Folklore Database · Browse

Aarne–Thompson–Uther index

About this index and how to read it

The ATU index classifies international folktales by type. Each row gives the type number, its title and summary, followed by the references it inherits: Arne Thompson is the earlier Aarne–Thompson type number, and Thompson lists the motif references from Thompson's Motif-Index of Folk-Literature associated with that type.

Cross-references inside a summary open the relevant tale-type or motif record. Thompson motif references in the final column are linked directly to the corresponding entry in the Stith Thompson Motif Index when that reference exists in the database. Any column heading can be clicked to sort by it, and clicking again reverses the order. Following a type number opens that type on its own page.

Anecdotes and Jokes 1200–1999

281 tale types

Sorted by summary, ascending

Showing 101–150 of 281 · Page 3 of 6

ATU Title Summary ▲ Arne Thompson Thompson
1211 The Peasant Woman Thinks the Cow Chewing her Cud is Mimicking Her Kills the cow. [J1835].
1417 The Cutt-off Nose (Hair) Lai of the Tresses. A woman leaves her husband's bed and has another woman take her place. The husband addresses her, gets no answer, and cuts off her nose (hair). In the morning the wife still has her nose (hair). The husband is made to believe that… , 1417 J2315.2., K1512.
1935 Topsy-Turvy Land Land where all is opposite from the usual. [X1505].
1695 The Fool Spoils the Work of the Shoemaker, the Tailor and the Smith Makes shoes for animals as well for men since he expects a cold winter. [J1873.1, W111.5.9].
1336 Diving for Cheese Man (animal) sees moon reflected in water and, thinking it a cheese, dives in for it. [J1791.3]. This is Type 34 with human actors. 1336A J1791.7.
1800 Stealing Only a Small Amount Man promises in confession to steal only a small amount. Steals rope with mare on end of it. [K188]. Cf. Type 1630A*.
1812 Wager: to Dance with Nun Man tells nun she must undress. Nun outraged refuses. Then you must dance a few steps with me. Nun prefers this and does. Man wins wager. (Nun's song while dancing a part of tale).
1591 The Three Joint Depositors Money is left with a banker by three joint depositors. The money is to be delivered only on demand from all three. One of the men steals the money. The others sue the banker for the money. He agrees to deliver it when all three jointly demand it.… 1591 J1161.1.
1699 Misunderstanding Because of Ignorance of a Foreign Language New recruits learn answers to questions in foreign language. Order changed in asking brings confusion. [J1741.3.1]. , 1699 J2496.2., X111.7.
1287 Numskull unable to count their own number No examples in the Database yet 1287 J2031., J2031.1.
1319 Other mistaken identities No examples in the Database yet 1319, 1319A*, 1319J* J1761.11., J1772.1., J1781.2.
1342 Hot and Cold with the Same Breath No examples in the Database yet 1342 NA
1348 The Imaginative Boy No examples in the Database yet 1348 W211.2.
1383 A Woman Does Not Know Herself No examples in the Database yet , 1383 J2012.2., J2012.3.
1391 Every hole to tell the truth No examples in the Database yet
1406 The merry wives wager . . . No examples in the Database yet , 1406 J2013.2., J2301., J2311.0.1., J2312., J2314., J2315., J2316., J2317., J2324., K1545.
1422 The Parrot and the Adulterous Woman No examples in the Database yet 1422 J1154.1.
1454 The greedy fiancee No examples in the Database yet
1459 Keeping up appearances No examples in the Database yet 1459** K1984.
1462 Clean and tidy No examples in the Database yet 1462 K1971.6.
1464 Nothing to cook No examples in the Database yet
1468 Marrying a stranger No examples in the Database yet
1503 The daughter-in-law and the real daughter No examples in the Database yet
1543 The man without a member No examples in the Database yet 1543*, 1543A*, 1543C* J1919.8., NA
1548 Stone Soup No examples in the Database yet 1548 K112.2.
1561 The boy 'loses his sight' No examples in the Database yet 1561 W111.2.6.
1563 'Both' No examples in the Database yet , 1563 K1354.1., K1354.2.1.
1568 The master and the servant at the table No examples in the Database yet
1573 Inspecting the daughter No examples in the Database yet
1635 Eulenspiegel's tricks No examples in the Database yet 1635 K300.
1687 The forgotten word No examples in the Database yet 1687 D2004.5.
1718 God can't take a joke No examples in the Database yet
1730 The entrapped suitors No examples in the Database yet
1810 Jokes about catechism No examples in the Database yet
1824 Parody sermon No examples in the Database yet
1829 Living Person Acts as Image of Saint No examples in the Database yet
1835 Not to turn round No examples in the Database yet
1843 Parson visits the dying No examples in the Database yet
1845 The student as healer No examples in the Database yet
1851 Jokes about Devout Women No examples in the Database yet
1894 The man shoots a ramrod full of ducks No examples in the Database yet 1894 X1111.
1895 A man wading in water catching many fish in his boots No examples in the Database yet 1895 X1112.
1896 Hunting the wolves with rod and line No examples in the Database yet 1896 X1132.1.
1925 Wishing contests No examples in the Database yet
1965 Lying tales No examples in the Database yet 1965 X1791.
1255 A hole to throw the earth in Numskull plans to dig a hole so as to have a place to throw the earth from his excavations. [J1934]. 1255 J1934.
1892 The Trained Horse Rolls in the Field Oats grow in his flanks. The man ties a club to the horse's tail and thus kills many moor-hens. [X1241.2.2].
1653 The Robbers under the Tree Object falls on robbers from a tree. They flee and leave money.
1425 Putting the Devil into Hell Obscene trick used to seduce woman. [K1363.1]. 1425, 1425B* K1363.1., na
1331 The Covetous and the Envious Of two envious men one is given the power of fulfilling any wish, on condition that the other shall receive double. He wishes that he may lose an eye. [J2074]. Cf. Type 750.

Showing 101–150 of 281 · Page 3 of 6