Author Archives: Melanie Grindle

Folk Belief – Serbian

Nationality: Serbian
Age: 21
Occupation: Student
Residence: Los Angeles, CA (Current)
Performance Date: April 27, 2011
Primary Language: English
Language: Serbian

“If you see a chimney man—sweep—you’ll have good luck.”

“There is no chimney sweep [jokingly]. There are in some in older areas. In some really old areas. It’s just like a generally known thing in Serbia.”

The informant is originally from Serbia but has been attending university in Los Angeles, CA for the past two years.

Chimney sweeps are also considered lucky in the British Isles and Germany. They are paid to attend weddings there because they are considered a sign of luck (Monger 64). Chimney sweeps are documented as signs of luck in “A Dictionary of Superstitions” in a multitude of locations, especially in London. The example presented show people exclaiming that they are in luck upon seeing a chimney sweep, dating from 1887.

Monger, George. Marriage Customs of the World: from Henna to Honeymoons. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO, 2004. Print.

Opie, Iona Archibald., and Moira Tatem. A Dictionary of Superstitions. Oxford England: Oxford UP, 1989. Print.

Proverb – Serbian

Nationality: Serbian
Age: 21
Occupation: Student
Residence: Los Angeles, CA (Current)
Performance Date: April 27, 2011
Primary Language: English
Language: Serbian

“Ko o cemu kurve o postenju.”

“Hookers are the ones that are talking about morals all the time.”

“In terms if you judge other people. The person who judges other people is the one with the same flaws usually.”

“It’s just a well-known saying. It’s used in conversation.”

The informant is originally from Serbia but has been attending university in Los Angeles, CA for the past two years.

This Serbian proverb is a way of calling one a hypocrite. Like many proverbs, out of context, it contradicts itself, but is intended to be ironic. It is a metaphor for people who have their own faults but still judge others’ morals.