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IF YOU DROP A FORK, A WOMAN WILL VISIT.
IF YOU DROP A KNIFE, A MAN WILL VISIT.
IF YOU DROP A SPOON, A CHILD WILL VISIT.

Submitter comment: I LEARNED THIS AS A CHILD FROM MY MOTHER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE PARK

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

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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IRISH LEGEND

IT SEEMS THAT MY GRANDMOTHER KNEW A WOMAN IN IRELAND WHO TOLD HER
THE STORY OF HER SON. ONE DAY WHEN THE LITTLE BOY WAS BEING CHASTISED
HE RAISED HIS HAND IN ANGER TO HIS MOTHER. SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE
LITTLE BOY DIED. A FEW DAYS AFTER HE WAS BURIED HIS MOTHER WAS CALLED
TO THE GRAVE SITE. THERE WAS THE LITTLE BOY'S HAND STICKING UP OUT
OF THE GROUND. A PRIEST WAS SUMMONED AND AFTER A SERIES OF RITUALS
AND APPLICATIONS OF HOLY WATER THE HAND RECEDED INTO THE GROUND. THIS
INCIDENT OF COURSE WAS AN EXAMPLE FOR THE TOWNSPEOPLE OF WHAT
HAPPENS TO CHILDREN WHO DO NOT RESPECT THEIR PARENTS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): BODY PART

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

Date learned: 00-00-1937

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RAILROAD CROSSING

WHEN YOU CROSS A RAILROAD CROSSING IN A CAR TOUCH THE ROOF OF
THE CAR WITH YOUR PALMS SO YOU WON'T HAVE BAD LUCK.

Keyword(s): CONVERSION ; TRAVEL

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

Date learned: 11-17-1968

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LUCK

A SEA SHELL (SEASHELL) PLACED AT THE FRONT DOOR INVITES LUCK
TO ENTER THE HOUSE.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT CAN'T REMEMBER WHEN OR WHERE HE LEARNED

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): HOME, DOMESTIC PURSUITS ; SALTWATER MOLLUSKS

Subject headings: ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Wall Partition Door Window
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Good luck

Date learned: 11-25-1967

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SUPERSTITION CONCERNING BAD LUCK

IF SOMEONE GIVES YOU SOMETHING SHARP, LIKE A PIN OR KNIFE, YOU
MUST GIVE THEM A PENNY OR YOU WILL HAVE BAD LUCK.

Submitter comment: MY MOTHER COLLECTED THIS SUPERSTITION FROM A WOMAN WITH WHOM SHE WORKED. MRS. HAIRSTON LEARNED IT FROM HER MOTHER
AND GRANDMOTHER.

Where learned: NATIONAL BANK OF DETROIT

Keyword(s): CONVERSION ; MONEY ; SOCIAL RELATIONS

James Callow Keyword(s): GIFTGIVING

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Conversions P883.18

Date learned: 02-00-1967

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COUNT TO TEN

IF YOU HAVE FORGOTTEN SOMETHING WHEN LEAVING YOUR HOUSE AND HAVE
TO GO BACK FOR IT, BE SURE TO SIT DOWN AND COUNT TO TEN BEFORE
YOU LEAVE THE HOUSE AGAIN, OR YOU WILL HAVE BAD LUCK.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): CONVERSION ; NUMBERS: TEN ; SUPERNATURAL: COUNTING TO TEN ; TRAVEL: RETURNING HOME FOR FORGOTTEN OBJECT

Subject headings: 686 First / Once / One / Newness
BELIEF -- BELIEF
BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Number P686.3.10
BELIEF -- Conversions P883.2

Date learned: 00001965 SUMMER

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PRIEST AND LUCK

JAPANESE BELIEVE THAT A PERSON WILL HAVE BAD LUCK IF THE FIRST
PERSON HE MEETS ON THE STREET IS A BUDDIST (BUDDHIST) PRIEST.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): JAPANESE BELIEF

Subject headings: 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually.
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.2

Date learned: 11-00-1968

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FOLK BELIEF (LUCK)

IN GERMAN VILLAGES WHEN A MAN ENTERS AN INN HE MUST HIDE HIS FACE
AND SEEK OUT HIS FRIENDS. HE MUST THEN BUY ALE FOR HIS CHRONIES
(CRONIES) BEFORE THEY RECOGNIZE HIM. THIS WILL BRING GOOD LUCK.
IF SOMEONE ELSE BUYS THE FIRST BEER FOR HIM IT IS
AN OMEN OF BAD LUCK.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): DRINKING ; GERMAN BELIEF ; SOCIAL RELATIONS

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Body part Senses
BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Good luck P881.2
BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.2
SPEECH -- Gesture

Date learned: 09-21-1968

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SUPERSTITION

WHEN YOU ENTER A HOUSE FOR THE FIRST TIME EXIT THROUGH THE SAME
DOOR YOU ENTERED, OTHERWISE YOU HAVE BAD LUCK.

Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM HIS MOTHER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): CONVERSION ; HOME, DOMESTIC PURSUITS

James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION

Subject headings: 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually.
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Conversions P883.21

Date learned: 03-25-1967

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LEAVING THE SERVICE

WHEN LEAVING THE SERVICE, A SAILOR WILL NEVER CARRY HIS OWN
LUGGAGE. TO DO SO IS BAD LUCK. HE USUALLY ALLOWS ONE OF HIS BEST
FRIENDS TO HELP HIM, BRINGING ABOUT GOOD LUCK FOR
HIS HELPFUL FRIEND.

Where learned: ROUTE 2 ; INFORMANTS HOME ; W JEFFERSON RD

Keyword(s): CONVERSION ; TRAVEL: RETURN FROM NAVY

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- P535
BELIEF -- War
BELIEF -- Conversions P883.2

Date learned: 03-09-1970

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ALBATROSS

IT IS BAD LUCK FOR AN ALBATROSS TO FOLLOW A SHIP. IF SHE DOES,
SHE MUST BE SHOT WITH A GUN ARMED WITH SILVER BULLETS.

Where learned: ROUTE 2 ; W JEFFERSON RD

Keyword(s): BIRDS: ALBATROSS ; CONVERSION ; TRAVEL: SHIPS

James Callow Keyword(s): CRUELTY TO ANIMALS: KILLING AN ALBATROSS

Subject headings: BELIEF -- P 88 P 88.33
BELIEF -- Bird
BELIEF -- Mineral
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Conversions P883.33

Date learned: 03-09-1970

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SUPERSTITION

TO PREDICT VISITORS: IF A SPOON DROPS, A BABY WILL COME TO VISIT;
IF A FORK DROPS, THE VISITOR WILL BE A WOMAN; IF A KNIFE DROPS, THE
VISITOR WILL BE A MAN. WHICHEVER WAY THE UTENSIL DROPS WILL BE THE
DIRECTION FROM WHICH THE VISITOR WILL COME.

Where learned: DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION

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

Date learned: 00-00-1981

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ON NEW YEARHS DAY, THE FIRST PERSON IN YOUR HOUSE SHOULD HAVE DARK
HAIR AND BE CARRYING WINE AND AN ORANGE.

Submitter comment: THE WINE SIGNIFIES THAT THE HOUSEHOLD WILL BE MERRY AND THAT
EVERYONE IN THAT HOUSEHOLD WILL HAVE A GOOD, HEALTHY YEAR.
THE ORANGE IS FOR PROSPERITY AND FERTILITY AND THE DARK HAIR FOR
GOOD LUCK THROUGHOUT THE NEW YEAR.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually.
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's
BELIEF -- Body part Senses
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Measure of time Year
BELIEF -- Good luck

Date learned: 00-00-1948

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NEW YEAR'S EVE

ON NEW YEAR'S EVE, IF A FAMILY BREAKS AND EATS A LOAF OF BREAD,
IT WILL STAY TOGETHER THROUGHOUT THE COMING YEAR.

Where learned: DETROIT

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve
Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Measure of time Year

Date learned: 00001930S

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DRUNK OMEN

IN MEXICO, WHEN A DRUNK OR ALCOHOLIC GOES TO A PRIEST AND SWEARS
THAT HE WILL NOT DRINK FOR A YEAR, THE ALCOHOLIC IS FEARFUL THAT IF
HE BREAKS HIS VOW BAD LUCK WILL COME TO HIM OR HIS FAMILY

Submitter comment: THIS IS A CUSTOM PRACTICED IN MEXICO WHERE RELIGION IS A VERY IMPOR
TANT MATTER AND FEAR OF PUNISHMENT BY GOD REHABILITATES REFORMED
DRUNKS.
IMPORTANT

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: Favorites
BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Measure of time Year
BELIEF -- Bad luck

Date learned: 11-00-1981

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SUPERSTITOUS BELIEF

IT IS CONSIDERED BAD LUCK TO PASS SOMEONE ON THE STAIRS. YOU HAVE
TO WAIT UNTIL THE OTHER PERSON IS UP OR DOWN THE STAIRS BEFORE YOU
CAN USE THEM.

Submitter comment: LAURA LEARNED THIS FROM HER GRANDMOTHER, AGNUS SYLVAIN, WHO IS 83
YEARS OLD.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Mount Clemens

James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION

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

Date learned: 10-00-1981

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SUPERSTITIOUS BELIEF

IF YOU DON'T LEAVE BY THE SAME DOOR THAT YOU CAME IN THEN YOU WON'T
BE INVITED BACK AGAIN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Mount Clemens

James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION

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

Date learned: 10-00-1981

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SUPERSTITIOUS BELIEF

WHEN GIVING KNIVES AS A GIFT, IF YOU DON'T GIVE THE PERSON MONEY
ALONG WITH THE GIFT THEN THAT PERSON WILL BE CUT BY THE KNIVES.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MADISON HEIGHTS

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

Date learned: 10-00-1981

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WHEN THE OPPOSITE SEX COMES NEAR YOU, CROSS THE FIRST TWO FINGERS
OF YOUR RIGHT HAND AND PLACE THEM ON THE BACK OF YOUR LEFT HAND.
THIS PROTECTS YOU FROM "COOTIES".

Submitter comment: THIS IS FOR GRADE SCHOOL CHILDREN, WHO ARE CONVINCED THAT THE
OPPOSITE SEX CARRIES SOME SORT OF INFECTIOUS GERM (COOTIES).

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK

Subject headings: Favorites
BELIEF -- Body part Senses
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications
BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness

Date learned: 00001960S

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