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Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.

HOW MANY POLLOCKS DOES IT TAKE TO MAKE POPCORN? FIVE,
ONE TO HOLD THE POPCORN AND FOUR TO SHAKE THE STOVE!

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Poli

Date learned: 10-00-1983

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Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.

DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE NEW POLISH PARACHUTE? IT OPENS
ON IMPACT!

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Poli

Date learned: 10-00-1983

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THERE WAS A LEPER IN MCDONALD'S EATING, WHEN THIS
MAN COMES UP AND STARTS EATING IN THE BOOTH NEXT TO HIM.
AFTER A COUPLE OF MINUTES THE MAN THROWS UP. THE LEPER
SAYS, "I AM SORRY IF MY APPEARANCE DISTURBS YOU, BUT I
WAS BORN THIS WAY." THE OTHER GUY SAYS, "THAT'S OKAY."
AFTER A COUPLE OF MINUTES THE GUY THROWS UP AGAIN.
THE LEPER SAYS, "I AM SORRY. I WILL MOVE TO A DIFFERENT TABLE."
THE OTHER GUY SAYS, "NO, IT'S NOT YOU, IT'S THE GUY BEHIND
YOU DIPPING HIS CHICKEN MCNUGGETS IN YOUR NECK!"

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE

James Callow Keyword(s): SICK JOKE

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote

Date learned: 10-00-1983

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DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE NEW GERMAN MICROWAVE? THE
OVEN SEATS TWELVE!

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE

James Callow Keyword(s): HOLOCAUST

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote

Date learned: 10-00-1983

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HOW MANY JEWS CAN FIT INTO A V-W? 100, TWO IN THE BACK
SEAT, TWO IN THE FRONT SEAT, AND 96 IN THE ASH TRAY!

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE

James Callow Keyword(s): HOLOCAUST

Subject headings: RIDDLE -- Riddle Question

Date learned: 10-00-1983

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WHAT HAS 50,OOO LEGS,BUT CAN'T WALK? JERRY'S
KIDS!

Submitter comment:

THIS JOKE REFERS TO JERRY LEWIS AND HIS ANNUAL TELETHONE. HE
REFERS TO THE CHILDREN WITH MUSCULAR DESTROPHY AS HIS KIDS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote

Date learned: 10-00-1983

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MY BROTHER AND I USED TO HAVE A TOY BOWLING SET
BACK IN THE LATE 60s. SINCE WE WERE ONLY TODDLERS
WE WERE BOTH AFRAID OF THE NOISE MADE WHEN THE BALLS
STRUCK THE PINS. WE QUICKLY OUTGREW OUR CHILDISH
FEARS OF BOWLING, BUT WE WERE BOTH SCARED OF THUNDER.
MY FATHER THEN SAID NOT TO WORRY BECAUSE IT WAS
REALLY GOD BOWLING AGAINST THE DEVIL AND WHENEVER
GOD ROLLED A STRIKE THERE WAS THUNDER. I ALWAYS
THOUGHT ABOUT THAT AND SLEPT BETTER.

Submitter comment: THIS INFORMANT KNOWS WHAT HE'S TALKING ABOUT.
MY PARENTS TOLD ME THIS WHEN I LIVED IN ROSEVILLE.
THEY MADE IT UP IN ROSEVILLE, MICHIGAN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lightning Thunder

Date learned: 00-00-1968

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A MAN WAS WALKING DOWN A COUNTRY ROAD ONE NIGHT WHEN HE SAW
A HOTEL IN THE DISTANCE. FEELING TIRED, HE DECIDED TO STOP FOR
THE NIGHT.
"CAN I HELP YOU?" ASKED THE INNKEEPER AS THE MAN WALKED
INTO THE LOBBY.
"I COULD USE A ROOM," THE MAN REPLIED.
"I GOT ONE ROOM LEFT," ANSWERED THE INNKEEPER. "MY
DAUGHTER'S SLEEPING IN THERE, BUT I'LL LET YOU HAVE IT ANYWAY,
SO DON'T YOU GET NO IDEAS."
THE MAN AGREED, AND PICKED UP THE KEY. WHILE UNDRESSING
FOR BED, HE NOTICED THAT THE INNKEEPER'S DAUGHTER WAS QUITE
BEAUTIFUL, SO HE FIGURED THAT A GOOD-NIGHT KISS COULDN'T
HURT.
HE AWOKE THE NEXT MORNING, AND AS HE CHECKED OUT, HE ASKED THE
INNKEEPER WHY HIS MOUTH HAD BECOME FULL OF RICE WHEN HE KISSED
HIS DAUGHTER.
"YOU PEOPLE NEVER LISTEN," SIGHED THE INNKEEPER. "THAT
WASN'T RICE. IT WAS MAGGOTS. MY DAUGHTER'S BEEN DEAD FOR
SEVEN YEARS."

Submitter comment: I REPEATED THE STORY TO TWO FRIENDS. BOTH HAD ALREADY
HEARD A SIMILAR VERSION.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE

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

Date learned: 05-00-1980 ; 07-00-1980

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Japanese custom

Mochi known as sticky rice, is eaten to celebrate the new
year.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's
Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals

Date learned: 00-00-1925

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LITTLE DUCKY DUDDLE

MY MOTHER LEARNED THIS SONG WHEN SHE WAS IN KINDERGARTEN.
SHE TAUGHT IT TO ME WHEN I WAS ABOUT THE SAME AGE.
"LITTLE DUCKY DUDDLE"
LITTLE DUCKY DUDDLE
WENT WADING IN A PUDDLE
WENT WADING IN A PUDDLE, QUITE SMALL.
HE SAID,"IT DOESN'T REALLY MATTER,
HOW MUCH I SPLASH AND SPLATTER,
I'M ONLY A DUCKY AFTER ALL!"

Submitter comment: THIS WAS ORIGINALLY LEARNED AT PEASLEE SCHOOL,
CINCINNATI, OHIO. WE OFTEN SANG THIS SONG WHILE WALKING
IN THE RAIN. IT WAS ACCENTED WITH "QUACKING" SOUND
EFFECTS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE

Keyword(s): DUCK, RAIN

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

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THIS IS A FAMILY LEGEND ABOUT HOW POLISH PEOPLE CAME TO BE
KNOWN AS POLECATS BY OUR SOUTHERN KIN. WHEN MY MOTHER ANNOUNCED
HER ENGAGEMENT TO HER POLISH FIANCE, MY GRANDFATHER AND OTHERS
THOUGHT OF HIM AS A NORTHERN "POLELOCK." MY YOUNG COUSIN HAD A
DIFFICULTY WITH THE CONCEPT. HE CAME UP WITH THE IDEA THAT HIS
"AUNT KAY IS GOING TO MARRY A POLECAT!" THE ADULTS IN THE FAMILY
SEIZED THE IDEA. IT IS STILL USED AT FAMILY GATHERINGS.

Submitter comment: THE FIRST TIME I REMEMBER HEARING THE ORIGIN OF THE POLISH
POLECAT, I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT A POLECAT WAS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE

Keyword(s): SKUNK

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name

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MY FAMILY AND I WENT APPLE PICKING EVERY FALL OF MY
CHILDHOOD. WE WOULD GO TO ROMEO, MICHIGAN'S "BIG RED APPLE
ORCHARD AND RIDE A HAY WAGON TO THE TREES. ONE YEAR WHEN I WAS
ABOUT FIVE AND MY SISTER WAS ABOUT THREE, MY SISTER ATE AN APPLE--
SEEDS, CORE, AND ALL. MY GRANDPARENTS TOLD HER AN APPLE TREE
WOULD GROW IN HER TUMMY. SHE BELIEVED THEM AND SO DID I.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Plant
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Autumn Fall Harvest Thanksgiving
BELIEF -- Plant

Date learned: 00001973CA

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ON NEW YEAR'S DAY, MY MOTHER INSISTED THAT ALL OF OUR
CLOTHING BE NEW. USUALLY WE SAVED A CHRISTMAS GIFT OUTFIT FOR THE
OCCASION. SHE WOULD ALSO FIX A STEAK DINNER AND WE'D USE OUR
BETTER DISHES AND SILVERWARE. THIS WAS SO WE WOULDN'T BE POORLY
DRESSED OR HUNGRY FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR.

Submitter comment: MY FATHER ALSO REMEMBERS HIS MOTHER TELLING HIM THAT WHATEVER
HE DID ON NEW YEAR'S DAY WOULD INFLUENCE THE REST OF HIS YEAR.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE

Subject headings: 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually.
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's
ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Dress
Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals
BELIEF -- Measure of time Year

Date learned: 00001970S

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WHEN MY MOTHER WAS TALKING ON THE TELEPHONE WITH A FRIEND AND
WOULD BE LATE FOR AN APPOINTMENT IF SHE DIDN'T HANG UP SOON, HER
FRIEND TOLD HER TO SAY SHE WAS LATE BECAUSE SHE WAS TALKING TO
SOMEONE WHO HAD "A PHONOGRAPH NEEDLE FOR A TONGUE."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Blason Populaire
PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison

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EVERY YEAR MY FAMILY GATHERS AT MY HOUSE FOR A CHRISTMAS DAY
CELEBRATION. I'VE STARTED TO CALL THIS GATHERING THE "FOOL'S
CHRISTMAS" BECAUSE OF THE STRANGE ACTIVITIES WE DO. EACH YEAR WE
TRY TO TOP THE LAST YEAR'S SILLINESS. ALTHOUGH THERE ARE ALWAYS
INSULTS TO EACH OTHER, A LARGER ACTIVITY ALSO TAKES SHAPE. SOME
EXAMPLES FROM PREVIOUS YEARS ARE THE SINGING OF SHOW TUNES WITH
GENDER REVERSALS FOR THE LEADING ROLES AND THE CONSTRUCTION AND
WEARING OF REINDEER ANTLERS MADE OF GROCERY BAGS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below.

Date learned: 00001980S

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A FRIEND OF MINE USES "GREETINGS AND HALLUCINATIONS" AS A
GREETING INSTEAD OF "GREETING AND SALUTATIONS."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE

James Callow Keyword(s): DELIBERATE MALAPROPISM

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Formula

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THE BLOODY FINGER

ONCE THERE WAS A YOUNG GIRL WHO WAS BABYSITTING. THE CHILDREN
HAD BEEN PUT TO BED AND SHE WAS READY TO WATCH SOME TV WHILE
WAITING FOR THE PARENTS TO RETURN. SUDDENLY THE PHONE RANG. WHEN
SHE ANSWERED A VOICE SAID, "THE BLOODY FINGER IS COMING FOR YOU."
THE GIRL THOUGHT NOTHING OF THIS. IT WAS PROBABLY JUST A FRIEND
TRYING TO SCARE HER. SHE WENT TO MAKE SOME POPCORN. THE PHONE
RANG AGAIN. "THE BLOODY FINGER IS TEN MILES AWAY," THE VOICE
SAID. THE BABYSITTER STILL WASN'T WORRIED. THEN, THE POWER WENT
OUT! THE PHONE RANG. "THE BLOODY FINGER IS FIVE MILES AWAY."
THE GIRL FOUND A FLASHLIGHT. THE PHONE RANG AGAIN. "THE BLOODY
FINGER IS AT THE CORNER STORE." THE BABYSITTER WENT BACK TO THE
KITCHEN AND FOUND A BUTCHER KNIFE. THE DOORBELL RANG. THE
BABYSITTER WAS READY. SHE TOOK THE KNIFE AND ANSWERED THE DOOR.
A MAN STOOD ON THE FRONT PORCH. HE SMILED, HELD UP HIS BLEEDING
FINGER AND SAID..."HI! HAVE YOU GOT A BAND-AID?"

Submitter comment: THIS STORY WAS COMMON AT GRADE SCHOOL SLUMBER PARTIES. WHEN
ALL THE LIGHTS WERE OUT AND GHOST STORIES WERE BEING TOLD, "THE
BLOODY" FINGER WAS SURE TO BE INCLUDED.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE

James Callow Keyword(s): ANTICLIMAX

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale

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FOR AS FAR BACK AS I CAN REMEMBER, THE WOMEN AT OUR HOUSE HAVE
MADE TRADITIONAL POLISH CHRISTMAS COOKIES CALLED PIERNICKI. MY
NON-POLISH MOTHER LEARNED THE RECIPE FROM HER POLISH MOTHER-IN-LAW
WHEN MY AUNT DID NOT SHOW AN INTEREST IN CARRYING OUT THE
TRADITION OF MAKING THE SWEET AND SPICY COOKIES. EACH FAMILY'S
RECIPE IS DIFFERENT AND A CAREFULLY KEPT SECRET. PIERNICKI IS SO
SPECIAL THAT EATING THE DOUGH OR THE FINISHED COOKIE ENHANCES
READING COMPREHENSION! THE COOKIES ARE MADE IN LATE NOVEMBER,
USUALLY DURING THE THANKSGIVING BREAK FROM SCHOOL, WHICH IS JUST
IN TIME FOR HOLIDAY GIFT GIVING AND FOR STUDYING FOR FINAL EXAMS.

Submitter comment: OUR PIERNICKI HAS BECOME AN INSTITUTION. OUR RELATIVES LOOK
FORWARD TO RECEIVING THEIR GIFT OF COOKIES EVERY YEAR. BECAUSE
THE RECIPE IS A SECRET, IF IT IS FOUND IN A COOKBOOK, IT HAS BEEN
ALTERED BY THE SUBMITTER SO THAT HER COOKIES WILL BE BETTER THAN
SOMEONE WHO FOLLOWS THE BOOK RECIPE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F110
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Pastry
Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals

Date learned: 00001970S

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God Bless You

When I was a small child my grandmother told me that the reason
a person must say, "God bless you" after someone sneezes is that,
according to American-Indian beliefs, a man's spirit escapes his
body when he sneezes. When you "bless" him his spirit returns to
his body.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter
BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal
SPEECH -- Formula

Date learned: 00001960S

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Baskin-Robbins

An old woman went into a Baskin Robbins ice cream store. The
young man behind the counter asks if he can help her. The old woman
says "Yes, can you tell me what kind of ice cream you have?" The
young man knows that he could tell her to just read the sign, but
decides that perhaps she can't see well, so he tells her all 31
flavors that they carry and then says, "But we're all out of
chocolate today." The old woman says, "Fine, I'll have a gallon of
the chocolate." The young man then explains,"No, we don't have any
chocolate today." The old woman says, "Oh, that's right, what kind
do you have?" The boy sighs and says, "O.K., we have..." and names
all 31 flavors, "But we do not have any chocolate today!" The
woman then says, "O.K., I'll just have 1/2 gallon of your
chocolate." The boy repeats, "We don't have any chocolate!" The
woman says, "Well then, can you tell me what you do have?" The boy
says, "Lady! Oh, O.K.," and repeated all 31 flavors, "But we do not
have any chocolate!" The woman says, "Great! I'll have a double
dip chocolate cone." The boy says, "Lady, spell the van in
vanilla!" The woman says "Why?"; he says, "Just do it!" The woman
says, "O.K., V-A-N." The boy then says, "Good, now spell the straw
in strawberry." She says, "I really don't think this is relevant."
He says, "Just spell the straw in strawberry!" She says, "S-T-R-
A-W!" He says "Great!, spell the fuck in Chocolate!" The woman
says, "There ain't no fuckin chocolate!" The young man says,
"Lady, that's what I've been trying to tell you for the past 1/2
hour!"

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote
Filter - Mature Content

Date learned: 00001970S

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