The James T. Callow Computerized Folkore Archive | University of Detroit Mercy Libraries

ON A BABY'S FIRST BIRTHDAY, PLACE A WINE GLASS, A
PRAYER BOOK, AND SOME COINS. WHATEVER HE REACHES
FOR FIRST WILL INDICATE THE TYPE OF CAREER HE
CHOOSES. THE INW GLASS INDICATES THAT HE WILL
BE A DRUNK; THE PRAYER BOOK, A PRIEST; AND THE
COINS, A BUSINESSMAN.

Submitter comment: WE TRIED THIS AT THE FIRST BIRTHDAY OF MY CURRENTLY
SEVEN YEAR OLD COUSIN. ONLY TROUBLE WAS THAT HE
KNOCKED ALL THREE OBJECTS OFF THE HIGH CHAIR
TRAY AT ONCE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): IN A HIGH CHAIR. ; SEVEN MONTH OLD COUSIN I HOPE, SINCE HE STILL IS

Subject headings:

BELIEF -- Use of object for determining future of young

Date learned: 00-00-1962

View just this record

Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.

NEGROES WERE TAUGHT THE FOLLOWING:
1. DON'T LOOK AT A WHITE WOMAN BECAUSE THEY WILL HANG YOU. (MAN)
2. DON'T TOUCH ANY ARTICLE WHEN YOU ENTER A STORE OR THEY'LL
THINK YOU ARE SHOPLIFTING.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE

Keyword(s): Black ; Inter-racial ; Men ; RACISM ; Relationships ; SEXISM ; Shoplifting ; SHOPPING ; White ; WOMEN

James Callow Keyword(s): RACISM ; SEXISM ; SHOPPING

Subject headings:

BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Work Commerce Business

Date learned: 08-09-1968

View just this record

"THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF AN EX-COLORED MAN" IN "THREE NEGRO CLASSICS"

I HAVE ALREADY STATED THAT IN THE BASEMENT OF THE HOUSE THERE
WAS A CHINESE RESTAURANT. THE CHINAMAN WHO KEPT IT DID
AN EXCEPTIONALLY GOOD BUSINESS; FOR SHOP-SUEY WAS A
FAVOURITE DISH AMONG THE FREQUENTERS OF THE PLACE. IT IS A FOOD
THAT, SOMEHOW, HAS THE POWER OF ABSORBING ALCOHOLIC LIQUORS
THAT HAVE BEEN TAKEN INTO THE STOMACH. I HAVE HEARD MEN CLAIM
THAT THEY COULD SOBER UP ON SHOP-SUEY.

Where learned: AVON BOOKS, N.P., DISCUSS BOOKS, P. 449

Keyword(s): CHOP SUEY

Subject headings:

Food Drink -- Alcoholic beverage
BELIEF -- Remedy

Date learned: 00-00-1955

View just this record

YELLOW FINGER

ONCE UPON A TIME THERE WAS A CASTLE THAT WAS GUARDED BY
A HUGE YELLOW FINGER, WHO WOULDN'T LET ANYONE PASS
THE KING FROM A RIVALING CASTLE SENT ONE OF HIS BRAVEST
KNIGHTS TO GET BY THE FINGER, BUT THE FINGER KILLED HIM.
SO THE KING SENT A DUKE, BUT HE, TOO, WAS KILLED. THEN
THE KING SENT ONE OF HIS PAGES. HE JUST WALKED RIGHT
THROUGH.
MORAL: LET YOUR PAGES DO THE WALKING THROUGH THE YELLOW
FINGER.

Submitter comment: IT SEEMS TO ME THERE WAS SLIGHTLY MORE BUILD-UP ON THIS
STORY, BUT I CAN'T REMEMBER IT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): PUN ON TELEVISION ADVERTISEMENT: LET YOUR FINGERS DO THE WALKING THROUGH THE YELLOW PAGES. COMMERCIAL FOR THE BELL TELEPHONE CO., REGARDING SAVING TIME AND ENERGY BY PRE-SHOPPING THROUGH MAKING CAL

Subject headings:

6677 Formula Tale

Date learned: 11-18-1968

View just this record

YELLOW FINGERS

ONCE THERE WAS A KING WHO WANTED TO GET A MESSAGE THROUGH
TO A NEIGHBORING KINGDOM. BUT IN ORDER TO GET THROUGH,
THE MESSANGER WOULD HAVE TO PASS THE MONSTROUS YELLOW
FINGERS. FIRST A KNIGHT WAS SENT, BUT THE YELLOW FINGERS
PINCHED HIM TO DEATH. THEN A SQUIRE TRIED, BUT MET WITH
THE SAME FATE. FINALLY, A PAGE WAS SENT AND MADE IT
THROUGH.
THE MORAL OF THE STORY IS: LET YOUR PAGES DO THE WALKING
THROUGH THE YELLOW FINGERS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): PUN ON COMMERCIAL FOR THE BELL TELEPHONE CO., WHICH SAYS, "LET YOUR FINGERS DO THE WALKING, THROUGH THE YELLOW PAGES." TIMESAVING AND ENERGY SAVING METHOD OF SHOPPING--LOOK UP IN THE YELLOW PAGES O

Subject headings:

6677 Formula Tale

Date learned: 10-15-1969

View just this record