Dr. James T. Callow publications
Browse by
Questions or comments on this site? Please email davidsor@udmercy.edu.
The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for F686 returned 139 results.
HONORABLE COW SOCIETY
THE "NEW MEMBER" IS LED INTO THE ROOM, BLINDFOLDED, WHERE ALL
THE OTHERS WHO HAVE BEEN INITIATED ARE WAITING. THE PERSON
IS TOLD TO IMAGINE A COW AND THEN TOLD TO POINT TO THE
VARIOUS PARTS OF ITS BODY WHEN TOLD, WITH THE INDEX FINGER.
FIRST THE PERSON IS TOLD TO POINT TO THE HEAD, BACK, LEGS,
ETC. FINALLY THE PERSON IS TOLD TO POINT TO THE TAIL AND
WHEN HE DOES, HE STICKS HIS FINGER INTO PEANUT BUTTER.
Submitter comment:
THIS INITIATION INTO THIS FICTITIOUS ORGANIZATION WAS DONE
ON A CAMPING TRIP WITH A NOW DISBANDED GIRL SCOUT TROOP
FROM ST. JOSEPH SCHOOL, WYANDOTTE, MICHIGAN IN 1963.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 00-00-1963
Trick
ON MY FIRST DAY OF WORK AT MALING SHOES I WAS TOLD BY
MR. NEWMAN TO GO DOWN THE STREET TO A RIVAL SHOESTORE AND
ASK FOR A "WALL STRETCHER." BEING NAIVE, I WENT AND
MADE A FOOL OUT OF MYSELF. BUT MR. NEWMAN HAD A GOOD
LAUGH OUT OF IT.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 00001967-1968
THE NEW MARINES GO TO A BEER PARTY WHERE EVERYONE GETS
DUNKED IN ICE WATER, STARTING WITH THE COMMANDING OFFICER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 03-08-1972
WHEN A BOY IS INITIATED INTO THE BOY SCOUTS, THE CEREMONY
IS USED TO TEST HIS BRAVERY. FIRST HE IS GIVEN AN OLIVE
AND WHILE HE IS BLINDFOLDED IS TOLD THAT THE OLIVE IS AN
OWL'S EYE. THE BOY MUST NOW EAT THE "EYE." THE BLINDFOLDED
BOY IS NOW GIVEN SPAGHETTI AND TOLD IT IS WORMS. HE MUST
EAT THESE ALSO. THEN THE BOY IS GIVEN TOMATO JUICE AND IS
TOLD THAT IT IS A MAN'S BLOOD HE MUST DRINK. FINALLY, THE
BOY IS RAISED UP, BLINDFOLDED, TO A NARROW TABLE WHERE
HE MUST SUCCESSFULLY "WALK THE PLANK." THIS IS ALL DONE
IN THE PRESENCE OF ALL THE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE PACK. IF
THE NEW SCOUT SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETES THESE TESTS, HE IS
ACCEPTED INTO THE PACK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 04-05-1972
DRINKING HIS DOLPHINS
"DOLPHINS" IS A NAVY PIN SIGNIFYING THE SUBMARINE SERVICE.
WHEN A NAVY MAN BECOMES QUALIFIED IN SUBMARINES, HE THROWS
HIS DOLPHINS IN THE BOTTOM OF A GLASS, FILLS IT WITH
WHISKEY, AND MUST DRINK IT ALL WITHOUT STOPPING, UNTIL
HE CATCHES THE DOLPHINS IN HIS TEETH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 01-00-1968
AN INITIATION PRACTICE I HAD TO UNDERGO TO ENTER CHORUS WAS
TO DRESS IN THE PAJAMAS OF ONE OF THE MALE MEMBERS OF
CHORUS AND RECITE A POEM ABOUT TREES IN FRONT OF THE
WHOLE GROUP.
Submitter comment:
MY INITIATION TOOK PLACE IN SEPTEMBER, 1966 AT A SUMMER
CAMP WHICH THE CHORUS HOLDS EVERY YEAR IN WESTERN
MICHIGAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIBRARY ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 03-13-1968 ; 09-00-1966
LAST YEAR, DURING HELL WEEKEND OF A U. OF D. FRATERNITY
ONE OF THE OLDER MEMBERS BECAME VERY INTOXICATED IN A
LARGE FIELD NEAR A STATE HIGHWAY. HE GOT IN A FIGHT WITH
HIS ROOMMATE, THE PRESIDENT OF THE FRATERNITY. A NUMBER
OF HIS BROTHERS BROKE UP THE FIGHT AND TOLD HIM TO GO
COOL OFF. HE WALKED OFF THROUGH THE WOODS AND AFTER
A MINUTE THEY DECIDED TO GO TALK TO HIM BECAUSE HE HAD
BEEN DESPONDENT FOR DAYS AND THE FIGHT WITH HIS ROOMMATE
WAS THE LAST STRAW. THEY GOT TO THE HIGHWAY JUST IN
TIME TO SEE A CAR TRAVELING AT A HIGH SPEED HIT AND
KILL HIM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 00-00-1968
ONE OF THE STUNTS THAT A FRIEND OF MINE HAD TO GO THROUGH
WITH TO JOIN A FRATERNITY WAS RUN FIVE MILES ALONGSIDE
OF A CAR WITH NOTHING TO DRINK BUT SAUERKRAUT JUICE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 00-00-1968
HAIRCUTS
THE FIRST HAIRCUT OF AN INDIAN BOY OR GIRL IS AN
IMPORTANT EVENT. EVERYBODY IN THE FAMILY GOES TO
THE TEMPLE TO WITNESS IT.
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Maturity CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 10-24-1968
THE FIRST TIME A MARINE WEARS HIS/HER NEW STRIPES,
HIS/HER FRIENDS DRENCH HIM/HER WITH BEER. THIS
SHOWER INSURES BOTH GOOD LUCK AND KEEPING OF RANK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRCH RUN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 00-00-1970
THIS IS THE STORY OF THE HAUNTED HOUSE. ONCE UPON
A TIME, A GROUP OF BOYS STARTED A CLUB. BEFORE YOU WERE
A MEMBER, YOU HAD TO VISIT A CERTAIN HAUNTED HOUSE. ONE
BOY WENT TO THE HEAD AND TOLD HIM HE WANTED TO BE A
MEMBER. THEY TOLD HIM WHEN HE GOT INSIDE THE HAUNTED
HOUSE, HE WOULD FIND THREE WINDOWS. THEY TOLD HIM TO
SHINE ONE LIGHT IN THE FIRST WINDOW, TWO IN THE SECOND,
THREE IN THE THIRD. HE WENT UP THERE AND WHEN HE GOT
INSIDE, HE JUST FOUND TWO WINDOWS. HE SHINED ONE
LIGHT IN THE FIRST WINDOW AND TWO IN THE SECOND. HE
LOOKED AROUND AND FOUND A DOOR. HE OPENED IT AND IN
FRONT OF HIM WERE BODIES OF BOYS WHO HAD BEEN UP
HERE BEFORE. HE STARTED TO LEAVE WHEN HE BLACKED OUT.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 08-10-1968
INITIATION
A SORORITY AND FRATERNITY DECIDED TO HOLD THEIR
INITIATION PARTY TOGETHER SO THEY HANDCUFFED THEIR
PROSPECTIVE MEMBERS TO ONE ANOTHER--A GUY TO A GAL--
AND LEFT THEM IN A PICNIC AREA FOR THE AFTERNOON.
THEY EVEN PROVIDED THE PICNIC BASKETS--IN WHICH ALL THE
FOOD HAD BEEN LIBERALLY SPIKED WITH A VERY STRONG
LAXATIVE. MIDWAY THROUGH THE AFTERNOON, THE PROSPEC-
TIVE MEMBERS BEGAN TO FEEL THE EFFECTS OF THE CONTENTS
OF THE PICNIC BASKETS AND TRIED TO HANDLE THE
SITUATION AS DIPLOMATICALLY AND POLITELY AS POSSIBLE--
HANDCUFFED ARMS STRETCHED OVER BUSHES AND AROUND TREES
AS NECESSITY PREVAILED. ONE COED, HOWEVER, NOT HAVING
EATEN MUCH, COULD NOT UNDERSTAND THE FIGITINGS OF HER
PARTNER, AND HE, UNAWARE THAT SHE KNEW NOTHING OF HIS
PLIGHT, BEGAN TO PULL DOWN HIS TROUSERS. SHE IMMEDIATELY
SUSPECTED THE WORST AND STARTED TO RUN, TRIPPING THE
POOR BOY AND DRAGGING HIM BEHIND HERSELF.
Submitter comment:
I PRESUME THAT THIS WAS A UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN {ANN
ARBOR, MICHIGAN} INITIATION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 10-24-1967
INITIATION
A SORORITY AND FRATERNITY DECIDED TO HOLD THEIR
INITIATION PARTY TOGETHER SO THEY HANDCUFFED THEIR
PROSPECTIVE MEMBERS TO ONE ANOTHER--A GUY TO A GAL--
AND LEFT THEM IN A PICNIC AREA FOR THE AFTERNOON.
THEY EVEN PROVIDED THE PICNIC BASKETS--IN WHICH ALL THE
FOOD HAD BEEN LIBERALLY SPIKED WITH A VERY STRONG
LAXATIVE. MIDWAY THROUGH THE AFTERNOON, THE PROSPEC-
TIVE MEMBERS BEGAN TO FEEL THE EFFECTS OF THE CONTENTS
OF THE PICNIC BASKETS AND TRIED TO HANDLE THE
SITUATION AS DIPLOMATICALLY AND POLITELY AS POSSIBLE--
HANDCUFFED ARMS STRETCHED OVER BUSHES AND AROUND TREES
AS NECESSITY PREVAILED. ONE COED, HOWEVER, NOT HAVING
EATEN MUCH, COULD NOT UNDERSTAND THE FIGITINGS OF HER
PARTNER, AND HE, UNAWARE THAT SHE KNEW NOTHING OF HIS
PLIGHT, BEGAN TO PULL DOWN HIS TROUSERS. SHE IMMEDIATELY
SUSPECTED THE WORST AND STARTED TO RUN, TRIPPING THE
POOR BOY AND DRAGGING HIM BEHIND HERSELF.
Submitter comment:
I PRESUME THAT THIS WAS A UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN {ANN
ARBOR, MICHIGAN} INITIATION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 10-24-1967
Ethnic: Polish
House Initiation / Polish Custom:
Put a cat in a house before you move into it and there will always be good luck.
Submitter comment:
A neighbor came over to borrow our cat for one of their relatives who had just bought a new house. These relatives of ournaighbors had just recently come over from Poland. I don't know the people's names and the neighbor doesn't live around here any more.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [F532] crossed out. Replaced with current classifications.
Message on the bottom of card:
[Please copy this item on the yellow card below so it will ALSO be filed under F686]
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Myself
Keyword(s): CAT ; ETHNIC ; fortune ; Good ; House ; Housewarming ; LUCK ; OMEN ; POLAND ; POLISH ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing BELIEF -- Mammal |
Entry filtered.
Entry filtered.
Entry filtered.
Entry filtered.
At Austin College in Sherman, Texas, when someone is accepted into medical school they are thrown (fully-clothed) into one of the fountains on campus.
Submitter comment:
Informant and collector are the same person.
Informant probably first learned this in Sherman, Texas.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; TEXAS ; NASHVILLE ; HOUSTON ; Austin College
James Callow Keyword(s): Initiation
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |