Dr. James T. Callow publications
Browse by
Questions or comments on this site? Please email davidsor@udmercy.edu.
The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for C560 returned 390 results.
CRASHEM-UP BASHEM-UP
WHEN I WAS A CHILD MY FRIENDS AND I WERE FASCINATED WITH
CARS. ESPECIALLY MATCH BOX CARS, AND THE CHEAP PLASTIC
ONES YOU COULD BUY AT WOOLWORTH'S AND GROCERY STORES. ONE
DAY MY FRIENDS AND I GREW BORED WITH JUST ROLLING THE
CARS AROUND AND RACING THEM ON THE GROUND. BOREDOM LED
TO AGITATION AND WE BEGAN TO RUN EACH OTHER'S CARS INTO
EACH OTHER, TRYING TO DESTROY THE OTHER'S CARS.
EVENTUALLY, I DON'T KNOW HOW, BUT WE BEGAN TO ENJOY IT.
THAT WAS THE BIRTH OF CRASHEM-UP BANGEM-UP. I FORGOT
WHICH OF US THOUGHT OF THE NAME. THE OBJECT OF THE GAME,
WAS SORT OF THE SAME AS IN A DEMOLITION DERBY EXCEPT IT
WAS DONE WITH EITHER ALL SMALL MATCH BOX CARS, OR PLASTIC
CARS OUTSIDE ON CONCRETE. YOU FACE EACH OTHER ONE ON ONE
AND ROLL YOUR CARS AT EACH OTHER UNTIL ONE OF YOUR CARS
IS UNABLE TO ROLL, IS JUST BODILY DESTROYED. THE OWNER
OF THE REMAINING CAR WAS THE WINNER. KIDS FROM UP THE
STREET WOULD BRING THEIR CARS TO PLAY. WE ONLY ALLOWED
TEAMS OF 2 ON 2, NEVER MORE BECAUSE YOU COULD GET YOUR
CARS MIXED UP OR IT BECAME TOO COMPLICATED. BIG METAL
TONKA TRUCKS WERE NOT ALLOWED. WE GREW UP AND BEGAN TO
TIRE OF WASTING MONEY ON CARS, JUST TO DESTROY THEM, AND
OUTGREW THE GAME. I DON'T SEE KIDS PLAYING THIS GAME
ANYMORE BUT WHEN I WAS A KID I HONESTLY COULDN'T WAIT TO
GET MY CARS ON THE STREET.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
WHEN YOU ARE PLAYING POKER AND YOU SEE ANOTHER PLAYER TWISTING
HIS RING IT MEANS THAT HE IS BLUFFING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal SPEECH -- Gesture |
WHEN WE GO GOLFING AND ONE OF THE GOLFERS IN OUR GROUP
HITS A SHOT IN THE WATER, HE MUST SHOOT HIS NEXT SHOT
WITH HIS PANTS DOWN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
POLISH STUD POKER
THERE IS A CARD GAME CALLED "POLISH STUD POKER" IN WHICH
TWO TO TWENTY PLAYERS CAN PLAY AT A TIME. EVERY PLAYER IS
DEALT ONE CARD WHICH THEY AREN'T ALLOWED TO LOOK AT. EACH
PERSON THROWS IN AN AMOUNT OF MONEY (WE USUALLY THROW IN A
DOLLAR EACH). THE PLAYERS THEN PLACE THEIR CARDS ON THEIR
FOREHEADS WITH THE FACE SHOWING TO THE REST OF THE PLAYERS.
EACH PLAYER THEN DETERMINES HOW MUCH THEY WANT TO BET ON THE
BASIS OF THE OTHER PLAYERS' CARDS WHICH THEY CAN'T SEE. A
PLAYER WITH THE HIGHEST CARD WINS THE POT. IF TWO PLAYERS
TIE FOR HIGHEST CARD THE WINNER IS DETERMINED BY SUIT IN WHICH
THE ORDER FROM HIGHEST TO LOWEST IS SPADES, HEARTS, DIAMONDS,
CLUBS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
IT IS BELIEVED THAT IT IS UNLUCKY TO STACK YOUR MONEY OR
CHIPS WHEN YOU ARE PLAYING POKER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement BELIEF -- Bad luck |
"THE M & M GAME"
THERE WAS A GAME THAT WE USED TO PLAY AT PARTIES WHILE IN
JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL. WE CALLED IT THE M & M GAME. YOU STARTED
WITH A BAG OF PEANUT M & M'S. EVERYONE SAT IN A CIRCLE AND
THE BAG WAS PASSED AROUND TO EACH PERSON, THAT PERSON SELECTED
ONE PIECE OF CANDY AND SHOWED IT TO THE OTHERS. IF THE CANDY
WAS BROWN THE PERSON HAD TO TELL A SECRET ABOUT THEMSELVES.
IF THE CANDY WAS YELLOW THE PERSON HAD TO TELL A SECRET ABOUT
SOMEBODY ELSE. IF THE CANDY WAS ORANGE OR GREEN THE PERSON
HAD TO KISS A GIRL/BOY WHO WAS ALSO PLAYING. IF IT WAS ORANGE
THE OTHER PLAYERS VOTED ON WHO THE PLAYER WAS TO KISS, IF IT
WAS GREEN THEN THAT PERSON GOT TO CHOOSE THEMSELVES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Split
This is a game involving some skills and some logic.
The game is called split. Two people play this game.
All that is required is a patch of grass and a pocket
knife. The two people stand facing each other about
two feet apart. One person takes the knife and
tries to get it to stick into the ground within
two feet of the opponent's foot. If this is
accomplished then the person must place their foot
where the knife is in the ground. Now it is his turn
to throw the knife. This goes on until one person
can't place their foot where the knife is since they
are as far into the splits as they can go. One rule
of the game is that if the knife does not stick
completely it can be checked by pulling the
blade straight up. If some of the grass's roots
get pulled up with the blade then the opponent must
place their foot there. Otherwise it's their turn.
The logic part comes in as to where to throw the
knife for optimum leg movement.
In this game the term "splits" refers to the gymnastic
move of putting your legs out parallel to the ground.
Sometimes the knife doesn't stick always straight up
or down. This is where checking to see if there are
any grass roots on the blade comes into play.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Eraser Tag
This is a game that is usually played during lunch
time when it is too cold to go outside. One person
is designated as "it" or the chaser, while four
or five other players are selected to play. The "it"
places a chalkboard eraser on top of his/her head
and tries to tag someone without dropping the
eraser off their head. If they tag someone without
dropping the eraser then the person tagged becomes
"it" and the person who was "it" now becomes one
of the people trying not to be tagged. However, if
the eraser falls off "its'" head, that person is
out of the game and a new "it" is selected as well
as four or five new class members.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FRASER
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Racing Chasing Fighting Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 00001976 CA
Running Bases
This is a game that is played with three of four
people. You need a baseball or softball and two
baseball gloves.
Two catchers stand about 25 to 30 feet apart and
throw the ball to each other. While the ball is
being thrown the runner(s) stand by one of the
catchers. The sidewalk crack where the catcher is
standing is called the base. While the ball is in
the air the runners try to reach the opposite base.
There can't be two runners on the same base so they
must plan when the other is going to go. If either
catcher has the ball in his/her possession and
touches one of the runners while they have both feet
off the base that runner has an out. Once a runner
has three outs he/she switches to being the catcher.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 00001979 ca
Light as a Feather
I first learned this game while at a slumber party.
This game is best played in the dark with 2 or more
people.
One person lies in the middle of the floor on his/her
back with their arms at their sides, as if in a
coffin. The remaining people gather around the person
lying on the floor and place their index fingers
under them as if they were going to pick them up.
One of the people gathered around begins to tell a
story in which the person lying down has died. The
person lying down is supposed to concentrate very
hard and imagine their own death and dying. The
object is to get the person to concentrate so hard
that they "leave their body" and the people around
the person should be able to pick them up off
the floor with their index fingers. This should be
able to be done since the person left their body,
making it lighter.
Submitter comment:
My informant said that while she was playing it
didn't work, although someone she knew tried it
and it worked.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 00001979 ca
Four Square
The game is played in the street. Each of four people must
stand in a square. One person hits the ball to any of the
other three people he chooses. The object is to hit the
ball so people will be knocked out of the game. The last
remaining person is the winner.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 01-00-1975
WHILE PLAYING CARDS, DO NOT CUT THE CARDS. IF YOU DO, YOU
WILL CUT YOUR LUCK.
Submitter comment: THIS ONLY WORKS IF YOU ARE PLAYING WITH PEOPLE YOU TRUST.
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 00001970S CA
WHILE PLAYING POOL, IF YOU LICK YOUR INDEX FINGER AND
DRAW AN IMAGINARY X OVER THE POCKET YOUR OPPONENT IS
TRYING TO SHOOT AT, THE BALL WILL NOT GO IN. THIS IS
CALLED A POOL HEX.
Where learned: MISSOURI ; DEXTER
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure BELIEF -- Good luck SPEECH -- Gesture |
COLLEGE STUDENTS HAVE MANY VERSIONS OF "DRINKING GAMES" WHICH
ARE PLAYED AT PARTIES. ONE POPULAR GAME IS CALLED "QUARTERS."
THIS GAME INVOLVES TRYING TO GET A QUARTER INTO A CUP OF
ALCOHOL, USUALLY BEER. THERE ARE MANY VARIATIONS IN
HOW TO GET IT IN THE CUP. TWO POPULAR ONES ARE ROLLING THE
QUARTER OFF A NOSE, AND SKIPPING THE QUARTER ON THE TABLE.
IF THE PERSON MAKES IT INTO THE CUP, THEY CAN DESIGNATE
OTHERS TO DRINK. IF THEY MISS, THEY THEMSELVES HAVE TO
DRINK. ANOTHER POPULAR GAME IS PLAYED WITH DICE AND CALLED
"THREE MAN." A PERSON ROLLS DICE AND SELECTS SOMEONE TO DRINK
HOWEVER MANY TIMES THE NUMBER ON THE DICE WAS ROLLED. IF A
THREE IS ROLLED, THE DESIGNATED "THREE MAN" (USUALLY THE
DRUNKEST PLAYER) HAS TO DRINK THREE TIMES. VARIOUS RULES
MAY APPLY. FOR INSTANCE, IF THE DICE FALL OFF THE PLAYING
SURFACE, A LINE IS SAID, "SLOPPY DICE DRINK TWICE," AND
THE OFFENDING PLAYER HAS TO DRINK TWICE.
Submitter comment:
THESE GAMES ARE VERY POPULAR AMONG COLLEGE STUDENTS, AND
THERE ARE MANY VARIATIONS OF THE RULES, SOMETIMES
MADE UP ON THE SPOT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 00-00-1989
Quarters
This is a drinking game that I first learned during
my high school years. It is usually played with
beer, although any alcoholic beverage may be
substituted. Two or more people are needed in order
to play, with the ideal number of players being four
or five. Players sit in a circle around a table,
such as a kitchen table. A glass of beer is placed
in the center of the table. One player is randomly
selected to begin. The object of the game is to
bounce a quarter against the table and get it to land
in the glass of beer. If the player accomplishes
this task he then selects one of the other players
around the table who must drink the entire glass of
beer in one gulp, being careful of course not to
swallow the quarter. The glass is then refilled and
the same player again attempts to bounce the quarter
into the glass of beer. The game continues in this
fashion until this player does not get the quarter
into the glass. Once this occurs, this player has
two choices: He can end his turn by giving the
quarter to the player on his left; or he can
"Chance-it". This term means that this player is
given a second chance to bounce the quarter into the
glass. If unsuccessful, however, he himself must drink
the entire glass of beer in one gulp. His turn is
now over, and the player on his left tries his luck.
If this first player is able to bounce the quarter
into the glass on his second try, he again selects
a player to drink the glass of beer, and play
continues as before, with player one again trying to
bounce the quarter into the glass of beer. One
additional rule, that I forgot to mention, is if a
player bounces the quarter and it hits the top rim of
the glass (a "Rimmer"), but does not go in the glass,
the player gets another free chance to bounce it in.
Even though there is no true winner to this game, the
losers are the players who drink so much that they
throw up. The game ends either when players choose
to end it, or when there is only one conscious player
remaining.
Submitter comment:
This game provided us with hours of entertainment on
several occasions.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): Chug-a-lug
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 00-00-1984
8-BALL DRINKING GAME
IN THIS DRINKING GAME, FILL UP A GLASS TO A CERTAIN
POINT WITH BEER. THEN THE PERSON WITH THE GLASS
"HIGH FIVES" EVERYONE SITTING AT THE TABLE IN ORDER
WITHOUT MISSING A SINGLE PERSON. AFTER HE/SHE COMPLETES
THE PROCEDURE, THEY GUZZLE THE BEER. THE GLASS IS PASSED
TO THE PERSON ON THEIR LEFT. THE PROCEDURE IS REPEATED WITH
THE NEXT PERSON.
THE GAME CAN GO ON FOR AS MANY ROUNDS AS YOU MAKE IT.(ONE
ROUND EQUALS THE COMPLETION AROUND THE TABLE BACK TO THE
PERSON WHO STARTED THE GAME.) THE PENALTIES OF THE GAME ARE
PROMPTED BY MISSING A PERSON OR MISSING A TURN. THIS PERSON
WILL HAVE TO DRINK A BEER. IF THE OBJECT PERSON (WHO IS TO
DRINK THE BEER) DOESN'T WANT TO MISS A PERSON, HE CAN "HIGH
FIVE" THE PERSON NEXT TO THE MISSING PERSON TWO TIMES.
Submitter comment:
THE NAME CAME ABOUT FROM THE GLASS FIRST USED. THE GLASS
WAS ROUND AND HAD AN 8-BALL PAINTED ON IT. THE GAME STARTED
AS MY FRIENDS AND I, BORED OF THE SAME OLD DRINKING
GAMES, WANTED A CHANGE.
8-BALLED CAN BE VARIED BY MAKING NEW RULES AFTER EACH
ROUND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
James Callow Keyword(s): EIGHT BALL
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 00-00-1985
Dodge ball
In gym class there was a game I used to hate to play
called dodge ball. The teacher would divide the class
into two teams. The object of the game was to see
which team would last the longest. The game is very
easy to play. All the teams had to do was hit the
other team with the ball. Each team had to stay on
their own side of the gym and could not cross the half
way point. One team would throw the ball at someone
on the other team. If the person who the ball was
thrown at caught the ball, then the one who threw
it was out of the game. But, if the person got hit
with the ball and did not catch it, then they were
the one who was out of the game.
Submitter comment: This is definitely a game where only the strong survive.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Clipsie Clapsie
This is a game which is accompanied by a chant.
A ball is thrown up before each verse, and the prescribed
action is performed before catching it. The game was
played with only one ball, so the girls had to take turns.
It was especially difficult because the player had to chant,
clap, and do something all at the same time.
Clipsie, Clapsie
Twirl around Tabactsie
Touch your heel,
Touch your toe,
Touch the ground,
And under you go!
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 00001950CA
Porch Baseball
This is a game my mother used to play.
A tennis ball, or a rubber ball, was thrown against
the wooden steps leading up to the house (the steps
were of a type more common at that time.) If the
ball hit the edge of a step and was caught without a
bounce, a hundred points were scored. If it bounced,
fifty points. If it hit the flat part of the step and
was caught without a bounce, ten points, or if it
bounced from the flat part, five points. The first player
to accumulate seven hundred points won the game.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 00001945CA
DODGE BALL
THE GAME IS CALLED DODGE BALL AND ANY NUMBER CAN PLAY. YOU
NEED A KICKBALL AND A GROUP OF KIDS. THE OBJECT OF THE
GAME IS NOT TO GET OUT. TO PLAY THE GAME A GROUP OF KIDS
SPLIT UP INTO TEAMS AND THE TEAM MEMBER WITH THE BALL
THROWS IT AT A PLAYER ON THE OTHER TEAM. IF THE PLAYER THAT
THE BALL IS THROWN AT IS HIT, THAT PLAYER IS OUT IF THE
PLAYER THAT IS THROWN AT CATCHES THE BALL, THE PLAYER ON
THE OPPOSING TEAM THAT THREW THE BALL IS OUT. AND THIS
GOES ON UNTIL ONLY ONE PLAYER FROM ONE OF THE TEAMS IS
LEFT AND THAT PLAYER'S TEAM IS THE WINNER.
Submitter comment:
THIS GAME HAS MANY DIFFERENT TITLES AND VERSIONS BUT THE
GENERAL WAY THE GAME IS PLAYED SEEMS TO BE THE SAME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Lansing
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 00001980S