Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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IT IS A CUSTOM AT CORNELL UNIVERSITY THAT ALL
INCOMING FRESHMEN MUST PRESENT "WEBSTER'S
COLLEGIATE DICTIONARY" AND WILLIAM STRUNK'S
"THE ELEMENTS OF STYLE" BEFORE THEY ARE ALLOWED TO
REGISTER.
Submitter comment:
DR. ESPINOSA, HAVING ATTENDED CORNELL HIMSELF, STATED
IN CLASS THAT THIS IS A TRADITIONAL CUSTOM FROM
EARLY TIMES.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School |
EXAM PRACTICE
THE INFORMANT ALWAYS PUTS HIS NAME ON THE PAPER
LAST OF ALL. HE SAID HE STARTED THIS PRACTICE IN
GRADE SCHOOL, BECAUSE HE FELT THAT IF HE DID RATHER
POORLY ON THE EXAM, HE COULD ALWAYS CLAIM THAT IT
WASN'T HIS PAPER. HE HAS CONTINUED THIS PRACTICE
RIGHT THROUGH COLLEGE. HE SAID "IT'S LUCKY!"
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School BELIEF -- Number Last events: the last person to the table... BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 03-15-1967
MRS. MURPHY REMEMBERS THAT IT WAS HER OLD UNCLE THAT
USED TO DRIVE THE SCHOOL BUS THE FOUR MILES TO
SCHOOL AND BACK EVERY DAY. ACTUALLY THE BUS WAS AN OLD
HAY WAGON DRIVEN BY TWO HORSES. IN THE WINTER, HER
UNCLE FITTED IT WITH A COVER THAT MADE IT LOOK
JUST LIKE THE OLD CONESTOGA WAGONS OF FRONTIER DAYS.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Sled, cart, wagon propelled by human or beast on land |
Date learned: 05-22-1965
GRADING METHOD
DURING A DISCUSSION ON MODERN DAY GRADING METHODS,
THIS PARTICULAR ONE WAS BROUGHT UP. IT IS SAID TO
BE USED ON ALL THE INFORMANT'S ACCOUNTING QUIZZES
AND TESTS THAT HE IS FORCED TO CORRECT.
HE CALLS IT THE S.W.A.G. METHOD. IT STANDS FOR
SCIENTIFIC WILD ASS GUESS.
Submitter comment:
I HEARD THE INFORMANT TELL THIS TO HIS CLASS ONE
DAY, BUT I NEGLECTED TO INQUIRE AS TO ITS SOURCE.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School |
Date learned: 10-04-1967
THERE IS A CUSTOM IN THE DORMS THAT SOME TIME DURING
FINALS WEEK IN APRIL, THE HOUSE ADVISORS FROM EACH
FLOOR ARE THROWN INTO FISHER FOUNTAIN.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Spring |
Date learned: 00001966 SPRING
MEXICAN FESTIVAL PARADE
IN SABINAS MEXICO SEPTEMBER 16 IS SET ASIDE AS PARADE DAY. IN SPANISH
IT IS CALLED: EL GRITO DE INDEPENDENCIA (THE CRY OF INDEPENDENCE).
CHILDREN ON THIS DAY, MARCH FROM SCHOOLS IN PARADE MANNER.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A CUSTOM FROM THE INFORMANTS HOME IN SABINAS MEXICO.
TRADITIONALLY IT IS A MAYOR CALENDER EVENT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Singing Dancing Marching CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- September 16 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School |
Date learned: 11-00-1981
ACADEMIC FOLKLORE
SOME PEOPLE I WAS ATTENDING SCHOOL WITH AT CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIV.
WERE MEMBERS OF THE THETA CHI FRATERNITY. ONE OF THE MEMBERS
TOLD ME ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED TO ONE OF THEIR RUSH MEMBERS THE YEAR
BEFORE. THE FRAT MEMBERS TOOK A PLEDGE AND BLIND FOLDED HIM AND
PUT HIM IN A CAR. THEY DROVE ALL THE WAY TO INDIANA WITH HIM AND
LEFT HIM IN THE MIDDLE OF A MAN'S FIELD. THE GUY HAD NO IDEA WHERE
HE WAS BUT HE SAW A FARMHOUSE AND WENT UP TO IT. HE ASKED THE
FARMER WHERE HE WAS AND EXPLAINED WHAT HAD HAPPENED TO HIM. THE
FARMER GOT A BIG KICK OUT OF IT BECAUSE HE HAD BEEN IN A FRAT WHEN
HE WAS IN COLLEGE. THE FARMER SAID HE WOULD HELP THE GUY GET BACK
TO SCHOOL. HE HAD A PLANE FOR DUSTING CROPS AND HE FLEW THE GUY
BACK TO MT. PLEASANT IN THE PLANE. THE RUSH MEMBER MADE IT BACK
TO THE FRAT HOUSE BEFORE THE OTHER GUYS AND WAS WAITING THERE FOR
THEM. WHEN THEY ARRIVED BACK HE SAID, "WHAT TOOK YOU SO LONG?"
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS TOLD TO ME ABOUT FIVE YEARS AGO (1976) WHEN I WAS A LITTLE
SISTER TO THE THETA CHI FRATERNITY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Legend CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 11-00-1981
TRADITION
"TAKING PEOPLE OUT" IS A LONG TRADITION AT THE SAINT FRANCIS CLUB,
AN ALL-MALE SOCIAL COOPERATIVE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT. TAKING
SOMEONE OUT REFERS TO TAKING A MEMBER OUT INTO THE COURTYARD AND
DUMPING COLD WATER ON HIM. THIS IS DONE ONLY TO MEMBERS FOR SUCH
OCCASIONS AS BIRTHDAYS OR WHEN SOMEONE DOES SOMETHING STUPID AT
DINNER. IT IS ALWAYS DONE IN WARM WEATHER AND IN FUN. AT TIMES
ALMOST EVERYONE AT DINNER WILL GO OUT, SUCH AS THE FIRST NICE DAY
IN THE SPRING. I DON'T KNOW HOW FAR BACK THIS GOES, BUT IT HAS BEEN
DONE FOR YEARS BEFORE I JOINED THE CLUB IN 1978.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Private birthday or anniversary CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting |
EACH APRIL THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE SAINT FRANCIS CLUB MEETS ONE
LAST TIME BEFORE THE NEWLY-ELECTED BOARD TAKES OFFICE. THE SAINT
FRANCIS CLUB IS A UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT SOCIAL COOPERATIVE AND
STUDENT ORGANIZATION. FOR THE LAST MEETING OF THE OLD BOARD, ALL
FORMALITY IS DROPPED BECAUSE IT IS NOT REALLY MEANT TO BE A SERIOUS
MEETING. THE OFFICIAL REPORTS THAT ARE NORMALLY GIVEN ARE
DISCOURAGED, AND IT IS REALLY AN OCCASION FOR JOKING AND DRINKING AND
JUST HAVING A GOOD TIME IN THE TRADITONAL CLUB SPIRIT, WHILE THE
SECRETARY RECORDS THE MINUTES BACKWARDS (SO THAT THEY MUST BE READ
IN A MIRROR). THIS HAS BEEN AN ANNUAL TRADITION FOR SOME TIME NOW,
AND THE ENTIRE BOARD USUALLY SHOWS UP FOR THIS MEETING, AN OTHERWISE
RARE OCCURENCE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- April CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School |
Date learned: 03-00-1979
FATHER KOELZER'S DOG'S BIRTHDAY
I ATTENDED A PAROCHIAL GRADE SCHOOL, CHRIST THE KING, FROM
1953 TO 1961. EVERY YEAR THE PASTOR, REV. J. HENRY KOELZER , WOULD
MAKE AN ANNOUNCEMENT TO THE GRADE SCHOOL CHILDREN ASSEMBLED FOR
THE DAILY 8:00 MASS. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT WOULD BE MADE ON
APPROXIMATELY OCTOBER 9, 10, OR 11TH ANNUALLY. FATHER KOELZER
WOULD SAY, "WHEN I WAS A YOUNGSTER LIKE YOURSELVES, I HAD A LITTLE
DOG HARVEY, AND I LOVED MY DOG. 'E WAS A GOOD DOG AND HE FOLLOWED ME
EVERYWHERE. ONE DAY, BOTH HARVEY AND I WERE OLDER, AND HE GOT
SICK. WHEN I WAS TALKING TO HIM, I'D SAY THAT I'D ALWAYS
REMEMBER HIS BIRTHDAY, BECAUSE HE MEANT SO MUCH TO ME. HARVEY
DIED A SHORT TIME LATER. AND SO, CHILDREN, HARVEY'S BIRTHDAY WAS
OCTOBER 12, AND I'M REMEMBERING IT BY GIVING YOU A DAY OFF FROM
SCHOOL ON THAT DAY."
Submitter comment:
IT WASN'T UNTIL LATER THAT I CONNECTED THIS BIRTHDAY HOLIDAY FROM
SCHOOL WITH COLUMBUS DAY. SINCE OCTOBER 12 WAS COLUMBUS DAY, AND
WAS A SECULAR HOLIDAY, I CAME TO BELIEVE THAT FATHER KOELZER WAS
HONORING CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS AS WELL AS HIS DOG HARVEY, IN GIVING
US THIS HOLIDAY FROM SCHOOL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F102 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church |
Date learned: 00001950S
IT'S A TRADITION AT THE U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY FOR EACH
GRADUATING CLASS TO STEAL A HIGHWAY EXIT SIGN WHICH HAS THAT CLASS'
YEAR OF GRADUATION AS THE EXIT NUMBER, AND TO SET IT UP IN A
PROMINENT LOCATION, USUALLY THE STADIUM.
Where learned: COLORADO SPRINGS ; US AIR FORCE ACADEMY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
SWIRLIES
WHEN SOMEONE IN THE FRATERNITY STARTS TO ACT TOO UPPITY, IT'S HIS
BIRTHDAY, OR ELSE JUST FOR THE FUN OF IT, WE GIVE HIM A "SWIRLY."
THAT IS WE PICK HIM UP, CARRY HIM INTO THE BATHROOM, PUT HIS HEAD
IN THE TOILET AND FLUSH IT. THIS REQUIRES A NUMBER OF MEN TO
DO AS THE RECIPIENT TENDS TO BE SOMEWHAT RELUCTANT TO GO
AND USUALLY PUTS UP A CONSIDERABLE STRUGGLE.
THERE IS A SONG THAT IS SUNG WHILE MOVING IN TO GRAB THE GUY: MM
JESUS LOVES THE LITTLE CHILDREN,
ALL THE LITTLE CHILDREN OF THE WORLD,
BE THEY YELLOW, BLACK, OR WHITE,
THEY ARE ALL HIS IN HIS SIGHT,
JESUS LOVES THE LITTLE CHILDREN OF THE WORLD.
Submitter comment:
I DON'T KNOW HOW THIS SONG BECAME CONNECTED WITH GIVING A SWIRLY,
IT'S JUST A WAY OF LETTING THE GUY KNOW WHAT WE'RE UP TO AND THAT
THERE'S NO USE IN TRYING TO GET OUT OF IT.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Emotion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
ZOO NIGHT
IT IS A TRADITION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT THAT THURSDAY
NIGHT IS BAR NIGHT. THIS TRADITION WAS STARTED MANY YEARS AGO WHEN
"THE TWENTIES," A BAR ON LIVERNOIS ACROSS FROM THE CAMPUS, USED TO
OFFER SPECIALS ON THURSDAY NIGHT. THERE WERE EXTRA SPECIALS
FOR ANY GREEKS THAT WORE THEIR LETTERS AS WELL. SINCE THE PLACE
USUALLY BECAME QUITE ROWDY IT SOON GOT THE NAME OF "ZOO NIGHT."
THE TWENTIES NO LONGER EXISTS, AND THE RATHSKELLAR DOESN'T
OFFER ANY THURSDAY SPECIALS, BUT THE TRADITION OF GOING TO THE
BAR EVERY THURSDAY HASN'T BEEN FORGOTTEN.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Week Day Hour SPEECH -- Folk etymology |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
FASCHNACHT DAY
ON THE DAY BEFORE ASH WEDNESDAY, THE CHILDREN
OF LEWISTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA WOULD BRING DOUGHNUTS
TO THEIR SCHOOLROOM EARLY, BEFORE THEIR TEACHER
ARRIVED. WHEN THEIR TEACHER SHOWED UP, THEY
WOULD LOCK HIM, OR HER, OUT OF THE ROOM, EAT THE
DOUGHNUTS, AND REMAIN LOCKED IN THE CLASSROOM
UNTIL THE TEACHER FINALLY LEFT. WHEN THEY WERE
SURE THAT THE TEACHER HAD GONE, THE CHILDREN WENT
HOME FOR THE DAY.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT CANNOT RECALL THE DATE THAT HER
FATHER TOLD HER THE STORY. HER FATHER'S NAME
IS MARTIN GINGERICH, BORN MAY 24, 1933, LEWISTOWN,
PENNSYLVANIA. HER FATHER REMEMBERS THIS CUSTOM
FROM LEWISTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA AROUND 1942. THOUGH
HE BELIEVES THAT IT BEGAN AS A PENNSYLVANIA DUTCH
CUSTOM, ALL CHILDREN PARTICIPATED.
THE INFORMANT CELEBRATED FASCHNACHT IN ANN ARBOR,
MICHIGAN IN 1982 BY BAKING SEVERAL BATCHES OF DOUGHNUTS
AND EATING THEM ON THE SAME DAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
James Callow Keyword(s): LOCK-OUT ; THE LOCK OUT
Date learned: 09-00-1982
AN ANNUAL MASS
EVERY YEAR THE UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT SCHOOL OF LAW ALUMNI AND
STUDENT BAR ASSOCIATION MARK THE NEW COURT TERM WITH THE CELEBRATION
OF THE ANNUAL RED MASS.
HISTORICALLY, IT IS AT THIS MASS THAT JUDGES HAVE GATHERED TO INVOKE
DIVINE GUIDANCE IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THEIR DUTIES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 10-00-1980
SWEETHEART SONG
OF ALL THE GIRLS OF COLLEGE YEARS
THERE IS ONE THAT I'VE LOVED LONG.
FOR ME SHE WEARS THE GOLDEN HEART.
FOR HER I SING THIS SONG.
SIGMA PHI EPSILON SWEETHEART
WONDERFUL SIG EP GIRL
TRUE IS THE HEART THAT YOU'RE WEARING,
YOU SET MY HEART IN A WHIRL.
VIOLETS AND ROSES,
MY HEART DISCLOSES,
SAY THAT YOU LOVE ME TRUE.
MY SIGMA PHI EPSILON SWEETHEART
WONDERFUL SIG EP GIRL
Submitter comment:
AS THE MEMBERS STANDING IN A CIRCLE SING THIS SONG, THE SWEETHEART
FOR THAT YEAR IS ESCORTED AROUND AND KISSES EACH OF THE GUYS.
THIS IS NOT SUNG TO A FAMILIAR TUNE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Date learned: 00-00-1980
TAUNTING SONG
I'M GOING TO SEND MY BOY TO BONA,
ACROSS THE DIRTY RAILROAD TRACKS.
I'M GOING TO SEND MY BOY TO BONA,
AND HOPE TO HELL HE DON'T COME BACK, HE DON'T COME BACK. MM
I'M GOING TO SEND MY BOY TO BONA,
WHERE THEY WILL EDUCATE HIM WELL, LIKE HELL.
I'M GOING TO SEND MY BOY TO BONA,
OH YES I AM, LIKE HELL.
HERE'S TO DEAR OLD BONA-A! WUMPHF!
THIS SONG IS SUNG MANY TIMES AT EACH CANISIUS COLLEGE-
ST. BONAVENTURE UNIVERSITY BASKETBALL GAME BY THE CANISIUS
FANS. THERE EXISTS A FIERCE RIVALRY BETWEEN THE TWO.
Submitter comment:
"BONA" IS PRONOUNCED LIKE THE FIRST TWO SYLLABLES OF
BONAVENTURE.
Data entry tech comment:
Keypunched by R.J.Miller 11/82
Updated by TRD 01/12
Where learned: BUFFALO ; NEW YORK
Keyword(s): EDUCATION ; HUMOR ; IRONY ; Lyrics ; RHYME ; SONG
James Callow Keyword(s): EDUCATION ; IRONY ; SATIRE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ill humor Ridicule Mockery CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School |
Date learned: 11-00-1966
WEST GERMAN TRADITION
IN GERMANY ON A CHILD'S VERY FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL HE/SHE
RECEIVES A SPECIAL PRESENT. THE PARENTS OF THE CHILD
GIVES HIM/HER A HUGE CONE FILLED WITH CANDY. THIS IS
DONE IN OREDR TO GIVE THE CHILD A GOOD PERSPECTIVE ABOUT
SCHOOL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 02-00-1983
NAMING
TRAYING: WHEN IT SNOWS AND THERE IS NOT MUCH ELSE TO DO,
SOMETIMES PEOPLE WILL SMUGGLE TRAYS OUT OF THE CAFETERIA
IN THE DORM (AT EAST QUAD, USUALLY BY POPPING THE TRAYS OUT
THE WINDOW AND RETRIEVING THEM LATER).THE CONFISCATED TRAYS
ARE THEN TAKEN TO THE NEAREST HILL AND USED LIKE A SLED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School SPEECH -- Proper Name |
Date learned: 10-00-1983
HIGH SCHOOL FIGHT SONG
WE'RE FOR U 0F D HIGH SCHOOL
WE'RE FULL OF FIGHT
HERE'S TO OUR COLORS
OF MAROON AND WHITE
HERE'S TO ALL THE FELLOWS.
LOYAL WE'LL BE
SINGING THE BATTLE SONG OF U OF D!
Submitter comment:
THIS FIGHT SONG IS REPEATED WITH A VICTORY SIGN-V-SIGN OR CLAPPING
IN THE BACKGROUND. THE HIGHSCHOOL WAS UNIVERSITY OF
DETROIT HIGH SCHOOL, A JESUIT SCHOOL.
THE HYMN WAS SUNG AT BASKETBALL GAMES AND FOOTBALL
GAMES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FRANKLIN VILLAGE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Admiration Praise Adulation CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School |
Date learned: 09-00-1970