Tag Archives: appalachian humor

The Devil called to his boy and told him to saddle his horse

Two other families came into the [Round Bottom, OH] neighborhood. One’s name was Ransom, the other Wilson. These men got into trouble with each other, some of the neighbors took part with one and some with the other. I have heard my mother, and her brother and sisters, talking about this trouble. They said there [...]

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Tell me that riddle or I’ll smash yer nose!

These riddles, collected in the North Carolina mountains, belong to a familiar pattern, the seemingly obscene question with an innocuous reply. Texts from Ralph S. Boggs, “North Carolina White Folktales and Riddles,” Journal of American Folklore, XLVII (1934), pp. 320-21. The ole man shook it an’ shook it; The old woman pulled up her dress [...]

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