Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for F536 returned 346 results.
TELEPHONE CATCHES
I ONCE HEARD OF A COUPLE OF KIDS WHO WOULD CALL THEIR
LOCAL GROCERY STORE AND CARRY ON THE FOLLOWING
CONVERSATION:
THEY WOULD FIRST SAY, "I'D LIKE TO REGISTER A COMPLAINT
ON ONE OF YOUR PRODUCTS I BOUGHT THE OTHER DAY."
WHEN THE STORE MANAGER OR WHOEVER ANSWERED THE PHONE
ASKED WHICH PRODUCT THEY WERE COMPLAINING ABOUT, THEY
WOULD ANSWER, "YOUR CHICKEN ASSEMBLY KIT," AND HANG
UP THE PHONE LAUGHING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 03-27-1971
DANCES IN 1910
IN THOSE DAYS SOME OF THE FARMERS' DAUGHTERS DIDN'T
WEAR SHOES. YOU COULD REACH DOWN AND THEY WOULD
PUT A FOOT IN YOUR HAND AND UP BACK OF THE SADDLE.
BAD FEATURE WAS AFTER SOME OF THE SQUARE DANCES,
YOU HAD TO HAVE A JACK KNIFE TO PICK OUT THE
SPLINTERS.
Where learned: MIDDLE STATE ILLINOIS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 02-01-1971
MIXER DANCES
WHEN THE AUTHORITIES AT MY BOARDING SCHOOL WANTED TO
START A LITTLE INTERACTION AT MIXERS WITH A BOYS'
SCHOOL, THEY WOULD OFTEN START A TIE DANCE, WHERE
THE BOYS ALL TAKE OFF THEIR TIES. THE TIES ARE POOLED
AND THE GIRLS PICK ONE TIE, AND THE BOY HAS TO DANCE
WITH THE GIRL WHO PICKED HIS TIE.
Submitter comment: OCCASIONALLY, THE GIRL KEPT THE TIE FOR A KEEPSAKE.
Where learned: WISCONSIN ; SUN PRAIRIE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
MIXER DANCES
WHEN THE AUTHORITIES AT MY BOARDING SCHOOL WANTED TO
START A LITTLE INTERACTION AT MIXERS WITH A BOYS'
SCHOOL, THEY WOULD OFTEN ORGANIZE A SHOE DANCE,
WHERE ALL THE GIRLS TAKE OFF ONLY ONE SHOE. THE
SHOES ARE POOLED, THE BOYS PICK ONE SHOE, AND HE
TRIES TO MATCH IT WITH THE SHOE THAT IS STILL ON THE
GIRL'S FOOT. HE DANCES WITH THIS GIRL THEN.
Submitter comment:
USUALLY, MOST OF THE GUYS GIVE UP, TOSS THE SHOE
BACK IN THE PILE, FIND A GIRL MISSING A SHOE AND
LOOK FOR HERS SO THAT HE CAN DANCE WITH HER.
Where learned: WISCONSIN ; SUN PRAIRIE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
Entry filtered.
ENTERTAINMENT PRACTICES
AT PARTIES IN THE "OLDEN" DAYS, PEOPLE ALWAYS
PLAYED THE PIANO, SANG AND DANCED. THEY HAD NO
RECORD PLAYERS, SO THEY PROVIDED THEIR OWN
ENTERTAINMENT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 03-31-1971
FRENCH PRACTICAL JOKE
WHEN YOU MAKE UP THE BED SHEET, YOU COVER YOURSELVE
WITH (IT) TUCK IT AT THE HEAD OF THE BED. FOLD IT
HALF OVER AND BRING IT UP AGAIN, SO THAT IT'S LOOSE
AND THEN YOU PUT THE COVERS ON SO THAT IT LOOKS
ALL MADE UP. WHEN A PERSON ATTEMPTS TO GET INTO
BED, HIS FEET WILL NOT BE ABLE TO GET THROUGH.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM ONE OF HER GIRLFRIENDS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIBRARY ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 03-01-1971
IT IS A CUSTOM OF THE AMISH TO HAVE BARN GET-TOGETHERS
TWICE A YEAR; ONE AT HARVEST TIME AND ONE AT PLANTING
TIME. THEY SING SONGS AND PLAY GAMES, BUT THERE IS NO
DANCING PERMITTED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; BOOK BUILDING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
IN THE SUMMER IN MOST FARM AREAS IN INDIANA, IT WAS A
GAME FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO SEARCH FOR A FARMER'S
HIDDEN MELON PATCH. ONCE IT IS FOUND, THE KIDS WOULD
THROW THE MELONS INTO THE ROAD.
Submitter comment:
MY MOTHER TOLD ME THAT AS A CHILD SHE DID THIS OFTEN
WITH THE REST OF HER FRIENDS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 10-10-1971
BOXING THE COMPASS
THE CHIEF QUARTERMASTER TELLS THE NEW SEAMAN "TO BOX
IN THE COMPASS." THE SEAMAN RUNS AROUND TRYING TO
FIND A BOX TO PUT AROUND THE COMPASS. "BOXING"
THE COMPASS MEANS ADJUSTING IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAZEL PARK
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
STAGE FRIGHT
TO ALLEVIATE HER STAGE FRIGHT, HELEN HAYES WOULD LOOK
OUT AT THE AUDIENCE FROM BEHIND THE CURTAIN AND
CALL THE AUDIENCE ALL SORTS OF CRUEL AND VULGAR NAMES.
Data entry tech comment: UNDER HER BREATH, WE ASSUME.
Where learned: DRAMA ; ENGLISH TEACHER
James Callow Keyword(s): ACTRESS=HELEN HAYES
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
STAGE FRIGHT
SARAH BERKARDT (BERNHARDT) MANAGED TO GET OVER HER STAGE
FRIGHT BY PEEKING THROUGH A TINY HOLE IN THE CURTAIN
SHORTLY BEFORE THE PLAY WAS TO BEGIN AND IMAGINE, SO
STRONGLY THAT SHE COULD REALLY PICTURE, EVERYONE IN
THE AUDIENCE WAS NAKED. SHE, HOWEVER, WOULD BE IN
COSTUME. IT WORKED EVERY TIME.
Where learned: DRAMA ; ENGLISH TEACHER
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
COLLEGE FAD
STUDENT CLIMBING INSIDE A CLOTHES DRYER AND REVOLVING
AS LONG AS POSSIBLE.
ONE DIMES' WORTH, ABOUT 20 MINUTES.
Submitter comment: HAPPENED AT MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY IN 1965.
Data entry tech comment: GOOD WAY TO SUFFOCATE!
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 00-00-1971
SNAKE HILL
INFORMANT TOLD ME OF A CERTAIN HILL NEAR HER HOME IN
KENTUCKY WHERE MANY VARIETIES OF SNAKES WOULD NEST DURING
THE WINTER. IN THE SPRINGTIME, ALL THE NEIGHBORHOOD
RESIDENTS WOULD GET TOGETHER AND MAKE A "POTION,"
WHICH THEY WOULD SPRAY BY THE HILL IN ORDER TO GET THE
SNAKES OUT INTO THE OPEN. FARMERS WOULD COME FROM
MILES AROUND TO SHOOT THE SNAKES, AND THE PEOPLE
WOULD SET UP WOODEN SAWHORSES WITH BOARDS ON TOP AS PICNIC
TABLES, BECAUSE MANY FAMILIES WOULD PACK A LUNCH AND COME
GREAT DISTANCES TO WATCH THE FESTIVITIES. THE MEN WOULD
HAVE CONTESTS TO SEE WHO KILLED THE MOST SNAKES, THE
LARGEST AND MOST POISONOUS ONES. THEY WOULD KILL AS MANY
AS 30 OR 40 SNAKES A DAY AND THEN THEY WOULD BURY THEM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
A HONEY MOON MISHAP
INFORMANT TOLD ME OF HOW HIS BROTHER AND A FEW FRIENDS
PLAYED A JOKE ON A NEWLYWED COUPLE WHO WERE ON THEIR
HONEYMOON. THIS COUPLE LIVED IN A HOUSE TRAILER, SO
WHILE THEY WERE ENJOYING THEIR VACATION, THESE MEN BROKE
INTO THE TRAILER AND RIGGED IT WITH ALL KINDS OF
INTRIGUING DEVICES. FOR INSTANCE, THEY TURNED ALL THE
FURNITURE UPSIDE DOWN AND NAILED IT TO THE FLOOR, THEN
THEY TOOK THE BED APART, AND REASSEMBLED IT SO THAT THE
SPRINGS WERE ON TOP OF THE MATRESS, INSTEAD OF THE
MATTRESS BEING ON TOP OF THE SPRINGS. THEN THEY
SPRINKLED CRACKER CRUMBS UNDER THE COVERS, AND TURNED OFF
THE HEAT. WHEN THE HAPPY COUPLE CAME BACK, THE MEN
WAITED UNTIL NIGHT HAD FALLEN AND, WHEN BOTH MAN AND
WIFE WERE ASLEEP, SHOVED A WEATHER BALLOON INTO THE
KITCHEN, AND RIPPED THE CORD. NEEDLESS TO SAY, THE
COUPLE STILL ISN'T SPEAKING TO ANY OF THE MEN WHO
WERE INVOLVED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
THERE WAS THE BRAVE MAN OF MY GRANDFATHER'S VILLAGE
WHO CLAIMED HE WASN'T AFRAID OF ANYTHING. SO MY
GRANDFATHER, HIS FRIEND, AND THE BRAVE MAN WENT OUT ONE
NIGHT TO THE HAUNTED HOUSE OUTSIDE THE VILLAGE. MY
GRANDFATHER AND HIS FRIEND HAD PAINTED THE BLACK
FIGURE OF A MAN ON THE DOOR, WHEN THE BRAVE MAN
APPROACHED THE HOUSE, MY GRANDFATHER AND HIS FRIEND
HID AND THE BRAVE MAN WENT TO THE HOUSE ALONE.
HE SAW THE FIGURE REFLECTED BY THE MOONLIGHT AND
SCREAMED AND RAN OFF.
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
AT CORNELL UNIVERSITY, THERE IS A DRINKING CLUB
CALLED THE MUMMIES. EVERY SATURDAY BEFORE THE
CORNELL FOOTBALL GAMES, THEY HAVE A COCKTAIL
HOUR IN A CEMETERY.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; ITHACA
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 10-00-1971
CAMP CUSTOM
AT GIRL SCOUT CAMP, THE OLDEST GROUP OF GIRLS DRESS UP
AS "FAIRIES." THEY WAKE UP THE YOUNGEST GROUP ABOUT
MIDNIGHT AND TAKE THEM TO A SPECIAL PLACE IN THE WOODS.
THERE, THEY ARE GIVEN 'FAIRY JUICE' TO DRINK, AND THEN
LED BACK TO BED. THE NEXT DAY, THAT IS THE BIG JOKE
AT THE CAMP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 10-23-1970
THURSDAY NIGHT AT THE TWENTIES
AN OLD UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT CUSTOM AMONG THE TWENTY-ONE
YEAR OLD SET IS THAT EVERYONE, FOR SOME REASON, MEETS
AT A BAR ACROSS THE STREET FROM CAMPUS EACH AND EVERY
THURSDAY NIGHT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
PARADES ON OUR BLOCK
I CAN REMEMBER THE TIMES ON MY BLOCK WHEN ALL US KIDS
WOULD GET TOGETHER AND PLAN A PARADE. WE WOULD USUALLY
HAVE THEM IN THE SUMMER WHEN WE DIDN'T GO TO SCHOOL.
THE GIRLS WOULD DRESS UP IN COSTUMES (PRINCESS ,
MOTHER, COWGIRL) AND THE BOYS USED TO MAKE FLOATS ON
THEIR WAGONS. WHEN EVERYTHING WAS ASSEMBLED, WE WOULD
MARCH AROUND THE BLOCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |