RE:SEARCH logo
University of Detroit Mercy Libraries / Instructional Design Studio
UDM HOME BLACKBOARD MY UDMERCY
RESEARCH HOME / FIND / SPECIAL COLLECTIONS / THE JAMES T. CALLOW FOLKLORE ARCHIVE /
James Callow Folklore Archive

Collection Home

About Dr. James T. Callow

Dr. James T. Callow publications

Collectors

Browse by

Subject heading

Keyword

Location

Questions or comments on this site? Please email davidsor@udmercy.edu.

The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

search for

Content filter is on

Your search for SOUTHFIELD returned 444 results.

prev | items
| next

PIESTUPYS -- A LITHUANIAN FOREST

WHILE MY FATHER WAS A LITTLE BOY, HE HEARD VARIOUS TALES
TOLD ABOUT THIS FOREST. IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE HAUNTED;
FOR IN THERE, THE DUKE OF LITHUANIA (VYTAUTAS)
PUNISHED THE ENEMY OF LITHUANIA. IT IS TOLD THAT THE
GHOSTS OF THOSE KILLED BY HIM OR ANY OF THE SOULS THAT
AREN'T AT PEACE (SUCH AS SUICIDES, MURDERS, THOSE
MANGLED TO DEATH BY THE WOLVES AND THE WILD MAD DOGS)
HAUNT THIS FOREST AND TRY TO REVENGE THEIR DEATHS BY
SCARING THE PASSERSBY TO DEATH.
MY FATHER SPEAKING: {COLLECTOR'S FATHER} 1). ONE OF THE
TALES TOLD IS THAT FIERY PILLARS ROSE UP. THEY WALKED
DOWN A WAYS ON THE SHORE OF SVENTOJI (A RIVER IN
LITHUANIA) AND DISAPPEARED. ONE OF THE OLDER MEN IN
OUR VILLAGE SAID THAT IS THE ANCIENT GOLD AND
SILVER. AND WHERE THOSE POLES, PILLARS, RISE UP OR
DISAPPEAR, THAT'S WHERE THE MONEY IS SUPPOSED TO BE
BURIED.
ME: DO YOU THINK THIS IS TRUE?
FATHER: NO, IT COUL'VE BEEN ANYTHING; REFLECTIONS
OF SOME SORT OR EVEN THE RUSSIAN SPIES WITH THEIR
TORCHES. IT COULD'VE BEEN A NUMBER OF THINGS.
ME: ARE MOST OF THE STORIES REVOLVE ABOUT THINGS?
NOT PEOPLE OR ANIMALS?
FATHER: OH, THEY SAY THAT THERE ARE MANY STRANGE
THINGS HAPPENING IN THAT FOREST. FOR ONE, THERE WAS THE
TIME...
2) ONE OF THE MEN IN THE TOWN WENT TO THE MARKET TO SELL
HIS GOODS. AFTER BEING DELAYED IN TOWN, HE HAD TO COME
HOME LATE AT NIGHT AND TO CROSS THAT FOREST. MOREOVER,
THE MOON WAS OUT. HE WAS RIGHT BY WHERE THE BRIDGE
WAS SAINT JOHN'S CROSS...AND HE SEES: BY SAINT JOHN'S
CROSS, THERE WERE DANCING YOUNG GIRLS DRESSED IN WHITE
AND SEEMED AS IF THEY WERE FLOATING ON AIR. BUT THEN
HE LOOKED TO THE OTHER SIDE AND HE SAW A NAKED MAN
ROLLING AND LAUGHING IN THE SNOW. HE (THE FARMER)
SAID THAT EVERY HAIR ON HIS HEAD STOOD ON END AND SPED
HOME LIKE HE NEVER HAD BEFORE! HE WONDERED FOR A LONG
TIME AFTER THAT HOW HE MANAGED TO "ESCAPE" ALIVE THAT
NIGHT.
ME: DID YOU BELIEVE HIM?
FATHER: ALL US YOUNGER KIDS DID, WE WERE TOO YOUNG.
OF COURSE, IT COULD'VE BEEN HIS IMAGINATION.
ME: DID YOU HEAR ANY OTHER STORIES ABOUT PIESTUPYS?
FATHER: YES, BUT VERY VERY SHORT ONES.
FOR EXAMPLE, SOMEONE SAID THAT THEY SAW AND HEARD A
BLACK PONY RUNNING ALONG THE SLOPES OF THE FOREST.
OR SOMETIMES OTHERS SAY THAT THEY'VE SEEN A GRAY OLD
GOAT BLEETING {BLEATING} UNDER A TREE.
ME: BUT WHAT IS IT MAINLY THAT SCARED THE PEOPLE
SO MUCH?
FATHER: WELL, THERE IN THE FOREST, THREE THIEVES HUNG
THEMSELVES AND THEY'RE BURIED UNDER SOME PINE TREES
SIDE BY SIDE. AND THE PEOPLE USED TO SAY THAT THEY
STARTED ARGUING WHO ROBBED MORE PEOPLE AND WHO STOLE
THE MOST RICHES, AND AFTER A WHILE, THEY HAD RISEN ALL
THE OTHER DEAD AND TAKEN SIDES. BUT IT WAS REALLY OF
THOSE THREE THIEVES THAT EVERYONE WAS AFRAID OF.
ME: WERE YOU EVER IN THAT FOREST AND HAVE SOMETHING
HAPPEN TO YOU?
FATHER: YES, RIGHT BEFORE EASTER, MY YOUNGER SISTER
AND I HAD TO GET UP IN THE DARK TO GO TO RECOLLECTIONS.
AND FROM OUR VILLAGE TO THE TOWN AND CHURCH WAS TO GO
THROUGH THE FOREST. SO WE SET OUT...STILL DARK. I
HAD NEVER REALLY THOUGHT MUCH OF THOSE STORIES I HAD
HEARD, BUT NOW THEY ALL CAME BACK VIVIDLY. SO HALF
WAY THERE, I PICKED OUT LONG STRONG PIECES OF WOOD FOR
MY SISTER AND I TO PROTECT OURSELVES--MAINLY FROM THE
DOGS.
WE HAD PASSED HALF OF THE FOREST PEACEFULLY, BUT SUDDENLY
UP AHEAD, WE SAW A THING COMING--IT HAD A HUMAN SHAPE
AND WALKED LIKE A HUMAN. WE BOTH THOUGHT IT WAS ONE OF
THE DEAD, SO WE BOTH SAT DOWN HUGGING EACH OTHER, HOPING
THAT THE THING WOULD PASS. SUDDENLY, I HEARD THE THING
REAL CLOSE BY AND SHUT MY EYES. BUT THEN IT GAVE US THE
LITHUANIAN GREETING: "MAY THE LORD BE WITH YOU." AND
MY SISTER ANSWERED! IT TURNED OUT TO BE A MIDDLE-AGED
WOMAN DRESSED IN A WHITE FUR COAT! SHE ASKED US IF WE
WERE GOING TO CHURCH AND THEN JUST WENT ON HER WAY.
ME: DIDN'T YOU THINK IT COULD'VE BEEN A SPIRIT?
FATHER: I WAS LITTLE THEN, BUT I KNEW A REAL PERSON
WHEN I SAW ONE! AFTER THAT, I WALKED ON AS BRAVELY
AS EVER AND WAS NEVER SCARED TO GO IN THERE AGAIN!
ME: WHAT ABOUT THE OTHER PEOPLE? DID YOU TELL THEM
WHAT HAPPENED?
FATHER: OH, SURE! BUT THEY SAID THAT THEY DON'T
USUALLY PICK ON LITTLE KIDS.
ME: WERE THERE ANY OTHER INCIDENTS ABOUT THAT FOREST?
FATHER: OH, SURE! I THINK SO-CALLED HAPPENINGS WERE
REPORTED ALL THE TIME UP TO THE TAKEOVER IN 1941. BUT
I DOUBT IT IF MANY OF THE PEOPLE BELIEVED THE STORIES
UP TILL THEN!
ME: DO YOU KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENED TO THE FOREST NOW?
FATHER: THE LAST I HEARD WAS THAT HALF OF IT IS
DESTROYED. BY BOMBINGS AND SHELLING AND THE RUSSIANS
DID CUT DOWN MANY, MANY TREES FOR THEIR OWN USE.

Where learned: SOUTHFIELD ; LITHUANIA ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED

Keyword(s): TROUBLED SPIRITS ANIMALS WOODS

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formation

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

View just this record

PIESTUPYS -- A LITHUANIAN FOREST

WHILE MY FATHER WAS A LITTLE BOY, HE HEARD VARIOUS TALES
TOLD ABOUT THIS FOREST. IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE HAUNTED;
FOR IN THERE, THE DUKE OF LITHUANIA (VYTAUTAS)
PUNISHED THE ENEMY OF LITHUANIA. IT IS TOLD THAT THE
GHOSTS OF THOSE KILLED BY HIM OR ANY OF THE SOULS THAT
AREN'T AT PEACE (SUCH AS SUICIDES, MURDERS, THOSE
MANGLED TO DEATH BY THE WOLVES AND THE WILD MAD DOGS)
HAUNT THIS FOREST AND TRY TO REVENGE THEIR DEATHS BY
SCARING THE PASSERSBY TO DEATH.
MY FATHER SPEAKING: {COLLECTOR'S FATHER} 1). ONE OF THE
TALES TOLD IS THAT FIERY PILLARS ROSE UP. THEY WALKED
DOWN A WAYS ON THE SHORE OF SVENTOJI (A RIVER IN
LITHUANIA) AND DISAPPEARED. ONE OF THE OLDER MEN IN
OUR VILLAGE SAID THAT IS THE ANCIENT GOLD AND
SILVER. AND WHERE THOSE POLES, PILLARS, RISE UP OR
DISAPPEAR, THAT'S WHERE THE MONEY IS SUPPOSED TO BE
BURIED.
ME: DO YOU THINK THIS IS TRUE?
FATHER: NO, IT COUL'VE BEEN ANYTHING; REFLECTIONS
OF SOME SORT OR EVEN THE RUSSIAN SPIES WITH THEIR
TORCHES. IT COULD'VE BEEN A NUMBER OF THINGS.
ME: ARE MOST OF THE STORIES REVOLVE ABOUT THINGS?
NOT PEOPLE OR ANIMALS?
FATHER: OH, THEY SAY THAT THERE ARE MANY STRANGE
THINGS HAPPENING IN THAT FOREST. FOR ONE, THERE WAS THE
TIME...
2) ONE OF THE MEN IN THE TOWN WENT TO THE MARKET TO SELL
HIS GOODS. AFTER BEING DELAYED IN TOWN, HE HAD TO COME
HOME LATE AT NIGHT AND TO CROSS THAT FOREST. MOREOVER,
THE MOON WAS OUT. HE WAS RIGHT BY WHERE THE BRIDGE
WAS SAINT JOHN'S CROSS...AND HE SEES: BY SAINT JOHN'S
CROSS, THERE WERE DANCING YOUNG GIRLS DRESSED IN WHITE
AND SEEMED AS IF THEY WERE FLOATING ON AIR. BUT THEN
HE LOOKED TO THE OTHER SIDE AND HE SAW A NAKED MAN
ROLLING AND LAUGHING IN THE SNOW. HE (THE FARMER)
SAID THAT EVERY HAIR ON HIS HEAD STOOD ON END AND SPED
HOME LIKE HE NEVER HAD BEFORE! HE WONDERED FOR A LONG
TIME AFTER THAT HOW HE MANAGED TO "ESCAPE" ALIVE THAT
NIGHT.
ME: DID YOU BELIEVE HIM?
FATHER: ALL US YOUNGER KIDS DID, WE WERE TOO YOUNG.
OF COURSE, IT COULD'VE BEEN HIS IMAGINATION.
ME: DID YOU HEAR ANY OTHER STORIES ABOUT PIESTUPYS?
FATHER: YES, BUT VERY VERY SHORT ONES.
FOR EXAMPLE, SOMEONE SAID THAT THEY SAW AND HEARD A
BLACK PONY RUNNING ALONG THE SLOPES OF THE FOREST.
OR SOMETIMES OTHERS SAY THAT THEY'VE SEEN A GRAY OLD
GOAT BLEETING {BLEATING} UNDER A TREE.
ME: BUT WHAT IS IT MAINLY THAT SCARED THE PEOPLE
SO MUCH?
FATHER: WELL, THERE IN THE FOREST, THREE THIEVES HUNG
THEMSELVES AND THEY'RE BURIED UNDER SOME PINE TREES
SIDE BY SIDE. AND THE PEOPLE USED TO SAY THAT THEY
STARTED ARGUING WHO ROBBED MORE PEOPLE AND WHO STOLE
THE MOST RICHES, AND AFTER A WHILE, THEY HAD RISEN ALL
THE OTHER DEAD AND TAKEN SIDES. BUT IT WAS REALLY OF
THOSE THREE THIEVES THAT EVERYONE WAS AFRAID OF.
ME: WERE YOU EVER IN THAT FOREST AND HAVE SOMETHING
HAPPEN TO YOU?
FATHER: YES, RIGHT BEFORE EASTER, MY YOUNGER SISTER
AND I HAD TO GET UP IN THE DARK TO GO TO RECOLLECTIONS.
AND FROM OUR VILLAGE TO THE TOWN AND CHURCH WAS TO GO
THROUGH THE FOREST. SO WE SET OUT...STILL DARK. I
HAD NEVER REALLY THOUGHT MUCH OF THOSE STORIES I HAD
HEARD, BUT NOW THEY ALL CAME BACK VIVIDLY. SO HALF
WAY THERE, I PICKED OUT LONG STRONG PIECES OF WOOD FOR
MY SISTER AND I TO PROTECT OURSELVES--MAINLY FROM THE
DOGS.
WE HAD PASSED HALF OF THE FOREST PEACEFULLY, BUT SUDDENLY
UP AHEAD, WE SAW A THING COMING--IT HAD A HUMAN SHAPE
AND WALKED LIKE A HUMAN. WE BOTH THOUGHT IT WAS ONE OF
THE DEAD, SO WE BOTH SAT DOWN HUGGING EACH OTHER, HOPING
THAT THE THING WOULD PASS. SUDDENLY, I HEARD THE THING
REAL CLOSE BY AND SHUT MY EYES. BUT THEN IT GAVE US THE
LITHUANIAN GREETING: "MAY THE LORD BE WITH YOU." AND
MY SISTER ANSWERED! IT TURNED OUT TO BE A MIDDLE-AGED
WOMAN DRESSED IN A WHITE FUR COAT! SHE ASKED US IF WE
WERE GOING TO CHURCH AND THEN JUST WENT ON HER WAY.
ME: DIDN'T YOU THINK IT COULD'VE BEEN A SPIRIT?
FATHER: I WAS LITTLE THEN, BUT I KNEW A REAL PERSON
WHEN I SAW ONE! AFTER THAT, I WALKED ON AS BRAVELY
AS EVER AND WAS NEVER SCARED TO GO IN THERE AGAIN!
ME: WHAT ABOUT THE OTHER PEOPLE? DID YOU TELL THEM
WHAT HAPPENED?
FATHER: OH, SURE! BUT THEY SAID THAT THEY DON'T
USUALLY PICK ON LITTLE KIDS.
ME: WERE THERE ANY OTHER INCIDENTS ABOUT THAT FOREST?
FATHER: OH, SURE! I THINK SO-CALLED HAPPENINGS WERE
REPORTED ALL THE TIME UP TO THE TAKEOVER IN 1941. BUT
I DOUBT IT IF MANY OF THE PEOPLE BELIEVED THE STORIES
UP TILL THEN!
ME: DO YOU KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENED TO THE FOREST NOW?
FATHER: THE LAST I HEARD WAS THAT HALF OF IT IS
DESTROYED. BY BOMBINGS AND SHELLING AND THE RUSSIANS
DID CUT DOWN MANY, MANY TREES FOR THEIR OWN USE.

Where learned: SOUTHFIELD ; LITHUANIA ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED

Keyword(s): TROUBLED SPIRITS

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formation

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

View just this record

GERMAN SUPERSTITION: TO CURE WARTS, DROP A BUTTON INTO A WELL
ONE MUSN'T HEAR THE SOUND AND THE WART WILL GO AWAY.

Where learned: SOUTHFIELD ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED

James Callow Keyword(s): PLUGGING

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Method of Curing

Date learned: 10-06-1968

View just this record

TO A FAMILY, BAPTISM IS A MOST HOLY AND GLORIOUS CELEBRATION.
THEY BRING THE BABY TO THE CHURCH, WHERE THE GODPARENTS,
PARENTS, AND PRIEST STAND AROUND THE BAPTISMAL (FONT).
THE PRIEST READS THE USUAL PRAYERS FOR BAPTISM, BUT ALSO
ADDS WHETHER THE GODPARENTS WILL HELP TO RAISE THEIR
GODCHILD IN AS MUCH OF LITHUANIAN TRADITION AND UPBRINGING
AS POSSIBLE. THEN THE PRIEST POURS SOME WATER ON THE
BABY'S HEAD; ANOINTS HIS FOREHEAD, EYES, MOUTH AND EARS,
WITH OIL; PUTS A LITTLE SALT ON HIS TONGUE AND THEN SUGAR.
AFTER BLESSING THE BABY, HIS PARENTS & GODPARENTS, THE
CEREMONY IS FINISHED.

Where learned: SOUTHFIELD ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Baptism Naming rite

Date learned: 03-25-1972

View just this record

MOST OF THE BURIAL RITES ARE THE SAME AS HERE IN
AMERICA. IF THE MAN WAS A DUKE OR RULER OF LITHUANIA,
THEN IT WAS TOLD THAT HE IS/WAS TO BE BURIED TOGETHER
WITH ALL OF HIS HUNTING DOGS, HIS FAVORITE HORSE/ES,
WEAPONS, CLOTHES AND JEWELRY. THE WIFE WASN'T REQUIRED
TO BE BURNED WITH HER HUSBAND, BUT SEVERAL DUKES'
WIVES THREW THEMSELVES VOLUNTARILY INTO THE FLAMES.
SEVERAL CENTURIES LATER, THEY BELIEVED IN BURIAL
GROUNDS AND COFFINS, BUT AFTER THE FUNERAL FOLLOWED
A BANQUET WITH FOOD, DRINKS, DANCING AND SINGING.
IT IS/WAS TOLD THAT IF THE PEOPLE DON'T MOURN TOO
MUCH, THEN GOD WILL ACCEPT HIM INTO HEAVEN, BECAUSE
HE ISN'T PUSHED INTO ACCEPTING THAT PERSON.

Where learned: SOUTHFIELD ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial

Date learned: 03-25-1972

View just this record

LITHUANIANS DON'T BELIEVE IN TOO MANY FESTIVALS.
AS A MATTER OF FACT, THEY DON'T HAVE ANY FESTIVALS AT
ALL. ON HOLY DAYS, THE PEOPLE WENT TO CHURCH AND THEN
TO CELEBRATE AT HOME OR OVER (AT) A FRIEND'S HOUSE.
BUT LITHUANIANS HAD NO FESTIVALS.
MOST OF THEIR FESTIVALS WERE IN COORDINATION WITH THE
CHURCH. SO HERE, I WILL INCLUDE TOGETHER THE
CHURCH CEREMONIES AND RELIGIOUS CUSTOMS OF
LITHUANIA.

Submitter comment: THE APPROPRIATE NUMBER, I SHOULD THINK, WOULD BE
F600.538.

Where learned: SOUTHFIELD ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Festival
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Festival F600.538

Date learned: 03-25-1972

View just this record

TAUNT

STICK IT IN YOUR EARY--SIDEWAYS!

Submitter comment: JUST PICKED IT UP.

Where learned: SOUTHFIELD ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Formula

Date learned: 11-11-1967

View just this record

THE HITCH-HIKER GIRL

ONE NIGHT IT WAS RAINING VERY HARD. TWO PEOPLE WERE DRIVING DOWN
THE ROAD TOWARD WALLACEBURG. BY THE SIDE OF THE ROAD THEY SAW A
GIRL DRESSED IN A FORMAL, WAITING FOR A RIDE. THEY STOPPED THE
CAR AND ASKED HER IF THEY COULD GIVE HER A LIFT. SHE GOT IN AND
THEY NOTICED THAT THERE WAS NOT A DROP OF WATER ON HER. ON THE
WAY TO WALLACEBURG, ONE OF THE PEOPLE TURNED AROUND TO TALK TO
HER AND SHE WAS GONE.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS INFORMATION FROM HER UNCLE, ALEX
MACDONALD, IN ABOUT 1925 IN PORT LAMBTON. HE TOLD HER THAT THIS
HAS HAPPENED TO QUITE A FEW PEOPLE WHILE GOING TO WALLACEBURG.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Magic
ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Vehicle propelled by mechanical or other force on land

Date learned: 05-12-1965

View just this record

EARACHE

THE BLOWING OF STRONG CIGAR SMOKE INTO THE EAR TO CURE EARACHES. THE
HER CHILDHOOD. SHE ALSO SAID IT WORKED.
ABOVE MENTIONED PERSON SAID THAT SHE HAD DONE IT MANY TIMES DURING

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD

Keyword(s): GERMAN

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Plant

Date learned: 09-25-1968

View just this record

Proverb

To err is human, to forgive is divine.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

Keyword(s): Aphorism ; Apothegm ; Divine ; Err ; Forgive ; Human ; Maxim ; Mistake ; PROVERB ; VERSE

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim

View just this record

Proverb

It is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Original BN [V700] crossed out. Replaced with current classification.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

Keyword(s): Aphorism ; Apothegm ; Loss ; LOVE ; Maxim ; PROVERB ; VERSE

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim

View just this record

BAPTISM

IN THE ARNENIAN CHURCH A CHILD IS NOT TO GO
IN THE ARNENIAN CHURCH A CHILD IS NOT TO GET HIS HAIR CUT BEFORE HE'S
BAPTIZED. INFORMANT SAYS THIS IS MOST IMPORTANT BUT SHE'S NOT
SURE WHY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD ; COLUMBIA REALTY OFFICE

Subject headings: 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually.

Date learned: 02-26-1971

View just this record

CHRISTMAS CUSTOM

IT IS AN ITALIAN CUSTOM TO OPEN CHRISTMAS
PRESENTS ON CHRISTMAS EVE AFTER DINNER INSTEAD
OF CHRISTMAS MORNING.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD ; COLUMBIA REALTY OFFICE

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Gifts, gift giving at Christmas

Date learned: 02-09-1971

View just this record

BIRTH

IT IS A GREEK CUSTOM FOR A WOMAN NOT TO GO TO CHURCH FOR 40 DAYS
AFTER A BABY IS BORN. THIS IS BECAUSE SHE IS CONSIDERED "UNCLEAN".

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD ; COLUMBIA REALTY OFFICE

James Callow Keyword(s): CHURCHING

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Week Day Hour
BELIEF -- Number P686.1.40

Date learned: 02-17-1971

View just this record

CORNICIO-SEA HORN

AN ITALIAN GOOD LUCK CHARM, USUALLY RED, BUT
GOLD WILL SUBSTITUTE. GENERALLY WORN AROUND NECK,
ON WATCHBAND, IN CAR, OR ATTACHED TO THE REARVIEW MIRROR.
MUCH ATTENTION IS PLACED ON THIS CHARM AND IT IS OF NO USE
IF IT IS JUST LAYING DOWN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

Subject headings: Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration

Date learned: 02-27-1971

View just this record

AN ITALIAN BELIEF

THE HAIR ON A MALE IS A SIGN OF GREAT STRENGTH.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

Keyword(s): MASCULINITY ; STRENGTH

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hair, on head, mustache, widow's peak

View just this record

LEMONADE RECIPE

FIRST OF ALL YOU MAKE A BATCH OF LEMONADE THE WAY YOU ALWAYS
DO. NEXT TO ADD A DELIGHTFUL TRULY LEBANESE FLAVOR YOU ADD ROSE
WATER TO TASTE (ABOUT 2 TABLESPOONS A GALLON).

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD

Subject headings: Food Drink -- Flavoring Extract
Food Drink -- Non-alcoholic fruit beverage Citrus

Date learned: 10-00-1977

View just this record

Entry filtered.

POLISH JOKE

Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.

IN 1975 MAYOR YOUNG DECLARED WAR ON THE RATS IN DETROIT.
HE ORDERED THE HEALTH INSPECTOR TO SEND NINE POLISH EXTERMINATORS
DOWN INTO THE SEWERS TO WIPE OUT THE RODENTS. A MONTH LATER
ONLY SIX OF THE NINE POLES CAME BACK. "WHAT HAPPENED TO THE OTHER
THREE MEN?" DEMANDED THE MAYOR. "THEY DEFECTED TO THE ENEMY,"
REPLIED THE INSPECTOR, "AND OUT OF THE SIX THAT RETURNED, TWO
BROUGHT BACK WAR BRIDES."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Stupid man or woman
BELIEF -- Poli

Date learned: 00-00-1976

View just this record

CURE FOR A COLD

YOU MEASURE ONE OUNCE OF WHISHY, ONE OUNCE HONEY AND ONE OUNCE
LEMON JUICE INTO A GLASS, STIR, AND DRINK JUST BEFORE BEDTIME.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Remedy

Date learned: 11-00-1977

View just this record

FAMILY TRADITION

EVERY JUNE OUR FAMILY GETS TOGETHER TO TALK OVER THE PAST YEAR
AND TO RENEW OLD FREINDSHIPS. THIS YEAR JUNE 1978 WILL BE THE
FAMILYIS FIFTIETH REUNION.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- June

Date learned: 11-00-1977

View just this record

prev | items
| next

University of Detroit Mercy
4001 W. McNichols Detroit , MI , 48221-3038
This site is endorsed by the University of Detroit Mercy (UDM) and supports the views, values, and mission of UDM. The University of Detroit Mercy web site provides links to other web sites, both public and private, for informational purposes. The inclusion of these links on UDM's site does not imply endorsement by the University. Please contact the Associate Dean for Technical Services and Library Systems for any questions regarding this web site.