Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for F536 returned 346 results.
PASTIME
WHEN INFORMANT LIVED IN THE UPPER PENNINSULA (OF
MICHIGAN) A FAVORITE PASTIME WAS GOING TO THE CITY
DUMP TO WATCH THE BEARS COME OUT AT NIGHT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 02-19-1970
PASTIME
INFORMANT STATED THAT A FAVORITE PASTIME ACTIVITY
AMONG NEIGHBORING PEOPLE WAS TO GO NUTTING IN THE FALL.
THIS MEANT THAT ON SUNDAY AFTERNOON THE NEIGHBORING
FAMILIES WOULD GATHER TOGETHER AND GO NUT PICKING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; SAINT RITA CONVENT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 03-01-1970
LIGHTNING BUGS
WHEN I WAS YOUNG, IN NEW YORK , WE'D HAVE REALLY GREAT
FUN IN THE SUMMER NIGHTS. YOU SEE ALL THESE LIGHTNING
BUGS WOULD COME OUT ALL OVER, AND WE'D SPEND HOURS
CATCHING THEM IN JARS. IF YOU HAPPENED TO SQUISH ONE
ACROSS 12 INCHES, YOU'D HAVE GLOW FOR 12 INCHES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): PHOSPHORESCENCE ; SQUASH
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
LEAVES
BACK IN NEW JERSEY, THERE WAS THIS GAME WE'D PLAY WITH
LEAVES. WE'D RAKE THEM ALL TOGETHER AND FORM A HOUSE
OUT OF THEM. MAKE A WALL OUT OF THEM, THEN HAVE
LEAVES THAT WOULD REPRESENT BEDROOMS, KITCHEN, LIVING
ROOM, ETC.
Where learned: ON THE WAY TO UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 03-11-1970
TIN CAN
TAKE A TIN CAN, PUT IT ON THE GROUND...YOU HAD TO HAVE
HARD HEELS, YOU KNOW. WE USED TO STOMP ON THE CAN
WITH OUR HEELS. THAT WAY WHEN IT WOULD CRUSH, IT
WOULD BITE YOUR FOOT (HEEL) AND WOULD MAKE A REAL
COOL SOUND.
Where learned: ON THE WAY TO UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 03-11-1970
THE CHILDREN MADE ALL THEIR OWN TOYS. A KITE WOULD BE
A GREAT EVENT IN THEIR LIVES. THEY WOULD FIND WOOD THAT
WOULD BEND EASILY, THEN GO TO MOTHER AND ASK FOR A
PIECE OF NEWSPAPER AND A LITTLE BIT OF FLOUR AND A CUP,
SHE NEVER REFUSED THEM. THEY WOULD PUT THE KITE TOGETHER
(IN KITE FASHION) AND CUT THE NEWSPAPER TO FIT THE FRAME
AND THEN MAKE A PASTE OUT OF THE FLOUR AND USE IT TO
GLUE ON THE NEWSPAPER. MAYBE IT WOULD TAKE A WHOLE WEEK
TO MAKE. WE WERE JEALOUS OF EACH OTHER AND WHO WAS
GOING TO MAKE THE BEST KITE. PARENTS BOUGHT THE STRING
AND THEY USED RAGS FOR THE TAIL. IF THE TAIL WAS TOO
HEAVY THE KITE WOULDN'T GO UP; IF IT WAS TOO LIGHT
THE KITE WOULD CRASH AND YOU HAD TO START ALL OVER AGAIN.
ONCE THE KITE WAS UP, WE WOULD CHALLENGE ONE ANOTHER ON
WHOSE KITE WOULD GO UP THE HIGHEST.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS REPORTED AS MR. VALKEN TOLD ME. I BELIEVE THE
WOOD THEY USED CAME FROM THE WEEPING WILLOW TREE,
THIS WOOD BENDS EASILY WITHOUT BREAKING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 10-20-1971
DON'T LOAN MONEY IN A GAMBLING GAME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 02-17-1970
FIVE ACES: ANY OFFICER WHO ROLLS FIVE ACES WHEN
THROWING DICE FOR REFRESHMENTS IN A MESS, IS OBLIGED
BY TRADITION TO BUY A COMPLETE ROUND FOR ALL MESS-MATES
PRESENT.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 10-19-1965
BASEBALL CUSTOM
IT IS TRADITIONAL TO EAT HOT DOGS AT BASEBALL GAMES.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT DORMS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
KICK THE WATER COOLER
WHEN A BASEBALL PLAYER MAKES A BAD PLAY, HE COMES
INTO THE LOCKER ROOM AND KICKS THE WATER COOLER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Festival |
Date learned: 04-00-1968
Superstition: Baseball
NO ONE SHOULD MENTION TO A PITCHER BETWEEN INNINGS THAT
HE HAS A SHUTOUT OR NO-HITTER GOING.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
Keyword(s): BAD LUCK ; BASEBALL ; BASEBALL STADIUM ; CHANCE ; CUSTOM ; Fan ; FATE ; jinx ; LUCK ; No-Hitter ; Shutout ; SPORTS ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 09-24-1969
IF YOU'RE BOWLING AND YOU PUT TOGETHER A STRING OF STRIKES
IT'S BAD LUCK TO ADD THE SCORE OF THE BOWLER. YOU SHOULD
ONLY PUT THE X'S FOR THE STRIKES HE SCORES AND DON'T
ADD THE NUMBER SCORE UNTIL HE FINISHES HIS STRING.
IF YOU ADD THE SCORE BEFORE, HE WILL BREAK THE STRING
AND IT WILL BE YOUR FAULT.
Submitter comment: THIS IS AN OLD CUSTOM IN BOWLING.
Data entry tech comment: TOO BAD IF HE'S USING A MACHINE WITH AUTOMATIC SCORING!
Where learned: HARPER WOODS ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
DRAG RACING
ON WEEKENDS, IT HAS BECOME ALMOST A RITUAL FOR OWNERS
OF THE SO-CALLED "SUPER CARS" TO RACE ONE ANOTHER UP AND
DOWN NORTH WOODWARD AVE., AS WELL AS TRYING TO PICK
UP MEMBERS OF THE OPPOSITE SEX. THESE RACES OFTEN
RESULT IN ACCIDENTS, ARRESTS, FINES, AND NATIONAL
PUBLICITY.
Where learned: NORTH WOODWARD AVE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 00-00-1969
THE "SENIOR MEMBERS OF THE HUNT" ARE THE OLDER MEMBERS.
THESE MEMBERS ARE VERY WELL RESPECTED AND WHEN THE HUNT
IS GOING, THESE MEMBERS ARE UP FRONT. YOU, AS A
JUNIOR MEMBER, MUST NOT PASS THEM OR EVEN GET CLOSE
TO THEM, JUST STAY BEHIND THEM. MM
A "STIRRUP-CUP" IS A SHOT OF WHISKEY OR ANOTHER DRINK
WHICH IS SERVED TO THE SENIOR MEMBERS OF THE HUNT
BEFORE THE HUNT STARTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
PASTIME-GAME-CUSTOM
IN THE LATTER PART OF THE 19TH CENTURY, A UNIQUE FORM
OF ENTERTAINMENT WAS STAGED BY THE PEOPLE OF PT. BRUCE,
ONTARIO, A SMALL FISHING VILLAGE ON THE NORTH SHORE OF
LAKE ERIE. AT THAT TIME, LARGE FRESH WATER STURGEON WERE
CAUGHT IN THE GREAT LAKES. THESE FISH OFTEN EXCEEDED
100 LBS. IN WEIGHT AND ONE RECORD FISH WEIGHING 192 LBS.
WAS CAUGHT. THIS FISH WAS SUPPOSEDLY THE LARGEST EVER
CAUGHT.
PRIOR TO MARKETING, THESE FISH WOULD BE CONFINED IN A
BAY ON THE RIVERSIDE NEAR THE MOUTH OF THE HARBOR.
THE WATER IN THIS BAY AREA WAS ABOUT THREE FEET DEEP AND
THE FISH WERE HELD BY A COMMON LIVESTOCK FENCE
STRETCHED ACROSS THE SHALLOW WATER.
IT WAS THE CUSTOM ON NATIONAL HOLIDAYS TO HAVE A FISH
WRESTLE, THIS SPORT COMPARED TO "CATCHING THE GREASED
PIG" AMUSEMENTS IN OTHER PIONEER SETTLEMENTS. THE
PURPOSE OF THIS GAME WAS TO SEE WHICH OF THE STALWART
YOUNG MEN OF THE VILLAGE COULD THROW ONE OF THESE
FISH OUT OF THE WATER. SINCE THE FISH WAS SLIPPERY
AND IN ITS OWN ELEMENT, THIS FEAT WAS RARELY ACHIEVED.
THE STURGEON DOES NOT BITE, BUT IT DOES SHOW ANGER AND
WOULD BUTT AND KNOCK THE MEN OFF THEIR FEET.
THIS GAME SEEMED TO BE UNIQUE TO PORT BRUCE AND
OCCURRED IN THE BAY AREA ON THE RIVER DIRECTLY ACROSS
FROM THE OLD HOTEL--LATER NAMED THE ROCABONE INN (?).
THE FISH WERE SUPPLIED BY THE FISHERY OF LEVI YOUNG
OR THE SMALE BROTHERS.
Data entry tech comment: PHOTOGRAPH OF SITE OF FISH-WRESTLE ON 5 X 8 CARD.
Where learned: CANADA ; ONTARIO ; PORT BRUCE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 11-07-1968
TELEPHONE PRANK
IS YOUR REFRIGERATOR RUNNING?
IT IS?
YOU'D BETTER GO CATCH IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 03-16-1971
TELEPHONE PRANKS (CALLING RANDOM NUMBERS)
IS YOUR REFRIGERATOR RUNNING?
YES.
BETTER CATCH IT!
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 12-00-1971
TELEPHONE PRANKS (CALLING RANDOM NUMBERS)
DID YOU HAVE YOUR T.V. ON?
YES.
HOW DOES IT FIT?
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 12-00-1971
FRATERNITY TELEPHONE PRANK
TELL A PLEDGE THAT YOU HAVE THE TELEPHONE NUMBER OF AN
EXTREMELY WELL BUILT GIRL, WHO GOES BY THE NAME OF
"THE BODY." GIVE THE NUMBER TO THE PLEDGE AND TELL HIM
TO CALL THE NUMBER AND ASK TO SPEAK TO "THE BODY"
AND MAKE A DATE WITH HER. WELL, THE NUMBER GIVEN IS THE
NUMBER OF A FUNERAL HOME--USUALLY A BLACK FUNERAL HOME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; PLYMOUTH
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
DIAL A RANDOM TELEPHONE NO. (WRITING IT DOWN). ASK THE
ANSWERER, "IS RALPH THERE?" MORE THAN LIKELY, NO
RALPH WILL LIVE THERE AND THE ANSWER WILL BE THAT
YOU HAVE THE WRONG NUMBER. WAIT A WHILE AND REPEAT THE
ABOVE WITH ANOTHER VOICE. WAIT A WHILE MORE, AND, IN
A THIRD VOICE, ASK, "HI, THIS IS RALPH, ANY
MESSAGES FOR ME?" THEY'LL LOVE IT!
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 12-00-1971