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 C520 returned 79 results.
HUMAN MUSICAL CHAIRS
ANY NUMBER OF CHAIRS ARE SET UP IN A LINE. THE PLAYERS ARE ASKED A
SERIES OF QUESTIONS, FOR EACH QUESTION THE PLAYER CAN ANSWER YES TO
HE MAY MOVE TO THE NEXT CHAIR. IF HE CAN NOT ANSWER YES HE MUST
REMAIN WHERE HE IS. IF ANOTHER PLAYER CAN ANSWER YES AND YOU
CAN NOT BUT HE WILL BE SITTING ON THE SAME CHAIR, THEN HE SITS ON
YOUR LAP. ANY NUMBER OF PEOPLE CAN BE ON ONE CHAIR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Bodily Activity Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Wit |
Date learned: CA00001975
EASTER MONDAY IN LIBERIA
EASTER MONDAY IS CELEBRATED AS A HOLIDAY IN MONROVIA. SCHOOLS
ARE CLOSED AND MANY GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE BUILDINGS ARE ALSO CLOSED
EASTER MONDAY USUALLY FALLS ON THE SAME MONDAY AS THAT OF THE
UNITED STATES AND OTHER CHRISTIAN NATIONS AROUND
THE WORLD. THE ONLY BIG DIFFERENCE IS THE TIME. THERE IS A FIVE
HOUR TIME DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NEW YORK AND MONROVIA. THEREFORE,
WHEN EASTER CELEBRATION IS BEING HELD IN MONROVIA, PEOPLE ARE
ASLEEP HERE. AFTER FIVE HOURS OF CELEBRATIONS IN MONROVIA
PEOPLE ARE GETTING OUT OF BED HERE IN THE UNITED STATES. THE
CHRISTIANS IN MONROVIA CELEBRATE EASTER MONDAY BECAUSE THEY
BELIEVE THAT IT WAS AFTER THE SUNDAY THAT JESUS CHRIST THE LORD
ROSE FROM THE DEAD. THE SCHOOLS ARE THE MOST ATTRACTIVE PLACE
OF CELEBRATION. ON EASTER MONDAY, STUDENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO WITNESS
A GAME BETWEEN RIVAL SCHOOLMATES. THE RIVAL SCHOOLMATES CONSISTS
OF MALES AND FEMALES. THE GAME TO BE WITNESSED IS CALLED THE
TUG-OF-WAR. THERE ARE THREE PLAYERS ON THE FEMALE TEAM AND
THE NUMBER IS UNEVEN BECAUSE MEN ARE SUPPOSED TO BE PHYSICALLY
STRONGER THAN WOMEN. THIS DOES NOT ALWAYS HOLD TRUE FOR THE MEN AS
THE WOMEN USUALLY WIN THE GAME. THE WOMEN USUALLY GO THROUGH
DIFFERENT FORMS OF EXERCISES SUCH AS KARATE, WRESTLING, JOGGING
AND MUSCLE PULLING FOR ABOUT SIX MONTHS DAILY PRIOR TO THE GAME.
THESE EXERCISES AID THE FEMALES IN THEIR STRUGGLE TO PROVE TO
THE MEN THAT IT MAY OR MAY NOT BE TRUE THAT MEN ARE SUPERIOR
TO THE WOMEN; WHAT IS DEFINITELY CERTAIN IS THAT TRADITIONALLY,
IN THE SIGHT OF GOD ALL IS EQUAL. THIS IS TRUE BECAUSE THE FEMALES
USUALLY WORK HARD TO PROVE THIS POINT. THE FEMALE CONTESTANTS
ARE VERY LARGE WOMEN ALSO. ABOUT SIX FEET TALL. A WOMAN OF PETITE
BUILD WILL NOT BE ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE. THE SIZE AND HEIGHT
ARE PRESENTED TO THE SPECTATORS TO SHOW THAT WOMEN SHOULD
NOT BE TAKEN FOR GRANTED. WHENEVER THE MALES LOSE THE GAME IT
IS AND CAUSES LOT OF HUMILIATIONS FOR THEM UNTIL THE FOLLOWING
YEAR. ON THE FOLLOWING YEAR, ABOUT TWO DAYS BEFORE GOOD FRIDAY,
A REMATCH IS SCHEDULED. AT THIS TIME INSTEAD OF THE GAME
THEY THEN GET INVOLVED INTO A SPELLING CONTEST. THE WINNER OF
THE CONTEST IS THEN AWARDED WITH A CHECK OF 50 DOLLARS FROM
HIS SCHOOL AND THE FEMALE'S SCHOOL. THE MALES ARE ALSO
INTRODUCED TO A CRASH COURSE CALLED LEARNING AWARENESS.
THE CRASH COURSE IS SIMPLY AN EDUCATIONAL COURSE TO PROVE TO
THE MALE STUDENTS THAT MEN ARE NOT SUPERIOR TO FEMALES
INTELLECTUALLY. THE SUBJECT OF EASTER MONDAY FITS WELL INTO
THE REALM OF FOLKLORE, ESPECIALLY FROM THE STANDPOINT OF
CUSTOM. IT ALSO FITS WELL BECAUSE IT IS STILL PRACTICED TODAY
AND MANY MEN STILL FEEL THAT THEY ARE SUPERIOR TO WOMEN BY
PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES AND INTELLIGENCE.
Submitter comment: THE SPELLING CONTEST IS USUALLY HELD TWO DAYS PRIOR TO GOOD FRIDAY.
Where learned: LIBERIA ; MONROVIA
James Callow Keyword(s): SEPARATION OF THE SEXES ; SEXISM
Date learned: 00-00-1968
BASEBALL GAME "PITCHER-CATCHER"
TWO PEOPLE PLAY THIS GAME, ONE PERSON IS THE PITCHER,
THE OTHER IS THE CATCHER. THE PERSON PITCHING MUST
THROW STRIKES TO THE CATCHER. IF HE THROWS FOUR BALLS,
THE "IMAGINARY HITTER" WALKS AND TAKES A BASE. THE TWO
PLAY FOR THREE OR MORE INNINGS. THE PERSON WHO HAS
GIVEN UP THE MOST RUNS LOSES.
Submitter comment:
THIS GAME IS FOR THOSE WHO ENJOY BASEBALL. THE GAME
STRENGTHENS A PERSON'S ARM AND TEACHES HIM TO THROW
STRIKES AT A CONSISTANT RATE. MANY TIMES WHEN THIS
GAME WAS PLAYED, THE FINAL
OUTCOME WAS A LOW-SCORING GAME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
Date learned: CA00001967
BASEBALL GAME "FLYBALLS"
AGAIN, TWO PEOPLE PLAY HERE. THE PLAYERS CHALLENGE
EACH OTHER WITH FLYBALLS. BALLS THAT FALL IN AT
CERTAIN POINTS ARE DESIGNATED AS A SINGLE, DOUBLE,
TRIPLE, OR HOME RUN. THE PERSON THAT SCORES THE MOST
RUNS AFTER NINE INNINGS IS THE WINNER. FLYBALLS THAT
ARE CAUGHT ARE OUTS; THREE OUTS ENDS THAT PERSON'S SIDE
OF THE INNING.
Submitter comment:
THIS GAME IS FOR THOSE WHO ENJOY BASEBALL AND FOR THOSE
WHO WANT TO IMPROVE THEIR SKILLS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
Date learned: CA00001967
WALKING PRACTICE
IT WAS A COMMON PRACTICE FOR THE INFORMANT, WHEN HE
WAS A CHILD, TO AVOID STEPPING ON THE BLOCKS OF
SIDEWALK WITH THE LETTERS D.P.W. ON THEM. THEY
COULD STEP ON THE BLOCKS WITH A DATE ON THEM, BUT
NOT WITH D.P.W. HE RELATED THAT THEY COULD NOT
STEP ON A CRACK EITHER.
Data entry tech comment: D.P.W.=DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 03-15-1967
MR. FOX
ONE IS CHOSEN TO BE MR. FOX. ALL OTHER PLAYERS GATHER
BEHIND A LINE 30 TO 40 FEET BEHIND MR. FOX. EACH
PLAYER ASKS MR. FOX WHAT TIME IT IS. IF MR. FOX
ANSWERS THREE O'CLOCK THAT PLAYER WHO ASKED TAKES
THREE STEPS TOWARD MR. FOX, WHO HAS HIS BACK TURNED
TO THE PLAYERS. THE PLAYER, WHILE TAKING HIS STEPS,
MUST NOT BE CAUGHT IN THE PROCESS OF TAKING THEM.
IF MR. FOX TURNS AND SEES THE STEPS TAKEN, THAT
PLAYER IS DISQUALIFIED. THE GAME CONTINUES WITH EACH
PLAYER TAKING HIS ALLOWED AMOUNT OF STEPS. THE PLAYER
WHO TOUCHES MR. FOX FIRST IS THE WINNER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Bodily Activity |
Date learned: 04-07-1972
HAND GAME
OLD MARY MAC MAC MAC
ALL DRESSED IN BLACK BLACK BLACK
WITH SILVER BUTTONS BUTTONS BUTTONS
ALL DOWN HER BACK BACK BACK
SHE WENT UPSTAIRS STAIRS STAIRS
TO GET FIFTEEN CENTS CENTS CENTS
TO SEE THE ELEPHANT ELEPHANT ELEPHANT
JUMP OVER THE FENCE FENCE FENCE
HE JUMPED SO HIGH HIGH HIGH
THAT HE TOUCHED THE SKY SKY SKY
AND NEVER CAME BACK BACK BACK
TIL THE FOURTH OF JULY LY LY.
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Bodily Activity |
Date learned: 09-00-1981
HAND GAME
SAY SAY OLD JUNKIE
COME OUT AND SMOK E WITH ME
AND BRING YOUR LSD WE,LL TRY SOME PCP
WE,LL SHOOT SOME HEROIN THEN DRINK SOME METHADONE
AND WE,LL BE DRUNKEN BUMS
FOREVER MORE.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS DONE TO THE SAME TUNE AS783485-11. SHE DOESN,T
REMEMBER WHERE SHE COULD HAVE PICKED UP THIS VERSION. ITS VERY
MORBID.
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Bodily Activity |
Date learned: 09-00-1981
HAND GAME
MISS LUCY HAD A BABY
SHE NAMED HIM TINY TIM
SHE PUT HIM IN THE BATHTUB
TO SEE IF HE COULD SWIM
HE DRANK UP ALL THE WATER
HE ATE UP ALL THE SOAP
HE TRIED TO EAT THE BATHTUB,
BUT IT WOULDN'T GO DOWN HIS THROAT!
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Bodily Activity |
MUD GUARD
PLAYED BY FOUR OR MORE PLAYERS IN A STREET WITH THE CURBS AS SIDE
BOUNDARIES AND SET END BOUNDARIES. WHOEVER IS IT STANDS IN THE
MIDDLE. IT STARTS THE GAME BY CHOOSING A NUMBER FROM ONE TO TEN, THE
NUMBER CALLED IS THE NUMBER OF LEAPS THE OTHER PLAYERS TAKE FROM ONE
END BOUNDARY. THE OBJECT OF THE GAME IS TO GET SAFELY TO THE OTHER
END BOUNDARY. AFTER THE OTHER PLAYERS LEAP THE CALLED NUMBER THEY
BEGIN TO WALK BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN THE CURBS. AT THIS TIME IT IS
BETWEEN THE OTHER PLAYERS AND THE OTHER END BOUNDARY. THE OTHER
PLAYERS MAY REACH THE END BOUNDARY IN ANY OF THE FOLLOWING WAYS. BY
TRYING TO SNEAK FORWARD WHILE WALKING BETWEEN THE CURBS, BUT IF
CAUGHT THEY JOIN IT. BY MAKING A BREAK FOR THE END BOUNDARY BUT IF IT
TOUCHES THEM BEFORE, THEY MUST HELP IT. SOMEONE ELSE WHO HAS MADE
THE END BOUNDARY AND SNEAKS BACK AND TOUCHES ONE OF THE OTHER
PLAYERS WITHOUT BEING FIRST TOUCHED BY IT. THE LAST ONE TO BE
TOUCHED BY IT IS THE WINNER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LINCOLN PARK
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Bodily Activity |
Date learned: 00-01-966
HANGING SPOONS ON THE NOSE
AFTER A PERSON HAS HAD A FEW DRINKS (OF ANY KIND) THEY HAVE TO TRY
TO HANG A SPOON FROM THEIR NOSE. THIS IS DONE BY BREATHING ON THE
SPOON TO MAKE IT SLIGHTLY MOIST. THEN YOU STICK THE ROUND END TO
YOUR NOSE. IF IT DOESN'T HANG THERE YOU HAVE TO DRINK. EVENTUALLY
THE GAME GETS RATHER ELABORATE. YOU HAVE TO BE ABLE TO WALK, DANCE,
AND TALK WITH THE SPOON HANGING FROM YOUR NOSE. NEEDLESS TO SAY
EVERYONE GETS QUITE DRUNK. THE DRUNKER YOU ARE THE HARDER IT IS
TO GET THE SPOON TO HANG FROM YOUR NOSE.
Submitter comment:
THIS GAME IS PLAYED OFTEN WITH LAURA'S RELATIVES IN HARBOR SPRINGS.
EVERYONE IN HER FAMILY IS GOOD AT HANGING SPOONS FROM THEIR NOSES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Mount Clemens
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Bodily Activity |
Date learned: 10-00-1981
WHILE CHANTING "STEP ON A CRACK, BREAK YOUR MOTHER'S BACK",
SCHOOL CHILDREN WILL ATTEMPT TO FORCE OTHERS TO STEP ON THE
CRACKS OF A SIDEWALK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Bodily Activity Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse C750.520 BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 00001960S
RUGBY PARTY FESTIVITIES
AFTER HEAVY "BETTING" BT VETERANS FROM BOTH TEAMS, FOUR ROOKIES ARE
TRICKED INTO THIS FARCE. THE ROOKIES ARE CONVINCED THAT THIS IS
VERY IMPORTANT FOR TEAM PRIDE. THEY ARE TOLD THAT THE BIGGEST ONE
OF THEM IS TO PICK UP THE OTHER THREE. THE OTHER THREE ARE TIED
TOGETHER. EACH TEAM TRIES TO LIFT THE PLAYERS FASTER THAN THE
OTHER TEAM. WHEN THE CROWD IS AT A FEVER PITCH, THE COUNT OF
1, 2, 3 LIFT IS SHOUTED. AT THE WORD "LIFT" EVERYBODY AT THE PARTY
THROWS THEIR BEER ON THE UNSUSPECTING ROOKIES.
Submitter comment: THIS USUALLY BRINGS THE HOUSE DOWN
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Bodily Activity CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 03-00-1982
CHILDREN'S GAMES, RED LIGHT, GREEN LIGHT
ONE PERSON IS THE LEADER. THE REST OF THE CHILDREN FORM A LINE AT
THE OTHER END OF THE PLAYING AREA AND THE OBJECT IS TO GET TO THE
OTHER SIDE WITHOUT BEING SEEN MOVING BY THE LEADER. THE LEADER
STARTS HIS GAME WITH HIS BACK TO THE PARTICIPANTS. HE SHOUTS
GREEN LIGHT. AT THIS SIGNAL THE CHILDREN ADVANCE AS FAR AS THEY
DARE. WHEN THE LEADER SHOUTS RED LIGHT, THE CHILDREN MUST STOP,
BECAUSE WHEN THE LEADER TURNS AROUND, ANYONE WHO IS STILL MOVING
IS OUT OF THE GAME. WHEN SOME CHILDREN GET TO THE OTHER SIDE OF
THE AREA OF PLAY, THE LEADER GOES TO THE OTHER SIDE. THE GAME
CONTINUES UNTIL ONLY ONE PLAYER IS NOT CAUGHT AND HE BECOMES
THE LEADER IN THE NEXT GAME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Bodily Activity |
Date learned: 00001950'S
CHILDREN'S GAMES - SIMON SAYS
THIS GAME CAN BE PLAYED INDOORS OR OUTSIDE. THE LEADER TELLS
THE PARTICIPANTS WHAT TO DO, SUCH AS SIMON SAYS STAND ON ONE LEG,
SIMON SAYS KNEEL DOWN, SIMON SAYS HOLD YOUR RIGHT ARM UP. AT
THE LEADER'S DISCRETION, SHE COMMANDS THE CHILDREN TO DO SOMETHING
WITHOUT PRECEEDING THE COMMAND WITH SIMON SAYS. IF THEY FOLLOW
THIS COMMAND THEY ARE OUT. THE GAME PROGRESSES IN THIS MANNER
UNTIL ALL OF THE CHILDREN BUT ONE ARE OUT. THIS ONE BECOMES THE
NEW LEADER.
Submitter comment:
THE TRICK TO THIS GAME, IF YOU ARE THE LEADER IS TO GET THE PLAYERS
INTO A DIFFICULT SPOT TO MAINTAIN PHYSICALLY, THEN SAY A COMMAND
WHICH RELEASES THEM FROM THIS SPOT WITHOUT SAYING SIMON SAYS.
THE PLAYERS WILL BE SO GLAD TO GET OUT OF THE DIFFICULT SPOT THAT
THEY WILL NOT REALIZE THAT THE SIMON SAYS COMMAND WAS NOT GIVEN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Bodily Activity |
"HI, BOB" DRINKING GAME
A DRINKING GAME CALLED "HI BOB" INVOLVES A GROUP WATCHING RE-RUNS
OF A BOB NEWHART SHOW. EVERY TIME SOMEONE SAYS "HI" ON THE SHOW,
EVERYONE MUST TAKE A SIP OF BEER. EVERY TIME SOMEONE SAYS "HI BOB",
THE ENTIRE CAN MUST BE FINISHED. THE PERSON LEFT STANDING AFTER
THE HALF-HOUR SHOW IS OVER IS DECLARED THE WINNER.
Submitter comment:
"HI, BOB" WAS COLLECTED ON THE UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT CAMPUS, BUT
IT IS BELIEVED TO HAVE ORIGINATED ON CALIFORNIA CAMPUSES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Bodily Activity Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Wit Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: CA00001970S
DRINKING GAME "BOB"
EVERYONE WATCHES THE TELEVISION SHOW, "BOB NEWHART," WHILE HOLDING
THEIR BEERS. EVERY TIME SOMEONE ON THE SHOW SAYS "BOB" EVERYONE
TAKES A DRINK. IF THE NEIGHBOR COMES OVER TO BORROW SOMETHING,
THE PLAYERS MUST DRINK THEIR WHOLE BEER.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS HEARD ON A POPULAR DETROIT ROCK RADIO STATION BUT MY
INFORMANT DID NOT REMEMBER WHICH ONE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Bodily Activity Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Wit Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 00-00-1981
WHEN I WAS A LITTLE GIRL WE PLAYED A GAME CALLED
"NOMANS LAND". THERE WOULD BE TWO TEAMS, IT DIDN'T
MATTER HOW MANY KIDS THERE WERE TOTALLED BUT THE
NUMBER HAD TO BE EVEN BECAUSE WE WERE PAIRED OFF.
ONE TEAM STOOD ON ONE SIDE OF THE GRASS AND THE
OTHER TEAM OPPOSITE THEM WITH THE SIDEWALK IN BETWEEN.
THE OBJECT OF THE GAME WAS TO PULL YOUR OPPOSITE
PARTNER ONTO THE SIDEWALK WHICH WAS NOMANS LAND. THE
TEAM THAT HAD THE ONLY PLAYERS LEFT WERE THE WINNERS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): NO MAN'S LAND
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Bodily Activity |
RED LIGHT GREEN LIGHT
CHILDREN'S GAME. / ONE CHILD IS SELECTED TO BE THE STOP LIGHT
AND TURNS AWAY FROM THE OTHER CHILDREN. THE CHILD THEN
SHOUTS "GREEN LIGHT" AND THE OTHER CHILDREN ATTEMPT TO
TOUCH THE STOP LIGHT CHILD. AT THE SHOUT OF "RED LIGHT"
THE "STOP LIGHT" CAN TURN AROUND AND WHOEVER IS CAUGHT
MOVING HAS TO RETURN TO THE STARTING POINT.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A GAME OF PERCEPTION.
OBJECT OF THE GAME IS TO BECOME THE STOPLIGHT.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Bodily Activity |
EL GATO (THE CAT)
EVERYONE SITS ON CHAIRS IN A LARGE CIRCLE EXCEPT FOR
ONE PERSON WHO HAS BEEN CHOSEN TO BE "IT." THIS PERSON
HAS TO GO TO SOMEONE AND PUT HER HEAD IN THEIR LAP AND
SAY "MEOW" THREE TIMES. THE PERSON THAT IS SITTING
MUST STROKE HER HEAD EACH TIME SHE MEOWS. SHE MUST
STROKE HER WITHOUT LAUGHING. IF THE PERSON THAT IS
SITTING LAUGHS, SHE BECOMES "IT." IF SHE DOESN'T
THE CAT MUST REPEAT THE PROCEDURE WITH ANOTHER
INDIVIDUAL UNTIL SOMEONE LAUGHS.
Where learned: EL SALVADOR ; CENTRAL AMERICA
Keyword(s): LAUGHING TABU
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Bodily Activity Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Dramatic |
Date learned: 06-00-1984