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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

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VOCABULARY: GREAT LAKES SAILING

"LET HER GO" (UP THE KNOTAGE PER HOUR BY SETTING THE THROTTLE FORWARD
ONE NOTCH).

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TRAVERSE CITY

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Trade & commerce

Date learned: 02-21-1970

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VOCABULARY: GREAT LAKES SAILING

"POPPING RIVETS" (RIVETS SHOOTING OUT FROM BOW AND HULL PLATES FROM
SEVERE SEA AND WIND STRAIN; A FRIGHTENING OCCURRENCE DURING HEAVY
GALES; IN THE INTERIOR OF THE SHIP)

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TRAVERSE CITY

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Trade & commerce

Date learned: 02-21-1970

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VOCABULARY: GREAT LAKES SAILING

"BRAIN BOX" (THE PILOT HOUSE)

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TRAVERSE CITY

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Trade & commerce

Date learned: 02-21-1970

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VOCABULARY: GREAT LAKES SAILING

"DROP THE HOOK" (LOWER THE ANCHOR)

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TRAVERSE CITY

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Trade & commerce

Date learned: 02-21-1970

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VOCABULARY: GREAT LAKES SAILING

"PICKING US UP" (DURING A FEVERISH RACE AT FULL STEAM FOR FIRST
POSITION TO UNLOAD IN THE PORT, THE ASTERN GAINS)

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TRAVERSE CITY

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Trade & commerce

Date learned: 02-21-1970

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VOCABULARY: GREAT LAKES SAILING

"ARM THE LEAD LINE" (TO STICK SOAP OR WAX IN THE LEAD, LOWER IT TO
THE BOTTOM WHICH STICKS TO TO SOAP OR WAX IN ORDER TO TELL THE BOTTOM
TEXTURE)

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TRAVERSE CITY

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Trade & commerce

Date learned: 02-21-1970

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VOCABULARY: GREAT LAKES SAILING

"DEAD SEA" (A HEAVY SEA AFTER THE WIND HAS DIED)

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TRAVERSE CITY

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Trade & commerce

Date learned: 02-21-1970

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VOCABULARY: GREAT LAKES SAILING

"SQUAWK BOX" (THE RADIO TELEPHONE)

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TRAVERSE CITY

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Trade & commerce

Date learned: 02-21-1970

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VOCABULARY: GREAT LAKES SAILING

"DEATH'S DOOR" (THE ENTRANCE TO GREEN BAY(THE BAY NOT THE CITY) FROM
THE OPEN LAKE)

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TRAVERSE CITY

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Trade & commerce

Date learned: 02-21-1970

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GEOGRAPHY

CURIOUSLY, WHEN ONE IS HEADED NORTH ON LAKE MICHIGAN, ONE IS "DOWN-
WARD," AND HEADED SOUTHWARD TO CHICAGO, ONE IS "UPBOUND." THIS OCCURS
ONLY ON LAKE MICHIGAN. THE NAVIGATIONAL AND MARITIME TRADITION WHICH
DEFINES THE CONCEPTS "UPBOUND"AND "DOWNBOUND" IS THAT "DOWNBOUND" IS
ALWAYS "SEAWARD TO THE HEAD OF NAVIGATION." HENCE, ON THE GREAT LAKES
"DOWNWARD" IS THE DIRECTION OF THE ST. LAWRENCE SEAWAY FROM THE
LAKES. YET, ON LAKE ERIE, SAILORS DO NOT DESIGNATE DIRECTION BY
"UPBOUND" OR "DOWNBOUND" BUT "EASTBOUND" OR "WESTBOUND"

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TRAVERSE CITY

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Trade & commerce

Date learned: 02-21-1970

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RETORT

THAT'S AS FUNNY AS A SCREEN DOOR ON A SUBMARINE.

Where learned: WASHINGTON DC

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Formula

Date learned: 04-18-1971

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PUNCTUATION

THAT THAT IS IS THAT THAT IS THAT THAT IS NOT IS THAT THAT IS NOT

Submitter comment: FIRST HEARD BY INFORMANT(MY FATHER) AT ST. MIENARD BENEDICTINE
SEMINARY TERRE HAUTE, INDIANA.

Keyword(s): PUZZLE

Subject headings: RIDDLE -- Riddle Question

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Proverb

...as slow as molasses in January.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Dup of WPP

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; TRAVERSE CITY

Keyword(s): Cold ; January ; Molasses ; Month ; SIMILE ; Slow ; SPEED ; TIME

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison

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Entry filtered.

Proverbial Comparison

Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.

...as shiny as a nigger's heel.

Data entry tech comment:

 added by TRD

James Callow comment:

The word as is underlined.

Dup of WPP

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; TRAVERSE CITY

Keyword(s): Foot ; Heel ; Offensive ; RACISM ; Racist ; SIMILE

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison
Filter - Mature Content

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Toast

Are you making food for thrashers?

Submitter comment:

This question is usually directed toward the woman of the house who is preparing a large dinner.

Informant's Comment: An Indian custom at thrashing-time is for all the farmers to meet at one farm to help thrash the wheat. The women prepare the noon meal for the thrashers. In the same sense "making food for thrashers" implies a large amount or an overabundance.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Original BN [V400] is crossed out. Replaced with current classification.

Where learned: WASHINGTON DC

Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; FARMING ; FOOD ; RETORT ; Thrashers ; Wheat

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Formula

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Retort

"A tee-hee's egg in a ha-ha's nest."

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Original BNs [S200, S500, S560, V700, V600] crossed out. Replaced with current classification.

"Polite" taunt? A kidding remark?

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; TRAVERSE CITY

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Formula

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BAD LUCK ON SHIPS(COLLECTOR'S TITLE' ; BAD LUCK ON SHIPS (COLLECTORS TITLE) ; HUMAN BEINGS AND THEIR ACTIVITIES (CLASSIFIER'S TITLE)

WOMEN ARE BAD LUCK ON BOARD ANY SHIP.

Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM OTHER SAILORS AT SAILING REGATTAS.

Where learned: OHIO ; WASHINGTON COURT HOUSE

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.2

Date learned: 11-14-1967

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SWIFTIES, TOM

"I HAVE VERY FEW IN MY GARDEN." HE SAID LACKADAISICALLY.

Where learned: WASHINGTON ; WASHINGTON DC

Keyword(s): LAZY DAISY

James Callow Keyword(s): PUN

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Wellerism Quotation

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CUSTOM

A LEMON CUT OPEN IN AN ICEBOX IS SUPPOSED TO KEEP THE
ICEBOX SMELLING FRESH.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE

Keyword(s): Cleaning ; Domestic ; Household ; Housekeeping ; Icebox ; Lemon ; Scent

Subject headings: Food Drink -- Plant food Fruit
BELIEF -- Home

Date learned: 04-00-1971

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School Cheer

We don't drink,
We don't cuss,
Norfolk, Norfolk.

I am told that this is the most often repeated cheer for the biggest high school in Norfolk, Virginia.

 

Submitter comment:

Informant says that he heard this from a class mate of his in Washington, DC in the fall of 1967.

 

Where learned: Washington, DC

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

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