Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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LORD LORD, YOU ARE SO GOOD TO ME. OH MY LORD YOU ARE SO GOOD
TO ME. LORD YOU DONE WHAT THE WORLD COULD NOT DO.
Submitter comment:
WILLIE DOTSON WAS BORN IN BROWNSVILLE, TENNESSEE IN 1910. THIS
SONG WAS SUNG TO HER MOTHER AND WAS PASSED DOWN TO HER.
WILLIE DOTSON WAS CRYING WHEN SHE SANG THIS SONG TO ME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Religious |
Date learned: 11-00-1987
THE RABBIT AND THE BRIARPATCH
THERE ONCE WAS A RABBIT AND A FOX. THE FOX HAD BEEN WATCHING
THE RABBIT FOR A LONG TIME BUT THE RABBIT WAS TOO FAST FOR THE
FOX. ONE DAY, THE FOX DECIDED HE WOULD TRY TO TRICK THE RABBIT.
HE FINALLY CAUGHT THE RABBIT. THE RABBIT CRIED "OH PLEASE FOX
YOU'VE GOT ME, ALL I ASK IS THAT YOU DON'T THROW ME IN THE
BRIARPATCH." BUT THE FOX WASN'T SATISFIED. HE WANTED TO TORTURE
THE POOR RABBIT SO HE THREW THE RABBIT IN THE BRIARPATCH
ANYWAY. FORTUNATELY, THE RABBIT' HAIRS REPELLED THE PATCH AND
RAN AWAY. THE FOX RAN AFTER HIM AND GOT CAUGHT IN THE PATCH AND
NEVER WAS FREE AGAIN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal Tale |
Date learned: 11-00-1987
CHINESE CHILDREN ALWAYS KEEP CRICKETS IN THEIR POCKETS FOR GOOD
LUCK.
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Insect BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 00-00-1978 ; 10-00-1987
WHO OWNS THE ZEBRA?
1. THERE ARE FIVE HOUSES.
2. THE ENGLISHMAN LIVES IN THE RED HOUSE.
3. THE SPANIARD OWNS THE DOG.
4. COFFEE IS DRUNK IN THE GREEN HOUSE.
5. THE UKRAINIAN DRINKS TEA.
6. THE GREEN HOUSE IS IMMEDIATELY TO THE RIGHT
OF THE IVORY HOUSE.
7. THE OLD GOLD SMOKER OWNS SNAILS.
8. KOOLS ARE SMOKED IN THE YELLOW HOUSE.
9. MILK IS DRUNK IN THE MIDDLE HOUSE.
10. THE NORWEGIAN LIVES IN THE FIRST HOUSE.
11. THE MAN WHO SMOKES CHESTERFIELDS LIVES IN
THE HOUSE NEXT TO THE MAN WITH THE FOX.
12. KOOLS ARE SMOKED IN THE HOUSE NEXT TO
THE HOUSE WHERE THE HORSE IS KEPT.
13. THE LUCKY STRIKE SMOKER DRINKS
ORANGE JUICE.
14. THE JAPANESE SMOKES PARLIAMENTS.
15. THE NORWEGIAN LIVES NEXT TO THE BLUE HOUSE.
NOW, WHO DRINKS WATER? WHO OWNS THE ZEBRA?
HINTS: EACH HOUSE IS PAINTED A DIFFERENT COLOR,
AND THEIR INHABITANTS ARE OF DIFFERENT NATIONAL
EXTRACTIONS, OWN DIFFERENT PETS, DRINK
DIFFERENT BEVERAGES, AND SMOKE DIFFERENT
BRANDS OF AMERICAN CIGARETTES.
ONE OTHER THING: IN STATEMENT 6, RIGHT
MEANS YOUR RIGHT.
ANSWER:
YELLOW BLUE RED IVORY GREEN
NORWEGIAN UKRAINIAN ENGLISHMAN SPANIARD JAPANESE
KOOLS CHESTERFIELDS OLD GOLDS LUCKY ST. PARLIAMENT
FOX HORSE SNAILS DOG ZEBRA
WATER TEA MILK O. JUICE COFFEE
Submitter comment: THIS RIDDLE TESTS YOUR SENSE OF LOGIC.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: 10-00-1987
THE DAY AFTER A POLISH WEDDING, THE
BRIDE AND GROOM WOULD GO OVER TO THE
BRIDE'S FAMILY HOME FOR DINNER (USUALLY
THE LEFTOVER FOOD FROM THE WEDDING
RECEPTION). THIS IS CALLED PROPEVENIA.
WHEN THE COUPLE ARRIVES, THE BRIDE'S FATHER
MEETS THEM AT THE DOOR WITH A TOWEL OVER HIS
HAND. HE DID THIS BECAUSE HE DIDN'T WANT
TO SHAKE HIS SON-IN-LAW'S HAND WITHOUT
WIPING HIS HAND FIRST BECAUSE THE GROOM HAD BEEN
"TOUCHING" HIS DAUGHTER DURING THE NIGHT.
Submitter comment:
MY FATHER-IN-LAW TELLS ME THAT MY MOTHER-IN-LAW
WAS VERY EMBARRASSED AND ANGRY WHEN HER FATHER
DID THIS TO THEM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
WHEN YOU ARE GOING TO TAKE A DRINK SAY,
"OVER THE TEETH AND UNDER THE GUMS,
LOOKOUT STOMACH, HERE IT COMES."
Submitter comment:
I FIRST HEARD THIS SAID BY SOUPY SALES
DURING HIS LUNCH-TIME TV SHOW DURING
THE 1950'S ON CHANNEL 7 IN DETROIT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Speech Speech |
Date learned: 00-00-1950
DURING PROHIBITION, BOOZE SMUGGLERS WOULD
BRING LIQUOR ACROSS THE DETROIT RIVER FROM
CANADA IN BOATS. WHEN THEY WERE CROSSING
THE RIVER, THEY WOULD OPEN A BOTTLE OF BOOZE
AND POUR A DRINK. THEY WOULD DRINK HALF, AND
THEY THROW THE OVER HALF OVERBOARD. THEY
BELIEVED THIS WOULD ASSURE THEM A SAFE
JOURNEY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 00-00-1930
AS AN APRIL FOOLS JOKE, PUT A LONG
PIECE OF THREAD THROUGH YOUR LAPEL
WITH ONLY A LITTLE BIT SHOWING. WHEN
SOMEONE SEES IT AND PULLS ON IT AS THEY
KEEP PULLING THE LONG THREAD SAY, "APRIL
FOOLS."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- FO40 |
Date learned: 00-00-1950
THE POOR OLD SLAVE
THE POOR OLD SLAVE HAS GONE TO REST
HE KNOWS THAT HE IS FREE
HIS BONES THEY LIE DISTURBED AND NIGH
WAY DOWN IN TENNESSEE
THE PEE OR OLE SLEE AVE HAS GEE AWN TO REE EST
HE KNEE OWES THAT HE O IS FREE O FREE FREE
HIS BEE OWNS THEY LEE I DEE STEER RUBBED AND NEEI
WAY DEE OWN IN TE N O SE O SE SE MM
THE PIG-ITTY POOR OLE SLIG-ITTY SLAVE HAS GIG-ITTY GONE TO
RIG-ITTY REST
HE NIG-ITTY KNOWS THAT HIG-ITTY O IS FRIG-ITTY O FREE FREE
HIS BIG-ITTY BONES THEY LIG-ITTY LIE DISTIG-ITTY URBED
AND NIG-ITTY NIGH
WAY DIG-ITTY DOWN IN TIG-ITTY N O SIG-ITTY O SEE SEE
Submitter comment:
THIS SONG IS SUNG PHONETICALLY. THE INFORMANT IS NOT SURE
WHERE SHE FIRST HEARD THIS SONG. SHE THINKS IT WAS DURING
THE 1940'S IN GRAND BEND, CANADA AT A PARTY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; NORTHVILLE
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Good humor Jest SPEECH -- Group of Vowels and Consonants, and of Words |
Date learned: 10-00-1987
HOW TO PRESERVE A HUSBAND
BE CAREFUL, IN YOUR SELECTION
DO NOT CHOOSE TOO YOUNG
SOME INSIST ON KEEPING THEM IN A PICKLE,
WHILE OTHERS KEEP THEM IN HOT WATER.
THIS ONLY MAKES THEM SOUR, HARD AND
SOMETIMES BITTER.
EVEN POOR VARIETIES MAY BE MADE SWEET,
TENDER AND GOOD BY GARNISHING THEM WITH
PATIENCE, WELL SWEETENED WITH SMILES AND
FLAVORED WITH KISSES TO TASTE.
WRAP THEM IN A MANTLE OF CHARITY,
KEEP WARM WITH A STEADY FIRE OF DOMESTIC
DEVOTION AND SERVE WITH PEACHES AND CREAM.
WHEN THUS PREPARED THEY WILL KEEP FOR YEARS.
Submitter comment:
THIS "FAVORITE RECIPE" WAS PASSED FROM THE INFORMANT'S
MOTHER TO THE INFORMANT JUST BEFORE HER WEDDING IN
1952. ORIGIN CIRCA 1926 OR BEFORE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): RECIPE
James Callow Keyword(s): HUMOR ; METAPHOR ; MOCK RECIPE
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Marriage |
AN OLD JEWISH STOREKEEPER IS TAKING HIS SON INTO THE
FAMILY BUSINESS, HE WANTS TO TEACH HIM NOT TO
TRUST ANYONE, SO THE FATHER TELLS THE SON TO GET THE
LADDER AND CLIMB UP TO THE TOP SHELVES
AND STOCK THE NEW MERCHANDISE. THE SON CLIMBS UP TO THE TOP
SHELVES AND IS BUSILY STOCKING THE MERCHANDISE, HIS FATHER
TAKES THE LADDER AWAY.
"PAPA," THE BOY ASKS, "WHY DID YOU TAKE AWAY THE LADDER?
I CAN'T GET DOWN FROM HERE."
THE FATHER REPLIES "JUMP, I'LL CATCH YOU"
THE BOY JUMPS FROM THE HIGHEST SHELF AND THE FATHER MOVES
OUT OF THE WAY ALLOWING THE BOY TO HIT THE GROUND.
"PAPA," CRIES THE BOY, "I THOUGHT YOU WERE GOING TO CATCH
ME! WHY DIDN'T YOU CATCH ME?"
THE FATHER REPLIED, "I TOLD YOU, YOU CAN'T TRUST ANYBODY."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote JEWI |
Date learned: 00-00-1945
TO: ALL EMPLOYEES
FROM: PERSONNEL DEPARTMENT DATE: 1/23/87
SUBJECT: STANDARD PROCEDURE?INSTRUCTIONS ON DEATH OF
EMPLOYEE
IT HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF THIS OFFICE THAT
MANY EMPLOYEES HAVE BEEN DYING WHILE ON DUTY FOR APPARENTLY
NO GOOD REASON. FURTHERMORE, SOME EMPLOYEES ARE REFUSING
TO FALL OVER AFTER THEY ARE DEAD. THIS, IN SOME CASES, HAS
RESULTED IN MUCH UNEARNED OVERTIME PAYMENTS.
EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY, THIS PRACTICE MUST BE DISCONTINUED.
ON OR AFTER THIS DATE, ANY EMPLOYEE FOUND SITTING UP AFTER
HE HAS DIED WILL BE DROPPED FROM THE PAYROLL AT ONCE,
WITHOUT INVESTIGATION UNDER REGULATION NO. 26, SECTION 0,
"NON?PRODUCTIVE LABOR."
WHEN IT CAN BE PROVEN THAT THE EMPLOYEE IS BEING HELD UP BY
A DESK, TYPEWRITER, DRAWING BOARD, TELEPHONE, OR ANY OTHER
APPLIANCE WHICH CAN SUPPORT THE HUMAN BODY, THAT IS THE
PROPERTY OF THE COMPANY, A 90?DAY PERIOD OF GRACE WILL BE
GRANTED.
THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURES WILL BE STRICTLY ADHERED TO:
IF, AFTER SEVERAL HOURS, IT IS NOTED THAT AN EMPLOYEE HAS
NOT MOVED OR OPENED AT LEAST ONE EYE, THE SUPERVISOR WILL
INVESTIGATE. BECAUSE OF THE HIGHLY SENSITIVE NATURE AND
ORIGIN OF SOME EMPLOYEES, AND THE CLOSE RESEMBLANCE BETWEEN
DEATH AND THEIR NORMAL WORKING ATTITUDE, THE INVESTIGATION
WILL BE MADE QUIETLY TO AVOID WAKING THE EMPLOYEE IF HE OR
SHE IS ASLEEP, WHICH IS PERMITTED UNDER THE PRESENT REGIME.
IF SOME DOUBT EXISTS AT TO THE TRUE CONDITION OF THE
EMPLOYEE A PAYCHECK IS TO BE USED AS THE FINAL TEST. IF THE
EMPLOYEE FAILS TO REACH FOR THE CHECK, IT IS REASONABLE TO
ASSUME THAT DEATH HAS OCCURRED. NOTE: IN SOME CASES THE
INSTINCT IS SO STRONGLY DEVELOPED THAT A SPASMODIC CLUTCHING
ACTION MAY OCCUR. DO NOT BE MISLED BY THIS MANIFESTATION.
IN THE EVENT THAT AN EMPLOYEE FAILS TO ABANDON WHATEVER
HE OR SHE IS DOING AT COFFEE TIME, NO INVESTIGATION IS
NECESSARY AS THIS IS CONCLUSIVE PROOF THAT RIGOR MORTIS
HAS ALREADY SET IN.
Submitter comment:
THIS OFFICE MEMO SHOULD BE TYPED ON THE COMPANY LETTERHEAD
USING CURRENT DATE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): PERSONNEL
James Callow Keyword(s): HUMOR ; XEROX LORE
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Work Commerce Business CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 00-00-1970
TO: ALL EMPLOYEES
FROM: PERSONNEL
SUBJECT: ABSENTEEISM DATE: 5/25/70
SICKNESS: NO EXCUSE. WE WILL NO LONGER ACCEPT YOUR DOCTOR'S
STATEMENT AS PROOF, AS WE BELIEVE THAT IF YOU ARE WELL
ENOUGH TO BE ABLE TO GO TO THE DOCTOR, YOU ARE ABLE AND WELL
ENOUGH TO COME TO WORK.
DEATH (OTHER THAN YOUR OWN): THIS IS NO EXCUSE. THERE IS
NOTHING YOU CAN DO FOR THEM, AND WE ARE SURE THAT SOMEONE
ELSE WITH A LESSER POSITION CAN ATTEND TO THE ARRANGEMENTS.
HOWEVER, IF THE FUNERAL CAN BE HELD IN THE LATE AFTERNOON,
WE WILL BE GLAD TO LET YOU OFF ONE HOUR EARLY PROVIDED THAT
YOUR SHARE OF THE WORK IS AHEAD ENOUGH TO KEEP THE JOB GOING
IN YOUR ABSENCE.
LEAVE OF ABSENCE (FOR AN OPERATION): WE WILL NO LONGER ALLOW
THIS PRACTICE. WE WISH TO DISCOURAGE ANY THOUGHTS THAT YOU
NEED AN OPERATION, AS WE BELIEVE AS LONG AS YOU ARE AN
EMPLOYEE YOU WILL NEED ALL OF WHATEVER YOU HAVE AND YOU
SHOULD NOT CONSIDER HAVING ANYTHING REMOVED. WE HIRED YOU
AS YOU ARE, AND TO HAVE ANYTHING REMOVED WOULD CERTAINLY
MAKE YOU LESS THAN WE BARGAINED FOR.
DEATH (YOUR OWN): THIS WILL BE ACCEPTED AS AN EXCUSE, BUT
WE WOULD LIKE A TWO WEEK NOTICE. WE FEEL IT IS YOUR DUTY
TO TEACH SOMEONE ELSE YOUR JOB.
ALSO, ENTIRELY TOO MUCH TIME IS BEING SPENT IN THE REST
ROOM. IN THE FUTURE, WE WILL ALLOW THE PRACTICE OF GOING
IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER. FOR INSTANCE, THOSE WHOSE NAMES
BEGIN WITH "A" WILL GO FROM 8:00 TO 8:10 A.M., "B" WILL
GO FROM 8:15 TO 8:30 A.M. AND SO ON. IF YOU ARE UNABLE
TO GO AT YOUR TIME, IT WILL BE NECESSARY TO WAIT UNTIL
THE NEXT DAY WHEN YOUR TURN COMES AGAIN.
Submitter comment:
THIS SHOULD BE TYPED ON COMPANY LETTERHEAD, USING THE
CURRENT DATE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): PERSONNEL ; POLICY
James Callow Keyword(s): HUMOR ; XEROX LORE
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Work Commerce Business CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 00-00-1970
TABLE OF EXCUSES
TABLE OF EXCUSES
PLEASE GIVE EXCUSE BY NUMBER IN ORDER TO SAVE TIME:
1. THAT'S THE WAY WE'VE ALWAYS DONE IT.
2. I DIDN'T KNOW YOU WERE IN A HURRY FOR IT.
3. THAT'S NOT IN MY DEPARTMENT.
4. NO ONE TOLD ME TO GO AHEAD.
5. I'M WAITING FOR AN O.K.
6. HOW DID I KNOW THIS WAS DIFFERENT?
7. THAT'S HER JOB, NOT MINE.
8. WAIT 'TIL THE BOSS COMES BACK AND ASK HIM.
9. I FORGOT.
10. I DIDN'T THINK IT WAS VERY IMPORTANT.
11. I'M SO BUSY I JUST CAN'T GET AROUND TO IT.
12. I THOUGHT I TOLD YOU.
13. I WASN'T HIRED TO DO THAT.
Submitter comment: THIS SHOULD BE PRESENT IN CHART OR MENU FORM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): EXCUSES
James Callow Keyword(s): XEROX LORE
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Work Commerce Business CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 00001970S
RUSH JOB CALENDAR
NEG FRI FRI THU WED TUE MON
8 7 6 5 4 3 2
16 15 14 13 12 11 9
23 22 21 20 19 18 17
31 30 29 28 27 26 24
38 37 36 35 34 33 32
1. EVERY JOB IS IN A RUSH. EVERYONE WANTS HIS JOB YESTERDAY.
WITH THIS CALENDAR, A CUSTOMER CAN ORDER HIS WORK ON THE 7TH
AND HAVE IT DELIVERED ON THE 3RD.
2. ALL CUSTOMERS WANT THEIR JOBS ON FRIDAY...SO THERE ARE
TWO FRIDAYS IN EACH WEEK.
3. THERE ARE SEVEN EXTRA DAYS AT THE END OF THE MONTH FOR
THOSE END OF THE MONTH JOBS.
4. THERE WILL BE NO FIRST OF THE MONTH BILLS TO BE PAID,
AS THERE ISN'T ANY "FIRST." THE "TENTH" AND "TWENTY-FIFTH"
ALSO HAVE BEEN OMITTED -- IN CASE YOU HAVE BEEN ASKED TO PAY
ON ONE OF THESE DAYS.
5. THERE AR NO BOTHERSOME NON-PRODUCTIVE SATURDAYS AND
SUNDAYS. NO TIME AND ONE?HALF OR DOUBLE TIME TO PAY.
6. THERE'S A NEW DAY EACH WEEK CALLED--NEGOTIATION DAY.
Submitter comment: SHOULD BE PRINTED IN CALENDAR FORM WITH DIRECTION UNDER IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CALENDAR
James Callow Keyword(s): CALENDAR ; HUMOR ; XEROX LORE
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Work Commerce Business CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 00001970S
A DAY OFF!!!
A DAY OFF!!!
SO YOU WANT THE DAY OFF
LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT YOU ARE ASKING FOR.
THERE ARE 365 DAYS PER YEAR AVAILABLE FOR WORK.
THERE ARE 52 WEEKS PER YEAR IN WHICH YOU ALREADY
HAVE TWO DAYS OFF PER WEEK, LEAVING 261 DAYS
AVAILABLE FOR WORK. SINCE YOU SPEND 16 HOURS EACH
DAY AWAY FROM WORK YOU USED UP 170 DAYS, LEAVING
ONLY 91 DAYS AVAILABLE. YOU SPEND 30 MINUTES EACH
DAY ON COFFEE BREAK THAT ACCOUNTS FOR 23 DAYS PER
YEAR, LEAVING ONLY 68 DAYS AVAILABLE. WITH A ONE
HOUR LUNCH PERIOD EACH DAY, YOU HAVE ALREADY USED
UP ANOTHER 46 DAYS, LEAVING ONLY 22 DAYS AVAILABLE
FOR WORK. YOU NORMALLY SPEND 2 DAYS PER YEAR ON
SICK LEAVE, THIS LEAVES YOU ONLY 20 DAYS AVAILABLE
FOR WORK. WE ARE OFF FOR 5 HOLIDAYS PER YEAR, SO
YOUR AVAILABLE WORKING TIME IS DOWN TO 15 DAYS. WE
GENEROUSLY GIVE YOU 14 DAYS VACATION PER YEAR, WHICH
LEAVES ONLY 1 DAY AVAILABLE FOR WORK AND I'LL BE
DAMNED IF YOU'RE GOING TO TAKE THAT DAY OFF!!!
Submitter comment: OFFICE HUMOR
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): XEROX LORE
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Work Commerce Business CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 00001980S
NOTICE
THIS DEPARTMENT REQUIRES NO PHYSICAL FITNESS PROGRAM:
EVERYONE GETS ENOUGH EXERCISE JUMPING TO CONCLUSIONS,
FLYING OFF THE HANDLE, RUNNING DOWN THE BOSS, KNIFING
FRIENDS IN THE BACK, DODGING RESPONSIBILITY AND PUSHING
THEIR LUCK.
Submitter comment: PRESENTED AS A NOTICE TO EMPLOYEES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): HUMOR ; XEROX LORE
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Work Commerce Business CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 00001980S
A CUSTOM PERFORMED AT WEDDINGS IN NAPLES, ITALY, IS
PERFORMED AT THE RECEPTION. THE BEST MAN TAKES THE
GROOM'S TIE AND CUTS IT INTO MANY TINY PIECES. HE THEN SELLS
THE PIECES TO THE GUESTS AT THE WEDDING. HE THEN GIVES ALL
THE MONEY TO THE GROOM.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT SAYS THAT THIS CUSTOM HELPS THE NEWLYWEDS SET
UP HOUSEKEEPING. SHE ALSO SAID THAT MONEY IS USUALLY GIVEN
RATHER THAN A MATERIAL GIFT. IF THE BRIDE OR GROOM'S FAMILY
ARE WELL TO DO, THEY MAY EVEN GIFT THE COUPLE WITH A FLAT
OR AN APARTMENT.
Keyword(s): MONEY ; WEDDING CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Date learned: 00001980S
MY SISTER IN LAW, WHO IS A NURSE AT PONTIAC OSTEOPATHIC
HOSPITAL, TOLD ME THIS STORY. SHE HEARD IT FROM A DOCTOR OR
NURSE WHO WORKS IN THE OBSTETRICS FLOOR AT THE HOSPITAL.
THE DOCTOR OR NURSE TOLD MY SISTER IN LAW ABOUT A PAIR OF
TWIN GIRLS THAT WERE BORN NOT TOO LONG AGO. WHEN THE NURSE
WENT TO THE MOTHER'S ROOM TO ASK THE PARENTS WHAT THEY WERE
GOING TO NAME THEIR DAUGHTERS, THE MOTHER REPLIED THAT SHE
PICKED OUT TWO BEAUTIFUL NAMES, (SAID PHONETICALLY)
SA-PHILLY-US AND GO-NORE-REA. THE NURSE ASKED THE WOMAN HOW
TO SPELL THE NAMES AND SHE REPLIED, S-Y-P-H-I-L-I-S AND
G-O-N-O-R-R-H-E-A
Submitter comment:
MY SISTER IN LAW SWEARS THAT THIS IS TRUE AND IT DID HAPPEN
AT PONTIAC OSTEOPATHIC HOSPITAL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; PONTIAC
Keyword(s): GONORRHEA ; HUMOR ; SYPHILIS
| Subject headings: | Favorites SPEECH -- Proper Name |
Date learned: 00001980S
MY MOTHER WORKED FOR THE DETROIT PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN THE
EARLY 1920'S. SHE TAUGHT A LOT OF POOR BLACK CHILDREN. SHE
ALWAYS LAUGHED ABOUT THE NAMES SOME OF THE CHILDREN WERE
GIVEN, TWO IN PARTICULAR. SHE SAID THERE WERE TWO SISTERS'
NAMED SYPHILIS AND GONORRHEA, BUT THEY PRONOUNCED THEIR
NAMES SA-PHILLY-US AND GO-NORE-REA.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT SAYS SHE HEARD THIS MANY TIMES FROM HER MOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): GONORRHEA ; SYPHILIS
James Callow Keyword(s): HUMOR
| Subject headings: | Favorites SPEECH -- Proper Name |
Date learned: 00001920S