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LEGEND OF BEAR ISLAND

THERE IS AN INDIAN LEGEND THAT TELLS HOW THE FAMOUS MICHIGAN BEAR
ISLAND WAS MADE. IT WAS SAID THAT A MOTHER BEAR AND HER TWO CUBS
WERE ATTEMPTING TO SWIM ACROSS LAKE MICHIGAN, BUT THEY EACH WERE
OVERCOME BY EXHAUSTION BEFORE THEY COULD EVEN SWIM 5 TO 6 MILES.
THEIR BODIES NOW FORM THE BIG BEAR ISLAND AND THE TWO SMALL BEAR
ISLANDS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BATTLE CREEK

Keyword(s): AMERICAN INDIAN ; SLEEPING BEAR SAND DUNE

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name

Date learned: 00-00-1954

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DEAD BABY JOKE

WHY DO THEY ALWAYS KEEP THE HOT WATER BILLS PAID UP IN A MATERNITY
WARD? CAUSE IF A BABY DIES, THEY CAN HAVE SOUP.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE

James Callow Keyword(s): CANNIBALISM

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote

Date learned: 12-00-1974

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CLANCY

CLANCY WAS A COOK AT CAMP OZANAM. HE LIVED IN AN APARTMENT NOW CALLED
ASH. CLANCY WAS BELIEVED TO BE FROM ANOTHER PLANET. ONE DAY CAMPERS
HEARD SCREAMS. THE COUNSELORS WENT IN AND SAW A MEAT GRINDER AND SOME
KIDS. CLANCY WOULD TAKE KIDS AND GRIND THEM UP. HE WAS SERVING THE
CAMP CHILDREN GROUND UP PEOPLE. THE COUNSELORS CALLED THE POLICE AND
CLANCY RAN OUT. THE POLICE SHOT CLANCY BUT NOTHING HAPPENED. CLANCY
RAN ONTO A ROCK AND SHOT UP INTO THE AIR. HE WAS NEVER SEEN AGAIN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights

James Callow Keyword(s): CANNIBALISM ; INEFFECTIVE BULLETS INVULNERABILITY

Subject headings: Favorites
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Supernatural Being
BELIEF -- Planet

Date learned: 11-00-1973

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SIGNATURES

YOURS TILL THE UNITED STATES DRINKS CANADA DRY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): PUN. CANADA DRY II BRAND OF SOFT DRINK.

Subject headings: Z210

Date learned: 09-00-1973

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RIDDLE {SICK HUMOR}

QUESTION: WHY DO THEY BOIL WATER WHEN SOMEBODY HAS A BABY?
ANSWER: SO IF IT DIES, THEY CAN MAKE SOUP.

Where learned: CANADA ; ONTARIO ; TORONTO

James Callow Keyword(s): CANNIBALISM

Subject headings: RIDDLE -- Riddle Question

Date learned: 00001971 (SUMMER)

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PASTIME

THIS IS A PASTIME IN WHICH THE PERSON CRUSHES A CAN WITH HIS
FOOT, SORT OF "MOLDING" THE CAN TO THE SHAPE OF THE SHOE.
YOU THEN TRY TO SEE HOW LONG YOU CAN WALK ON IT, WITHOUT IT
FALLING OFF YOUR SHOE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES

James Callow Keyword(s): CAN CONTAINER

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement

Date learned: 10-00-1972

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DISTILLERY PROSE

THIS ONE HAPPENED IN NORTH CAROLINA. THERE WAS THIS GUY NAMED LOSS
HONEYCUTT
AND HIS PROFESSION WAS BREEDING BULLS. ON THE SIDE HE RAN A
DISTILLERY. BACK IN THOSE TIMES, I THINK IT WAS THE EARLY 1900'S, AS
FAR AS POLICEMEN AND GUYS LIKE THAT, THEY DIDN'T FIND OUT TOO MUCH
ABOUT
DISTILLERIES, EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE ILLEGAL AND EVERYTHING. BUT
BY MOUTH OR WHATEVER, THE AUTHORITIES FOUND OUT THAT LOSS WAS RUNNING
THIS DISTILLERY AND MAKING PRETTY GOOD MONEY ON IT. SO ONE DAY TWO
LOCAL
SHERIFFS DECIDED TO PAY LOSS A VISIT. IT SO HAPPENS THAT THE
POLICE
WERE SEEN GOING IN THERE TO BREAK UP THE STILL AND OF COURSE A
CROWD BEGAN TO GATHER OUTSIDE HIS HOUSE. AND THEY WAITED AND WAITED,
BUT THE TWO SHERIFFS NEVER CAME OUT. THE PEOPLE GOT KIND OF CONCERNED
AND WENT TO THE POLICE STATION AND TOLD THEM THAT THE TWO SHERIFFS
HADN'T COME OUT OF THE HOUSE. SO THE POLICE INVESTIGATED. THEY WENT
INTO THE HOUSE AND DOWN INTO THE BASEMENT WHERE THE STILL WAS LOCATED
AND THERE WAS LOSS MAKING WHISKEY. IT SO HAPPENS THAT LOSS HAD DONE
AWAY WITH THE TWO SHERIFFS AND HAD MADE WHISKEY OUT OF THEM.

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; RENO HALL

James Callow Keyword(s): CANNIBALISM: PEOPLE DISTILLED INTO WHISKEY

Subject headings: Favorites
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being

Date learned: 09-25-1972

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RIDDLE

Q: AS I WAS GOING ACROSS LONDON BRIDGE, I MET A MAN. I CUT HIS
THROAT AND ATE HIS MEAT AND DRANK HIS BLOOD AND THREW HIS HIDE AWAY.
A: WATERMELON.

Where learned: ALABAMA

Keyword(s): EATIBLES AND DRINKS (Q) CANNABALISM (Q) ; PARTICULAR AREA (Q)

Subject headings: RIDDLE -- True Riddle

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RIDDLE

Q: WHAT WALKS IN THE MORNING ON 4 LEGS, IN THE DAY ON 2, AND IN THE
EVENING ON 3?
A: A MAN.

Submitter comment: TRANSLATED FROM LITHUANIAN

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): ACTIONS (Q) ; NUMBERS ; PARTS OF THE BODY (Q)

James Callow Keyword(s): "LEGS" SYMBOLIZING AGE OR STAGES IN LIFE ; CANE OEDIPUS

Subject headings: RIDDLE -- True Riddle

Date learned: 02-17-1971

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CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS JOKE

Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.

Q: WHAT DID CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS SAY WHEN HE SAW A NEGRO FOR THE
FIRST TIME.
A: GOD BLESS MY HEART, GOD BLESS MY SOUL. I SAW A WALKING
TOOTSIE ROLL.

Submitter comment:

THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD CHILDREN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

Keyword(s): ACTIONS (A) ; ACTIONS (Q) ; EATABLES (A) ; PERSONS (Q)

James Callow Keyword(s): CANDY ; RACISM

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Riddle C890.400
RIDDLE -- Riddle Question
Filter - Mature Content

Date learned: 08-00-1964

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PROVERBIAL METAPHOR

ALMOST COUNTS ONLY IN HORSESHOES AND HAND-GRENADES.

Submitter comment: FINE FELLOW

Where learned: FLORIDA ; PANAMA CITY

Keyword(s): GAMES ; NUMBERS

James Callow Keyword(s): CAN ; I SUPPOSE THE MEANING OF THIS IS THAT A HAND GRENADE

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

Date learned: 00-00-1971

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TELEPHONE PRANK

CALLER: DO YOU HAVE SIR WALTER RALEUGH IN A CAN?
ANSWERER: (WHO CAN WORK IN A STORE) YES.
CALLER: WELL THEN LET HIM OUT.

Submitter comment:

INFORMANT HAS DONE THIS WITH FRIENDS

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LINCOLN PARK

James Callow Keyword(s): PUN ; SLANG: "CAN" FOR TOILET."

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Work Commerce Business
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion

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BELIEF, GHOST OF TECUMSEH ROAD

IN WINDSOR, ONTARIO, THERE IS SUPPOSED TO BE A GHOST THAT
ROAMS TECUMSEH ROAD, IT HAD NO HEAD, AND CARRIES A SICKLE
FROM WHICH BLOOD IS DRIPPING. ONE WITNESS SAYS THAT EVERYTIME
HE SEES THE GHOST, SOMEONE IN THE FAMILY DIES.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT HEARD ON RADIO.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; PORT HURON

James Callow Keyword(s): CANADA

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter

Date learned: 11-05-1971

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BOOGIEMAN BELIEF

WHEN I WAS A KID, MY PARENTS USED TO TELL ME THAT OLD UNCLE
GEORGE WAS THIS GHOST THAT LIVED IN THE BASEMENT AND
THAT HE WOULD COME UP AT NIGHT AND EAT ME ALIVE IF I WAS BAD.

Submitter comment: I USED TO HAVE A PICTURE IN MY MIND OF WHAT OLD GEORGE LOOKED
LIKE, HE WAS BIG AND DUMB LIKE JETHRO- OF THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES
TELEVISION SHOW.

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): CANNIBALISM ; THREAT

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter

Date learned: 10-02-1970

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PROVERB

THE EYES ARE THE REFLECTION OF THE SOUL.
(SPANISH) LOS OJOS SON EL ESPEJO DEL ALMA.

Where learned: DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): "CAN'T SEE THE FOREST FOR THE TREES." ? ; TRANSLATION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Body part Senses
BELIEF -- Body part Senses Eyes, evil eye
PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

Date learned: 00-00-1953

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OLD MEN AND OLD WOMEN MAKE GOOD SOUP

Submitter comment: SAID IN REFERENCE TO CHAPERONES

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): AGE ; CANNIBALISM ; PUN--ON WORD "MAKE"

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor
PROVERB -- Blason Populaire

Date learned: 04-00-1968

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PROVERBIAL APOTHEGM

POLISH:
A PAIR OF LEGS IN YOUTH ARE BETTER THAN THREE IN OLD AGE
LEPSZE DWIE NOGI W MTODOSCI ANIZELI TRZY W STAROSCI

Submitter comment: MY FATHER KNOWS THIS FROM POLAND

Data entry tech comment: ORIGINAL 5 X 8 CARD CONTAINS POLISH TEXT

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

James Callow Keyword(s): NUMBERS ; THIRD LEG=CANE ; TRANSLATION

Subject headings: 686 Seconds / Twice / Two
686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple
BELIEF -- Body part Senses Lower body, legs
PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim
PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison

Date learned: 11-21-1967

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PROVERBIAL APOTHEGM MAXIM

PROPERTY IS THEFT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): DEFINITION ; YOU CAN'T LOSE WHAT YOU DON'T OWN

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim

Date learned: 11-10-1969

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ENGLISH PROVERB

PUT AN IRISHMAN ON THE SPIT AND YOU CAN ALWAYS
GET ANOTHER IRISHMAN TO BASTE HIM.

Submitter comment:

THE INFORMANT IS AN ENGLISH GIRL WHO HAD HEARD THE PROVERB
SEVERAL TIMES WITHIN HER FAMILY'S CIRCLE OF FRIENDS WHICH
IS COMPOSED LARGELY OF ENGLISHMEN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): BETRAYAL ; CANNIBALISM

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Blason Populaire

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ITALIAN PROVERB

PUT THE BREAD TO YOUR MOUTH
AND YOU WILL FIND AN APPETITE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MILFORD

James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: POSITIVE ; FOOD ; YOU CAN DO WITH WHAT YOU HAVE

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor
PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim

Date learned: 09-22-1968

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