Oof-ta

Folklore:
“Oof-ta” – a saying commonly used in Minnesota

Context:
Informant grew up in Minnesota, where they used “Oof-ta” commonly as an “Oh well” replacement or as a saying to convey sympathy to an annoying, hard, inconvienent, or disgusting situation, though typically very small scenarios. Someone who is frustrated at their kid throwing up all over them, the person would respond with “Oof-ta.” The informant noted they stopped using it upon moving to Los Angeles and uses it less frequently as a result.

Analysis:
The folklore seems to be used in expressing sympathy or empathy within conversation. It also works to help create a feeling of identity and cohesion within the community. Informant noted they learned it form their family and was part of their normal life up until leaving that community where the common colloquial uses other words and the saying is not common.

Dunkin Ghost

Folklore:
At a Dunkin’ Donuts near USC, there is a Dunkin Ghost that haunts which causes random acts of high jinx during odd hours of service.

Context:
The informant works at the Dunkin Donuts near USC and told a story about their experiences with the Dunkin Ghost. “My story is about my job at Dunkin… I have been working at Dunkin for 2 years now… I don’t know how long the Dunkin Ghost has been a thing… a beeper would go off with no one entering…moved the trash can to the middle lobby… very heavy and knew that they didn’t move it… the alarm didn’t go off and it showed no one on camera.” The ghost was used to explain weird happenings around the store.

Analysis:
The folklore tends to be used as an explanation for things without explanation or for things that are done outside of expectation. It is a folklore shared within a service and work community which are held to certain expectations and rules. The explanation of the Dunkin Ghost is able to explain away the weird happenings or happenings that don’t meet those rules. Though in some cases, the ghost is used to explain happenings that don’t have a reasonable explanation.

争上游 “Struggling Upstream” Card Game

Folklore:
争上游 or translated as “Struggling Upstream” is a card game played with family and other guests, uses a normal 52 card deck with variations about the jokers. The game splits the deck into part depending on how many players playing with the goal of getting rid of them the fastest. To get rid of the cards, they must be placed in mostly numerical order as the strength of the card with 3 being the weakest card and 2 being the strongest. Pairs, Triples, or Fours (known as The Bomb) of the same number card increases the strength of the cards. Combos of cards can be combined to get rid of lesser cards faster. The first game starts with the 3 of Spades. A Joker works as a wild card and if placed alone is stronger than other cards.

Context:
The informant is a Chinese American student at USC. She plays this game with her family on trips with her family in China or in the greater Los Angeles area and enjoys teaching it to others to play. She found there are many variations on the game “vary like Egyptian War.” Her family enjoys playing with The Bomb, which is a combination of 4 of the same card. A joker could be used to replace one of the four, but if someone has a stronger number in four will beat other the pair. The informant notes the game is difficult at times due to the late game making it harder to get rid of weaker cards, so strategy is an important focus of the game.

Analysis:
The game helps connect her family in a shared strategy experience. The game challenges strategy and forward thinking with its mechanics on cleverness and knowledge of the rules. Playing the game, also invites the family and guests into partaking in a shared experience and play together. It also provides entertainment in possibly boring situations.

天时地利人和

Folklore:
天时地利人和 (Tiān shí dì lì rén hé)

Context:
The informant is a Chinese American student studying business at USC. She encountered the saying in situations where when asking for advice from an elder or someone in a more successful position, they would give this saying. She found it used in response to questions like “why are you successful?” She roughly translated it to “The right person at the right place at the right time with the right amount of luck or fortune.” Noting how many things needed to come together in order for the favorable situation to happen.

Analysis:
The folklore saying is used in interactions between elders and youth about success, wisdom, or favorable situations. The saying places credit of the situation on multiple factors, most outside of the person’s control while also celebrating the work and opportunity it took to get there. It may be used to brush off credit from the speaker or the inverse.

Chinese New Year’s Red Envelope

Folklore:
Giving red envelopes of money to members of the family until they get married at Chinese New Years.

Context:
The informant is a Chinese American student at USC. She described the practice and noted how the rule of marriage being the end marker of the tradition was a variation she noticed through her experience. The extra money helped with people still not married or able to comfortably give out the red envelopes by themselves. The informant noted how it tied into a larger normal of giving money as a gift on all occasions and presents were rarely specific items. Finding money is able to better support them and prevent negative outcomes such as embarrassment of not liking the gift and returning it.

Analysis:
The folklore reflects a larger value of caring and supporting the members of their greater family. The money allows for the most function to the receiver and prevent emotionally negative outcomes from lack of knowledge. The tradition of money also allows for the support of each members needs and not just the wants that giving a particular gift might not be able to address.