The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

GOOD FRIDAY

IN ITALY, ON GOOD FRIDAY, IT WAS A CUSTOM FOR THE PEOPLE TO TAKE
NOISEMAKERS TO CHURCH. AT A PRESCRIBED TIME DURING THE SERVICES,
EVERYONE WOULD BEGIN MAKING NOISES. SOMETIMES THIS WOULD BE A PIECE
OF WOOD AND A HAMMER AND NAILS--ANYTHING THAT WOULD MAKE NOISE.
ALSO IF SOMEONE IN FRONT OF YOU HAD A COAT ON AND LAID IT ON
THE PEW, YOU MIGHT NAIL THE COAT TO THE PEW AS A TYPE OF PRANK.

Submitter comment: AS RECOUNTED FROM MRS. BENESTELLI, A NEIGHBOR, ON TAPE.

Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH

Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC MAGIC ; PRANKS

Date learned: 11-01-1970