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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

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Your search for Sharp returned 14 results.

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RIDDLE

"WHY IS SLIPPING ON A BANANA PEEL LIKE MUSIC?"
"BECAUSE YOU'LL BE FLAT IF YOU DON'T SEE SHARP}"

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DORM

Keyword(s): BANANAPEEL ; FRUIT: BANANAS ; MUSIC: INTERVALS ; RIDDLING QUESTION

James Callow Keyword(s): LOOK SHARP ; PUN

Subject headings: RIDDLE -- Riddle Question

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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SHARP OBJECTS ARE TABOO BECAUSE THEY PIERCE FRIENDSHIPS.
DO NOT PASS THEM DIRECTLY.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; FRIENDSHIP ; Objects ; Sharp ; SUPERSTITION ; Taboo

Subject headings: Prediction / Divination

Date learned: 04-00-1972

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BELIEF

DO NOT GIVE ANY SHARP OBJECTS,(SCISSORS, KNIVES, ETC.)
AS A GIFT. YOU WILL SEVER YOUR FRIENDSHIP WITH THAT PERSON.

Submitter comment:

INFORMANTS MOTHER-IN-LAW WAS VERY DEVOUT IN THIS BELIEF.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: OHIO ; CANTON

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; FRIENDSHIP ; GIFT ; Relationship ; Sever ; Sharp ; SUPERSTITION ; SYMBOL

James Callow Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC ; HOSTILITY

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

Date learned: 02-12-1972

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SUPERSTITION ABOUT SCISSORS (POLISH)

POLISH BELIEF. YOU MUST NEVER HAND A PAIR OF SCISSORS OR A KNIFE
TO A PERSON. BECAUSE THIS WILL SEVER THE FRIENDSHIP. YOU LAY
THEM DOWN ON A TABLE AND LET THE OTHER PERSON PICK THEM UP.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE

Keyword(s): BEHAVIOR ; BELIEF ; m Friendship ; Relationship ; Sever ; Sharp ; SIGN ; SUPERSTITION ; SYMBOL

James Callow Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC ; HOSTILITY

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

Date learned: 01-00-1970

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BELIEF

YOU CAN NOT GIVE ANY SHARP OBJECT TO A FRIEND
WITHOUT A MINIMAL PAYMENT BECAUSE IT WILL BREAK UP
THE FRIENDSHIP.

Submitter comment:

ALISON HEARD THIS FROM HER NEIGHBOR, THE NEIGHBOR MADE
INFORMANTS MOTHER PAY 2 CENTS FOR A PAIR OF SCISSORS. SHE
FIRMLY BELIEVED THIS

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; FRIENDSHIP ; GIFT ; Payment ; Sharp ; SIGN ; SUPERSTITION ; SYMBOL

James Callow Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC

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

Date learned: 11-19-1971

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SHARP ITEM

NEVER GIVE A SHARP OR POINTED ITEM TO A FRIEND IT WILL
SEVER YOUR FRIENDSHIP. MAKE YOUR FRIEND PAY FOR IT, EVEN IF
IT IS ONLY A PENNY.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; GIFT ; MONEY ; Relationship ; Sever ; Sharp ; SUPERSTITION

James Callow Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC

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

Date learned: 11-02-1969

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BAD GIFT

A GIFT OF A KNIFE WILL PUT AN END TO, OR CUT A FRIENDSHIP.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; FRIENDSHIP ; GIFT ; Relationship ; Sharp ; SUPERSTITION

James Callow Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC

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

Date learned: 03-31-1968

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SUPERSTITIOUS BELIEF

IF YOU GIVE A PIN TO SOMEONE WHO'S YOUR FRIEND AND THEY DO
NOT GIVE YOU A PENNY BACK, SOONER OR LATER YOU HAVE A FIGHT AND YOU
LOSE THEM AS A FRIEND. ( THIS ALSO EXTENDS TO ANY GIFT THAT CUTS.)

Submitter comment:

INFORMANTS MOTHER BELEIVES THIS FIRMLY AND SAYS THAT SOONER OR LATER
YOU ARE SURE TO LOSE THIS FRIEND IF THIS SMALL RITUAL IS NOT
CARRIED OUT.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; FRIENDSHIP ; GIFT ; MONEY ; Payment ; Relationship ; Sharp ; SIGN ; SUPERSTITION

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

Date learned: 09-21-1969

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PREDICTION BELIEF

DO NOT GIVE A KNIFE AS A GIFT OR YOU WILL FIGHT WITH THE
PERSON TO WHOM YOU GAVE IT.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; FRIENDSHIP ; GIFT ; Relationship ; Sharp ; SUPERSTITION

James Callow Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC ; HOSTILITY

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

Date learned: 10-00-1969

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GOOD LUCK

WHEN GIVING A PURSE OR WALLET AS A GIFT, ALWAYS INCLUDE A PENNY
SO THE PERSON WON'T GO BROKE.

WHEN GIVING A GIFT WITH A SHARP EDGE, SUCH AS A KNIFE OR A LETTER-OPENER, ALWAYS INCLUDE A COIN SO THE FRIENDSHIP WON'T BE CUT.

Submitter comment:

These customs were telated with skepticism, but I receivedf a purse as a gift (with a penny included!) on the very same day.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

James Callow comment:

Re: Collector Comment: [I am glad you are including this kind of information.]

Where learned: OHIO ; LIMA

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; COIN ; Cut ; FRIENDSHIP ; GIFT ; MONEY ; Relationship ; Sharp ; SUPERSTITION

James Callow Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC

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

Date learned: 11-00-1969

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GIFT BELIEF

IF SOMEONE GIVES YOU A KNIFE FOR A GIFT, YOU MUST PAY SOMETHING
FOR IT, OTHERWISE THE KNIFE CUTS YOUR FRIENDSHIP.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): Cut ; FRIENDSHIP ; GIFT ; KNIFE ; MONEY ; Sever ; Sharp ; SYMBOL ; SYMBOLISM

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

Date learned: 01-00-1968

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PENNY FOR A PIN

IF YOU ARE EVER GIVEN A PIN FOR A GIFT, BE SURE AND PAY
THE PERSON WHO GIVES IT TO YOU A PENNY, OR THE PIN WILL
SURELY PRICK YOU WHEN YOU WEAR IT.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): FRIENDSHIP ; GIFT ; MONEY ; Pin ; Prick ; Sharp ; SIGN ; SYMBOL

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

Date learned: 10-00-1967

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GIFT BELIEF

A SHARP OBJECT(KNIFE ETC.) GIVEN AS A PRESENT SHOULD ALWAYS
BE ACCOMPANIED BY A PENNY SO THE FRIENDSHIP WILL NOT BE CUT.

Submitter comment:

FROM HIS MOTHER

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): Cut ; FRIENDSHIP ; GIFT ; MONEY ; Sever ; Sharp

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

Date learned: 10-04-1965

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EDGE-WISE

WHEN GIVING A GIFT WITH SHARP EDGES, A PENNY SHOULD BE GIVEN
FOR EACH EDGE SO THAT THE FRIENDSHIP WILL NOT BE CUT.

Submitter comment:

FROM HER MOTHER

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Cut ; FRIENDSHIP ; GIFT ; MONEY ; Relationship ; Sever ; Sharp ; SYMBOL

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

Date learned: 12-04-1965

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showing 14 items

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