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IN AN IRISH CHRISTMAS CAKE THERE IS ALWAYS PLACED A GOLD RING SO THAT
WHOEVER EATS THE PIECE OF CAKE AND FINDS THE GOLD RING WILL BE
MARRIED WITHIN THE NEXT YEAR.

Submitter comment: I HEARD THIS FROM MY IRISH LANDLADY AT CHRISTMAS TIME OF 1970. I
DON'T THINK SHE REALLY BELIEVED IT WOULD HAPPEN.

Where learned: NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM ; MARRIAGE PREDICTION

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Predictions
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Single dishes
BELIEF -- Use of Object

Date learned: 12-00-1970

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CUSTOM FESTIVAL

IN UKRAINE, AFTER SUPPER ON CHRISTMAS EVE, THE YOUNG GIRL IN THE
FAMILY GOES OUTSIDE AND HITS TWO SPOONS TOGETHER. FROM WHICHEVER
DIRECTION A DOG BARKS FIRST THE HUSBAND TO BE OF THE GIRL WILL COME.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT RECIEVED INFORMATION FROM RELATIVES IN UKRAINE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): MARRIAGE PREDICTION

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Predictions
BELIEF -- Use of Object

Date learned: 10-07-1967

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UKRAINIAN TRADITION

ON CHRISTMAS EVE AFTER DINNER THE SINGLE GIRLS OF THE HOUSEHOLD AND
SINGLE GIRL GUESTS WOULD TAKE THEIR EATING UTENSILS, KNIFES (KNIVES)
AND FORKS, ONE AT A TIME AND GO OUT THE BACK ENTRANCE, RATTLE THE
UNTENSILS TOGETHER AND THE THEN WAIT FOR THE FIRST SOUND; SUCH AS A
DOG BARKING, CAR, OR HORSE. THE DIRECTION FROM WHICH THE FIRST SOUND
CAME WAS THE DIRECTION FROM WHICH THE GIRL'S FUTURE HUSBAND RESIDED.
FAMILY CUSTOM.

Where learned: DETROIT, ASSUMED

Keyword(s): MARRIAGE PREDICTION

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Predictions
BELIEF -- Use of Object

Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

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AFTER THE CHRISTMAS EVE SUPPER, UKRAINIAN UNMARRIED GIRLS TAKE SPOONS
AND HIT THEM TOGETHER OUTDOORS. FROM WHICHEVER SIDE A DOG BARKS
FIRST, FROM THENCE HER FUTURE HUSBAND WILL COME.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

Keyword(s): MARRIAGE PREDICTION

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Predictions
BELIEF -- Use of Object

Date learned: 10-00-1970

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TRADITION

AFTER CHRISTMAS EVE SUPPER A YOUNG LADY WOULD GO OUTSIDE AND
"YODEL-YOO-HOO." WHERE THE DOG ANSWERED WITH A BARK SHE WOULD BE A
DAUGHTER-IN-LAW AT THAT HOME.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): MARRIAGE PREDICTION

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Predictions
BELIEF -- Use of Object

Date learned: 11-22-1968

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TRADITION

AT THE TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS EVE SUPPER WE HAD PRUNE FILLED DUMPLINGS
CALLED "PEROGI". A FEW PIECES WERE PUT ASIDE UNFILLED. INTO THESE
A NAME ON A SLIP OF PAPER OF SINGLE FELLOWS WAS SEALED IN. THEY
WERE PUT INTO BOILING WATER AND THE DUMPLING THAT CAME TO THE TOP
FIRST WAS OPENED. THE GIRL WOULD MARRY THE YOUNG MAN WHOSE NAME WAS
IN IT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM ; MARRIAGE PREDICTION

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Predictions
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Single dishes

Date learned: 11-22-1968

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AUTOGRAPH BOOK RHYME

WHEN YOU ARE MARRIED AND SETTLE DOWN,
SEND ME A PIECE OF YOUR WEDDING GOWN.

Submitter comment: FROM INFORMANT'S JUNIOR HIGH AUTOGRAPH BOOK, 1929-1933

Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; GLENSHAW

Keyword(s): ADVICE:POSITIVE ; MARRIAGE ; RHYME: ABCB

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse C730.345
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Matrimony

Date learned: 10-02-1971

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WHEN YOU GET MARRIED
AND YOUR HUSBAND GETS CROSS,
PICK UP THE BROOM
AND SAY I'M THE BOSS.

Submitter comment:

FROM INFORMANT'S AUTOGRAPH BOOK 1935

Data entry tech comment:

LINES DIVIDED BY KEYPUNCHER

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): ADVICE ; AUTOGRAPH ; Boss ; BROOM ; HUSBAND ; MARRIAGE ; Positive ; RHYME: ABCB ; Wife

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse C730.345
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Custom Festival C840.533

Date learned: 00-00-1935

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WHEN YOU GET MARRIED
AND HAVE TWINS,
DON'T COME TO ME
FOR SAFETY PINS

Submitter comment: FROM INFORMANT'S AUTOGRAPH BOOK 1935

Data entry tech comment: LINES DIVIDED BY KEYPUNCHER

Where learned: NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

Keyword(s): MARRIAGE ; RHYME: ABCB

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse C730.342
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Matrimony

Date learned: 00-00-1935

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Entry filtered.

AUTOGRAPH BOOK RHYME

YOU MAY SIT ON MY LAP
BUT I PITY YOU IF YOU MARRY A JAP.

Submitter comment: FROM INFORMANT'S JUNIOR HIGH AUTOGRAPH BOOK 1929-1933

Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; GLENSHAW

Keyword(s): ADVICE ; ETHNIC SLUR ; MARRIAGE

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Cynical insight
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb C880.400
Filter - Mature Content

Date learned: 10-02-1971 ; 00001929-1933

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NO WIFE FOR REPLACEMENT

A MAN'S CAR CAUGHT FIRE AND WAS DESTROYED. IT BEING INSURED,
HE WENT AT ONCE TO THE INSURANCE OFFICE AND DEMANDED HIS MONEY.
HE WAS GIVEN A FORM TO FILL OUT, AND WAS TOLD THAT HE COULD
NOT GET THE MONEY, BUT THE CAR WOULD BE REPLACED.
"OH," SAID HE, "IF THAT'S THE WAY YOU DO BUSINESS, I WANT
TO CANCEL MY WIFE'S LIFE INSURANCE POLICY IMMEDIATELY."

Data entry tech comment: ITEM PUNCHED AS IT APPEARED ON CARD

Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED

Keyword(s): HUMOR ; INSURANCE ; MARRIAGE ; NONSENSE ; PREPARATION FOR DEATH ; SURPRISE ENDING

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote

Date learned: 00-00-1964

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GETTING MARRIED

"CHANGE YOUR NAME AND NOT THE LETTER,
CHANGE FOR WORSE AND NOT FOR BETTER."

Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR ; WRITTEN IN A LETTER

Keyword(s): MARRIAGE

James Callow Keyword(s): ELLIPSIS

Subject headings: 860 Belief
BELIEF -- Marriage
SPEECH -- FamilyGroup

Date learned: 01-30-1970

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AN INDUSTRIOUS WIFE IS THE BEST SAVINGS ACCOUNT.

Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM HER FATHER.

Where learned: INDIANA ; VEEDERSBURG

Keyword(s): MARRIAGE ; OBSERVATION

James Callow Keyword(s): BANKING

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

Date learned: 11-23-1967

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Wedding Custom

To find out the last initial of the man you'll marry, say the letters of the alphabet as you turn the stem of the apple. (one letter for each turn). The letter it breaks on is the initial.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Keyword(s): ALPHABET ; Apple ; CUSTOM ; Groom ; Initial ; Man ; MARRIAGE ; Marry ; Stem ; WEDDING

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage

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PROVERB

JUNE BRIDES MAKE GLAD WIVES.

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE

Keyword(s): MARRIAGE SUPERSTITION

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

Date learned: 07-05-1972

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PENNSYLVANIA DUTCH PROVERB

A MAN WILL ALWAYS DO WELL WITH A BIG BARN AND A BIG WIFE.

Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; MAUCH CHUNK

James Callow Keyword(s): MARRIAGE ; OBSERVATION ; PROSPERITY ; ZEUGMA

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

Date learned: 06001961 (SUMMER OF 1961)

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THERE IS BUT ONE HOUR A DAY BETWEEN A GOOD HOUSEWIFE
AND A BAD HOUSEWIFE.

Where learned: HOME ; ALLEN PARK

Keyword(s): MARRIAGE

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim

Date learned: 03-25-1971

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A POLISH PROVERB

A VIRTUOUS WIFE - A HUSBAND'S CROWN.

Submitter comment: POLISH: CNOTLUVA JANA - MEJA KORONA.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

Keyword(s): MARRIAGE

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

Date learned: 11-27-1967

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PROVERB

WHEN IT COMES TO DOING HOUSEWORK, MOST HUSBANDS GO FAR BEYOND THE
CALL OF DUTY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): MARRIAGE

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim
PROVERB -- Blason Populaire

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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Entry filtered.

An Unpleasant Surprise

Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.

There was a young engaged couple from a small town who had come home from a date one night. Nobody was home and the house was dark. On the table there was a note for the girl which said to close the basement windows. Seeing that noone was around, the young couple stripped down naked. The girl got on the boy's shoulders piggy-back and they started down the stairs. As they reached the last step all the lights went on - it was surprise bridal shower for the girl!

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Original Boggs number [B600] has been crossed out and replaced with B646

Where learned: DURING A VISIT

Keyword(s): ALLUSION TO SEXUAL INTERCOURSE ; Engagement ; HUMOR ; JOKES ; MARRIAGE ; Modesty ; Moral ; PARTY ; Prank ; SEX ; SURPRISE ; YOUTH

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Romantic Realistic
Filter - Mature Content

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