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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

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Proverb

"I see" said the blind man, as he picked up his hammer and saw.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Where learned: OHIO ; TOLEDO

Keyword(s): Aphorism ; Apothegm ; BLIND ; Hammer ; Maxim ; PLAY ON WORDS ; PROVERB ; PUN ; Saw ; See ; Sight ; VERSE ; Wellerism

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Wellerism Quotation

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Proverb

watch pot never boils.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

A?? watch ed??  pot never boils

Original BN [V600] crossed out. replaced with current classifications.

Located in pile marked Duplicates and Other Rejects

Where learned: OHIO ; TOLEDO

Keyword(s): Boil ; METAPHOR ; PATIENCE ; Pot ; View ; Watch ; WATER

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

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SAYING

SINCE I WAS KNEE HIGH TO A GRASSHOPPER.

Where learned: OHIO

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase

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Belief: Weather

The south wind brings wet weather,

The north wind wet and cold together,

The west wind always brings us rain,

The last wind blows it back again.

Submitter comment:

Verse without Music or Prediction Divination

Heard in School

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Dup. of WPP

Where learned: OHIO ; TOLEDO ;

Keyword(s): Compass ; DIRECTION ; North ; PREDICTING WEATHER ; PREDICTION ; Rain ; South: east West ; Wind

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

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I'M GOING TO GRANDMOTHER'S HOUSE AND I AM GOING TO TAKE A
----- (EACH PERSON ADDS AN ITEM, REPEATING ALL PRECEEDING
ITEMS UNTIL SOMEONE FORGETS, THEN THE STORY BEGINS AGAIN).

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: OHIO ; TROTWOOD

Keyword(s): GAME ; Grandmother ; House ; Language ; MEMORY

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale

Date learned: 04-00-1972

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Belief: Weather

Rain:

If it rains before seven, it will be clear before eleven.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Original BN [V800, P8] crossed out. Replaced with current classifications

Dup. of WPP

Where learned: OHIO ; TOLEDO

Keyword(s): NATURE ; PREDICTION ; Rain ; Sky ; TIME ; WEATHER

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

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SAYING

THAT WENT OVER LIKE A LEAD BALLOON.

Where learned: OHIO

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase

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Entry filtered.

SAYING

THAT WENT OVER LIKE A PORKCHOP AT A JEWISH WEDDING.

Where learned: OHIO

Keyword(s): FOOD

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Blason Populaire
PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison

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THERE ARE NO POCKETS IN SHROUDS.

Submitter comment: HEARD AMONG HOIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS.

Where learned: OHIO

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

Date learned: 00-00-1958

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Maxim

Sun and Rain:

Happy is the bride the sun shines on;

Lucky is the corpse that rain falls on.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Original BN [P880, P45] crossed out/ replaced with current classifications.

Where learned: OHIO ; TOLEDO

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Bride ; BURIAL ; Corpse ; DEATH ; Funeral ; MARRIAGE ; Maxim ; OMEN ; SUPERSTITION ; WEDDING

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Marriage
BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial

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SUPERSTITION

WHEN ONE HEARS NOISES THREE DAYS AFTER BURYING A LOVED ONE
IT MEANS HIS SPIRIT CAME BACK TO THANK THE FAMILY FOR ALL
THAT IT HAD DONE.

Where learned: OHIO ; CLEVELAND

James Callow Keyword(s): NUMBER

Subject headings: 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple
BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter
BELIEF -- Use of Object
SPEECH -- Extra Corporal Means of Communication

Date learned: 10-22-1968

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WHAT YOU WILL BE, YOU ARE NOW BECOMING.

Submitter comment: CONVERSATION

Where learned: OHIO

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim

Date learned: 00-00-1960

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Ethnic: Polish

IN POLAND, AND IN MANY POLISH-AMERICAN HOMES, THE VIGIL OF
CHRISTMAS IS A VERY SOLEMN OCCASION. A VARIETY OF FOOD IS SERVED,
TWELVE DISHES IN ALL, TO REPRESENT THE TWELVE APOSTLES. NO DAIRY
PRODUCTS ARE ALLOWED. IT ALSO CONSISTS OF SPECIAL WAFERS CALLED
OPTATKI, WHICH THE HEAD OF THE HOUSEHOLD DISTRIBUTES TO EACH
MEMBER OF THE FAMILY.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated / 02-24-2011 / TRD

Where learned: OHIO ; TOLEDO

Keyword(s): ABSTINENCE ; CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; DAIRY ; Dinner ; ETHNIC ; FAMILY ; Feast ; FOOD ; holiday ; POLAND ; POLISH ; SYMBOL ; Symbolic ; Vigil

Subject headings: 122 Christmas
686 Seconds / Twice / Two
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82

Date learned: 10-27-1968

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THEY REMEMBER A REFUSE COLLECTOR GOING THROUGH ALLEYS
BOTH DETROIT, MICHIGAN AND TOLEDO, OHIO, AND THEY REFERRED
TO HIM AS THE SHEENY MAN.
MRS. GENTILE SAID THE ONE IN TOLEDO HAD A KAZOO-LIKE HORN
WHICH HE BLEW, TO LET PEOPLE KNOW HE WAS COMING.
MR. GENTILE SAID THAT THE BOYS USED TO SWITCH THE REINS
ON THE HORSE AROUND, SO THAT WHEN THE MAN CAME BACK
FROM MAKING HIS COLLECTIONS IN THE HOUSES,
HE HAD A HARD TIME STEERING THE ANIMAL, SINCE THE
LINES WERE REVERSED.
MRS. GENTILE SAID THAT WHEN SHE WAS YOUNG AND LIVING
IN TOLEDO, OHIO, HER BROTHER {JOHN}, BEING JEALOUS OF A
NEW BORN BROTHER {PAUL}, WANTED TO GIVE HIM AWAY TO THE
SHEENY MAN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; OHIO ; TOLEDO ; DETROIT ; HUNTINGTON WOODS

Subject headings: Person / Nickname

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BLEEDING HEART

IF YOU TAKE APART A BLEEDING HEART BLOSSOM IN FULL BLOOM
YOU WILL GET 2 RABBITS, 2 SLIPPERS, 2 EARRINGS, AND A BOTTLE.

Submitter comment:

PARTS OF THE FLOWER RESEMBLE THESE THINGS
SAYS COLLECTOR

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: OHIO ; TOLEDO

Keyword(s): Botany ; Bottle ; Earring ; FLOWER ; Items ; Lore ; Rabbit ; Represent ; Slipper ; SYMBOL

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Plant

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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IN A CLEVELAND FOUNDRY A GESTURE FOR OVERTIME IS GIVEN
AS A RIGHT HAND CURVING "OVER" THE OUTSTRETCHED LEFT
HAND. THIS PART OF THE GESTURE IS ACCOMPANIED BY
THEN RAISING THE NUMBER OF FINGERS CORRESPONDING
TO THE NUMBER OF HOURS OF OVERTIME.

Where learned: OHIO ; CLEVELAND

Subject headings: 602 Body Parts
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Work Commerce Business
BELIEF -- Number Counting beliefs
SPEECH -- Instructions Directions

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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HORROR STORY

TWO GIRLS WERE ASLEEP IN THEIR ROOM. ONE OF THE GIRLS
AWOKE WHEN SHE HEARD HUMMING. SHE POKED HER SISTER
TO ASK HER IF SHE HEARD IT, TOO. RECEIVING NO ANSWER,
SHE TURNED ON THE LIGHT. THERE IN A ROCKER SAT AN OLD
MAN ROCKING BACK AND FORTH HUMMING TO HER SISTER'S
SEVERED HEAD, WHICH HE HELD IN HIS ARMS.

Submitter comment: GIRL FINDS MURDERER IN ROCKING CHAIR HOLDING HER SISTER'S SEVERED
HEAD AND HUMMING.

Where learned: OHIO ; PORT CLINTON

Keyword(s): GORE

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ordinary Tale

Date learned: 1964-65

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Luck

In order for a horseshoe to be lucky, it has to be turned up.
If it faces down all the luck will run out.

Where learned: OHIO ; CLEVELAND ; ca 1931

James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Good luck

Date learned: 00-00-1931

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RIDDLE MORON JOKE

WHY DID THE MORON THROW BUTTER OVER THE CLIFF?
HE WANTED TO DEE THE BUTTER FLY.

Where learned: OHIO

Keyword(s): HUMOR

Subject headings: RIDDLE -- Riddle Question

Date learned: NOT GIVEN BY COLLECTOR

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Entry filtered.

WHY DID THE MORON TIPTOE PAST THE MEDICINE CLOSET?
HE DIDN'T WANT TO WAKE THE SLEEPING PILLS.

Where learned: OHIO

Keyword(s): MORON

Subject headings: RIDDLE -- Riddle Question

Date learned: 00-00-1965

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