The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

IRISH TALE

AN IRISHMAN AND A DUTCHMAN WERE FIGHTING OVER A
PIECE OF MEAT. SOMEHOW, IN THE COURSE OF THE DISPUTE,
BOTH MEN MANAGED TO GRAB THEIR END OF THE MEAT IN HIS
JAWS AND WERE PULLING AT IT. NEITHER COULD GET IT
AWAY FROM THE OTHER.
ABOUT THIS TIME A FRIEND DECIDED TO SETTLE THE
ARGUMENT. IT WAS AGREED THAT THE FRIEND WOULD ASK
QUESTIONS AND THE FIRST MAN TO LET LOOSE OF THE MEAT
LOST IT. HE BEGAN TO ASK QUESTIONS AND THE TWO
DISPUTANTS WOULD ANSWER, "NO" KEEPING THEIR TEETH
CLENCHED. FINALLY, THE FRIEND ASKED "DO YOU
WANT THE MEAT?" IMMEDIATELY, BOTH MEN ANSWERED
"YERSE," SAID THE IRISHMAN. "YA," SAID THE OTHER.

Submitter comment: HEARD FROM A WORK COLLEAGUE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 10-02-1967