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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

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RIDDLE

IF HE HAD SEEN THE SAWDUST HE WOULDN'T HAVE DIED. WHY?
-- HE WAS A BLIND MIDGET WHO WORKED IN THE CIRCUS. HIS WHITE
CANE WAS ACCIDENTALLY CUT OR SAWED OFF. WHEN HE WOKE IN
MORNING, HIS CANE WOULDN'T TOUCH THE GROUND. THEREFORE, HE
KILLED HIMSELF BECAUSE HE THOUGHT HE HAD GROWN AND WOULD
LOSE HIS JOB IN THE CIRCUS.

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT

Keyword(s): CIRCUS

Subject headings: RIDDLE -- Riddle Question

Date learned: 03-01-1972

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NEW YEAR'S CUSTOM

DON'T HAVE WOMEN COMING TO YOUR HOUSE EARLY
IN THE MORNING OF NEW YEAR'S OR YOU WILL HAVE
BAD LUCK.

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): ANTIFEMINISM ; SEXISM

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Fixed DateFor specific dates, use the following system: F640.0101
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20
BELIEF -- Bad luck

Date learned: 01-31-1971

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BIRTH BELIEF

IF A NEW MOTHER LEAVES ANY DIAPERS AT A HOME SHE
IS VISITING, SOMEONE IN THAT HOME WILL SOON
BECOME PREGNANT.

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT

Subject headings: Observation

Date learned: 03-10-1970

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PROVERB

HE WHO SELDOM RIDES FORGETS HIS SPURS.

Where learned: HOME ; DEARBORN ; TOLD AT

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

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EPIPHANY CUSTOM

THE LETTERS KMB ARE WRITTEN ABOVE A DOORWAY IN THE HOUSE WITH BLESSED
CHALK RECIEVED ON THE FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY. THE THREE LETTERS ARE
THE INITALS OF THE THREE WISE MEN. DOING THIS WILL KEEP EVIL AWAY.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT DISPLAY THE LETTERS ABOVE HER BACK DOOR.

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; WARREN ; TOLD AT

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany January 6

Date learned: 02-22-1970

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OMEN FOR DEATH

IF A RED BIRD FLIES INTO A HOME THERE WILL BE A DEATH
IN THE FAMILY.

Where learned: HOME ; ; TOLD AT

Subject headings: Observation

Date learned: 03-27-1970

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EASTER EGG TRADITION

THERE IS A CUSTOM WITH THE POLISH PEOPLE OF PASSING AROUND
THE DINNER TABLE ONE BLESSED, HARD-BOILED EASTER EGG. THE
OLDEST MALE MEMBER OF THE FAMILY BEGINS TO BREAK THE SLICES
OF THE EGG WITH OTHER MEMBER OF THE FAMILY. USUALLY A
WISH IS MADE BETWEEN THE TWO AND THEN SEALED WITH A KISS.
HOWEVER, IF THE EGG DROPS, ONE OF THE TWO WILL NOT LIVE
TO SEE THE NEXT EASTER.

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN ; TOLD AT

Subject headings: Observation
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter eggs

Date learned: 03-27-1970

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OMEN

IF YOUR EARS ARE BURNING, THIS IS AN INDICATION THAT SOMEONE
IS TALKING ABOUT YOU.

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN ; TOLD AT

Subject headings: Observation

Date learned: 03-27-1970

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INDICATOR OF EMBARRASSMENT

IF YOU PUT YOUR UNDERWEAR ON INSIDE OUT, YOU WILL BE
EMBARRASSED SOME TIME DURING THAT DAY.

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN ; TOLD AT

Subject headings: Observation

Date learned: 03-27-1970

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INDICATOR OF SURPRISE

IF YOU BUTTON SOMETHING WRONG AND IF YOU LEAVE IT THAT WAY,
YOU WILL HAVE A SURPRISE.

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN ; TOLD AT

Subject headings: Observation

Date learned: 03-27-1970

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CUSTOMS

POLISH CUSTOM OF BREAKING BREAD TOGETHER ON CHRISTMAS.
THIS BREAD IS A TYPE OF A WAFER.

Data entry tech comment:

Informant and collector share the same surname.
 

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN HEIGHTS ; TOLD AT INFORMANT'S HOME

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82

Date learned: 02-24-1970

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CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER

AT CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER THE TABLE IS TO BE SET WITH AN ODD NUMBER
OF DISHES.

Submitter comment:

INFORMANT'S FAMILY PRACTICES THIS CUSTOM ON EACH CHRISTMAS EVE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; informant's home

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

Date learned: 02-06-1971

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CHRISTMAS

DURING CHRISTMAS SEASON FOR EVERY SPECIAL THING THAT A MEMBER OF THE
FAMILY DID, THE PERSON PUT A PIECE OF STRAW IN THE CRIB AND THEY
TRIED TO SEE HOW MUCH STRAW THEY COULD PUT IN FOR CHRISTMAS.

Submitter comment: THIS WAS DONE BY THE INFORMANT, 1950-1968 IN DETROIT.

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Manger scenes
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Straw

Date learned: 11-23-1970

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CHRISTMAS

ON CHRISTMAS EVE THE CRIB WAS PUT UP AND JESUS WOULD BE PUT IN IT.
AND CHRISTMAS HYMNS WOULD BE SUNG.

Submitter comment: THIS WAS DONE BY THE INFORMANT IN 1949-1950 TO 1968-1969.

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Manger scenes
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Songs, caroling

Date learned: 11-23-1970

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GRACE, GRACE DRESSED IN LACE/ WENT UPSTAIRS TO POWER HER FACE/ HOW
MANY BOXES DID SHE USE? (COUNT)

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT

Keyword(s): CHARACTER ; ENDURANCE ; Jump

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

Date learned: 11-23-1970

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NAMES

THE FIRST SON MUST BE NAMED AFTER THE BOY'S GRANDFATHER ON THE BOY'S
FATHER'S SIDE OF THE FAMILY. THIS IS AN ITALIAN CUSTOM.

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT

Subject headings: Person / Nickname

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ROPE JUMPING RHYME

WHEN YOU GET MARRIED AND YOUR HUSBAND GETS CROSS,
JUST PICK UP A STICK AND SHOW HIM WHO'S BOSS.

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE ; TOLD AT

James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE POSITIVE ; PETTICOAT GOVERNMENT ; SEXISM

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

Date learned: 02-22-1971

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CHRISTMAS

DURING THE CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER THE "OPLATKE" IS PASSED TO ALL THE
PEOPLE AT THE TABLE. THIS IS A HOST LIKE BREAD IMPRINTED WITH
THE SCENE OF THE LAST SUPPER. WHEN THIS BREAD IS PASSED FROM ONE
PERSON TO ANOTHER EACH PERSON WISHES HEALTH AND HAPPINESS TO THE
RECIPIENT. THIS IS A POLISH CUSTOM.

Data entry tech comment:

Informant is collector's mother.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT INFORMANT'S HOME

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82

Date learned: 03-19-1970

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BELIEF

SOME PEOPLE BELIEVE THAT IF A GIRL TAKES THE LAST OF ANYTHING,
AS A LAST PIECE OF CAKE, CANDY, ETC., SHE WILL BE AN OLD MAID.

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT

Subject headings: Observation

Date learned: 02-20-1970

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BELIEF

IF A GIRL SITS ON A TABLE, SHE WILL BE AN OLD MAID.

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT

Subject headings: Observation

Date learned: 02-20-1970

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