Document Type
Correspondence
Files
Download Full Text (414 KB)
Date
2-10-1948
Keywords
Sinking Spring, Ash Wednesday, cows, turnips, ashes, mnemonic device
Description
A handwritten letter from an unknown author addressed to Alfred L. Shoemaker, dated February 10, 1948. Within, the author discusses the Pennsylvania Dutch word for Ash Wednesday, along with traditions associated with this day.
Sender
Unknown Author
Recipient
Alfred L. Shoemaker
Corresponds to:
Packet 295-13b
City
Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania
Transcription
Feb. 10, 1948
Sinking Spring, Pa
Dr. Shoemaker:
You asked for some one to write in and tell you what the saying for Contents was. Here is the way we always heard it.
“Contents”
“Cows ought not to eat nasty turnip skins.”
Ash Wednesday was called “bushknipple”. I know that isn’t the correct spelling of the word, but I hope it is spelled near enough so that you know what its supposed to be, and then spell it correctly. One old custom that I know of for Ash Wednesday was that the last one up that morning would get ashes thrown on their feet.
Yours truly,
Sinking Spring
R.D. #2
Penna.
Language
English and Pennsylvania German
Rights Statement
This item is available courtesy of the Ursinus College Library Special Collections Department. It is not to be copied or distributed for commercial use. For permissions which fall outside of educational use, please contact the Special Collections Department.
Recommended Citation
Author, Unknown, "Letter to Alfred L. Shoemaker, February 10, 1948" (1948). Alfred L. Shoemaker Folk Cultural Documents. 119.
https://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/shoemaker_documents/119
Included in
American Material Culture Commons, Cultural History Commons, Folklore Commons, Linguistic Anthropology Commons, Social History Commons, United States History Commons
Rights Statement
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