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
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 URBAN returned 21 results.

showing 21 items

Content filter on this entry.

AIR CASTLE PROVERB

NEUROTICS BUILD AIR CASTLES,
PSYCHOTICS LIVE IN THEM,
AND PSYCHIATRISTS COLLECT THE RENT.

Submitter comment:

SAID SO SINCERELY THAT I HAD TO THINK TWICE BEFORE I APPRECIATED THE
HUMOR

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

James Callow Keyword(s): FANTASY ; IRONY ; MENTAL DISTURBANCE

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Blason Populaire

Date learned: 03-00-1972

View just this record

FIRST STREELIGHT GAME

WHEN THE FIRST STREETLIGHT COMES ON, YOU
ARE TO YELL OUT, ZERO, FIRST STREETLIGHT.
ANOTHER PERSON SHOUTS, ZERO, SECOND
STREETLIGHT. THE PERSON WHO SAYS, ZERO,
THIRD STREETLIGHT, GETS HIT BY THE REST
OF THE GROUP.

Submitter comment: WE USED TO PLAY THIS EVERY NIGHT WHEN
THE STREETLIGHT WOULD COME ON. THEN
EVERYBODY CAUGHT ON AND WE WOULD HAVE TO
COMPEL SOMEONE TO TAKE THE THIRD PART
SO THE GAME COULD FINISH AND WE COULD SWAT SOMEONE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): QUICKNESS ; URBAN

Subject headings: 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually.
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Bodily Activity
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Mental Activity
BELIEF -- Number Emptiness, nothingness, zero
BELIEF -- Number Inter related specific numbers in a belief: Two's a couple, / Three's a crowd; / Four on a sidewalk / Is never allowed. (Also see C700 and C800 for numbers in verse.) In computer entries our example
SPEECH -- Formula

Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR.

View just this record

MARINE PROVERB

IF YOU MUST RAISE HELL, DO IT AT LEAST A MILE AWAY FROM THE FLAGPOLE

Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: POSITIVE ; TO RAISE HELL: SLANG FOR CAUSING A DISTURBANCE OR TROUBLE

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

Date learned: 10-24-1965

View just this record

STOLEN CORPSE OF DOG

TWO OLD LADIES IN BROOKLYN, N. Y., GOT UP ONE MORNING AND FOUND
THEIR OLD TERRIER HAD DIED DURING THE NIGHT. THEY CALLED THE HUMANE
SOCIETY WHO SAID THAT THERE WAS ONLY ONE TRUCK AVAILABLE, IT BEING
SATURDAY, AND WOULD NOT BE AROUND UNTIL THE NEXT TUESDAY. THEY SAID
THE LADIES COULD BRING THE DOG DOWNTOWN IF THEY WISHED. NOT HAVING
THE MONEY FOR A TAXI FROM BROOKLYN TO THE SOCIETY HEADQUARTERS IN
MANHATTAN, THEY TOOK THE SUBWAY DEEP DOWN TO A MANHATTAN STATION
SEVERAL LEVELS BELOW GROUND. MEANWHILE, THEY HAD PUT THE DEAD DOG IN
AN OLD SUITCASE. WHILE THEY WERE TRUDGING ALONG, A YOUNG NEGRO
OFFERED TO CARRY THE SUITCASE UP THE STAIRS. HE DID SO BUT WHEN HE
REACHED THE STREET HE QUICKLY TOOK OFF WITH HIS PRIZE.

Submitter comment: ( GOTTEN ) FROM A SALESMAN FROM NEW YORK CITY
BROOKLYN, NEW YORK IS THE SETTING.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): URBAN BELIEF TALE

Subject headings: Favorites
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate

Date learned: 08-00-1964

View just this record

WISCONSIN KILLER

A MAN IN NORTHERN WISCONSIN WAS INVOLVED AND SUSPECTED IN A
NUMBER OF DISAPPEARANCES IN THE VICINITY. THE POLICE CAME TO HIS HOME
AND AFTER A BRIEF STAY, ONE OF THEM NOTICED THAT ALL OF THE
FURNITURE IN THE HOUSE WAS UPHOLSTERED IN HUMAN SKIN. LATER
INVESTIGATION FOUND THAT HIS COOKIE JAR WAS FILLED WITH HUMAN FINGERS
AND TOES.

Where learned: DETROIT ; 2822 EWALD CIRCLE ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED

Keyword(s): LOCAL LEGEND ; URBAN BELIEF TALE

Subject headings: Favorites
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate

Date learned: 02-03-1968

View just this record

Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.

GREEN M&M CANDIES MAKE A PERSON HORNY.
CHILDREN AND EVEN ADULTS WOULD ALWAYS SCRAMBLE TO GET THE
PRECIOUS FEW GREEN M&M'S IN A BAG OF THE CANDIES SO THAT
THEY MIGHT HAVE BETTER LUCK FINDING OR STAYING WITH A MATE.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights

Keyword(s): APHRODISIAC ; CANDY ; COLOR ; Green ; Sexuality ; Urban Legend

James Callow Keyword(s): SEXUALLY AROUSED = HORNY ; SLANG

Subject headings: Food Drink -- Pastry Sweet Dessert
BELIEF -- Color

Date learned: 00001976CA

View just this record

Scare Stories

44

1) Teenage Couple driving in the country, run out of gas.

2) Hear drip, drip, drip - its blood.

28

1) Next door neighbors in love.

2) Girl wore a yellow ribbon around her neck that she wouldn't take off.

3) She untied it, her head fell off.

1

1) Two children home alon eon Halloween see a ghost.

2) Turns out to be their uncle in costume

Data entry tech comment:

No information listed on card. Omitted: Collector data, informant date.

Unknown meaning of numbers preceeding each story.

Bogg Number added by TRD

James Callow comment:

18400 Praire

Corner of Pickford and Praire

Where learned: UNKNOWN

Keyword(s): Car ; Costume ; Drip ; Fable ; HALLOWEEN ; Ribbon ; Scary ; Stories ; SYMBOLISM ; Urban Legends ; Yellow Ribbon

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

View just this record

Urban Legend

THE INFORMANT TOLD ME THAT STUDENTS ACTUALLY BELIEVE THAT THERE
WAS A PROFESSOR WHO USED TO THROW THE EXAMINATION PAPERS UP THE
STAIRS AS HIS METOD OF GRADING THEM. THOSE THAT LANDED ON THE
HIGHER LEVEL GOT "AS", THE NEXT STEP GOT "BS" AND SO ON DOWN
UNTIL THE BOTTOM STEP WERE THE STUDENTS WHOSE PAPERS LANDED THERE
RECEIVED "FS".

Submitter comment:

HE (THE INFORMANT) TOLD ME THAT THIS PRACTICE WAS ATTRIBUTED TO DR.
H. THEODORE HOFFMAN OF THE ECONOMICS DEPARTMENT AT THE
UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated / 02-24-2011 / TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): ACADEMIC ; Grade ; Legend ; MYTH ; Stairs ; Student ; TEACHER ; URBAN

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being

View just this record

Urban Legend

Nashville Reservoir

The reservoir used to be a place for many people to sight-see. They could climb to the top of the wall and look in at our city's water supply. A locked gate was placed there becasue so many people were using the water supply to unload unwanted cats, dogs, babies, and trash.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Keyword(s): Babies ; Cats ; Dogs ; Litter ; Nashville ; Reservoir ; TRASH ; Urban Legend

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Tale

View just this record

Urban Legend

Hookman of Percy Warner Park:

I can't recall when I first heard this tale, but it seems to have been with me as long as I remember. There is supposedly a large rock located somewhere in Percy Warner Park, Nashville, where many people have reported seeing a hookman. The hookman only appears after dark and people whop have parked near this rock have heard the scraping of metal against their car.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Where learned: St Charles, Anell

Keyword(s): HOOK ; PARKING ; Sexuality ; SUPERNATURAL ; SUPERSTITION ; TABU ; Urban Legend

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Legend

View just this record

Ghost Tale

In Chapel Hill, TN, There is a ghost that roams next to the railroad. All you can see is his light as he flashes it up and down the tracks. It is supposedly a lineman who had fallen off the train many years before. When he fell he lost his head. Now he roams the track swinging the light looking for his head.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE ; Wray, Debbie

Keyword(s): Beheaded ; DECAPITATION ; GHOST ; HEAD ; Lineman ; RAILROAD ; Story ; SUPERNATURAL ; Tale ; Urban Legend

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter

View just this record

WEREWOLF AT A CERTAIN LOCATION

IF YOU PARK YOUR CAR AT THE END OF DIXIE HIGHWAY, TURN OFF
THE LIGHTS AND SIT QUIETLY, A MAN THAT HAS THE FEATURES
OF A WEREWOLF
WILL APPROACH THE CAR, LOOK IN, AND THEN RUN OFF.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Peabody, James ; 18400 Fielding

Keyword(s): Lycan ; SUPERNATURAL ; SUPERSTITION ; Urban Legend ; Werewolf

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Werewolf Vampire

Date learned: 10-18-1968

View just this record

CEMETERY STATUE

THERE IS A CEMETERY IN WILMERDING, PENNSYLVANIA WITH A SIX
FOOT STATUE OF A GIRL, DRESSED IN A FLOWING ROBE, CARRYING AN ARMFUL
OF SCHOOL BOOKS, PENCIL CASE, ETC.
THE HISTORY OF THE FIGURE IS AS FOLLOWS:
THE GIRL WAS COMING HOME FROM SCHOOL
ONE DAY WHEN SHE WAS ATTACKED, RAPED, AND KILLED BY TWO HOODLUMS,
ON THE DAY OF HER BIRTHDAY. HER PARENTS HAD A
STATUE MADE IN HER LIKENESS AT THE TIME SHE WAS KILLED, AND PLACED ON
HER GRAVE, WHICH IS ON A HILL OVERLOOKING
A LARGE PART OF THE CEMETERY.
BECAUSE SHE WAS A VIRGIN AT THE TIME OF DEATH, IT IS BELIEVED THAT
ANYONE GOING INTO THE CEMETERY AT THE DEAD OF NIGHT
AND WHO DARES TO WALK THE
LONELY WALK UP TO THE STATUE, AND TOUCH IT WILL DISCOVER WHETHER OR
NOT THEY ARE A VIRGIN. A VIRGIN WILL
RECEIVE NO HARM FROM THE STATUE,
BUT A NON-VIRGIN WILL RECEIVE A SMALL
CUT AND CONSEQUENTLY BLEED FROM TOUCHING THE GARMENT OF THE
STATUE. IN ADDITION, ON THE EVE OF HER BIRTHDAY, THE
STATUE IS BELIEVED TO COME ALIVE AND WALK THE CEMETERY LOOKING
FOR HER MURDERERS.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MELVINDALE

Keyword(s): CEMETERY ; GHOST ; Legend ; SUPERSTITION ; Urban Legend ; Virgin

Subject headings: Favorites
BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter

Date learned: 10-15-1965

View just this record

COLLEGE LEGEND

WHILE I WAS ATTENDING MARYGROVE COLLEGE (64-66) THE
STORY WAS ALWAYS TOLD ABOUT THE YOUNG MAN WHO LIVED FOR A YEAR IN THE
UNDERGROUND TUNNEL CONNECTING THE BUILDINGS. WE NEVER TRIED TO
SUBSTANTIATE OR DISPROVE IT, BUT WHENEVER WE HAD TO GO NEAR
THE TUNNEL EXIT WE ALWAYS TOOK A FRIEND ALONG FOR SAFETY AND
NEVER LINGERED TOO LONG AROUND IT.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): Dweller ; Legend ; Marygrove ; Rumor ; Tunnels ; Urban Legend

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School
BELIEF -- Human Being

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

View just this record

COLLEGE BELIEF

IF A VIRGIN EVER WALKS PAST THE BEAUMONT TOWERS AT
MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY, THE TOWER WILL CRUMBLE.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; Colombo, Dave

Keyword(s): Crumble ; Destroy ; Legend ; SUPERSTITION ; Tower ; Urban Legend ; Virgin

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Religious hero

Date learned: 01-24-1972

View just this record

LEGEND OF THE MAD MAN.

IN MY CHILDHOOD, I SPENT TWO WEEKS AT THE BOYS' CLUB CAMP
FOR FOUR CONSECUTIVE YEARS. EVERY STAY WAS OCCASIONED BY THE
RUMOR THAT IT WAS NOT SAFE TO WALK IN CAMP ALONE AT NIGHT
BECAUSE A MAN HAD ESCAPED FROM A NEARBY MENTAL
INSTITUTION OR JAIL (IT VARIED) AND
THE CONVICT DID NOT LIKE LITTLE BOYS.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: OHIO ; TOLEDO

Keyword(s): Escaped ; Institution ; JAIL ; Legend ; Mad Man ; Mental Institution ; Urban Legend

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate
BELIEF -- Physically handicapped Deformed

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

View just this record

CRUEL BABYSITTER

IN HARPER WOODS {MICHIGAN} THIS GIRL WENT TO BABYSIT FOR
A FAMILY WITH A SMALL BABY. BEFORE THE PARENTS OF THE CHILD
WERE TO COME HOME, THE SITTER THOUGHT SHE WOULD SURPRISE
THE PARENTS WITH A MIDNIGHT SNACK. SO SHE SET THE TABLE
AND TOOK THE BABY AND BAKED IT AS THE MEAL SHE WOULD
SET FOR THE PARENTS. WHEN THE PARENTS CAME HOME THEY
WERE GREETED WITH A MEAL WHICH THEY DID NOT KNOW WAS
THEIR CHILD. IT WAS LATER FOUND OUT THAT THIS GIRL
WAS TAKING LSD.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): BABY ; Babysitter ; CANNIBALISM ; Consumption ; DRUGS ; FOOD ; Hallucinogen ; HORROR ; LSD ; Urban Legend

James Callow Keyword(s): HALLUCINOGENIC DRUG

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal

Date learned: 04-00-1971

View just this record

ORANGE GROVE

A BOY AND GIRL IN FLORIDA WENT OUT PARKING IN AN ORANGE GROVE.
WHEN THEY WERE READY TO LEAVE THE BOY FOUND THAT HE WAS OUT OF
GAS. HE WAS REALLY DISGUSTED WITH HIMSELF AS HE STOMPED AWAY,
WARNING THE GIRL TO LOCK THE DOORS AND WAIT FOR HIM IN THE CAR.
HOURS PASSED AND THE GIRL WAS GETTING VERY WORRIED. IT WAS COLD
AND SHE WAS VERY TIRED SO SHE FELL ASLEEP. A TAP AT THE WINDOW
WOKE HER. A POLICEMAN TOLD HER TO GET OUT AND GO TO THE PATROL
CAR AND HE'D TAKE HER HOME. AS HE HELPED HER TO THE CAR HE WARNED
HER NOT TO LOOK BACK AT THE OTHER CAR. AS HE CLOSED THE DOOR
SHE GLANCED BACK AT THE OTHER CAR. THERE WAS HER BOYFRIEND'S
HEAD, ON THE ROOF, STREAMING BLOOD.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Keyword(s): Boyfriend ; DEATH ; Girlfriend ; MURDER ; PARKING ; Urban Legend ; VIOLENT

James Callow Keyword(s): DECAPITATION

Subject headings: Favorites
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal
BELIEF -- Human Being

Date learned: 00-00-1969

View just this record

EXPLANATION OF NAME, "MURDER HILL"

THERE IS A STRETCH OF NARROW, WINDING ROAD ON THE SIDE OF A HILL
JUST OUTSIDE OF LITTLE VALLEY, NEW YORK. SIGNS AT EACH END OF THIS
LONG ROAD CALL IT "MURDER HILL."
ONE EXPLANATION OF THE NAME IS THE FACT THAT A FATAL ACCIDENT
COULD EASILY HAPPEN THERE.
ANOTHER EXPLANATION IS A LEGEND THAT A MAN KILLED HIS WIFE AND
THEN HIMSELF IN A HOUSE NOT FAR FROM THE ROAD.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: NEW YORK ; FRANKLINVILLE

Keyword(s): Murder Hill ; Origin of Name ; Tale ; Urban Legend

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial
SPEECH -- S478

View just this record

EXPLANATION OF NAME, "MURDER HILL"

THERE IS A STRETCH OF NARROW, WINDING ROAD ON THE SIDE OF A HILL
JUST OUTSIDE OF LITTLE VALLEY, NEW YORK. SIGNS AT EACH END OF THIS
LONG ROAD CALL IT "MURDER HILL."
ONE EXPLANATION OF THE NAME IS THE FACT THAT A FATAL ACCIDENT
COULD EASILY HAPPEN THERE.
ANOTHER EXPLANATION IS A LEGEND THAT A MAN KILLED HIS WIFE AND
THEN HIMSELF IN A HOUSE NOT FAR FROM THE ROAD.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: NEW YORK ; FRANKLINVILLE

Keyword(s): ETYMOLOGY ; Murder Hill ; Origin ; Urban Legend

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial
SPEECH -- S478

Date learned: 06-00-1968

View just this record

showing 21 items

Back to Top