Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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GIRLS DORM PROSE
NOW THIS IS IN A GIRLS DORM SOMEWHERE DOWN SOUTH AND THIS GIRL WAS
CONSTANTLY
SCARED. SO ALL THE GIRLS IN THE DORM WOULD PLAY TRICKS ON
HER
THEY WOULD SCARE H WHILE SHE WAS TALKING TO HER BOYFRIEND OR
JUMP OUT OF THE BUSHES WHEN SHE WAS WALKING AT NIGHT. SO AS SHE
CONSTANTLY BECAME MORE PARANOID, THE GIRLS WOULD SCARE HER MORE AND
MORE. SO ONE NIGHT THEY WERE STUDYING LATE IN THE CHEMISTRY LAB. IN
THE LAB THERE WAS A SKELETON. SO THIS GIRL WAS OUT ON A DATE AND WAS
COMING HOME LATE AND WAS COMING INTO THE LAB AFTER THE DATE. SO,
AFTER HER DATE SHE WENT TO THE LAB. THE OTHER GIRLS WANTED TO SEE
WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF THEY HUNG THE SKELETON IN THE DOORWAY IN A WAY
IN WHICH IT WOULD FALL ON HER. WHEN THEY FELT ENOUGH TIME HAD PASSED
BY, THEY WENT TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED. WHEN THEY GOT THERE, THEY SAW
THEIR FRIEND SITTING ON THE FLOOR, HER HAIR HAD TURNED WHITE, HER
FACE WAS DISFIGURED AND SHE WAS CHEWING ON ONE OF THE SKELETON'S
BONES.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; RENO HALL
James Callow Keyword(s): GORE
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
Date learned: 09-25-1972
REMEMBRANCE LOG
DURING VACATION WE PICK UP A LOG FOR THE FIREPLACE BACK HOME. ON
NEW YEAR'S EVE THE LOG IS BURNED AND ALL THE GOOD THINGS THAT
HAPPENED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR ARE RECALLED.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT'S FAMILY STARTED THIS CUSTOM.
James Callow comment:
BOGGS NUMBERS FOR SUMMER HERE HAVE BEEN ADDED ON THE
ASSUMPTION THAT THE INFORMANT'S FAMILY'S VACATIONS
OCCUR IN THE SUMMER
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MONROE
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F123 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Summer CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Summer |
Date learned: 10-07-1972
A MERRY-GO-ROUND AT AN AMUSEMENT PARK BROKE DOWN. THE OWNER SENT
AWAY FOR THE PARTS TO FIX IT, WHICH COST ABOUT TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS.
AFTER THE OWNER PUT THE NEW PARTS IN, HE TRIED OUT THE MERRY-GO-ROUND.
IT WENT AROUND BACKWARDS. EVERYTHING THAT WAS DONE TO IT DIDN'T CHANGE
A THING, IT STILL WENT AROUND BACKWARDS. SO THE MERRY-GO-ROUND WAS
BELIEVED TO BE HEXED, AND NO ONE WOULD GO NEAR IT. FINALLY THE
OWNER TURNED THE HORSES AROUND THE OPPOSITE WAY TO REMOVE THE HEX
ON THE MERRY-GO-ROUND.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT LEARNED THIS TALE FROM A MAN HE WORKED FOR AT A CARNIVAL.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector share the same surname.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 10-12-1972
NEW YEAR'S EVE CUSTOM
AT MIDNIGHT ON NEW YEAR'S EVE IN NAPLES, THE PEOPLE DISCARD OLD
BELONGINGS BY THROWING THEM OUT OF WINDOWS AND DOORWAYS ON TO THE
STREET. THESE BELONGINGS CONSIST OF ANYTHING FROM A CORK TO A
DINING ROOM TABLE.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector are the same person.
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F123 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 |
Date learned: 11-04-1968
BAD LUCK
EVEN NUMBERS AND WEDNESDAYS ARE BAD LUCK IN GREECE. IF YOU
PLANT ANY CROPS ON WEDNESDAY THEY WILL NOT GROW PROPERLY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALLEN PARK
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Plant husbandry Farming BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour BELIEF -- Number Even number (not specific) BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.4 BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.5 |
Date learned: 09-00-1972
CONVERSION OF NON-CATHOLIC
JIM'S INFORMANT WAS SISTER GODFREY (SISTER OF DIVINE PROVIDENCE
AT SAINT SYLVESTER'S IN PITTSBURGH). SR. GODFREY WAS JIM'S 4TH
GRADE TEACHER. THERE WAS A CATHOLIC HATER WHO MADE A LITTLE CATHOLIC
GIRL STEAL A HOST. HE WANTED TO NAIL THE HOST ON A TELEPHONE POLE
IN FRONT OF A CHURCH. WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO CARRY IT OUT, THE
TELEPHONE POLE SPURTED BLOOD AND HE WAS CONVERTED.
James Callow Keyword(s): EUCHARIST
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious |
Date learned: 12-07-1972
THAYER'S GRAVE
THAYER'S GRAVE IS IN A CEMETERY IN FARMINGTON, MICHIGAN.
YOU DRIVE INTO A GRAVEYARD, DOWN A HILL PAST THAYER'S GRAVE.
PUT YOUR CAR IN NEUTRAL AND THAYER PULLS YOUR CAR UP THE HILL
BACKWARDS. THE CAR ALWAYS STOPS RIGHT BY HIS GRAVE
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE MODERN
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 11-08-72
IF YOU HAVE A BABY DON'T CROSS A RUNNING STREAM OF WATER UNTIL
YOUR BABY IS THREE WEEKS OLD. IF YOU DO DROP A STRAIGHT PIN IN
THE WATER.
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): NEWNESS
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Date learned: 09-08-1972
PICTURE MAGIC
IF THE PERSON YOU LIKE IS STRAYING AWAY TAKE HIS PICTURE AND PUT IT
IN SOME WATER FACE DOWN. THIS WILL MAKE HIM STAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color |
Date learned: 09-00-1172
Entry filtered.
GHOST LIGHTS
NEAR I-75 IN FLORIDA THERE IS AN ABANDONED STRIP OF ROAD WITH
THREE LARGE HILLS. IF YOU WAIT AT THE TOP OF THE THIRD HILL, YOU
CAN SOMETIMES SEE THE GHOST LIGHTS. THIS LARGE, EERY LIGHT
STARTS AT THE BASE OF THE FIRST HILL AND CLIMBS THE THREE HILLS,
DISAPPEARING TEMPORARILY BEHIND THE HILLS. NON-BELIEVERS SAY IT
HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE LIGHT FROM I-75 AND THE FOG. HOWEVER,
A GROUP OF COLLEGE KIDS WAITED TO SEE IT ONE NIGHT. WHEN IT CAME
VERY CLOSE, THEY COULDNT START THEIR CAR. THE LIGHT SEEMED
TO CLIMB ON TOP OF THE CAR AND SHAKE IT. ONE BOY LOOKED AT IT
AND WENT INSANE, ANOTHER SAID IT WAS THE FACE OF GOD. A MAN
WATCHED THE LIGHT WITH HIS FAMILY. WHEN IT APPROACHED, HE
PULLED A GUN OUT OF HIS GLOVE COMPARTMENT. THE GUN WAS LOADED, BUT
IT WOULD NOT FIRE. THE LIGHT SHOOK THE CAR. WHEN IT WAS GONE, THE
MAN TRIED THE GUN AGAIN. HE FIRED SIX SHOTS INTO A NEARBY MAILBOX
WITH NO TROUBLE AT ALL. WHEN YOU GO THERE, YOU CAN STILL SEE THE
HOLES IN THE MAILBOX.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT WENT TO THE PLACE TO WATCH FOR THE GHOST LIGHTS. HE
SAW SOMETHING BUT ISN'T SURE EXACTLY WHAT IT WAS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
James Callow Keyword(s): EERIE ; MYSTERIOUS LIGHT
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Supernatural Being |
Date learned: 11-11-1970
DON'T BURN YOUR HAIR WHEN IT COMES OUT IN THE COMB, YOU ARE
SUPPOSED TO THROW IT OUTSIDE FOR THE BIRDS TO MAKE THEIR NESTS
OUT OF.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
James Callow Keyword(s): OPPOSITE OF A CONTAGIOUS MAGIC BELIEF ALSO IN ARCHIVE
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Bird |
WHEN YOU SEE A LADYBUG YOU CHANT: LADYBUG, LADYBUG FLY AWAY HOME,
YOUR HOUSE IS ON FIRE, YOUR CHILDREN WILL ROAM. IF THE LADYBUG WAS
FOUND INSIDE THE HOUSE, IT WAS CONSIDERED A SIGN OF GOOD LUCK. IF IT
WAS FOUND OUTSIDE, IT WAS CONSIDERED TO BE BAD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Insect BELIEF -- Good luck P881.33 BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.33 |
TRUE RIDDLE
Q: THE BEGINNING OF ETERNITY,/ THE END OF TIME AND SPACE,/
THE BEGINNING OF EVERY END/ AND THE END OF EVERY PLACE.
A: THE LETTER E.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT SAID THAT THIS WAS A POPULAR RIDDLE CIRCULATED IN HER
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): COMMUNICATIONS AND RELATED MATTER (A) ; STATE OF BEING (Q)
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Riddle True Riddle |
Date learned: 10-20-1971
SILLY SALLY RIDDLE
Q: SILLY SALLY LIKES APPLES, BUT SHE DOES NOT LIKE FRUIT.
SILLY SALLY LIKES GLASS, BUT SHE DOES NOT LIKE WINDOWS.
SILLY SALLY LIKES JEFF, BUT SHE DOES NOT LIKE JOHN.
SILLY SALLY LIKES BOOKS, BUT SHE DOES NOT LIKE PAGES.
SILLY SALLY LIKES HIPPIES, BUT SHE DOES NOT LIKE BEATNIKS.
SILLY SALLY LIKES COOKIES, BUT SHE DOES NOT LIKE CRACKERS.
SILLY SALLY LIKES SKIING, BUT SHE DOES NOT LIKE SNOW.
SILLY SALLY LOVES MISSISSIPPI.
WHAT DOES SILLY SALLY LIKE?
A: SILLY SALLY LIKES WORDS WITH DOUBLE LETTERS.
Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM CLASSMATES
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
Keyword(s): ENTERTAINMENT AND SPORT GOODS (Q) ; HARDWARE (Q) ; PARTICULAR
James Callow Keyword(s): ALLITERATION ; INITIAL ITERATION ; MEDIAL ITERATION
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Riddle True Riddle RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: 10-12-1967
( 20 ) RIDDLES
Q: 1. DUI SESLES PER KALNELIZ NESOEINA. - TWO SISTERS DO NOT MEET
OVER A HILL.
A: EYES.
Q: 2. DU RATU PAGIRY STOUI. - TWO WHEELS STANDING BY THE FOREST.
A: EARS.
Q: 3. PILNA LUKTELE BALTEZ VISTELIZ. - A HOUSE FULL OF WHITE HENS.
A: MOUTH AND TEETH.
Q: 4. MIZSLIUZ TEVAS KALNE GULI. - THE FATHER OF RIDDLES IS LYING
IN THE HILL.
A: TONGUE.
Q: 5. ZIBA DIENA, ZIBA NAKTIZ. - SPARKLES AT NIGHT, SPARKLES DURING
THE DAY.
A: WINDOW.
Q: 6. VISI JODO, NIEKAS NEPASERIA. - EVERYONE FOR IODINE, NO ONE
FEEDS IT.
A: DOOR STEP.
Q: 7. NEI PATI VDGO, NEI KITAM DUODA. - NEITHER DOES SHE EAT HERSELF,
OR GIVE TO ANOTHER.
A: A LOCK.
Q: 8. MASA MOTERELE VISAZ PASAULIZ APRENGIA. - A SMALL WOMAN DRESSES
THE WHOLE WORLD.
A: A SEWING NEEDLE.
Q: 9. MAZAS PUODELIS, SKANI KOSELE. - A SMALL POT, GOOD BROTH.
A: PEANUT. ?M Q: 10. PRAMUSI LEDAZ, RASI SIDABRAZ; PRAMUSI SIDABRAZ, RASI AUKSAZ. -
BREAK THE ICE, YOU'LL FIND SILVER; BREAK THE SILVER, YOU'LL FIND
GOLD.
A: AN EGG.
Q: 11. DVIEM PUPOM VISAZ LAUKAZ APSEJA. - WITH TWO PEAS YOU SOW A
WHOLE FIELD.
A: WITH EYES.
Q: 12. DU BEGA, DU VEJA. - TWO RUN, TWO CHASE.
A: WHEELS.
Q: 13. ATLEKE PAUKSTIS BE SPARNUZ, IZKANDO ZINOQUI BE DANTUZ. - A
BIRD FLEW BY WITH NO WINGS, BIT A MAN WITH NO TEETH.
A: BULLET.
Q: 14. SUDEGE AZUOLAS BE ANGLIUZ, BE PELENIZ. - AN OAK BURNED WITH
NO COAL, WITH NO ASHES.
A: A CANDLE
Q: 15. MISKE GIMEZS, IMSKE ANGES, PAREINA NAMO KEPUIUZ KILNOTI. -
BORN IN A FOREST, GREW UP IN A FOREST, COMES HOME TO RAISE HATS.
A: CROSS.
Q: 16. ILGAS - BE GALO, GILUS - BE DUGNO. - LONG - WITH NO END, DEEP
- WITH NO BOTTOM.
A: A RING.
Q: 17. PENKI TVARTAI, VIENOS DURYS. - FIRE BURNS, ONE DOOR.
A: GLOVES.
Q: 18. PER VANDENIZ EIDAMAS NEPRIQERIA, PER UGNIZ - NESUDEGA.
WALKING THROUGH WATER, DOESN'T DROWN; THROUGH FIRE - DOESN'T BURN.
A: A SHADOW.
Q: 19. JOKI ZIRGAS ZVENGIA, NET KAMANOS SKAMBA. - FAR DOES A HORSE
NEIGH, EVEN THE ROOF TOPS ECHO.
A: THUNDER.
Q: 20. KAD ATSIKELTUZ, DANGEZ PAREMTUZ, KAD RENKAS TURETUZ, VAGIZ
PAGAUTUZ. - IF COULD GET UP, HOLD UP THE HEAVEN; IF HAD HANDS,
WOULD CATCH A THIEF.
A: A ROAD.
Submitter comment:
IN LITHUANIAN, THESE RIDDLES RHYME. HOWEVER, THE TRANSLATION DOES NOT
BRING OUT THE TRUE AND REAL RHYTHM OF THEM.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): ACTIONS (Q) ; ANIMALS (Q) ; BUILDINGS (Q) ; HARDWARE (Q) ; NATURAL
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Riddle True Riddle |
Date learned: 03-24-1972
PROVERBIAL COMPARISON
AS ODD AS KATE CARNEY'S CAT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ALLITERATION ; ANIMAL ; ANIMATED NATURE ; PROPER NAME
James Callow Keyword(s): ECCENTRICITY ; PERSONAL PROVERB
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Physically handicapped Deformed PROVERB -- Blason Populaire PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: 00-00-1960
PROVERB
BOYS AND BOOKS DON'T MIX.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
Keyword(s): ALLITERATION
James Callow Keyword(s): CONTRAST ; DATING ; EDUCATION ; OBSERVATION
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 10-00-1968
MEDICAL BELIEF
SLEEPING IN THE MOONLIGHT WILL MAKE YOU GO CRAZY.
Submitter comment:
MY MOTHER LEARNED THIS FROM SOME IRISH FRIENDS WHEN SHE WAS A
CHILD IN DETROIT HER FRIENDS BELIEVED THIS SO STRONGLY THAT
BEFORE GOING TO BED, THEY WOULD ALWAYS CHECK TO MAKE SURE NO
MOONLIGHT WAS COMING IN AROUND THE SHADES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: NEGATIVE ; ADVICE: POSITIVE ; ADVICE: POSITIVE ; MADNESS
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Physically handicapped Deformed BELIEF -- Moon BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 11-22-1970
THE DEAD RETURN
YEARS AGO OUTSIDE OF MONROE THERE WAS A GUY KILLE.D ON A MOTORCYCLE
TO THIS DAY WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT NIGHT YOU CAN
SOMETIMES SEE A MYSTERIOUS LIGHT THAT MOVES IN THE DISTANCE. THE
LIGHT IS DEEP IN THE WOODS AND ALNG WITH IT IS THE SOUND OF A
RUNNING MOTORCYCLE. IT HAS BEEN INVESTIGATED AND CANNOT BE
EXPLAINED.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): MYSTERIOUS ; MYSTERIOUS SOUND
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Tale BELIEF -- Fire |
Date learned: 10-20-1971