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FORMULA SPEECH

GOD BLESS YOU, SAID WHEN SOMEONE SNEEZES.
ORIGIN: PEOPLE WOULD SAY THIS WHENEVER SOMEONE SNEEZED TO FORCE
THE BAD SPIRITS BACK INTO THE PERSONS BODY. THEY
BELIEVED COLDS WERE CAUSED BY EVIL SPIRITS AND THEY COULD
PROTECT THEMSELVES FROM THE SPIRITS COMING OUT IN THE
SNEEZE, BY USING GODS NAME.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Legend ; Lore ; SNEEZE ; SUPERSTITION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal
SPEECH -- Formula

Date learned: 01-00-1972

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MENSTRUATION BELIEF

A WOMAN WHO IS GOING THROUGH HER MENSTRUATION SHOULD NOT DO
ANY CANNING OF TOMATOES. WHEN A WOMAN CANS WHEN SHE IS THIS WAY,
ALL THE CANS WILL BURST OF OVER ACIDITY.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE

Keyword(s): Canning ; Feminism ; FOOD ; Legend ; Lore ; MENSTRUATION ; Period ; SUPERSTITION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal

Date learned: 03-04-1972

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HOUSE OF BLUE LIGHTS

THE TEST FAMILY OWNS MUCH DOWNTOWN REAL ESTATE IN INDIANAPOLIS,
AND HAS AN OLD HOUSE ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE COUNTY, JUST OUTSIDE
OF TOWN. THE GRANDFATHER'S GHOST IS SAID TO INHABIT THE NOW EMPTY
HOUSE. THIS IS BECAUSE AT NIGHT, BLUE LIGHTS CAN BE SEEN
FROM THE ROAD, COMING FROM THE WINDOWS. THERE ALSO SEEMS TO BE
A GREAT POPULATION OF CATS INHABITING THE AREA. THE OLD MAN
IS SAID TO HAVE HAD MANY WHILE HE WAS ALIVE. IT IS A POPULAR
LOCAL LEGEND, AND THE HOUSE IS OFTEN VISITED BY THE CURIOUS.

Submitter comment:

THE INFORMANT SAID HIS UNCLE USED TO GO THERE IN HIGH SCHOOL.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: INDIANA ; INDIANAPOLIS

Keyword(s): Blue Lights ; Cats ; Haunting ; Legend ; Lore ; SUPERSTITION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter
BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal

Date learned: 00-00-1970

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STRASBOURG, THE KNOCK, KNOCK STREET

IN DETROIT, IF YOU DRIVE DOWN STRASBOURG STREET, YOUR CAR WILL
KNOCK. THIS IS BECAUSE MANY YEARS AGO, A LITTLE GIRL WAS PLAYING
IN THE STREET WHEN HIT BY A CAR, WHICH DRAGGED HER BODY DOWN THE
STREET WITH HER HEAD KNOCKING AGAINST THE CAR DOOR UNTIL SHE WAS
DEAD.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: NOT RECORDED

Keyword(s): Auto ; DEATH ; Haunting ; Knock ; Legend ; Lore

Subject headings: Favorites
BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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THE FOUNDING OF CRACOW

A POLISH LEGEND: THE TOWN OF CRACOW, ACCORDING
TO LEGEND, WAS FOUNDED BY THE MYTHICAL RULER KRAK. IT WAS
HE WHO SLEW THE DRAGON OF WOWEL HILL, WHICH HAD
TERRORIZED THE PEOPLE BY DEMANDING THAT OFFERINGS
OF SHEEP AND CATTLE BE BROUGHT TO HIS CAVE IN EXCHANGE
FOR THE LIVES OF THE TOWNSPEOPLE.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT

Keyword(s): Founding ; KRAKOW ; Legend ; Lore ; Sacrifice

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal

Date learned: 10-11-1972

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NAMING A RIVER

THE RIVRE ROUGE WAS NAMED BY THE FRENCH EXPLORER LASALLE
IN THE 17 TH CENTURY. AS HE WAS PASSING THROUGH THE AREA
LASALLE NOTICED THE NUMBER OF RED BERRY BUSHES ALONG THE
RIVERS EDGE. THE SUNS RAYS PASSED THROUGH THE BUSHES AND
ON TO THE WATER'S SURFACE. THIS CAUSED THE
WATER TO HAVE A REDDISH OR ROUGE GLOW, THUS THE RIVER RECEIVED
ITS NAME.

Submitter comment:

MR. BARRY PICKED THIS UP DURING HIS MANY YEARS AS A ROUGE PLANT
WITH FORD MOTOR.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

Keyword(s): 17th Century ; ETYMOLOGY ; Explorer ; FRENCH ; Lasalle ; Legend ; Origin ; River Rouge ; Rouge

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Explanation of a name

Date learned: SUMMER 1963

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ORIGIN OF IRELAND

IRELAND BEGAN WHEN A TEAR OF HOPE FELL FROM HEAVEN INTO THE
SEA. THIS FORMED THE EMERALD ISLE. THE COLOR GREEN HERE IS
A SIGN OF HOPE.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MARYGROVE COLLEGE ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): COLOR ; Emerald Isle ; ETYMOLOGY ; Green ; IRELAND ; Irish ; Legend ; Lore

James Callow Keyword(s): COLOR SYMBOL

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Explanation of a name

Date learned: 00001968 FALL

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ORIGIN OF THE PEARLS OF THE PERSIAN GULF

TO THE ANCIENT PEOPLE OF IRAQ, THE RIVER TIGRIS REPRESENTED A
BEAUTIFUL GIRL WHO FELL IN LOVE WITH THE HANDSOME EUPHRATES.
THEIR FAMILIES OPPOSED THE MARRIAGE BUT THEY RAN AWAY FROM HOME
UNTIL THEY MET IN THE SOUTH OF IRAQ IN ONE WIDE RIVER.
WHEN THE TWO LOVERS MET THEY WEPT, AND THEIR HAPPINESS TEARS
ARE STILL PICKED UP BY DIVERS IN THE ARAB GULF AS BEAUTIFUL AND
PRECIOUS PEARLS.

Data entry tech comment:

THERE IS A DIAGRAM ON THE BACK OF THE 5X8 CARD.

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): ETYMOLOGY ; Euphrates ; GEOGRAPHY ; Iraq ; Legend ; Lore ; Origin ; Pearls ; Persian Gulf ; Tigris

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Still water

Date learned: 12-00-1965

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LAKE BELIEF

ACCORDING TO LOCAL INDIAN BELIEF IN SYRACUSE NEW YORK, THE LAKE HAS
NO END AND JUST SINKS ENDLESSLY IN THE EARTH.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): American Indians ; ETYMOLOGY ; GEOGRAPHY ; INDIANS ; Lake ; Legend ; Lore ; NEW YORK ; River ; Syracuse ; WATER

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Still water Small body.

Date learned: 10-14-1970

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MOUNTAIN BELIEF

THOSE WHO LEAP INTO THE SACRED MOUNTAIN
OF FUJIYAMA ARE NOT CONDEMNED.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; CHILDRENS HOSPITAL

Keyword(s): ; Condemn ; Fujiyama ; Japan ; Legend ; Lore ; MOUNTAIN ; Region ; SALVATION ; Volcano

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Running water Man made current.

Date learned: 02-05-1970

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KITCHEN BELIEF

PUT UTENSILS IN A WARM OVEN FOR A FEW MINUTES AFTER YOU
HAVE WASHED AND DRIED;THIS KEEPS THEM FROM RUSTING.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE PARK

Keyword(s): ADVICE ; BELIEF ; Household ; Housekeeping ; Lore ; Maintenance ; Rust ; UTENSILS

James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE ; FUNCTION ; Positive

Subject headings: Custom

Date learned: 01-25-1971

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ESKIMO BELIEF

GOOD WIFELY ESKIMOS ARE KNOWN TO CHEW THEIR HUSBAND'S BOOTS
IN ORDER TO MAKE THEM SOFT FOR THE MEN TO WEAR.
THIS IS WHY THEIR TEETH ARE CHEWED DOWN TO A BARE MINIMUM.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT

Keyword(s): ; Boots ; Culture ; Eskimo ; HUSBAND ; Inuit ; Leather ; Legend ; Lore ; Service ; Tanning ; TEETH ; Wife

James Callow Keyword(s): SEXISM

Subject headings: Custom
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Dress HandsFeet
BELIEF -- P4387 P4387.14

Date learned: 04-00-1972

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GROWTH BELIEF

IN THE UKRAINE IT IS BELIEVED THAT IF A SMALL CHILD IS LYING
DOWN AND A PERSON JUMPS OVER THEM, THE CHILD WON'T GROW.
BUT IF THE PERSON JUMPS BACK OVER AGAIN, THEN WALKS AROUND HIM, HE
WILL
GROW NORMALLY.

Submitter comment:

BELIEF STILL HIGHLY RESPECTED, HEARD FROM GRANDPARENTS.
BY INFORMANT IN UKRAINE.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

James Callow comment:

Original BN [P644] crossed out. Replaced with current classifications

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): BEHAVIOR ; BELIEF ; CHILD ; GROWTH ; HEIGHT ; Jump ; Lore ; SUPERSTITION

James Callow Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC ; RITUAL

Subject headings: Custom
Favorites
BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal
BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness
SPEECH -- Gesture

Date learned: 10-01-1967

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SUPERSTITION

NEVER WAKE A SLEEPWALKER OR HE WILL DIE.

Submitter comment:

THIS IS A BELIEF COMMON IN THE OSWALD FAMILY.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT

Keyword(s): Awaken ; BELIEF ; DEATH ; Die ; Legend ; Lore ; SLEEPWALKER ; SUPERSTITION ; WAKE

James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE ; NEGATIVE

Subject headings: Daily Life
BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial
BELIEF -- Measure of time Sleeping

Date learned: 09-20-1967

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SAINT PATRICK'S DAY FESTIVAL AND BELIEFS

SAINT PATRICK DERTA GEROGADE E FRANC OR ALBAN. THAT MEANS SAINT
PATRICK CAME FROM FRANCE OR ENGLAND. WE WERE TAUGHT THAT EXPRESSION
AS CHILDREN. HE WAS SENT BY POPE CELESTINE TO BRING THE CATHOLIC
FAITH TO IRELAND. HE KILLED ALL THE SNAKES IN IRELAND BY SQUASHING
THEM WITH HIS STAFF. HE DIDN'T REALLY EXIST THOUGH. WE WOULD
CELEBRATE SAINT PATRICK'S DAY IN ENGLAND BY WEARING ALL GREEN.
 

Submitter comment:

"SPELLMAN, BURKE, AND I WOULD GO OUT FOR A WALK IN THE COUNTRY BECAUSE
WE HAD NO MONEY AND WE DIDN'T WANT THOSE DAMN ENGLISH TO THINK WE
WERE STAYING HOME ON SAINT PATRICK'S DAY."

MY MOTHER, WHO IS FROM IRELAND, WENT TO NURSING SCHOOL IN ENGLAND IN
1947. SHE CAME FROM A POOR FAMILY.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Celebrate ; Green ; holiday ; IRELAND ; Irish ; Legend ; Lore ; Origin ; Saint Patrick's Day ; Tale

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero
BELIEF -- Religious hero

Date learned: 00-00-1947 ; 11-22-1979

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FORMING MICHIGAN

ONE DAY THE INDIAN GOD WAS DRAWING THE VARIOUS LANDS ON THE GLOBE.
AND AS HE WAS TRACING ALONG, HE HAD TO LEAN ON THE LAND WITH HIS
OTHER HAND FOR SUPPORT. WELL, WHEN HE GOT DONE DRAWING AND HE
STOOD BACK TO LOOK AT HIS WORK, HE FOUND THAT HE HAD MADE A BIG
HAND PRINT RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE LAND. WELL, THAT HAND PRINT
IS NOW THE STATE OF MICHIGAN.

Submitter comment:

THIS LEGEND WAS TOLD TO MY SISTER ONE DAY IN SCHOOL.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Lansing

Keyword(s): CREATION ; ETYMOLOGY ; GEOGRAPHY ; INDIAN ; Legend ; Lore ; MICHIGAN ; Native American ; Origin

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Creation and Order of Universe
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formation
BELIEF -- Creator

Date learned: 11-01-1968

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FORMING MICHIGAN

ONE DAY THE INDIAN GOD WAS DRAWING THE VARIOUS LANDS ON THE GLOBE.
AND AS HE WAS TRACING ALONG, HE HAD TO LEAN ON THE LAND WITH HIS
OTHER HAND FOR SUPPORT. WELL, WHEN HE GOT DONE DRAWING AND HE
STOOD BACK TO LOOK AT HIS WORK, HE FOUND THAT HE HAD MADE A BIG
HAND PRINT RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE LAND. WELL, THAT HAND PRINT
IS NOW THE STATE OF MICHIGAN.

Submitter comment:

THIS LEGEND WAS TOLD TO MY SISTER ONE DAY IN SCHOOL.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Lansing

Keyword(s): CREATION ; ETYMOLOGY ; GEOGRAPHY ; INDIAN ; Legend ; Lore ; MICHIGAN ; Native American ; Origin

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Creation and Order of Universe
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formation
BELIEF -- Creator

Date learned: 11-01-1968

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FORMING MICHIGAN

ONE DAY THE INDIAN GOD WAS DRAWING THE VARIOUS LANDS ON THE GLOBE.
AND AS HE WAS TRACING ALONG, HE HAD TO LEAN ON THE LAND WITH HIS
OTHER HAND FOR SUPPORT. WELL, WHEN HE GOT DONE DRAWING AND HE
STOOD BACK TO LOOK AT HIS WORK, HE FOUND THAT HE HAD MADE A BIG
HAND PRINT RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE LAND. WELL, THAT HAND PRINT
IS NOW THE STATE OF MICHIGAN.

Submitter comment:

THIS LEGEND WAS TOLD TO MY SISTER ONE DAY IN SCHOOL.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Lansing

Keyword(s): CREATION ; ETYMOLOGY ; GEOGRAPHY ; INDIAN ; Legend ; Lore ; MICHIGAN ; Native American ; Origin

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Creation and Order of Universe
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formation
BELIEF -- Creator

Date learned: 11-01-1968

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MY GREAT GREAT GRANDFATHER, SHAHEEN, WAS A GIANT OF A
MAN. HE WAS THE WONDER OF THE AREA. HE WORKED AT A
MILL, WHICH USED GREAT MILL STONES WHICH WERE CARRIED
BY CAMELS BECAUSE MULES WEREN'T STRONG ENOUGH. AT
CHURCH, THE PRIEST ASKED VILLAGERS TO HELP SHAHEEN MOVE
HIS MILLSTONES INTO PLACE ON THE WALL. WHEN THEY GOT
TO THE MILL, THEY FOUND SHAHEEN HAD ALREADY PUT THE
GREAT STONES IN PLACE AND WAS ALREADY WORKING.
ONCE SHAHEEN FELL INTO THE STREAM BY THE MILL.
NORMALLY, HE COULD SWIM OUT, BUT THE STREAM WAS SWOLLEN
BY THE SPRING THAW. ALSO, HIS LARGE PANTS AND SHOES
DRAGGED HIM TO THE BOTTOM. THE WATER CARRIED HIM 4 MILES
DOWNSTREAM WHERE HE CAUGHT HOLD OF A ROCK IN THE MIDDLE
OF THE STREAM. HE CALLED SO LOUD THAT THE MEN AT THE MILL
FOUR MILES AWAY HEARD HIM AND GOT HELP. HE WAS SO BIG
ONLY HIS STRONG SON COULD CARRY HIM BACK TO THE MILL.
ONCE SHAHEEN WOKE UP AND STARTED TO PUT HIS SHOES ON
WHEN SOMETHING STARTED WIGGLING INSIDE. HE TURNED HIS
SHOES UPSIDE DOWN AND THREE CATS CAME OUT. HIE SHOES
WERE SO BIG THAT HIS GRANDAUGHTER USED TO PLAY "HOUSE"
IN THEM.
SHAHEEN FINALLY DIED AT THE AGE OF 105, A VERY OLD AGE
IN LEBANON IN THOSE DAYS. HE WAS SOUND OF MIND, BUT
FAILED BY HIS GREAT BODY.
HE ASKED TO BE BURIED WITH HIS FATHER, WHO HAD DIED A
LONG TIME BEFORE. YEARS LATER THEY UNEARTHED HIS
BONES TO BE PUT IN HIS OWN GRAVE. HIS BONES PROVED TO
BE 7-1/2 FEET TALL AS MANY PEOPLE WHO SAW THEM ATTESTED.
FROM HIS HIP BONE TO HIS FEET, HE WAS ALMOST AS TALL AS
A NORMAL MAN.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; LEBANON

Keyword(s): FAMILY ; Giant ; Legend ; Lore

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Abnormal in size
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal

Date learned: 00-00-1967

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INDIAN LEGEND

THE INDIANS OF THE NORTHWEST ONLY FISHED IN CREEKS.
SOME STRANGERS CAME ALONG--THERE WERE SIXTEEN OF THEM.
THEY WERE STRANGE LOOKING, FOR THEY WERE TALL WITH BLUE
EYES AND BLOND HAIR. THEY HAD METAL WEAPONS. THEY
TAUGHT THE INDIANS HOW TO BUILD BOATS AND HOUSES AND
HOW TO HUNT FOR WHALES. LEGEND SAYS THAT THESE WERE
VIKINGS WHO CAME OVER WITH LEIF ERIKSEN--THEY WENT DOWN
THE GREAT LAKES, UP THE FOX RIVER TO THE MISSISSIPPI,
THEN UP INTO CANADA. A FEW YEARS AGO A VIKING SHIP
WAS FOUND THERE; ALSO A STONE TABLET WITH VIKING
WRITING ON IT.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): GEOGRAPHY ; INSTRUCTION ; Legend ; Lore ; MICHIGAN ; Origin ; Viking

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero

Date learned: 05-15-1965

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