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IF YOU BACK INTO THE HOUSE YOUR GLASSES WILL NOT STEAM.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank

Date learned: 10-00-1968

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EDGE-WISE

WHEN GIVING A GIFT WITH SHARP EDGES, A PENNY SHOULD BE GIVEN
FOR EACH EDGE SO THAT THE FRIENDSHIP WILL NOT BE CUT.

Submitter comment: FROM HER MOTHER

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE

James Callow Keyword(s): HOMEOPATIC ; SYMBOLISM UNKNOWN

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank

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RAILROAD TRACKS

TO KEEP YOUR BOY FRIEND, WHEN DRIVING OVER RAILROAD TRACKS,
A GIRL MUST LIFT HER LEFT FOOT OFF THE CAR FLOOR AND TOUCH
THE ROOF OF THE CAR WITH HER TWO INDEX FINGERS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION

Subject headings: 686 Seconds / Twice / Two
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Dating Courtship
BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails
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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PATTY THE BAG

APPARENTLY IN IRELAND PATTY THE BAG IS A WITCH CREATURE WITH
WHICH CHILDREN ARE THREATENED IF THEY MISBEHAVE.
E.G., IF YOU
DO NOT WATCH OUT, PATTY THE BAG WILL GET YOU.

Submitter comment:

INFORMANT HEARD IN HER NATIVE IRELAND.

Where learned: DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): THREAT

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Witch Shaman
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
SPEECH -- Formula

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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KICKING A CAN

IF A KID FROM ALABAMA WAS ABLE TO KICK A CAN, STICK OR ANY OTHER
ABANDON(ED) OBJECT
FROM HIS FRONT YARD TO THE STORE OR ANY WHERE ELSE HIS
MOTHER OR FATHER WAS SENDING HIM THAT HE DIDN'T WANT TO GO THAT KID
WOULD NOT HAVE TO GO AGAIN THAT DAY.

Submitter comment: SAID BY BLACKS IN ALABAMA.
I CAN REMEMBER KICKING A TIN-CAN TO THE STORE IN ALABAMA BUT AT THE
TIME I DID NOT KNOW WHAT IT MEANT; HOWEVER, MOST OF THE KIDS WOULD
EITHER KICK AN OBJECT THERE AND BACK OR CARRY A STICK ABOUT THEIR OWN
HEIGHT TO THE STORE AND BACK IN THE AREA WHERE I LIVED.

Where learned: ALABAMA

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Common law
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Common law
SPEECH -- Gesture

Date learned: 00-00-1960

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IRISH GIFT BELIEF

WHENEVER A SHARP OBJECT IS GIVEN AS A GIFT A PENNY SHOULD BE GIVEN
ALONG WITH IT. THE PENNY INSURES THAT FRIENDSHIP WILL NOT BE BROKEN.

Submitter comment: THIS ITEM WAS GIVEN TO MRS. CHESNEY BY MATILDA MELLON, HER MOTHER,
WHO WAS AN IRISH IMMIGRANT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS

James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOL

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank

Date learned: 09-16-1975

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SIGNIFICANCE OF SALT

WE HAVE A ROAD SIDE STAND BACK HOME. ONE OF OUR CUSTOMERS WANTED
SOME SALT TO EAT TOMATOES WITH. RATHER THAN GIVE THEM THE SALT,
HE SOLD IT TO THEM. LATER TOLD ME NEVER TO GIVE SALT AWAY. FOR
IF YOU DO, YOU WILL BECOME WEAK, AND OTHER PEOPLE WILL HAVE POWER
OVER YOU. SALT, THEREFORE, HAS MUCH SIGNIFICANCE AND MEANING.

Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

Subject headings: Favorites
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Work Commerce Business
BELIEF -- Mineral
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank

Date learned: 08-00-1969

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GIVING SOMETHING SHARP

IF YOU GIVE SOMEONE SOMETHING SHARP LIKE A KNIFE
OR SCISSORS FOR A GIFT, THEY SHOULD GIVE YOU BACK A PENNY
SO THAT IT DOES NOT SEVER THE FRIENDSHIP.

Where learned: DETROIT ; DAYTON ; MM I

Keyword(s): MONEY

Subject headings: Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank

Date learned: 01-00-1970

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PUTTING MONEY IN A NEW PURSE

IF YOU GIVE SOMEONE A PURSE OR WALLET,
YOU SHOULD PUT SOME MONEY IN IT SO THAT
THEY'LL NEVER BE BROKE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank

Date learned: 01-00-1970

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HOLY WATER FONT

FOR THE TWENTY YEARS THAT I RESIDED AT MY PARENT'S HOME
I CAN NOT REMEMBER EITHER MY BROTHERS OR MYSELF LEAVING
THE HOUSE BY THE FRONT DOOR WITHOUT DIPPING OUR
FINGERS INTO THE HOLY WATER FONT AND MAKING THE SIGN
OF THE CROSS. DESPITE THE FACT THAT IT WAS A HABIT,
MY MOTHER (POLISH) WOULD ALWAYS REMIND US.
AS WE OPENED THE FRONT DOOR SHE WOULD CALL, "DON'T FORGET TO
BLESS YOURSELF". THIS BECAME QUITE EMBARRASSING
AS WE BECAME YOUNG MEN AND WOULD BE LEAVING THE HOUSE WITH
FRIENDS BOTH MALE AND FEMALE. IN HER OWN HOME, WHEN MY
MOTHER WAS A YOUNG GIRL, HER MOTHER WOULD CHASE HER
BROTHERS DOWN THE STREET AND MAKE THEM RETURN TO THE HOUSE
IF SHE SAW THEM GO OUT WITHOUT BLESSING THEMSELVES.
THIS WAS NEVER MENTIONED IF WE WENT OUT THROUGH THE BACK DOOR.
AS I WRITE THIS IT SUDDENLY OCCURS TO ME THAT MY MOTHER ENCOURAGED
US TO USE THE BACK DOOR BY IMPOSING THIS FRONT DOOR
RITUAL UPON US.

Where learned: NOT GIVEN

Subject headings: Favorites
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Home
BELIEF -- Water
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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THE SWORD OF FRIENDSHIP

NEVER GIVE ANYONE ANY MONEY WITHOUT GIVING THEM SOMETHING
SHARP TOO, SO YOUR FRIENDSHIP WOULD NEVER BE CUT.

Submitter comment: MR. MALLINSON LEARNED THIS BELIEF IN HIS NATIVE SCOTLAND AS
A CHILD. (CIRCA 1900) MISS STOKES IS HIS GRAND-DAUGHTER.
SHE IS NOT AN ACTIVE TRADITOR OF THIS ITEM.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank

Date learned: 12-27-1963

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EVIL-EYE

IF YOU GIVE ANYONE HANDKERCHIEFS FOR GIFTS
AND THEY WILL USE THEM FOR TEARS.

Submitter comment: GRANDMOTHER

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Curse

Date learned: 11-00-1967

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ANGEL

WHEN I WAS A SMALL CHILD, MY MOTHER USED TO
TELL ME THAT AN ANGEL KEPT A LITTLE CHILD'S
ARM UP IF HE SLAPPED HIS MOTHER OR FATHER.
THE ANGEL HELD THE ARM UP UNTIL DEATH FOR PUNISHMENT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Angel
BELIEF -- Body part Senses Upper body, arms, neck
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank

Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

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POST DEATH BELIEF

IT IS SAID THAT IF A PERSON STRIKES HIS PARENT
AT SOME TIME IN HIS LIFE
THE HAND WHICH IS USED WILL STICK OUT OF THE GRAVE AFTER DEATH.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: Favorites
BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial

Date learned: 10-29-1969

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WEDDING TOAST BELIEF

WHEN A BRIDE AND GROOM DRINK THEIR WEDDING TOAST, WHOEVER FINISHES
FIRST WILL RULE THE FAMILY.

Where learned: BUFFALO ; NEW YORK

Keyword(s): FIRST WEDDING TOAST

Subject headings: 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually.
Observation
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Marriage

Date learned: COLLECTOR'S CHILDHOOD

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USE OF AN OBJECT BELIEF

IF YOU WANT COMPANY TO LEAVE, THAT HAVE OVERSTAYED THEIR
WELCOME, STAND YOUR BROOM UPSIDE DOWN.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; BROOM ; DIRECTION ; Object ; SIGN ; Signal ; SUPERSTITION

James Callow Keyword(s): DIRECTION ; POSITION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank

Date learned: 02-22-1972

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BELIEF

IF SOMEONE LOANS YOU A NEEDLE, YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO
PAY THEM A PENNY OR ELSE YOU WILL ALWAYS BE ENEMIES.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: SAINT HYACINTH SCHOOL

Keyword(s): ; BELIEF ; enemies ; Lend ; MONEY ; Relationship ; SUPERSTITION

James Callow Keyword(s): HOSTILITY

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank

Date learned: 02-17-1972

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BELIEF

DO NOT GIVE ANY SHARP OBJECTS,(SCISSORS, KNIVES, ETC.)
AS A GIFT. YOU WILL SEVER YOUR FRIENDSHIP WITH THAT PERSON.

Submitter comment:

INFORMANTS MOTHER-IN-LAW WAS VERY DEVOUT IN THIS BELIEF.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: OHIO ; CANTON

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; FRIENDSHIP ; GIFT ; Relationship ; Sever ; Sharp ; SUPERSTITION ; SYMBOL

James Callow Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC ; HOSTILITY

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank

Date learned: 02-12-1972

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SUPERSTITION ABOUT SCISSORS (POLISH)

POLISH BELIEF. YOU MUST NEVER HAND A PAIR OF SCISSORS OR A KNIFE
TO A PERSON. BECAUSE THIS WILL SEVER THE FRIENDSHIP. YOU LAY
THEM DOWN ON A TABLE AND LET THE OTHER PERSON PICK THEM UP.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE

Keyword(s): BEHAVIOR ; BELIEF ; m Friendship ; Relationship ; Sever ; Sharp ; SIGN ; SUPERSTITION ; SYMBOL

James Callow Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC ; HOSTILITY

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank

Date learned: 01-00-1970

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HOW TO KEEP A FRIENDSHIP

IF TWO PEOPLE ARE WALKING DOWN A STREET AND THEY COME UPON
ANY KIND OF OBSTRUCTION, IF ONE WALKS ON ONE SIDE OF THE POLE
AND THE OTHER ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE, THE FRIENDSHIP WILL BREAK
APART.

Submitter comment: BOB TOLD ME THIS WALKING BACK FROM CLASS, AND I WALKED ON THE
OTHER SIDE OF THE POLE FROM HIM.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank

Date learned: 09-18-1969

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