Category Archives: Folk speech

Verbal Gratuity

Nationality: American
Age: 25
Primary Language: English

“My dad always told me that when a customer at work says “Oh you’re a great waiter!”, they call it a ‘verbal gratuity’. Sometimes they actually do give a good tip, but my Dad says a lot of the time that compliment is the only tip they get. That’s why they also call it the ‘kiss of death’.”

An example of occupational folk speech, this piece illustrates the experience of working as a waiter in a restaurant. As they depend heavily on tips, the amount that a customer tips them can have a huge effect on the happiness and wellbeing of a waiter. I imagine an instance such as this, in which a customer seems satisfied with the service but still does not leave a tip, can be even more frustrating than it would be otherwise.

 

Make something round

Nationality: American
Age: 25
Occupation: Student
Residence: LA
Primary Language: English

Informant places 5 sticks on the counter, all parallel to each other.

“Make something round from these sticks, only moving two of them.”

The informant takes the two outside sticks, and places them perpendicular to and above the 2nd and 5th sticks. This forms three letters, which together spell “TIT”.

“So when I was about 10 or so, I went out to visit my uncle. I always used to visit him during the summer. By this time, I was getting older and I had always had older brothers, so, ya know, I was starting to figure some things out. I guess my uncle picked up on this and wanted to initiate me into becoming a man or something. So I go to his house, and he asks if I want to hear a riddle. I say yes, so he lays out 5 sticks and asks him to make something round while only moving two. I consider myself smart, but I couldn’t figure it out. So he shows me, and he got so excited about it.”

This particular riddle seems to be something of a coming-of-age ritual, a way to initiate a young boy into becoming a teenager. This transition is often accompanied by increased interest in sex. This riddle seems to be a way to gradually push the subject over the liminal, and onto the path toward adulthood.

“Mangia vete”

Nationality: American
Age: 60
Occupation: Accountant
Residence: Denver, Colorado
Performance Date: 4/21/15
Primary Language: English

This is an Italian phrase that was used in RG’s family. However, RG does not speak Italian and only knew how to say it, not spell it. The second word of the phrase sounds like “vete”, but that is not an actual Italian word so it is most likely spelled a different way.

What does the phrase mean?

RG: My dad used to say it as something like “feed your face”. It was something he said when we were kids.

Did your dad speak Italian?

RG: “No, my grandfather was an Italian immigrant, but he didn’t want his kids to speak Italian. He said they were Americans, not Italians. Americans speak english. My dad still used some of the words and phrases though.

When would your dad use the phrase?

RG: “It was an expression for “it’s time for dinner”. It would be like “Bobby mangia fete”, “Bobby, come on feed your face”

This was a good example of how folklore is spread via word of mouth. RG had never even seen the phrase written out so he didn’t even know how to spell it. It also demonstrates how someones interpretation of  folklore is more important than what it actual means. “Mangia vete” itself doesn’t mean anything when it is spelled out. However, when it is used in the context of RG’s family, it is clear to all of them that it means “feed your face” or “it’s time to eat”.

I also found it interesting that it was an Italian phrase used by people who did not speak Italian. Although RG’s grandfather did not want his children to speak Italian because they were “Americans, not Italians”, slang from the Italian culture still became a part of their family that was passed down. Despite his grandfather’s best efforts, his family was American with a definite Italian influence. The fact that his grandfather wanted his children to be known as “Americans” is, I believe, a direct result of his being an Italian immigrant. He did not want his children to be treated any different than other American children, but at the same time the part of his Italian culture was inevitably expressed because that was what he grew up with. It’s a nice example of the blending of cultures to the point where eventually Italian phrases are used by English speakers who do not completely understand what they are saying, but they know the context of when to say it.

“The road to heaven is paved with good intentions”

Nationality: american
Age: 60
Occupation: teacher
Residence: denver, colorado
Performance Date: 4/18/15
Primary Language: English

This was described by MG as an Irish proverb that she grew up with.

Who would say it?

MG: “All the older Irish people would say it. My mom said it and her mom said it too.”

What does it mean to you?

MG: “It means “oh I’m gonna do this stuff but I’m actually never going to do it”. Your father always does this, he’ll say “Oh I should call my uncle Tom” but then never does it or “Oh I should take Jack out for a ride in my car” but the never does it. The paved means they didn’t get to heaven so it’s the pathway to heaven but it doesn’t mean you actually get there. It doesn’t say the road to heaven IS good intentions it’s just PAVED with them.”

Do you think it reflects Irish culture?

MG: “Well it’s a very Catholic culture so it’s very motivated by getting to heaven. So religiously I think it’s Irish”

I thought this proverb was interesting because it was basically saying it’s ok to not follow through on your plans. I had definitely heard the proverb before but didn’t think this was the interpretation. I thought it was particularly interesting when MG said “the road to heaven isn’t good intentions” which is what you would logically think, especially if it has religious connotations. I think this could, in some way, be a proverb to help someone battle guilt about falling through on plans. That way you at least show that you had the intention even if you couldn’t follow through.

In the Madonna song 4 Minutes:

http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/madonna/4minutes.html

 

“Life’s a shit sandwich”

Nationality: american
Age: 60
Occupation: accountant
Residence: denver, colorado
Performance Date: 4/21/15
Primary Language: English

Proverb that was said in RG’s family: “Life’s a shit sandwhich, the more bread you have the less shit you have to eat”

Who told you this proverb?

RG: “I think it was my Aunt Arlene. She would say it a lot.”

What does it mean to you?

RG: “The connotation is the more money you have the less shit you have to eat. Basically life is hard except if you have more money it’s less hard. I think it’s supposed to be a motivation to make more money. So people with more money have a better life I guess. My Aunt Arlene was very impressed with money”

This proverb was interesting mainly because it had kind of a negative message. While many proverbs seem to be enlightening, this one kind of promotes greed. I also thought it related nicely to the “New Jersey joke” that was also told by RG. Both contained vulgar language and a vulgar connotation which plays into the stereotypes of people from New Jersey being rude.