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THE LEGEND OF BEAUMONT TOWER

AT MSU (MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY), WHENEVER A VIRGIN WALKS
UNDERNEATH THE TOWER, A SPIKE FALLS FROM ONE OF THE TOWERS.
ALL THE SPIKES REMAIN INTACT UPON THE TOWER EVEN TODAY.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT LEARNED IT FROM A FELLOW DORMIE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY ; Lansing

Subject headings: BELIEF -- School
BELIEF -- Marriage

Date learned: 09-00-1967

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WHEN PLAYING CARDS, NEVER ALLOW A PERSON TO STAND
OVER YOU AND LOOK AT YOUR CARDS, YOU WILL NEVER
WIN.

Submitter comment: FROM FRIENDS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY ; Lansing

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement
BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance

Date learned: 10-21-1967

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Entry filtered.

POLISH JOKE

Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.

THIS POLACK GOES TO A LUMBERYARD AND SAYS, "I WANT TO
BUY SOME WOOD."
"HOW LONG DO YOU WANT IT?" THEN ASKS THE OWNER.
"FOR A LONG TIME," REPLIES THE POLACK, "I'M BUILDING
A GARAGE."

Submitter comment:

THE INFORMANT HEARD IT FROM A FRIEND.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY ; Lansing

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Stupid man or woman

Date learned: 00001967 FALL

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CREOLE RECEIPT

STUFFING TURKEY WITH RICE AND HAMBURGER AS A DRESSING.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Lansing

Subject headings: Food Drink -- Manner of preparation
Food Drink -- Plant food Cereal
Food Drink -- Meat Bird Poultry

Date learned: 00-00-1930

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LEGEND

AT MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY THERE IS AN ANNUAL CELEBRATION IN
HONOR OF THE ORANGE HORSE. EVERY YEAR DURING FALL TERM, STUDENTS
HAVE A SLEEP-IN AT BESSY HALL IN HONOR OF THEIR COMPATRIOTS WHO
STAGED A SLEEP-IN IN PROTEST OF THE ENGLISH DEPARTMENT FIRING
THREE OUTSPOKEN TEACHERS. THIS PROTEST WAS NICK-NAMED THE ORANGE
HORSE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY ; Lansing

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School

Date learned: 11-05-1967

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THE LEGEND OF BEAUMONT TOWER

AT MSU (MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY), WHENEVER A VIRGIN WALKS
UNDERNEATH THE TOWER, A SPIKE FALLS FROM ONE OF THE TOWERS.
ALL THE SPIKES REMAIN INTACT UPON THE TOWER EVEN TODAY.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT LEARNED IT FROM A FELLOW DORMIE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY ; Lansing

Subject headings: BELIEF -- School
BELIEF -- Marriage

Date learned: 09-00-1967

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LEGEND

AT MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY THERE IS AN ANNUAL CELEBRATION IN
HONOR OF THE ORANGE HORSE. EVERY YEAR DURING FALL TERM, STUDENTS
HAVE A SLEEP-IN AT BESSY HALL IN HONOR OF THEIR COMPATRIOTS WHO
STAGED A SLEEP-IN IN PROTEST OF THE ENGLISH DEPARTMENT FIRING
THREE OUTSPOKEN TEACHERS. THIS PROTEST WAS NICK-NAMED THE ORANGE
HORSE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY ; Lansing

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School

Date learned: 11-05-1967

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NAMING MUSKEGON

ONCE AN INDIAN BRAVE WAS PADDLING HIS CANOE ALONG THE SHORE OF LAKE
MICHIGAN. HE HAD LEANED HIS MUSKET AGAINST THE FRONT THWART SO
THAT IT WOULD BE HANDY IN CASE HE NEEDED IT. WELL, IT WAS A
PRETTY STORMY DAY AND THE WAVES WERE KICKING UP SOMETHING FIERCE.
FINALLY ONE WAVE TUMBLED OVER THE BOW OF THE CANOE AND ALMOST
CAPSIZED HIM. HE SAW HIS MUSKET BEING CARRIED OVER THE SIDE OF
THE CANOE AND HE LEAPED TO CATCH IT. WELL, HE LOST IT AND THEN
HE EXCLAIMED, "OH NO, MUSKIE-GONE!" AND FROM THAT DAY FORWARD
THAT PLACE HAS BEEN CALLED MUSKEGON.

Submitter comment: THIS TALE, CONCERNING THE NAMING OF MUSKEGON, WAS PASSED DOWN TO
MY DAD FROM HIS FATHER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Lansing

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name
ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Occupation
ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Water craft or boat propelled by human, wind, mechanical or other force

Date learned: 11-01-1968

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NAMING MUSKEGON

ONCE AN INDIAN BRAVE WAS PADDLING HIS CANOE ALONG THE SHORE OF LAKE
MICHIGAN. HE HAD LEANED HIS MUSKET AGAINST THE FRONT THWART SO
THAT IT WOULD BE HANDY IN CASE HE NEEDED IT. WELL, IT WAS A
PRETTY STORMY DAY AND THE WAVES WERE KICKING UP SOMETHING FIERCE.
FINALLY ONE WAVE TUMBLED OVER THE BOW OF THE CANOE AND ALMOST
CAPSIZED HIM. HE SAW HIS MUSKET BEING CARRIED OVER THE SIDE OF
THE CANOE AND HE LEAPED TO CATCH IT. WELL, HE LOST IT AND THEN
HE EXCLAIMED, "OH NO, MUSKIE-GONE!" AND FROM THAT DAY FORWARD
THAT PLACE HAS BEEN CALLED MUSKEGON.

Submitter comment: THIS TALE, CONCERNING THE NAMING OF MUSKEGON, WAS PASSED DOWN TO
MY DAD FROM HIS FATHER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Lansing

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name
ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Occupation
ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Water craft or boat propelled by human, wind, mechanical or other force

Date learned: 11-01-1968

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NAMING MUSKEGON

ONCE AN INDIAN BRAVE WAS PADDLING HIS CANOE ALONG THE SHORE OF LAKE
MICHIGAN. HE HAD LEANED HIS MUSKET AGAINST THE FRONT THWART SO
THAT IT WOULD BE HANDY IN CASE HE NEEDED IT. WELL, IT WAS A
PRETTY STORMY DAY AND THE WAVES WERE KICKING UP SOMETHING FIERCE.
FINALLY ONE WAVE TUMBLED OVER THE BOW OF THE CANOE AND ALMOST
CAPSIZED HIM. HE SAW HIS MUSKET BEING CARRIED OVER THE SIDE OF
THE CANOE AND HE LEAPED TO CATCH IT. WELL, HE LOST IT AND THEN
HE EXCLAIMED, "OH NO, MUSKIE-GONE!" AND FROM THAT DAY FORWARD
THAT PLACE HAS BEEN CALLED MUSKEGON.

Submitter comment: THIS TALE, CONCERNING THE NAMING OF MUSKEGON, WAS PASSED DOWN TO
MY DAD FROM HIS FATHER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Lansing

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name
ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Occupation
ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Water craft or boat propelled by human, wind, mechanical or other force

Date learned: 11-01-1968

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FORMING MICHIGAN

ONE DAY THE INDIAN GOD WAS DRAWING THE VARIOUS LANDS ON THE GLOBE.
AND AS HE WAS TRACING ALONG, HE HAD TO LEAN ON THE LAND WITH HIS
OTHER HAND FOR SUPPORT. WELL, WHEN HE GOT DONE DRAWING AND HE
STOOD BACK TO LOOK AT HIS WORK, HE FOUND THAT HE HAD MADE A BIG
HAND PRINT RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE LAND. WELL, THAT HAND PRINT
IS NOW THE STATE OF MICHIGAN.

Submitter comment:

THIS LEGEND WAS TOLD TO MY SISTER ONE DAY IN SCHOOL.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Lansing

Keyword(s): CREATION ; ETYMOLOGY ; GEOGRAPHY ; INDIAN ; Legend ; Lore ; MICHIGAN ; Native American ; Origin

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Creation and Order of Universe
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formation
BELIEF -- Creator

Date learned: 11-01-1968

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FORMING MICHIGAN

ONE DAY THE INDIAN GOD WAS DRAWING THE VARIOUS LANDS ON THE GLOBE.
AND AS HE WAS TRACING ALONG, HE HAD TO LEAN ON THE LAND WITH HIS
OTHER HAND FOR SUPPORT. WELL, WHEN HE GOT DONE DRAWING AND HE
STOOD BACK TO LOOK AT HIS WORK, HE FOUND THAT HE HAD MADE A BIG
HAND PRINT RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE LAND. WELL, THAT HAND PRINT
IS NOW THE STATE OF MICHIGAN.

Submitter comment:

THIS LEGEND WAS TOLD TO MY SISTER ONE DAY IN SCHOOL.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Lansing

Keyword(s): CREATION ; ETYMOLOGY ; GEOGRAPHY ; INDIAN ; Legend ; Lore ; MICHIGAN ; Native American ; Origin

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Creation and Order of Universe
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formation
BELIEF -- Creator

Date learned: 11-01-1968

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LEGEND

AT MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY THERE IS AN ANNUAL CELEBRATION IN
HONOR OF THE ORANGE HORSE. EVERY YEAR DURING FALL TERM, STUDENTS
HAVE A SLEEP-IN AT BESSY HALL IN HONOR OF THEIR COMPATRIOTS WHO
STAGED A SLEEP-IN IN PROTEST OF THE ENGLISH DEPARTMENT FIRING
THREE OUTSPOKEN TEACHERS. THIS PROTEST WAS NICK-NAMED THE ORANGE
HORSE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY ; Lansing

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School

Date learned: 11-05-1967

View just this record

FORMING MICHIGAN

ONE DAY THE INDIAN GOD WAS DRAWING THE VARIOUS LANDS ON THE GLOBE.
AND AS HE WAS TRACING ALONG, HE HAD TO LEAN ON THE LAND WITH HIS
OTHER HAND FOR SUPPORT. WELL, WHEN HE GOT DONE DRAWING AND HE
STOOD BACK TO LOOK AT HIS WORK, HE FOUND THAT HE HAD MADE A BIG
HAND PRINT RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE LAND. WELL, THAT HAND PRINT
IS NOW THE STATE OF MICHIGAN.

Submitter comment:

THIS LEGEND WAS TOLD TO MY SISTER ONE DAY IN SCHOOL.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Lansing

Keyword(s): CREATION ; ETYMOLOGY ; GEOGRAPHY ; INDIAN ; Legend ; Lore ; MICHIGAN ; Native American ; Origin

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Creation and Order of Universe
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formation
BELIEF -- Creator

Date learned: 11-01-1968

View just this record

THE LEGEND OF BEAUMONT TOWER

AT MSU (MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY), WHENEVER A VIRGIN WALKS
UNDERNEATH THE TOWER, A SPIKE FALLS FROM ONE OF THE TOWERS.
ALL THE SPIKES REMAIN INTACT UPON THE TOWER EVEN TODAY.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT LEARNED IT FROM A FELLOW DORMIE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY ; Lansing

Subject headings: BELIEF -- School
BELIEF -- Marriage

Date learned: 09-00-1967

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LEGEND OF THE GHOST WITH COVERED FACE

THERE WAS A LARGE OLD HOUSE NEAR MY GRANDMOTHERS IN VERMONT THAT A
FAMILY OF A LONG HERITAGE LIVED IN. THE HOUSE WAS SAID TO BE
HAUNTED BECAUSE OBJECTS USED TO FLY AROUND, AND THEY WOULD SEE
STRANGE PEOPLE WALKING DOWN THE HALLS AT NIGHT MOANING.
ONE NIGHT THE YOUNG MAN OF THE FAMILY WHO WAS JUST HOME FROM COLLEGE
WAS SITTING IN FRONT OF THE FIRE PLACE WHEN SUDDENLY A FIGURE OF A
MAN OR SOMETHING CAME OUT OF THE FIRE. THE MAN WAS SO AFRAID THAT
HE COULD ONLY STAND THERE AND HE ALSO FELT AS THOUGH HE COULD NOT
LEAVE IF HIS LEGS WOULD LET HIM SINCE HE WAS INTRANCED IN SOME
WAY BY THIS DEAMON. THE THING HAD ITS FACE COVERED, IF IT HAD NOT,
HE WOULD HAVE DIED OF FRIGHT. HE BEGAN TO SAY THE ROSARY AND THE
DEAMON LEFT.

Data entry tech comment: COLLECTOR'S SPELLING CORRECTED BY KEYPUNCHER

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Lansing ; NOVEMBER

Keyword(s): FIREPLACE ; PRAYER

Subject headings: Favorites
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter

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THE LIMBO

TWO PEOPLE LOWER A POLE, WHILE YOU SLITHER UNDERNEATH,
BENDING YOUR KNEES AND LEANING FAR BACKWARDS. THIS
DANCE IS LIKE A GAME. YOU LOSE IF YOU TOUCH THE POLE
OR IF YOU FALL.

Where learned: TRINIDAD ; MICHIGAN ; Lansing

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

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Language

Get Lost!:

A humorous putdown which is self-explanatory: "make like a tree and leave"

Submitter comment:

This saying circulates among Mary's friends and has also caught on in our family.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Leave-Taking?

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Lansing

Keyword(s): HUMOR ; INSULT ; Language ; Leave ; PLAY ON WORDS ; PUN ; Tree ; WORDPLAY

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Formula

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COWBOY JOE

WAY OUT WEST WHERE THE BAD MEN ARE
AND THE ONLY THING TO GUIDE YOU IS THE EVENING STAR
IS THE ROUGHEST, TOUGHEST MAN BY FAR
AND HIS NAME IS COWBOY JOE. MM
HE ALWAYS SINGS
RAGTIME MUSIC TO HIS CATTLE AS HE SWINGS
BACK AND FORTH IN THE SADDLE ON A HORSE
A PRETTY GOOD HORSE.
A SYNCOPATED GAITER MAKES SUCH A FUNNY METER
TO THE ROAR OF HIS REPEATER.
HOW THEY RUN
WHEN THEY HEAR THE SHERIFF CALLING
CAUSE THE WESTERN FOLKS ALL KNOW
WHAT DO THEY KNOW?
HE'S A HIGH FALOOTING, ROOTIN' TOOTIN'
SUN OF A GUN FROM ARIZONA
RAGTIME COWBOY,
TALK ABOUT YA COWBOY
RAGTIME COWBOY JOE!

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Lansing ; CAMP O'FAIRWINDS

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Good humor Jest

Date learned: 06-00-1977

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COLD REMEDY

DRINK HOT WATER WITH SUGAR AND ONION IN IT.

Submitter comment: IT WORKS BUT ITS AFTER EFFECTS LEAVE YOUR BREATH SMELLING REAL BAD.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Lansing

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Plant
BELIEF -- Mineral

Date learned: 00-00-1978

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