Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for F536 returned 346 results.
CUSTOM IN JAPAN FOR JAPANESE TO WRITE POETRY AT CERTAIN
PARTIES, SUCH AS A MOON-GAZING PARTY WHERE ONE SITS IN
THE MOONLIGHT AND MAKES POEMS; OR A FLOWER-VIEWING
PARTY WHERE ONE HANGS POEMS ON THE FLOWER BRANCHES.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THE ABOVE WHILE LIVING IN JAPAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 08-01-1964
BOY BUYING A CORSAGE FOR HIS DATE AT A FORMAL DANCE
AND FOR HER TO BUY THE BUTTONIERE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
SADIE HAWKINS
THIS IS A HIGH SCHOOL DANCE WHERE THE GIRL ASKS THE GUY AND
USUALLY PAYS FOR HIS ADMISSION AT THE RATE OF A PENNY
PER POUND. THE IDEA PROBABLY ORIGINATED FROM THE
LI'L ABNER COMIC STRIP (BY THE LATE, LAMENTED, AL CAPP)
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
INFORMANT REMEMBERS THAT, AS A YOUNG GIRL GROWING UP
IN IOWA, THE PARISHIONERS IN THE CHURCH SHE BELONGED
TO SPONSORED A MINSTREL SHOW ANNUALLY TO RAISE MONEY
FOR EXPENDITURES.
Where learned: SAINT RITAS CONVENT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 03-01-1970
ITALIAN VILLAGE CUSTOM
AFTER THE EVENING MEAL (EATEN ABOUT 8:00 P.M.), THE
ENTIRE ITALIAN FAMILY WILL GO TO THE LOCAL CAFE
TO EXCHANGE LOCAL NEWS AND GOSSIP.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 02-07-1968
KING CAKE
IN NEW ORLEANS IN THE SEVERAL WEEKS BEFORE THE MARDI
GRAS SEASON BEGINS, AT THE END OF JANUARY, KING CAKE
PARTIES ARE HELD THROUGH MARDI GRAS. THE KING CAKE
IS PREPARED BEFORE HAND. THIS CONSISTS OF A FROSTED
BREAD PASTRY WITH A SMALL TOY DOLL IN THE INSIDE.
THE PERSON AT THE PARTY WHO RECEIVES THE PIECE WITH
THE DOLL INSIDE, IS OBLIGATED TO HOLD THE NEXT PARTY.
Submitter comment:
MY SISTER ATTENDED SOME OF THESE PARTIES AND ENJOYED
THEM VERY MUCH.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
HURRICANE PARTY
IN THE SOUTHERN AREAS WHERE HURRICANES ARE LIKELY TO
STRIKE, PEOPLE GATHER TOGETHER AT ONE PERSON'S HOUSE,
BEFORE THE STORM ARRIVES. THIS PERSON'S HOUSE IS
PREFERABLY LARGE, HIGH, AND AWAY FROM THE WATER. ALL
THE PROVISIONS FOR A LARGE PARTY ARE MADE AND THE
PARTY MIGHT GO ON FOR A DAY AND A HALF. A LOT OF
DRINKING IS DONE AT THESE AFFAIRS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
CIRCUS CUSTOM
IT IS TRADITIONAL TO EAT POPCORN AND PEANUTS AT THE
CIRCUS.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
GERMAN BAND
PEOPLE ASSEMBLE IN TOWN SQUARE AND DO FOLK DANCES TO THE
MUSIC OF A SMALL BAND WHILE DRINKING STEINS OF BEER.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 11-02-1968
PRANK
SOME OF THE GIRLS IN MY DORM WOULD FILL A WASTEPAPER
BASKET WITH WATER AND LEAN IT AGAINST SOMEONE'S DOOR.
THEN THEY WOULD KNOCK ON THE DOOR AND RUN. WHEN
THE GIRL WOULD OPEN THE DOOR TO SEE WHO WAS THERE,
THE WATER WOULD SPILL INTO HER ROOM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; STUDENT UNION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
PRANK
WHEN MY FAMILY WOULD GO UP NORTH, I WOULD STEAL ALL THE
TOILET PAPER OUT OF THE OUTHOUSES.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT DORMS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 10-23-1970
SILVERWARE-NUMBER GAME
KNIVES, FORKS, AND SPOONS ARE ARRANGED IN WHAT LOOKS
TO BE A PATTERN OF SOME SORT. PARTICIPANTS TRY TO
GUESS WHAT NUMBER FROM ZERO TO TEN THE ARRANGEMENT
IS SUPPOSED TO BE. THE KNIVES, FORKS, AND SPOONS,
HOWEVER, DO NOT REPRESENT ANY NUMBER. THE TRICKSTER
ACTUALLY HAS A CERTAIN NUMBER OR NO NUMBER OF HIS
FINGERS SHOWING ON THE TABLE.
Submitter comment:
A BIOLOGY NUN PLAYED THE GAME ON US. SHE FOUND IT
VERY AMUSING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALLEN PARK
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
TELEPHONE PRANK
LOOK UP ANYONE IN THE PHONEBOOK AND CALL. WHEN
THEY ANSWER SAY, "MR. JONES, YOUR CAT'S IN OUR
BUSHES!"
NOT EVERYONE HAS CATS AND HE MAY ANSWER, "WE DON'T
HAVE A CAT." WHEREUPON CALLER RETORTS, "THAT'S
OKAY, WE DON'T HAVE ANY BUSHES EITHER."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GARDEN CITY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 11-27-1971
TELEPHONE CALL
RANDOMLY CALL A NUMBER, ASK THE PERSON ANSWERING,
"IS YOUR REFRIGERATOR RUNNING?" THE PERSON GENERALLY
ANSWERS, "YES," THEN RESPOND, "THEN YOU'D BETTER GO
CATCH IT." MM
RANDOMLY CALLING ANY NUMBER, ASK THE PERSON ANSWERING:
"IS ONE WALL THERE?" RESPONSE, "NO." "IS TWO WALL
THERE?" RESPONSE, "NO." "IS THREE WALL THERE?"
RESPONSE, "NO." "WELL, IS FOUR WALL THERE?"
RESPONSE, "NO." "WELL, THEN HOW IS YOUR HOUSE
STAYING UP?"
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; KALAMAZOO
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 11-12-1971
LET'S SAY YOU ARE GOING WITH A YOUNG MAN FOR ONE OR TWO
YEARS AND ALL AT ONCE, YOU CHANGED YOUR MIND AND YOU GOT
ANOTHER GUY. ON A CERTAIN NIGHT, THE JOKERS WOULD MAKE
A WOMAN (AND WE RAISE A LOT OF FLOCKS), THEY WOULD GO
AND GET THE OUTSIDE OF THE FLOCKS AND SPREAD THE STUFF
STARTING WITH THE CLOSEST STREET TO THE GUYS HOUSE TO
HIS HOUSE, AT THE END OF THE STUFF WOULD BE THE WOMAN.
THEN EVERYONE WOULD COME OUT AND HAVE A LAUGH. THEY
WOULD DO THE SAME IF IT HAPPENED TO A GIRL.
Submitter comment:
I TRIED TO REPEAT THIS AS MR. VALKEN RELATED THE
STORY TO ME.
Data entry tech comment: FINE, BUT IT MAKES NO SENSE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): DUNG
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 10-20-1971
PRANKS
WHILE IN HIGH SCHOOL, ALL THE BOYS ALWAYS TRIED TO GET
THE SCHOOL YARD BEFORE THE SCHOOL DOORS WERE OPENED,
BECAUSE THEY KNEW THAT THE GIRLS ALWAYS GOT THERE EARLY
AND IT WAS ADVANTAGEOUS TO GET A FEW GOOD PINCHES IN
WHEN THE DOORS WERE OPENED. IN THE CROWD IT WAS HARD
FOR THE GIRLS TO TELL WHO PINCHED THEM. THE BOYS
MADE A REGULAR SPORT OUT OF THIS PRACTICE.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT DID THIS IN HIGH SCHOOL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 11-00-1971
THE THREE TYPES OF KISSES
THIS MUST BE SAID ALOUD AND PREFERABLY DEMONSTRATED
ON SOMEONE OF THE OPPOSITE SEX. THE THREE TYPES
OF KISSES ARE PEACHES, PRUNES, AND ALFALFA. EACH
SYLLABLE OF ALFALFA IS SAID WITH THE GONGUE OUT
AND SLOBBERY.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT FOUND THIS VERY FUNNY.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 09-30-1971
THE EGG TRICK
FOR THIS TRICK YOU ASK SOMEONE TO STAND BEHIND A DOOR
ON THE PRETENSE OF HELPING YOU FIX THE HINGE. YOU TELL
THE PERSON BEHIND THE DOOR TO PLACE HIS THUMB AND INDEX
FINGER THROUGH THE NARROW DOOR SPACE. THEN YOU HAND
HIM AN EGG AND LEAVE HIM THERE INDEFINITELY.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT FOUND THIS PRANK VERY FUNNY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LINCOLN PARK
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 01-00-1971
PRANKS
IN THE SUMMER OF 1971, SIX POLICE OFFICERS GETTING OFF
WORK (THE AFTERNOON SHIFT) POOLED THE BEER THAT THEY
TOOK FROM MINORS (UNDER 21 YEARS OLD) DURING THE NIGHT'S
PATROL AND WENT OUT TO A SECLUDED FIELD ALONGSIDE SOME
RAILROAD TRACKS AND PROCEEDED TO GET DRUNK. A TRAIN
CAME DOWN THE TRACK AND THE SIX POLICEMEN IN FULL
POLICE UNIFORM STOPPED THE TRAIN WITH GUNS AND
FLASHLIGHTS IN HAND. THEY WALKED UP TO THE CONDUCTOR
OF THE TRAIN, HANDED HIM A BEER, SAYING "YOU'RE
DOING A FINE JOB," AND THEY ALL WENT HOME LAUGHING.
THE CONDUCTOR WAS SPEECHLESS.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS TOLD AS A TRUE STORY BY A WHITE, MIDDLE-AGED
DETROIT POLICE OFFICER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 08-00-1971
PRACTICAL JOKE
THIS JOKE CONSISTS OF BOTH SPEECH AND GESTURES. THE
SPEECH IS FORMULARIZED AND THE GESTURES PLAY A VERY
IMPORTANT PART FOR THE EFFECT OF THIS GAME. TWO
PEOPLE PLAY THE JOKE--ACTUALLY ONE PERSON PLAYS THE
JOKE ON A NAIVE PLAYER.
ALL RIGHT, NOW WE SHALL TAKE OUT THE BRAIN. (SAID IN A
"MATTER-OF-FACT" TONE). FIRST, MAKE AN INCISION DOWN
THE MIDDLE OF THE HEAD. (AS THE PERSON SAYS THIS, HE DRAWS
A LINE DOWN THE MIDDLE OF THE OTHER PERSON'S HEAD WITH
HIS FINGER). THEN ONE ACROSS THE FRONT. (DRAWS A LINE
ACROSS THE FOREHEAD WITH HIS FINGER). ONE ACROSS THE
BACK. (DRAWS A LINE ACROSS THE BACK OF THE HEAD.)
THEN WE PULL THE SKIN APART. (USING BOTH HANDS, HE
SMOOTHS DOWN THE PARTICIPANT'S HAIR ON EACH SIDE.)
REACH DOWN. (THE ABOVE PHRASES WERE SAID IN A WHISPERING
TONE; THIS ONE IS SAID WITH REAL EXCITEMENT. AS IT IS
BEING SAID, THE PERSON SPREADS HIS FINGERS ACROSS THE
SIDES OF THE HEAD TIGHTLY). TAKE OUT THE BRAIN (THE
PLAYER SUDDENLY PULLS HIS HANDS UP AND THEN YELLS
MADLY PRETENDING THAT HE THROWS THE BRAIN ON THE
FLOOR AND STOMPS ON IT).
Submitter comment:
THE PARTICIPANT ACTUALLY SAID THAT SHE FELT THAT HER
BRAIN WAS OUT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; PONTIAC
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 10-02-1971