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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

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PROVERB

THE MORNING HAS GOLD IN ITS MOUTH.
TRANSLATION OF:
MORGENSTUNDE HAT GOLD IN MUNDE.

Submitter comment: LIKE ENGLISH PROVERB - THE EARLY BIRD GETS THE WORM.
INFORMANT HEARD THIS AS A CHILD WHILE LIVING IN REGENSBERG,
GERMANY.
I HEARD THE VARIANT IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN, AS A CHILD.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GERMANY ; DETROIT ; FERNDALE ; REGENSBURG

James Callow Keyword(s): RISING

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

Date learned: 11-24-1967

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WHY DID GEORGH WASHINGTON CROSS THE DELEWARE RIVER?
TO GET TO THE OTHER SIDE.

Where learned: IMMACULATE CONCEPTION SCHOOL

Keyword(s): CROSSINGS

Subject headings: RIDDLE -- Riddle Question

Date learned: 00-00-1965

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WHY DID THE DUCK CROSS THE STREET?
TO GET TO THE OTHER SIDE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): CROSSINGS

Subject headings: RIDDLE -- Riddle Question

Date learned: 09-30-1967

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Play on Words

Sermon Using Names of Soaps and Detergents

Are you SOFT SOAPING God? DUZ you DRIFT along with the TIDE? VEL now is the time to CHEER up. If you want real JOY, the TREND is to BREEZE to church regularly on Sunday mornings. But too many WOODBURY their heads in a pillow and remain in bed or work in their yard to make it sparkle, forgetting that the Lord's Day is made for LESTOIL.

 

 

But where the Lord is given foremost consideration a DOVE will never have to send an S.O.S.. Don't trust LUX chances by neglecting our worship together.

Maybe we ought to DIAL you and remind you of those IVORY palaces up yonder. This is not just silly BAB-O. Worship is intended to add to your LIFEBOUY, so why not be faithful and WISK yourself out of bed early Sunday. Dress up SPIC'N'SPAN, DASH like a COMET to God's house of prayer. DRAISE to God, you'll get a wonderful KLENZER for your soul. PLEDGE yourself and PRIDE of conscience will be yours. Life will be full of ZEST.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Original BN [B644, B667] crossed out and replaced with S570.

Original title [STORY Using Names of Soaps and Detergents] is modified to read SERMON Using Names of Soaps and Detergents.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): ADVERTISING ; Anecdote ; Cleanser ; Consumerism ; Domesticity ; HOME, DOMESTIC PURSUITS ; HOUSECLEANING ; PARODY ; Sermon ; Soap

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Formula

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Entry filtered.

Ethnic: Chinese

Chinese Fire Drill:

When a light turns red, somebody yells "Chinese Fire Drill" and everybody piles out of the car and runs around it and gets back in.

Submitter comment:

I was told this by a group of friends who had attended Roosevelt High School in Wyandotte, MI. (1966-68). In 1969 I participated in such a drill.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

BN [F536] written again above the original BN of the same classification. Nothing is crossed out, although it looks like there may have been something erased underneath the original BN. (The second instance may be for clarification purposes.)

Where learned: Myself

Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE ; CHASING GAME ; Chinese ; DEROGATORY ; ETHNIC ; GAME

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion

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Ethnic:Polish Superstition

If you sing at the table you'll marry a crazy husband.

Submitter comment:

I distinctly recall hearing this in a Polish Verse form but I can't find anyone else who recalls it.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Original BN [P800] crossed out and replaced with P88o. The numbers 880 are crossed out and replaced with 477.

Various grammatical correction symbols.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): CUSTOM ; ETHNIC ; HUSBAND ; MANNERS ; Omen, Singing ; POLISH ; SUPERSTITION ; TABLE MANNERS

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

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Ethnic:Polish Superstition

IF A YOUNG GIRL SINGS AT THE TABLE, SHE WILL MARRY A CRAZY HUSBAND.

Submitter comment:

INFORMANT IS A FRIEND OF MINE WHO REMEMBERS THIS FROM HER CHILDHOOD.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO

Keyword(s): CUSTOM ; ETHNIC ; HUSBAND ; MANNERS ; Omen, Singing ; POLISH ; SUPERSTITION ; TABLE MANNERS

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

Date learned: 02-00-1971

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Ethnic:Polish Superstition

IF YOU SING AT THE TABLE, YOU WILL MARRY A CRAZY HUSBAND.

Submitter comment:

SHE HEARD THIS FROM HER MOTHER.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): CUSTOM ; ETHNIC ; HUSBAND ; MANNERS ; Omen, Singing ; POLISH ; SUPERSTITION ; TABLE MANNERS

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

Date learned: 11-00-1967

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Ethnic: Ukraine

Wedding Custom:

Before setting out for the church wedding ceremony, the Ukranian couple approach the two sets of parents and ask them for the parent's blessing. They then kneel before the parents, on a specially embroidered cloth "rushyk." The parents make the sign of the cross over them with a holyicon, then with a loaf of bread- touch each on the forehead. They wish them luck, health and many happy and prosperous years.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN ; Myself

Keyword(s): BLESSING ; Cloth ; CUSTOMS ; ETHNIC ; FAMILY ; MARRIAGE ; Ukraine ; WEDDING

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage

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Ethnic: Polish

Wedding Custom:

Offering bread and wine to newlyweds just before they leave the reception is a traditional way of wishing good luck for them. [sic]

Submitter comment:

This little ceremony was observed at several Polish weddings that I attended.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Where learned: Myself

Keyword(s): BLESSING ; CEREMONY ; CUSTOM ; ETHNIC ; FOOD ; LUCK ; MARRIAGE ; POLAND ; POLISH ; WEDDING ; Wine

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage

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Proverb

Superstition:

Sing before breakfast, cry before supper.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Original BN [P880] crossed out. Replaced with current classification.

Located in pile marked Duplicates and Other Rejects

KW:EZX,X9X

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): Breakfast ; Cry ; Dinner ; Emotion ; FOOD ; PROPHECY ; Sing ; SONG ; SUPERSTITION ; Supper

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim

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Proverb

Spare the rod, spoil the child

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Original BN [V300, V600] crossed out. Replaced with current classifications.

Located in pile marked Duplicates and Other Rejects.

KW:EZX

Keyword(s): CHILD ; DISCIPLINE ; Parenthood ; PUNISHMENT ; Raising ; Rearing ; Rod ; Spoil

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

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Play on Words

Four fraternity men came rolling out of the off-campus bar and started to climb into their Mustang. The leader of the jolly group decided to take charge of the situation. "Frank," he sputtered, "you drive. You're too drunk to sing."

Submitter comment:

I learned this while I was at Sacred Heart Seminary

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): BAR ; COLLEGE ; DRINK ; DRIVING ; DRUNK ; HUMOR ; PUN ; Sing

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Stupid man or woman

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Toast

Gaelic Blassing:

May the road rise to meet you, and the wind be always at your back, and may the Lord hold you in the hollow of his hand.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Listed as a toast by other collectors

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): Back ; BLESSING ; DRINKING ; ETHNIC ; Gaelic ; Irish ; Lord ; Road ; Social ; TOAST ; Wind

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

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Retort

Daily Life Custom:

When a person sneezes, it is customary to say "Gesundheit!"

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Original BN [F530] crossed out. Replaced with current classification.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES

Keyword(s): BLESSING ; COMEBACK ; RETORT ; SNEEZE ; Wisecrack

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Formula

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Retort

Unwanted Singer:

If someone is singing (person B) and someone else (person A) wants to shut him up or put him down:

A) What did you do with the money?

B) What money?

A) The money your mother gave you to take music lessons!

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; INSULT ; Lessons ; MONEY ; MUSIC ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; SINGING ; Wisecrack

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Formula

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Retort

When someone asks the time, reply:

"Half past kissing time, time to kiss again."

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Small grammatical correction on card.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; DATING ; KISS ; KISSING ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; TIME ; Wisecrack

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Formula

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Proverb

Amish Proverb (Hex Sign):

Kissin wears out, good cookin' don't.

Submitter comment:

This proverb was learned on a recent trip through the Amish country.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Original BN [V700] crossed out. Replaced wtih current classifications.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): Amish ; Aphorism ; Apothegm ; COOK ; COOKING ; ETHNIC ; Hex ; KISS ; KISSING ; Maxim ; PROVERB ; VERSE

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim

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Proverb

Good cookin' lasts, kissin' don't.

Submitter comment:

Pennsylvania Dutch Saying

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; MAUCH CHUNK

Keyword(s): Aphorism ; Apothegm ; COOK ; COOKING ; DUTCH ; ETHNIC ; KISS ; KISSING ; MARRIAGE ; Maxim ; PENNSYLVANIA ; PROVERB ; REGIONAL ; VERSE

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim

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Proverb

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Original BN [V600] crossed out. Replaced with current classification.

Keyword(s): Aphorism ; Apothegm ; DISTANCE ; Journey ; Maxim ; Miles ; NUMBER ; PROVERB ; Single ; Step ; THOUSAND ; TRAVEL ; VERSE

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

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