Hi, Heather-
I heard the phrase from only one man, storyteller Erv Kasian from Chicago. Through this thread, I learned what happened to my old friend Erv. But when I heard this story when I was in my late teens, I wasn't smart enough to ask Erv for background information. The folklorist in me didn't come alive until I was in my 40s.
I heard this story five times a summer for five years, and I suppose I might have gotten tired of it. Gee, what I'd give to hear Erv tell it once more.


-Joe-