The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

RED LICORICE

IN 1960 IN BIRMINGHAM, MICHIGAN, AT HOLY NAME GRADE
SCHOOL, STRING TIES WERE POPULAR WEAR FOR THE BOYS.
THE SEVENTH-GRADERS WOULD BUY 3 FOOT STRINGS OF RED
LICORICE AND WEAR THEM AS TIES. BY THE END OF THE DAY,
"TIES" WERE NEARLY ALL GONE BECAUSE THE BOYS WOULD EAT
THEM THROUGH THE DAY, PROVOKING ONE NUN TO TELL THEM
THIS WAS A MORTAL SIN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE

Date learned: NOT GIVEN