The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

YELLOW FINGER

ONCE UPON A TIME THERE WAS A CASTLE THAT WAS GUARDED BY
A HUGE YELLOW FINGER, WHO WOULDN'T LET ANYONE PASS
THE KING FROM A RIVALING CASTLE SENT ONE OF HIS BRAVEST
KNIGHTS TO GET BY THE FINGER, BUT THE FINGER KILLED HIM.
SO THE KING SENT A DUKE, BUT HE, TOO, WAS KILLED. THEN
THE KING SENT ONE OF HIS PAGES. HE JUST WALKED RIGHT
THROUGH.
MORAL: LET YOUR PAGES DO THE WALKING THROUGH THE YELLOW
FINGER.

Submitter comment: IT SEEMS TO ME THERE WAS SLIGHTLY MORE BUILD-UP ON THIS
STORY, BUT I CAN'T REMEMBER IT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): PUN ON TELEVISION ADVERTISEMENT: LET YOUR FINGERS DO THE WALKING THROUGH THE YELLOW PAGES. COMMERCIAL FOR THE BELL TELEPHONE CO., REGARDING SAVING TIME AND ENERGY BY PRE-SHOPPING THROUGH MAKING CAL

Date learned: 11-18-1968

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CANADIAN PROVERB

LET YOUR LIFE BE LIKE ARITHMETIC: JOYS ADDED, SORROWS
SUBTRACTED, FRIENDS MULTIPLIED, AND LOVE UNDIVIDED.

Where learned: MAINE ; KEEGAN

Keyword(s): ADDITION, SUBTRACTION, MULTIPLICATION, DIVISION

Date learned: UNKNOWN

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Proverb

Unity:

United we stand, Divided we fall.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Original BN [V300] crossed out. Replaced wtih current classification.

Located in pile marked Duplicates and Other Rejects

Keyword(s): Alone ; Divided ; Division ; Fall ; NUMBERS ; Stand ; STRENGTH ; Unity ; WAR

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Toast

Here's mud in your eye!

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Coldwater

Keyword(s): DRINKING ; Eye ; MUD ; Social ; TOAST ; VISION

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Retort

This is a sarcastic retort used when a person has had a sarcastic remark directed towards them:

I wish you were on TV, then I could turn you off.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Taunt in Prose

Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; INSULT ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; TELEVISION ; TV ; Wisecrack

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