The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

WALKING PRACTICE

IT WAS A COMMON PRACTICE FOR THE INFORMANT, WHEN HE
WAS A CHILD, TO AVOID STEPPING ON THE BLOCKS OF
SIDEWALK WITH THE LETTERS D.P.W. ON THEM. THEY
COULD STEP ON THE BLOCKS WITH A DATE ON THEM, BUT
NOT WITH D.P.W. HE RELATED THAT THEY COULD NOT
STEP ON A CRACK EITHER.

Data entry tech comment: D.P.W.=DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 03-15-1967