Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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PROVERB
FRIENDSHIP IS LIKE A SHADOW, IT STAYS WITH YOU IN THE SUN, BUT ONCE
IT GETS DARK, IT'S NO LONGER WITH YOU.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; STUDENT UNION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: 10-30-1967
PROVERBIAL COMPARISON
"GOOD AS GOLD."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN HEIGHTS
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: 10-00-1968
HUNGARIAN PROVERB
GOOD COFFEE SHOULD BE BLACK LIKE THE DEVIL, HOT LIKE HELL, AND SWEET
LIKE A KISS.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; WEST SENECA
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: 10-00-1969
PROVERBIAL COMPARISON
"GOODER'N SNUFF, AND NOT HALF AS DRY AND DUSTY."
Submitter comment: AN EXPRESSION OF APPROVAL.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; TELFORD
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: 00-00-1969
PROVERBIAL COMPARISON
"GREEN AS GOOSE SHIT."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ECORSE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: 00-00-1969
SAYING
I FELT LIKE A PENNY ASKING FOR CHANGE.
Where learned: OHIO
Keyword(s): FEELING MINISCULE ; FEELING WORTHLESS
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: UNKNOWN
JEST ANECDOTE
I ONCE KNEW A MAN SO OLD HE WAS OLDER THAN HIS MOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): HYPERBOLE
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale SPEECH -- Formula PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR.
AS FUNNY AS
IS AS FUNNY AS A RUBBER CRUTCH IN A POLIO WARD.
Data entry tech comment: IS PRECEDED ON 5 X 8 CARD BY ( BLANK-- WHATEVER THE OBJECT IS )
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): METAPHOR HUMOR
James Callow Keyword(s): DISEASE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
I SINK LIKE A STONE WHEN I SWIM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): METAPHOR, ALLITERATION, SWIMMING, OBSERVATION, CONTRADICTION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
I SLEEP LIKE A LOG.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): METAPHOR, SLEEP, OBSERVATION
James Callow Keyword(s): SIMILE ; WOOD
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR.
SAYING
LAND'S SO RICH THAT WHEN YOU PLANT CORN, YOU HAVE TO JUMP BACK SO IT
WON'T HIT YOU IN THE EYE.
Submitter comment:
I HEARD MY 5TH COUSIN SAY THIS ABOUT FIVE YEARS AGO. IT WAS IN THE
SAN JOAQUIN DELTAS OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA. HE WAS DESCRIBING A
MUDFLAT THAT HE HAD LEASED.
Where learned: CALIFORNIA ; SAN JOAQUIN DELTA
Keyword(s): AGRICULTURE ; FERTILITY ; HYPERBOLE ; LAND
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: 10-08-1968
JUMP-ROPE RHYME
CINDERELLA
DRESSED IN YELLA
WENT DOWNTOWN
TO MEET A FELLA
HOW MANY FELLAS DID SHE MEET? MM
COUNT BY TENS AS YOU JUMP. THE ROPE IS TURNED FASTER AND FASTER.
Submitter comment:
EVERYBODY KNOWS THIS JUMP-ROPE RHYME. IT'S AS COMMON AS ANTS
AT A PICNIC.
THIS IS STILL RECITED IN 1980.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: CA00001930 ; 01-13-1980
CONTRAST PROVERB
"YOU HAVE AS MUCH CHANCE AS A SNOWBALL IN HELL."
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A WELLERISM, IT IS EASY TO IDENTIFY BUT HARD
TO IMAGINE. SINCE HELL IS KNOWN TO BE A HOT PLACE, A
COLD ITEM SUCH AS A SNOWBALL WOULD MELT QUICKLY. THIS
PROVERB IS USED WHEN A TASK THAT SEEMS IMPOSSIBLE IS
ABOUT TO BE PREFORMED. FOR EXAMPLE, THE PHRASE COULD
BE USED WHEN SOMEONE IS TRYING TO PASS AN EXAM WITHOUT
STUDYING FOR IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: CA00001977
GUY WHO HATES HIS JOB
I HATE THIS WORSE THAN A RACOON HATES AN AXE HANDLE.
Submitter comment: ARKANSAS ORIGIN?
Where learned: HOME ; NOT RECORDED
Keyword(s): DISSATISFACTION WITH AN UNPLEASANT JOB
James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMALS
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: 10-01-1968
THREATENING METAPHOR
I'LL GET ON YOU LIKE STINK OFF A SKUNK.
Where learned: TELEVISION SERIES ; GUNSMOKE
Keyword(s): THREAT
James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMAL ODOR
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
I LOOK LIKE "THE WRECK OF THE HESPERS."
Submitter comment:
MY MOTHER USES THIS PHRASE TO DESCRIBE HERSELF OR ANY OTHER WOMAN
WHO IS REALLY A MESS, OFTEN, SHE SAYS THIS ON SATURDAY MORNINGS
BEFORE GETTING HER HAIR DONE.
Data entry tech comment: SPELLING ERROR*** HESPERUS***
Where learned: NOT RECORDED ; SAID AT MY HOME
Keyword(s): APPEARANCE
James Callow Keyword(s): LONGFELLOW
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: 03-31-1971
PASTIME
WHENEVER DANDELIONS WERE IN SEASON, THE CHILDREN IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD
WOULD PINCH UNDER THE TOP OF THE FLOWER, CAUSING IT TO BREAK OFF THE
STEM. THE FLOWER WOULD THEN FLY THROUGH THE AIR. AT THE SAME
TIME, THE FOLLOWING WAS CHANTED: MM
MAMA HAD A BABY
AND ITS HEAD POPPED OFF.
Submitter comment:
THE COLLECTOR FIRST HEARD OF THIS DANDELION PASTIME AS A CHILD IN
TAYLOR, MICH. IN 1970 AND CONTINUED PLAYING IT UPON MOVING TO
SOUTHGATE, MICH. AN ANALOGY IS MADE BETWEEN A MOTHER'S BABY AND
A DANDELION FLOWER. WHEN PLAYED AS DESCRIBED, NO COMPETITION IS
INVOLVED. HOWEVER, WITH TWO OR MORE CHILDREN, THE ELEMENT OF
DISTANCE IS PRESENT AND THE WINNER IS THE ONE WHO POPS THE FLOWER
THE FARTHEST. THIS IS SIMILAR TO THE BEHEADING OF A FLOWER AS
IT RELATES AS A SYMBOL OF A BABY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; USA ; SOUTHGATE
James Callow Keyword(s): BEHEADING OF FLOWER (BABY)
Date learned: 00-00-1970
IRONY
COLDER THAN A SNOWBALL IN A WARM REGION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: 00-00-1935
EXPRESSION
NUTTIER THAN A FRUITCAKE. THIS IS USED WHEN REFERRING TO
SOMEBODY WHO DOES SOMETHING CRAZY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: 00-00-1920
RETORT
QUICK AS A FLASH
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: 09-20-1967