Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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WHEN I WAS A KID IF I DROPPED ANYTHING ON THE GROUND
I WOULD CROSS MYSELF WITH THE OBJECT IN MY HAND AND
SAY "GOD KISS IT, DEVIL MISS IT." THIS MADE ME
BELIEVE THAT THE OBJECT WAS CLEAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SANITARY
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration Favorites BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications SPEECH -- Formula SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 04-00-1983
WEST GERMAN TRADITION
IN GERMANY ON A CHILD'S VERY FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL HE/SHE
RECEIVES A SPECIAL PRESENT. THE PARENTS OF THE CHILD
GIVES HIM/HER A HUGE CONE FILLED WITH CANDY. THIS IS
DONE IN OREDR TO GIVE THE CHILD A GOOD PERSPECTIVE ABOUT
SCHOOL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 02-00-1983
I'VE ALWAYS BEEN AFRAID OF THUNDER AND LIGHTENING SO
WHEN I WAS A LITTLE GIRL MY MOMMA TOLD ME THIS STORY.
SHE TOLD ME THAT ALL THE THUNDER WAS JUST SOME ANGELS
PLAYING POOL AND EVERY TIME THEY HIT A BALL WE WOULD
HEAR ITS ECHO. THE LIGHTENING WAS NOTHING MORE THAN A
PRANKSTER ANGEL CUTTING THE LIGHTS ON AND OFF UP IN
HEAVEN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION ; MATERNAL ROLE
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Lightning Thunder |
Date learned: 03-00-1983
TANGLETALK
ONE BRIGHT DAY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT,
TWO DEAD BOYS GOT UP TO FIGHT.
BACK TO BACK THEY FACED EACH OTHER,
DREW THEIR SWORDS AND SHOT EACH OTHER.
THE DEAF POLICEMAN HEARD THE NOISE;
CAME OUT AND SHOT THE TWO DEAD BOYS.
IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE THIS LIE IS TRUE,
ASK THE BLIND MAN WHO SAW IT TOO!
Submitter comment:
I COLLECTED THIS FROM SOME TWELVE YEAR OLD BOYS WHO RACED THROUGH
IT IN A SING-SONG MANNER. IT SEEMED TO ME THAT WHOEVER COULD
FINISH RECITING FIRST TOOK PRIDE IN HIS SPEED, BUT NONE OF THE
BOYS WERE VERY CONCERNED WITH ACCURACY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Prose Narrative Prose Narrative SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 00-00-1983
BALLAD
I ONCE KNEW A LORD BY THE NORTHERN SEA. BOW DOWN, BOW DOWN.
I ONCE KNEW A LORD BY THE NORTHERN SEA,
BOW AND BALANCE TO ME.
I ONCE KNEW A LORD BY THE NORTHERN SEA,
HE HAD DAUGHTERS - ONE, TWO, THREE.
I WILL BE TRUE, TRUE TO MY LOVE,
LOVE AND MY LOVE WILL BE TRUE TO ME.
A YOUNG PRINCE CAME A COURTING THERE. BOW DOWN, BOW DOWN.
A YOUNG PRINCE CAME A COURTING THERE,
BOW AND BALANCE TO ME.
A YOUNG PRINCE CAME A COURTING THERE,
HE CHOSE THE YOUNG, HE CHOSE THE FAIR
I WILL BE TRUE, TRUE TO MY LOVE,
LOVE AND MY LOVE WILL BE TRUE TO ME.
HE GAVE HIS LOVE A BEAVER HAT. BOW DOWN, BOW DOWN.
HE GAVE HIS LOVE A BEAVER HAT,
BOW AND BALANCE TO ME.
HE GAVE HIS LOVE A BEAVER HAT,
THE UGLY TWO THOUGHT HORRID OF THAT.
I WILL BE TRUE, TRUE TO MY LOVE,
LOVE AND MY LOVE WILL BE TRUE TO ME.
HE GAVE HIS LOVE A GOLDEN RING. BOW DOWN, BOW DOWN.
HE GAVE HIS LOVE A GOLDEN RING,
BOW AND BALANCE TO ME.
HE GAVE HIS LOVE A GOLDEN RING,
THE UGLY TWO THOUGHT THAT A TERRIBLE THING.
I WILL BE TRUE, TRUE TO MY LOVE,
LOVE AND MY LOVE WILL BE TRUE TO ME.
THE THREE WALKED DOWN BY THE WATER'S RIM. BOW BOWN, BOW DOWN.
THE THREE WALKED DOWN BY THE WATER'S RIM,
BOW AND BALANCE TO ME.
THE THREE WALKED DOWN BY THE WATER'S RIM,
THE UGLY TWO PUSHED THE FAIR ONE IN.
I WILL BE TRUE, TRUE TO MY LOVE,
LOVE AND MY LOVE WILL BE TRUE TO ME.
SHE FLOATED DOWN WHERE THE MILLER SAT. BOW DOWN, BOW DOWN.
SHE FLOATED DOWN WHERE THE MILLER SAT,
BOW AND BALANCE TO ME.
SHE FLOATED DOWN WHERE THE MILLER SAT,
HE TOOK THE GOLD RING AND THE BEAVER HAT.
I WILL BE TRUE, TRUE TO MY LOVE,
LOVE AND MY LOVE WILL BE TRUE TO ME.
THE UGLY TWO THEY WERE BURNED AT THE STAKE. BOW DOWN, BOW DOWN.
THE UGLY TWO THEY WERE BURNED AT THE STAKE,
BOW AND BALANCE TO ME.
THE UGLY TWO THEY WERE BURNED AT THE STAKE,
THE MILLER WAS HANGED FOR WHAT HE DID TAKE.
I WILL BE TRUE, TRUE TO MY LOVE,
LOVE AND MY LOVE WILL BE TRUE TO ME.
Submitter comment:
THIS BALLAD, A VARIATION OF "THE TWA SISTERS", WAS LEARNED
BY MR. CARAHER IN 1956 WHEN HE WORKED IN INTERLOCHEN, MICHIGAN
AT INTERLOCHEN'S MUSIC ACADEMY. LONG EVENINGS WERE SPENT
SINGING AND "LEARNING HOW TO DRINK BEER WITHOUT THROWING UP."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ballad Epic |
ON EPIPHANY IN THE MORNING, WE'D GO TO MASS AND BRING
FRANKINCENSE AND MYRHH AND A BIT OF GOLD TO BE BLESSED.
WHEN WE GOT HOME, THE FRANKINCENSE WOULD BE PUT ON HOT COALS
AND WE'D WALK WITH IT THEN ALL OVER THE HOUSE, INTO EVERY
ROOM WITH IT, I GUESS IT WAS SUPPOSED TO DRIVE OUT EVIL SPIRITS
OR CLEAN THE AIR FOR GOOD ONES OR SOMETHING, I DON'T REALLY
KNOW... ANYWAY, AFTER WE FINISHED GOING THROUGH THE HOUSE,
OVER EACH DOORWAY IN THE HOUSE, WE'D WRITE IN CHALK
A " K " THEN A CROSS, THEN A " M ", THEN ANOTHER CROSS, AND
A " B " . THE THREE LETTERS WERE THE INITIALS OF THE NAMES OF
THE THREE WISE MEN WHO CAME TO SEE THE BABY JESUS. YOU HAD TO
LEAVE THE CHALK UP ALL YEAR LONG; IF YOU WASHED THE WALLS,
YOU WASH AROUND THE CHALK. IT WAS BAD LUCK IF YOU WIPED IT OFF
BEFORE THE NEXT YEAR'S EPIPHANY.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS AN OLD POLISH-CATHOLIC CUSTOM. MRS. MASTERS GREW UP
IN ST. HEDWIG'S PARISH, WHERE MANY OLD WORLD TRADITIONS LIVED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany BELIEF -- Measure of time Year BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 11-00-1983
WHEN YOU GOT A NEW ARTICLE OF CLOTHING, YOU DIDN'T DARE WEAR IT
OUT ANYWHERE UNTIL YOU WORE IT TO CHURCH, SO THAT THEY WERE
BLESSED OR SOMEHOW INFLUENCED BY BEING IN THE CHURCH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. Favorites ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Dress BELIEF -- Church |
Date learned: 00-00-1983
CORPUS CHRISTI FESTIVAL
ON CORPUS CHRISTI WE WOULD ALWAYS HAVE A PARADE THAT STARTED
AT THE CHURCH AND PROGRESSED AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD TO
ALTARS SET UP ON THE PORCHES OF PEOPLE IN THE PARISH.
THE FAMILY CHOSEN TO HAVE THE ALTAR DECORATED THE HOUSE
ON THE OUTSIDE WITH FLOWERS, LOTS AND LOTS OF FLOWERS - MY
MOTHER USED TO CUT DOWN HER WHOLE BED OF PEONIES AND BRING
THE FLOWERS TO THE CHURCH; THEY REALLY NEEDED AS MANY AS
THEY COULD GET. THE ALTAR WAS JUST A STURDY TABLE COVERED,
AND THERE WERE FLOWERS ALL AROUND. THE MEN CUT BRANCHES OFF
TREES AND NAILED THEM UP TO MAKE A GREEN BACKGROUND. ANYWAY,
THE PROCESSION STARTED AT THE CHURCH, STOPPED AT EACH
ALTAR AROUND THAT BLOCK, AND ENDED AT A CHAPEL. THE PARADE
WAS A MASS, AND A DIFFERENT PART OF THE MASS WAS SAID AT
EACH ALTAR. THE BLESSED SACRAMENT WAS CARRIED IN THE PARADE,
AND THE PRIESTS LED IT WITH THE SERVERS WHO CARRIED CANDLES.
BEHIND THEM, THE CHILDREN MAKING THEIR FIRST COMMUNIONS WALKED
IN THEIR DRESSES AND VEILS AND SUITS. THEN CAME THE CHURCH
CLUBS, AND THE REST OF US GOT TO WALK IN THE REAR. EVERYONE
SANG WITH THE CHOIR AS WE WALKED FROM PLACE TO PLACE, AND
THE LINE WAS SO LONG THAT THE PEOPLE IN THE END WOULD BE
LAGGING IN THE SONG, OUT OF PACE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Summer |
Date learned: 11-00-1983
THE FOX AND THE RAVEN
A RAVEN WAS FLYING AROUND AND FOUND A
HUNK OF CHEESE. SHE ATE THE CHEESE UNTIL
SHE WAS ALMOST SATISFIED. BUT SHE STILL HAD
A PIECE OF CHEESE IN HER MOUTH. A FOX
RAN BY AND SMELLED THE CHEESE. HE STOPPED
AND SAW THE RAVEN WITH THE CHEESE.
HE SAID TO THE RAVEN: "DEAR FRIEND, HOW
LOVELY YOU ARE! WHAT SPLENDID FEATHERS, WHAT
A LOVELY BEAK! YOU MUST HAVE A HEAVENLY
VOICE. SING ME A PRETTY SONG. DON'T BE SHY,
SING! YOU ARE THE QUEEN OF ALL BIRDS!
SOMEONE AS LOVELY AS YOU SHOULD SING!"
THE RAVEN WAS SO HAPPY, SHE CROWED WITH ALL
OF HER MIGHT. THE PIECE OF CHEESE FELL OUT
OF HER BEAK WHEN SHE OPENED IT AND THE CLEVER
FOX GOBBLED IT UP. THE RAVEN THEN FLEW AWAY,
STILL NOT QUITE SATISFIED
Submitter comment:
THIS TALE WAS LEARNED IN RUSSIA AND WAS IN
RHYME IN THE RUSSIAN LANGUAGE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Farmington Hills
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal Tale |
Date learned: 10-27-1983
RUSSIAN PEOPLE ACCEPTED CHRISTIANITY I BELIEVE IN
760 A.D. BEFORE THAT THERE WASN'T ANY ORGANIZED
RELIGION BUT THEY BELIEVED IN SOME SPIRITS OR GHOSTS.
ONE IS DOMOVOY. "DOM" IN RUSSIAN MEANS HOUSE; DOMOVOY
IS THE HOUSE SPIRIT. HE IS A VERY SMALL OLD MAN, ABOUT
THE SIZE OF A FIVE YEAR OLD CHILD. HE HAS LONG HAIR
AND A LONG BEARD. HE ALWAYS WEARS BOOTS AND CAFTAN
(A RUSSIAN HOUSE COAT WITH A LONG TIE-ROPE AROUND
THE WAIST). HE LIVED IN THE ATTIC AND EVERY HOUSE HAD
ITS OWN DOMOVOY. HE WASN'T A BAD FELLOW BUT HE WAS
ALWAYS PLAYING TRICKS. IF SOMEONE FELL OFF THE STEPS
THEN DOMOVOY PUSHED HIM. IF SOMETHING FELL OFF THE SHELF
THEN DOMOVOY PUSHED IT. HE WAS ALWAYS RESPONSIBLE FOR
THE UNEXPLAINED ACCIDENTS.
ANOTHER SPIRIT IS LESOVOY. "LES" IN RUSSIAN MEANS
FOREST; LESOVOY IS THE SPIRIT THAT LIVES IN THE WOODS.
HE IS SMALL AND HAIRY AND WEARS HIGH BOOTS AND A JACKET.
HE LIVED IN HOLLOW TREES AND ONE VERY SELDOM SAW HIM.
BY THE TIME I WAS SIX OR SEVEN YEARS OLD I STOPPED
BELIEVING IN THESE SPIRITS. I NEVER HEARD OF THEM IN
THE BIG CITIES, ONLY IN SMALL VILLAGES AND TOWNS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Farmington Hills
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
RUSSIAN NEW YEAR'S EVE CUSTUMS
ON NEW YEAR'S EVE CHILDREN AND EVEN ADULTS PUT ON
UNUSUAL OR FUNNY COSTUMES AND WENT FROM HOUSE TO HOUSE
TO HAVE FUN. IT IS A LOT LIKE HALLOWEEN IN THE UNITED
STATES. ALL THIS IS FORGOTTEN NOW.
ALSO ON THIS EVENING, TEENAGE GIRLS WOULD GO OUTSIDE
BETWEEN TEN AND ELEVEN O'CLOCK. A GIRL WOULD ASK THE FIRST
MAN SHE SEES HIS FIRST NAME AND THIS WOULD BE THE NAME
OF HER FUTURE HUSBAND.
ALSO ON NEW YEAR'S EVE, SOME TEENAGE GIRLS WOULD PUT
A LARGE MIRROR IN FRONT OF THE DRESSER MIRROR FACE
TO FACE. THEN THEY PUT THE LIGHTS OUT AND PUT A CANDLE
ON EACH SIDE OF THE FIRST MIRROR. THEN A GIRL LOOKED
OVER ONE MIRROR AT THE OTHER IN SUCH A WAY THAT SHE
SEES A CORRIDOR. BY CONSTANTLY STARING AND USING THE
IMAGINATION SHE BEGINS TO SEE SOME SHADOWS, THEN A FORM,
AND FINALLY SHE SEES A BOYFRIEND OF HERS. THIS WILL BE
THE ONE SHE WILL MARRY. THE OTHER GIRLS TAKE THEIR
TURNS ALSO.
Submitter comment: THESE CUSTUMS TOOK PLACE BEFORE THE RUSSIAN REVOLUTION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Farmington Hills
James Callow Keyword(s): VISITING
| Subject headings: | Observation Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 12-00-1983
RUSSIAN TALE
THERE ONCE WERE SOME POOR PEOPLE; THE WIFE WAS
A SPINNER AND THE HUSBAND WAS A FISHERMAN.
ONE DAY THE HUSBAND CAUGHT A GOLDFISH. THE GOLDFISH
ASKED THE MAN TO LET HER GO. HE SAID THAT HE
WAS SO POOR HE HAD TO CATCH FISH.
THE GOLDFISH SAID, "LET ME GO AND THEN GO HOME AND
YOU WILL HAVE EVERYTHING YOU NEED."
SO THE FISHERMAN LET HER SWIM AWAY. FROM THEN ON
HE WOULD GO TO HER AND SHE GRANTED ALL HIS REQUESTS.
THE GOLDFISH KEPT GIVING AND GIVING UNTIL THE WIFE
HAD EVERYTHING SHE COULD THINK OF BUT SHE STILL WAS
NOT SATISFIED. THEN SHE ASKED THE GOLDFISH TO BE HER
SERVANT. THIS ANGERED THE GOLDFISH SO MUCH THAT SHE
FLIPPED HER TAIL AND SWAM AWAY FOREVER AND SHE TOOK
BACK EVERYTHING SHE HAD GIVEN THEM.
Submitter comment: TALE WAS LEARNED IN RUSSIA. IT WAS IN PROSE AS IT IS HERE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Farmington Hills
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Magic |
Date learned: 12-00-1983
LEGEND OF SAINT (MAR) ADDAI
BEFORE JESUS DIED, JESUS RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THE KING
OF EDDESSA, A MAN CALLED ABGAR. HE WROTE JESUS A LETTER
BECAUSE HE HAD HEARD PEOPLE SAYING JESUS WAS HAVING TROUBLE
WITH THE JEWS. IN ABGAR'S LETTER HE ASKS AND INVITES JESUS
TO COME TO EDDESSA WHERE HE WOULD SHARE IN ABGAR'S KINGDOM.
EDDESSA WAS A SMALL COUNTRY AND JESUS WITH ABGAR WOULD
REIGN TOGETHER. IN THE LETTER ABGAR MENTIONS THAT HE HAS LEPROSY
AND ASKS TO BE CURED BY JESUS.
JESUS WROTE ABGAR A LETTER, THE ONLY LETTER THAT HISTORY
EVEN MENTIONS THAT JESUS WROTE.
JESUS WRITES IN THE LETTER--"I CAN'T COME NOW, BUSY
WITH MY FATHER'S BUSINESS. AFTER I RETURN TO MY FATHER
I WILL SEND SOMEONE TO YOU AND THEY WILL TAKE CARE OF YOUR
NEEDS."
JESUS DIES, BUT TO CONTINUE THE STORY, THERE ARE THREE LEGENDS
OF THE PASSING ON THE TRADITION OF THE LETTER OF JESUS.
(1) AN ARTIST SENT WITH ABGAR'S LETTER COULDN'T DRAW THE FACE
OF JESUS SO JESUS TOOK A CLOTH AND PRESSED IT TO
HIS FACE, THEN AN IMAGE OF JESUS APPEARED. (THIS WAS
BEFORE JESUS' DEATH)--IMAGE OF JESUS TAKEN TO ABGAR WHICH HEALS
HIM.
(2) VERONICA'S VEIL--IMAGE OF JESUS TAKEN TO ABGAR WHICH HEALS
HIM.
(3) THE IMAGE OF JESUS ON THE BURIAL SHROUD (NOW THE SHROUD
OF TURIN, ITALY)--WHICH WAS TAKEN AND HEALED ABGAR'S LEPROSY.
AFTER JESUS' DEATH AND RESURRECTION AND ASCENSION, THE
APOSTLES DISPERSE AND GO TO VARIOUS PARTS OF THE WORLD.
ST. THOMAS, REMEMBERING JESUS' PROMISE AND LETTER, SENT
THADDEUS (TH-ADDAI-US) TO ABGAR WITH THIS WONDERFULL IMAGE
OF CHRIST. THE PERSON WHO INTRODUCED ADDAI TO THE COURT
OF THE KING WAS A JEWISH MAKER OF VESTMENTS AND ROYAL
CROWNS WHO THEN MADE A COVER FOR THE PICTURE, AND AS THIS IMAGE
WAS CARRIED INTO THE COURT, ABGAR WAS STRUCK BY A
BRILLIANT LIGHT COMING FROM THE PORTRAIT AND WAS CURED
OF HIS LEPROSY. THE BRIGHT LIGHT CURED ABGAR'S LEPROSY
AND ABGAR WAS CONVERTED TO CHRISTIANITY, HE WAS A PAGAN
BEFORE. ALL OF HIS FAMILY OFFERED RICH REWARDS FOR MAR (SAINT)
ADDAI, BUT ADDAI REFUSED. HE WANTED THE CHANCE
TO PREACH TO THE WHOLE KINGDOM. ADDAI DID, AND THE WHOLE KING-
DOM WAS CONVERTED BY HIS ELEQUENCE. THEN ADDAI WENT TO
OTHER PARTS OF PERSIA. ABGAR'S GRANDSON, ALSO NAMED ABGAR,
REVERTED BACK TO PAGANISM AND PERSECUTED CHRISTIANS.
THE CHRISTIANS TOOK THE IMAGE OF CHRIST AND HID IT
IN A NICHE ABOVE THE CITY GATE, WITH IT WAS BURIED
A COPY 0F THE IMAGE AND A LAMP, A BURNING LAMP.
OVER THE YEARS PEOPLE FORGOT WHERE THE IMAGE WAS HIDDEN AND
THE STORY BECAME MERELY A LEGEND UNTIL THERE WAS A GREAT
FLOOD WHICH DESTROYED PART OF THE CITY WALLS, INCLUDING PART
OF THE GATE OVER WHICH THE IMAGE WAS HIDDEN. DURING
THE REPAIRS, THE IMAGE WAS REDISCOVERED WITH THE LAMP
WHICH WAS STILL BURNING. THE PEOPLE TOOK THE IMAGE AND
RESPONDED WITH GREAT JOY AND PROCESSED IT TO THEIR
TOWN INTO THE CHURCH WHERE IT WAS ENSHRINED FOR MANY HUNDREDS OF
YEARS.
Submitter comment:
THE LEGEND OF MAR ADDAI IS NOTED IN AN ANCIENT HISTORIAN'S
WRITING, THAT OF EUSEBIUS. IT HAS BEEN CARRIED ON
THROUGHOUT THE CENTURIES BY PIOUS CHURCH FOLLOWERS.
EDDESSA, TODAY IS MODERN URFA IN TURKEY.
MAR MEANS SAINT OR LORD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero |
ANALYTICAL RIDDLE
ONE DAY A GROUP OF 12 KNIGHTS ON THEIR WAY TO A CASTLE
PASSED AN ORCHARD WITH AN APPLE TREE WHICH HAD 12 APPLES
HANGING ON IT. EACH ONE TOOK AN APPLE, AFTER THEY LEFT
THE ORCHARD, 11 APPLES WERE LEFT HANGING ON THE TREE, HOW
COULD THIS BE?
ANSWER: EACH ONE WAS THE NAME OF THE KNIGHT WHO TOOK THE
ONLY APPLE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FRANKLIN VILLAGE
| Subject headings: | Favorites RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 06-00-1974
ANCIENT RIDDLE
WHAT DOES A V-SIGN WITH YOUR FINGERS MEAN IN A BAR?
A ROMAN ORDERING FIVE BEERS.
Submitter comment: HEARD THIS IN MY SCHOOL CAFETERIA WHEN I WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FRANKLIN VILLAGE
| Subject headings: | Favorites SPEECH -- Gesture RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 04-00-1974
SNEEZING LORE
SAY BRAHMA OR GOD BLESS YOU AFTER ONE SNEEZES TO GIVE GOD'S GRACE
FOR GOOD HEALTH.
SAY SHAHADIH AFTER ONE SAYS OR THINKS UP SOMETHING ABOUT SOME
PERSON, PLACE, OR THING WHEN ONE SNEEZES. THEN IT IS TRUE ABOUT
IT. E.G. I SAY WE WILL BE RICH ONE DAY, THEN A PERSON SNEEZES.
THEN IT WILL BE TRUE. IT IS LIKE A CERTIFICATE OF GRADUATION.
BRAHMA MEANS GOD BLESS YOU, AND SHAHADIH MEANS IT IS CERTIFICATION
TO THE TRUTH. BOTH ARE CHALDEAN WORDS OR DIALECT.
I ONCE READ IN A DOCTOR'S COLUMN THAT IF ONE SNEEZES, ONE WILL
LOSE 15 SECONDS OF ONE'S LIFE. IT IS ACCREDITTED TO BIOLOGICAL
REASONS.
Submitter comment: I PICKED THIS LORE UP MOSTLY FROM HOME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FRANKLIN VILLAGE
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 00001960S
NAMES OF MY RELATIVES
IN MY FAMILY ALL OF MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS HAVE THEIR NAMES
BEGIN WITH THE LETTER J.
JALAL, JALILA, JAMAL, JOHN, JENNIFER, JULIA, JANETTE, JANE, JACK,
JOSEPH, AND JAMES OR JEFFERSON.
IN MY BROTHER JALAL'S FAMILY HIS KIDS' NAMES BEGIN WITH THE K
SOUND. CARMEN, CONNIE, KIMBERLY, CAROLINE, AND DENNY. HOW DID
THAT GUY GET IN THERE? IT'S THEIR ONLY BROTHER.
IN MY SISTER JALILA'S FAMILY, HER KIDS' NAMES BEGIN WITH THE
LETTER R, RITA, RONNIE, AND ROBERT.
IN MY AUNT SALEEMA'S FAMILY, HER KIDS' NAMES ALL BEGIN WITH
THE LETTER L, LEATH, LINDA, LAHEEB, AND LANA.
Submitter comment:
I CAN'T EXPLAIN THE REASON WHY THE PARENTS DID THIS, MAYBE TO
CALL ONE OF THE KIDS AND MANY WOULD ANSWER BECAUSE OF THE SAME
BEGINNING SOUND. I REMEMBER MY MOM WOULD RATTLE OFF FOUR OR
FIVE OF OUR NAMES BEFORE SHE GOT WHO SHE WANTED RIGHT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FRANKLIN VILLAGE
James Callow Keyword(s): ALLITERATION
| Subject headings: | Person / Nickname Favorites |
Date learned: 00001960S
IF A FUNERAL GOES BY, HOLD YOUR BUTTON OR
YOU'LL BE THE NEXT TO DIE.
Submitter comment:
"YOUR BUTTON" REFERS TO ANY BUTTON THAT MAY BE ON ONE'S CLOTHING.
AS THE INFORMANT SAID, "IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT BUTTON, BUT YOU'D
BETTER JUST HOPE YOU'VE GOT A BUTTON."
Where learned: ALABAMA ; BALDWIN COUNTY ; FOLEY
| Subject headings: | Observation Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
THE ORAL HISTORY OF MY FAMILY INCLUDES THE TALE OF
MY GRANDFATHER'S ARRIVAL AT ELLIS ISLAND, IN THE
EARLY TWENTIETH CENTURY. HE HAD BEEN A STOW-AWAY AND
WAS THEREFORE RELUCTANT TO GIVE HIS NAME TO THE
IMMIGRATION OFFICIAL PROCESSING HIM. HE ASKED THE
OFFICER TO SELECT A NEW NAME FOR HIM, AN AMERICAN
NAME. THE NAME "SHERMAN" WAS CHOSEN FROM THE
SIGNATURE OF ROGER SHERMAN ON THE DECLARATION OF
INDEPENDENCE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK ; OAKLAND COUNTY
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 00-00-1983
THIS GAME MAY BE PLAYED WITH TWO PEOPLE OR MORE.
THE ONLY ITEM NEEDED IS A DICTIONARY. IF TWO PEOPLE
ARE COMPETING, THEN THE DICTIONARY IS DIVIDED AT THE
LETTER "M." PLAYER #1 CHOOSES ANY WORD IN THE FIRST
HALF OF THE DICTIONARY AND READS THE ENTIRE ENTRY
ALOUD, WITHOUT NAMING THE WORD. PLAYER #2 MUST THEN
GUESS THE WORD. THE TIME LIMIT IS AT THE DISCRETION
OF THE PLAYERS. THE ACTION IS REPEATED, WITH PLAYER #2
SELECTING A WORD FROM THE SECOND HALF OF THE DICTIONARY.
Submitter comment:
I HAVE OFTEN PLAYED THIS GAME. IT IS MORE DIFFICULT
THAN IT SEEMS! THE OBJECT OF THE GAME IS THE
INTELLECTUAL CHALLENGE, THEREFORE, NO SCORE IS KEPT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 00-00-1983