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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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AT A POLISH WEDDING THE BRIDE AND GROOM ARE GIVEN A
PIECE OF BREAD AND A BIT OF SALT TO EAT SO THAT
THEY WILL NEVER GO HUNGRY AND WILL BE ABLE TO TAKE
THE BITTER WITH THE SWEET.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Bread and salt |
Date learned: 10-12-1969
POLISH WEDDING
BRIDE AND GROOM ARE GIVEN A PIECE OF BREAD AND A BIT
OF SALT TO EAT SO THAT THEY WILL NEVER GO HUNGRY
AND WILL TAKE THE BITTER WITH THE SWEET.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Bread and salt |
Date learned: 03-24-1970
POLISH WEDDING CUSTOMS
THE WEDDING GUESTS LINE BY A TABLE ONE BY ONE AND
GET THEIR CHOICE OF A SHOT OF WHISKEY OR A CIGAR.
THE BRIDE'S SHOE IS PASSED AROUND AND PEOPLE PUT
MONEY IN FOR THE FIRST BABY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Reception |
Date learned: 11-00-1968
IT IS A MEXICAN CUSTOM THAT THE PEOPLE STANDING UP TO
THE WEDDING (THOSE ACTING AS USHERS AND BRIDESMAIDS)
PAY FOR IT. EACH PERSON STANDING UP CAN EITHER PAY
FOR THE CAKE, THE ENTERTAINMENT, THE FOOD, ETC. THE
CLOSER YOU ARE TO THE FAMILY, THE MORE YOU BUY FOR THE
WEDDING. THE BEST MAN USUALLY PAYS FOR THE RENTING
OF THE HALL.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT MENTIONED THAT THIS RELIEVES A LARGE
FINANCIAL BURDEN FROM THE BRIDE'S FATHER. SHE ALSO
SAID THAT SHE ATTENDED A WEDDING WITH 48 PERSONS
STANDING UP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Reception |
Date learned: 10-10-1971
THE BRIDE TOSSES HER GARTER AND THE UNMARRIED MALE
WHO CATCHES IT WILL BE NEXT TO MARRY.
Submitter comment: LEARNED IN CHILDHOOD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Reception |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
IN MUNICH, GERMANY, THEY HOLD A BEER FESTIVAL EVERY
YEAR CALLED THE OCTOBER FEST TO CELEBRATE THE
MARRIAGE OF A MEDIEVAL PRINCESS. THIS HAS BEEN GOING
ON FOR AT LEAST FIVE HUNDRED YEARS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; GERMANY ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Reception |
Date learned: 12-00-1967
MISCELLANEOUS RIDDLES
(1) WHAT DID THE HAT SAY TO THE TIE?
"I'LL GO ON AHEAD, AND YOU HANG AROUND."
(2) WHAT ANIMALS CAN JUMP HIGHER THAN A HOUSE?
THEY ALL CAN. HOUSES CAN'T JUMP.
(3) HOW CAN YOU SPELL DRIED GRASS WITH THREE LETTERS?
H-A-Y.
(4) WHY DID THE GIRL USE TOOTHPASTE?
BECAUSE SHE HAD A LOOSE TOOTH.
(5) WHAT DID THE MAN DO WHEN HE HURT HIS TOE?
HE CALLED THE TOW (TOE) TRUCK.
(6) WHAT KIND OF NAIL SHOULD YOU NOT HIT WITH A HAMMER?
YOUR FINGERNAIL.
(7) WHAT DID THE GOALPOST SAY TO THE FOOTBALL?
"YOU'LL GET A KICK OUT OF THIS!"
(8) WHAT IS YOURS, BUT OTHER PEOPLE USE IT MORE THAN YOU DO?
YOUR NAME.
(9) HOW DOES A DENTIST EXAMINE A CROCODILE'S TEETH?
VERY CAREFULLY.
(10) WHAT IS MORE USEFUL AFTER IT IS BROKEN?
AN EGG.
(11) WHAT HAS TWO HANDS, NO FEET, AND RUNS 168 HOURS A WEEK?
A CLOCK.
(12) WHAT CAN YOU HOLD WITHOUT TOUCHING IT?
A CONVERSATION.
(13) NAME THE FIRST SETTLER IN THE WEST.
THE SUN.
(14) WHY SHOULD YOU NEVER TELL A SECRET TO A PIG?
BECAUSE PIGS ARE SQUEALERS.
(15) HOW MANY TEXANS HAVE A BIRTHDAY ON NOVEMBER 31ST?
THERE ARE ONLY 30 DAYS IN NOVEMBER.
(16) WHAT LIES AROUND ALL NIGHT WITH ITS TONGUE HANGING OUT?
A SHOE.
(17) WHY DOES A RABBIT HAVE A SHINY NOSE?
BECAUSE ITS POWDER PUFF IS AT THE WRONG END.
(18) WHEN IS A PIECE OF WOOD LIKE A KING?
WHEN IT IS A RULER.
(19) WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU WERE OUT ON THE OCEAN AND A
WHALE SNEEZED?
PUT UP YOUR SAIL.
Submitter comment:
THESE RIDDLES I GREW UP WITH IN GRADE SCHOOL, I USED TO COLLECT
AND BUY A LOT OF JOKE BOOKS AND RIDDLE BOOKS, BUT THEY'RE GONE
NOW. ALL I HAVE IS MEMORIES OF LONG AGO. I USED TO HAVE
CONTESTS WITH OTHER STUDENTS IN MY CLASS TO SEE WHO HAD THE BEST
JOKES OR RIDDLES. ITS FUNNY HOW THEY COME UP TO YOU AT TIMES.
I REMEMBER A LOT OF FUN; THAT'S WHAT ALL THIS LORE IS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FRANKLIN VILLAGE
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- True Riddle RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 00001960S
IRISH WEDDING CUSTOM
THROW CORN INSTEAD OF RICE AFTER THE WEDDING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Rice |
Date learned: 03-11-1972
EVERY NEW BRIDE SHOULD BY CUSTOM HAVE SOMETHING OLD,
SOMETHING NEW, SOMETHING BORROWED, AND SOMETHING BLUE.
Submitter comment: FROM FRIENDS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Wear something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue |
Date learned: 10-08-1967
A BRIDE MUST WEAR A PENNY IN HER SHOE ON HER WEDDING
DAY.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A BELIEF COMMON IN THE OSWALD FAMILY, BUT IT IS
ALSO AN OLD ENGLISH CUSTOM THAT WAS POSSIBLY REVIVED
WHEN AN ENGLISH LADY SENT LUCI JOHNSON NUGENT A PENCE TO
PUT IN HER SHOE ON HER WEDDING DAY.
Data entry tech comment:
LUCI JOHNSON NUGENT IS THE DAUGHTER OF FORMER U.S.
KC[ PRESIDENT, LYNDON JOHNSON.
CN[ SIKORSKI, JOLANTA
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Penny in shoe |
Date learned: 09-20-1967
ON YOUR WEDDING DAY YOU SHOULD PUT A PENNY IN
YOUR SHOE FOR GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Penny in shoe |
Date learned: 02-05-1968
ELEPHANT ROTTEN RIDDLES
(1) WHAT TIME IS IT WHEN AN ELEPHANT CLIMBS INTO YOUR BED?
WHAT?
TIME TO GET ANOTHER.
(2) WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A TINY ELEPHANT AND A GIGANTIC
MOUSE?
WHAT?
ABOUT 3000 POUNDS!
Submitter comment:
WHEN I WAS IN THE CHALDEAN YOUTH CLUB, WE EXCHANGED THESE KIND OF
JOKES. I USED TO HELP EDIT THE NEWSLETTER THAT WAS SENT OUT EACH
MONTH, AND THIS IS HOW A LOT OF JOKES CAME MY WAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FRANKLIN VILLAGE
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 00001970S
AMONG THE MEXICANS IT IS A CUSTOM AT WEDDINGS TO
HAVE THE GROOM GIVE A BOX OF COINS TO THE BRIDE DURING
THE WEDDING CEREMONY. THIS IS TO SYMBOLIZE THE
MONEY THAT THE WIFE WILL NEED TO MANAGE HER HOUSE-
HOLD. WHILE STILL AT THE ALTAR, THE COUPLE IS TIED
WITH A ROPE AROUND THEM, SYMBOLIZING THEIR UNION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Giving coins |
Date learned: 10-15-1971
GYPSY TRADITION
THIS TRADITION STARTED IN HUNGARY. IF A MAN LAYS
DOWN A BROOM DIAGONALLY BETWEEN HIMSELF AND A WOMAN,
AND SHE JUMPS OVER IT, THEN THEY ARE MARRIED. AND
IF LATER IN MARRIAGE, THE MAN PLACES THE BROM
DIAGONALLY AND THE WOMAN JUMPS BACKWARDS OVER IT,
THEN THEY ARE DIVORCED. CONCERNING THE DIVORCE,
THE MAN CAN PUSH THE WOMAN OVER THE BROOM BACKWARDS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Jumping over umbrella: simple ceremony |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
MISCELLANEOUS JOKES
(1) THE PRESIDENT OF THE TELEPHONE COMPANY WAS AROUSED FROM
HIS SLUMBERS BY THE RINGING OF THE TELEPHONE.
PRESIDENT: HELLO
VOICE: ARE YOU AN OFFICIAL OF THE TELEPHONE COMPANY?
PRESIDENT: YES. WHAT CAN I DO FOR YOU?
VOICE: TELL ME HOW IT FEELS TO GET OUT OF BED AT TWO O'CLOCK
IN THE MORNING TO ANSWER A WRONG NUMBER.
(2) WHAT'S CAPITAL AND LABOR?
WELL, SUPPOSE I LOANED YOU TWO DOLLARS, THAT'S CAPITAL. WHEN
I TRY TO GET IT BACK, THAT'S LABOR.
(3) WHAT IS MEANT BY "COLLEGE BRED"?
COLLEGE BRED MEANS A WAD OF DOUGH, WITH PLENTY OF CRUST, AND
A LOT OF CRUMBS GATHERED FOR A GOOD LOAF.
(4) I HAVE A BROTHER IN PENN STATE.
WHAT A SMALL WORLD THIS IS! I HAVE A BROTHER IN STATE PEN, TOO.
(5) I WON'T GRADUATE FROM COLLEGE THIS YEAR.
WHY NOT?
I DIDN'T GO.
(6) JOE: WHY DIDN'T YOU USE THE ELAVATOR?
ELMER: THE SIGN IN THE ELAVATOR SAYS IT HOLDS 12 PEOPLE. I
DIDN'T WANT TO WAIT FOR THE OTHER 11!
(7) JOE: HEY, WHERE'S HERMAN?
ELMER: HE WON'T BE AROUND...THE KIDS HAD A CONTEST...WHO COULD
LEAN FURTHEST OUT THE WINDOW...HE WON!
(8) BORIS IS A BARBER WHO WILL TAKE A BIG LOAD OFF YOUR MIND.
(9) JOE USED TO PASS THE CREMATORIUM AND ASK, "WHAT'S COOKING?"
(10) STUDENTS ARE SUPPOED TO WRITE COMPOSITIONS WEEKLY, NOT
WEAKLY.
(11) WHERE DO SHEEP GET THEIR HAIRCUT?
WHERE?
AT A BA-BA SHOP.
(12) DARLA: "WHERE DID YOU GET THAT BLACK EYE?"
CARLA: "YOU SEE THIS DOOR?"
DARLA: "YES."
CARLA: "WELL, I DIDN'T."
Submitter comment:
MOST OF THESE JOKES I LEARNED WHEN I USED TO TAKE THE SCHOOL BUS
HOME IN HIGHSCHOOL. THE UPPERCLASSMEN WOULD HAVE A CONTEST WITH
THE LOWERCLASSMEN TO PASS THE MONOTONY ON THE WAY HOME. SOMETIMES
THE BUS WOULD GET REAL ROWDY AND THE DRIVER WOULD YELL, "SHUT-UP".
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FRANKLIN VILLAGE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 00001970S
THERE IS A JEWISH CUSTOM THAT AFTER THE BRIDE AND GROOM
DRINK THE WINE DURING THE CEREMONY, THE GROOM THROWS
THE GLASS DOWN AND STEPS ON IT. THE NUMBER OF
PIECES THAT THE GLASS BREAKS INTO IS SAID TO BE THE
NUMBER OF YEARS OF HAPPINESS THEY WILL HAVE TOGETHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Stepping on wine glass |
Date learned: 10-30-1970
EXAGGERATIONS-HYPERBOLE LORE
(1) THE VILLAGE BOOZER MADE THE LOCAL BREWERY GO ON A 24-HOUR
SHIFT.
(2) THERE'S ENOUGH POETRY ON THE BOY'S WASHROOM WALLS TO PUT
SHAKESPEARE OUT OF BUSINESS!
Submitter comment:
I HEARD THE FIRST EXAGGERATION AT WORK FROM A BEER DRIVER.
THE SECOND EXAGGERATION I HEARD IN SCHOOL WHEN THE MAINTENANCE
MAN WAS FED UP WITH DIRTY LAVATORIES.
THESE EXAGGERATIONS ARE OUT OF THIS WORLD! DON'T YOU THINK?
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FRANKLIN VILLAGE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: 00001970S
ONOMATOPOEIA LORE
BOOM, HISS, MURMUR, ZOOM, MOAN, HUM, CHUG, SIZZLE, CUCKOO,
GLUG, CHUG-AH, PLOP, SPLASH, BUZZ
Submitter comment:
TAKING A LOT OF ENGLISH COURSES IN COLLEGE AND HIGHSCHOOL, I
WAS ABLE TO COLLECT THESE EXTRAORDINARY WORDS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FRANKLIN VILLAGE
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Onomatopoeia |
Date learned: 00001970S
EUROPEAN WOMEN WEAR WEDDING BANDS ON THE RIGHT HAND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Wedding ring |
Date learned: 02-22-1968
THE GOOD FAIRY
WHEN YOU LOSE A TOOTH, YOU PLACE IT IN A GLASS OF WATER BEFORE
GOING TO BED. UPON AWAKENING THE GOOD FAIRY WILL HAVE REPLACED
THE TOOTH FOR A DIME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome BELIEF -- Body part Senses Mouth, teeth, lips, tongue |