Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for B478 returned 313 results.
NAMING; LOCAL FESTIVAL
"MARDI GRAS" MEANS "FEAST OF THE FLESH"--ITS MAIN
PURPOSE IS TO WEAR YOU OUT SO YOU WON'T BREAK THE
TWO MONTHS OF LENT; FOR YOU TO BLOW OFF STEAM.
Where learned: CONVERSATION ABOUT HIS TRIP
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 |
Date learned: 02-20-1969
NAMING PLACE: BATON ROUGE (LOUISIANA)
THE CREEK INDIANS IN DECIDING WHO WANTED WAR OR
PEACE, THREW A RED STICK (BATON ROUGE) IN A
POWWOW CIRCLE. WAR WON OUT. AS A RESULT OF THE
WAR, THE CREEKS WERE CHASED OUT OF LOUISIANA. FOR
RETALIATION, THE CREEKS SLAUGHTERED SOME PEOPLE
IN FORT MIMS, ALABAMA IN 1814. ANDREW JACKSON
STARTED FIGHTING THESE INDIANS AND, AS A RESULT,
CAME INTO NATIONAL PROMINENCE AS A HERO.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans ; ON A TRIP
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name SPEECH -- Folk etymology |
VANDERBILT "T.J.C."
TYPICAL VANDERBILT COED: WEARS FURS, WEJUNS, PEARLS.
Where learned: CONVERSATION 2 YEARS AGO
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 00-00-1967
THE AREA KNOWN AS STANDING STONE STATE PARK GOT
ITS NAME, SO THE LEGEND GOES, FROM A STONE WHICH
COMBINED WITH ANOTHER ONE MARKING A HUNTING GROUND
BOUNDARY LINE BETWEEN TWO TRIBES OF INDIANS.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; STANDING STONE STATE PARK
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 03-21-1969 ; 03-21-1969
IN VIRGINIA THE BARBERS WERE ALSO BLOOD-
LETTERS. THEY WOULD BLEED PEOPLE TO CURE
THEIR SICKNESSES. TO ADVERTISE THAT THEY
WERE BLOODLETTERS, THEY USED TO HAVE A
BLOODY WHITE SHEET OUTSIDE THEIR DOORS.
AFTER A LOT OF COMPLAINING ABOUT THE STENCH,
THEY STARTED JUST HANGING OUT A SHEET WITH
RED DYE ON IT.
THIS IS THE WAY THE BARBER POLE CUSTOM WAS
STARTED.
Where learned: TENNESSEE, ASSUMED ; GALLATIN ; ROUTE 3
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
WEREWOLF
THERE ARE TWO DIRT ROADS WHICH INTERSECT
JUST OFF OF HIGHWAY 49, ABOUT FIVE MILES
SOUTH WEST OF SPRINGFIELD, TENNESSEE,
WHICH IS CALLED WEREWOLF JUNCTION. SEVERAL
TIMES FAMILIES WHO LIVE AND FARM IN THIS
AREA HAVE SAID THAT THEY HAVE HEARD STRANGE
NOISES AROUND THIS PARTICULAR AREA. THEY
HAVE BEEN ATTRIBUTED TO A BELLOWING COW
OR PEACOCK, BUT THIS HASN'T BEEN VERIFIED.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; SPRINGFIELD
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 07-12-1968
HOOSIER
HOOSIER: TERM APPLIED TO PEOPLE FROM INDIANA.
TERM ORIGINATED FROM SPEECH PATTERN OF
NATIVES WHO, UPON HEARING KNOCK AT DOOR
ANSWER: HOOSIER (WHO'S THERE).
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; PEABODY COLLEGE ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 05-09-1969
TURN BULL CREEK
JOAN RELATES THE STORY OF HOW TURNBULL CREEK OF CRAGGIE
HOPE, TENNESSEE GOT ITS NAME. TURNBULL CREEK GOT ITS
NAME FROM THE TIME A MAN RODE HIS AXE (OX?) INTO THE
SWOLLEN STREAM. FINDING IT TOO DEEP TO FORD, HE
STARTED YELLING, "TURN, BULL! TURN, BULL!"
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 07-00-1968
CROWHEART BUTTE
THERE IS A BUTTE IN WYOMING CALLED CROWHEART BUTTE
WHICH HAS A HISTORICAL STORY ATTACHED TO ITS NAME, BUT
THE LOCAL PEOPLE PREFER THIS ONE. TWO INDIAN CHIEFS,
ONE OF THEM A CROW, WERE FEUDING, AND, RATHER
THAN RISK LOSING SO MANY BRAVES IN OPEN BATTLE,
DECIDED THAT IT WOULD BE SETTLED ON TOP OF CROWHEART
BUTTE AND BETWEEN THE TWO OF THEM ONLY. THEY
MET ON THE TOP THAT DAY (NO ONE HAS EXPLAINED HOW
THEY GOT UP THE STEEP SIDES) AND FOUGHT TO THE DEATH.
THE CROW CHIEF WAS KILLED, SO, ACCORDING TO TRADITION,
THE OTHER CHIEF CUT OUT HIS HEART AND ATE IT
WHILE THE BODY WAS STILL WARM TO SIGNIFY VICTORY.
Where learned: NASHVILLE ; TENNESSEE, ASSUMED
James Callow Keyword(s): CANNIBALISM ; SINGLE COMBAT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 00-00-1964
WHISKEY HILL
IN AND NEAR THE TOWN OF DUBOIS (WYOMING?) THERE IS A
MOUNTAIN, CALLED BY THE TOWNSPEOPLE "WHISKEY HILL."
THE NAME COMES FROM THE LEGEND THAT IN THE EARLY DAYS
OF TIMBER CUTTING IN THAT AREA, THE LUMBERJACKS WOULD
GET EXTREMELY COLD IN THE THIRTY-BELOW WEATHER PREVALENT
IN THAT AREA. SO IN THE SUMMER MONTHS, THEY WOULD BUY
WHISKEY AND STASH IT IN PLACES KNOWN ONLY TO THEMSELVES
ON THE MOUNTAIN. THEN, IN THE WINTER, THEY WOULD BE
ABLE TO WARM THEMSELVES. NO TOWNSPEOPLE EVER FOUND
ANY OF THE STASHED (HIDDEN) WHISKEY SO NO ONE KNEW
IF IT WAS A TRUE STORY.
Where learned: NASHVILLE ; TENNESSEE, ASSUMED
James Callow Keyword(s): CACHE ; TEMPERATURE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formation PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 00-00-1964
IN ST. LOUIS, THE "VEILED PROPHET" HAS BECOME A LEGENDARY
FIGURE. ACCORDING TO THE LEGEND, THIS PROPHET OR KING
FROM A FAR-AWAY LAND VISITS EVERY YEAR THE FAIREST CITY IN
THE LAND (WHICH IS ALWAYS ST. LOUIS) AND THERE SELECTS HIS
QUEEN OF LOVE AND BEAUTY, WHO WILL REIGN WITH HIM FOR A
YEAR. IN REALITY, THE ANNUAL OCCASION IS A SOCIAL AFFAIR
AT WHICH THE DEBUTANTES ARE PRESENTED TO SOCIETY. BUT IT
IS CARRIED OUT WITH ALL THE SPLENDOR AND POMP BEFITTING
HIS ROYAL MAJESTY WHO APPEARS AT THE BALL IN ROYAL ROBES
AND WITH VEILED FACE ACCOMPANIED BY HIS PAGES, HERALDS
(WHO ANNOUNCE THE DEBUTANTES WHOSE NAMES, ESPECIALLY
THAT OF THE CHOSEN QUEEN, HAVE BEEN KEPT SECRET UNTIL THIS
SHINING HOUR), AND THE BENGAL LANCERS WHO FORM AN HONOR
GUARD FOR THE QUEEN.
THE DAY AFTER THE BALL, THE VEILED PROPHET, HIS QUEEN AND
HER COURT, RIDE THROUGH THE STREETS OF THE CITY IN THE
ANNUAL VEILED PROPHET PARADE, COMPLETE WITH FLOATS,
MARCHING BANDS, ETC.
IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE PPARADE THE PROPHET "DISAPPEARS"
UNTIL HIS NEXT ANNUAL VISIT. (BUT SOMEHOW THE QUEEN
ALWAYS STAYS BEHIND TO PRESIDE AT ALL THE SOCIAL AFFAIRS OF
THE CITY.)
Where learned: NASHVILLE ; TENNESSEE, ASSUMED
James Callow Keyword(s): ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Maturity CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Festival |
Date learned: 04-08-1969
TURKEY NECK BEND IS THE NAME GIVEN TO THE SECTION OF
MONROE COUNTY, KENTUCKY, WHERE MY HUSBAND WAS BORN.
THE NAME CAME FROM THE FACT THAT THE LAND FORMED A
TURKEY'S NECK WHERE IT WAS BORDERED BY THE CUMBERLAND
RIVER.
Where learned: KENTUCKY, ASSUMED ; MONROE COUNTY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 08-12-1968
REGIONAL STORY
THERE'S A RIVER, WELL, CANAL, I GUESS YOU'D CALL IT,
THAT CONNECTS THE HUDSON AND HARLEM RIVERS IN UPPER
MANHATTAN, AND EVEN THOUGH IT'S WIDER THAN THE
CUMBERLAND (RIVER), IT'S CALLED A CREEK, SPUYTENDYVIL
(SPITE-IN-DIE-VAL) CREEK. THE STORY GOES THAT WHEN
THE DUTCH SETTLED NEW YORK, THERE WAS A SUPERSTITION
THAT THE DEVIL LIVED IN THAT CREEK IN THE FORM OF A
GIANT SEA TURTLE, AND ALTHOUGH A STORM HAD WASHED THE
BRIDGE AWAY, THE LEADER OF THE DUTCH SAID THAT HE WOULD
SWIM THE CREEK "SPUYTENDYVIL," (IN SPITE OF THE DEVIL).
HE DID AND SUPPOSEDLY WAS TAKEN BY THIS TURTLE AND WAS
NEVER SEEN AGAIN. EVEN TODAY, THAT RIVER IS CALLED OLD
SPUYTENDYVIL CREEK.
Where learned: NASHVILLE ; TENNESSEE, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name PROSE NARRATIVE -- Still water Small body. Lake, pond.... |
Date learned: 08-13-1968
WORD ORIGIN
MR. FINK AND HIS BEST FRIEND THEY WERE IN LOVE WITH THE
SAME GIRL AND IN TURN THIS GIRL WAS IN LOVE WITH BOTH
OF THEM, SO THEY DECIDED THEY WOULD HAVE A BOW AND
ARROW DUEL OVER HER. MR. FINK ASKED HIS FRIEND TO PUT
AN APPLE ON HIS HEAD AND HE WOULD PUT ONE ON HIS AND WHO
EVER COULD SHOOT THE APPLE OFF WOULD WIN THE GIRL. AND
MR. FINK, THE BASTARD, SHOT FIRST AND HIT HIS FRIEND
RIGHT HERE (POINTS BETWEEN THE EYES). AND THEY JUST
ADDED THE "RAT" TO "FINK" AND THAT MEANS TO DO YOUR
FRIEND IN.
Where learned: NEW YORK CITY ; NEW YORK
James Callow Keyword(s): RATFINK--SLANG
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 07-25-1968
ORIGIN OF PLACE NAME
"WAY, MISSISSIPPI IS A VERY SMALL VILLAGE, REALLY A
RAILROAD STOP BETWEEN CANTON AND JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI.
WHEN THE RAILROAD WAS BEING BUILT, THE PEOPLE WHOSE
PROPERTY WOULD BE USED DIDN'T WANT TO SELL, ESPECIALLY
THE WIFE. FINALLY THEY DID SELL, BUT THE HUSBAND
DEMANDED THAT THE STATION BE CALLED "HAS-'ER-WAY."
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 08-07-1968
LOST RIVER
THIS RIVER IS SO NAMED BECAUSE IT FLOWS FOR APPROX-
IMATELY TWO MILES UNDERGROUND WHEN IT THEN FLOWS
INTO CANEY FORK RIVER. LOST RIVER BEGINS IN
HICKERY (HICKORY?) VALLEY IN SOUTH SPARTA,
TENNESSEE.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; Sparta
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 07-27-1968
Entry filtered.
DEAD MAN'S HOLLER
IN VIRGINIA THEY HAVE VALLEYS. IN CALIFORNIA THEY
HAVE CANYONS. IN THE KENTUCKY MOUNTAINS WE MOSTLY
HAVE HOLLERS. DEAD MAN'S HOLLER OVER NEAR LAUDEN IS A
LONESOME GHOSTLY PLACE. THE STORY I WAS TOLD IS THAT
A UNION SOLDIER CAME THROUGH GUARDING A CONFEDERATE
PRISONER DURING THE CIVIL WAR. THE PRISONER FOUND A
CHANCE TO KILL HIS CAPTOR. HE DID AND THEN BURIED
THE UNION SOLDIER IN A SHALLOW GRAVE AND HUNG HIS
BOOTS ON THE LIMB OF A TREE. EVER SINCE THAT DAY
THAT PLACE HAS BEEN CALLED DEAD MAN'S HOLLER.
Where learned: KENTUCKY ; WILLIAMSBURG
James Callow Keyword(s): HOLLOW
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 05-01-1969
ST. JOHN'S CHURCH BIBLE
WHEN I WAS A TEENAGER I USED TO HEAR FOLKS TALK ABOUT THE
"ST. JOHN'S CHURCH" WHERE A LOT OF CIVIL WAR SOLDIERS ARE
BURIED IN A CEMETERY BEHIND THE CHURCH. IT WAS ACTIVE
DURING THE CIVIL WAR DAYS AND IS LOCATED BETWEEN COLUMBIA
AND MOUNT PLEASANT. I ALWAYS HEARD THERE WAS A BIBLE
IN THIS CHURCH THAT YOU COULDN'T MOVE AND I LATER
LEARNED THAT THE REASON IT COULDN'T BE MOVED WAS THAT
IT WAS MADE OF MARBLE OR STONE IN THE SHAPE OF THE HOLY
BIBLE.
Where learned: HAMPSHIRE ; TENNESSEE, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name BELIEF -- Magic Book |
Date learned: 08-13-1968
THE "HAIRICANS"
THE AREA A FEW MILES PAST HERE (HIS HOUSE) IS KNOWN TO
MOST PEOPLE AS THE "HAIRICANS" (MY OWN SPELLING OF IT--
I'VE NEVER SEEN IT IN PRINT). THE STORY IS THAT ON
CHRISTMAS EVE OF 1860 A HURRICANE HIT THERE, AND FROM THEN
ON EVERYBODY CALLED IT THE "HAIRICANS."
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; PULASKI
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve |
Date learned: 08-03-1968