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 ST returned 2014 results.

prev | items
| next

LEADER: AIN'T NO USE IN LOOKING BACK.
TROOPS: AIN'T NO USE IN LOOKING BACK.
LEADER: JODY'S GOT YOUR CADILLAC.
TROOPS: JODY'S GOT YOUR CADILLAC.

Where learned: MISSOURI ; TEXAS ; FORT LEONARD WOOD ; FORT SAM ; HOUSTON

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- War cries

Date learned: 06001983-11001983

View just this record

ON THE FINAL SCHOOL DAY OF EACH YEAR, WE WOULD CHANT THIS
REFRAIN:
NO MORE SCHOOL;
NO MORE BOOKS;
NO MORE TEACHERS' DIRTY LOOKS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM ; NEW YORK ; HEMPSTED ; LONG ISLAND

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

View just this record

Hawaiian Island Folklore

Find a lava rock. Take the rock and wrap it in a tea leaf and
set it down in front of the ocean. Make a wish. Your wish
will be granted in three days by the gods of the islands.

Submitter comment: This is one of the folktales that Albert brought back with
him when he came back to the U.S. after his second honeymoon.
My father is good friends with this man and he told us the
story over dinner at our house. His mood was wishful and
mysterious when he was describing this folktale.

Where learned: Item was learned in the state of Hawaii

Keyword(s): lava, tea, ocean.

Subject headings: 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple
BELIEF -- Mineral
BELIEF -- Plant
BELIEF -- Prayer

Date learned: 00-00-1989

View just this record

WEDDING CUSTOMS OF THE SWEDISH IMMIGRANTS

AFTER THE DECISION TO MARRY IS MADE BY A SWEDISH
COUPLE, APPROVAL MUST BE SOUGHT FROM THE PARENTS. THE
PARENTS THEN SET THE DATE FOR THE ENGAGEMENT AS WELL
AS THE WEDDING AND HOLD A PARTY ON THE DAY OF ENGAGE-
MENT.
AFTER THE WEDDING RITES THERE IS ANOTHER PARTY AT
WHICH THE NEW BRIDE IS OBLIGED TO DANCE THE FIRST DANCE
WITH HER FATHER AND THE GROOM LIKEWISE HAS THE FIRST
DANCE WITH THE BRIDE'S MOTHER. THE MOTHER OF THE BRIDE,
DURING THE DANCE, LEADS THE GROOM TO THE ELDERS OF THE
SWEDISH COMMUNITY WHO TAKE HIM TO ANOTHER ROOM. THE
BRIDE'S FATHER LEAVES HER AND LEADS THE ELDERS IN
QUESTIONING OF THE GROOM. THE QUESTIONS PERTAIN TO
HOW THE GROOM WILL TREAT THE FATHER'S DAUGHTER AND
EACH QUESTION IS ACCOMPANIED WITH A SHOT OF WHISKEY.
BY THE TIME THE FATHER RUNS OUT OF QUESTIONS, THE
GROOM IS CONSIDERABLY DRUNK. HE IS THEN DRAGGED TO THE
FEET OF HIS NEW BRIDE AND THE BRIDE IS OBLIGED TO
CARRY HER HUSBAND OUT AND HOME BY HERSELF.

Submitter comment: THIS WAS A PERSONAL EXPERIENCE OF MR. SANBORN WHO
MARRIED A GIRL FROM THE SWEDISH COMMUNITY OF HARRIS,
MINNESOTA.

Where learned: MINNESOTA ; WISCONSIN ; WEST BEND ; HARRIS

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Reception

Date learned: 09-30-1967

View just this record

HELL BENT ON ELECTION

Submitter comment: NO KNOWLEDGE OF WHERE THE INFORMANT LEARNED THE ITEM.

Where learned: WISCONSIN ; WEST BEND

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase

View just this record

KIBITZER

ANY CARD PLAYER WILL TELL YOU A KIBITZER IS THE LOWEST FORM OF
HUMANITY; HE'S CONTINUALLY PEEKING INTO YOUR HAND, SMIRKING AND
GIVING UNNECESSARY ADVICE. KIBITZERS AREN'T NICE. THE NAME
KIBITZER COMES FROM THE WORD KIBITZ, GERMAN FOR LAPWING OR PLOVER.
THIS CREATURE JABBERS INCESSANTLY, BUT CANNOT SING.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; 1460 MEAD ; ROCHESTER

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Bird
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

View just this record

LADY

IN ANGLO-SAXON TIMES, THE PEOPLE WERE POOR, THE FAMILIES WERE VERY
LARGE, AND THE WORK LOAD WAS HEAVY, SO WHILE THE CHILDREN WERE
STILL IN THEIR PINAFORES, THEY WERE ALLOTTED VARIOUS CHORES. THE
BOYS, OF COURSE, WORKED IN THE FIELDS, PLOWING AND SEEDING AND
SEPARATING THE WHEAT FROM THE CHAFF, WHILE THE HOUSEWORK WAS LEFT
TO THE GIRLS. THEY WERE TAUGHT TO KNIT AND PURL. SOME DID THE
MILKING, OTHERS THE SPINNING, BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT TASK WAS LEFT
TO THE HOUSEWIFE HERSELF, THAT OF BAKING THE DAILY BREAD SO THAT
THE FAMILY COULD BE FED. SHE WAS CALLED THE BREAD KNEADER OR,
IN ANGLO-SAXON, THE LAE-DIGE. CENTURIES LATER, SHE WAS CALLED
"LADY."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; 1460 MEAD ; ROCHESTER

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Plant husbandry Farming
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name
Food Drink -- Plant food Cereal
BELIEF -- Home

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

View just this record

KIBITZER

ANY CARD PLAYER WILL TELL YOU A KIBITZER IS THE LOWEST FORM OF
HUMANITY; HE'S CONTINUALLY PEEKING INTO YOUR HAND, SMIRKING AND
GIVING UNNECESSARY ADVICE. KIBITZERS AREN'T NICE. THE NAME
KIBITZER COMES FROM THE WORD KIBITZ, GERMAN FOR LAPWING OR PLOVER.
THIS CREATURE JABBERS INCESSANTLY, BUT CANNOT SING.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; 1460 MEAD ; ROCHESTER

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Bird
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

View just this record

LADY

IN ANGLO-SAXON TIMES, THE PEOPLE WERE POOR, THE FAMILIES WERE VERY
LARGE, AND THE WORK LOAD WAS HEAVY, SO WHILE THE CHILDREN WERE
STILL IN THEIR PINAFORES, THEY WERE ALLOTTED VARIOUS CHORES. THE
BOYS, OF COURSE, WORKED IN THE FIELDS, PLOWING AND SEEDING AND
SEPARATING THE WHEAT FROM THE CHAFF, WHILE THE HOUSEWORK WAS LEFT
TO THE GIRLS. THEY WERE TAUGHT TO KNIT AND PURL. SOME DID THE
MILKING, OTHERS THE SPINNING, BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT TASK WAS LEFT
TO THE HOUSEWIFE HERSELF, THAT OF BAKING THE DAILY BREAD SO THAT
THE FAMILY COULD BE FED. SHE WAS CALLED THE BREAD KNEADER OR,
IN ANGLO-SAXON, THE LAE-DIGE. CENTURIES LATER, SHE WAS CALLED
"LADY."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; 1460 MEAD ; ROCHESTER

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Plant husbandry Farming
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name
Food Drink -- Plant food Cereal
BELIEF -- Home

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

View just this record

Hazing

Hazing is a common practice in the Seals, but the traditional
pre-marriage hazing is a practice worth mentioning. Before a member
of a Seal team is married, the other men in the team will kidnap him,
strip him, shave his body hair, tie him to a pier, throw him in the
ocean or bay, and let him "bob" for the remainder of the day.

Submitter comment: Being the fiance of a Seal, I am not particularly fond of this
tradition.

Where learned: United States Navy Seals

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing

Date learned: 01-00-1990

View just this record

Seal Battle Cry

Throughout training, and through the course of their careers,
Navy Seals can commonly be heard screaming the traditional battle
cry. The cry itself consists of a low pitched, guttural, "HOO YAH,"
usually followed by answering cries of a similar nature

Where learned: United States Navy Seals

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- War cries

View just this record

Frogman Shot

This is a Seal tradition involving the consumption of alcohol.
The shot consists of tequila, rum, and whiskey. The men partaking of
the Frogman shot must first put the shot in their mouths, and hold it
for as long as they can. They then return the alcohol to the shot
glass and repeat the process. After the alcohol is returned to the
glass for a second time, the men must hold their breath for as long
as possible, exhale completely, and finally drink the shot.

Submitter comment: This disgusting tradition has caused many new Seals to feel a
bit "under the weather."

Where learned: United States Navy Seals

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535
Food Drink -- Alcoholic beverage Distilled
Food Drink -- Special Form and PurposeObject of Bodily Consumption

Date learned: 06-00-1991

View just this record

Hungry Song

During a twenty-two week training period for the Navy Seals,
every time the men went to breakfast, lunch, or dinner, they were
forced to sing the "Hungry Song" before they were allowed to eat. The
song is to the tune of "Are You Sleeping, Brother John?," and the
words are as follows: "We are hungry, we are hungry, feed us now,
feed us now. Hungry little tadpoles, waiting for their dinner
(breakfast, lunch), feed us now, feed us now."

Where learned: United States Navy Seals

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Daily Life
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222.

View just this record

Initiation

When a Seal becomes a member of a platoon, he goes through a
rather strange initiation. He receives a pin, known as the
"Trident," and is then tied and blindfolded. The other members of the
platoon then take turns making "attacks" on the new member. He must
defend himself from these attacks, or face the punishment decided on
by the group. Usually, the group decides that the new member has not
sufficiently defended himself, and designates a punishment. A common
punishment consists of allowing the entire platoon a "free shot" on
the new man. The new man is never seriously injured, but is often
uncomfortable after the ordeal.

Where learned: United States Navy Seals

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing

Date learned: 09-00-1991

View just this record

HOW ST. PATRICK DEFEATED THE DRUIDS ON HIS COMING
TO IRELAND:
IN PRE-LITERATE CELTIC SOCIETY, THE DRUIDS POWER
WAS DERIVED LARGELY FROM THEIR VERBAL SKILLS.
PATRICK OFFERED TO WEIGH THE WORD OF HIS LORD (JESUS)
AGAINST THE WORDS OF THE DRUIDS. THEN HE PRODUCED A
BALANCE SCALE AND PUT A BIBLE IN ONE OF THE PANS.
THE DRUIDS, UNABLE TO PRODUCE BOOKS, LOST AND IRELAND
WAS ON THE ROAD TO CHRISTIANITY.

Where learned: WALES ; ABERYSTWYTH

Subject headings: Favorites
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero

Date learned: 04-00-1972

View just this record

HOW ST. PATRICK DEFEATED THE DRUIDS ON HIS COMING
TO IRELAND:
IN PRE-LITERATE CELTIC SOCIETY, THE DRUIDS POWER
WAS DERIVED LARGELY FROM THEIR VERBAL SKILLS.
PATRICK OFFERED TO WEIGH THE WORD OF HIS LORD (JESUS)
AGAINST THE WORDS OF THE DRUIDS. THEN HE PRODUCED A
BALANCE SCALE AND PUT A BIBLE IN ONE OF THE PANS.
THE DRUIDS, UNABLE TO PRODUCE BOOKS, LOST AND IRELAND
WAS ON THE ROAD TO CHRISTIANITY.

Where learned: WALES ; ABERYSTWYTH

Subject headings: Favorites
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero

Date learned: 04-00-1972

View just this record

CUSTOM

THE TIME WHEN CHRISTMAS IS HELD (DECEMBER 25) IS ACTUALLY TAKEN
FROM OLDER NATURE RELIGIONS WHICH VENERATED THE WINTER SOLSTICE
(DECEMBER 22). THE UNDERLYING THEORY OF THESE FESTIVALS WAS THAT
AFTER THE 22ND OF DECEMBER THE POWER OF THE SUN AND GOOD FORCES
ASSOCIATED WITH IT BEGAN TO INCREASE--HENCE THE NIGHTS GOT NO LONGER,
BUT RATHER BEGAN TO GET SHORTER. THUS THE TIME WAS MOST APPROPRIATE
FOR CELEBRATING THE "BIRTH" OF A GREAT "WHITE" POWER.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: WALES ; ABERYSTWYTH

Keyword(s): Celebration ; CUSTOM ; FESTIVAL ; holiday ; Solstice

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20

Date learned: 04-00-1972

View just this record

THIS IS AN OLD CONFUCIUS SAYING PETER HEARD FROM
AN OLD CHINESE PROFESSOR.
RIGHT IS NOT ALWAYS RIGHT AND
WRONG IS NOT ALWAYS WRONG.
GOOD IS ALWAYS GOOD AND
EVIL IS ALWAYS EVIL.

Where learned: BOSTON ; Massachusetts

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim

Date learned: 00-00-1966

View just this record

IF YOU WEAR TENNIS SHOES YOU'LL RUIN YOUR EYESIGHT.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT'S MOTHER TOLD HER CHILDREN THIS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WEST BLOOMFIELD

James Callow Keyword(s): HIDDEN CONNECTION

Subject headings: ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Dress HandsFeet
BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness

View just this record

UKRAINIAN NEW YEAR'S GREETING

AT MIDNIGHT, IT IS CUSTOMARY TO TAKE A SMALL BELL AND A
HANDFUL OF WHEAT AND TO KNOCK ON THE DOOR OF THE HEAD OF
THE HOUSEHOLD. WHEN HE OPENS HIS DOOR, THE MEMBERS OF HIS
HOUSEHOLD TOSS WHEAT ON THEIR MASTER AND WISH HIM A HAPPY
NEW YEAR. THEY WISH FOR HIM MANY BLESSINGS, PLENTY OF
FOOD, AND GOOD LUCK. THE WHEAT IS SYMBOLIC OF FRUITFULNESS.
A SPECIAL NEW YEAR'S SONG IS SUNG IN WHICH GOD'S BLESSINGS
ARE INVOKED FOR THE NEW YEAR. THE HEAD OF THE HOUSE THANKS
THEM AND IN TURN WISHES THEM A HAPPY NEW YEAR. THEN THEY
HAVE A JOYOUS CELEBRATION.

Where learned: CANADA ; ONTARIO ; ANCASTER

Keyword(s): FOOD ; SPRINKLING ; THROWING

Subject headings: Favorites
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve
BELIEF -- Prayer

Date learned: 00001960S

View just this record

prev | items
| next

Back to Top