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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

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POLISH JOKE

Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.

YOU KNOW HOW A POLOCK TIES HIS SHOES? (INFORMANT THEN
PLACED HIS LEFT FOOT ON A CHAIR AND BENDS DOWN AND
TIES HIS RIGHT SHOE).

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Stupid man or woman
BELIEF -- Poli

Date learned: 04-05-1967

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CHRISTMAS CUSTOM

AMONG THE POLISH, A WIGILIA (VIGIL) FEAST IS ALWAYS KEPT ON
CHRISTMAS EVE. THE WHOLE FAMILY FASTS FOR THE ENTIRE DAY, AND
A LARGE RITUAL DINNER CLIMAXES THE PREPARATION FOR CHRISTMAS.
SEVEN ITEMS MUST BE INCLUDED IN THE MEAL:
1) LONG WAFER-LIKE PIECES OF BREAD, WHICH RESEMBLE THE HOST
USED IN MASS (THIS IS CALLED OPLOTKI). THE OLDEST PERSON IN
THE FAMILY TAKES A PIECE OF THIS, AND THEN PASSES IT AROUND THE
TABLE. THESE ARE USUALLY DECORATED IN BRIGHT COLORS, AND SCENES
OF THE NATIVITY ARE DEPICTED. THEN
(2) GARLIC IS SERVED IN SMALL SECTIONS, FOLLOWED BY
(3) BARSZCZ OR POTATO SOUP WITH VINEGAR.
(4) FISH IS THE MAIN COURSE, SINCE MEAT MAY NOT BE EATEN ON
CHRISTMAS EVE.
(5) PIEROGI, OR FRIED DUMPLING WITH STUFFING, ARE SERVED NEXT,
FOLLOWED BY
(6) MASHED POTATOES AND
(7) SWEET BREAD.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): ABSTINENCE FROM MEAT ; CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; FOOD ; holiday ; Vegetarian

Subject headings: 122 Christmas
686 Seven / Sevenths / Several
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82

Date learned: 10-15-1971

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ITALIAN CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER

EEL IS SERVED FOR DINNER ON CHRISTMAS EVE. THIS IS AN
ITALIAN CUSTOM WHICH SHE LEARNED FROM HER FATHER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CARPOOL ; EAST SIDE

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Single dishes

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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CHRISTMAS CUSTOM

ON CHRISTMAS EVE, THE INFORMANT'S FAMILY ALWAYS SETS ONE EXTRA
PLATE FOR DINNER. THE PLATE IS SUPPOSED TO BE FOR THE CHRIST CHILD.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; holiday ; Table Setting ; tradition

Subject headings: 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually.
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Christmas

Date learned: 01-00-1968

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BELIEF

HARD WORK WILL PUT HAIR ON YOUR ARMS.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): Arms ; BELIEF ; GROWTH ; HAIR ; SUPERSTITION ; WORK

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Work Commerce Business

Date learned: 03-29-1968

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ASH WEDNESDAY

ON ASH WEDNESDAY, THE FIRST DAY OF LENT, A SPECIAL MEAL WAS HAD BY
THE LITHUANIANS. RED JELLO WAS SERVED TO REMIND THE PEOPLE OF
THE RED BRICKS WHICH THE JEWS USED TO MAKE WHILE THEY WERE IN THEIR
CAPTIVITY IN EGYPT. HOLY CROSS BUNS WERE SERVED TO REMIND THE PEOPLE
THAT CHRIST HAS SAVED THE PEOPLE FROM THE SLAVERY OF SIN.

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT

Keyword(s): RELIGIOUS CUSTOM

Subject headings: 663 Ash Wednesday
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Monday

Date learned: 09-23-1971

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SUPERSTITION

NEVER GO IN THE FRONT DOOR AND IMMEDIATELY OUT ANOTHER DOOR
WITHOUT FIRST SITTING DOWN IN THE HOUSE.

Submitter comment:

CAROLYN LEARNED THIS FROM HER GRANDMOTHER WHO IS A FIRM
BELIEVER IN THE PRACTICE.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Door ; Entrance ; Exit ; Guest ; Home ; SUPERSTITION

James Callow Keyword(s): DIRECTION ; POSITION

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

Date learned: 09-20-1967

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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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WITCH BELIEF

TO BECOME A WITCH, TAKE ONE GOLD RING, ONE CANDLE STICK HOLDER
AND ONE SCARF; BURY THESE IN THE EARTH TILL THE NEXT FULL MOON;
AT THE NEXT FULL MOON, AT MIDNIGHT DIG UP THE RING, CANDLE-STICK
HOLDER AND SCARF AND BOIL THEM TOGETHER IN A LARGE POT. THE
CANDIDATE WITCH THEN RECITES CERTAIN MAGICAL PHRASES, AND THEN
EMERGES AS A FULL FLEDGED WITCH.

Data entry tech comment:

SPELLING CORRECTED BY KEY PUNCHER

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): MAGIC ; Spell ; Transform ; Witch

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Witch Shaman

Date learned: 11-13-1970

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PARODY OF "BYE, BYE BLACKBIRD"

PACK UP ALL MY UNDERWEAR, I DON'T CARE, I'LL GO BARE, BYE BYE
LONGJOHNS.
THEY WERE OH SO GOOD TO ME, TICKLED ME, HEE HEE HEE, BYE BYE
LONGJOHNS.
HOW I MISS THAT LITTLE TRAP DOOR BEHIND ME
IF YOU NEED ME YOU KNOW WHERE TO FIND ME.
PACK UP ALL MY UNDERWEAR, I DON'T CARE, I'LL GO BARE
LONGJOHNS--BYE BYE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS

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

Date learned: 11-04-1969

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BIG NOSE

CHRIS BELIEVED, WHEN SHE WAS YOUNG, THAT IF SHE TOLD A LIE
HER NOSE WOULD GROW.

Submitter comment: SHE THINKS HER PARENTS LED HER TO THAT BELIEF.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): FUNCTION ; LYING ; PINOCCHIO

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Body part Senses Nose
BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal

Date learned: 10-22-1968

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PALM SUNDAY

IN SOME CATHOLIC CHURCHES, ALL THE HOLY WATER IS PLACED IN
LARGE RECEPTICLES AND BLESSED. THIS WATER WILL BE USED THE
FOLLOWING YEAR.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT SAW THIS DONE IN NEW YORK CITY.

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT

Keyword(s): RELIGIOUS CUSTOM

Subject headings: 663 Palm Sunday
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Tuesday

Date learned: 08-00-1967

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PALM SUNDAY

ON PALM SUNDAY, BLESSED PALMS ARE RECEIVED BY THE PEOPLE IN MEMORY
OF CHRISTS RIDE THROUGH JERUSALEM.

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT

Keyword(s): RELIGIOUS CUSTOM

Subject headings: 663 Palm Sunday
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Tuesday

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POLISH FESTIVAL--EASTER VIGIL

"THE VIGILIA" - A THIRTEEN COURSE MEATLESS MEAL WITH DAIRY PRODUCTS
TO CELEBRATE END OF LENT AND THE COMING OF EASTER - MOSTLY COMPOSED
OF SOUPS AND SALADS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting F663.30

Date learned: 01-29-1968

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EASTER

HER GRANDMOTHER NEVER EATS FROM HOLY THURSDAY TO EASTER SUNDAY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): SELF-SACRIFICE--FASTING

Subject headings: 663 Holy Thursday
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday

Date learned: 11-00-1967

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Entry filtered.

FATAL HAIRDOES

SUICIDE BLONDE: DYED BY OWN HANDS
THAT IS A GIRL COULD RUIN HER HAIR BY COLORING IT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; DORM ROOM

Keyword(s): PUN

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hair, on head, mustache, widow's peak

Date learned: 11-10-1969

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PREDICTION

IF THE PALM OF YOUR HAND ITCHES, IT MEANS THAT YOU ARE GOING TO
RECEIVE SOME MONEY. IF YOUR NOSE
ITCHES, IT IS A SIGN THAT YOU
ARE GOING TO KISS A FOOL.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS

Subject headings: Observation

Date learned: 10-27-1969

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EASTER CUSTOM

AMONG THIS MAN'S FAMILY, IT WAS CUSTOMARY TO HAVE THE CHILDREN PUT A
CARROT ON THE FRONT PORCH ON THE EVENING OF HOLY SATURDAY (THE DAY
BEFORE EASTER) SO THAT THE EASTER BUNNY WOULD HAVE SOMETHING TO EAT
WHEN HE CAME TO VISIT THE HOUSE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM

Subject headings: 663 Holy Saturday
Favorites
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Bunny
BELIEF -- Mammal

Date learned: 10-16-1971

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OLD IRISH CUSTOM

IRISH MOTHERS THROW HOLY WATER ON THEIR KIDS WHEN THEY ARE
FIGHTING IN ORDER TO DRIVE OUT THE DEVIL. THE THROWING OF HOLY WATER
WAS SUPPOSED TO BE AN EXORCISM TO DRIVE THE RAGE(DEVIL) OUT OF
PEOPLE WHO WERE FIGHTING.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; RENO HALL ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): CUSTOM ; DEVIL ; EVIL EYE ; Fighting ; Holy Water ; IRELAND ; Irish ; Relationship ; Sibling

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

Date learned: 09-29-1968

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EASTER CUSTOM ( HOLY SATURDAY )

ON HOLY SATURDAY, POLISH PEOPLE TAKE A BASKET OF FOOD TO THE CHURCH
TO BE BLESSED. THIS FOOD MUST INCLUDE SAUSAGE, BUTTER, EGGS, GARLIC,
SALT, FRESH BREAD AND CHEESE. THE PRIEST BLESSES THIS FOOD WHICH IS
THEN EATEN COLD FOR EASTER SUNDAY BREAKFAST.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): SWIECZONKA

Subject headings: 663 Holy Saturday
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday
BELIEF -- Prayer

Date learned: 10-15-1971

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