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James T. Callow Computerized Folklore Archive
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TICK, TACK, TOE
AND AROUND WE GO
AND WHERE WE STOP
NOBOBY KNOWS.
THE PERSON CLOSES HIS EYES AS HE RECITES THIS VERSE.
HE CIRCLES THE CHART WITH A POINTER AND WHERE THE
VERSE ENDS, HE POINTS TO THE PLACE WHERE HE STOPS.
AS MANY POINTS HE POINTS TO, THAT'S THE AMOUNT HE
GETS. AT THE END OF THE GAME, THE PERSON WITH THE
MOST POINTS WINS.

Submitter comment: I USED TO PLAY THIS WHEN I WAS SMALL, IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): SEE NUMBERED, WHEEL-CHART, DRAWN ON 5 X 8 CARD.

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime C500.750

Date learned: 11-28-1967

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MNEMONIC DEVICE

JOHN STEPHEN ULRICH NEEDS EVERY VITAMIN, MINERAL, PLUS MEAT

Submitter comment: THIS SENTENCE HELPS IN REMEMBERING THE PLANETS IN THE ORDER OF
LARGEST TO SMALLEST
INFORMANT SAID HE LEARNED THE DEVICE FROM SOME OF HIS FRIENDS AT
SCHOOL. HE DIDN'T REMEMBER WHO TOLD IT TO HIM BUT SAID IT WAS USED
BY ALMOST EVERYONE IN HIS CLASS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MADISON HEIGHTS

James Callow Keyword(s): Earth ; JUPITER ; MARS ; MERCURY ; NEPTUNE ; PLANETS ; PLUTO ; SATURN ; URANUS ; VENUS

Subject headings: Favorites
ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- MNEM

Date learned: 10-00-1973

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HAUNTED HOUSE

UP IN THE COVE THERE WAS A HOUSE THAT EVERYBODY THOUGHT
WAS HAUNTED. EVEN THE REVENUE MEN THOUGHT IT WAS
HAUNTED. IT WAS OWNED BY A BOOTLEGGER NAMED LADD.
YOU COULD SEE HIM GO IN THE HOUSE BUT WHEN YOU WENT
IN TO ARREST HIM, YOU COULD SEARCH THE PLACE OVER AND
NOT BE ABLE TO FIND HIM. THE GOVERNMENT EVEN SENT MEN
THERE TO MEASURE THE HOUSE TO SEE IF IT HAD A SECRET
ROOM BUT THEY COULDN'T FIND ANY. AFTER OLD MAN LADD
DIED HIS CHILDREN SHOWED HOW THERE WAS A PASSAGEWAY
THROUGH THE CHIMNEY DOWN INTO THE CELLAR THAT LED OUT
TO A BIG CAVE WHERE HE STORED HIS BOOZE. EVEN THEN
NOBODY WOULD BUY THE PLACE AND FOR ALL I KNOW THE
LADDS ARE STILL LIVING THERE.

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE

James Callow Keyword(s): LIQUOR MOONSHINE TREASURY DEPARTMENT T-MEN

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal

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TRUE STORY

AT ONE TIME, MARIA WAS TEACHING A RELIGION CLASS
OF LITTLE CHILDREN AND SHE ASKED A LITTLE BOY,
"WHAT'S ANOTHER NAME FOR GOD?" AND THE LITTLE
CHILD REPLIED "HAROLD." MARIA EXCLAIMED, "HAROLD?
WHERE DID YOU HEAR THAT?" THE LITTLE CHILD REPLIED
"IN THE LORD'S PRAYER, BECAUSE WE SAY 'OUR FATHER
WHO ARE IN HEAVEN, HAROLD BE THY NAME."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): ABSURD MISUNDERSTANDING ON PART OF A CHILD.

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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THE LAIRD OF LENOX

A VERY THIN MAN WITH WHITE, SIGHTLESS EYES, RED SKINNED,
AND DRESSED IN STUART-TARTAN, EKED OUT A LIVING BY
BLOWING ON A BIG TIN WHISTLE. NOBODY EVER KNEW THE
TUNES THAT THE "LAIRD" PLAYED, BUT ALWAYS BEFORE
BEGINNING HIS RECITAL, HE WOULD REMARK: "WHO GAVE
ME THIS LONESOME WHISTLE?" "AH, I MIND NOO! THE
LAIRD OF LENNOX."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): MUSICIAN, FLUTE BLIND MAN STUART: ALTERNATE SPELLING: STEWART

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being

Date learned: 01-28-1971

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TRUE STORY

AT ONE TIME, MARIA WAS TEACHING A RELIGION CLASS
OF LITTLE CHILDREN AND SHE ASKED A LITTLE BOY,
"WHAT'S ANOTHER NAME FOR GOD?" AND THE LITTLE
CHILD REPLIED "HAROLD." MARIA EXCLAIMED, "HAROLD?
WHERE DID YOU HEAR THAT?" THE LITTLE CHILD REPLIED
"IN THE LORD'S PRAYER, BECAUSE WE SAY 'OUR FATHER
WHO ARE IN HEAVEN, HAROLD BE THY NAME."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): ABSURD MISUNDERSTANDING ON PART OF A CHILD.

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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MEIN HERTZ IST KLEIN,
KANN NIEMAHND NEIN,
NUR DU MEIN LIEBER JESU ALEIN.

Where learned: HUNGARY

James Callow Keyword(s): HEART ; JESUS

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb

Date learned: 00-00-1897

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RUSSIAN PROVERB

WALK CAUTIOUSLY INTO THAT HOUSE WHERE ONE CAN HEAR GAY MUSIC.

Where learned: RUSSIA ; MOSCOW

Keyword(s): PARTY FUN

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim

Date learned: 00001905-

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FORMULA SPEECH

B. Y. O.

Submitter comment: THIS ABBREVIATION MEANS "BRING YOUR OWN", THIS IS USUALLY PUT ON
INVITATIONS TO PARTIES, SYMBOLIZING THAT YOU BRING YOUR OWN LIQUOR.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): PARTY

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Formula

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RETORT

WHEN SOMEONE ASKS YOU IF YOU HAVE A MATCH, YOU CHEERILY ANSWER BACK:
"YEAH, DAFFY DUCK AND SPIRO AGNEW." OR "SURE -- ME AND SUPERMAN."

Submitter comment: I OBTAINED THIS ONE WITHOUT EVEN ASKING FOR IT.

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; TOLD AT

James Callow Keyword(s): BRAG BOAST ; CARTOON CHARACTER DAFFY DUCK ANIMAL ; VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: SPIRO AGNEW

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Formula

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Content filter on this entry.

An Unpleasant Surprise

Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.

There was a young engaged couple from a small town who had come home from a date one night. Nobody was home and the house was dark. On the table there was a note for the girl which said to close the basement windows. Seeing that noone was around, the young couple stripped down naked. The girl got on the boy's shoulders piggy-back and they started down the stairs. As they reached the last step all the lights went on - it was surprise bridal shower for the girl!

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Original Boggs number [B600] has been crossed out and replaced with B646

Where learned: DURING A VISIT ; Decaussin, Terrence

Keyword(s): ALLUSION TO SEXUAL INTERCOURSE ; Engagement ; HUMOR ; JOKES ; MARRIAGE ; Modesty ; Moral ; PARTY ; Prank ; SEX ; SURPRISE ; YOUTH

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Romantic Realistic
Filter - Mature Content

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The Nun in the Bar

A guy picked up a nun in the street and invited her into a bar to have a drink with him. "I really shouldn't," said the nun. But the man finally convinced her. when they got into the bar she told him she'd have a double martini, but to bring it in a coffee cup so that other people wouldn't knwo she was drinking. "Hey bartender," the man yelled out. "Give me a double martini in a coffee cup!" "oh," replied the bartender, "That nun's back again."

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Where learned: Wall, Steve

Keyword(s): BAR ; Bartender ; Bartender Jokes ; Comic dialogue ; DIALOGUE ; DRINKING HUMOR ; HUMOR ; JOKES ; Pub ; RELIGION ; RELIGIOUS ; Religious Jokes

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious

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The Blacksmiths Son

Long ago in a small village there lived a blacksmith. Now although blacksmiths were poor, they were, nevertheless, held in respect because they were the strongest men in the village.

People used to go to the blacksmith for advice and help. This particular balcksmithhad one son, and the blacksmith wanted his son to be a blacksmith also. But the son was lazy and did not like to work. One day he told his father: "father, I have a very brilliant idea. I'm going to learn your trade in an easy way. Here's my plan: Put me in a large basket above yuor workshop and I will watch everything you do. And by watching you constantly, I will earn your trade."

So the son was put in the basket and watched his father fort several months. Then the son said to his father: "Father, I think I'm ready." And so the father gave the son tools, and a large piece of iron, and said to his son: "now son, what are you going to make?"

"Father," the son said, "I think I'll make a hammer."

"Son," the father said, "If you can make a hammer, you will be a better blacksmith than I, because it took me five years to learn how to make a hammer." And the son worked feverishly for several days but to no avail. So the son went to his father and said: "Father, I think I'll make a horseshoe instead."

The father said; "Son, if you can make a horseshoe, you will be a better blacksmith than I, because it took me three years to learn how to make a horseshoe." The son again went out, pounding and forming, but to no avail. He said to the fahter: "Father, I think I will make a nail instead of a horseshoe."

The fahter said: "Son, if you can make a nail, you will be a better blacksmith than I, because it took me two years to learn how to make a nail." The son worked for several hours, but to no avail. He said to his father: "Father, I will make something you never made. I will make a needle."

"Son," said the father, "if you make a needle, you will be a better blacksmith than I, for no smith has made a needle. " And so, the son worked and worked until finally there was nothing left. but he did not give up. He said: "Father, I will make something with no iron at all."

"Son, if you can make something without iron, it will indeed make you a great blacksmith," the father replied.

The son said: "Come watch, Father." He took a pair of tongs and heated them red hot, and suddenly plunged them into a barrel of water, and said: "Father, I did it. I made a pss."

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Original Boggs Number [ B665] crossed out and B646 is written next to it.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALLEN PARK ; Lasocki, Richard

Keyword(s): Blacksmith ; FAMILY ; Father ; Hammer ; HORSESHOE ; HUMOR ; IRON ; Learn ; Lesson ; Needle ; Outsmart ; Skill ; Son ; TRADE ; Wise ; Wisecrack

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Romantic Realistic

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Mnemonic Device

-Vibgyor-

One of my art teachers tried to make it easier for us to remember colors and their place on the color wheel so she introduced to us -vibgyor-pronounced vib-gee-or.

Submitter comment:

This method works every time - I now remember them (the colors).

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs and BN added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Submission card located in pile labeled To Be Classified.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS ; Lauri, Sara

Keyword(s): ART ; COLOR ; EDUCATION ; EDUCATION ADVICE ; MEMORY ; MNEMONIC ; Mnemonic Device

Subject headings: ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- MNEM

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Prank

In LeRoy, N.Y. a common prank would be to call a person on the telephone and tell him you were from teh water department. You would ask him to fill up his bathtub, since the water was to be off for the next day. The pranksters had no connections with the water department, and people would be without use of bathtubs for the night.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Where learned: Myself

Keyword(s): Bathtub ; Diversion ; Entertainment ; PRANKS ; TELEPHONE PRANK ; Water Department

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion

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Ethnic: Irish/Scottish Superstition

Good Luck:

No man would ever leave Irelannd or Scotland without a bit of heather and a small bag of soil. Without these life in the new wold would be bitter.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Original BN's [P880, F533, p880] crossed out and replaced with F533.

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; Abner, Robinson ; 1681 22ND ST ; WYANDOTTE

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; CUSTOM ; DIVINATION ; Earth ; ETHNIC ; Heather ; Herbal ; Irish ; LUCK ; NATURE ; New World ; SCOTTISH ; Soil ; SUPERSTITION ; TRAVEL

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank

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Superstition

Superstition:

That warts come from handling frogs

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Original BN [P880.440] crossed out. Replaced with current classification

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Karamanis, Pete

Keyword(s): AMPHIBIAN ; ANIMAL ; BELIEF ; CURE ; Fallacy ; FROG ; HEALTH ; ILLNESS ; MEDICINE ; SUPERSTITION ; Touching tabu ; Warts

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness

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Custom/Belief

Irregular Festival:

It is a custom in my family to have a big family gathering, celebration, reunion, and party whenever someone in the fammily has made the Sacrament of Confirmation or 1st Communion. The recipient recieves gifts and/or money from every other member of the fmaily. It roughlyparallels the Bar Matzvah of the Jewish Religion.

Data entry tech comment:

motifs added by TRD

Where learned: NEW YORK ; Myself ; LeRoy

Keyword(s): Celebration ; CUSTOM ; Maturity ; PARTY ; RELIGION ; RELIGIOUS ; Rite-of-Passage

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Maturity

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Custom

Lenten Customs:

About two weeks before the Lenten fasting begins, the people of New Orleans celebrate the festival of "Mardi Gras."

Actually, "Mardi Gras" means "Fat Tuesday," and this is the day before Ash Wednesday. But the people celebrate for a couple weeks beforehand, much the same way as most people celebrate Christmas.

Mardi Gras is characterized by its magnificaent parades. Various groups spend enormous amounts of time, effort and money to make their floats as beautiful as possible. throughout the parade, people sit on the floats and throw trinkets, beads and other cheap toys to the crowds who clamor to see who can catch the most. Many of these articles are virtually worthless, but I have seen expensive beads, gold pieces and even $20.00 bills being thrown too.

Besides this, each parade has its own particular name (eg- the Rex Parade) and throws off "dubloons" with the name of the parade and that year stamped on it. A "dubloon" is a silver-dollar sized plastic coin, always in purple, gold or green. Long after Mardi Gras is over, people continue to trade dubloons-to try to get a dubloon of each color from each parade. This collection of worthless plastic coins can be quite valuable.

So the parades, dubloons, balls and parties make Mardi Gras the most festive time of the whole year in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Where learned: LOUISIANA ; Isbell, Laura ; New Orleans

Keyword(s): Beads ; Celebration ; CUSTOM ; Float ; Mardi Gras ; New Orleans ; Parade ; PARTY ; Trinkets

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting

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