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THE RIGHT OVARY PRODUCES GIRLS; LEFT OVARY PRODUCES BOYS.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT ACTUALLY FOUND THIS IN THE ANN LANDERS
COLUMN OF THE "DETROIT NEWS."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; FARMINGTON ; DETROIT ; CHORUS OFFICE

Subject headings: Prophet / Seer / Soothsayer
BELIEF -- Body part Senses
BELIEF -- Birth

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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A WHITE BRIDAL DRESS IS A SIGN OF PURITY.

Submitter comment: THIS HAS BEEN A BELIEF IN OUR FAMILY FOR AS LONG AS
MY MOTHER CAN REMEMBER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Color

Date learned: 02-21-1970

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RED IS A MAGIC COLOR AND IF YOU WEAR SOMETHING RED ON
A DATE, YOUR DATE WILL SURELY LIKE YOU.

Submitter comment: BILL WAS GOING ON A DATE AND HE WAS WEARING A RED
SHIRT. I COMPLIMENTED HIM ON THE SHIRT AND HE TOLD
ME ABOUT RED BEING A MAGIC COLOR.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Sign Color

Date learned: 02-28-1970

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WHEN YOU GO OVER A RAILROAD TRACK, IF YOU PUT YOUR HANDS
ON TOP OF THE ROOF, YOU WILL HAVE GOOD LUCK.

Submitter comment: THIS WAS TOLD TO MY SISTER BY ONE OF HER FRIENDS
AT SCHOOL.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails
BELIEF -- Good luck Leaving Entering Returning home Travel

Date learned: 02-28-1970

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WHEN A GIRL IS INITIATED INTO A SORORITY, THEY HAVE
A CEREMONY WHERE ALL THE GIRLS ARE HOLDING HANDS IN A
CIRCLE AND THIS DENOTES THEY ARE ONE. WHEN THEY
BRING A NEW MEMBER IN FOR INITIATION, THE CIRCLE IS
BROKEN TO LET IN THIS MEMBER AND THIS SHOWS THAT
THEY ARE PART OF THE WHOLE NOW.

Submitter comment: WHILE TALKING ABOUT SORORITIES ON CAMPUS WITH A
GIRL, SHE TOLD ME THIS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; FARMINGTON ; DETROIT

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing

Date learned: 02-25-1970

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BIBLICAL CUSTOM: NO SEX FOR THREE DAYS AFTER
MARRIAGE.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT RECALLED THIS CUSTOM AND ALSO NOTED
THAT IT WAS OBSERVED BY TINY TIM.

Data entry tech comment: TINY TIM=AN ECCENTRIC ENTERTAINER POPULAR DURING
KC[ THE 1970S, APPROXIMATELY.
CN[ SCHIMMEL, SUE

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage First night, honeymoon, and day after wedding

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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WHEN POLISH PEOPLE GIVE A WEDDING SHOWER, THEY DROP A
WEDDING RING IN THE CAKE. THE PERSON WHO GETS
THE PIECE WITH THE RING IN IT, IS THE NEXT ONE TO
GET MARRIED.

Submitter comment: THIS IS A POLISH CUSTOM OF MANY YEARS.
TOLD TO ME BY MY FATHER IN OUR HOME.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Bridal shower

Date learned: 02-28-1970

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SHE WAS ALWAYS TOLD BY HER MOM AND DAD THAT WHEN THEY
WERE SMALL THAT AFTER SOMEONE DIED THEY WOULD BE PUT
ON THE ROOF OF THEIR HOUSE AND STAY THERE FOR A DAY
OR SO IN ORDER THAT THE BAD SPIRITS WOULD BE TAKEN
OUT OF THEM.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial

Date learned: 09-21-1969

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JEWISH CUSTOM

THE JEWISH PEOPLE BELIEVE THAT WHEN A PERSON DIES, HE
SHOULD NOT BE BURIED WITH ANY MATERIAL POSSESSIONS
EXCEPT HIS CLOTHING, BECAUSE YOU CAME INTO THE WORLD
WITH NOTHING AND YOU SHOULD LEAVE WITH NOTHING.

Submitter comment: THIS IS A BELIEF THAT ALL JEWISH PEOPLE HAVE KNOWN
FOR MANY YEARS. IT IS PART OF THEIR RELIGION.
TOLD TO ME BY MY UNCLE IN OUR HOME.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial

Date learned: 02-02-1970

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Early in the morning in the middle of the night
Two dead boys got up to fight
Back to back they faced each other
Drew their swords and shot each other
A deaf policeman heard the noise
And came and killed those two dead boys
And if you doubt this lie is true
Ask the blind man, he saw it too.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale

Date learned: 00-00-1985

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EARLY IN THE MORNING, IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT
TWO DEAD BOYS GOT UP TO FIGHT
BACK TO BACK, THEY FACED EACH OTHER
DREW THEIR SWORDS AND SHOT EACH OTHER
A DEAF POLICEMAN HEARD THE NOISE
AND CAME TO KILL THOSE TWO DEAD BOYS
AND IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE THIS LIE IS TRUE
ASK THE BLIND MAN, HE SAW IT, TOO.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale

Date learned: 00-00-1974

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RAIN ON THE ROOF

THIS IS A SIMPLE GAME OF PHYSICAL SKILL FOR
CHILDREN. ALL THAT IS NEEDED FOR THIS GAME IS A BALL, AN
ALLEY, AND A GARAGE ROOF. IN THIS GAME EVERY CHILD IS GIVEN
A NUMBER. THE PERSON WHO HAS THE BALL THROWS IT ON THE ROOF AND
CALLS OFF ONE OF THE NUMBERS. THE PERSON WHOSE NUMBER IS
CALLED MUST CATCH THE BALL BEFORE IT HITS THE GROUND OR HE IS
OUT OF THE GAME. IF HE CATCHES THE BALL, HE THROWS IT AND
CALLS OUT ANOTHER NUMBER. THE GAME CONTINIUES LIKE THIS UNTIL
THERE IS ONLY ONE PERSON LEFT, AND THIS IS THE WINNER.

Submitter comment: THERE IS ONE INTERESTING THING THAT I NOTICED WHILE I WAS
COLLECTING THIS. NOT ONLY DID MY MOTHER PLAY THIS GAME WHEN
SHE WAS YOUNG, BUT A FREIND OF MINE PLAYED THIS GAME MUCH
MORE RECENTLY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement

Date learned: 01-00-1983

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RIDDLE

WHAT DID TARZAN SAY WHEN HE LANDED ON BUTTER?
ANSWER: O-LEO.

Data entry tech comment: OLEO IS A BUTTER SUBSTITUTE AND DRAWN OUT IT ; SOUNDS LIKE THE

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON

Subject headings: RIDDLE -- Riddle Question

Date learned: 00-00-1970

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VOCABULARY

YOU'VE MADE YOUR BED SO SLEEP IN IT.

Submitter comment: THIS IS WHAT A GERMAN FATHER SAYS TO HIS DAUGHTER ON HER WEDDING DAY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Formula

Date learned: 09-19-1969

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VOCABULARY

PLEASE?

Submitter comment: THIS IS SAID WHEN ONE NEEDS SOMETHING REPEATED, AND IT
IS FOUND IN OHIO.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Formula

Date learned: 09-19-1969

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TWO DRUNKS WERE SITTING IN A PUB WHEN ONE SAID TO
THE OTHER, "WHAT IS THE QUICKEST AND CHEAPEST WAY TO
GET TO THE OTHER SIDE OF IRELAND?" "SWIM," MUMBLED
THE OTHER.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT SAID THAT HE HEARD THIS RECENTLY FROM AN
OLD FRIEND WHO JUST RETURNED FROM IRELAND.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Stupid man or woman

Date learned: 11-15-1971

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TWO STONE DEAF DRUNKS WERE SITTING IN A PUB WHEN ONE
ASKED, "WHERE ARE WE?" "WIMBLY," THE OTHER ANSWERED.
"LORDY BE! I THOUGHT IT WAS THURSDAY! LET'S HAVE
ANOTHER DRINK!"

Submitter comment: INFORMANT SAID HE HEARD THIS STORY FROM AN OLD
IRISHMAN VISITING AMERICA AROUND 1925. INFORMANT
CONSIDERS THIS ONE OF HIS FAVORITE STORIES.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Stupid man or woman

Date learned: 11-15-1971

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THERE WAS ONCE A DRUNK WHO WAS GIVEN A JOB AS A
POLICEMAN IN A SMALL INDIANA TOWN. AFTER A TRAINING
PROGRAM, HE WAS ALLOWED TO GO ON HIS BEAT, WHICH ONLY
SPANNED TWO BLOCKS. TO BOOST HIS COURAGE, HE TOOK
A "NIP OR TWO." AFTER A FEW DAYS HE DISAPPEARED.
MOST PEOPLE THOUGHT HE WENT ON A BINGE. A FEW DAYS
LATER, HOWEVER, HE SUDDENLY APPEARED HAGGERED AND
TATTERED AT THE POLICE STATION.
"WHAT HAPPENED?" SHOUTED THE OTHER POLICEMEN.
"WELL, I WAS COMIN' OUT OF O'TOOLE'S BAR AND I SAW
THIS TRUCK GOIN' THROUGH A STOP SIGN. SO I DECIDED
TO HOP ON THE BACK OF THE BUS AND GIVE EM A TICKET.
HOW DID I KNOW HE WAS GOIN' TO PITTSBURG?"

Submitter comment: INFORMANT HEARD THIS STORY IN A SPEAKEASY DURING
PROHIBITION. HE DOES NOT REALLY BELIEVE IT
HAPPENED BUT CALLED IT A "GEM."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Stupid man or woman

Date learned: 11-15-1971

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KRAKOWIAK (POLISH DANCE)

LIKE THE AMERICAN SQUARE DANCE.

Where learned: CHILDHOOD ; NOT GIVEN ; HOME ; PENNSYLVANIA ; MICHIGAN ; LETTER ; OHIO ; NEW JERSEY ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; AUTOGRAPH BOOK ; GROSSE POINTE ; HARPER WOODS ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS ; WARREN ; JAPAN ; RUSSIA ; GRAND RAPIDS ; SHIPLE HALL ; GARDEN CITY ; ROYAL OAK ; TOLEDO ; TRENTON ; FARMINGTON ; KALAMAZOO ; CANADA ; ONTARIO ; MARYGROVE COLLEGE ; DETROIT ; MAIL ; INDIANA ; DETROIT, ASSUMED ; TOLD AT HOME ; FERNDALE ; SOUTHFIELD ; TENNESSEE ; MACKENZIE HIGH SCHOOL ; HAMTRAMCK ; DEARBORN ; MINNESOTA ; ILLINOIS ; NEW YORK ; FLORIDA ; KOREA ; WISCONSIN ; NEW HAMPSHIRE ; STUDENT UNION ; READING ; AUSTRALIA ; Sylvania ; Sterling Heights ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; GROSSE POINTE PARK ; OAK PARK ; SOUTHGATE ; STURGEON LAKE ; REDFORD ; TOORAK ; VICTORIA ; ROSEVILLE ; LINCOLN PARK ; TRAVERSE CITY ; HUNTINGTON WOODS ; PONTIAC ; TROY ; PORT CHESTER ; SOUTH AMERICA ; BROOKVILLE ; MONTREAL ; SEOUL ; NORTH OLMSTED ; EASTOWN THEATER ; ERIE ; University of Notre Dame ; FRANKLINVILLE ; TORONTO ; TOLD AT ; TOLD BY ; TOLD IN ; SCRANTON ; MONROE ; GLENVIEW ; MOSCOW ; GULLEY ; FINLAND ; HARBOR BEACH ; HOUGHTON LAKE ; Hudson Lake ; INDIANAPOLIS ; JONESBORO ; KANSASVILLE ; LEXINGTON ; MASSILLON ; MAUCH CHUNK ; MELVINDALE ; MILFORD ; NEW ROCHELLE ; NIAGARA FALLS ; PANAMA CITY ; PATAGONIA ; ARGENTINA ; RESIDENCE HALL ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES ; TOLD AT HONORS HOUSE ; AMERICAN HISTORY CLASS

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

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IF YOU STRUM YOUR FINGERS ON A TABLE THEN YOU ARE
ANXIOUS TO LEAVE THE PLACE YOU ARE AT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Gesture

Date learned: CA00001915

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