Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for F536 returned 346 results.
SNIPE HUNT
A SNIPE HUNT IS A HUNT FOR AN IMAGINARY ANIMAL. IT IS A GAME.
BEFORE THE HUNT BEGINS, BROWN BAGS ARE DISTRIBUTED TO THE HUNTERS
AND THEY ARE TOLD THAT SNIPES LIVE IN THE WOODS AND ARE ATTRACTED TO
NOISE.
THE HUNT BEGINS WITH THE HUNTERS GOING INTO THE WOODS AND HITTING
STICKS TOGETHER FOR NOISE. POT AND PAN LIDS CAN ALSO BE USED.
THE PLAYERS ARE TOLD TO HOLD THEIR BAGS OPEN SO THAT THE SNIPE
CAN JUMP IN AND THEY CAN CATCH IT. THE NOISE MUST BE MAINTAINED IN
ORDER TO ATTRACT THE SNIPE.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SAID THAT MANY TIMES, SNIPES ARE DESCRIBED BY CAMP
STAFF SO THAT CAMPERS KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR.
THE GAME ITSELF IS LOOKED UPON AS A JOKE PLAYED ON CAMPERS BY THE
CAMP STAFF. MANY INEXPERIENCED CAMPERS ARE OFTEN TRICKED INTO
THINKING THERE IS A REAL ANIMAL CALLED A SNIPE.
THE INFORMANT ALSO CAUTIONED THE COLLECTOR NOT TO PLAY THE GAME
ON VERY YOUNG CAMPERS WHO GET SCARED VERY EASILY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WIXOM
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 02-07-1980 ; 00-00-1964
DEVIL'S NIGHT PRANK
MAKING A DUMMY OF A PERSON AND THROWING IT IN FRONT OF
AN ONCOMING CAR.
Submitter comment:
THIS PRANK IS PERFORMED ON OCTOBER 30, THE DAY BEFORE HALLOWEEN
IT'S PURPOSE IS TO SCARE THE DRIVER AND POSSIBLY MAKE HIM
SWERVE HIS CAR ONTO A LAWN OR INTO GARBAGE CANS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- October 31 Halloween CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
PRACTICAL JOKE AND PRANK
WHEN MANY PEOPLE SHARE REFRIGERATORS IN A FRATERNITY, THERE IS A
PROBLEM OF STEALING FOOD. ONE SURE WAY TO STOP THIS IS TO REPLACE
URINE FOR APPLE JUICE IN A STAMPED JUICE BOTTLE. WHEN THE CULPRIT
TAKES HIS FIRST SIP, HE LEARNS HIS LESSON WELL.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT FIRST HEARD OF THIS PRANK IN 1976 AT WESTERN
MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY. UNDOUBTEDLY, THE UNKNOWING PARTY FEELS SOME
PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DISCOMFORT. AFTER THE INITIAL JOKE, ALL
CONCERNED MAY BE MORE SKEPTICAL AND THE STEALING STOPS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALLEN PARK
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School |
Date learned: 10-00-1980 ; 06-00-1978
PRACTICAL JOKE AND PRANK
TWO PRACTICAL JOKES THAT ARE PLAYED AT PAJAMA PARTIES WITH THE
LIGHTS OUT INVOLVES THE UNSUSPECTING PERSON GETTING HIS FACE DIRTY.
THE FIRST INVOLVES PUTTING A GLASS OF WATER OVER A FLAME. THE
FORTUNE TELLER TELLS THE PERSON TO RUB UNDER THE GLASS WITH THEIR
FINGERS AND THEN RUB THEIR FINGERS ONTO THEIR FACE. WHEN THE
LIGHTS GO ON, HE DISCOVERS HIS FACE FULL OF SOOT. THE SECOND ONE
INVOLVES TAKING A QUARTER AND OUTLINING IT WITH A PENCIL. THIS
CAUSES SOME OF THE LEAD TO STAY ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE QUARTER ON
THE RIDGES. THE UNSUSPECTING PERSON IS TOLD TO ROLL THE QUARTER ON
HIS FACE AND HE WILL GET A WISH. OF COURSE, WHEN HE LOOKS IN THE
MIRROR, HE HAS LINES PENCILLED ALL OVER.
Submitter comment:
THE COLLECTOR FIRST HEARD THIS PRANK IN TAYLOR, MICH. IN 1970. IT
WAS ACCOMPANIED BY A DRAMATIC AND LONG SESSION OF FORTUNE TELLING.
OF COURSE, ONLY ONE PERSON COULD BE DUPED PER SESSION SINCE ALL
OTHERS WOULD BE IN ON IT AND WATCHING EAGERLY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; USA ; SOUTHGATE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 10-00-1980 ; 00-00-1970
TAUNT
LITTLE CHILDREN WILL TRY TO TEASE THEIR FRIENDS WITH THE FOLLOWING; MM
QUESTION - WHAT DID YOU HAVE FOR BREAKFAST?
ANSWER - PEA GREEN SOUP MM
QUESTION - WHAT DID YOU HAVE FOR LUNCH?
ANSWER - PEA GREEN SOUP MM
QUESTION - WHAT DID YOU HAVE FOR DINNER?
ANSWER - PEA GREEN SOUP MM
QUESTION - WHAT DID YOU DO ALL NIGHT?
ANSWER - PEA GREEN SOUP
Submitter comment:
THE COLLECTOR FIRST HEARD THIS IN 1976 FROM A YOUNGER SISTER. IT
IS A CATCH QUESTION EMPHASIZING REPETITION TO EMBARRASS THE UNWARY.
PEA GREEN SOUP IS USED IN TWO DIFFERENT CONTEXTS - FIRST AS A NOUN
AND THEN AS A VERB. PEE IS USED AS A SLANG WORD FOR URINATE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; USA ; SOUTHGATE
James Callow Keyword(s): CATCH ; SLANG: PEE FOR URINATE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 10-00-1980 ; 09-00-1976
APRIL FOOL'S DAY PRANK
A POPULAR APRIL FOOL'S JOKE IN GRADE SCHOOL IS TO SWITCH A TEACHER'S
DESK FOR A STUDENT'S DESK. WHEN THE TEACHER WALKS INTO THE ROOM,
THE CLASS TROUBLE MAKER IS CONDUCTING CLASS.
Submitter comment:
THIS HARMLESS APRIL FOOL'S DAY PRANK WAS FIRST LEARNED BY THE
COLLECTOR IN TAYLOR, MICH. IN 1970. THIS IS A ROLE-REVERSAL
TECHNIQUE BETWEEN THE CONVENTIONAL ROLES OF STUDENT AND TEACHER.
WITH THE ADDITION OF THE CLASS TROUBLE MAKER, IT SEEMS THAT THE
JOKE WOULD HAVE A HIGHER IMPACT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; USA ; SOUTHGATE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- April 1 April Fools CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- April 1 (April Fool's Day) CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 10-00-1980 ; 00-00-1970
DEVIL'S NIGHT
ON DEVIL'S NIGHT CHILDREN WOULD "INVADE" THE NEIGHBORHOOD. ON
THIS HALLOWEEN EVE, THE KID WOULD DO SUCH THINGS AS:
SOAP WINDOWS, RING DOOR BELLS, AND TOILET-PAPER TREES. SOME
PRANKSTERS WILL INVOLVE THEMSELVES IN MORE HARSH PRANKS AS:
LETTING AIR OUT OF TIRES, BREAKING EGGS ON CARS, OR EVEN DAMAGE
PROPERTY
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F103 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 00-00-1970
PRANK
AS A YOUNG BOY, I WOULD FOOL THE OLD MAILMAN OF MY NEIGHBORHOOD WITH
AN OLD WALLET. I TIED A THIN PIECE OF LIGHT STRING TO IT, AND WHEN-
EVER HE SAW IT AND TRIED TO PICK IT UP, I PULLED IT QUICKLY AWAY
AND RAN.
Submitter comment:
THE DAY MY FATHER STOPPED THIS PRANK WAS WHEN THE MAILMAN CAUGHT
HIM BEHIND THE BUSH WITH HIS STRING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 00-00-1920
HALLOWEEN PRANK
A GOOD PRANK MY FRIEND WOULD DO NEAR HALLOWEEN WAS BORROW SOME OLD
CLOTHES AND STUFF THEM WITH HAY. HE WOULD THEN GET SOME DUCK'S
BLOOD FROM THE GROCER AND SPLASH IT OVER THE BODY, AND THEN LEAVE IT
ON SOMEONE'S PORCH.
Submitter comment:
THIS HALLOWEEN GAG STOPPED WHEN THE DEPRESSION CAME AND CLOTHES
WERE NOT MISUSED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- October 31 Halloween CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 00-00-1920
GATE NIGHT
GATE NIGHT IS THE NIGHT BEFORE
HALLOWEEN. GATE NIGHT GOT IT'S NAME FROM THE PRANK IT IS ASSOCIATED
WITH. PRANKSTERS AROUND THE MT. PLEASANT, MICHIGAN AREA REMOVE
ALL OUTHOUSE DOORS.
Submitter comment:
GATE NIGHT IS WHAT WE CALL DEVILS NIGHT AROUND THE DETROIT AREA.
I WOULD HAVE TO QUESS THAT GATENIGHT STARTED A LONG TIME AGO WHEN
OUTHOUSES WERE USED, BUT THE TRADITION IS STILL GOING ON ACCORDING TO
MY INFORMANT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MOUNT PLEASANT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 11-00-80
WHEN CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY WINS A FOOTBALL GAME, THE BAND
PLAYS A SONG TO A TREE. THE SONG IS THE SCHOOL FIGHT SONG, THE TREE
IS CALLED THE VICTORY TREE. WHEN THEY LOSE A FOOTBALL GAME,
THEY SING THE ALMA MATER TO THE VICTORY TREE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MOUNT PLEASANT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Emotion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 11-00-80
MOONING
ONE OF THE FAVORITE PRANKS IN HIGH SCHOOL WAS TO DRIVE AROUND
LOOKING FOR OLDER COUPLES THEN BEEPING THE HORN AND FILLING THE
CAR WINDOWS WITH AS MANY CHEEKS AS POSSIBLE.
Submitter comment: MOONING IS A FUN, HARMLESS PRANK THAT WE DID VERY SKILLFULLY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE
James Callow Keyword(s): SLANG: CHEEK FOR BUTTOCKS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 00001970S
ONE OF MY HIGH SCHOOL CLASSMATES HAD QUITE A SKILL WHEN IT CAME TO
BELCHING. HE COULD BELCH ENTIRE SENTENCES IN VERY LOUD AND GROSS
MANNER. ONE OF OUR FAVORITE PRANKS WAS TO FILE INTO THE LIBRARY AND
HAVE OUR EXPERT BELCHER HIDE IN A SECLUDED PART OF THE LIBRARY. WHEN
THINGS BECAME STILL, THE BELCHER WOULD LET GO WITH "QUIET PLEASE"
AND THE ENTIRE LIBRARY WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE NUN WOULD LAUGH.
Submitter comment:
MY SENIOR YEAR IN HIGH SCHOOL WAS QUITE CRAZY. WE MORE OR LESS
THRIVED ON PRANKS AND PRACTICAL JOKES. DAVE'S BELCHING EXPERTISE WAS
ONE OF THE FUNNIEST.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; RIVERVIEW
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School |
Date learned: 00-00-1975
FORTUNE TELLING
IT HAS LONG BEEN A CUSTOM IN MY FAMILY (STARTED BY
MY DAD) TO PREDICT THE FUTURE BY STUDYING THE
ARRANGEMENT OF TEA LEAVES IN THE BOTTOM OF AN
EMPTIED CUP. THIS IS DONE WITH CONSIDERABLE AIRS
AND CEREMONY.
Submitter comment:
THIS PROVIDED SOME INTERESTING STORIES IF NOTHING
ELSE.
THIS CLASSIFICATION RATHER THAN P870 BECAUSE THERE
IS NO BELIEF INVOLVED AND THE IMPORTANT POINT IS THE
CUSTOM, NOT THE PREDICTION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Home CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
AFTER AN EXCEPTIONAL PERFORMANCE ON BROADWAY, IT IS
CUSTOMARY TO TELL THE CAST TO "BREAK A LEG."
Submitter comment:
NO KNOWLEDGE OF WHERE OR HOW THE INFORMANT LEARNED
THE ITEM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): ISN'T IT RATHER, BEFORE A PERFORMANCE, TO SAY "BREAK..."
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 10-04-1967
WHEN A GROUP IS GATHERED INTO STANDS FOR A RALLY,
FOOTBALL GAME, ETC., A LOUDMOUTH, HECKLER OR OTHER
DISTINGUISHABLE PERSON WILL BE LIFTED UP AND PASSED
FROM HAND TO HAND OVER THE CROWD TO THE TOP OF
THE STANDS (THE LAST ROW).
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 10-21-1968
IN CALIFORNIA, PEOPLE CUT THEIR ROSES JUST AFTER
THE ROSE BOWL FOOTBALL GAME, SO THAT THEY WILL
BLOOM ALL YEAR LONG.
Where learned: CALIFORNIA ; DOWNEY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 11-15-1968
BUGLING
NO SUMMER CAMP WOULD BE COMPLETE WITHOUT A BUGLER TO
WAKE THE CAMP. THIS CHORE FELL UPON ME TO SALUTE THE
COLORS IN THE MORNING AND RETIRE THEM AT EVENING.
WHEN OUR BOYS WOULD PLAY A NEIGHBORING CAMP IN A
BASEBALL GAME, THE BUGLE WOULD SERVE AS AN INCENTIVE
AND A FIRE FOR GREATER EFFORTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MEMPHIS ; CAMP SAINT MARY
James Callow Keyword(s): FLAG
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
BREAKING THE PINATA IS ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF EVERY
MEXICAN CHILD'S PARTY. A PINATA IS A CLAY COVERED
JAR COVERED WITH COLORFUL CREPE PAPER, IN THE SHAPE
OF SOME ANIMAL, BIRD, FLOWER, OR ANYTHING ATTRACTIVE.
THE PINATA IS FILLED WITH CANDY, POPCORN, MONEY, ETC.
THE PINATA IS SUSPENDED FROM THE CEILING AND LOWERED TO
THE PLAYERS' REACH. THE PLAYER CHOSEN TO BREAK THE
PINATA IS BLINDFOLDED. HE RECEIVES TWO CHANCES, BUT
JUST AS HE IS READY TO STRIKE THE PINATA, IT IS PULLED
UP AND OUT OF HIS REACH. EACH PLAYER IN TURN GETS
TWO STRIKES AT THE PINATA, BUT USUALLY THE HOST
OR HOSTESS BREAKS IT. WHEN IT BREAKS, EACH PLAYER
SCRAMBLES TO GET ALL THAT HE CAN.
Data entry tech comment: PRONOUNCED "PINYATA"
Where learned: SCHOOL
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
JAPANESE POPULAR CUSTOM
IN TOKYO, THE FIRE BRIGADE DEMONSTRATE AND PARADE
(DEZOMESHIKI) IN THE OUTER GARDEN OF MEIJI SHRINE,
WHICH IS THE LARGEST SHRINE IN TOKYO, NAMED AFTER
THE GREATEST JAPANESE EMPEROR; OR IN THE HIBIYA PARK,
A PUBLIC COURTING AND PLAYING PARK.
THE FIREMEN PERFORM ACROBATIC FEATS AT THE TOP OF
BAMBOO LADDERS. THEY ARE ARTISTS ON HIGH LADDERS--
BALANCING ACTS. THEY DO IT IN OLD STYLE UNIFORMS
EVEN NOW. THEY DO THIS FOR MANY YEARS, MANY, MANY
YEARS NOW. IT IS VERY POPULAR DEMONSTRATION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 02-04-1968