Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for B478 returned 313 results.
LEGEND
AT MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY THERE IS AN ANNUAL CELEBRATION IN
HONOR OF THE ORANGE HORSE. EVERY YEAR DURING FALL TERM, STUDENTS
HAVE A SLEEP-IN AT BESSY HALL IN HONOR OF THEIR COMPATRIOTS WHO
STAGED A SLEEP-IN IN PROTEST OF THE ENGLISH DEPARTMENT FIRING
THREE OUTSPOKEN TEACHERS. THIS PROTEST WAS NICK-NAMED THE ORANGE
HORSE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY ; Lansing
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School |
Date learned: 11-05-1967
PIANO MOUNTAIN, SHRUB OAK, NEW YORK
THE STORY BEHIND THE NAMING OF PIANO MOUNTAIN GOES SOMETHING LIKE
THIS: ONCE THERE WAS A MAN WHO OWNED A MOUNTAIN AND BESIDES
OWNING THIS MOUNTAIN, HE ALSO HAD A DAUGHTER WHO WANTED TO OWN
A PIANO. SINCE THE MAN HAD NO PIANO, HE HAD TO FIND SOMEONE WHO
DID. THE ONLY PERSON THAT HAD A PIANO WAS A FARMER. SO FOR THE
PIANO, THE MAN TRADED THE MOUNTAIN, AND SO TODAY IT IS KNOWN AS
PIANO MOUNTAIN.
Submitter comment: PATRICK LEARNED THIS WHILE LIVING AT SHRUB OAK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 10-12-1967
YPSILANTI, MICHIGAN
YPSILANTI IS SUPPOSED TO BE NAMED AFTER A GENERAL WHO FOUGHT IN
THE WAR BETWEEN THE GREEKS AND TURKS.
Submitter comment: MIKE LEARNED THIS IN HIGH SCHOOL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 10-07-1967
NEW HAMPSHIRE'S WHITE MOUNTAINS
NEW HAMPSHIRE'S WHITE MOUNTAINS GOT THE NAME OF WHITE MOUNTAINS
BECAUSE OF THE CRYSTALS FOUND NEAR THE MOUNTAINS AND THE
BRILLIANCE OF THE CRYSTALS GAVE THE IMPRESSION OF WHITENESS.
Submitter comment:
I PICKED THIS UP IN A BARBER SHOP NEAR THE WHITE MOUNTAINS ONE
SUMMER.
Where learned: NEW HAMPSHIRE ; MILFORD
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 11-08-1967
NEW PROVIDENCE, NEW JERSEY
NEW PROVIDENCE WAS ORIGINALLY KNOWN AS TURKEY TOWN IN THE 17TH
CENTURY. IN THE 18TH CENTURY, A BALCONY IN THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH
FELL DOWN DURING A SUNDAY SERVICE, BUT NO ONE WAS HURT. SINCE THE
PEOPLE IN THE CHURCH FELT THAT THIS WAS AN ACT OF PROVIDENCE,
THEY NAMED THE TOWN, NEW PROVIDENCE.
Submitter comment:
LEE LEARNED THIS WHILE LIVING IN NEW PROVIDENCE DURING HIS JUNIOR
HIGH YEARS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church |
Date learned: 09-25-1967
SAUHEGAN RIVER, MILFORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE
THIS RIVER THAT RUNS THROUGH MILFORD HAS A LEGEND THAT GOES LIKE
THIS: AN INDIAN WHO WAS HUNTING FOR HIS PIGS BY A RIVER SLIPPED
AND SCARED THEM AWAY. FROM THIS ACTION HE EXCLAIMED, "SCAW-HE-
GONE." (NOW KNOWN AS SOUHEGAN.)
Submitter comment: I LEARNED THIS FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD KIDS WITH WHOM I GREW UP.
Where learned: NEW HAMPSHIRE ; MILFORD
Keyword(s): SOW?
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 09-17-1967
PICKLE ROAD
THE NAME PICKLE ROAD IN OREGON, OHIO IS DERIVED FROM A STRANGE
INCIDENT: A GUY COMING DOWN A ROAD WITH A LOAD OF PICKLES RAN
INTO A CARRIAGE AND THE PICKLES WERE STREWN ALL OVER THE ROAD,
THUS, PICKLE ROAD.
Submitter comment: BRIAN LEARNED THIS FROM A FRIEND OF HIS IN HIGH SCHOOL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation |
Date learned: 10-12-1967
SURPRISE LAKE, NEW JERSEY
THIS LAKE GOT ITS NAME IN A STRANGE WAY. SETTLERS IN THE NEXT
TOWN, WHO HAD CAREFULLY PLOTTED THE AREA, STUMBLED ONTO THIS LAKE
WHICH HAD NOT FIGURED INTO THEIR EARLIER PLOTTING--SO THEY CALLED
IT SURPRISE LAKE.
Submitter comment: LEROY PICKED UP THIS INFORMATION WHILE LIVING NEAR THE LAKE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 09-25-1967
PURGATORY FALLS, MILFORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE
AN AREA NEAR NORTH RIVER ROAD IN THE OLD QUARRY DISTRICT OF
MILFORD HAS A SET OF FOOTPRINTS AT THE BOTTOM OF A SMALL WATER-
FALL. THESE FOOTPRINTS ARE SUPPOSED TO BELONG TO THE DEVIL AND
ALL THE CHILDREN CALL THIS AREA PURGATORY FALLS.
Submitter comment: I LEARNED THIS WHILE IN HIGH SCHOOL.
Where learned: NEW HAMPSHIRE ; MILFORD
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name BELIEF -- Body part Senses Feet, toes, toenails |
Date learned: 11-04-1967
WHALING LEGEND
NEW ENGLAND WHALERS POPULARIZED THE TERM, "NANTUCKET SLEIGH RIDE."
THIS PERTAINS TO A WHALE WHICH, ONCE SPEARED, WILL TAKE OFF AND
LEAD THE WHALE BOAT FOR A "NANTUCKET SLEIGH RIDE."
Submitter comment: LEARNED THIS IN SCHOOL AND FROM THE MOVIE "MOBY DICK."
Where learned: NEW HAMPSHIRE ; MILFORD
Date learned: 11-12-1967
ANN ARBOR
ANN ARBOR IS SUPPOSED TO HAVE RECEIVED ITS NAME IN THE FOLLOWING
MANNER: THE ORIGINAL SETTLEERS IN ANN ARBOR SETTLED NEAR BLAIN'S
PARK. THERE WAS A WOMAN NAMED ANN WHO WAS AN EASTERNER AND WHO
WANTED GRAPES, SO SHE STARTED AN ORCHID (ORCHARD?) CALLED ANN'S
ARBOR.
Submitter comment: MIKE LEARNED THIS WHEN HE WAS IN GRADE SCHOOL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name BELIEF -- Plant husbandry Farming |
Date learned: 10-07-1967
ANN ARBOR
ANN ARBOR IS SUPPOSED TO HAVE RECEIVED ITS NAME IN THE FOLLOWING
MANNER: FRENCH SETTLERS IN LOW TOWN NEAR THE RIVER TERRACED THEIR
SLOPES, THUS CALLED THEM ANN OF ARBOR.
Submitter comment: MKE LEARNED THIS IN GRADE SCHOOL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name BELIEF -- Plant husbandry Farming |
Date learned: 10-07-1967
SHRUB OAK, NEW YORK
SHRUB OAK RECEIVED ITS ODD NAME BECAUSE OF THE FLORA THAT IS
PREVALENT IN THIS AREA. WHEN THE FIRST SETTLERS ARRIVED THERE,
THEY FOUND THE TALL OAK TREES IN THE FOREST COVERED WITH SHRUBS
AT THEIR BASES--SO SHRUB OAK WAS THE NAME GIVEN TO THE TOWN.
Submitter comment: PATRICK LEARNED THIS WHILE LIVING IN SHRUB OAK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 10-12-1967
SPRINGFIELD, NEW JERSEY
THE BRITISH WERE COMING DOWN THE STREET AND THE SOLDIERS THAT
WERE DEFENDING THE SPRINGFIELD CHURCH HAD RUN OUT OF PACKING
FOR THEIR RIFLES, SO THE MINISTER WHO HAD BEEN READING OUT OF
THE WATTS HYMNAL AT THE TIME GATHERED UP ALL THE HYMNALS AND
GAVE THEM TO THE SOLDIERS. IN THE PROCESS OF DISTRIBUTING THE
HYMNALS, HE EXCLAIMED, "GIVE THEM WATTS" AND THE SOLDIERS
USED THE HYMNALS FOR PACKING.
Submitter comment: LEROY LEARNED THIS WHEN HE WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535 |
Date learned: 04-25-1967
HEARTBREAK HILL
THE NAME OF HEARTBREAK HILL PERTAINS TO AN EMINENCE IN THE MIDDLE
OF A TOWN IN WHICH THERE WAS A LARGE INDIAN SETTLEMENT, BEFORE THE
WHITE MEN SETTLED THERE AND DROVE THE INHABITANTS OUT. BEFORE THE
ENGLISH COLONY HAD BEEN FIRMLY PLANTED, A SAILOR STRAYING ASHORE
CAME UPON THE SIMPLE NATIVES AND FINDING THEIR WAYS FULL OF NOVEL-
TY, HE LIVED WITH THEM FOR A TIME. WHEN HE FOUND A WAY TO RETURN
TO ENGLAND, HE TOOK WITH HIM THE LOVE OF A MAIDEN OF THE TRIBE,
BUT THE GIRL HERSELF HE LEFT BEHIND, COMFORTING HER ON HIS DEPART-
URE WITH AN ASSURANCE THAT BEFORE MANY MOONS HE WOULD RETURN.
MONTHS WENT BY AND EXTENDED INTO YEARS, AND EVERY DAY THE GIRL
CLIMBED HEARTBREAK HILL AND LOOK(ED) SEAWARD TO LOOK FOR SOME
TOKEN OF HER LOVER. AT LAST A SHIP WAS SEEN TRYING TO COME INTO
THE HARBOR, WITH A FURIOUS GALE RUNNING HER CLOSE TO SHORE, WHERE
BREAKERS WERE LASHING THE ROCKS AND SAND. THE GIRL STAYED WHERE
SHE WAS UNTIL THE VESSEL WAS HURLED AGAINST THE SHORE AND SMASHED
INTO A THOUSAND PIECES. AS ITS TIMBERS WENT TOSSING AWAY, A
WHITE, DESPAIRING FACE WAS LIFTED TO HERS FOR AN INSTANT, THEN IT
SANK AND WAS SEEN NEVERMORE--HER LOVER'S FACE. IT IS SAID THAT
SHE LIES BURIED INSIDE THE LEDGE THAT WAS HER WATCH-TOWER.
Submitter comment:
MRS. ORESTE HEARD THIS STORY FROM HER HUSBAND MANY YEARS AGO.
SHE CLAIMED THAT AT THE TIME HE TOLD IT TO HER, THERE WERE TWO
VERSIONS INVOLVED, BUT THAT THIS WAS THE ONLY ONE THAT SHE COULD
REMEMBER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GRAND HAVEN
Date learned: 09-00-1963
LOCAL LEGEND: THE THREE BEARS (THE MOTHER AND HER TWO CUBS)
AN ENORMOUS FOREST FIRE BROKE OUT ON THE WISCONSIN SIDE OF LAKE
MICHIGAN. A MOTHER BEAR AND HER TWO CUBS WERE FORCED TO SWIM
TOWARD THE MICHIGAN SIDE TO ESCAPE THE FLAMES. SHORTLY BEFORE
THE TWIN CUBS REACHED THE MICHIGAN COAST NEAR LELAND, THEY GREW
EXHAUSTED AND DROWNED. THE MOTHER BEAR, A STRONGER SWIMMER,
REACHED LAND FIRST AND, UNAWARE OF HER CUBS' FATE, FELL INTO A
DEEP SLUMBER TO AWAIT THEIR ARRIVAL. THE CUBS NEVER ARRIVED,
BUT CAN BE SEEN FROM THE SHORELINE AS NORTH AND SOUTH MANITOU
ISLANDS. THE BEAR STILL SLEEPS; THE ENORMOUS SANDY BLUFFS TO
THIS DAY ARE KNOWN AS SLEEPING BEAR DUNES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TRAVERSE CITY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Air Weather Fire PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
NAME
"SOURDOUGH" WAS THE NAME GIVEN TO THE PROSPECTORS WHO MINED FOR
GOLD IN ALASKA. THESE MEN SAVED A PIECE OF BREAD DOUGH EACH TIME
THEY BAKED, AND CARRIED IT WITH THEM IN ORDER TO HAVE LEAVENING
OR A "STARTER" FOR THE NEXT BAKING.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Metal Stone Bone Gold Silver Copper Food Drink -- Plant food Cereal |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
NAME
THE PEOPLE OF INDIANA ARE SAID TO HAVE GOTTEN THEIR NAME
"HOOSIERS" BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT PASS A HOUSE WITHOUT PULLING THE
LATCHSTRING AND CRYING OUT, "WHO'S HERE?"
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
THE GIANT'S CAUSEWAY
THERE WAS AN IRISHMAN NAMED FINN MC COUL--HE WAS A GIANT OF A
MAN--WHO USED TO SHOUT ACROSS THE IRISH SEA TO A SCOTSMAN, DARING
HIM TO FIGHT. ONE DAY HE TOLD THE SCOTSMAN TO COME ACROSS AND
HE'D REALLY GIVE HIM A GOOD FIGHT. THE SCOTSMAN SAID HE WOULD,
BUT HE COULDN'T SWIM. SO FINN MADE A STONE CAUSEWAY ACROSS THE
IRISH SEA AND THE SCOTSMAN CAME OVER. FINN BEAT HIM, OF COURSE.
Submitter comment:
THIS CAUSEWAY REALLY EXISTS. THERE IS A PATH OF HUGE STONES
JUTTING OUT INTO THE IRISH SEA, BUT NOT COMPLETELY CROSSING IT
AND IT IS CALLED "GIANT'S CAUSEWAY."
MRS. MC CLOSKEY HEARD THIS STORY IN BELFAST, IRELAND ABOUT 1915.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; IRELAND ; BELFAST
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Abnormal in size PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formation PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 00001915 CA ; 01-13-1964
LEGEND: THE WHITE EAGLE
AN OLD LEGEND TELLS THAT 3 PRINCELY BROTHERS LIVED SOMEWHERE IN
THE WIDE STRETCHES OF COUNTRY BETWEEN THE BALTIC AND THE BLACK
SEA. THEIR NAMES WERE LECH, CZECH, AND RUTH.
THE FIRST TOOK THE NORTHERN LANDS AND BECAME KING OF THE LECHITES
OR POLES. THE SECOND REIGNED IN THE SOUTH, AND FOUNDED BOHEMIA,
THE CZECH KINGDOM; AND THE THIRD, RUTH, WENT TO THE EAST AND
REIGNED OVER THE RUTHENIANS.
PRINCE LECH WHILE HUNTING FOUND A NEST OF WHITE EAGLES WITH MALE
AND FEMALE TYPES. SUCH BIRDS WERE ABSOLUTELY UNKNOWN IN THOSE
PARTS. THIS WAS LOOKED UPON AS A PROPHETIC SIGN BY THE PRINCE.
HE DECIDED TO FOUND HIS CAPITOL THERE, CALLING IT GNIEGN, WHICH
MEANS "NEST TOWN," SAYING "HERE SHALL BE OUR NEST."
HE CHOSE AS HIS EMBLEM THE WHITE EAGLE, WHICH APPEARS WEARING
A CROWN ON ITS HEAD IN THE COAT OF ARMS OF POLAND. IN FACT,
POLAND IS OFTEN CALLED THE LAND OF THE WHITE EAGLE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Bird PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 10-02-1968