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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

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IRISH BELIEF ABOUT THE MOON

WHENEVER THE MOON IS RED IT MEANS THERE WILL BE BLOODSHED.

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): INTERNAL RHYME ; SYMBOL ; SYMPATHETIC MAGIC

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Moon
BELIEF -- Sign Color
BELIEF -- Weather sign or control

Date learned: 09-16-1975

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IRISH GIFT BELIEF

WHENEVER A PURSE IS GIVEN AWAY THERE SHOULD ALWAYS BE A PENNY IN IT
TO INSURE THAT THE RECIPIENT WILL ALWAYS HAVE WEALTH.

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 ; SYMPATHETIC MAGIC

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

Date learned: 09-16-1975

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A WOMAN MUST NOT TRIP OVER ANY TYPE CORD DURING PREGNANCY. IF THE
EXPECTANT MOTHER WAS TO BE UNFORTUNATE ENOUGH TO DO SO, THE UMBILICAL
CORD WOULD WRAP AROUND THE UNBORN CHILD'S NECK AND THE BABY WOULD BE
STRANGLED TO DEATH.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOL ; SYMPATHETIC MAGIC

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Birth
BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial
BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness

Date learned: 10-00-1975

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CHRISTMAS CUSTOM

IT IS A WIDESPREAD AND WELL-KNOWN CUSTOM THAT A PIECE OF MISTLETOE
IS HUNG FROM DOORWAYS, CHANDELIERS, CEILINGS, ETC. AS A CHRISTMAS
DECORATION. IF A MAN AND WOMAN SHOULD BOTH HAPPEN TO BE STANDING
UNDER THE MISTLETOE, THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO KISS. IF ONE OF THEM IS
UNDER THE MISTLETOE ALONE, THE OTHER MAY COME UP TO KISS THEM.

Submitter comment: THIS IS PROBABLY ONE OF THE MOST WIDESPREAD OF CHRISTMAS CUSTOMS.
PEOPLE PROBABLY FOLLOW IT BECAUSE IT IS FUN AND FITS IN WITH THE
FESTIVE HOLIDAY MOOD.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): PLANT PARASITIC

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below.
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Mistletoe and other greenery
SPEECH -- Gesture

Date learned: CA00001966

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THE BEAR WENT OVER THE MOUNTAIN

THE BEAR WENT OVER THE MOUNTAIN,
THE BEAR WENT OVER THE MOUNTAIN
THE BEAR WENT OVER THE MOUNTAIN
TO SEE WHAT HE COULD SEE.
" " " " " " "
" " " " " " "
THE BEAR WENT OVER THE MOUNTAIN
TO SEE WHAT HE COULD SEE.

THE OTHER SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN ( 3 TIMES )
WAS ALL THAT HE COULD SEE ( 3 TIMES )
THE OTHER SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN
WAS ALL THAT HE COULD SEE

Where learned: DETROIT

Keyword(s): ANTICLIMAX

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ballad Epic
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Good humor Jest
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children

Date learned: 03-00-1968

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KNOCK KNOCK JOKE

KNOCK KNOCK
WHO'S THERE?
DICK
DICK WHO?
DICK 'EM UP-I'M TONGUE TIED.

Submitter comment: FROM HIS BROTHER

Where learned: UNKNOWN

Keyword(s): NAME ; STICK @EM UP

Subject headings: RIDDLE -- Riddle Question

Date learned: 11-20-1967

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RIDDLE

WHAT IS IT THAT WAS GIVEN TO YOU, THAT BELONGS TO YOU ONLY,
BUT THAT YOUR FRIENDS USE MORE THAN YOU?
YOUR NAME

Submitter comment: HEARD THIS IN DORMITORY

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT

Keyword(s): OPPOSITIONAL: ANTITHETICAL CONTRADICTIVE

Subject headings: RIDDLE -- True Riddle
RIDDLE -- Riddle Question

Date learned: 11-27-1967

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INDIAN PRAYER

GREAT SPIRIT GRANT THAT I MAY NOT
CRITIZE MY NEIGHBOR UNTIL I HAVE WALKED
A MILE IN HIS MOCCASINS.

Where learned: NOT GIVEN

Keyword(s): CRITICIZE

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Prayer

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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NEVER TICKEL A BABY BECAUSE IF
YOU DO IT WILL STUDDER.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT BELIEVES THIS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

Keyword(s): STUTTER ; TICKLE

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness

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POLISH PROVERB

HOW JIM ACTS TOWARDS GOD, SO GOD RETALIATES.

Data entry tech comment: FOR THE POLISH TEXT SEE THE ORGINAL 5 X 8 CARD

Where learned: HOME

Keyword(s): DIVINE JUSTICE

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

Date learned: 10-25-1967

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FOR ARTHRITIS, PEEL A POTATO, TAPE IT TO THE AFFLICTED AREA
AND THE POTATO IS SURE TO DRAW THE SORENESS OUT.

Where learned: FRIENDS HOME

Keyword(s): POULTICE

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Plant

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FOLK REMEDY/ TOMATO

A SLICE OF TOMATO WAS WRAPPED AROUND A BUNION
ON A TOE TO RELIEVE THE SORENESS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): POULTICE

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Remedy

Date learned: 01-20-1970

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CORNS

IF YOU WANT TO GET RID OF A CORN- CUT IT OFF
AND BURY IT SOMEWHERE YOU WILL NEVER GO AGAIN AND IT WILL GO AWAY.

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT

Keyword(s): SYMPATHETIC MAGIC

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Method of Curing

Date learned: 03-31-1968

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CURE FOR CORNS

FOR THOSE WHO SUFFERED FROM CORNS ON THEIR FEET, WOULD SAY
BEFORE BREAKFAST, 27 CONSECUTIVE TIMES, "EARTH TAKE MY PAIN" AND FOR
ANOTHER 27 CONSECUTIVE TIMES WOULD SPIT ON THE GROUND.
SPITTING ON THE GROUND ALSO HAS THE VIRTUE
OF HAVING A MEDICINE TO TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY,
AND WAS AN EFFECTIVE ANTIDOTE AGAINST THE EVIL EYE.

Submitter comment: PEOPLE STILL PRACTICE THIS CURE IN ITALY

Data entry tech comment: COLLECTOR'S SPELLING CORRECTED BY KEYPUNCHER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): PROTECTION AGAINST EVIL FORCES ; SUPERNATURAL ; SYMPATHETIC MAGIC

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Number P686.1.27
BELIEF -- Method of Curing

Date learned: 11-20-1967

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METHOD OF CURING

THE BEST AND QUICKEST WAY TO CURE A SWOLLEN GOITER
IS TO WRAP A GREEN SNAKE (CAN BE A GARDEN SNAKE) AROUND YOUR NECK
AND KEEP IT THERE FOR 1 OR 2 HOURS UNTIL THE SWELLING GOES AWAY.

Submitter comment: ACCORDING TO THE INDIAN (AMERICAN) GIRL THAT GAVE ME THIS,
IT HAS CURED MANY GOITERS FOR HER BROTHER-IN-LAW.

Data entry tech comment: THIS SECTION OF THE ARCHIVES CONTAINS SEVERAL SIMILAR ITEMS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; J L HUDSONS

Keyword(s): ANIMAL CURE ; SYMPATHETIC MAGIC ; TRANSFER

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Method of Curing

Date learned: 10-25-1969

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FOLK REMEDY-PASTE

A PASTE CONSISTING OF BREAD, MILK, AND NAPTHA SOAP WAS SPREAD
OVER A SLIVER. THE AFFECTED AREA WAS THEN WRAPPED IN A TOURNIQUET
AND BY THE FOLLOWING DAY THE INFECTION HAD BEEN DRAWN OUT
AND THE SLIVER BROUGHT TO A HEAD.

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): NAPHTHA SOAP ; POULTICE

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Remedy

Date learned: 01-20-1970

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ANIMAL REMEDY

TO REDUCE INFLAMMATION, MAKE A POULTICE OF WARM COW DUNG.

Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM HOME.

Where learned: INDIANA ; GREENFIELD

Keyword(s): INFECTION ; POULTICE

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Animal

Date learned: 11-23-1967

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REMEDY

FOR TONSIL CASES THE BEST THING TO DO IS TO BOIL POTATOES WITH
THEIR SKINS ON. WHEN THEY ARE DONE MASH THEM A LITTLE WITH A FORK,
PUT THEM IN A SCARF AND WRAP THE SCARF AROUND THE NECK.
THE HEAT WILL DRAW OUT THE INFECTION.

Submitter comment: MEMORIES OF HOMELAND GERMANY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; BEAUTY SHOP

Keyword(s): POULTICE

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Plant

Date learned: 01-00-1971

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IRISH SUPERSTITION

IF YOU WASH YOUR FACE IN DEW ON THE FIRST
DAY OF MAY, YOU WILL BE BEAUTIFUL.

Submitter comment: IN TELLING THIS, THE INFORMANT RECALLS ACTUALLY
WASHING HER FACE IN DEW ON MAY 1ST, AND ENDING
UP WITH A TERRIBLE RASH AND A FEW VISITS TO
A DERMATOLOGIST.

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

Keyword(s): BAD RESULTS FROM SUPERSTITIOUS PRACTICE ; IRONY ; SKIN

Subject headings: 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually.
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- May 1 May Day

Date learned: 09-23-1969

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COUGH

TO EASE COUGHING, GRIND A HORSERADISH ROOT THAT WAS TAKEN FROM THE
GROUND IN MID WINTER TO PRODUCE A POWDER. WET IT AND PLACE IT ON
THE CHEST OF THE SUFFERER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): POULTICE

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Method of Curing

Date learned: 09-00-1971

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