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AUTOGRAPH BOOK VERSE

REMEMBER M., REMEMBER E., PUT 'EM TOGETHER AND REMEMBER ME.

Submitter comment: 'EM IS ME SPELLED BACKWARDS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights

James Callow Keyword(s): CHIASMUS

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

Date learned: CA00001970

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AUTOGRAPH BOOK VERSE

BUY A FORD, THEY'RE THE BEST. THEN RIDE A MILE AND WALK THE REST.

Submitter comment: THE WORD FORD IS AN ABBREVIATION FOR A COMMON RETORT WHICH
MEANS "FIX OR REPAIR DAILY."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights

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

Date learned: CA00001970

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BASEBALL GAME "PITCHER-CATCHER"

TWO PEOPLE PLAY THIS GAME, ONE PERSON IS THE PITCHER,
THE OTHER IS THE CATCHER. THE PERSON PITCHING MUST
THROW STRIKES TO THE CATCHER. IF HE THROWS FOUR BALLS,
THE "IMAGINARY HITTER" WALKS AND TAKES A BASE. THE TWO
PLAY FOR THREE OR MORE INNINGS. THE PERSON WHO HAS
GIVEN UP THE MOST RUNS LOSES.

Submitter comment: THIS GAME IS FOR THOSE WHO ENJOY BASEBALL. THE GAME
STRENGTHENS A PERSON'S ARM AND TEACHES HIM TO THROW
STRIKES AT A CONSISTANT RATE. MANY TIMES WHEN THIS
GAME WAS PLAYED, THE FINAL
OUTCOME WAS A LOW-SCORING GAME.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Bodily Activity
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Athletic sport and exercise Gymnastics
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement

Date learned: CA00001967

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BASEBALL GAME "FLYBALLS"

AGAIN, TWO PEOPLE PLAY HERE. THE PLAYERS CHALLENGE
EACH OTHER WITH FLYBALLS. BALLS THAT FALL IN AT
CERTAIN POINTS ARE DESIGNATED AS A SINGLE, DOUBLE,
TRIPLE, OR HOME RUN. THE PERSON THAT SCORES THE MOST
RUNS AFTER NINE INNINGS IS THE WINNER. FLYBALLS THAT
ARE CAUGHT ARE OUTS; THREE OUTS ENDS THAT PERSON'S SIDE
OF THE INNING.

Submitter comment: THIS GAME IS FOR THOSE WHO ENJOY BASEBALL AND FOR THOSE
WHO WANT TO IMPROVE THEIR SKILLS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Bodily Activity
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Athletic sport and exercise Gymnastics
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement

Date learned: CA00001967

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NAMING OF CHILDREN

IN MOST GREEK FAMILIES, THE FIRST BORN CHILD IS NAMED
AFTER THE FATHER'S PARENTS, DEPENDING ON IF IT IS A
BOY OR A GIRL. CHILDREN BORN AFTER THE FIRST CHILD
WILL BE NAMED AFTER ITS REMAINING GRANDPARENTS. IF THE
PARENTS HAVE MORE THAN FOUR CHILDREN, THEN THEY WILL BE
NAMED AFTER UNCLES AND AUNTS.

Submitter comment: THIS IS A TRADITION THAT HAS BEEN GOING ON IN GREEK
FAMILIES FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS. IT HAS BEEN PASSED
ON FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION, AND IT WILL
CONTINUE IN THE YEARS TO COME.
THIS IS A GREEK-AMERICAN CUSTOM.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights

Subject headings: Person / Nickname
686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually.
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Baptism Naming rite

Date learned: CA00001962

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HOLY SATURDAY CUSTOM

SERVICES FOR HOLY SATURDAY ARE HELD AT 12:00 MIDNIGHT.
AT THIS TIME, ALL OF THE LIGHTS IN THE CHURCH ARE TURNED
OFF. THE PRIEST AND THE PARISHIONERS HAVE CANDLES. THE
PRIEST'S CANDLE IS LIT IN THE ALTAR IN THE CHURCH.
HERE THE PRIEST LIGHTS THE PARISHIONERS CANDLES UNTIL
ALL CANDLES ARE LIT. SONGS ARE THEN SUNG TO PROCLAIM
CHRIST'S RESSURECTION.

Submitter comment: THE RESSURECTION OF CHRIST ON HOLY SATURDAY EVENING IS
CELEBRATED IN THIS MANNER AT ALL OF THE GREEK ORTHODOX
CHURCHES IN THE WORLD. AFTER THE SERVICE IS OVER, THE
FAMILIES GO HOME WHERE HUGE MEALS OF SOUP, LAMB, BREAD,
WINE, RICE, AND OTHER ASSORTED GREEK DELICACIES ARE SERVED.
THIS IS A GREEK-AMERICAN CUSTOM.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights

Subject headings: 663 Holy Saturday
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Week Day Hour
Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals

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Entry filtered.

POLISH JOKE

Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.

"WHY DO POLISH PEOPLE'S LAST NAME END IN SKI?"
"BECAUSE THEY CAN'T SPELL TOBAGGEN!"

Submitter comment:

THIS JOKE RELATES TO THE SUPERFICIAL STUPIDITY OF
THE POLISH RACE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights

James Callow Keyword(s): PUN

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Poli

Date learned: CA00001974

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WHITE HEATHER

THE CELTIC BARD OSSIAN HAD A DAUGHTER MALVINA WHO WAS FAIR AND
GENTLE. SHE WAS BETROTHED TO OSCAR, A WARRIOR.
ONCE IN THE GLORY OF AUTUMN, MALVINA AND HER FATHER WERE SITTING ON
THE MOOR'S EDGE TALKING OF OSCAR'S RETURN FROM WARLIKE EXPEDITION.
OVER THE HEATHER CAME LIMPING TO THEM A RAGGED MESSENGER.
WOUNDED AND WEARY HE KNELT BEFORE THEM. HOLDING OUT A SPRAY OF
PURPLE HEATHER TO MALVINA, HE TOLD HER THAT IT CAME FROM OSCAR AS
A LAST TOKEN OF HIS LOVE FOR HE WAS SLAIN IN BATTLE AND HIS
HENCHMEN HAD BARELY ESCAPED TO BRING THE NEWS.
AS MALVINA LISTENED, HER TEARS FELL ON THE PURPLE HEATHER WHICH
IMMEDIATELY BECAME WHITE.
AS SHE WANDERED OVER THE MOORS, HER TEARS OFTEN FELL UPON THE
CLUMPS OF PURPLE HEATHER WHICH IMMEDIATELY TURNED WHITE. THEN,
EVEN IN THE BITTERNESS OF HER OWN SORROW, MALVINA SAID
"ALTHOUGH IT IS THE SYMBOL OF MY SORROW, MAY THE WHITE HEATHER
BRING GOOD FORTUNE TO ALL WHO FIND IT".

Submitter comment: I RECEIVED THIS STORY FROM LESLIE WOODS, WHO HEARD THIS FROM
HER GRANDFATHER WHEN SHE WAS A LITTLE GIRL.
HER GRANDFATHER HEARD THIS STORY HIMSELF WHEN HE WAS A LITTLE
BOY IN ENGLAND AND PASSED IT ON.
THIS STORY HAS BEEN PASSED ON FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION, AND
WILL PROBABLY CONTINUE TO BE PASSED ON.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Legend

Date learned: 00-00-1975

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IRONY

COLDER THAN A SNOWBALL IN A WARM REGION.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison

Date learned: 00-00-1935

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EASTER BREAKFAST CUSTOM

THE DECORATED HARD-BOILED EGGS, WHICH HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN HIDDEN,
WERE EATEN. THE BREAKFAST ALSO CONSISTED OF BAKED HAM, KIELBASA,
AND NUTBREAD, MY GREAT GRANDMOTHER'S RECIPE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday
Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals

Date learned: 00-00-1960

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RHYME

"PINCH, POKE, YOU OWE ME A COKE," IS SAID WHEN TWO PEOPLE, IN A
CONVERSATION, SAY THE SAME THING AT THE SAME TIME.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights

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

Date learned: 00-00-1975

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FAREWELL RHYME

SEE YA LATER ALLIGATOR,
AFTER WHILE CROCODILE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights

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

Date learned: 00-00-1967

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DISGUST SAYING

FOR CRYING OUT LOUD}

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights

James Callow Keyword(s): EXCLAMATION

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Formula

Date learned: 00-00-1970

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DISGUST SAYING

FOR HEAVENS SAKES}

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights

James Callow Keyword(s): EXCLAMATION

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Formula

Date learned: 00-00-1970

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CURE

TO GET RID OF WARTS, DO THE FOLLOWING:
1) CUT A POTATO IN TWO HALVES.
2) WITH ONE OF THE HALVES, RUB THE WART WITH ITS CUT ENDS.
3) BURY THAT HALF OF POTATO.
THE WARTS WILL BE GONE IN TWO WEEKS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights

James Callow Keyword(s): TRANSFER

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Method of Curing

Date learned: 00-00-1940

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SAILOR'S RHYME

PINK AT NIGHT, SAILOR'S DELIGHT.
PINK IN THE MORNING, SAILORS TAKE WARNING.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse C730.462
BELIEF -- Color

Date learned: 00-00-1970

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HOT DOG FROZEN TAG

PLAYED JUST LIKE REGULAR TAG, ONE PERSON IS "IT". THE PERSON WHO IS
"IT" THEN TRIES TO TAG THE OTHER PLAYERS. UPON BEING TAGGED THE
PERSON MUST "FREEZE" IN THEIR TAGGED POSITION. THE ONLY WAY
THEY CAN BECOME UNFROZEN IS IF ANOTHER PLAYER, WHO IS NOT FROZEN,
CRAWLS THROUGH THE FROZEN PERSON'S LEGS. HOWEVER, IF THE PERSON
IS TAGGED WHILE TRYING TO UNFREEZE ANOTHER PLAYER, HE MUST REMAIN
IN THAT POSITION, THUS PREVENTING ANY POSIBLE CHANCES OF
BECOMING UNFROZEN BY ANY OTHER PLAYERS.
THE LAST PERSON TO BE TAGGED IS "IT".

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Racing Chasing Fighting

Date learned: 00-00-1967

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DEVIL'S NIGHT

ON DEVIL'S NIGHT CHILDREN WOULD "INVADE" THE NEIGHBORHOOD. ON
THIS HALLOWEEN EVE, THE KID WOULD DO SUCH THINGS AS:
SOAP WINDOWS, RING DOOR BELLS, AND TOILET-PAPER TREES. SOME
PRANKSTERS WILL INVOLVE THEMSELVES IN MORE HARSH PRANKS AS:
LETTING AIR OUT OF TIRES, BREAKING EGGS ON CARS, OR EVEN DAMAGE
PROPERTY

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F103
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion

Date learned: 00-00-1970

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RED ROVER

TWO TEAMS FACE EACH OTHER. EACH TEAM FORMS A CHAIN BY LINKING ARMS.
ONE SIDE CALLS, "RED ROVER, RED ROVER, SEND JOHNNY RIGHT OVER."
JOHNNY THEN TRIES TO BREAK THE CHAIN BETWEEN THE TWO PEOPLE.
1. IF HE SUCCEEDS, HE MAY THEN CHOOSE ANY OPPOSING PLAYER TO
JOIN HIM ON HIS ORIGINAL TEAM. THIS WILL MAKE THAT CHAIN LONGER.
2. IF HE FAILS TO BREAK THE CHAIN, THEN HE MUST JOIN THE OTHER
TEAM. EACH TEAM TAKES TURNS CALLING PEOPLE OVER. THE GAME IS
PLAYED UNTIL THERE IS ONE PLAYER LEFT, WHO WHEN CALLED OVER,
FAILS TO BREAK THE CHAIN, THEREFORE ALL THE PLAYERS ARE ON ONE
SIDE. EVERYONE COMES OUT A WINNER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Athletic sport and exercise Gymnastics

Date learned: 00-00-1967

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STATUES

AT THE BEGINNING OF THE GAME, ONE PERSON IS CHOSEN TO BE A
CUSTOMER, WHO WANTS TO BUY A STATUE. ANOTHER PERSON IS CHOSEN
TO SELL THE STATUES. THE REMAINING PEOPLE WILL BE THE STATUES.
THE CUSTOMER MOVES OUT OF SIGHT AND HEARING DISTANCE. THE CLERK
THEN TAKES, ONE BY ONE, EACH PLAYER AND SPINS THEM BY THE ARM
CAUSING THEM TO FALL ON THE GROUND. WHATEVER POSITION THEY LAND
IN THEY MUST REMAIN THAT WAY. THE STATUE THEN WHISPERS TO THE
CLERK WHAT KIND OF ANIMAL THEY WANT TO BE. THE CUSTOMER THEN
ENTERS THE STORE AND MAY CHOOSE ANY STATUE HE LIKES. THE CLERK
WINDS UP THE STATUES INDIVIDUALLY, CAUSING THE STATUES TO ACT
OUT WHAT HE IS SUPPOSED TO BE. IF THE CUSTOMER CAN GUESS WHAT
THE STATUE IS, THEN HE MAY BUY THAT STATUE. THE STATUE HE SELECTS
BECOMES THE CUSTOMER IN THE NEXT GAME. THE CUSTOMER BECOMES THE
CLERK AND THE CLERK BECOMES A STATUE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights

Subject headings: Shadow / Pantomime
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Dramatic

Date learned: 00-00-1967

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