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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

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WHY DOES IT TAKE TWO POLACKS TO CROSS THE ATLANTIC?
ONE TO SWIM AND ONE TO WALK ON THE SLIME.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE

Keyword(s): Atlantic ; ETHNIC SLUR ; JOKE ; Ocean ; POLISH

Subject headings: RIDDLE -- Riddle Question
Filter - Mature Content

Date learned: 04-00-1972

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BORASS---MEANS TO PLAY A PRACTICAL JOKE ON SOMEONE.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: INDIANA ; BLOOMINGTON

Keyword(s): JOKE ; Nickname ; PRACTICAL JOKE ; SLANG ; SPEECH

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Vocabulary of Special Group

Date learned: 10-00-1969

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TREE BELIEF

THERE IS A CERTAIN KIND OF TREE, I DO NOT REMEMBER THE NAME,
THAT IS CALLED THE STICKER TREE BECAUSE IT HAS HUGE THORNS
AND IS THE SHAPE OF A CROSS, BECAUSE IT IS THE WOOD
OF WHICH THE CROSS OF CHRIST WAS MADE.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Keyword(s): Botany ; Christ ; Cross ; Pricker ; Sticker ; SYMBOLISM ; Thorns ; Tree ; WOOD

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Explanation of a name

Date learned: 09-20-1969

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JEWISH BELIEF

JEWS CANNOT EAT PORK BECAUSE THEY BELEIVE IT IS UNCLEAN.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Consumption ; Culture ; FOOD ; Pork ; RELIGION ; Semitic

Subject headings: Custom
BELIEF -- Mammal

Date learned: 02-28-1971

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SUPERSTITION

THERE IS A RIGHT AND WRONG WAY TO SWEEP YOUR FLOOR. YOU ARE SUPPOSED
TO SWEEP TOWARD THE BACK DOOR AND NOT THE FRONT DOOR.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Keyword(s): ; Back ; DIRECTION ; Domesticity ; Door ; Dust ; Front ; HOUSECLEANING ; SUPERSTITION ; Sweep

James Callow Keyword(s): INTERNAL RHYME ; OPPOSITES ; POSITION DIRECTION

Subject headings: Daily Life

Date learned: 11-10-1970

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CUSTOM

A LEMON CUT OPEN IN AN ICEBOX IS SUPPOSED TO KEEP THE
ICEBOX SMELLING FRESH.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE

Keyword(s): Cleaning ; Domestic ; Household ; Housekeeping ; Icebox ; Lemon ; Scent

Subject headings: Food Drink -- Plant food Fruit
BELIEF -- Home

Date learned: 04-00-1971

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SUPERSTITION

DO NOT SWEEP FLOORS AFTER THE LIGHTS ARE LIT IN THE HOME.
THIS WOULD MEAN SWEEPING HEALTH AND WEALTH FOR THE FAMILY OUT.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: ILLINOIS ; WESTCHESTER

Keyword(s): DIRECTION ; Domesticity ; Housekeeping ; Lights ; LUCK ; SUPERSTITION ; Sweep

James Callow Keyword(s): BROOM

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Home
BELIEF -- P87O
BELIEF -- Bad luck

Date learned: 10-26-1968

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BELIEF

ONE MUST NEVER SWEEP TOWARD A DOOR.
YOU MUST SWEEP TOWARDS THE MIDDLE OF THE ROOM TO PREVENT YOURSELF
FROM SWEEPING OUT MONEY AND GOOD FORTUNE OUT THE DOOR.

Submitter comment:

A BELIEF PASSED DOWN FROM GRANDFATHER.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: DETROIT ; MI

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; CLEANLINESS ; DIRECTION ; Domesticity ; fortune ; Housekeeping ; LUCK ; SUPERSTITION ; Sweep

James Callow Keyword(s): BROOM ; DIRECTION ; POSITION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Home

Date learned: 09-20-1967

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STAIN REMOVER

USE A PEELED POTATO TO REMOVE ANY STUBBORN INK STAINS.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

Keyword(s): Domestic ; Domesticity ; Household ; Ink ; POTATO ; Stain ; Stain Remover ; Tip ; TRICK

James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE ; Positive

Subject headings: Food Drink -- Special Form and PurposeObject of Bodily Consumption
BELIEF -- Home

Date learned: 11-00-1968

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HOME STAIN REMOVER

USE CORN STARCH ON A FRESH STAIN TO REMOVE THE STAIN
 

Submitter comment:

I've seen corn starch remove a red wine stain from a white carpet.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: BIRMINGHAM

Keyword(s): Corn Starch ; Domesticity ; Household ; Stain ; Stain Remover ; Tip ; TRICK

Subject headings: Food Drink -- Plant food
Food Drink -- Alcoholic beverage Fermented
BELIEF -- Home

Date learned: 00-00-1967

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FOLK DEODORANT

USE BAKING SODA AS A DEODORANT FOR UNDERARMS
AND FEET. USE BAKING SODA ON VOMIT TO ELIMINATE THE
UNPLEASANT ODOR.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

Keyword(s): Baking Soda ; Deodorant ; Domesticity ; Household ; HYGIENE ; Odor ; REMEDY ; Smell ; Tip ; TRICK ; Vomit

James Callow Keyword(s): SODIUM BICARBONATE

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Mineral
BELIEF -- Home

Date learned: 11-00-1968

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CUSTOM

THE TIME WHEN CHRISTMAS IS HELD (DECEMBER 25) IS ACTUALLY TAKEN
FROM OLDER NATURE RELIGIONS WHICH VENERATED THE WINTER SOLSTICE
(DECEMBER 22). THE UNDERLYING THEORY OF THESE FESTIVALS WAS THAT
AFTER THE 22ND OF DECEMBER THE POWER OF THE SUN AND GOOD FORCES
ASSOCIATED WITH IT BEGAN TO INCREASE--HENCE THE NIGHTS GOT NO LONGER,
BUT RATHER BEGAN TO GET SHORTER. THUS THE TIME WAS MOST APPROPRIATE
FOR CELEBRATING THE "BIRTH" OF A GREAT "WHITE" POWER.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: WALES ; ABERYSTWYTH

Keyword(s): Celebration ; CUSTOM ; FESTIVAL ; holiday ; Solstice

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20

Date learned: 04-00-1972

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BIRTH BELIEF

AFTER THE BABY IS BORN THE MOTHER IS TO HOLD THE BABY IN HER
ARM AND WALK OVER WHEAT THAT HAS BEEN STREWN OVER THE FLOOR OR
GROUND, TO INSURE THE GOOD LIFE TO COME.

Submitter comment:

INFORMANT'S MOTHER DID THIS WITH EACH OF HER CHILDREN SOON AFTER
BIRTH, ALSO DONE IN EGYPT.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT

Keyword(s): BABY ; BIRTH ; CHILD ; CUSTOM ; Good ; LUCK ; MOTHER ; Practice ; RITUAL ; Wheat

James Callow Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Birth

Date learned: 03-23-1971

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DOES X EQUAL Y

GIVEN X=Y? ADD 2
X+2=X+2
X**2+4X+4=Y**2+4Y+4 SQUARE BOTH SIDE
X**2-Y**2=4Y-4X REARRANGE TERMS
(X-Y)(X+Y)=-4(X-Y) FACTOR
(X-Y)(X+Y)/(X-Y)=-4(X-Y)/(X-Y) DIVIDE BOTH SIDES
X+T=-4; X=-4-Y; THEREFORE X DOESN'T EQUAL Y

Submitter comment:

HE LEARNED THIS IN HIGH SCHOOL

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): Math ; MATHEMATICS ; PUZZLE ; RIDDLE

Subject headings: RIDDLE -- Riddle Question

Date learned: 10-31-1967

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IF THE SUN SHINES WHILE IT IS RAINING, THE DEVIL IS BEATING
HIS WIFE.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE

Keyword(s): DEVIL ; Domestic Violence ; METAPHOR ; WEATHER

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Devil Demon
BELIEF -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew

Date learned: 06-15-1972

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When you clear the table you should never put
the crumbs on the floor so that you won't go
hungry. You should never sweep the dirt and
crumbs from the floor directly out the door;
you should always use a dustpan.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: KANSAS ; Manhattan

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; CUSTOM ; Domesticity ; Housekeeping ; SUPERSTITION

James Callow Keyword(s): DIRECTION ; POSITION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222.

Date learned: 00001920S

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FLOWERDAYS AND BEANS

YOU ARE NOT TO PLANT BEANS DURING THE FLOWERDAYS. ( AGAIN
MY FATHER COULD NOT REMEMBER THE SPECIFIC TIME). MY GRANDFATHER
PLANTED A ROW OF BEANS DURING THE FLOWERDAYS AND ANOTHER AFTER THE
DAYS WERE PAST. THE ROW PLANTED DURING THE DAYS GREW WITH AN
ABUNDANCE OF BLOSSOMS BUT VERY FEW BEANS. THE ROW PLANTED AFTER
THE FLOWERDAYS GREW WITH FEW BLOSSOMS BUT WITH AN ABUNDANCE
OF BEANS.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Mount Clemens

Keyword(s): Beans ; BELIEF ; FARMING ; Flowerdays ; GARDENING ; HARVEST ; Horticulture

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Work Commerce Business

Date learned: 10-30-1968

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WHEN TO PLANT YOUR CROPS

THE GENERAL CONSENSUS ACCORDING TO MY FATHER, IS THAT THERE
IS A CERTAIN TIME OF THE MOON WHEN IT IS FAVORABLE TO PLANT
YOUR CROPS SO THAT THEY WILL BE PRODUCTIVE. IF YOU DO NOT PLANT
AT THIS TIME THE CROPS WILL NOT BE PRODUCTIVE. MY FATHER WAS
UNABLE TO RECALL THE EXACT TIME OF THE MOON.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Mount Clemens

Keyword(s): Botany ; CROPS ; FARMING ; HARVEST ; Horticulture ; MOON ; PLANT

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Work Commerce Business

Date learned: 10-30-1968

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TALLER CORN

IF YOU PLANT CORN DURING A CERTAIN TIME OF THE MOON, IT
WILL GROW MUCH TALLER THAN CORN PLANTED AT ANOTHER TIME.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Mount Clemens

Keyword(s): CORN ; FARMING ; HARVEST ; Horticulture ; MOON ; PLANTING

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Work Commerce Business

Date learned: 11-08-1968

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Entry filtered.

FOLK ETYMOLOGY: SHYSTER

THIS WORD IS THE CURRENT NAME OF AN UNSCRUPULOUS LAWYER. A
GERMAN LAWYER OF NEW YORK ONCE APPLIED FOR A WARRANT FOR A
CLIENT WHO HAD SLANDERED HIM BY CALLING HIM A VULGAR NAME
WHICH, AS PRONOUNCED BY THE LAWYER, SOUNDED LIKE SHYSTER.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): Anti-Semitic ; ETYMOLOGY ; Lawyer ; Offensive term ; Origin

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Common law
SPEECH -- S478

Date learned: 11-29-1969

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