Tag Archives: family

Onions for fevers

Nationality: American, Mexican (dual)
Occupation: Stay at home parent
Residence: Concord, CA
Language: Spanish

I actually interviewed my mother because I’ve honestly never thought that some of the things we do may be considered folklore. I remember in class we talked about remedies and in my family if someone has a fever then we put onions on their feet. Specifically purple onions that are cut in half. The onion halves go on the soles of your feet and “pull out” the heat from you. She says that my grandma (her mother) would do that with them as children so she has continued the tradition.

Now, I have been on the receiving end on this and admittedly I am skeptical. I feel like it has worked to bring my fever down, but at the same time we used rags that are wet with the onions so I’m not sure if it’s the rags or the onions (my guess is it’s the rags). Nonetheless, I continue to do it because it’s tradition.

Del dicho al hecho hay mucho trecho

Nationality: American, Mexican (dual)
Age: 45
Occupation: Stay at home parent
Residence: Concord, CA
Language: Spanish

This is actually a common saying from where my mom is from in Mexico (Mexico City), but it’s a very regional saying. She claims my father had no idea about it before he met her. It translates to “from words to actions, there’s a big gap.” Essentially saying that theres a big difference between what people say and what people do. She’s always told me this as a kid and I’ve been around my hispanic community and have never heard anyone else refer to it either. They understand because of language, but it’s likely their first time hearing it.

I’ve already mentioned it, but it’s a regional saying to those in Mexico City, I find that Mexico in general is really diverse in regional folklore. She has a gesture that’s specific to a region she lived in for a time. Although she doesn’t do it because it’s the equivalent of the middle finger. I have been around Mexico various times, and would say I’m equally if not more well-traveled in Mexico than the United States, and I’ve been to 23 United States. This proverb that she says seems to reflect the skepticism towards empty promises. Mexico City is an enormous city, and many people live day-to-day because of the uncertainty of tomorrow. I think this creates uncertainty between people as well as they are unsure if people can follow through on their promises.

Luvu – Folk Speech

Nationality: American
Age: 19
Occupation: Student
Residence: Los Angeles
Language: English

Text: Luvu

Context: “In my family, we always say ‘luvu’ in texts, the response is ‘luvu2’ now that we don’t have to worry about staying under four characters. It was originally a way for my sister to text my mom that she was okay or had gotten somewhere safe when she had an older phone and was limited in the number of texts she could send. Four characters didn’t count as a text, so ‘luvu’ didn’t count against her minutes. It was basically a measure of safety and has evolved into something my family says a lot, and is just kind of another greeting or goodbye to us now.”

Analysis: It is very common for families to develop unique phrases over time that they use amongst themselves. They are often borne out of circumstance, but become an integral part of a family’s relationship over the years. Even though they no longer need to stay under a character limit, the fact that the informant’s family still regularly uses this phrase is fascinating. It’s obviously a variation of “love you,” but “luvu” seems to be far more meaningful for the informant and their family than the more common, two-word version.
It reminds me of a quote I heard years ago, and while I can’t recall the exact wording, it said something along the lines of, “Love is creating your own language.” In other words, people who love each other, whether it’s a family, a couple, or even just close friends, come up with their own unique combinations of jargon, jokes, and phrases that may sound like complete gibberish to someone else. But to those people, they are familiar and comforting. Anyone who hears “luvu” will likely assume it’s just a shortened way of saying “love you.” And while they may be correct, only the informant and their family will ever truly understand its significance.

“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.