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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

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POLISH JOKE

Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.

THERE WERE TWO POLLACKS BUILDING A HOUSE. ONE WAS NAILING THE BOARDS
UP WHILE THE OTHER ONE CUT THEM. THE ONE WHO WAS NAILING KEPT CURSING
AND THROWING NAILS AWAY. THE SECOND POLLACK BECAME CURIOUS AND ASKED
HIM WHAT HE WAS DOING. HE SAID THAT SOME OF THE NAILS HAD THE HEAD
ON THE WRONG END AND HE COULDN'T USE THEM SO HE THREW THEM AWAY. THE
OTHER POLLACK REPRIMANDED HIM FOR THROWING THEM AWAY AND TOLD HIM
THAT HE SHOULD SAVE THEM SINCE THEY COULD BE USED ON THE OTHER SIDE
OF THE HOUSE.

Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SAINT CLAIR

James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Stupid man or woman
BELIEF -- Poli

Date learned: 00-00-1972

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THE FEAST OF THE LORD'S BODY {CORPUS CHRISTI}

IN MAY OR JUNE ALTARS WERE SET UP OUTSIDE. THEY WERE SET UP
IN THE NORTH, SOUTH, EAST AND WEST. A PROCESSION WOULD BE HELD
BY THE VILLAGES WHICH BELONGED TO ONE PARISH.

Submitter comment: THIS HAPPENED IN POLAND. THIS FEAST IS CORPUS CHRISTI.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; POLAND ; Sterling Heights ; GOWARCZOW

James Callow Keyword(s): DIRECTIONS

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- May
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- June
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Summer

Date learned: 11-00-1973

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A SUPERSTITION IN OUR FAMILY WHILE PLAYING CARDS IS THAT IF YOU SIT
WITH YOUR PARTNER THE SAME DIRECTION THE BATHTUB SITS, THEN YOU
WILL HAVE GOOD LUCK.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement
ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Household furniture and utensil
BELIEF -- Good luck P881.6

Date learned: 09-22-1972

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THROWING SALT OVER YOUR SHOULDER BREAKS ANY BAD LUCK THAT YOU HAVE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Mineral
BELIEF -- Conversions P883.17
SPEECH -- Gesture

Date learned: 11-00-1972

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Entry filtered.

Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.

DID YOU HEAR THE ONE ABOUT THE POLAK WHO GOT HURT RAKING LEAVES? HE
FELL OUT OF A TREE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Poli

Date learned: 10-17-1972

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REMEMBERING

IF YOU FORGET SOMETHING TAKE THREE STEPS BACK TO REMEMBER.
HE WAS TOLD THIS BY HIS GRANDMOTHER WHEN HEWAS LITTLE.

Where learned: DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): DIRECTION POSITION ; HOMEOPATHIC

Subject headings: 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple
BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal
SPEECH -- Gesture

Date learned: 10-00-1972

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SAINT ANTHONY

WHEN YOU LOSE SOMETHING, TURN THE STATUE OF SAINT ANTHONY
UPSIDE DOWN UNTIL YOU FIND WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR. THIS IS
SUPPOSED TO HELP YOU FIND THINGS

Where learned: DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION

Subject headings: Favorites
BELIEF -- Religious hero
BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color

Date learned: 11-19-1972

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MARKING THE SPOT

JACK AND JOE WERE FISHING AND FOUND THIS PLACE WHERE FISHING WAS
GOOD. JOE SAID YOU BETTER NOT FORGET THIS PLACE. MARK IT SO WE CAN
COME HERE AGAIN. JACK TOOK A PENCIL AND WROTE AN "F" ALONG SIDE
THE BOAT. WHEN THEY GOT HOME JOE ASKED JACK IF HE MARKED THE PLACE
GOOD. JACK SAID YES I PUT AN "F" ON THAT SIDE OF THE BOAT FOR FISH
SO WE'LL KNOW WHERE THE FISHING IS GOOD. JOE HIT JACK IN THE HEAD
AND SAID, "YOU DUMMY, WE WON'T HAVE THAT BOAT AGAIN."

Where learned: MARYLAND ; BALTIMORE ; TOLD IN

James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Stupid man or woman

Date learned: 11-25-1972

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DON'T CROSS BATS

THE INFORMANT LEARNED THE FOLLOWING WHILE PLAYING BABE RUTH BASEBALL
IN PORT HURON. "IT IS BAD LUCK WHEN THE BASEBALL BATS LAY ACROSS
ONE ANOTHER INSTEAD OF IN A STRAIGHT ORDERLY LINE."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; PORT HURON

James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Entertainment Diversion
BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications
BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.6

Date learned: 10-30-1972

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IF LOST

IF A PERSON IS LOST AND IS NOT SURE WHAT DIRECTION TO TAKE, HE
SHOULD SPIT IN THE PALM OF ONE HAND, AND SLAP THE SPIT WITH THE
FIRST TWO FINGERS OF THE OTHER HAND. THEN MERELY TRAVEL IN THE
DIRECTION THAT THE SPIT FLEW. THIS METHOD WILL PUT THE PERSON IN
THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; PORT HURON

James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION LOCATION

Subject headings: Observation
BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails

Date learned: 10-30-1972

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BAD LUCK

IT IS BAD LUCK FOR A WOMAN TO PUT HER SLIP ON BACKWARDS.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM HER GRANDMOTHER AND HOLDS IT TO BE TRUE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HANCOCK

James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.2

Date learned: 09-25-1972

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"PUTTING SWEATERS ON BACKWARDS WILL BRING BAD LUCK."

Where learned: DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.1

Date learned: 11-09-1972

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IF YOU STUMP YOUR LEFT TOE; ITS BAD LUCK.

Where learned: DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): DIRECTION POSITION LEFT ; STUB YOUR TOE

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.2

Date learned: 12-00-1972

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IF A BLACK CAT CROSSES YOUR PATH TO THE RIGHT, THAT IS BAD LUCK.

Where learned: DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): DIRECTION POSITION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.3

Date learned: 12-00-1972

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THE STATUE OF THE MINUTEMAN AT RUSSELL SAGE COLLEGE FIRES HIS
MUSKET WHENEVER A VIRGIN GRADUATES. THE MUSKET HAS NEVER BEEN HEARD.

Where learned: NEW YORK ; TROY

James Callow Keyword(s): PESSIMISM INDIRECTION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal

Date learned: 00-00-1968

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NEVER THROW OUT THE BACK DOOR WHAT YOU BRING IN THE FRONT, IT
WILL CAUSE BAD LUCK.

Where learned: OHIO ; LUCAS COUNTY

James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Bad luck

Date learned: 10-03-1972

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LUCK

IF YOU SHOULD STUMP YOUR LEFT TOE, TURN AROUND, AND SPIT ON THE
GROUND TO KEEP FROM HAVING BAD LUCK. THE INFORMANT SAID SHE ACTUALLY
DID THIS HERSELF WHEN SHE WAS YOUNGER.

Where learned: SOUTH CAROLINA

James Callow Keyword(s): DIRECTION POSITION: LEFT ; STUB

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Bad luck
BELIEF -- Conversions

Date learned: 10-26-1972

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LUCK/OMEN

GOOD LUCK WILL BE YOURS IF THE FIRST ROBIN YOU SEE IN THE SPRING
FLIES UP, BUT IF HE FLIES DOWN, YOU ARE DOOMED TO A STREAK OF BAD
LUCK.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON ; TOLD IN

James Callow Keyword(s): DIRECTION

Subject headings: 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually.
Observation
BELIEF -- Bird
BELIEF -- Good luck P881.32
BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.32

Date learned: 09-26-1972

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BELIEF LUCK

IF YOU BEND BACKWARDS AND KISS THE BLARNEY STONE IN IRELAND YOU WILL
HAVE GOOD LUCK.

Where learned: DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): CONTORTION ; POSITION DIRECTION BACKWARDS

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Good luck P881.1
SPEECH -- Gesture

Date learned: 06-00-1972

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CURE FOR WARTS

TO GET RID OF WARTS, RUB A FRESHLY PICKED MUSHROOM ON THE WART AND
THROW IT OVER YOUR LEFT SHOULDER. THE WART WILL DISAPPEAR IN 2 DAYS.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT SAID AN OLD GERMAN TOLD HIM THIS WHEN HE WAS} YOUNG.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): LEFT DIRECTION POSITION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Plant
BELIEF -- Method of Curing

Date learned: 10-03-1972

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