The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

Toast

Polish:

Niech gwiazda sukces nigdy nie wychodzą na niego, nigdy nie wyjdzie za niego. A kto nie wypije jego zdrowie może pioran trzasnie. (repeat).

Translation:

May the star of success never go out for him, never go out for him.
 And whoever will not drink his health, May the lightning strike him down. (repeat).

Submitter comment:

This song I know from home as well as from the young people in Poland.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

The title, A Polish Song has been crossed out.

Keyword(s): DRINKING ; ETHNIC ; HEALTH ; LIGHTNING ; POLISH ; Social ; SONG ; Star ; SUCCESS ; TOAST

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Retort

If someone is giving you a made up excuse and they are doing a poor job of pulling the wool over your eyes then merely say:

Tell it to Murphy, McCarthy already heard it.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

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

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; EXCUSE ; McCarthy ; Murphy ; RETORT ; Wool

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Retort

Holy Toledo!

Submitter comment:

A short statement said when amazed.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Original BN [S586] crossed out. Replaced with current classification

Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; INSULT ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; Toledo ; Wisecrack

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Retort

That'll be a cold day in hell.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

The word retort is circled, and the question [To What?] is written next to it.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): Cold ; COMEBACK ; HELL ; INSULT ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; TEMPERATURE ; Wisecrack

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Retort

In the Marines, when you are asked your weight, you say:

"I'm (insert weight) pounds of hell, death and destruction."

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

The original Title [Expression of Fixed Form] has been crossed out. Replaced with Retort.

Original BN [P640] has been crosssed out. Replaced with current classification.

Where learned: OHIO ; NORTH OLMSTED

Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; Fighter ; INSULT ; Marines ; MILITARY ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; Soldier ; WEIGHT ; Wisecrack

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Retort

I wouldn't touch that line with a ten foot pole.

Submitter comment:

Paul is famous for saying this - If somebody would slip and say something innapropriate to the time and location or if a double meaning could be attached to something said whereby he wants people to take it the wrong way.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

A large questionmark is written next to the Collector's comment.

The word [Retort??] is written above the word Untouchable  in the Title section.

The original BN [C329] crossed out. Replaced wtih current classification.

Where learned: OHIO ; Norwalk

Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; DISTANCE ; INSULT ; Pole ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; Wisecrack

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Retort

You look like you have to study to qualify as a dropout.

Submitter comment:

From his brother, Joe.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Where learned: HOME

Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; Dropout ; Graduate ; INSULT ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; SCHOOL ; Study ; Wisecrack

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Retort

Get off the table Maude. The quarter is for the beer.

Submitter comment:

This remark is sometimes said to a person who is under the influence of alcohol, such as at a party.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

What does this mean?

Where learned: ONTARIO ; Chatham

Keyword(s): ALCOHOL ; BEER ; COIN ; COMEBACK ; DRUNK ; Innuendo ; INSULT ; MONEY ; Quarter ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; Stipper ; Table ; Wisecrack

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PROVERBIAL METAPHOR

YOU'RE LIKE A MILLION DOLLARS; GREEN AND WRINKLED.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Similar entries may be listed as Retort.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): Bucks ; COLOR ; COMEBACK ; Dollars ; Green ; INSULT ; Million ; MONEY ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; SIMILE ; Wisecrack

Date learned: 09-30-1967

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Retort

You're like a million bucks - all green and wrinkled.

Submitter comment:

Learned this from my brother, Brett Gundlach (informant quote)

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Source? Total Effect?

Where learned: OHIO ; WASHINGTON ; WASHINGTON COURT HOUSE

Keyword(s): Bucks ; COLOR ; COMEBACK ; Dollars ; Green ; INSULT ; Million ; MONEY ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; SIMILE ; Wisecrack

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APOKRIES

THIS IS THE PRE-LENTEN HOLIDAY, A THREE WEEK FESTIVITY, AND PRECEDES
THE FORTY-NINTH DAY PRE-EASTER LENTEN PERIOD.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): Easter ; ETHNIC ; FESTIVAL ; Greek ; holiday ; Lent

James Callow Keyword(s): FESTIVAL ; Greek

Date learned: 00-00-1980

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PROVERB

IT IS BETTER TO KEEP THY MOUTH SHUT AND HAVE OTHERS THINK THAT YOU
ARE AN IMBECILE THAN TO OPEN IT AND ERASE ALL DOUBT.

Submitter comment:

INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM HER TEACHER AT SCHOOL.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE

Keyword(s): Fool ; HUMOR ; Mouth ; PROVERB ; WISDOM

James Callow Keyword(s): PROVERB

Date learned: 09-18-1972

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Proverbial Comparison

Only the good die young.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Duplicate

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): AGE ; Aphorism ; Apothegm ; Bad ; BEHAVIOR ; DEATH ; Die ; Good ; Maxim ; Old ; PROVERB ; Young

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Proverb

Omen:

There are old pilots / And there are bold pilots / But there are never old, bold, pilots.

Submitter comment:

This is taught to pilots early in their training - beware of being too confident - never step out of the realm of your experience.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Original BN [P870] crossed out. Replaced with current classifications.

Keyword(s): AGE ; Aphorism ; Apothegm ; Bold ; Maxim ; Old ; OMEN ; Pilot ; PROVERB ; VERSE

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Proverb

No fool like an old fool

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Keyword(s): AGE ; Aphorism ; Apothegm ; Fool ; Maxim ; Old ; PROVERB ; VERSE

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Proverb

There's nothing certain but death and taxes.

Submitter comment:

From - Uncertain

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE

Keyword(s): Absolutes ; Aphorism ; Apothegm ; Certainty ; DEATH ; Maxim ; PROVERB ; Taxes ; Uncertainty ; VERSE

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Proverb

A fool and his money are soon parted.

Submitter comment:

From - Uncertain

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE

Keyword(s): Aphorism ; Apothegm ; Fool ; Maxim ; MONEY ; PROVERB ; VERSE

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Proverb

Pinch Your Pennies:

Take care of the pennies, and the dollars take care of themselves.

Submitter comment:

From her Mother

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Keyword(s): Aphorism ; Apothegm ; Dollars ; Frugal ; Maxim ; MONEY ; Pennies ; PROVERB ; VERSE

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Proverb

A fool and his money are soon parted.

Submitter comment:

People who get money suddenly usually spend it fast and foolishly and end up with nothing.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): Aphorism ; Apothegm ; Fool ; Maxim ; MONEY ; PROVERB ; VERSE

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Proverb

You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but not all of the people all of the time.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Keyword(s): Aphorism ; Apothegm ; Fool ; Maxim ; People ; PROVERB ; TIME ; VERSE

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