Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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PROVERBIAL METAPHOR
PUT UP OR SHUT UP
James Callow comment: SIMILAR TO THE PROVERB ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: POSITIVE ; ELLIPSIS ; FUNCTION ; PARALLELISM
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
GRANDMA'S FOOT
WHEN FOOD THAT HAS BEEN COOKED TASTES GOOD, IT HAS BEEN KNOWN TO BE
SAID "GRANDMA MUSTA' PUT HER FOOT IN THIS..."
Submitter comment:
I HAVE HEARD THE HOUSE-KEEPER AT THE BOYS' HOME WHERE I WORK SAY THIS
TO THE HOME'S COOK ABOUT SOME GREENS SHE HAD COOKED - THEY WERE GOOD:
Where learned: MISSISSIPPI
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Food Food Drink -- Manner of preparation Kind of heatCooking equipment SPEECH -- Formula |
DROPPING CANDY
WHEN A KID DROPS SOME CANDY OR FOOD ON THE FLOOR OR GROUND, BY
STUMPING HIS LEFT FOOT AND SAYING ALOUD, "GOD KISS IT,"
THE CANDY OR FOOD CAN BE EATEN WITHOUT FEAR OF DIRT OR GERMS MAKING
THEM ILL.
Submitter comment:
I HAVE HEARD THE SAME BELIEF IN BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA (EXCLUDING THE
PART ABOUT STAMPING ONE'S FOOT); I HAVE ALSO RECENTLY HEARD
THIS BELIEF IN DETROIT.
Where learned: MISSISSIPPI
James Callow Keyword(s): DISINFECT
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Speech Speech Food Drink -- Food BELIEF -- Prayer SPEECH -- Formula SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 00-00-1965
POLITICIANS NEVER USE THE PHRASE "IT'S NICE TO MEET YOU" WHEN BEING
INTRODUCED TO SOMEONE . THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE POLITICIAN
HAS MET THE INDIVIDUAL BEFORE AND THIS PERSON, POSSIBLY A VOTING
CONSTITUENT OR CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTOR, MAY BE DISAPPOINTED THAT THE
PREVIOUS MEETING HAS SINCE BEEN FORGOTTEN. POLITICIANS INSTEAD
GREET INDIVIDUALS WITH THE WORDS "IT'S NICE TO SEE YOU" AND THUS SIDE
STEP THE PROBLEM ALTOGETHER.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): CIRCUMVENTION ; OBSERVATION ; TACT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Work Commerce Business SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 10-00-1975
MAFIA APPLICATION
=====================================================================
MAFIA APPLICATION
WHATZA U NAME?}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}U HAGE?}}}}}}}
WHATZA U HOWZA NUMBA?}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}U STREETA?}}}}}}}}}}
WHATZA U BAG? HITTAMAN}}}}}LONE ARRANGER}}}}}PROSTITUIT}}}}}
PUTTA DOWNNA WEAR U WORGA NOW}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}
IZZA U GIRL!!!! OR BOY?!!!! (JUSTTE CHEKA ONE)
WAZZA U INN DE BIGGA OUSE?}}}}}WHATTA WAZZA U INN DE BIGGA OUSE 4?
I SHOOTE ONE GUIZE}}}}}I KEEDENAP SOMEBODYS}}}}}
PROTECKSHON RAGGETS}}}}}SOM UDDER DINGZA}}}}}
U WANNA BE DE BIGGA SHOTZA SOMDAZE? YASSE?}}}}}NO?}}}}}EH?}}}}}
U NO OW 2 MAKKE DE CEMENT SHOOZE?}}}}}}}}}}
U NO OW 2 DRIVA DE CAR? CADDILLAC?}}}}}BUICK?}}}}}LINKEN?}}}}}
U LIKA EAT GARLIC?}}}}}PIZZA?}}}}}SALAMI?}}}}}U LIKKA SPAGHETTI?}}}}}
U LIKKA GIRLZE OR BOYZE?}}}}}}}}}}(PEEKA JUSTA ONE, NO FOOLA ROUND)
U SEE DE GODFATHER?}}}}}OR JUSTE DE MOVIE?}}}}}
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WHENNA U JOINNE U GONNA GETTA SOMADING U REELY GONNA LIKKE.
1 PR. DARKE GLAZZES
1 BLAKE SHIRTE WIDDA WITE TIE
1 WITE HAT WIDDE BLACKE BRIMA
1 PR. POINIE SHOOZE
1 PR. CEMENT SHOOZE (COMZA LATER IFFA U FOOLAROUND)
GOODA STOFF (IFFA U NOTTE SURE, I TELLA U WHATTA U GET WIZZA GUY)
1 KISSE (LATER-ONNA U CHEEDK)
=====================================================================
Submitter comment: MONOLOGUE IN ITALIAN DIALECT
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): HOUSE NUMBER STREET LONE RANGER PROSTITUTE ; SLANG: BIG HOUSE
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Underworld SPEECH -- Formula SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 10-00-1975
CURSE
IT IS AN ITALIAN BELIEF THAT A CURSE CAN BE UNCONSCIOUSLY
WISHED UPON YOU. IF YOU GET THE CURSE, THE ONLY WAY YOU CAN RID
YOURSELF OF IT IS TO HAVE THREE PEOPLE TRY TO GET RID OF IT. THEY
GET RID OF IT BE RECITING A SPECIAL CHANT. THE WORDS TO THE CHANT
CAN ONLY BE LEARNED ON CHRISTMAS EVE.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS TOLD TO MY INFORMANT BY HER COUSIN IN ITALY. EVERYONE IN
HER FAMILY HAD HEARD OF THE CURSE, BUT NO ONE KNEW THE WORDS TO CURE
IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): NUMBERS
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 BELIEF -- Curse SPEECH -- Formula |
ON EASTER, IF THE FIRST WORD YOU SAY IS RABBIT, THE REST OF THE
YEAR WILL BE GOOD.
Where learned: HOME ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT, ASSUMED ; STUDENT UNION
Keyword(s): LUCK ; RITUAL SPEECH
Date learned: 03-30-1971
FORMULA SPEECH;
ON EASTER SUNDAY, ONE ROMANIAN, INSTEAD OF SAYING "HELLO," SAYS
"CHRIST HAS RISEN." THE OTHER PERSON RESPONDS, "HE HAS RISEN
INDEED."
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SAID THAT THIS HAS BEEN THE CUSTOM FOR GENERATIONS. SHE
DOES NOT KNOW WHY IT IS DONE EXCEPT POSSIBLY TO STRESS THE THEME
OF THE SEASON.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): GREETING ; RITUAL SPEECH
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 11-16-1971
TOAST
( POLISH WORD OMITTED BECAUSE ALPHABET COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED ) --
(ENGLISH TRANSLATION "WAFER"). THIS IS BOTH A CHRISTMAS EVE AND
EASTER CUSTOM, BUT IS PRIMARILY RESERVED FOR THE POLISH LENTEN MEAL
AT EASTERTIME. THE CUSTOM IS THAT AT THIS MEAL THE OLDEST MEMBER OF
THE IMMEDIATE FAMILY (IN INFORMANT'S CASE, HIS GRANDFATHER) CRACKS
OFF A BIT OF THIS SPECIAL WAFER AND GIVES IT TO THE PERSON NEXT TO
HIM WISHING THEM ( HIM ) "GOOD HEALTH", "HAPPINESS", ETC.
Where learned: TELEPHONE ; TOLD BY
Keyword(s): FAMILY UNITY ; FOOD CUSTOM
Date learned: 11-02-1971
AMONG UKRAINIANS IT IS CUSTOMARY TO EAT A CEREMONIAL EASTER BREAKFAST
AFTER RESURRECTION SERVICES. BEFORE BREAKFAST BEGINS, THE FATHER
CUTS THE SPECIALLY BLESSED EASTER EGG AND GIVES A PIECE TO EACH
MEMBER OF HIS FAMILY, FROM OLDEST TO YOUNGEST. WHILE DOING THIS HE
SAYS TO EACH ONE--"LET THE MERCIFUL GOD GRANT THAT WE STILL BE
TOGETHER ALIVE AND WELL FOR MANY MORE EASTERS TO COME."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
Keyword(s): FAMILY UNITY ; FOOD CUSTOM
Date learned: 10-00-1970
SPRING CUSTOM EASTER
SOME UKRANIAN ( UKRAINIAN ) PEOPLE ON EASTER HAVE THE HEAD OF THE
HOUSEHOLD SELECT ONE COLORED EGG AND DIVIDE IT INTO AS MANY PARTS
AS ARE PEOPLE AT THE TABLE. EACH PERSON EATS A PART OF THE EGG. THE
HEAD OF THE HOUSEHOLD DECLARES, "CHRIST HAS RISEN" AND THE OTHERS
REPLY, "INDEED CHRIST HAS RISEN".
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT'S FRIEND SMENA RAKOVSKEY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
WAS UKRANIAN ( UKRAINIAN ) AND HIS FAMILY DID THIS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FAMILY UNITY ; FOOD CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter eggs CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 10-25-1971
RELIGIOUS CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
MOTHER WOULD SAY IN SLOVAK WHAT ARE YOU BRINGING? WE WOULD ANSWER
THE NEW BORN JESUS. THEN THE MOTHER WOULD KNOCK THREE TIMES AND THEY
WOULD ANSWER PRAISE BE TO JESUS CHRIST. THEN SHE WOULD BLESS US
WITH HOLY WATER.
Submitter comment:
A SLOVAK FRIEND OF THE INFORMANT TOLD HER THIS CUSTOM WHICH SHE SAYS
IS STILL IN PRACTICE TODAY IN MANY SLOVAK HOMES.
Where learned: OHIO ; CLEVELAND
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 10-00-1976
CUSTOM
UPON ENTERING A HOUSE AT ANY TIME ONE WAS SUPPOSED TO SAY PRAISE BE
TO THE LORD.
Submitter comment: THIS IS A SLOVAK CUSTOM THAT WAS TOLD TO THE INFORMANT BY A FRIEND
Where learned: OHIO ; CLEVELAND
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 10-00-1976
NEW YEARS DAY CUSTOM
THE FIRST CHILD TO WISH YOU A HAPPY NEW YEARS WOULD GET A SPECIAL
TOKEN. MY FATHER WOULD SET HIS ALARM FOR 5 A.M. AND GO VISIT THE
NEIGHBORS. FOR BEING THE FIRST ONE HE WOULD GET 5 OR 10 CENTS.
HE WOULD SOMETIMES MAKE 7 DOLLARS.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SEEMED TO HAVE VERY VIVID RECOLLECTIONS OF HER FATHER
TELLING HER ABOUT HIS EXPLOITS. THIS IS AN OLD GERMAN CUSTOM.
Where learned: OHIO ; CLEVELAND
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 BELIEF -- Number SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 10-00-1976
WE LEARNED A LITTLE SALISH INDIAN. FOR EXAMPLE, "EEK-SPOSH-
EEMEENUM LU-WEL SHEL-WEL SHEKEL ALAZHUKLI" TRANSLATED TO: WE
ADORE THEE, O CHRIST, AND WE BLESS THEE, FOR BY THY HOLY CROSS
THOU HAST REDEEMED THE WORLD. AND "TA" MEANT NO.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT LEARNED THE LANGUAGE TOTALLY BY EAR, UNWRITTEN,
SHE WAS LIVING ON THE FLATEAD RESERVATION IN WESTERN MONTANA.
Where learned: MISSOURI ; SAINT JOSEPH
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Group of Vowels and Consonants, and of Words SPEECH -- Vocabulary of Special Group SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 10-05-1976
PRACTICAL JOKE
WRITE THIS OUT: "POLISH IT IN THE CORNER". HAVE SOMEONE SAY IT
OUT LOUD THREE TIMES, THEN SAY: "SHAME ON POLLY"
Where learned: MISSOURI ; AGENCY
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Wit CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: CA00001967
INDEX OF 7-INCH REEL OF THAI FESTIVALS AND CUSTOMS
FLOATING WATER LILY FESTIVAL, THAI NEW YEAR CELEBRATION (APRIL 13)
BURPING AFTER MEALS IN NORTHERN THAILAND
THAI HARVEST FESTIVAL (ONE-SART)
RAINING SEASON FESTIVAL (BUDDHIST LENT,
ACTUALLY MORE LIKE MARDI GRAS)
EATING HABITS IN THAILAND, CELEBRATION OF BIRTHDAYS, ANNIVERSARIES,
WEDDINGS, AND FUNERALS IN THAILAND
Where learned: THAILAND
Date learned: 00001960S
"ONE FOR THE ROAD"
AMONG DRINKERS, TAKING " ONE FOR THE ROAD" ( OR ONE LAST DRINK) HAS
LONG BEEN PRACTICED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 11-00-1969
DRINKING CUSTOM
ITALIANS BEFORE DRINKING ALWAYS TOAST EACH OTHER BY SAYING "SALUD".
Where learned: NEW YORK ; BROOKLYN ; HEALYS BAR
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 08-00-1967
KNOCK KNOCK JOKE
KNOCK KNOCK
WHO'S THERE?
ACH
ACH WHO?
GESUNDHEIT
Submitter comment:
THIS IS ONE OF MANY KNOCK-KNOCKS
I TRADED WITH MY FRIENDS BACK IN
ST. GABRIEL GRADE SCHOOL IN DETROIT.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Onomatopoeia SPEECH -- Formula RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 11-00-1967