The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

JOKE TOLD AS TRUE

MY FATHER WAS SENT TO REPRESENT OUR FAMILY AT THE WAKE
FOR SIMON "SHINNY" CURRAN WHEN HE DIED IN 1932.
THREE OF SHINNY'S FRIENDS--ANGELO AND NICK PATRICK AND
MORRIS RILEY--BROUGHT SOME OF THEIR HOME BREW AND
OFFERED IT TO THE CORPSE. WHEN, OF COURSE, THE BODY
DID NOT RESPOND, THEY SAID, "SHINNY MUST REALLY BE
DEAD, IF HE WON'T TAKE OUR LIQUOR!"

Submitter comment: I HAVE HEARD THIS STORY AS A JOKE. MY AUNT, THE
INFORMANT, TOLD IT AS ACTUALLY HAVING HAPPENED IN HER
HOME TOWN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE

Date learned: 10-00-1963