The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

Custom: Holiday

"NO ONE REALLY KNOWS WHO ENJOYED THE FIRST APRIL FOOL'S
DAY GUFFAWS. SOME SAY THE DAY OF BUFFOONERY BEGAN IN
FRANCE IN 1564, WHEN NEW YEAR'S DAY WAS CARRIED BACK
TO JANUARY 1 INSTEAD OF BEING CELEBRATED ON MARCH 25.
THOSE PEOPLE WHO OBJECTED TO THE TIME JUGGLE WERE
GIVEN MOCK NEW YEAR'S GIFTS ON APRIL 1, WHICH USED TO
BE THE FINAL DAY OF MERRYMAKING. THE PRACTICAL JOKE
CUSTOM POPPED UP IN BRITAIN BY THE 18TH CENTURY, AND
THE BRITISH EXPORTED THE ZANY PRACTICE TO NORTH
AMERICA."

Data entry tech comment:

Updated and Motifs added / 02-28-2011 / TRD

Keyword(s): APRIL FOOL'S DAY ; Britain ; CUSTOM ; France ; holiday ; JOKE ; New Years ; Origin ; PRACTICAL JOKE ; Prank

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NEW YEAR' BELIEF FOR GOOD LUCK: PLACE A DIME IN A BIG BOWL
OF BLACK-EYED PEAS AND AS EACH PERSON IS SERVED WHOEVER HAS THE DIME IN HIS OR HER BOWL
HAS BETTER LUCK THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Black-Eyed Peas ; Dime ; FOOD ; fortune ; holiday ; LUCK ; MONEY ; New Years

James Callow Keyword(s): COIN

Date learned: 07-08-1973

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A BOY MUST BE THE FIRST TO KISS A GIRL ON NEW YEAR'S DAY OR ELSE
SHE WILL BE WITHOUT A BEAU THROUGH THE YEAR.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON

Keyword(s): KISS ; New Years ; Relationship ; tradition

Date learned: CA00001920

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SUPERSTITION FOR GOOD LUCK

IN ORDER TO ENSURE GOOD LUCK FOR THE COMING YEAR YOU SHOULD EAT
CABBAGE FOR DINNER ON NEW YEAR'S DAY.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; WARREN

Keyword(s): Cabbage ; Consume ; CUSTOM ; FOOD ; LUCK ; Meal ; New Years ; SUPERSTITION

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