There was once a traveling salesman whose car broke down in the rain. He ran to the closest farmhouse and quickly knocked at the door. An old farmer answered and the salesman pleaded for a place to spend the night.

"I'll give you board," the farmer said, "but I ain't got no daughter for you to sleep with."

"Oh." said the salesman. "Then how far is the next house?"

Submitter comment:

I remember this from Awrey's Bakery, where I worked this summer.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Submission card located in pile marked These don't sound traditional - Do Not File Yet.

Keyword(s): Anti-feminist ; CUSTOMS ; DAUGHTER ; FARMER ; HOSPITALITY ; HUMOR ; JOKE ; Rain ; Salesman ; Stranded

Subject headings:

PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote
Filter - Mature Content

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Retort

Question - Who was your servant last year?

Answer - No one...that's why I have you!

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

The words [Smart Aleck Saying] are crossed out from the top of the card.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; RETORT ; Servant ; Wisecrack

Subject headings:

SPEECH -- Formula

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Retort

Constantinople:

Constantinople is a very long word, and I bet you can't spell it.

Retort: I. T.

Submitter comment:

Informant heard it in 3rd or 4th grade.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Original BN [W400] crossed out. Replaced wtih current classification.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; RICHMOND

Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; Constantinople ; INSULT ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; Spell ; SPELLING ; Wisecrack

Subject headings:

SPEECH -- Formula

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TAUNT AT TEAM GAMES

OE-SA-SA-SA,
OE-SA-SA-SA,
HIT 'EM IN THE HEAD
WITH A BIG KIELBASA!

Data entry tech comment:

KIELBASA=POLISH SAUSAGE

Motifs added by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): CHANT ; CHEER ; Kielbasa ; SPORTS

James Callow Keyword(s): CHEER

Subject headings:

Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Verse in Other Group of Folklore C800.500

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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Proverb

Where there is a will, there is a way.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Keyword(s): Aphorism ; Apothegm ; Desire ; Maxim ; PROVERB ; VERSE ; Want ; Way ; Will

Subject headings:

PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim

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Proverb

A rolling stone gathers no moss.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ;

Keyword(s): Aphorism ; Apothegm ; Maxim ; METAPHOR ; Moss ; Movement ; PROVERB ; Rolling ; Sedentary ; Stagnant ; STONE ; VERSE

Subject headings:

PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

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Proverb

A rolling stone gathers no moss.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Keyword(s): Aphorism ; Apothegm ; Maxim ; METAPHOR ; Moss ; Movement ; PROVERB ; Roll ; Sedentary ; Stagnant ; STONE ; VERSE

Subject headings:

PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

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Proverb

Don't cross the bridge before you get there.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; TRENTON

Keyword(s): Anticipate ; Aphorism ; Apothegm ; Bridge ; Cross ; Maxim ; PROVERB ; VERSE

Subject headings:

PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

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Custom: Holiday

ON CHRISTMAS EVE EACH MEMBER OF THE FAMILY LIGHTS A BAYBERRY
CANDLE AND THEN MAKES A WISH. IF THE CANDLES ARE ALLOWED TO
BURN TO THE ENDS THEN THE WISH WILL COME TRUE.

Submitter comment:

THIS IS A CUSTOM CARRIED OUT IN THE INFORMANT'S FAMILY FOR
SEVERAL GENERATIONS.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated and Motifs added / 02-28-2011 / TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE

Keyword(s): Bayberry ; Candle ; CUSTOM ; FAMILY ; Herb ; holiday ; PLANT ; RELIGION ; RELIGIOUS ; SYMBOL ; WISH