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.

Apples & Honey: Jewish New Year Ritual

Age: 63
Occupation: Retired
Language: English

Informant Information:

Age: 63

Date of Performance: 2/18/2025

Language: English

Nationality: American

Occupation: Retired

Primary Language: English

Residence: Alameda, California

Text:

“Both my parents were Jewish, and at the new year—which, in Judaism, is a holiday in the fall when apples are in season—you cut apple slices, dip them in honey, and that will give you a sweet, prosperous new year.”

Context:

The informant, a California native from a fully Jewish background, grew up celebrating the Jewish New Year with her parents.

Analysis:

Eating apples dipped in honey is a Jewish tradition during Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Their round shape symbolizes the cyclical nature of the year, while the honey’s sweetness represents hopes for a prosperous and joyful future.

Before eating, participants often recite a blessing expressing their wish for a “sweet new year,” reinforcing the ritual’s symbolic nature. For the informant’s family, this ritual was a celebration of their Jewish identity and means of passing down traditions to future generations. The timing, coinciding with apple season in the fall, also reflects the natural alignment between cultural customs and the regional produce available in California.

“Cuando Cuelgo Los Tenis”

Age: 20
Occupation: University Student
Language: Spanish

Informant Information:

Age: 20

Date of Performance: 2/15/2025

Language: English

Nationality: American

Occupation: University Student

Primary Language: Spanish

Residence: Los Angeles, California

Text: “Cuando cuelgo los tenis”

Translation: “When I hang my shoes”

Figurative Meaning: “When I die”

Context:

Whenever the informant’s mother was upset or disappointed with the informant’s behavior, she would use the Spanish phrase “Cuando cuelgo los tenis” (“When I hang my shoes”). The phrase was used hypothetically, implying that the mother’s death could be a consequence of the child’s actions.

Analysis:

This phrase is commonly used by parents in Mexican Spanish to evoke guilt or a sense of responsibility in their children. When a parent is upset or disappointed, they may use this expression to suggest that their child’s behavior is distressing enough to contribute to their eventual passing. This type of statement reflects a universal theme in parenting, where guilt is employed as a tool to encourage compliance and reinforce family values. While the threat of death is not meant to be taken literally, it emphasizes the importance of respect, familial bonds, and the physical and emotional impact of one’s actions on their loved ones.

“Dripping water can penetrate the stone”

Age: 20


Date of performance: 2/22/25


Language: Chinese


Nationality: Chinese


Occupation: Student


Primary Language: Chinese & English


Residence: United States

Background:

“水滴石穿 (shuǐ dī shí chuān)” is a Chinese proverb commonly used by teachers, parents, and adults in general to encourage young kids.

Context:

For context, the interviewee was told this proverb as a kid growing up whenever they would attend their art class. Upon getting frustrated with their work, their teacher would recite the phrase, “水滴石穿 (shuǐ dī shí chuān)” which translates to “Dripping water can penetrate the stone.”

Interviewee Interpretation:

As understood by the interviewee, this phrase means to have patience and persistence, or that if you have enough patience, you can achieve anything.

Analysis:

Per my interviewee’s understanding, I interpret this metaphor similarly to having an ease of mind and clear consciousness; just like water. Not only then through patience and perseverance can you achieve that which is beyond expectation; dripping water deteriorating stone gradually over time. I found it interesting that dripping is involved with the water asset. Based on my interpretation, it serves to emphasize and directly change the direction of the entire saying. Through its addition, it presents the passage with the additional concept of time which helps guide listeners to gain the insight that patience holds immense power.