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JOHNNY'S LICKINS

JOHNNY OVER THE OCEAN,
JOHNNY OVER THE SEA,
JOHNNY BROKE A BOTTLE AND BLAMED IT ON ME.
I TOLD MA,
MA TOLD PA,
JOHNNY GOT A LICKIN' AND A HA-HA-HA
HOW MANY LICKINS DID JOHNNY GET?

(JUMPS AT DOUBLE SPEED--RED HOT PEPPERS--UNTIL A MISS)

Data entry tech comment:

Informant and collector share the same surname and residence.

 

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HUNTINGTON WOODS ; informant's home

Keyword(s): CHARACTER ; ENDURANCE JUMP ; Speed Jump

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

Date learned: 11-10-1968

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JUMP-ROPE RHYME

JOHNNY OVER THE OCEAN,
JOHNNY OVER THE SEA,
JOHNNY BROKE THE MILK BOTTLE,
AND BLAMED IT ON ME.

I TOLD MA,
MA TOLD PA,
JOHNNY GOT A LICK'N. HA, HA, HA.
HOW MANY LICK'NS DID HE RECEIVE?

Submitter comment:

LEARNED IT FROM FRIENDS AND PLAYMATES.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; COLLECTED AT HER HOME ; Berkley

Keyword(s): CHARACTER ; ENDURANCE ; Jump

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

Date learned: 10-21-1967

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FORMULA SPEECH

WHILE HOLDING YOUR TONGUE SAY: "MOLASSES ON THE TABLE."
IT COMES OUT: MY ASS IS ON THE TABLE.
HE LEARNED THIS FROM A FRIEND OF HIS AT AUSTIN HIGH SCHOOL.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HIS HOME ; DETROIT

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Formula

Date learned: 10-21-1971

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TRAVELING VIGIL LIGHT OF MT. OLIVET CEMETRY.

SEVERAL YEARS AGO ONE OF THE GRAVES OF MT. OLIVET CEMETRY
WAS DUG UP AND THE BODY MOVED TO ANOTHER SPOT IN THE CEMETRY.
THE MOTHER OF THE DEAD PERSON LOOKED AND LOOKED FOR THE GRAVE
OF HER BELOVED BUT COULD NEVER FIND IT. IT HAS BEEN SAID THAT THE
VIGIL LIGHT WHICH THE MOTHER KEPT BURNING ON THE GRAVE NOW
ROAMS THE CEMETRY SEARCHING FOR THE GRAVE OF THE BODY THAT
WAS MOVED. MANY PEOPLE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO
SEE THE LIGHT MOVING ABOUT THE CEMETRY. ONE NIGHT WHEN AT A
GIRL FRIEND'S HOUSE THE INFORMANT WAS ASKED IF SHE WANTED TO GO TO
THE CEMETRY WITH A GROUP OF GIRLS TO LOOK FOR THE LIGHT. THE GIRL
FRIEND LIVED RIGHT NEXT TO THE CEMETRY AND KNEW THE SCHEDULE OF
THE WATCHMEN WHO WORKED IN THE CEMETRY. THE GIRLS CLIMBED THE FENCE
AND AFTER THEY HAD GONE A SHORT WAY INTO THE CEMETRY, THEY SAW THE
VIGIL LIGHT NOT MANY FEET IN FRONT OF THEM, MOVING ABOUT. THEY
RAN BACK TO THE HOUSE IN FEAR.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT WAS SURPRISED THAT MY BROTHER AND I WHO LIVE IN
THE IMMEDIATE NEIGHBORHOOD HAD NEVER HEARD OF THE TRAVELING
VIGIL LIGHT OF MT. OLIVET CEMETERY.

Data entry tech comment: THE WORD CEMETRY IS AS SPELLED BY THE COLLECTOR.

Where learned: HOME ; DETROIT, ASSUMED ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED

Keyword(s): GHOST

Subject headings: Favorites
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal

Date learned: 03-31-1967

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FORMULA SPEECH FOR CLEANING UP PLATE

"THE BIRDS COULD HAVE A PICNIC WITH WHAT YOU'VE LEFT ON YOUR PLATE."

Submitter comment: COLLECTOR HEARD THIS OFTEN IN HIS CHILDHOOD IF HE HAD LEFT FOOD ON
HIS PLATE AT THE COMPLETION OF A MEAL.

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Formula

Date learned: 11-23-1970

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FORMULA SPEECH FOR CLEANING UP PLATE

"TWO-THIRDS OF THE WORLD IS STARVING."

Submitter comment: COLLECTOR HEARD THIS OFTEN IN HIS CHILDHOOD IF HE HAD LEFT FOOD
ON HIS PLATE AT THE COMPLETION OF A MEAL.

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS

James Callow Keyword(s): PARENTAL REBUKE

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Formula

Date learned: 11-23-1970

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FORMULA SPEECH

"ARE YOU GOING TO BUY ONE OR BE ONE?"

Submitter comment: THIS IS SAID FREQUENTLY BY INFORMANT WHEN IT COMES TIME FOR ANOTHER
ROUND OF WHATEVER DRINK IS BEING CONSUMED.

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Formula

Date learned: 11-20-1970

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FORMULA SPEECH

IF YOU SAY "FAN DIBBS" TO A FRIEND BEFORE HE SAYS "DIBBS", THAT
MEANS THAT YOU DON'T HAVE TO SHARE WHAT YOU HAVE WITH HIM. BUT
IF HE SAYS "DIBBS" BEFORE YOU SAY "FAN DIBBS", THEN YOU HAVE TO
SHARE IT WITH HIM.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HIS HOME ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): DIBBS

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Formula

Date learned: 10-26-1971

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WINDOW CLEANER

KEROSINE OIL AND NEWS PAPER MAKES A BRIGHT WINDOW. USED BY PEOPLE IN THE DEEP SOUTH WITH OIL LAMPS.

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Work Commerce Business

Date learned: 10-07-1968

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SPELLING RHYME

CHICKEN IN A CAR,
CAR WON'T GO,
THAT'S THE WAY YOU SPELL CHICAGO}

Submitter comment: INFORMANT SAID THIS WHEN YOUNG IN THE 1920,S

Where learned: HOME ; PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH

Keyword(s): RHYME: AA

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Verse without Music

Date learned: 10-02-1971

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STICKS IN THE BUNDLE ARE UNBREAKABLE.
{OR} THE AMERICAN VERSION: UNITED WE STAND;
DIVIDED WE FALL.

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

Date learned: 09-15-1971

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LOOKING IN CORNERS

WHEN SOME PERSON YOU KNOW IS CONSTANTLY SNOOPING AROUND YOU CAN SAY
"ONLY MONKEYS LOOK IN CORNERS."
WHEN YOU WRITE A LETTER OR A NOTE YOU CAN WRITE "ONLY MONKEYS LOOK
IN CORNERS."

Submitter comment: THESE TWO GO TOGETHER BECAUSE OFTEN PEOPLE LOOK FOR MISTAKES IN
LETTERS THEY RECEIVE AND BY PUTTING THE PHRASE IN ONE OF THE CORNERS
YOU ARE SAYING THAT THE PERSON SHOULD ENJOY THE LETTER AND NOT LOOK
FOR MISTAKES. THIS IS A COMMON PRACTICE FOR THE INFORMANT.

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS

Keyword(s): ANIMAL COMPARISON

James Callow Keyword(s): PARA-RIME: BUY BE ; TREATING TO DRINKS

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Formula

Date learned: 01-24-1971

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HEAD OF FAMILY

SERVE THE HEAD OF THE FAMILY FIRST OR THE FAMILY WILL NO LONGER
HAVE A PROVIDER.

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222.
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank

Date learned: CA1963-1975

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CLOTHES

NEVER HANG CLOTHES BACKWARDS OR SOMETHING WILL HAPPEN TO THEM.

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Custom

Date learned: CA1963-1975

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SALT

NEVER WIPE SALT OFF THE TABLE, BLOWIT OFF,
OR YOU WILL HAVE BAD LUCK.

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

James Callow Keyword(s): SPILLED SALT

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Mineral
BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal
BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.17
BELIEF -- Conversions P883.17
BELIEF -- Conversions P883.22

Date learned: CA1963-1975

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GOOD LUCK

THROW SALT OVER YOUR SHOULDER FOR GOOD LUCK OR TO ERASE SOME
EVIL EFFECTS OF A MISTAKE SUCH AS WALKING UNDER A LADDER.

Where learned: HOME

Keyword(s): CONVERSION

James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Mineral
BELIEF -- Conversions

Date learned: NONE GIVEN

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RIDDLE

IF YOU PUT THREE DUCKS INTO A BOX, WHAT WILL YOU HAVE?
A BOX OF QUACKERS.

Where learned: HOME

Keyword(s): CONUNDRUM ; FOWL: DUCKS ; NUMBERS: THREE

James Callow Keyword(s): PUN ON CRACKERS

Subject headings: RIDDLE -- Riddle Question

Date learned: 11-11-1967

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RIDDLE

WHY DID THE LITTLE RED HOUSE CALL FOR A DOCTOR?
BECAUSE IT HAD A WINDOW PANE.

Where learned: HOME

Keyword(s): CONUNDRUM

James Callow Keyword(s): PUN ON PAIN

Subject headings: RIDDLE -- Riddle Question

Date learned: 11-05-1967

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RIDDLE

WHY IS BOWLING A QUIET GAME?
YOU CAN HEAR A PIN DROP.

Where learned: HOME

Keyword(s): GAMES: BOWLING ; RIDDLING QUESTION

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase
RIDDLE -- Riddle Question

Date learned: 09-30-1967

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RIDDLE

WHAT DID BEN FRANKLIN SAY WHEN HE DISCOVERED ELECTRICITY?
HOW SHOCKING}

Where learned: HOME

Keyword(s): CONUNDRUM ; FRANKLIN, BENJAMIN ; HISTORICAL ; RIDDLING QUESTION

James Callow Keyword(s): PUN

Subject headings: RIDDLE -- Riddle Question

Date learned: 11-27-1967

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