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The James T. Callow Computerized Folkore Archive | University of Detroit Mercy Libraries Back to Top
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IN VIRGINIA THE BARBERS WERE ALSO BLOOD-
LETTERS. THEY WOULD BLEED PEOPLE TO CURE
THEIR SICKNESSES. TO ADVERTISE THAT THEY
WERE BLOODLETTERS, THEY USED TO HAVE A
BLOODY WHITE SHEET OUTSIDE THEIR DOORS.
AFTER A LOT OF COMPLAINING ABOUT THE STENCH,
THEY STARTED JUST HANGING OUT A SHEET WITH
RED DYE ON IT.
THIS IS THE WAY THE BARBER POLE CUSTOM WAS
STARTED.

Where learned: TENNESSEE, ASSUMED ; GALLATIN ; ROUTE 3

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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