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STUMP YOUR TOE
LOSE YOUR BEAU.

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE

Subject headings: Observation
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief
BELIEF -- Body part Senses Feet, toes, toenails
BELIEF -- Marriage

Date learned: 07-09-1973

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NEVER LET ANYONE SWEEP UNDER YOUR FEET OR BENEATH YOUR
CHAIR, YOU WILL NOT MARRY.

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Body part Senses Feet, toes, toenails
BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal
BELIEF -- Marriage
BELIEF -- Measure of time Working

Date learned: 07-04-1973

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SUPERSTITION (PREDICTION)

NEVER CUT YOUR FINGERNAILS OR TOENAILS ON SUNDAY. IF YOU DO,
YOU'LL DIE BEFORE SUNDOWN.

Submitter comment: THIS SUPERSTITION OR BELIEF WAS TOLD TO HER BY HER HUSBAND'S
MOTHER.

Where learned: FARMINGTON ; KENTUCKY

Subject headings: Prediction / Divination
BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails
BELIEF -- Body part Senses Feet, toes, toenails
BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial
BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour

Date learned: 06-10-1972

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A KISS AND TOE RHYME

STUMP YOUR TOE,
KISS YOUR THUMB,
SEE YOUR BEAU,
BEFORE THE DAY IS GONE.

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE

Subject headings: Prediction / Divination
BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails
BELIEF -- Body part Senses Feet, toes, toenails
BELIEF -- Marriage
BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour

Date learned: 07-00-1968

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NOT GIVEN

ONCE IN A HOUSE ACROSS THE STREET, A GIRL WAS TAKING A BATH AND
THE DOOR WAS LOCKED. SOMEONE HAD COME IN AND CUT OFF THE GIRL'S
LEG AND HER TONGUE. SHE MADE A NOISE LIKE THIS: BUMP AH-AH,
BUMP AH-AH.
THE BUMP WAS HER TRYING TO WALK AND THE AH-AH WAS HER TRYING TO
TALK. EVEN THOUGH THE GIRL DIED THE MOTHER CONTINUED TO HEAR
THAT SOUND LONG AFTERWARDS.

Submitter comment: THIS WAS TOLD TO ME WHILE WE WERE HAVING RECESS. JUDITH'S MOTHER
TOLD IT TO HER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate
BELIEF -- Body part Senses Mouth, teeth, lips, tongue
BELIEF -- Body part Senses Feet, toes, toenails
BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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NOT GIVEN

THERE WAS A SHRINE TO THE BLESSED MOTHER ON THIS MOUNTAIN IN
ITALY. IT WAS A VERY SACRED PLACE. THERE THE STATUE WAS ENCASED
IN GLASS. ONE DAY SOME BOYS WERE PLAYING "BOTCHES" (LIKE BOWLING)
AND ONE OF THE BALLS ROLLED NEAR THE GLASS CASE, THE NEXT ONE
ROLLED AND BROKE THE GLASS AT THE FEET OF THE STATUE. THE FEET
OF THE STATUE STARTED BLEEDING.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT IS COLLECTOR'S MOTHER.

Data entry tech comment: "BOTCHES" = BOCCI BALL?

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime
BELIEF -- Body part Senses Feet, toes, toenails

Date learned: 10-14-1965

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PURGATORY FALLS, MILFORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE

AN AREA NEAR NORTH RIVER ROAD IN THE OLD QUARRY DISTRICT OF
MILFORD HAS A SET OF FOOTPRINTS AT THE BOTTOM OF A SMALL WATER-
FALL. THESE FOOTPRINTS ARE SUPPOSED TO BELONG TO THE DEVIL AND
ALL THE CHILDREN CALL THIS AREA PURGATORY FALLS.

Submitter comment: I LEARNED THIS WHILE IN HIGH SCHOOL.

Where learned: NEW HAMPSHIRE ; MILFORD

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name
BELIEF -- Body part Senses Feet, toes, toenails

Date learned: 11-04-1967

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STORY

IN THE 1820'S AT SPRING ARBOR, MICHIGAN, AN INDIAN CHIEF WAS
CAPTURED DURING THE WAR. AFTER THE WAR, THE ENGLISH ALLOWED
HIM TO RETURN TO HIS TRIBE. HE WAS SIX FEET TALL AND USED
CRUTCHES TO GET AROUND. IT IS SAID THAT HE WOULD CHALLENGE
ANY MAN TO RACE WITH HIM AND THAT HE ALWAYS WON. EVEN THOUGH
ONE-LEGGED, HE HAD DEVELOPED AN ENORMOUS SPRINT WITH THE AID
OF HIS CRUTCHES.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; SPRING ARBOR

Keyword(s): Chief ; INDIAN ; Legend ; Native American

Subject headings: ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Occupation War
BELIEF -- Body part Senses Feet, toes, toenails

Date learned: 03-19-1970

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NOT GIVEN

ONCE IN A HOUSE ACROSS THE STREET, A GIRL WAS TAKING A BATH AND
THE DOOR WAS LOCKED. SOMEONE HAD COME IN AND CUT OFF THE GIRL'S
LEG AND HER TONGUE. SHE MADE A NOISE LIKE THIS: BUMP AH-AH,
BUMP AH-AH.
THE BUMP WAS HER TRYING TO WALK AND THE AH-AH WAS HER TRYING TO
TALK. EVEN THOUGH THE GIRL DIED THE MOTHER CONTINUED TO HEAR
THAT SOUND LONG AFTERWARDS.

Submitter comment: THIS WAS TOLD TO ME WHILE WE WERE HAVING RECESS. JUDITH'S MOTHER
TOLD IT TO HER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate
BELIEF -- Body part Senses Mouth, teeth, lips, tongue
BELIEF -- Body part Senses Feet, toes, toenails
BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

View just this record

NOT GIVEN

THERE WAS A SHRINE TO THE BLESSED MOTHER ON THIS MOUNTAIN IN
ITALY. IT WAS A VERY SACRED PLACE. THERE THE STATUE WAS ENCASED
IN GLASS. ONE DAY SOME BOYS WERE PLAYING "BOTCHES" (LIKE BOWLING)
AND ONE OF THE BALLS ROLLED NEAR THE GLASS CASE, THE NEXT ONE
ROLLED AND BROKE THE GLASS AT THE FEET OF THE STATUE. THE FEET
OF THE STATUE STARTED BLEEDING.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT IS COLLECTOR'S MOTHER.

Data entry tech comment: "BOTCHES" = BOCCI BALL?

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime
BELIEF -- Body part Senses Feet, toes, toenails

Date learned: 10-14-1965

View just this record

PURGATORY FALLS, MILFORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE

AN AREA NEAR NORTH RIVER ROAD IN THE OLD QUARRY DISTRICT OF
MILFORD HAS A SET OF FOOTPRINTS AT THE BOTTOM OF A SMALL WATER-
FALL. THESE FOOTPRINTS ARE SUPPOSED TO BELONG TO THE DEVIL AND
ALL THE CHILDREN CALL THIS AREA PURGATORY FALLS.

Submitter comment: I LEARNED THIS WHILE IN HIGH SCHOOL.

Where learned: NEW HAMPSHIRE ; MILFORD

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name
BELIEF -- Body part Senses Feet, toes, toenails

Date learned: 11-04-1967

View just this record

STORY

IN THE 1820'S AT SPRING ARBOR, MICHIGAN, AN INDIAN CHIEF WAS
CAPTURED DURING THE WAR. AFTER THE WAR, THE ENGLISH ALLOWED
HIM TO RETURN TO HIS TRIBE. HE WAS SIX FEET TALL AND USED
CRUTCHES TO GET AROUND. IT IS SAID THAT HE WOULD CHALLENGE
ANY MAN TO RACE WITH HIM AND THAT HE ALWAYS WON. EVEN THOUGH
ONE-LEGGED, HE HAD DEVELOPED AN ENORMOUS SPRINT WITH THE AID
OF HIS CRUTCHES.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; SPRING ARBOR

Keyword(s): INDIAN ; Legend ; Native American

Subject headings: ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Occupation War
BELIEF -- Body part Senses Feet, toes, toenails

Date learned: 03-19-1970

View just this record

SUPERSTITION

IF A GIRL IS GOING OVER A RAILROAD TRACK IN A CAR, SHE SHOULD
LIFT HER FEET UP WHILE GOING OVER, OR ELSE SHE WILL BREAK
UP WITH THE GUY SHE IS GOING WITH.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GILBERTS LOUNGE ; HARPER

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Car ; Car ; RAILROAD ; Relationship ; SUPERSTITION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Body part Senses Feet, toes, toenails
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Marriage Dating Courtship

Date learned: 02-18-1971

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CAR BELIEF

IF A GIRL IS RIDING IN A CAR AND IT CROSSES OVER RAILROAD
TRACKS, SHE MUST LIFT UP HER FEET OR SHE WILL NOT GET MARRIED.

Submitter comment:

INFORMANTS ATTITUDE WAS QUITE SKEPTICAL.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LINCOLN PARK

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; FEET ; OMEN ; Relationship ; SUPERSTITION ; Tracks

James Callow Keyword(s): DIRECTION ; DISBELIEF ; POSITION

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Dating Courtship
BELIEF -- Body part Senses Feet, toes, toenails
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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RAILROAD CROSSING

WHENEVER DRIVING OVER RAILROAD TRACKS EVERYONE IN THE CAR
SHOULD LIFT THEIR FEET OFF THE FLOOR, DRIVER INCLUDED, AND
TOUCH THE ROOF OF THE CAR WITH THEIR HANDS. THIS IS TO INSURE THE
OCCUPANTS OF A LONG LIFE AND TO WARD OFF THE COMING OF OLD AGE.

Submitter comment:

INFORMANT DOES THIS OFTEN WHEN CROSSING RAILROAD TRACKS IN A CAR.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Car ; FEET ; Roof ; SUPERSTITION ; Tracks

James Callow Keyword(s): DIRECTION ; POSITION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Body part Senses Feet, toes, toenails
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
SPEECH -- Gesture

Date learned: 02-20-1971

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WHEN CROSSING A BRIDGE OVER WATER HOLD YOUR BREATH AND
PICK UP YOUR FEET OR YOU LOSE YOUR BOYFRIEND.

Submitter comment:

ACQUIRED IN TAMPA, FLORIDA WHILE SHE WAS IN GRADE SCHOOL.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Boyfriend ; BREATH ; Bridge ; FEET ; Girlfriend ; Relationship ; SUPERSTITION ; WATER

James Callow Keyword(s): DIRECTION ; POSITION

Subject headings: Prediction / Divination
BELIEF -- Body part Senses Feet, toes, toenails
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Marriage Dating Courtship
SPEECH -- Gesture

Date learned: 08-02-1969

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PREDICTION

WHILE GOING OVER A RAILROAD TRACK YOU MUST PICK UP YOUR FEET
OR YOU WILL LOSE YOUR BOY OR GIRL FRIEND.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Boyfriend ; Girlfriend ; Relationship ; SUPERSTITION ; Tracks

James Callow Keyword(s): DIRECTION ; POSITION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Body part Senses Feet, toes, toenails
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Marriage Dating Courtship
SPEECH -- Gesture

Date learned: 09-00-1969

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