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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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VEGETABLES BELIEF

EAT VEGETABLES AND YOU WILL SLEEP LESS BUT WILL FEEL BETTER.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Consume ; CUSTOM ; Eat ; Old Wives Tale ; SLEEP ; SUPERSTITION ; VEGETABLE

James Callow Keyword(s): PLANT

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Plant

Date learned: 11-02-1971

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FISH IS BRAIN FOOD, THE MORE YOU EAT, THE MORE INTELLIGENT YOU WILL
BE.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; DIET ; FISH ; HEALTH ; Nutrition ; Smart

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Fish

Date learned: CA00001915

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ORANGE GROVE

A BOY AND GIRL IN FLORIDA WENT OUT PARKING IN AN ORANGE GROVE.
WHEN THEY WERE READY TO LEAVE THE BOY FOUND THAT HE WAS OUT OF
GAS. HE WAS REALLY DISGUSTED WITH HIMSELF AS HE STOMPED AWAY,
WARNING THE GIRL TO LOCK THE DOORS AND WAIT FOR HIM IN THE CAR.
HOURS PASSED AND THE GIRL WAS GETTING VERY WORRIED. IT WAS COLD
AND SHE WAS VERY TIRED SO SHE FELL ASLEEP. A TAP AT THE WINDOW
WOKE HER. A POLICEMAN TOLD HER TO GET OUT AND GO TO THE PATROL
CAR AND HE'D TAKE HER HOME. AS HE HELPED HER TO THE CAR HE WARNED
HER NOT TO LOOK BACK AT THE OTHER CAR. AS HE CLOSED THE DOOR
SHE GLANCED BACK AT THE OTHER CAR. THERE WAS HER BOYFRIEND'S
HEAD, ON THE ROOF, STREAMING BLOOD.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Keyword(s): Boyfriend ; DEATH ; Girlfriend ; MURDER ; PARKING ; Urban Legend ; VIOLENT

James Callow Keyword(s): DECAPITATION

Subject headings: Favorites
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal
BELIEF -- Human Being

Date learned: 00-00-1969

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KING ARTHUR

A FRIEND OF MINE, MIKE JONES, REVEALED TO ME THAT KING ARTHUR
REALLY LIVED. HE CONTENDS THAT ENGLAND KNEW A PERIOD OF FIFTY
YEARS WHEN THERE WAS COMPLETE PEACE. THERE WAS NO ADVANCE OF
THE SAXONS, AND THAT LEADS MIKE TO BELIEVE THAT KING ARTHUR AND
HIS KNIGHTS REALLY EXISTED.

Submitter comment:

MIKE LEARNED THIS SOMEWHERE, BUT HE WASN'T SURE WHERE, PROBABLY
MERE SPECULATION.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Camelot ; King Arthur ; Legend ; Saxons

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Secular hero

Date learned: 10-05-1967

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Chinese custom

Howson (a Chinese mourning period) lasts for 49 days. A white
flower made of yarn is worn by the daughters in their hair and
a black band is worn by the sons around the arm during this
period.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: CHINA

Keyword(s): China ; Chinese ; CUSTOM ; FLOWER ; Mourning ; SYMBOL ; White

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial
BELIEF -- Color
BELIEF -- Number P686.1.49

Date learned: 00-00-1955

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SAINT SANGENNARO

THE ROCK, ON WHICH ST. SANGENNARO WAS BEHEADED, IS KEPT IN A GLASS
CASE IN THE CHURCH NAMED AFTER HIM IN NAPLES, ITALY. EVERY SPRING AN
AUTUMN THE BLOOD ON THE ROCK LIQUIFIES. IF IT FAILS TO LIQUIFY IT
PORTENDS A DISASTER. IT FAILED TO LIQUIFY BEFORE WORLD WAR 1 ,
WORLD WAR 2, AND THE KOREAN WAR. IT ALSO DIDN'T LIQUIFY IN 1963, THE
YEAR THAT THE INFORMANT SAW IT.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: HOME

Keyword(s): BLOOD ; HISTORICAL ; OMEN ; Portent ; RELIGION ; Rock ; Saint Sangennaro ; SIGN ; SYMBOL

Subject headings: Observation
Favorites
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero

Date learned: 11-23-1968 ; 00-00-1963

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Use baby urine on your face to remove pimples and keep your
skin smooth.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: ILLINOIS ; Waukegan

Keyword(s): BABY ; Home Remedy ; Homeopathy ; Pimples ; Skincare ; URINE

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Remedy

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PLANT LEGEND

THERE IS A TREE BY THE TWO OCEANS WHICH PUTS YOU TO SLEEP WHEN
YOU SIT UNDER IT. UPON AWAKENING, YOU ARE COVERED WITH HIVES
AND THE ONLY CURE IS TO WASH IN THE OCEANS--SALT WATER REMOVES
THE HIVES.

Submitter comment:

MISS ZITZEWITZ LEARNED OF THIS FROM HER MOTHER AS A CHILD.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): Botanical ; HIVES ; Legend ; Ocean ; PLANT ; Tree

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Water
BELIEF -- Earth

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PLANT LEGEND

THERE IS A TREE BY THE TWO OCEANS WHICH PUTS YOU TO SLEEP WHEN
YOU SIT UNDER IT. UPON AWAKENING, YOU ARE COVERED WITH HIVES
AND THE ONLY CURE IS TO WASH IN THE OCEANS--SALT WATER REMOVES
THE HIVES.

Submitter comment:

MISS ZITZEWITZ LEARNED OF THIS FROM HER MOTHER AS A CHILD.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): Botanical ; HIVES ; Legend ; Ocean ; PLANTS ; Tree

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Water
BELIEF -- Earth

Date learned: 10-01-1963

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PLANT LEGEND

THERE IS A TREE BY THE TWO OCEANS WHICH PUTS YOU TO SLEEP WHEN
YOU SIT UNDER IT. UPON AWAKENING, YOU ARE COVERED WITH HIVES
AND THE ONLY CURE IS TO WASH IN THE OCEANS--SALT WATER REMOVES
THE HIVES.

Submitter comment:

MISS ZITZEWITZ LEARNED OF THIS FROM HER MOTHER AS A CHILD.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): Botany ; HIVES ; Legend ; Ocean ; PLANT ; Tree

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Water
BELIEF -- Earth

Date learned: 10-01-1963

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JEWISH NARRATIVE: CEMETERY

FOUR MEN WERE BOASTING ABOUT THEIR BRAVERY. THEY FINALLY DECIDED
THAT A FAIR TEST WOULD BE A SOLO TRIP THROUGH THE CEMETERY. TO
PROVE THAT THEY HAD TRAVERSED THE ENTIRE ROUTE THEY WERE TO POUND
STAKES INTO THE GROUND PERIODICALLY. THREE OF THE MEN ENTERED THE
CEMETERY AND MET ON THE OTHER SIDE PROUND OF THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENT.
THE FOURTH NEVER RETURNED.
THE NEXT DAY THE THREE WENT IN SEARCH OF HIM AND FOUND HIM DEAD OF
A HEART ATTACK. HE HAD POUNDED A STAKE INTO THE GROUND AND HAD
INADVERTANTLY PINNED THE TAIL OF HIS COAT TO THE GROUND.
APPARENTLY AS HE GOT UP TO COMPLETE HIS JOURNEY, HE WAS
IMMOBILIZED FROM BEHIND BY THE STAKE AND HE SUFFERED A HEART
ATTACK FROM HIS PANIC.

Submitter comment:

THE INFORMANT RELATED THIS STORY AS ONE THAT EVERY JEWISH BOY
LEARNS ABOUT FALSE BRAVERY AND RESPECT FOR THE DEAD.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR

Keyword(s): Aphorism ; CEMETERY ; Fable ; Jewish ; Tale

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being
BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial
BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness

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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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"Ka zoon tight" is a word used to scare away bad spirits,
because when you sneeze you open up your body to bad spirits.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: DETROIT

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; ETYMOLOGY ; Origin ; SNEEZE

James Callow Keyword(s): Gesundheit

Subject headings: Favorites
BELIEF -- Devil Demon
SPEECH -- Formula

Date learned: 00001960S

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OUR LADY OF LOURDES CHURCH

OUR LADY OF LOURDES CHURCH IN PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, IS A
QUAINT LITTLE CHURCH LOCATED ON LANCASTER AVENUE AT 63RD STREET.
THE TRADITION AROUND THERE IS THAT THIS CHURCH WAS BUILT BY ALL
THE MAIDS OF THE SURROUNDING RICH FAMILIES (ALTHOUGH IT IS NO
LONGER A RICH SECTION). IT WAS TO BE JUST THEIR OWN LITTLE
CHURCH, BUT IT IS EVEN USED TODAY (AND BY EVERYBODY).

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): BUILDING ; CREATION ; Legend ; Origin

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church
ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Holy placeChurchTemple

Date learned: 10-28-1968

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JEWISH NARRATIVE: CEMETERY

FOUR MEN WERE BOASTING ABOUT THEIR BRAVERY. THEY FINALLY DECIDED
THAT A FAIR TEST WOULD BE A SOLO TRIP THROUGH THE CEMETERY. TO
PROVE THAT THEY HAD TRAVERSED THE ENTIRE ROUTE THEY WERE TO POUND
STAKES INTO THE GROUND PERIODICALLY. THREE OF THE MEN ENTERED THE
CEMETERY AND MET ON THE OTHER SIDE PROUND OF THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENT.
THE FOURTH NEVER RETURNED.
THE NEXT DAY THE THREE WENT IN SEARCH OF HIM AND FOUND HIM DEAD OF
A HEART ATTACK. HE HAD POUNDED A STAKE INTO THE GROUND AND HAD
INADVERTANTLY PINNED THE TAIL OF HIS COAT TO THE GROUND.
APPARENTLY AS HE GOT UP TO COMPLETE HIS JOURNEY, HE WAS
IMMOBILIZED FROM BEHIND BY THE STAKE AND HE SUFFERED A HEART
ATTACK FROM HIS PANIC.

Submitter comment:

THE INFORMANT RELATED THIS STORY AS ONE THAT EVERY JEWISH BOY
LEARNS ABOUT FALSE BRAVERY AND RESPECT FOR THE DEAD.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR

Keyword(s): Aphorism ; BRAVERY ; Fable ; FEAR ; GRAVEYARD ; Jewish ; RESPECT ; Tale

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being
BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial
BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness

Date learned: 02-24-1967

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JEWISH NARRATIVE: CEMETERY

FOUR MEN WERE BOASTING ABOUT THEIR BRAVERY. THEY FINALLY DECIDED
THAT A FAIR TEST WOULD BE A SOLO TRIP THROUGH THE CEMETERY. TO
PROVE THAT THEY HAD TRAVERSED THE ENTIRE ROUTE THEY WERE TO POUND
STAKES INTO THE GROUND PERIODICALLY. THREE OF THE MEN ENTERED THE
CEMETERY AND MET ON THE OTHER SIDE PROUND OF THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENT.
THE FOURTH NEVER RETURNED.
THE NEXT DAY THE THREE WENT IN SEARCH OF HIM AND FOUND HIM DEAD OF
A HEART ATTACK. HE HAD POUNDED A STAKE INTO THE GROUND AND HAD
INADVERTANTLY PINNED THE TAIL OF HIS COAT TO THE GROUND.
APPARENTLY AS HE GOT UP TO COMPLETE HIS JOURNEY, HE WAS
IMMOBILIZED FROM BEHIND BY THE STAKE AND HE SUFFERED A HEART
ATTACK FROM HIS PANIC.

Submitter comment:

THE INFORMANT RELATED THIS STORY AS ONE THAT EVERY JEWISH BOY
LEARNS ABOUT FALSE BRAVERY AND RESPECT FOR THE DEAD.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR

Keyword(s): Aphorism ; BRAVERY ; Fable ; FEAR ; Jewish ; RESPECT ; Tale

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being
BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial
BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness

Date learned: 02-24-1967

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Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.

WHILE DATING IN HIGH SCHOOL, IT WAS
SAID THAT YOU COULD GO TO BELLE ISLE
TO "WATCH THE SUBMARINE RACES," WHICH
WAS ACTUALLY AN EXCUSE TO GO PARKING
AND KISS.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): Belle Isle ; DATE ; DATING ; EUPHEMISM ; INTERCOURSE ; PARKING ; Relationship ; SEX ; Submarine ; Teenager

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage

Date learned: 00-00-1960

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SUPERSTITION

ON YOUR WEDDING DAY YOU MUST HAVE A PAIR OF PENNY LOAFERS
WITH A PENNY IN THEM, WITH THE DATE OF YOUR BIRTH ON IT.
THIS WILL BRING GOOD LUCK ON THE HONEYMOON

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK

Keyword(s): GOOD LUCK ; MARRIAGE ; OMEN ; Penny ; SUPERSTITION ; SYMBOL ; WEDDING

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Marriage Penny in shoe
BELIEF -- Good luck P881.41

Date learned: 02-00-1979

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Good Luck

If you put a penny in a purse and give the purse as a gift, the person receiving the gift will become rich.

Data entry tech comment:

Input by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; CUSTOM ; GIFT ; GOOD LUCK ; LUCK ; MONEY

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance

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