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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

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PROVERB

HE THAT CANNOT OBEY, CANNOT COMMAND.

Where learned: TOLD AT INFORMANTS HOME

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim

Date learned: 11-02-1969

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BUSY 2-LEGGED CAT

HE WAS AS BUSY AS A TWO-LEGGED CAT IN A THREE-LEGGED RACE.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT IS FROM THE SOUTH SOMEWHER.

Where learned: TOLD AT BOTH INFORMANTS AND INFOFMEES PLACE OF WORK -SEARS

Keyword(s): ANIMAL SIMILE

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison

Date learned: 03-14-1970

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BELIEF

A DIMPLE IN YOUR CHEEK --
YOU ARE GENTLE AND MEEK
A DIMPLE IN YOUR CHIN --
THE DEVIL IS WITHIN

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: HOME ; TOLD AT

Keyword(s): Cheek ; Demeanor ; DEVIL ; Dimple ; PREDICTION ; RHYME ; SONG

James Callow Keyword(s): BELIEF ; QUATRAIN

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Devil Demon
BELIEF -- Use of Object P860.438

Date learned: 02-03-1970

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MORAL PROVERB

THE HANDLE HAS LOST ITS AX.

Submitter comment: (E.G., SOMEONE WHO IS SMART IN PHYSICS WHEN HE HAS
HIS BOOKS BUT IS DUMB WHEN HE DOESN'T HAVE
HIS PHYSICS BOOK HAS LOST HIS AX)
(TRANSLATED FROM LITHUANIAN)

Data entry tech comment: LITHUANIAN PHRASE DENOTING MORAL PROVERB

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; HONORS HOUSE ; TOLD AT

Keyword(s): TOOLS METAPHOR

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

Date learned: 02-17-1971

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MY FATHER ALWAYS JOKES, THAT IF HE HADN'T MARRIED MY MOTHER,
HE'D HAVE THE FIRST NICKEL HE EVER EARNED.

Where learned: TOLD AT HIS HOME

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Formula

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GROWING CORN

YOU COULD HEAR THE CORN GROWING LAST NIGHT.

Submitter comment: SAID IN A JOKING MANNER AFTER A LONG AWAITED RAIN
HAD COME DURING THE SUMMER, GROWING SEASON.

Where learned: TOLD AT ; FARM

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Formula

Date learned: 00-00-1967

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COUGH

TO CURE A COUGH: BOIL A POT OF WATER WITH PEELED ONIONS IN IT. AFTER
THE WATER RISES TO A BOIL, SPILL THE WATER INTO A CUP AND DRINK IT.
MY MOTHER PREPAR%D THIS ONCE FOR ME WHEN I HAD A COUGH AND IT SEEMED
TO HELP.

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

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Method of Curing

Date learned: 11-06-1971

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CURE FOR SPRING FEVER

BOIL SASSAFRAS TEA- DRINK WHILE WARM.

Submitter comment: SPRING FEVER IS SIMILAR TO A GENERAL UPSET, TENSE AND NERVOUS
CONDITION. THOUGH IT IS KNOWN TO OCCUR ANY TIME OF THE YEAR IT IS
PARTICULARLY KNOWN IN THE SPRING; PEOPLE SHOW IT THROUGH THE
LACK OF ENERGY AND GENERAL SENSE OF LAZINESS.

Data entry tech comment: THREE OTHER SIMILAR REFERENCES IN THIS SECTION OF THE ARCHIVE.

Where learned: TOLD AT INFORMANTS HOME

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Remedy

Date learned: 11-14-1971

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SPRING TONIC

IN THE SPRINGTIME, PEOPLE OF THE PAST USED TO TAKE ONIONS COOKED
IN SYRUP AS A SPRING TONIC TO CURE ALL ILLS AND GET THEM ON
THEIR FEET AGAIN AFTER A SLOW WINTER.

Where learned: TOLD AT COLLECTORS HOME

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness

Date learned: 03-31-1971

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3 MEN AT HOTEL RIDDLE

Q: THREE MEN WENT TO A HOTEL AND RENTED A ROOM. THE MANAGER CHARGED
THEM 30.00 DOLLARS $10.00 APIECE. THE ROOM WASN'T THAT GOOD SO THE
MANAGER DECIDED TO RETURN $5.00, TO SPLIT AMONG THE THREE MEN. THE
BELLBOY WAS SENT WITH THE MONEY AND ON THE WAY HE DECIDED TO KEEP
$2.00 AND GIVE THEM $3.00, $1.00 APIECE. THEREFORE, THEY EACH PAID
$9.00. BUT 9X3=27 AND 27+2>29. WHERE'S THE OTHER DOLLAR?
A: THAT'S THE WRONG WAY TO FIGURE IT OUT. THE MANAGER HAS $25.00.
25+5=30

James Callow comment: THE PATRONS HAVE $1 EACH=$3; THE BELLBOY HAS $2. TOTAL $30

Where learned: INDIANA ; University of Notre Dame ; TOLD AT

Keyword(s): MONETARY (Q) ; MONETARY ITEMS (A) ; PERSONS (Q) ; PERSONS (Q)

Subject headings: RIDDLE -- True Riddle

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BEILEF

MANY PEOPLE THINK THAT IF ONE PUTS A PIECE OF CLOTHING ON INSIDE
OUT, HE WILL SOON RECEIVE A GIFT.

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT

Subject headings: Observation

Date learned: 02-20-1970

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WISH

WHEN SOMEONE TIES A PIECE OF STRING AROUND YOUR
WRIST IN SEVEN KNOTS, YOU SHOULD THEN
MAKE A WISH ON EACH KNOT ALL CONCERNING THE SAME
PERSON. THEN YOU MUST TIE SEVEN OTHER PERSON'S
WRISTS EACH IN SEVEN KNOTS IN THE SAME MANNER
THAT YOUR'S WAS TIED. THIS ALL MUST
BE DONE IN 24 HOURS. THEN YOU MUST HAVE
THE PERSON ABOUT WHOM YOU WISHED BREAK THE STRING
THAT IS STILL ON YOUR WRIST.
THEN ALL YOUR WISHES CONCERNING THAT
PERSON WILL COME TRUE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT

Subject headings: 686 Seven / Sevenths / Several
BELIEF -- Prayer

Date learned: 11-05-1971

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THE BAG OF BONES

IT WAS SAID THAT A TAXI CAB DRIVER PICKED UP A PASSENGER OPPOSITE A
CHURCH. THE PASSENGER ASKED TO BE DRIVEN TO A HOTEL IN THE DOWNTOWN
AREA. ON THE WAY TO THE HOTEL THE TAXI CAB DRIVER TOOK A ROUTE THAT
PASSED BY A CEMETERY. ON APPROACHING THE CEMETERY, THE PASSENGER
ASKED THE DRIVER TO STOP FOR A FEW MINUTES SO THAT HE COULD SAY HELLO
TO A FRIEND WHO LIVED NEARBY. THE DRIVER DID AS HE WAS ASKED TO DO.
THE DRIVER SAID THAT HE STOPPED THE CAR IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE
OPPOSITE THE CEMETERY. HE TURNED TO ASK THE PASSENGER A QUESTION,
BUT THERE WAS NO ONE THERE, ONLY A LADY'S HANDBAG AND A PILLOWCASE.
THE PILLOWCASE WAS FOUND TO CONTAIN BONES OF A HUMAN SKELETON.
THE DRIVER SAID THAT THE CAR DOOR NEVER OPEND. THE POLICE FOUND
NO FINGERPRINTS ON THE CAR DOOR OR SEAT OR THE OBJECTS FOUND IN THE
CAR.

Where learned: TOLD AT INFORMANTS HOME ; NASSAU NP BAHAMAS

Subject headings: Favorites
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter

Date learned: 00-00-1960

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BELIEF/ PRAYER

EVERY MEMBER OF THE FAMILY WAS REQUIRED TO SAY
ONE HAIL MARY AFTER EACH MAJOR MEAL--
BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND DINNER--SO THAT
THE PEOPLE IN THE FAMILY WOULD STAY PURE.

Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD AT COLLECTORS HOME

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Prayer

Date learned: 02-19-1970

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DUMB, DUMB DODO, CATCH ME IF YOU CAN./ I CAN RUN FASTER THAN ---CAN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TOLD AT HOME ; BIRMINGHAM

Keyword(s): CALL-RHYME

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

Date learned: 11-02-1969

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BELIEF

MANY PEOPLE BELIEVE THAT IF A BIRD FLIES INTO THE HOUSE,
THERE WILL BE A DEATH IN THE FAMILY.

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT

Subject headings: Observation

Date learned: 02-15-1970

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CHRISTMAS CUSTOM

INFORMANT'S FAMILY OPENS THE GIFTS AT 12 O'CLOCK MIDNIGHT,
FOLLOWED BY A CUSTOMARY MEAL OF HOT PASTROMI ON DARK RYE BREAD.

Where learned: TOLD AT HOME ; NEW YORK ; ROCHESTER

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

Date learned: 01-00-1971

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CHRISTMAS EVE CUSTOM, SPECIAL OR FESTIVE MEALS

AFTER THE CHRISTMAS EVE MEAL, THE SCRAPS OF FOOD ARE THROWN ON THE
FRUIT TREES. THEN A BRAID OF STRAW IS WRAPPED AROUND THE TREE
TO KEEP IT TOGETHER. IF YOU DO THIS, THE TREE WILL BEAR A LOT
OF FRUIT DURING THE SPRING.

Submitter comment:

MY FATHER'S FAMILY IN POLAND DID THIS AND IT WORKED.
THIS CUSTOM IS STILL PREVALENT IN POLAND TODAY.

Data entry tech comment:

Informant is collector's father.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT HOME

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.4
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Straw

Date learned: 11-06-1971

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DEATH ALWAYS COMES IN THREES.

Submitter comment: MY MOTHER HEARD THIS FROM HER MOTHER BUT HAS ALSO HEARD
IT FROM OTHER PEOPLE AS WELL.

Where learned: TOLD AT HOME

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

Date learned: 10-16-1971

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NUMBER BELIEF

PEOPLE DIE IN THREES, WHEN YOU HEAR OF ONE DEATH YOU WILL SOON
HEAR OF TWO MORE.

Where learned: TOLD AT COLLECTORS HOME

Subject headings: 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple
BELIEF -- Number

Date learned: 10-28-1970

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