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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

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GRANOLAS

GRANOLAS ARE A TYPE OF PEOPLE THAT ARE CLASSIFIED BY THE
LEVELS OF GRAINS (1-5). YOU MUST HAVE THE QUALITIES OF THE
PREVIOUS GRAINS TO GO ONTO THE NEXT LEVEL.
THE FIRST GRAIN WEARS HIPPIE-TYPE CLOTHES (BAGGY SKIRTS AND
LOTS OF PAISLEY), HAS LONG HAIR AND TALKS ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL
PHILOSOPHY AND PEACE.
THE SECOND GRAIN IS SOMEONE WHO PLAYS "THE INSTRUMENT" (THE
GUITAR). OR RIDES A MOUNTAIN BIKE IN SUBZERO DEGREE WEATHER.
THE THIRD GRAIN IS ANYONE WHO IS IN A GREEN PEACE ORGANIZATION
SUCH AS GREEN PEACE.
THE FOURTH GRAIN IS SOMEONE WHO LIVES BY THEMSELF IN A SHACK
IN THE MOUNTAINS.
THE FIFTH GRAIN TALKS ENVIRONMENTAL PHILOSOPHY THAT IS "OVER
THE HEAD" OF ANYONE OTHER THAN ANOTHER 5 GRAIN GRANOLA.

Submitter comment: THIS WAS REFERRED TO BY THE FRIEND AS "WESTERN SLANG."

Where learned: LETTER ; ALASKA ; FRIEND

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Vocabulary

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EPIPHANY

AMONG THE MINNESOTA SWEDES OF THE EARLY 20TH CENTURY FROM CHRISTMAS
DAY ONWARD A ROUND OF DINNER PARTIES OF RELATIVES AND FRIENDS WAS
ATTENDED UNTIL EPIPHANY OR THE 12TH DAY ENDED THE SEASON'S
FESTIVITIES.

Where learned: HOME ; ROUTE 1 ; WRITTEN IN A LETTER

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- 39815
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- 39816
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 4
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 5
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 26 Boxing Day St. Stephen's Day
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F122
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 28 Holy Innocents
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F122
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F123
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve

Date learned: 03-28-1970

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CHRISTMAS DAY - JULOTTA

ACCORDING TO SWEDISH-LUTHERAN CUSTOM CHURCH SERVICES WERE HELD ON
CHRISTMAS DAY AT 6:00 IN THE MORNING. JULOTTA IN SWEDISH MEANS
LITERALLY CHRISTMAS MORNING HOUR. THE CHURCH WAS DECORATED WITH
SPRUCE, CNADLES AND TWO LARGE GAILY CHRISTMAS TREES FOR JULOTTA.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT HAS MANY HAPPY MEMORIES OF CHRISTMAS JULOTTA SERVICES.

Where learned: HOME ; ROUTE 1 ; WRITTEN IN A LETTER

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below.
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas tree
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Songs, caroling
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Church

Date learned: 03-28-1970

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ASHES FROM THE COAL STOVE WERE USED FOR SCOURING
POWDER; WE HAD NO COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS FOR THAT
PURPOSE.

Where learned: LETTER

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Home
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Work Commerce Business

Date learned: 02-11-1971

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WEDDING CUSTOM

NANCY HONK'S HAS BEEN A LONG TIME GONE. AT HER
FOURTH WEDDING RECEPTION THE GROOM IN REMOVING THE
GARTER TO THROW TO THE MALE GUESTS, HE CAME UP WITH
A VARICOSE VEIN. THERE WAS NO HONEYMOON.

Where learned: LETTER

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage

Date learned: 02-01-1971

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RIDDLE

Q: WHAT IS IT THAT IS HARD WHEN IT ENTERS A BATH,
BUT IMMEDIATELY BECOMES SOFT?
A: INSTANT JAPANESE NOODLES.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT LIVES IN JAPAN AND (HE) LEARNED ABOVE FROM HIS CHILDREN.

Where learned: LETTER ; JAPAN

Keyword(s): ANTITHETICAL ; EATABLES AND DRINKS (A) ; STATE OF BEING (Q)

James Callow Keyword(s): PRETENDED OBSCENE?

Subject headings: RIDDLE -- True Riddle

Date learned: 07-28-1964

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IT IS BAD LUCK TO MEET A LEFT-HANDED PERSON ON
TUESDAY.

Where learned: LETTER

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails
BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour
BELIEF -- Bad luck Bodily characteristics

Date learned: 02-19-1970

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RIDDLE

Q: WHAT IS IT THAT SOMETIMES APPEARS WHEN EVERYTHING DISAPPEARS?
A: A (SOLD OUT) NOTICE.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT LIVES IN JAPAN AND (HE) LEARNED ABOVE FROM HIS CHILDREN.

Where learned: LETTER ; JAPAN

Keyword(s): COMMUNICATIONS AND RELATED MATTER (A) ; STATE OF BEING (Q)

Subject headings: RIDDLE -- True Riddle

Date learned: 07-28-1964

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PLANTING

PLANT CORN WHEN OAK LEAVES ARE AS BIG AS A SQUIRREL'S
EAR AND YOU'LL HAVE A GOOD CROP.

Where learned: LETTER

Subject headings: BELIEF -- P663

Date learned: 01-30-1970

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DEATHS COME IN THREES.

Where learned: LETTER

Subject headings: 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple
BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial

Date learned: 02-20-1970

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NEVER START SEWING A NEW GARMENT ON FRIDAY OR YOU'LL
NEVER FINISH IT.

Where learned: LETTER

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour

Date learned: 01-30-1970

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EVERY STITCH YOU SEW ON SUNDAY YOU'LL HAVE TO RIP
OUT WITH YOUR NOSE.

Where learned: LETTER

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour

Date learned: 01-30-1970

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IF YOU SWEEP UNDER SOMEONE'S FEET, THEY'LL NEVER GET
MARRIED.

Where learned: LETTER

Subject headings: Observation
BELIEF -- Marriage Dating Courtship

Date learned: 01-30-1970

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AN OLD ITALIAN BELIEF STATES THAT IT IS UNLUCKY TO MARRY
DURING THE MONTH OF MAY, WHICH IS TRADITIONALLY REGARDED
AS THE MONTH OF THE JACKASS.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT SAYS THIS BELIEF IS NO LONGER GIVEN TOO MUCH
CONSIDERATION.

Where learned: LETTER

Subject headings: Favorites
BELIEF -- Marriage Time or day of ceremony

Date learned: 02-19-1972

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AT CHRISTMAS EVE SUPPER, A CANDLE IS LIT. IF THE
SMOKE GOES UP, ALL THOSE SEATED AT THE TABLE WILL
BE BACK THE FOLLOWING YEAR. IF THE SMOKE GOES
TOWARD A DOOR, ONE OF THE GUESTS WILL DIE BEFORE
NEXT CHRISTMAS EVE.

Where learned: LETTER

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20
BELIEF -- Use of Object Occasions Events

Date learned: 03-08-1970

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POLISH JOKE

Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.

DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE POLISH AIRPLANE THAT CRASHED?
IT RAN OUT OF COAL.

Where learned: THROUGH LETTERS ; TELEPHONE CONVERSATIONS

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Poli

Date learned: 11-00-1977

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POLISH JOKE

Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.

TO MAKE A POLISH COCKTAIL YOU DROP A MUSHROOM INTO A GLASS OF BEER.

Where learned: THROUGH LETTERS ; TELEPHONE CONVERSATIONS

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Poli

Date learned: 11-00-1977

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POLISH JOKE

Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.

WE ALL KNOW WHO DISCOVERED AMERICA, BUT WHO DISCOVERED POLAND?
THE ROTO ROOTER MAN.

Where learned: THROUGH LETTERS ; TELEPHONE CONVERSATIONS

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Poli

Date learned: 11-00-1977

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POLISH JOKE

Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.

HOW DO POLISH DOGS GET SNUBBED NOSES?
FROM CHASING PARKED CARS.

Where learned: THROUGH LETTERS ; TELEPHONE CONVERSATIONS

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Poli

Date learned: 11-00-1977

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POLISH JOKE

Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.

DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE POLISH SURGEON WHO WAS FINALLY DISCHARGED
FROM THE HOSPITAL?
IT WAS NOT SO MUCH ALL THE PATIENTS HE LOST. IT WAS THOSE DEEP
GASHES HE MADE IN THE OPERATING TABLE.

Where learned: THROUGH LETTERS ; TELEPHONE CONVERSATIONS

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Poli

Date learned: 09-00-1977

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