Deprecated: The each() function is deprecated. This message will be suppressed on further calls in /var/www/libs/inc/cfa/cfa-search.inc.php on line 473

Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in /var/www/libs/inc/cfa/cfa-item.inc.php on line 327

Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in /var/www/libs/inc/cfa/cfa-item.inc.php on line 327
The James T. Callow Computerized Folkore Archive | University of Detroit Mercy Libraries Back to Top
Top Nav content Site Footer
University Home
James T. Callow Computerized Folklore Archive
search for

Offensive content Filter is ON

Your search for FO returned 1027 results.

prev | items
| next

NEW YEAR'S CUSTOM/LUCK

THE FIRST PERSON TO ENTER THE HOUSE ON NEW YEAR'S DAY MUST BE
HAPPY, HEALTHY AND PROSPEROUS, SO THAT THE FAMILY'S GOOD LUCK WILL BE
INSURED.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON

James Callow Keyword(s): CONTAGIOUS MAGIC FIRST FOOTING

Subject headings: 686 686.1
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20
BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance
BELIEF -- Good luck P881.2

Date learned: 09-24-1972

View just this record

VISITOR

IT IS A SIGN OF BAD LUCK IF YOUR FIRST VISITOR ON
NEW YEAR'S DAY IS A WOMAN.

Submitter comment: THIS WAS TOLD TO THE INFORMANT BY A CO}WORKER WHO IS A BLACK
GIRL OF THE MUSLIM FAITH.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): FIRST FOOTING ; SEXISM

Subject headings: 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually.
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's
BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.2

Date learned: 10-25-1972

View just this record

GRAFFITI

FLUSH TWICE, IT'S A LONG WAY TO THE MESS HALL.

Where learned: CANADA ; ONTARIO ; DORM ; UNIVERSITY OF WINDSOR ; WINDSOR

James Callow Keyword(s): SATIRE OF QUALITY OF FOOD IN THE INSTITUTION

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Art Craft Architecture Art, Craft, Architecture

Date learned: 09-24-1972

View just this record

BRAD JACKSON JR. A DRIVER FOR BRAD JACKSON INC. RELATED TO ME
THE STORY OF A FLORIDA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMITTEE MAN STOPPING
A SEMI-DRIVER NEAR JACKSONVILLE AND ASKED TO SEE THE DRIVER'S LOG
BOOK, THE DRIVER REPLIED, ME SUH, I AIN'T HAULIN' NO LOGS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK ; 1013 W 12 MILE RD

James Callow Keyword(s): OCCUPATIONAL FOLKLORE TRUCK DRIVER

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote

Date learned: 12-01-1972

View just this record

TRUCK DRIVING PROWESS

DURING THE 1940'S AND EARLY 1950'S SEMI DRIVERS
FOLLOWING EACH OTHER ON OLD U.S. 22 (ONE OF THE FEW TRUCK
ROUTES INTO THE NEW YORK METRO AREA FROM THAT AREA [HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA]) USED TO ENGAGE IN A "CONTEST"
BY ALTERNATELY KNOCKING OUT THE ROADSIDE MAILBOXES BY SWAYING THE
REARMOST END OF THE TRAILER.

Submitter comment:

THE INFORMANT'S INFORMANT: JOHN POTERE A DRIVER FOR MCCLEAN TRUCKING. THE INFORMATION WAS OBTAINED IN HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA IN OCTOBER OF 1969.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK

James Callow Keyword(s): OCCUPATIONAL FOLKLORE TRUCK DRIVERS

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion
BELIEF -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate
BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal

Date learned: 12-01-1972

View just this record

YOUR'S 'TILL THE MOUNTAIN PEAKS,
AND SEAS THE SALAD DRESSING.

Submitter comment: THIS IS ONE OF A GROUP OF AUTOGRAPH BOOK VERSES COLLECTED IN 1941.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

James Callow Keyword(s): ALLITERATION ; EUPHEMISM: HEAT FOR HELL ; PUNS ; RHYME: AA

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

Date learned: 10-25-1972

View just this record

CAN FOOD

DON'T CAN FOOD WHEN YOU ARE ON YOUR PERIOD.
BECAUSE THE FOOD WILL GO TO WASTE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): MENSTRUAL TABU AGAINST PRESERVING FOOD

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal

Date learned: 10-00-1974

View just this record

STORY

THIS IS A STORY ON THE WHITE FOLKS. YOU KNOW BACK IN THE OLDEN
DAYS WHEN THE COLORED PEOPLE DIDNH HAVE ANYTHING TO DO. THROUGH
THEYRE DOING, THEY DIDNT HAVE NO WHERE TO PRAY BUT UNDER AN OAK
TREE. AND EVERYTIME THEY START TO PRAYING, WHITE FOLKS WOULD
TAKE AN WHIP AN BUGGY WHIP, WHAT THEY CALL A RAW HIDE LEATHER
TIDED ON THE END OF A STICK, COME DOWN AND BEAT EM. SO FINALLY
ONE DAY THE BLACK MAN DECIDED HE'LL PRAY. HE SAY HE'S GONA TALK
TO THE LORD. AND HE GONA TALK TO HIM IN PERSON. SO HE WENT DOWN
HE DID IN THE WOODS. DIDN'T CLEAN HIM OUT NO PLACE , HE DECIDED
HE'L KNEEL DOWN. HE STARTED TO PRAYING.
HE SAID OH LORD, HE SAID,
I'M DOWN HERE IN THESE WOODS TRYING TO SERVE YOU THE BEST I CAN.
CAUSE WHEN I WAS DOWN AT THAT OTHER OAK TREE, SAY THE MAN USE
THAT RAW HIDE WHIP ON ME, HE DAY. BUT IM GONA TELL YOU ONE THING
HE SAYS, AS I PRAY DOWN ON MY KNEES TROUBLE ALWAYS AROUND. AND
HE SAYS ONE DAY I WAS PRAYING AND I SAY TROUBLE ALWAYS AROUND AND
YOU WHIP ME. HE SAY WHY DID I WHIP YOU HE SAY YOU LET THAT
WHITE MAN DRAW THAT WHIP BACK AND GIVE HIM THE POWER TO HIT ME.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): NEGRO BLAMES GOD FOR RACIAL PREJUDICE OF WHITES. ; PRAYER TREE

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- B645

Date learned: 10-00-1974

View just this record

POEM

MONKEY SITTING ON THE INDIAN RAIL,
PICKIN HIS TOOTH WITH THE END OF HIS TAIL,
GRASS GREW UP AND TOUCHED HIS BALLS,
AND HE JUMPED IN HIS OVERALLS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): EUPHEMISM OR SLANG: BALLS FOR TESTICLES

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

Date learned: 10-00-1974

View just this record

LIMERICK

THERE WAS A YOUNG ROSE OF TRALEE
WHO LET HERSELF GO ON A SPREE.
NOW SHE WRITES TO THE PAPERS,
CONDEMING SUCH CAPERS,
AND SIGNS HERSELF MOTHER OF THREE.

Submitter comment: THESE LIMERICKS WERE LEARNED OF IN A SIXTH GRADE ENGLISH CLASS
AT SAINT HEDWIG GRADE SCHOOL. THE BOOK THEY WERE TAKED FROM
IS NOT KNOWN BY ME BECAUSE THEY WERE TOLD BY THE TEACHER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): METAPHOR: FLOWER (ROSE) FOR GIRL ; PERSONALITY CHANGE

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

Date learned: 00001960S

View just this record

LIMERICK

A LIVELY YOUNG FELLOW NAMED KELLY,
GOT AN AWFUL SAD ACHE IN HIS DIGESTION.
HIS WIFE IN HER HASTE,
HAD SERVED HIM UP PASTE
INSTEAD OF THE TOAST AND THE JELLY.

Submitter comment: THESE LIMERICKS WERE LEARNED OF IN A SIXTH GRADE ENGLISH CLASS
AT SAINT HEDWIG GRADE SCHOOL. THE BOOK THEY WERE TAKED FROM
IS NOT KNOWN BY ME BECAUSE THEY WERE TOLD BY THE TEACHER.

James Callow Keyword(s): DISTORTION OF RHYME SCHEME ; EUPHEMISM: DIGESTION FOR BELLY

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

Date learned: 00001960S

View just this record

SAMA DAVA

SAMA DAVA LITERALLY MEANS 'ALONE MAIDENS' IN BULGARIAN. THESE
ARE YOUNG AND BEAUTIFUL GIRLS WHO HAVE BEEN ABDUCTED BY EVIL
SPIRITS AND TAKEN INTO THE WOODS. HERE THEY REMAIN IMMORTAL,
AS THEY TRY TO TEMPT YOUNG SHEPHERD BOYS INTO JOINING THEM. THE
SAMA DAVA RETURN TO MORTAL WOMEN, IF THEIR SPECIAL CLOTHING IS
STOLEN BY SOME FORTUNATE MAN.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT SAID PEASANTS GAVE US THE EXPLANATION OF THE SAMA
DAVA TO EXPLAIN THE DISSAPPEARANCE OF YOUNG GIRLS AND SHEPHERD
BOYS IN RURAL AREAS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): ETIOLOGICAL ; TRANSFORMATION

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter
BELIEF -- Supernatural Being

Date learned: 03-21-1970

View just this record

SUPERSTITION

HAIRS, WHEN LEFT IN WATER, TURN TO WORMS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GRAND RAPIDS

James Callow Keyword(s): TRANSFORMATION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Body part Senses
BELIEF -- Insect

Date learned: 10-00-1971

View just this record

FAIRY BELIEF

PALLICKS FARTH WAS A HALF MILE FROM MY HOME, A DRUMBLIN OR
RIDGE OF DIRT 8010 FEET HIGH, SHAPED LIKE A BIG BOWL. EVERY NIGHT
AFTER SUNDOWN THE LEPRECHAUNS WOULD COME AND DANCE UNTIL THE COCKS
WOULD CROW IN THE MORNING AND BY SOME MYSTERIOUS POWER,
THEY WOULD PULL UP A BOWLEN, THAT IS WHAT WE CALL THE GOLDEN ROD.
THEY COULD TURN IT INTO A HORSE AND RIDE OFF UNTIL THE NEXT EVENING.

Where learned: NEW YORK ; ROCHESTER

James Callow Keyword(s): TRANSFORMATION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome

Date learned: 03-11-1972

View just this record

TRUE RIDDLE

Q: JOHN IS IN THE OTHER ROOM SLEEPING. MARY IS ON THE FLOOR DEAD.
THERE IS WATER ON THE FLOOR NEAR MARY. THERE IS ALSO BROKEN GLASS
ON THE FLOOR NEAR MARY. MARY DID NOT DIE OF ANY WOUNDS.
HOW DID MARY DIE?
A: JOHN IS A CAT. MARY IS A FISH. JOHN KNOCKED THE FISH BOWL OFF
THE STAND AND IT BROKE AND MARY DIED OF SUFFICATION (SUFFOCATION).

Submitter comment:

YES AND NO QUESTIONS ABOUT THE RIDDLE ARE ASKED OF THE RIDDLER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): ACTIONS (Q) ; ANIMALS (A)

James Callow Keyword(s): HOUSEHOLD ITEM (Q) ; NAMES FOR

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Proper Name
RIDDLE -- True Riddle

Date learned: 09-26-1969

View just this record

TRUE RIDDLE

Q: IT IS BLACK AND WHITE AND RED ALL OVER.
A: AN EMBARRASSED ZEBRA.

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; RENO HALL LOBBY

Keyword(s): ANIMAL (A) ; LITERAL ; NATURAL PHENOMENON (Q) COLOR

James Callow Keyword(s): NEWSPAPER RIDDLE, VARIAN OF ; SPELLING: RED FOR READ

Subject headings: RIDDLE -- True Riddle

Date learned: 10-01-1968

View just this record

COMMERCIAL RIDDLE

Q: WHAT HAS A HEAD BUT NO HAIR?
A: KOEHLER BEER.

Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; ERIE

Keyword(s): EATABLES AND DRINKS (A) ; PARTS OF THE BODY (Q) ; PRIVATIONAL

James Callow Keyword(s): SLANG: HEAD FOR FOAM

Subject headings: RIDDLE -- True Riddle

Date learned: 00-00-1963

View just this record

PROVERBIAL APOTHEGM

AN ADULT IS ONE WHO SCOLDS HIS CHILDREN FOR ATTEMPTING TO ESCAPE
REALITY, WHILE HE ORDERS HIS THIRD MARTINI.

Data entry tech comment: SONNY ELIOT IS A LOCAL TV WEATHERMAN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): DEFINITION ; FOOD

James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: NEGATIVE ; HYPOCRISY ; LIQUOR ; OBSERVATION ; PARADOX

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim

Date learned: 04-00-1968

View just this record

PROVERB

ALL WORK AND NO PLAY MAKES JACK A DULL BOY.

James Callow comment: IT'S INTERESTING THAT STEVENSON LISTS THIS UNDER "JACK"
RATHER THAN "WORK" -- F. M. PAULSEN

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): FUNCTION

James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: NEGATIVE ; NAME: JACK FOR MALE OR PERSON ; OBSERVATION

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

Date learned: 03-29-1968

View just this record

PROVERBIAL APOTHEGM

ALL WORK AND NO PLAY MAKES JACK AND PLENTY OF IT.

Data entry tech comment: PARODY

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): ECONOMICS ; PUN ON JACK AS SLANG FOR MONEY.

James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: ; FUNCTION ; OBSERVATION ; PARODY ; PUN: JACK FOR MONEY

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

View just this record

prev | items
| next

Back to Top