Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for V400 returned 277 results.
"LAUGH AND GROW FAT," IS AN OLD SUPERSTITIOUS SAYING,
WHICH HAS LED MANY TO BELIEVE THAT FAT PEOPLE ARE
ALWAYS HAPPY.
Submitter comment: FROM FRIENDS.
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of quantity or weight PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim PROVERB -- Blason Populaire |
Date learned: 11-23-1967
CRIMINALS
A CROOK CAN SLEEP COMFORTABLE IN A BARREL OF FISH
HOOKS.
Submitter comment:
HIS DAUGHTER, PATRICIA, EXPLAINED: IN OTHER WORDS,
HE WAS CROOKED.
MR. YOUNT HAD HEARD IT AS A POPULAR SAYING IN
GLOUCESTER, OHIO AS WELL AS IN HOLLISTER, OHIO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Blason Populaire |
Date learned: 05-11-1965
Entry filtered.
AN UNDERTAKING PROVERB
AN UNDERTAKER IS A FELLOW WHO NEVER SUCCEEDS IN BURYING HIMSELF
IN HIS WORK.
Submitter comment: HE HEARD IT IN SCHOOL.
Where learned: HOME
James Callow Keyword(s): DEDICATION TO JOB ; DEFINITION ; HUMOR
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Blason Populaire |
Date learned: 08-06-1964
BLASON POPULAIRE
USING A FINE ITALIAN HAND.
Submitter comment:
PROFESSOR'S QUERY: HANDWRITING?
COLLECTOR'S ANSWER: ESPECIALLY APPLIED TO COOKING.
Where learned: HIS HOME
Keyword(s): COOKING
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Blason Populaire |
Date learned: 10-22-1968
BELIEF
MANY SPANISH PEOPLE BELIEVE THAT AFTER SEEING A PRIEST CLOTHED IN
BLACK, THEY SHOULD TOUCH SOMETHING MADE OF WOOD TO AVOID BAD LUCK.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Keyword(s): CONVERSION ; SPANISH BELIEF ; SUPERNATURAL: TOUCHING WOOD
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Color BELIEF -- Conversions P883.22 SPEECH -- Gesture PROVERB -- Blason Populaire |
Date learned: 02-17-1970
PROVERBIAL PHRASE
I,M TOO OLD OF A CAT TO BE SCRATCHED IN THE ASS BY A KITTEN
Where learned: NATIONAL BANK OF DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Blason Populaire |
Date learned: 09-00-1981
PROVERBIAL PHRASE
A WOMAN,S PLACE IS IN THE HOUSE (AND IN THE SENATE)
Submitter comment: I LOVE HIM FOR THIS ONE
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Blason Populaire |
Date learned: 10-00-1981
JOKE-MILITARY
IRISH PENNANT
MILITARY NAME GIVEN TO ANY LOOSE THREAD ON ONE'S CLOTHING OR GEAR.
Where learned: NORTH CAROLINA ; CAMP LEJEUNE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote SPEECH -- Trade & commerce PROVERB -- Blason Populaire |
Date learned: 10-00-1977
Entry filtered.
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POLISH SAYING
TO AN OLD MAID EVEN HER HOUSE DRESS IS IN HER WAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Farmington Hills
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Blason Populaire |
Date learned: 12-00-1983
WHEN A BLIND LEADS A BLIND, BOTH OF THEM WILL FALL INSIDE A PIT.
Where learned: NIGERIA ; LAGOS
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Blason Populaire |
Date learned: 00-00-1977
A FRIEND IN NEED IS CLOSER THAN A BROTHER.
Where learned: NIGERIA ; LAGOS
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Blason Populaire |
Date learned: 00-00-1974
BELGIAN PEOPLE ALWAYS TREASURE THEIR FIRST
INDIAN NICKEL.
Submitter comment:
IT IS SAID THAT BELGIANS ARE REALLY TIGHT
WITH THEIR MONEY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TROY
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of quality Monetary system Money Wealth PROVERB -- Blason Populaire |
THEY LOOK WITH THEIR HANDS IN BACUP.
Submitter comment:
THIS EXPRESSION IS USED TO MOCK SOMEONE WHO IS EITHER POINTING OR
GESTURING WHILE LOOKING FOR A LOST POSSESSION. BACUP IS A SMALL
MINING TOWN IN THE NORTH OF ENGLAND THAT IS INFAMOUS FOR INBREEDING,
AND IT IS THOUGHT THAT SOME OF THE RESIDENTS HAVE EYES IN THE PALMS
OF THEIR HANDS. COMPARING SOMEONE TO A BACUPIAN IS A MILD INSULT,
USUALLY USED AS A JOKE.
Where learned: NORTH OF ENGLAND ; MANCHESTER
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses SPEECH -- Formula SPEECH -- Gesture PROVERB -- Blason Populaire |
Date learned: 00-00-1985 ; 00-00-1986
Entry filtered.
When my mother was growing up she lived with her
parents and her grandparents. Her grandparents
had come from Malta and still kept close ties to
the country. Hundreds of years ago the Turks
attacked Malta and destroyed almost everything.
When it rained out my mother would often see her
grandparents looking out the window. If the sun
happened to be out while it was raining they
would say, very negatively, "another Turk." In
this way she was taught that for every time it
rained while the sun was out, a Turkish child was
born and therefore it was a bad day. Because this
happens more rarely, they could be happy that there
were less Turks in the world.
Submitter comment:
This is usually said as a derogatory statement,
usually in disgust. My grandmother and mother
never say this because they believe that it is
unfair to hold this grudge today.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew BELIEF -- Birth PROVERB -- Blason Populaire |
Date learned: 00001950S
Entry filtered.
"Do you have holes in your underwear?"
Answer: No.
"Then how do you get your legs through them?"
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Blason Populaire |
Date learned: 00-00-1991