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The James T. Callow Computerized Folkore Archive | University of Detroit Mercy Libraries Back to Top
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DURING STRENUOUS PRACTICE SESSIONS OR DURING GAMES, PARTICIPATING
BASKETBALL PLAYERS NEVER DRINK WATER. THEY FEAR THIS WOULD CAUSE
THEIR STOMACHS TO BE BOGGED DOWN AND WOULD ADVERSELY AFFECT THEIR
PLAY. INSTEAD THEY COOL OFF BY POURING A STEADY STREAM OF COLD WATER
ON THEIR WRISTS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): OBSERVATION ; SPORTS

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion
BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails
BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness

Date learned: 10-00-1975

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IN A BAR, IF A CUSTOMER PUTS HIS EMPTY GLASS ALONGSIDE THE WOODEN
EDGE OF THE COUNTER IT SIGNALS TO THE BARTENDER THAT HE WILL HAVE
ANOTHER OF WHAT HE HAS BEEN DRINKING. THE BARTENDER WILL
AUTOMATICALLY BRING THE DRINK, VERBAL TRANSACTIONS ARE NOT NECESSARY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; PAT SULLIVANS TAVERN

James Callow Keyword(s): ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ; OBSERVATION

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion
Food Drink -- MenuService
Food Drink -- Alcoholic beverage
SPEECH -- To Be Seen

Date learned: 10-00-1975

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A CUSTOM AT POLISH WEDDING RECEPTIONS IS FOR THE DINNER GUESTS TO BANG
ON THEIR PLATES WITH THEIR EATING UTENSILS IN ORDER TO PRODUCE RACKET LIKE SOUNDS.
THIS IS DONE AS A NON SERIOUS COMPLAINT THAT THE FOOD IS SOUR. THE NOISE MAKING
OCCURS MANY TIMES THROUGHOUT THE EATING PERIOD AND CONTINUES UNTIL THE BRIDE AND GROOM
EMBRACE AND KISS. UPON THIS TAKING PLACE THE GUESTS DISCONTINUE THEIR DISTURBANCE AND
SAY THE WORD "SMACZNE" (MEANING DELICIOUS). THE SHOW OF AFFECTION BETWEEN THE NEWLYWEDS
IS SUPPOSE TO SWEETEN THE FOOD AND ACCORDINGLY PLACATE THE GUESTS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): CONTRAST

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Glassware tapping
Food Drink -- Food
BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour
SPEECH -- Vocabulary of Special Group

Date learned: 10-00-1975

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WHEN SETTING THE TABLE FOR CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER, AN EXTRA PLATE IS
ALWAYS PUT OUT FOR THE "UNINVITED GUEST." THIS IS DONE BECAUSE OF THE
BELIEF THAT CHRIST MIGHT COME TO THE HOME IN THE FORM OF A NEEDY
INDIVIDUAL SEEKING FOOD.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): CHARITY ; POLISH CUSTOM

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20
Food Drink -- Service Table furnishing and decoration Food container
Food Drink -- Service Table furnishing and decoration Implement to handle food
BELIEF -- Religious hero

Date learned: 10-00-1975

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DRINKING STROHS BEER, MORE SO THAN INBIBING ANY OTHER BREW, WILL
RESULT IN THE PERSON GETTING A HANGOVER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: NEGATIVE ; ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ; PROPAGANDA

Subject headings: Food Drink -- Alcoholic beverage Fermented
BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness

Date learned: 10-00-1975

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AN OLD ADAGE THIS INDIVIDUAL LEARNED WAS "BE A BRIDE THRICE AND YOU
WILL NEVER BE A BRIDE."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: NEGATIVE ; BRIDESMAID? ; NUMBERS

Subject headings: 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple
BELIEF -- Marriage
PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim

Date learned: 10-00-1975

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AN OLD SUPERSTITION THIS INDIVIDUAL LEARNED WAS THAT ONE COULD
ASCERTAIN THE AMOUNT OF YEARS ONE HAD REMAINING IN LIFE BY COUNTING
THE NUMBER OF CARS IN THE NEXT FUNERAL PROCESSION TO PASS BY. EACH
CAR REPRESENTED AN ADDITIONAL YEAR TACKED ON THE PERSONS LIFE SPAN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE ; NUMBERS ; SYMBOL

Subject headings: Observation
BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial
BELIEF -- Number

Date learned: 10-00-1975

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A WOMAN MUST NOT TRIP OVER ANY TYPE CORD DURING PREGNANCY. IF THE
EXPECTANT MOTHER WAS TO BE UNFORTUNATE ENOUGH TO DO SO, THE UMBILICAL
CORD WOULD WRAP AROUND THE UNBORN CHILD'S NECK AND THE BABY WOULD BE
STRANGLED TO DEATH.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOL ; SYMPATHETIC MAGIC

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Birth
BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial
BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness

Date learned: 10-00-1975

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"BAR TIME" IS THE TIME ON CLOCKS IN BARS AND LOUNGES. IT IS ALWAYS
FAST, USUALLY TEN OR FIFTEEN MINUTES SO. THIS IS TO PROVIDE
INSURANCE THAT THE BARTENDER DOES NOT SERVE ANY DRINKS AFTER THE
TIME SPECIFIED BY THE LIQUOR LAWS OF THE LOCALE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; PAT SULLIVANS TAVERN

James Callow Keyword(s): ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Common law
BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour
SPEECH -- Vocabulary of Special Group

Date learned: 10-00-1975

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MAFIA APPLICATION

=====================================================================
MAFIA APPLICATION
WHATZA U NAME?}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}U HAGE?}}}}}}}
WHATZA U HOWZA NUMBA?}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}U STREETA?}}}}}}}}}}
WHATZA U BAG? HITTAMAN}}}}}LONE ARRANGER}}}}}PROSTITUIT}}}}}
PUTTA DOWNNA WEAR U WORGA NOW}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}
IZZA U GIRL!!!! OR BOY?!!!! (JUSTTE CHEKA ONE)
WAZZA U INN DE BIGGA OUSE?}}}}}WHATTA WAZZA U INN DE BIGGA OUSE 4?
I SHOOTE ONE GUIZE}}}}}I KEEDENAP SOMEBODYS}}}}}
PROTECKSHON RAGGETS}}}}}SOM UDDER DINGZA}}}}}
U WANNA BE DE BIGGA SHOTZA SOMDAZE? YASSE?}}}}}NO?}}}}}EH?}}}}}
U NO OW 2 MAKKE DE CEMENT SHOOZE?}}}}}}}}}}
U NO OW 2 DRIVA DE CAR? CADDILLAC?}}}}}BUICK?}}}}}LINKEN?}}}}}
U LIKA EAT GARLIC?}}}}}PIZZA?}}}}}SALAMI?}}}}}U LIKKA SPAGHETTI?}}}}}
U LIKKA GIRLZE OR BOYZE?}}}}}}}}}}(PEEKA JUSTA ONE, NO FOOLA ROUND)
U SEE DE GODFATHER?}}}}}OR JUSTE DE MOVIE?}}}}}
---------------------------------------------------------------------
WHENNA U JOINNE U GONNA GETTA SOMADING U REELY GONNA LIKKE.
1 PR. DARKE GLAZZES
1 BLAKE SHIRTE WIDDA WITE TIE
1 WITE HAT WIDDE BLACKE BRIMA
1 PR. POINIE SHOOZE
1 PR. CEMENT SHOOZE (COMZA LATER IFFA U FOOLAROUND)
GOODA STOFF (IFFA U NOTTE SURE, I TELLA U WHATTA U GET WIZZA GUY)
1 KISSE (LATER-ONNA U CHEEDK)
=====================================================================

Submitter comment: MONOLOGUE IN ITALIAN DIALECT

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): HOUSE NUMBER STREET LONE RANGER PROSTITUTE ; SLANG: BIG HOUSE

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Underworld
SPEECH -- Formula
SPEECH -- Gesture

Date learned: 10-00-1975

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AN INDIVIDUAL WHO IS NOT ALLOWED ENTRANCE INTO A DRINKING
ESTABLISHMENT BECAUSE OF SOME PREVIOUS MISDOINGS IS SAID TO BE
"BARRED" FROM THE PREMISES.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; PAT SULLIVANS TAVERN

James Callow Keyword(s): ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ; SLANG

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Trade & commerce

Date learned: 10-00-1975

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A "SHELL" IS A GLASS OF DRAFT BEER. WHEN DRAFT BEER IS POURED IN
LARGER GOBLET LIKE GLASSES IT IS CALLED A "BOOMBA."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; PAT SULLIVANS TAVERN

James Callow Keyword(s): ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ; SLANG

Subject headings: Food Drink -- Kind of Food and Its Preparation
SPEECH -- Trade & commerce

Date learned: 10-00-1975

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JERRY FORD JOKE

Q: WHICH MEMBERS OF HIS FAMILY DOES JERRY FORD TALK TO BEFORE CASTING
HIS VOTE ON ELECTION DAY?
A: ALL FIVE OF THEM. JERRY HOLDS THE LEVER AND WHEN HE SAYS "NOW:"
THEY JERK THE VOTING MACHINE UP AND DOWN.

Submitter comment: PRESIDENT

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): INSULT ; NUMBERS ; POLISH JOKE? ; PRESIDENT GERALD FORD

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Secular hero
RIDDLE -- Riddle Question

Date learned: 10-00-1975

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ETHNIC CUSTOM

DECEMBER 6 IS THE FEAST OF ST. NICHOLAS. ON THE NIGHT OF DECEMBER 5,
IN GERMAN HOMES, CHILDREN HANG UP THEIR STOCKINGS. IF THEY HAVE BEEN
GOOD DURING THE YEAR, THEIR STOCKING IS FILLED WITH CANDY, NUTS AND
TANGERINES. IF THEY HAVE BEEN BAD, THE STOCKING IS FILLED WITH COAL

Submitter comment: THIS WAS A CUSTOM MY MOTHER'S FAMILY FOLLOWED AND WHICH WE FOLLOWED
FROM ABOUT THE TIME I WAS 5 UNTIL I WAS 17.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOL ; THREAT

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F120
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 6 Feast of St. Nicholas
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- September 23 equinox to December 20 Also used for Advent.

Date learned: CA00001960

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RELIGIOUS CUSTOM

ON JANUARY 6, THE FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY, YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO WRITE
THE INITIALS OF THE THREE KINGS ABOVE YOUR DOORWAY. IT IS A WAY TO
CELEBRATE' A BLESSING AND A CATHOLIC CUSTOM. WE DIDN,T FOLLOW IT.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT WAS VERY INSISTENT IN THE FACT THAT HIS FAMILY DID NOT
FOLLOW THIS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HIGHLAND PARK

James Callow Keyword(s): NUMBERS

Subject headings: 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20
BELIEF -- Word Letter

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SUPERSTITION

IF SOMEONE IS SICK AND THERE IS NO WAY THEY'RE GOING TO PULL OUT,
MEXICANS PRAY TO THE VIRGIN OF GUADALOUPE, WHO IS THE PATRON SAINT
OF MEXICO. WHEN YOU PRAY, YOU SAY THAT YOU WILL WALK TO THE ALTAR
OF ONE OF TWO CHURCHES-ONE IS IN MEXICO CITY AND ONE IS IN
GUANAGUATO-FROM A CERTAIN POINT OUTSIDE THE CHURCH ON YOUR KNEES.
I DON'T KNOW IF I BELIEVE THIS. I THINK I DO. MY MOTHER TRIED THIS
WITH MY BROTHER AND SISTER A FEW TIMES AND IT WORKED.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT SEEMED SKEPTICAL, BUT IN THE END HE SEEMED TO BELIEVE
THE IDEA. HE WAS VERY EARNEST ABOUT THE STORY AND MADE SURE I GOT
ALL THE FACTS RIGHT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS

James Callow Keyword(s): SUPPLICATION

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church
BELIEF -- Religious hero
BELIEF -- Prayer
SPEECH -- Gesture

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LEGEND

THERE IS A PRIEST IN SAN JUAN DE LOS LAGOS, MEXICO, WHO SAID TO GOD
HE WOULD SAY THE OUR FATHER EVERY TIME SOMEONE CAME INTO THE CHURCH
IN ORDER TO THANK GOD FOR LETTING HIM BE A PRIEST. HE DIED AND WAS
BURIED. THE NEXT TIME SOMEONE CAME INTO THE CHURCH AFTER HE DIED,
THE PRIEST SAID THE OUR FATHER REALLY LOUD AND SLOW. NO ONE KNEW
WHERE HIS VOICE WAS COMING FROM. HE DID THIS AT MASS AS PEOPLE WERE
COMING IN AND EVERYONE RAN OUT BECAUSE THEY WERE SCARED. THE POLICE
CAME TO CHECK OUT THE CHURCH FOR LOUDSPEAKERS, AND THEY CHECKED THE
WHOLE CHURCH AND FOUND NOTHING. THE POLICE FINALLY LOCKED UP THE
CHURCH. AFTER THAT, TWO DRUNKS SOMEHOW GOT INTO THE CHURCH. THE
PRIEST SAID THE OUR FATHER AND THEY RAN OUT OF THE CHURCH COMPLETELY
SOBER. NO ONE GOES IN THE CHURCH ANYMORE, THIS IS A TRUE STORY.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT TOLD THIS STORY AS STRAIGHT FACT, HE BELIEVED IT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS

James Callow Keyword(s): BELIEF ; INSOBRIETY

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal
BELIEF -- Supernatural Being
BELIEF -- Prayer

Date learned: 11-00-1975

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THE HOOKED HAND

A GUY AND HIS GIRL WERE PARKED IN HIS CAR IN A DESERTED AREA.
LISTENING TO THE RADIO, THEY HEARD A GUY HAD ESCAPED FROM A NEARBY
INSANE ASYLUM. THE ESCAPEE HAD A HOOK FOR ONE OF HIS HANDS. THE
GIRL GOT REALLY SCARED AND SAID SHE WANTED TO LEAVE. HER BOYFRIEND
SAID NO, EVERYTHING WAS OKAY. SHE INSISTED AGAIN AND AGAIN HE SAID
NO. ON MORE TIME SHE SAID' "COME ONE, I,M REALLY SCARED." HER
BOYFRIEND GOT REALLY MAD, JAMMED ON THE CAR AND THE CAR JERKED OFF.
WHEN THEY GOT TO HER HOUSE, HE GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND WALKED OVER TO
HER SIDE TO OPEN HER DOOR. HANGING FROM THE DOOR HANDLE ON HER
DOOR WAS A HOOK.

Submitter comment: EVEN THOUGH I HAVE TOLD THIS STORY DOZENS OF TIMES, IT NEVER FAILS TO
TERRIFY ME. AS I TYPE THIS I AM LOOKING OVER MY SHOULDER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): THREE REQUESTS FROM GIRL

Subject headings: 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple
Favorites
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Dating Courtship
BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails

Date learned: CA00001967

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CURSE

IT IS AN ITALIAN BELIEF THAT A CURSE CAN BE UNCONSCIOUSLY
WISHED UPON YOU. IF YOU GET THE CURSE, THE ONLY WAY YOU CAN RID
YOURSELF OF IT IS TO HAVE THREE PEOPLE TRY TO GET RID OF IT. THEY
GET RID OF IT BE RECITING A SPECIAL CHANT. THE WORDS TO THE CHANT
CAN ONLY BE LEARNED ON CHRISTMAS EVE.

Submitter comment: THIS WAS TOLD TO MY INFORMANT BY HER COUSIN IN ITALY. EVERYONE IN
HER FAMILY HAD HEARD OF THE CURSE, BUT NO ONE KNEW THE WORDS TO CURE
IT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): NUMBERS

Subject headings: 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20
BELIEF -- Curse
SPEECH -- Formula

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ETHNIC JOKE

QUESTION: HOW COME A CERTAIN CITY HAS NO MORE ICE CUBES?
ANSWER: THE LADY WHO HAD THE RECIPE DIED.

Submitter comment: THIS IS A JOKE ABOUT HAMTRAMCK. I HESITATED IN USING THE NAME
BECAUSE I DIDN'T WANT TO OFFEND ANYONE OF POLISH DESCENT. I'VE
ALWAYS LIKED THIS JOKE BECAUSE IT'S SO STUPID IT'S FUNNY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): INSULT

Subject headings: RIDDLE -- Riddle Question

Date learned: CA00001970

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