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AUTOGRAPH BOOK VERSE.

WHEN YOU ARE OLD AND CANNOT SEE,
PUT ON YOUR SPECS AND THINK OF ME.

Submitter comment: THIS WAS WRITTEN BY THE LADY NEXT DOOR WHO WAS ABOUT
SIXTY-SEVEN YEARS OLD WHEN SHE WROTE IT.

Where learned: DETROIT

Keyword(s): RHYME: AA ; WISH

James Callow Keyword(s): SPECTACLES GLASSES SLANG

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Remember me

Date learned: 12-24-1954

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LYRICAL VERSE DEATH

HERE LIES THE BODY OF SOLOMON PEASE.
UNDER THE DAISIES, UNDER THE TREES.
BUT PEASE ISN'T HERE, ONLY THE POD
PEASE SHELLED OUT AND WENT HOME TO GOD.

Where learned: HOME

Keyword(s): EPITAPH COUPLETS DEATH VEGETABLES-PEAS METAPHOR PUN-SLANG ; RHYME:AA

Subject headings: 730 Lyrical Verse

Date learned: 04-02-1968

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NO TITLE SUPPLIED

A COLORED BARKEEP IN MISSISSIPPI WAS BEING ANNOYED BY AN
OBVIOUSLY RACIST DRUNK WHO KEPT SAYING, "GIVE ME ANOTHER
DRINK, NIGGER." AFTER MUCH PATIENCE THE BARTENDER SAID. "WHY DON'T
WE SWITCH PLACES, HONKEY?" THE DRUNK ACCEPTED AND THE BLACK ORDERED
"GIVE ME A DOUBLE, WHITEY ." THE DRUNK RETORTED,
"WE DON'T SERVE NIGGERS AT THIS BAR."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WESTLAND

Keyword(s): BAR ; DIOLOGUE ; DRINKING ; HUMOR ; INSULT ; SLANG

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Stupid man or woman

Date learned: 12-02-1971

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TITLE NOT SUPPLIED BY COLLECTOR

A SMART GIRL CAN PLAY POST OFFICE ALL NIGHT WITHOUT
GETTING ANY MAIL IN HER BOX.

Where learned: BUFFALO ; NEW YORK

Keyword(s): HUMOR ; KISSING ; OBSERVATION ; PUN: MAIL FOR MALE ; SEX ; SLANG: BOX FOR VAGINA ; WORD PLAY

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote
Filter - Mature Content

Date learned: 10-05-1971

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AH SWEET MYSTERY OF LIFE

Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.

IT SEEMS THAT WHEN THE CREATOR WAS MAKING THE WORLD, HE CALLED
MAN ASIDE AND BESTOWED UPON HIM 20 YEARS OF NORMAL SEX LIFE.
MAN WAS HORRIFIED} ONLY 20 YEARS OF NORMAL SEX LIFE? BUT THE
CREATOR WOULDN'T BUDGE. THAT WAS ALL HE WOULD GIVE HIM. THEN
HE CALLED THE MONKEY AND GAVE HIM 20 YEARS. BUT I DON'T NEED 20
YEARS, 10 IS ENOUGH, PROTESTED THE MONKEY. MAN SPOKE UP AND SAID,
CAN I HAVE HIS OTHER 10 YEARS? THE MONKEY GRACIOUSLY AGREED.
NEXT HE CALLED THE LION AND GAVE HIM 20 YEARS, BUT HE, TOO, NEEDED
ONLY 10 AND MAN AGAIN ASKED, CAN I HAVE THE OTHER 10? AND THE LION
ROARED, OF COURSE. ALONG CAME THE DONKEY AND HE WAS GIVEN 20 YEARS
BUT LIKE THE OTHERS, 10 WERE ENOUGH. SO MAN ASKED FOR THE SPARE 10
YEARS AND GOT THEM. ALL OF WHICH EXPLAINS WHY MAN HAS 20 YEARS
OF NORMAL SEX LIFE, 10 YEARS OF MONKEYING AROUND, 10 YEARS OF LION
ABOUT IT, AND 10 YEARS OF MAKING AN ASS OF HIMSELF.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; RECEIVED IN MAIL

James Callow Keyword(s): PUN: LION AND LYING ; SLANG FOR MAKING HIMSELF LOOK FOOLISH (AN ASS OF HIMSELF). ; SLANG: MONKEYING AROUND FOR DALLIANCE.

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Creation and Order of Human Life

Date learned: 00-00-1963

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GRAFFITI

I.P. DAILY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): GRAFFITI

James Callow Keyword(s): SLANG FOR URINATION

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Art Craft Architecture Art, Craft, Architecture

Date learned: 00-00-1968

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CHILDREN'S VERSE

TATTLE-TALE; TATTLE-TALE
HANG IT ON A BULL'S TAIL
IF THE BULL STARTS TO PEE
YOU WILL HAVE A CUP OF TEA

Where learned: TOLD TO ME IN MY APARTMENT

Keyword(s): NONSENSE

James Callow Keyword(s): REBUKE ; SLANG FOR URINATION

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Speech Speech

Date learned: 10-15-1969

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RHYME

KAREN ANNIE, SAT ON HER FANNY,
ATE A BANNANIE,
AND PLAYED THE PIANIE.

Submitter comment: THIS WAS A LITTLE REMARK THAT MY FATHER ALWAYS SAID TO MY SISTER
WHEN SHE WAS YOUNG.

Data entry tech comment: BY PROFESSOR CALLOW
WHEN ASKED IF INFORMANT'S SISTER'S MIDDLE NAME WAS ANNIE,
COLLECTOR SAID YES

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE

James Callow Keyword(s): SLANG FOR BANANA, PIANI, BUTTOCKS

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Speech C870.582

Date learned: 10-21-1969

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MARINE PROVERB

IF YOU MUST RAISE HELL, DO IT AT LEAST A MILE AWAY FROM THE FLAGPOLE

Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: POSITIVE ; TO RAISE HELL: SLANG FOR CAUSING A DISTURBANCE OR TROUBLE

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

Date learned: 10-24-1965

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POLISH JOKE

Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.

WHAT DO THEY CALL A STORK THAT DELIVERES POLISH BABIES?
A DOPE PEDDLER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD

James Callow Keyword(s): DOPE: SLANG FOR STUPID PERSON

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Poli

Date learned: 02-00-1980

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POLISH JOKE

Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.

WHAT IS A POLISH QUEER? A GUY WHO WOULD RATHER GO OUT WITH
GIRLS THAN GO PICK MUSHROOMS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD

James Callow Keyword(s): QUEER: SLANG FOR HOMOSEXUAL

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Poli

Date learned: 02-00-1980

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POLISH JOKE

Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.

WHAT DO YOU GET WHEN YOU CROSS A POLACK WITH A FLOWER?
A BLOOMING IDIOT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD

James Callow Keyword(s): BLOOMING: SLANG FOR GENUINE, VERITABLE

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Poli

Date learned: 02-00-1980

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POLISH JOKE

Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.

WHY ARE POLISH MOTHERS SO STRONG AND SQUARE-SHOULDERED?
FROM RAISING DUMBELLS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD

James Callow Keyword(s): DUMBELL: SLANG FOR STUPID PERSON

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Poli

Date learned: 02-00-1980

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POLISH JOKE

Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.

WHAT IS A POLISH SEVEN COURSE DINNER? A POUND OF BALONY AND A
SIX PACK.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD

James Callow Keyword(s): BALOGNA ; SIX PACK: SLANG FOR 6 CANS (USUALLY OF BEER) BOUND TOGETHER

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Poli

Date learned: 02-00-1980

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POLISH JOKE

Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.

DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE POLACK WHO HAD B.O. ONLY ON ONE SIDE?
HE DIDN'T KNOW WHERE TO BUY ANY LEFT GUARD.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD

James Callow Keyword(s): ALLUSION TO DEODERANT "RIGHT GUARD" ; B.O.: SLANG FOR OFFENSIVE BODY ODOR ; LEFT GUARD: AN ANTIPERSPIRANT FOR BODY ODOR

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Poli

Date learned: 02-00-1980

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THE ECHIDNA

THE MALE ECHIDNA WITH ITS MATE
SURVIVES THE MOST PRECARIOUS STATE;
HE ROLLS HER, HAIR AND SPINES AND ALL
INTO AN EENZY-WEENZY BALL--
AND BURIES HER; AND IN THIS WAY
PROVIDES AGAINST A RAINY DAY.
BUT, LIKE AS NOT, THIS SAME ECHIDNA
FORGETS JUST IF, OR WHERE, HE'S HID NA.

Where learned: AUSTRALIA ; TOORAK ; VICTORIA

Keyword(s): HUMOR ; MONOLOGUE ; PRONUNCIATION ; RHYME: AABB ; SLANG

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Prose Narrative C820.442

Date learned: CA10001968

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TAUNT

LITTLE CHILDREN WILL TRY TO TEASE THEIR FRIENDS WITH THE FOLLOWING; MM
QUESTION - WHAT DID YOU HAVE FOR BREAKFAST?
ANSWER - PEA GREEN SOUP MM
QUESTION - WHAT DID YOU HAVE FOR LUNCH?
ANSWER - PEA GREEN SOUP MM
QUESTION - WHAT DID YOU HAVE FOR DINNER?
ANSWER - PEA GREEN SOUP MM
QUESTION - WHAT DID YOU DO ALL NIGHT?
ANSWER - PEA GREEN SOUP

Submitter comment: THE COLLECTOR FIRST HEARD THIS IN 1976 FROM A YOUNGER SISTER. IT
IS A CATCH QUESTION EMPHASIZING REPETITION TO EMBARRASS THE UNWARY.
PEA GREEN SOUP IS USED IN TWO DIFFERENT CONTEXTS - FIRST AS A NOUN
AND THEN AS A VERB. PEE IS USED AS A SLANG WORD FOR URINATE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; USA ; SOUTHGATE

James Callow Keyword(s): CATCH ; SLANG: PEE FOR URINATE

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion
SPEECH -- Formula

Date learned: 10-00-1980 ; 09-00-1976

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WELLERISM

BY GEORGE, SAID PAUL, WHILE SITTING ON THE JOHN. WHERE DID MY
RING GO?

Submitter comment: THIS IS A WELLERISM-LIKE DEVICE SINCE THERE IS NO HUMOROUS
QUOTATION FOLLOWING. IT IS ALSO SIMILAR TO A TOM SWIFTIE, BUT
THERE IS NO ADVERBIAL PUN. THIS SAYING CONTAINS ALL FOUR OF THE
BEATLES' NAMES - GEORGE, PAUL, JOHN, RINGO - INCORPORATED IN ONE
SENTENCE. JOHN IS USED AS A SLANG FOR TOILET. GEORGE IS USED AS
A SIGN OF EXCLAMATION.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALLEN PARK

James Callow Keyword(s): NAME (GEORGE) IN EXCLAMATION ; SLANG: JOHN FOR TOILET

Subject headings: Person / Nickname
PROVERB -- Wellerism Quotation

Date learned: 10-00-1980

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THE TEA JOKE

DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE INDIAN WHO WON THE TEA DRINKING CONTEST?
HE DRANK 2,000 CUPS OF TEA, AND THE NEXT DAY THEY FOUND HIM DEAD
IN HIS TEE-PEE}

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

James Callow Keyword(s): SLANG: PEE FOR URINE

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote

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MOONING

ONE OF THE FAVORITE PRANKS IN HIGH SCHOOL WAS TO DRIVE AROUND
LOOKING FOR OLDER COUPLES THEN BEEPING THE HORN AND FILLING THE
CAR WINDOWS WITH AS MANY CHEEKS AS POSSIBLE.

Submitter comment: MOONING IS A FUN, HARMLESS PRANK THAT WE DID VERY SKILLFULLY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE

James Callow Keyword(s): SLANG: CHEEK FOR BUTTOCKS

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion

Date learned: 00001970S

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