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DURING THE GREEK BAPTISMAL RITES, THE BABY IS ANOINTED
ON THE CHEST TO SIGNIFY THE LOVE FOR GOD IN HIS HEART,
ON THE BACK TO SIGNIFY CARRYING HIS CROSS FOR LIFE AND
ON THE PALMS AND FEET AS REMINDERS OF THE CRUCIFIXION.
AT THIS POINT THE GREEKS BELIEVE THAT THE CHILD IS
BLAMELESS, SPOTLESS, AND WITHOUT SIN, A SAINT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Baptism Naming rite BELIEF -- Body part Senses |
Date learned: 00-00-1950
SOME "FOSSOYEUR", IN ORDER TO MAKE SOME MONEY, SELL DIRT FROM
CEMETERIES, WATER FROM TOMBS, AND ALSO SKULLS TO "QUIMBOISEURS".
THE "QUIMBOISEURS" USED TO PAY IN A CERTAIN WAY SO THAT THEY DO
NOT GET BAD LUCK OR MISFORTUNE. FOR INSTANCE, THE DIRT AND THE
WATER WERE SOLD IN GLASS CONTAINERS, AND THEY PAY FOR THEM WITH
WHITE ROCKS OR SILVER JEWELRY, AND ON THE OTHER HAND, THE SKULL
WAS PAID FOR WITH GOLD.
Where learned: GUADELOUPE
Keyword(s): "FOSSOYEURS" ARE GRAVEDIGGERS ; "QUIMBOISEURS" ARE PEOPLE THAT ; PRACTICE WITCHCRAFT AND ALSO WHITE MAGIC.
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Witch Shaman BELIEF -- Curer |
Date learned: 00-00-1973
IN ORDER TO CURE SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN SICK, THE "QUIMBOISEUR" WILL
GIVE THE PERSON A BATH USING THE SAME WATER THAT SEVEN DOGS HAD
BEEN BATHED IN.
Where learned: GUADELOUPE
Keyword(s): "QUIMBOISEUR" IS SOMEONE THAT PRACTICES WITCHCRAFT AND WHITE MAGIC.
| Subject headings: | 686 Seven / Sevenths / Several BELIEF -- Animal BELIEF -- Mineral |
Date learned: 00-00-1974
IF YOU HAVE BOLL WEEVILS IN THE
CUPBOARD, BREAK A DISH, WRAP IT IN A
WET DISHRAG AND BURY IT IN THE YARD
UNDER A ROSE BUSH AND THE BUGS WILL
DISAPPEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): BOLL WEEVIL
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Insect |
GHOST STORY
"A LITTLE BOY GOT KILLED BY A TRAIN WHEN HE WAS PLAYING
ON SOME RAILROAD TRACKS. HE HAD BEEN TOLD NOT TO PLAY
ON THE TRACKS. THE TRAIN HIT HIM REAL HARD AND PULLED HIM
FOR A REAL LONG WAY. THE TRAIN CUT HIS BODY UP INTO
HUNDREDS OF PIECES. HIS MOM AND DAD WENT UP AND DOWN THE
TRACKS PICKING UP HIS BODY PARTS. IF YOU LISTEN AT NIGHT
AT THE TIME THE BOY WAS KILLED, YOU CAN HEAR HIM CALLING
TO HIS MOM AND DAD. HE SAYS,'MOMMY, HERE'S A PIECE OF ME.
AND HERE'S ANOTHER PIECE OF ME.'"
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SHAMOKIN
Keyword(s): DISOBEYED PARENTS
James Callow Keyword(s): DISMEMBERMENT BY MISFORTUNATE ACCIDENT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Body part Senses |
Date learned: 00001934CA
SONG
COMET, IT MAKES YOUR TEETH TURN GREEN.
COMET, IT TASTES LIKE LISTERINE.
COMET, WILL MAKE YOUR VOMIT.
SO GET SOME COMET
AND VOMIT TODAY.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT LEARNED THIS SONG FROM A FRIEND IN SCHOOL. A FRIEND
OF HERS IS THE ONE WHO WROTE IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): COMET IS A BATHROOM CLEANSER
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Good humor Jest |
Date learned: 00001978CA
UNDER NEW STRAITSVILLE, OHIO, THERE IS A FIRE BURNING IN THE
COAL RUIN THAT HAS BEEN BURNING FOR OVER THIRTY YEARS. THE
FIRE BEGAN WHEN SOME STRIKING MINERS WERE DISSATISFIED WITH THE
STATE OF NEGOTIATIONS, SO THEY FILLED A COUPLE OF CARS WITH
COAL AND DOUSED THEM WITH GASOLINE, AND SENT THE BURNING
COAL CARS TO GO INTO THE MINE. TODAY PEOPLE STILL SEE STEAM
COMING UP FROM THE GROUND.
Submitter comment:
THIS STORY WAS TOLD TO BRIAN AS A CHILD GROWING UP IN RURAL
OHIO, NOT FAR FROM NEW STRAITSVILLE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): LABOR UNION
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Fire |
Date learned: 00001960S ; 11-02-1984
DURING THE DEPRESSION, SOUTHERN BLACK WOMEN WHO DIDN'T HAVE
THE MONEY TO BUY HAIR GREASE TO USE WHEN PRESSING THEIR HAIR
USED LARD INSTEAD.
Submitter comment:
TOLD BY HER GRANDMOTHER AND PASSED ON
LARD=ANIMAL FAT
Where learned: NORTH CAROLINA ; CARTHAGE
James Callow Keyword(s): BEAUTIFICATION ; COSMETICS
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Human or animal body BELIEF -- Body part Senses |
Date learned: 00001950S
DURING THE 1930s, BLACK WOMEN WHO DIDN'T HAVE EYEBROW
PENCILS WOULD STRIKE A MATCH, BLOW OUT THE FLAME, TAKE THE
WARM TIP AND SCRAPE IT AGAINST THE INSIDE WALL OF THE
FIREPLACE AND USE THE TIP AS AN EYEBROW LINER.
Submitter comment: SHE USED MANY GESTURES.
Where learned: NORTH CAROLINA ; CARTHAGE
James Callow Keyword(s): BEAUTIFICATION ; COSMETICS
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Human or animal body |
Date learned: 10-14-1984 ; 00-00-1950
SOUTHERNERS BELIEVED THAT A PERSON WITH A COLD SHOULD BE
RUBBED DOWN WITH VICK'S VAPOR RUB ON THE FOREHEAD, CHEST, AND
BACK. THE PERSON SHOULD THEN BE PLACED UNDER HEAVY COVERS SO
THEY COULD SWEAT OUT THE COLD.
Submitter comment: MY MOTHER ALWAYS RUBS ME DOWN WITH VICK'S WHENEVER I HAVE A COLD.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH
James Callow Keyword(s): VICK'S VAPO RUB
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 10-14-1984 ; 00001960S
DURING THE EARLY 1900s, SOUTHERN BLACKS USED MOLASSES, HONEY,
AND SORGHUM TO SWEETEN THEIR FOODS.
Where learned: NORTH CAROLINA ; CARTHAGE
James Callow Keyword(s): SUGAR SUBSTITUTES
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Pastry Sweet Dessert Food Drink -- Flavoring |
Date learned: 00001900s
FAMILY TRIPS
WHEN MY DAD WAS LITTLE HE WOULD GET IN THE CAR AND ASK HIS FATHER
THE SAME QUESTION. HE'D SAY, "WHERE ARE WE GOING?" HIS DAD WOULD
ALWAYS GIVE THE SAME REPLY. HE'D ASK ALL THE OTHER CHILDREN
"WHERE ARE WE GOING, BOYS?" THEN EVERYONE WOULD ANSWER,
"WE'RE GOING TO THE HAMBURG SHOW.
TO SEE THE ELEPHANTS AND THE WILD KANGAROOS.
AND WE'LL ALL STICK TOGETHER IN THE RAINY, STORMY WEATHER.
CAUSE WE'RE GOING TO SEE THE WHOLE SHOW THROUGH."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): HAMBURGH
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Speech Speech |
Date learned: 00-00-1940
GIANT RACE
FOR I'M THE LAST OF THE GIANT RACE,
THE BIG MEN FROM MULDARE.
IT TAKES A NAVY TO WASH MY FACE,
AND AN ARMY TO COMB MY HAIR.
TWENTY MEN AND A SIX INCH GUN
COULD SIT ON MY BIGGEST TOE.
AND WHEN I'M THIRSTY IT'S ONLY FUN
TO DRINK UP A SEA OR SO.
IF YOU HAD THE SIGHT OF MY SMALLEST EYE,
YOU COULD SEE THE MICE ON THE MOON.
AND IF YOU WERE AS LONG IN THE LEGS AS I,
YOU COULD WALK THERE PRETTY SOON.
FOR I'M THE LAST OF THE GIANT RACE,
THE BIG MEN FROM MULDARE.
IT TAKES A NAVY TO WASH MY FACE,
AND AN ARMY TO COMB MY HAIR.
Submitter comment:
THIS POEM WAS PASSED DOWN THROUGH THE FAMILY. ALL THE
CHILDREN IN MY FATHER'S FAMILY WOULD BEG MY GRANDPA TO
RECITE THIS POEM FOR THEM. IT WAS DEFINITELY A FAVORITE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): HYPERBOLE
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1939
JOKE
DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE MAN WHO SAT IN FRONT OF AN ELECTRIC FAN
WITH A B-B GUN BECAUSE HE WANTED TO SHOOT THE BREEZE?
James Callow Keyword(s): SHOOT THE BREEZE: ENGAGE IN CONVERSATION
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 00-00-1983
JOKE
DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE GIRL WHO WENT TO THE BEACH AND BAKED
HERSELF UNDER THE HOT SUN FOR SIX HOURS? SHE WANTED TO BE
THE TOAST OF THE TOWN.
James Callow Keyword(s): TOAST OF THE TOWN: CELEBRITY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 00-00-1983
JOKE
OLD REFRIGERATORS NEVER DIE, THEY JUST LOSE THEIR COOL.
James Callow comment: TO "LOSE YOUR COOL" IS SLANG FOR LOSE YOUR APLOMB OR COMPOSURE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): PARODY OF PROVERB
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 00-00-1984
ONE NIGHT MY UNCLE SAID HE WENT TO A PARTY AND HE JUST SAT AROUND
WATCHING EVERYONE HAVE A GOOD TIME. EVERYONE WAS HAVING A GOOD
TIME DANCING. MY UNCLE WAS VERY SHY AND HE COULDN'T DANCE VERY
WELL. ALL OF A SUDDEN, HE LOOKS ACROSS THE ROOM AND SEES THIS
GIRL AND THE GIRL CAUGHT HIS EYE AND SHE BEGIN TO STARE AT HIM.
HE KEPT STARING AT HER. SOMETHING DREW HIM TO HER AND SHE GOT HIM
HIM TO DANCE. NO ONE EVER GOT HIM TO DANCE. HE HAD A GOOD TIME
DANCING WITH HER. SHE WAS PRETTY. HE TOLD HER HE WOULD LIKE TO
TAKE HER HOME AFTER THE DANCE. SHE SAID OKAY. SO AFTER THE DANCE
HE TOOK HER HOME. WHEN THEY GOT IN FRONT OF HER HOUSE, SHE TOLD
MY UNCLE TO CALL HER AS SOON AS HE GOT HOME. HE SAID OKAY AND
SHE GAVE HIM HER PHONE NUMBER. THEN SHE KISSED HIM GOOD NIGHT.
HE RUSHED HOME AND CALLED HER. HER MOTHER ANSWERED THE PHONE. HE
SAID, "HELLO! IS ALICIA HOME?" AND THE LADY SAID, "WHO? I DON'T KNOW
WHAT KIND OF GAME YOU'RE PLAYING AND HUNG UP THE PHONE. THINKING
HE HAD THE WRONG NUMBER, HE CALLED BACK. THE LADY ANSWERED THE
PHONE AGAIN AND SAID: "I DON'T KNOW WHAT KIND OF GAME YOU'RE
PLAYING, BUT I'M GOING TO CALL THE OPERATOR AND HAVE HER CALL
THE POLICE AND HAVE YOU ARRESTED IF YOU KEEP CALLING HERE." HE
SAID: "ISN'T THIS ALICIA'S HOUSE?" THE LADY HUNG UP THE PHONE
AGAIN. SO HE DECIDED TO GO OVER HER HOUSE TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS
GOING ON. HE KNOCKED ON THE DOOR AND THE LADY ANSWERED THE DOOR.
HE SAID, "IS ALICIA HERE?" SHE SAID: "ARE YOU THE GUY WHO KEPT
CALLING HERE ALL DAY?" HE SAID, "YEAH. I'M TRYING TO SEE IF
ALICIA IS HERE. I DROPPED HER OFF FROM THE PARTY A LITTLE WHILE
AGO." THE LADY SAID: "I DON'T KNOW WHAT KIND OF GAME YOU'RE
PLAYING," AND HE CUT HER OFF SAYING: "WAIT A MINUTE, NOW, THAT'S
HER PICTURE ON THE MANTLE PIECE." AND SHE SAID: "I'M SORRY!
ALICIA HAS BEEN DEAD FOR FIVE YEARS."
Submitter comment: HE SAID THIS ACTUALLY HAPPENED TO HIS UNCLE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): BELIEF ; VANISHING HITCHHIKER
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 00-00-1956
WHEN I WAS YOUNGER AND STARTING THE "TALK ON THE
PHONE ALL NIGHT STAGE," MY MOTHER WOULD YELL AT ME
TO GET OFF THE PHONE BECAUSE I WAS GOING TO GET A
CAULIFLOWER EAR
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): VEGETABLES
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Ears, noise in ear BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 00001975CA ; 11-00-1985
GYPSY DAVEY
IT WAS LATE LAST NIGHT
WHEN THE BOSS CAME HOME,
ASKING ABOUT HIS LADY
AND THE ONLY ANSWER HE RECEIVED,
SHE'S GONE WITH THE GYPSY DAVEY,
SHE'S GONE WITH THE GYPSY DAVE.
GO SADDLE FOR ME MY BUCKSKIN HORSE,
AND MY HUNDRED DOLLAR SADDLE,
POINT OUT TO ME THEIR WAGON TRACKS,
AND AFTER THEM I'LL TRAVEL,
WELL AFTER THEM I'LL RIDE.
WELL HE HAD NOT RODE TO THE MIDNIGHT MOON,
WHEN HE SAW THEIR CAMPFIRE GLEAMING.
HE HEARD THE NOTES OF THE BIG GUITAR
AND THE VOICE OF THE GYPSY SINGING
THAT SONG OF THE GYPSY DAVE.
TAKE OFF, TAKE OFF YOUR KIDSKIN GLOVES,
AND YOUR BOOTS OF SPANISH LEATHER,
AND GIVE TO ME YOUR LILY WHITE HANDS,
WE'LL GO BACK HOME TOGETHER;
WE'LL GO BACK HOME AGAIN.
NO, I WON'T TAKE OFF MY K
NOR MY BOOTS OF SPANISH LEATHER,
I'LL GO MY WAY FROM DAY TO DAY,
AND SING WITH THE GYPSY DAVEY,
I'LL GO WITH THE GYPSY DAVE.
HAVE YOU FORSAKEN YOUR HOUSE AND HOME?
HAVE YOU FORSAKEN YOUR BABY?
HAVE YOU FORSAKEN YOUR HUSBAND DEAR,
TO GO WITH THE GYPSY DAVEY?
AND SING WITH THE GYPSY DAVE?
YES, I'VE FORSAKEN MY HOUSE AND HOME,
TO GO WITH THE GYPSY DAVEY,
AND I'VE FORSAKEN MY HUSBAND DEAR,
BUT NOT MY BLUE-EYED BABY,
MY PRETTY LITTLE BLUE-EYED BABY.
Submitter comment: BALLAD PERFORMED ON APPALACHIAN DULCIMER
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WATERFORD
James Callow Keyword(s): CHILD BALLAD 200
| Subject headings: | -- |
Date learned: 00-00-1984
EL GATO (THE CAT)
EVERYONE SITS ON CHAIRS IN A LARGE CIRCLE EXCEPT FOR
ONE PERSON WHO HAS BEEN CHOSEN TO BE "IT." THIS PERSON
HAS TO GO TO SOMEONE AND PUT HER HEAD IN THEIR LAP AND
SAY "MEOW" THREE TIMES. THE PERSON THAT IS SITTING
MUST STROKE HER HEAD EACH TIME SHE MEOWS. SHE MUST
STROKE HER WITHOUT LAUGHING. IF THE PERSON THAT IS
SITTING LAUGHS, SHE BECOMES "IT." IF SHE DOESN'T
THE CAT MUST REPEAT THE PROCEDURE WITH ANOTHER
INDIVIDUAL UNTIL SOMEONE LAUGHS.
Where learned: EL SALVADOR ; CENTRAL AMERICA
Keyword(s): LAUGHING TABU
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Bodily Activity Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Dramatic |
Date learned: 06-00-1984