The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

SPEECH BELIEF OR FORMULA SPEECH

A SLIP OF THE LIP CAN SINK A SHIP

Submitter comment: THIS SAYING IS USED, FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN A PERSON IS KEEPING A SECRET
FROM SOMEONE ABOUT A SURPRISE OR GIFT. A ONE WORD SLIP-UP ABOUT IT
MIGHT CAUSE THE PERSON TO LEARN THE SURPRISE WHICH WOULD RESULT IN
NO SURPRISE AT ALL. AT THIS DATE 12-12-77 I AM TRYING VERY HARD TO
KEEP TWO SPECIAL CHRISTMAS GIFTS A SECRET. I TALK TO MY MOM ABOUT
MY BOYFRIEND'S GIFT AND MY MOM'S GIFT TO MY BOYFRIEND. I CERTAINLY
WOULD NOT WANT TO MIX THEM UP RESULTING IN BOTH PEOPLE KNOWING WHAT
THEY ARE RECEIVING.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALPENA

Date learned: 11-00-1969