMPETITION ALSO OCCURS DURING THIS TIME.
J'OUVERT IS CELEBRATED ON THE FOREDAY OR THE MORNING BEFORE THE
PARADE. BANDS CONGREGATE ON THE TOP OF OPEN BACK TRUCKS IN ORDER
TO PLAY MUSIC AND MOVE SLOWLY THROUGH THE STREETS. THE PEOPLE
DANCE BEHIND THE TRUCKS WHEN THEY ARE IN MOTION.
ON JUNE 30 A FAIR AND A BOAT RACE ARE HELD. LOCAL HANDCRAFT ITEMS
AND FOOD ARE PUT ON DISPLAY AND SOLD AT THE FAIR. IN THE BOAT
RACE, VARIOUS BOATS COMPETE FOR TROPHIES.
THE WEEK BEFORE THE PARADE, A CALYPSO (TRADITIONAL MUSIC IN THE
CARIBBEAN) COMPETITION IS HELD IN THE VILLAGE. THE VILLAGE IS AN
AREA ENCLOSED BY FOOD SELLING BOOTHS.
ON JULY FOURTH (THE LAST NIGHT OF CELEBRATION), THERE IS A
PARADE, WHICH IS DIVIDED INTO CATERGORIES SUCH AS:
(1) TROOPS--WHICH ARE GROUPS OF PEOPLE ARRAYED IN COSTUMES
(2) FLOATS--DECORATED VEHICLES WHICH DISPLAY VARIOUS SCENES
(3) FLOUPES--A MIXTURE OF TROOPS AND FLOATS
(4) MAJORETTES--BATON TWIRLERS
(5) INDIVIDUAL COSTUMES--PARTICIPANTS DISPAYING THEIR PERSONAL
CREATIONS

Where learned: VIRGIN ISLANDS ; SAINT JOHN

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- June 30
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- July 1
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- July 2
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- June 21 solstice to September 22

Date learned: 00001970S

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RECIPE TO MAKE GUAVA BERRY WINE

(1) WASH GUAVA BERRIES
(2) PUT THEM IN A BOTTLE
(3) ADD WINE (NO PARTICULAR TYPE) AND A LITTLE RUM
(4) SHAKE UNTIL DRINK FERMENTS

Submitter comment: INFORMANT SAID THE AVERAGE TIME BEFORE THE BOTTLED WINE IS OPEN
TAKES ABOUT FIVE YEARS.

Where learned: VIRGIN ISLANDS ; SAINT JOHN

Subject headings: Food Drink -- Alcoholic beverage Fermented

Date learned: 00001970S

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RECIPE--KALLALOO

KALLALOO IS A NATIVE DISH (CUISINE) IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.
IT IS PREPARED BY THE FOLLOWING STEPS:
(1) WASH THE SPINACH AND CUT IT INTO PIECES.
(2) CLEAN AND SEASON THE CRAB AND FISH.
(3) ADD STRIPS OF BACON.
(4) ADD "FUNGI", WHICH IS COMPOSED OF CORN MEAL AND OKRA.
(5) PUT ALL THE ABOVE ITEMS IN A PAN AND ALLOW THEM TO SIMMER OR
COOK.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT SAID THAT THE NEXT DAY (AFTER KALLALOO HAS BEEN
DIGESTED) EXPECT "MASSIVE BOWEL MOVEMENTS" OR DIARRHEA.

Where learned: VIRGIN ISLANDS ; SAINT JOHN

Subject headings: Food Drink -- Alcoholic beverage
BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness

Date learned: 00001970S

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Saying

"That's Tits" means 'I definitely approve." This saying can be applied to anything animate or inanimate.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs Added By TRD

James Callow comment:

Original BN [V200] crossed out. Replaced with current classification.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Estes, John

Keyword(s): Animate ; Approval ; Approve ; Inanimate ; Language ; Saying ; SLANG ; Tits

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Formula
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ENGINE, ENGINE NUMBER NINE / RUNNING DOWN CHICAGO LINE,/ IF THE TRAIN
SHOULD JUMP THE TRACK/ DO YOU WANT YOUR MONEY BACK? YES, Y-E-S SPELLS
YES. (NO, N-O SPELLS NO) AND YOU ARE NOW OUT.

Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; ON A PLAYGROUND ; JOHNSTOWN ; WORKING

Keyword(s): ENDURANCE ; Jump ; PLAIN-JUMP

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

Date learned: 10-06-1967

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SEVEN UP

IT IS PLAYED WITH THE WHOLE CLASSROOM, 30-50, STUDENTS.
SEVEN STUDENTS ARE CHOSEN. THE REST OF THEM PUT
THEIR HEADS DOWN WITH EYES COVERED. THE SEVEN TAP
ONE PERSON APIECE ON THE HEAD. THE SEVEN WHO GOT TAPPED
TRY TO GUESS WHO TAPPED THEM. IF THEY GUESS RIGHT THEY
BECOME A TAPPER; IF THEY DON'T GUESS, THE SAME PERSON
STAYS UP.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; SAINT JOHN VIANNEY SCHOOL

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

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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THE CADET GHOST OF ST. JOHN'S

ABOUT SEVEN YEARS THERE WAS A CADET AT ST. JOHN'S WHO
WAS VERY UNHAPPY. THE PRESSURES OF SCHOOL WERE REALLY
GETTING TO HIM AND TO TOP IT OFF, HE WAS NOT GOING
TO BE ABLE TO GO HOME FOR THANKSGIVING.
ONE NIGHT, AFTER QUIET HOURS HAD BEGUN, HE PLAYED
A BEATLES RECORD VERY LOUD. EVEYONE THOUGHT THAT
THIS WAS STRANGE BECAUSE HE KNEW THAT IT WAS QUIET HOURS
AND THERE WAS TO BE NO NOISE. AFTER A WHILE SOMEONE HEARD
A SCREAM. EVERYONE WENT DOWN TO HIS ROOM TO SEE WHAT
WAS THE MATTER. THE CADETS FOUND THEIR FRIEND HANGING
FROM A ROPE. HE HAD COMMITTED SUICIDE.
NO ONE EVER LIVED IN THAT ROOM AGAIN.
EVERY YEAR ON THE NIGHT OF HIS DEATH THE CADETS CAN
HEAR BEATLES MUSIC COMING FROM HIS ROOM, THOUGH NO ONE
IS LIVING THERE. THEN, A WHILE LATER A SCREAM IS
HEARD THROUGHOUT THE BUILDING.
NO ONE CAN EXPLAIN THE MUSIC OR THE SCREAM.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT IS MY BROTHER.
HE TOLD ME THAT THE CADETS JUST SIT IN THE HALL ON THAT
NIGHT AND WAIT FOR THIS TO HAPPEN.

Where learned: WISCONSIN ; SAINT JOHNS MILITARY ACADEMY ; DELAFIELD

Keyword(s): ST. JOHN'S

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal

Date learned: 00-00-1982

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I HAD A LITTLE TURTLE, HE LIVED IN A BOX,
HE SWAM IN THE RIVER AND CLIMBED ON A ROCK.
HE SNAPPED AT A MINNOW, HE SNAPPED AT A FLEA,
HE SNAPPED AT A MOSQUITO, AND HE SNAPPED AT ME.
HE CAUGHT THE MINNOW, AND HE CAUGHT THE FLEA,
HE CAUGHT THE MOSQUITO, BUT HE DIDN'T CATCH ME.

James Callow comment: RDNeedsReview

Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; JOHNSTOWN

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

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ERASER TAG

TWO PEOPLE PLAY THIS GAME. EACH PUTS A CHALK BOARD
ERASER ON HIS HEAD AND ONE TRIES TO CATCH THE OTHER
ONE WITHOUT THE ERASER FALLING OFF.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; SAINT JOHN VIANNEY SCHOOL

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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PEPERONI

WHILE ATTENDING JOHN CARROLL UNIVERSITY, MY ROOMMATE, GARY
PASQUALICCHIV, WOULD BRING PEPERONI BREAD FROM HOME. HE SAID HE
GOT IT FROM A SPECIAL BAKERY IN ERIE PENN. SEVERAL OF US TRIED TO GET
IT ELSEWHERE BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE EVENT WAS SPECIAL SINCE THE BREAD
WAS RARE AND HAD TO BE EATEN RIGHT AWAY OR IT WOULD SPOIL. THE BREAD
WAS CIRCULAR, SHAPED LIKE A DOUGHNUT, WITH PEPERONI SLICES BAKED
IN THE CENTER OF THE LOAF. THE EVENT WAS ENHANCED WHEN HOME-MADE
WINE WAS ADDED. THE WINE CAME FROM MY FATHER IN CANTON. WINE WAS
ILLEGAL IN THE DORMS AT THAT TIME AND ADDED TO THE OCCASION SINCE
THE DOORS HAD TO BE LOCKED TO KEEP THE FLOOR ADVISOR OUT. A SMALL
GROUP OF 4 TO 5 WOULD GATHER WHEN GARY RETURNED FROM A VISIT HOME
TO ENJOY THE FEAST.

Data entry tech comment: ALSO ON THE 5 X 8 CARD ARE A TOP AND CROSS - CUT VIEW OF THE BREAD

Where learned: OHIO ; CLEVELAND ; JOHN CARROLL UNIVERSITY

Subject headings: Favorites
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church
Food Drink -- Plant food Cereal

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Poor Wording

A number of GI's in England during the war decided to hold a horse race to keep up the morale of the base. For some reason they were short of active animals for the event. Now it happened that the local parish priest had a donkey and they obtained his permission to use it to make up the field. The donkey to the surprise of everyone came in third in the first race. Where upon the camp newspaper came out with the headline "Padre's Ass Shows."

This naturally caused no small scandal among the people of the parish and eventually reached the bishop. However, when called to ask about it by the bishop the padre managed to mollify the good man by explaining it was only an American slang expression. The next day a race was held and the donkey came in first. The paper then announced "Padre's Ass Out in Front."

This called for further episcopal disapproval, but again the padre succeeded in mollifying the bishop. The third day's race the donkey finished second and the paper reported "Padre's Ass back in Place." This was the last straw for the bishop and he ordered the priest to withdraw the animal from the race. The camp then came forth with the sad news: "Bishop Scratches Padre's Ass."

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Original BN [ B667 ] modified: the number zero is written over the seven. Additionally, the entire BN is crossed out and replaced with B660.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Cieslak, John

Keyword(s): AMERICAN ; Anecdote ; Culture Clash ; DONKEY ; European ; GAMBLING ; HORSE ; Jest ; Language ; MILITARY ; NEWSPAPER ; PUN ; RACING ; RELIGION ; SLANG

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote
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Mnemonic Device

A mnemonic device for remembering the resistor color code:

Bad Boys Rape Our Young Girls But Violet Goes Willingly.

B.lack = 0

B.rown = 1

R.ed = 2

O.range = 3

Y.ellow = 4

G.reen = 5

B.lue = 6

V.iolet = 7

G.rey = 8

W.hite = 9

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs and BN added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Original BN has been whited out.

Submission card located in pile marked To Be Classified

Where learned: Kertesz, John ; Lorain Products Corporation

Keyword(s): EDUCATION ADVICE ; MNEMONIC ; Mnemonic Device ; Rape ; Resistor Codes

Subject headings: ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- MNEM
Filter - Mature Content

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Bumper Sticker Wisdom

Don't Eat Yellow Snow!

Submitter comment:

I first saw this in Detroit in 1971 on the bumper of a car.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs and BN added by TRD

James Callow comment:

The original BN [Z220] is crossed out, with the note Why Z220?  written next to it.

Submission Card located in pile marked To Be Classified

Where learned: Gall, John

Keyword(s): Allusion ; Bumper Sticker ; SNOW ; URINE

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim

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CHRISTMAS BELIEF

EVERY CHRISTMAS MORNING A PAN OF WATER IS PLACED UNDER THE SINK. A
CHRISTMAS TREE BRANCH, A PENNY, A NICKEL, A DIME, A QUARTER AND A
FIFTY CENT PIECE IS PLACED IN THE WATER. THIS WATER IS THEN USED TO
WASH IN. WHEN YOU WASH IN THE WATER YOU SHOULD NOT HAVE TO SPEND
MONEY FOR HEALTH.

Submitter comment: DOROTHY BANAS RELATED THE CUSTOM BUT WHEN QUESTIONED ON THE REASON
FOR THE CUSTOM SHE WAS UNABLE TO REPLY. EMIL MAZUR IMMEDIATELY
INSERTED HIS BELIEF.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TROY ; TOLD AT ; 4706 JOHN R

Keyword(s): CONTAGIOUS MAGIC

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Predictions

Date learned: 10-24-1970

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Superstition: Animals

If you kill a black snake and throw him in a tree, it will rain until you take him down.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Original BN [P435, P447] crossed out. Replaced wtih current classification.

Where learned: ALABAMA ; Canty, John

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; DEATH ; Kill ; Rain ; Serpent ; Snake ; SUPERSTITION ; Tree ; WEATHER

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Animal
BELIEF -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew

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Belief: Weather

Rain Before Seven:

Rain before seven, shine by eleven.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Dup of WPP

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GRAND RAPIDS ; Sheets, Mrs John P

Keyword(s): PREDICTING WEATHER ; PREDICTION ; Rain ; RHYME ; TIME ; WEATHER

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

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Belief: Weather

Weather Proverb:

April Showers bring May flowers

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Original BN [V800] crossed out. Replaced wtih current classification.

Dup. of WPP

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Hessenbruch, John

Keyword(s): April ; FLOWERS ; May ; Month ; NATURE ; PREDICTING WEATHER ; PREDICTION ; Rain ; RHYME ; Sky ; TIME ; WEATHER

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

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