Category Archives: Folk speech

Everything happens for a reason

Age: 80

Text: Everything happens for a reason, not for the best.

Context: The participant is Buddhist and adapted this folk speech from the saying, “everything happens for a reason.” In Buddhism, they believe that karma determines events, not fate. The participant’s daughter is Christian and often uses the saying, “everything happens for a reason” to justify any negative events or struggles that she endures. She came up with this saying in response to her daughter, as she believes that everything has a cause, but that does not mean it is necessarily good. Instead, it means that events all happen due to past actions.

Analysis: As someone who knows little about Buddhism, this perspective on the saying, “everything happens for a reason” is very enlightening and interesting. Karma, to me, was always the idea of “what goes around comes around” but I never thought about it in the sense of past lives. Buddhists believe that consequences depend on actions in your past life, meaning you are responsible for anything that happens to you. I have always believed in the Westernized approach to this, which is that everything truly does happen for a reason. However, the Buddhist approach is much more mindful, and it teaches people that instead of ignoring hardships because they have been determined by a God, they should reflect on their past actions, and think about how they will contribute to the future.

Buddhism, itself, is an institutional religion, but the adaptation of this saying is an example of vernacular religion. It is not traditional in Buddhism, but it is a belief that the participant adopted and created, based on the belief of karma. She became an active bearer of this proverb by adapting it from her culture, and spreading it to others. She says that many people in her family have started using this proverb themselves, and believe it to be true because of how strongly she resonates with it.

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you

Age: 55

Text: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”

Context: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” is a common statement rooted in Christianity. The participant grew up with Buddhist parents, but she was baptized and went to church, as her parents wanted her to be a part of the religion that the majority of Canada believes in. She was taught this phrase in Sunday School, and understood it to be the Golden Rule. She told me, “I learned from a young age that it is important to treat others with kindness, the same way that you would like to be treated yourself. I took this saying very seriously, as I saw my other family members treating everyone, friends, family, or even strangers, with kindness. This is something that I taught to my children early on, as I believe that it is necessary to be empathetic and moral towards everyone. It is no longer a religious belief to me, but instead a moral saying that I use every day.”

Analysis: The Golden Rule is a saying that I grew up using, but one that I never associated with a religion. To me, it was more of a moral code that I followed. The Golden Rule is very universal, and it has the feature of folklore related to multiplicity and variation. The general, vernacular saying that is most commonly expressed is even a different variation from the original, it is known as, “treat others as you would like to be treated.” For example, in Confucianism, they say “Do not do to others what you do not want them to do to you” and in Judaism, they say “What is hateful to you, do not do to others.” This shows that this idea of moral reciprocity and responsibility is a fundamental human value and it is not specific to one region. However, it is oicotypified because it is expressed differently in different cultures. In Christianity, it is institutionalized as it is taught formally, however, the way that people use it in everyday life is vernacular.

“Meet Me at the Airport, We’re Going to Tahiti”

Nationality: American
Age: 63
Occupation: Retired

Informant Information:

Age: 63

Date of Performance: 2/18/2025

Language: English

Nationality: American

Occupation: Retired

Primary Language: English

Residence: Alameda, California

Text:

“Meet me at the airport, we’re going to Tahiti.”

Context:

The informant, a native of Berkeley, California, has faced significant family hardships, including her mother’s sudden health crisis, her son’s chronic illness, and her brother’s child being diagnosed with autism. During particularly stressful moments, she and her siblings would jokingly text each other, saying, “Meet you at the airport, let’s go to Tahiti” or “I’m going to Tahiti right now, come join me.” This became their way of signaling that they had reached an emotional breaking point and needed a mental escape.

Analysis:

The metaphorical idea of escaping to Tahiti, an idyllic vacation destination, served as a form of humorous escapism for the informant and her family. By inviting each other to “meet at the airport” and “go to Tahiti,” they created a shared symbolic refuge—a way to momentarily detach from their struggles without actually leaving.

Tahiti, often associated with paradise and relaxation, represented the fantasy of escaping life’s burdens and finding peace. By extending this imaginary invitation, the informant and her siblings not only acknowledged their shared hardships but also reinforced their emotional support for one another. This expression worked simultaneously as a joke and coping mechanism that allowed them to communicate distress, offer solidarity, and maintain their bond through humor, despite adversity.

Folk Joke: “Make Sure You Get to the Back 40”

Age: 73
Occupation: Retired
Language: English

Informant Information:

Age: 73

Date of Performance: 2/26/2025

Language: English

Nationality: American

Occupation: Retired

Primary Language: English

Residence: Alameda, California

Text:

“Make sure you get to the back 40.”

Definition:

Back 40 – A term referring to the undeveloped or uncultivated portion of a farm, often a hypothetical 40 acres, symbolizing overlooked or less glamorous responsibilities.

Context:

The informant’s parents, who grew up on large farms in the rural South during the Great Depression, frequently used this phrase even after moving to a more urban, middle-class area of Mississippi. The informant’s mother, for example, would say this to the father while they had a family lunch in their relatively small, half-acre yard. Despite no longer living on a large farm, the parents continued to use this folksy expression as a nod to their agricultural roots.

Analysis:

The humor stems from the irony that the informant’s family no longer had a literal “back 40” to tend, having moved to a smaller suburban lot. Yet, the phrase remained a lighthearted reminder not to overlook their less obvious or neglected responsibilities. In essence, “make sure you get to the back 40” playfully urges attention to what might otherwise be forgotten.

By using this phrase regularly, the informant’s parents preserved a cultural tradition, connecting their suburban life to their farming roots. The joke carried both nostalgia and irony, reinforcing their Southern agricultural heritage while simultaneously adapting to a new, more urban environment.

“If the Good Lord’s Willing and the Creek Don’t Rise”

Age: 73
Occupation: Retired
Language: English

Informant Information:

Age: 73

Date of Performance: 2/26/2025

Language: English

Nationality: American

Occupation: Retired

Primary Language: English

Residence: Alameda, California

Text:

“If the good Lord’s willing and the creek don’t rise.”

Context:

The informant’s parents, who grew up in Tennessee, often used this Southern phrase when making a promise or commitment. It served as a way to qualify their pledge, acknowledging that unforeseen circumstances could prevent them from following through.

The informant’s background adds depth to this expression. Their mother lived in the Appalachian hills of East Tennessee, near the Hiwassee River. Before dams were built, the river frequently flooded, posing a real danger. The informant’s late uncle tragically drowned in the Hiwassee River, making the phrase “if the creek don’t rise” more than just a figure of speech—it was a genuine concern tied to the unpredictable forces of nature that could disrupt daily life.

Analysis:

This Southern saying blends faith and realism, reflecting the values of the region. “The good Lord’s willing” conveys deep religious faith and trust in divine providence, while “if the creek don’t rise” acknowledges the potential for unexpected natural disruptions. Together, the phrase expresses both humility and an awareness of life’s uncertainties—recognizing that even with the best intentions to uphold a promise, external forces may intervene. By using this expression, the informant’s parents could make a commitment while also leaving room for circumstances beyond their control.