The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

TRADITIONAL JEWISH STORY (NOODLE)

Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.

THE INFORMANT, A FELLOW PATIENT IN THE HOSPITAL WITH MY
BROTHER, TOLD THIS STORY WHICH IS USED IN THE YIDDISH
TO PUT DOWN ANY PARTICULAR RACE OR ETHNIC GROUP.
IN THIS STORY, HE USES A POLACK AS THE BUTT.
A FACTORY WAS BEING INSPECTED BY GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS.
THE MANAGER OF THE FACTORY TOOK GREAT PRIDE IN THE
CLEANLINESS OF THE BUILDING, WHICH HAD ESTABLISHED
SOME REPUTATION. THE OFFICIALS, KNOWING THE SITUATION,
WERE DETERMINED TO FIND SOME EXAMPLE OF DISORDER OR
TRACE OF GRIME.
STARTING ON THE TOP FLOOR, THE OFFICIALS WORKED THEIR
WAY DOWN TO THE FIRST FLOOR, BUT THEY WERE DISAPPOINTED
IN NOT BEING ABLE TO DETECT ANY DIRT AT ALL. THEY
INSISTED ON SEEING THE BASEMENT, WHERE, THEY WERE
CONFIDENT OF FINDING SOMETHING TO REPORT ON.
UNFORTUNATELY, THE BASEMENT WAS AS IMMACULATE AS THE
OTHER FLOORS. JUST BEFORE THEY WERE TO LEAVE, A
POLACK WALKED INTO THE MEN'S LAVATORY WHERE THE
OFFICIALS WERE CHECKING THE FACILITIES. THE POLACK
WALKED UP TO A URINAL AND VOIDED. AS HE WAS
LEAVING, AN OFFICIAL SAID, "AREN'T YOU GOING TO WASH
YOUR HANDS BEFORE GOING BACK TO YOUR WORK?" THE POLACK
REPLIED, "NO, BECAUSE I'M NOT GOING BACK TO WORK.
I'M GOING TO EAT LUNCH."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR

Date learned: 02-24-1967