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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

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LEGEND OF WARDING OFF A BEATING

WHEN YOU DO SOMETHING WRONG
AND YOU DON'T WANT TO BE BEATEN BY YOUR MOTHER
PULL OUT ONE OF YOUR EYELASHES AND PUT IT UNDER A ROCK.
IT MUST BE A ROCK OR IT IS NO GOOD.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT SAID HE TRIED IT UNDER A CONCK SHELL AND IT DID'NT WORK.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; DORM ROOM

Keyword(s): CONCH SHELL

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

Date learned: 01-26-1972

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CHRISTMAS CUSTOM

IT IS TRADITIONAL IN THE SUZIO FAMILY, THAT DURING ADVENT, ALL GOOD
DEEDS ARE REWARDED WITH A LITTLE STAR DRAWN ON A SHEET OF PAPER
HANGING ON A DOOR. EACH CHILD TRIES TO GET AS MANY OF THESE STARS,
AND THUS BE AS GOOD AS THEY POSSIBLY CAN BECAUSE ON CHRISTMAS EVE
LITTLE SCROLLS, TIED WITH RIBBONS, CONTAINING ALL THE STARS THEY
MERITED, ARE CARRIED IN A PROCESSION TO THE CRIB UNDER THE CHRISTMAS
TREE. EACH CHILD WANTS TO HAVE THE BEST GIFT POSSIBLE, SO THEY WORK
AS HARD AS THEY CAN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; DORM ROOM

Subject headings: 645 September 23 Equinox to December 20
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Manger scenes
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas tree

Date learned: 11-12-1969

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Entry filtered.

CONFUSCIOUS SAY

Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.

CONFUSCIOUS SAY:
HE WHO LAY GIRL ON GROUND FIND PEACE ON EARTH.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; DORM ROOM

Keyword(s): HUMOR SEX METONYMY

Subject headings:

Date learned: 12-00-1968

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WINKING OF THE EYE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; PARTY ; DORM

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Congratulations Appreciation Appreciation of female beauty

Date learned: 02-15-1971

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ORDINARY FOLKTALE

A YOUNG GIRL DESPERATELY WANTED TO GO TO A PARTY BUT SHE DIDN'T HAVE
A DATE. SHE THEN EXCLAIMED THAT SHE WOULD GO TO THE PARTY
WITH ANYBODY,
EVEN THE DEVIL HIMSELF. THEN A FRIEND ASKED HER TO THE PARTY
AND SHE HAD A MARVELOUS TIME. AS SHE WAS SAYING GOODBYE SHE GLANCED
DOWN AND SAW HOOVES INSTEAD OF FEET AND SHE REALIZED THAT SHE TRULY
WAS OUT WITH THE DEVIL.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT'S MOTHER TOLD HER THIS TO WARN HER NOT TO CALL UPON
SATANIC PO/WERS. KEYPUNCHED IN NOV.,1972-ALSO ON CARD IN 5X8 FILES

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ordinary Tale

Date learned: 09-18-1972

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Proverb

Don't judge a book by its cover.

Submitter comment:

From - Uncertain

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE

Keyword(s): Aphorism ; Apothegm ; BOOK ; Cover ; Judge ; Maxim ; PROVERB ; Superficial ; VERSE

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

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Proverb

Beauty is only skin deep.

Submitter comment:

From - Uncertain

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Original BN [V300] crossed out. Replacedw ith current classification.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE

Keyword(s): Aphorism ; Apothegm ; BEAUTY ; Deep ; Depth ; Looks ; Maxim ; PROVERB ; SKIN ; Superficial ; VERSE

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

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Proverb

His bark is worse than his bite.

Submitter comment:

From - Uncertain

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Original BN [V300] crossed out. Replaced with current classification.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE

Keyword(s): Aphorism ; Apothegm ; Bark ; Bite ; Maxim ; METAPHOR ; PROVERB ; VERSE

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

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Proverb

Actions speak louder than words.

Submitter comment:

From - Uncertain

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Original BN [V300] crossed out. Replaced with current classification.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE

Keyword(s): ACTION ; Aphorism ; Apothegm ; Loud ; Maxim ; PROVERB ; Speak ; SPEECH ; VERSE ; WORDS

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

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Proverb

Necessity is the mother of invention.

Submitter comment:

From - Uncertain

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Original BN [V300] crossed out. Replacedw tih current classification.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE

Keyword(s): Aphorism ; Apothegm ; Demand ; Invention ; Maxim ; MOTHER ; NECESSITY ; Need ; PROVERB ; VERSE

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

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WHEN A TYPE OF INFECTION OR SORE IS FOUND TO BE MEDICALLY
INCURABLE, THE FOLLOWING METHOD IS TO BE USED AS A CURE.
A PIECE OF CLOTH THAT A DECEASED PERSON WAS CLEANSED WITH
IS TO BE STROKED ACROSS THE INFECTED AREA THREE TIMES AND
THEN DISPOSED OF IN A DAMP PLACE.
BEFORE THE CLOTH WILL DECAY THE SORE SHOULD BE HEALED.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; WEDDING

Keyword(s): INFECTION ; TRANSFERENCE

Subject headings: Favorites
BELIEF -- Method of Curing

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SMOKING TERMS

SHE CALLS A CIGARETTE EITHER A "WEED" OR "FAG."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAZEL PARK

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Underworld

Date learned: NOT GIVEN BY COLLECTOR

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THE SEA BAT IS A VERY RARE NAUTICAL ANIMAL. THEY
AREN'T CAUGHT VERY OFTEN, BUT WHEN THEY ARE, THEY ARE
PUT IN A BOX. EVERYONE WHO HAS BEEN AT SEA FOR
AWHILE HAS SEEN A SEA BAT, BUT IT'S STILL A REAL
OCCASION. WHEN YOU CATCH ONE, YOU PUT IT IN A BOX
ON THE STERN OF THE SHIP. SEA BATS DON'T LIVE VERY
LONG, SO YOU PASS THE WORD FOR ALL WHO HAVEN'T SEEN
ONE TO COME WHILE IT'S STILL ALIVE. ALL THE NEW
SEAMEN GO TO SEE THE BAT, WHICH IS UNDER A BOX WITH
TWO PEEPHOLES TO LOOK INTO. YOU HAVE TO GET DOWN
ON YOUR KNEES TO LOOK IN. OF COURSE, THERE'S NOTHING
IN THE BOX. THE NEW SEAMEN REALLY GETS RAPPED IN THE
BUTT.

Submitter comment: BUT THERE REALLY ARE SEA BATS. THE INFORMANT SAW ONE
IN THE GOLDEN GATE PARK AQUARIUM. AFTER A LONG
BIOLOGICAL NAME, IT SAID "SEA-BAT."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAZEL PARK

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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WHEN A NEW SEAMAN COMES ABOARD SHIP THE OLD SALTS
TELL HIM TO STAND MAIL BUOY WATCH UP ON THE FOC-SOLE
(FORECASTLE). THE BRAND NEW SEAMAN IS SUPPOSED
TO WAIT FOR A "MAIL BUOY" THE SHIP WILL PASS AND
WITH A BIG BOAT HOOK REACH OUT TO GRAB THE MAIL
SACK.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAZEL PARK

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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"CHARLIE NOBLE" IS A NAME GIVEN TO VARIOUS IMAGINARY
FIGURES IN PRACTICAL JOKES PLAYED ON THE NEWEST SEAMAN
ON BOARD SHIP. ACTUALLY, CHARLY NOBLE IS THE
SMOKESTACK THAT COMES OUT OF THE SHIP'S GALLEY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAZEL PARK

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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NEW SEAMAN ON SHIP

"CHARLIE NOBLE'S LEAVE PAPERS"
SOMEONE FROM THE PERSONNEL OFFICE WILL GO TO SEE A
NEW SEAMAN (USUALLY THE PETTY OFFICER DOES THIS).
HE'LL TELL THE NEW SEAMAN "CHARLIE NOBLE'S LEAVE
PAPERS ARE READY TO BE PICKED UP AT THE PERSONNEL
OFFICE." CHARLIE NOBLE IS IN HIS DIVISION SO HE
HAS TO FIND HIM. THE NEW SEAMAN LOOKS ALL OVER
AND NEVER FINDS CHARLIE, WHO DOESN'T EXIST OF COURSE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAZEL PARK

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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Proverb

Behind every great man there is a great woman.

Submitter comment:

From - Uncertain

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Original BN [V300] crossed out. Replaced with current classification.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE ;

Keyword(s): Aphorism ; Apothegm ; gender ; Man ; Maxim ; POWER ; PROVERB ; VERSE ; Woman

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

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Proverb

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Submitter comment:

From - Uncertain

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Original BN[V300] crossed out. Replaced with current classification.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE

Keyword(s): Aphorism ; Apothegm ; CURE ; Maxim ; Ounce ; Pound ; PREVENTION ; PROVERB ; VERSE ; WEIGHT

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

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FOOD

AT CHRISTMAS, HIS MOTHER GETS A BREAD OF WAFER
FORM AND MAKEUP -- IT IS SOLD AT THE CHURCH
AND THIS IS SHARED BY THE FAMILY -- PASSING IT AMONG
AND WISHING EACH OTHER LUCK FOR THE COMING YEAR.

Submitter comment:

THIS IS DONE AT INFORMANT'S HOME EVERY YEAR.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT T.V. STUDIO

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Oplatki
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Church

Date learned: 09-24-1970

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Proverb

Don't let your right hand know what your left hand is doing.

Submitter comment:

From - Uncertain

James Callow comment:

Original BN [V300] crossed out. Replaced with current classification.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE

Keyword(s): Aphorism ; Apothegm ; Hand ; LEFT ; Maxim ; PROVERB ; RIGHT ; VERSE

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

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