Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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While traveling I used to play a game with whoever
was in the car with me. What we would do is have one
person start off with the phrase "I'm going to
California and I'm going to take a...". Then the
person would finish the phrase with a word beginning
with the first letter of the alphabet. Then the next
person would repeat what the first person said, but
also add a word beginning with the next letter of the
alphabet along with trying to remember all of the
previously listed items in order. If a person missed
an item, they lost or were counted "out" if more
than two were playing. If the whole alphabet went
without a winner, then it would begin with the letters
going backwards until there was a winner.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): Cumulative game
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Mental Activity Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Memory |
Date learned: 00-00-1983
When we went camping we would always play these
memory games. Someone would start by saying something
like, "I saw a frog on a log." Then someone next
would say, "I saw a fly on a frog on a log." This
would go on and on by each person adding a thing to the
list. The game would end when someone forgets something;
then they are the loser.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): cumulative chain
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Memory |
Date learned: 00-00-1974
Get a bunch of people and sit in a circle. One person would
say, "My father and mother own a sporting goods store." Then the
next person would repeat that, plus say one thing that you can
find in a sporting goods store. The game would continue by the
next person repeating everything that was already said, plus
adding another item. If you mess up, then you are out of the
game.
Where learned: MICHIGAN
James Callow Keyword(s): CUMULATIVE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Memory |
Date learned: 00001970S
I PACKED MY BAG AND IN IT I PUT...
EACH PERSON SAYS ONE ITEM AND EACH SUCCEEDING PERSON
MUST MENTION ALL THE PRECEDING THINGS IN ORDER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Memory |
Date learned: 00001960S
TOAST VERSE
THIS IS A KIND OF GAME. DRINKERS GET AROUND A TABLE AND
EACH ONE PICKS A NUMBER AND PERSON AT HEAD OF TABLE
STARTS WITH THIS: "THE PRINCE OF WALES HAS LOST HIS
HAT AND NUMBER 6 HAS FOUND IT. NUMBER 6 MUST REPLY:
"WHO SIR? MR SIR? NO SIR, NOT I SIR." IF HE SAYS IT
PERFECTLY WITHOUT SLURRING OR MISPRONOUNCING, HE
CALLS ANOTHER NUMBER AND THAT PERSON MUST SAY THE
WORDS. IF HE MESSES IT UP HE MUST DOWN HIS DRINK.
THE PRINCE CALLS ANOTHER NUMBER AND THE GAME
CONTINUES UNTIL ALL ARE SMASHED (DRUNK).
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Memory |
Date learned: 10-06-1971
REVERSE BUZZ
THIS IS A VARIATION ON THE FAMILIAR NUMBER GAME, BUZZ,
IN WHICH A GROUP OF PEOPLE TAKE TURNS COUNTING,
SAYING "BUZZ" IN PLACE OF EVERY NUMBER CONTAINING A
7 OR DIVISIBLE BY 7. THIS VARIATION IS USED AS A
DRINKING GAME, AND THE COUNTING GOES AROUND A TABLE
OF DRINKERS. HOWEVER, EACH TIME "BUZZ" IS SAID THE
DIRECTION OF COUNTING REVERSES ITSELF AND GOES BACK
AROUND THE TABLE IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. THIS
LEADS TO GREAT CONFUSION, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE PLAYERS
ARE A LITTLE HIGH, AND PARTICULARLY AT SPOTS LIKE 27-28,
WHERE TWO BUZZES OCCUR IN A ROW. THE FIRST PERSON
TO MAKE A MISTAKE MUST TAKE A GENEROUS DRINK OF BEER
AND BEGIN COUNTING AT ONE AGAIN.
Where learned: CALIFORNIA ; MARINES ; SAN DIEGO
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Memory |
Date learned: 09-00-1970
THE PRINCE OF WALES
THIS IS A BEER DRINKING GAME FOR APPROXIMATELY 5-8
DRINKERS SEATED AROUND THE TABLE. ONE PERSON BEGINS
BY SAYING: "THE PRINCE OF WALES LOST HIS TAILS, TAILS,
ON NO. (BLANK." THE NUMBER INSERTED CORRESPONDS
TO ONE OF THE OTHER DRINKERS, COUNTED CLOCKWISE AROUND
THE TABLE FROM THE ORIGINATOR. THE PERSON DESIGNATED
MUST IMMEDIATELY RESPOND BY SAYING "WHO? (BLANK? NO.
(BLANK)," INSERTING HIS OWN NUMBER IN THE FIRST BLANK
AND SOMEONE ELSE'S IN THE SECOND, THIS TIME COUNTED
CLOCKWISE FROM HIM. THIS CONTINUES UNTIL SOMEONE
FAILS TO RESPOND TO HIS NUMBER, RESPONDS TOO SLOWLY,
MAKES A PRONUNCIATION ERROR, OR MAKES SOME OTHER ERROR
WHICH THE GROUP CONSIDERS UNALLOWABLE. THE PERSON WHO
MAKES THE ERROR MUST THEN TAKE A GENEROUS DRINK OF
BEER AND BEGIN THE NEXT ROUND.
Where learned: CALIFORNIA ; MARINES ; SAN DIEGO
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Memory |
Date learned: 09-00-1970
BULLSHIT
EVERYBODY TAKES THE NAME OF AN ANIMAL AND ADDS THE WORD
"SHIT" TO IT. (E.G., DOGSHIT, CATSHIT, FROGSHIT).
NO ONE CAN TAKE BULLSHIT.
ONE PERSON STARTS: "WHO SHIT?--DOGSHIT!
THE PERSON WHO IS "DOGSHIT" MUST SAY "BULLSHIT" AND
THEN ANOTHER PERSON'S CODE NAME.
IF A PERSON FAILS TO RESPOND TO HIS CODE PROPERLY
HE OR SHE MUST TAKE A DRINK AND THEN CONTINUE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Memory |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
THE NAME OF THE GAME IS "THUMPER," COMMONLY PLAYED BY
COLLEGE STUDENTS AT DRINKING PARTIES. THE OBJECT OF THE
GAME IS TO MAKE EVERYONE ELSE DEFAULT SO THEY HAVE TO
CHUG A DRINK. ALL PARTICIPANTS SIT ON THE FLOOR, AND
EVERYONE CHOOSES A CERTAIN GESTURE TO BE HIS OWN (A
MOTION OF THE HAND, WIGGLING OF THE FINGERS, ETC.).
ONE PERSON BEGINS THE GAME AS FOLLOWS:
FIRST, YOU BEGIN TAPPING ON YOUR LEGS RHYTHMICALLY,
REPEATING THIS CHORUS:
"WHAT'S THE NAME OF THE GAME?" AND THE REST OF THE
CIRCLE ANSWERS, "THUMPER!" THEN THE LEADER CRIES, "WHY
DO WE PLAY THE GAME?" AND THE CHORUS ANSWERS, "TO GET
DRUNK!" FINALLY, THE LEADER ASKS, "HOW DO WE PLAY THE
GAME?" AND THE CIRCLE RESPONDS, "WITH SIGNS!"
IMMEDIATELY, THE LEADER GIVES HIS SIGN AND FOLLOWS IT
BY GIVING SOMEONE ELSE'S SIGN. THAT PERSON MUST RESPOND
BY GIVING HIS SIGN AND THE SIGN OF ANOTHER PLAYER.
THIS SEQUENCE FOLLOWS UNTIL SOMEONE MISSES HIS SIGN
AND THEN THAT PERSON MUST CHUG A DRINK. HE THEN BECOMES
THE LEADER AND REPEATS THE QUESTIONS, "WHAT'S THE NAME OF
THE GAME" ETC. THE GAME CAN BE PLAYED AS LONG AS THE
PARTICIPANTS CARE TO PLAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Memory |
Date learned: 02-12-1971
INDIAN SIGNS IS A GAME WHERE EACH MAN IS ABLE TO CHOOSE
HIS OWN GESTURE. A TUG ON THE EAR, A HAND ON THE HEAD,
A FINGER ON THE NOSE ARE ALL POSSIBILITIES. THE GROUP
STARTS OUT CLAPPING IN A CERTAIN BEAT. ONE PERSON
BEGINS BY DOING HIS SIGNS AS MANY TIMES AS HE WANTS
AND SUDDENLY DOING SOMEONE ELSE'S SIGN. THE PERSON
WHOSE SIGN WAS DONE MUST PICK UP BY DOING THE LAST
PERSON'S SIGN THEN HIS AS MANY TIMES AS HE WANTS
AND THEN QUICKLY CHANGES TO ANOTHER PERSON'S SIGN.
THE NEXT PERSON PICKS UP THE GAME AND IT GOES ON
AND ON. IF A PERSON MISSES OR MAKES A MISTAKE, HE
MUST DRINK A GLASS OF BEER OR WHATEVER IS SUPPLIED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Memory |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
BIS, BANG, BUZ
THIS IS A COUNTING GAME, WHERE EVERYONE SITS IN A
CIRCLE AND USUALLY CONSISTS OF FEWER THAN 7 MEMBERS.
RULES: BIX IS SAID IN PLACE OF ANY NUMBER WITH A THREE
IN IT OR IS DIVISIBLE BY THREE. THE SAME HOLDS FOR
(ILLEGIBLE WORD) WITH 5 AND SEVEN (REPLACING THREE
WITH FIVE AND BIS WITH BANG, REPLACING BIX WITH BUZ
WHEN NUMBER HAS A SEVEN IN IT, OR DIVISIBLE BY 7.
NOTE THAT THE DIRECTION OF PLAY IS REVERSED AT EACH
BUZ, I.E. FROM CLOCKWISE TO COUNTERCLOCKWISE OR VICE
VERSA. IF MISTAKE IS MADE ONE DRINKS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Memory |
Date learned: 11-04-1971
A GROUP OF WOMEN, USUALLY AT A WEDDING SHOWER, GATHER
AROUND IN A CIRCLE. ONE WOMAN STARTS EVERYTHING OFF
BY INTRODUCING HERSELF TO THE CROWD AND THE PERSON
SITTING NEXT TO HER INTRODUCES THE WOMAN WHO HAS
PREVIOUSLY INTRODUCED HERSELF, ALONG WITH HERSELF AND
CONTINUES UNTIL SOMEONE FORGETS THE NAME OF A PERSON
WHO HAS BEEN INTRODUCED.
THIS IS A MEMORY GAME AND THE LAST PERSON TO REMEMBER
ALL NAMES WILL WIN THE GAME AND THE DOOR PRIZE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Memory |
Date learned: 11-18-1971
TELEPHONE--GAME
PLAYERS SIT IN A CIRCLE OR A LINE, BUT CLOSE TO ONE
ANOTHER. ONE PERSON IN THE CIRCLE OR THE END
PERSON IN A LINE WOULD WHISPER A SENTENCE IN HIS
NEIGHBOR'S EAR WHO IN TURN WOULD WHISPER TO THE
PERSON NEXT TO HIM AND SO ON, UNTIL THE LAST PERSON.
THE LAST PERSON WOULD THEN REVEAL THE RESULTING
(USUALLY GARBLED) SENTENCE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Memory |
Date learned: 11-05-1967
INDIAN SIGNS
EVERYONE GATHERS AROUND THE TABLE AND EACH PERSON IS
GIVEN HIS OWN INDIAN SIGN. THEN EVERYONE MAKES A
NOISE LIKE AN INDIAN (BY GOING WHOO WOO AND HITTING
THEIR LIPS WITH THE PALM OF THEIR HANDS.) THE FIRST
PERSON GIVES HIS OWN SIGN AND SOMEBODY'S ELSE'S.
THEN THE NEXT PERSON GIVES HIS SIGN AND SOMEBODY
ELSE'S. THE PERSON WHOSE SIGN IS GIVEN BY THE FIRST
PERSON MUST PICK IT UP RIGHT AWAY OR HE IS ELIMINATED
AND MUST SUFFER WHATEVER CONSEQUENCES ARE PRESCRIBED.
Submitter comment:
AGAIN, NO ONE KNOWS WHEN OR BY WHOM THIS GAME WAS
STARTED.
Where learned: DETROIT ; GOLDEN 20S ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Memory |
Date learned: 00001961 FALL
DRINKING GAME
THUMPER: A GAME PLAYED BY FOUR OR MORE AT A PARTY.
EVERYONE FORMS A CIRCLE, EACH PLAYER PICKS SOME
KIND OF A MANUAL SIGNAL TO BE HIS OWN. STARTER BEGINS
GAME BY CLLING OUT, "WHAT'S THE NAME OF THE GAME?"
THE REST ANSWER, "THUMPER!" EVERYONE IS ALSO BEATING
ON THE FLOOR WITH THEIR HANDS. THE STARTER THEN GIVES
HIS SIGNAL FOLLOWED BY THAT OF ANOTHER PLAYER. THE
OTHER PLAYER MUST CATCH HIS SIGNAL, DO IT, AND THEN
GIVE SOMEONE ELSE'S. THE FIRST TO MISS MUST CHUG
A BEER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): CONFIGURATION: CIRCLE ; DIALOGUE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Memory |
Date learned: 03-00-1970
BUZZ
BUZZ IS A COUNTING GAME. THE PEOPLE PLAYING SIT IN
A CIRCLE AND COUNT OFF. THE NUMBERS CONTINUE TO
LARGE NUMBERS AND THE PLAING STOPS ONLY WHEN
SOMEONE MISSES. SEVEN AND MULTIPLES OF SEVEN ARE
REPLACED BY THE WORD BUZZ. EXAMPLE: ONE, TWO, THREE,
FOUR, FIVE, SIX, BUZZ, EIGHT, NINE, TEN, ETC.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): CONFIGURATION: CIRCLE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Memory |
Date learned: 01-23-1971
NAME FAMOUS PEOPLE
EXCERPT IS READ FROM A BOOK, AND THE FIRST LETTER OF
EACH WORD IS WRITTEN IN ONE COLUMN, AND THEN IN A
SECOND COLUMN. THE OBJECT OF THE GAME THEN, IS TO
THINK OF PEOPLES' NAMES HAVING INITIALS THAT
CORRESPOND TO THE LETTERS OF THE COLUMN.
EXAMPLE:
IN VERTICAL ORDER: T H E Q U I C K B R O W N
(NEXT TO THE LETTER C IS THE NAME CONRAD)
IN VERTICAL ORDER IN THE NEXT COLUMN: F O X JUMPED
NEXT TO THE LETTER P IS THE NAME PATRICK (DISC JOCKEY)
THE REST OF LAST COLUMN READS: O V E R
NEXT TO THE LETTER R IN THE FIRST COLUMN IS THE NAME
ROY AND NEXT TO THE O IN THE WORD OVER IN THE SECOND
COLUMN IS THE NAME ORBISON (A SINGER)
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN HEIGHTS
James Callow Keyword(s): NAMING GAME
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Memory |
Date learned: 03-02-1970
IN MY GRANDMOTHER'S CHEST
ANY NUMBER CAN PLAY. THE FIRST PERSON WOULD SAY:
"IN MY GRANDMOTHER'S CHEST I FOUND A PAIR OF SOCKS
(CAN BE ANYTHING). THE NEXT PERSON WOULD HAVE TO
REPEAT THIS BUT ADD SOMETHING ELSE. THIS CONTINUES
WITH EACH PERSON ADDING SOMETHING. THE OBJECT IS
TO REMEMBER ALL THE ITEMS. ANYONE WHO FORGETS IS
OUT. WINNER IS LAST ONE TO REMEMBER ALL THE ITEMS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
James Callow Keyword(s): CUMULATIVE.
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Memory |
Date learned: 01-00-1970
MAIN IDEA IS TO ASK ONE PERSON A SERIES OF QUESTIONS.
1. DO YOU THINK THAT YOU HAVE A GOOD MEMORY?
NOTE: THIS IS REALLY THE VERY FIRST QUESTION ASKED,
IT DOES NOT SOUND SO BECAUSE THE SPEAKER MUST MAKE
IT SOUND CONVERSATIONAL AND CASUAL. THIS IS THE
TRICK.
2. WHAT IS YOUR NAME?
3. WHERE DO YOU LIVE?
4. WHAT IS YOUR OCCUPATION?
5. HOW LARGE IS YOUR FAMILY?
NOTE YOU CAN ASK AN INDEFINITE AMOUNT OF SIMPLE
QUESTIONS AND LISTEN TO THE ANSWERS.
"NOW, WHAT WAS THE FIRST QUESTION I ASKED YOU?"
IF THE PERSON SAYS THAT THE FIRST QUESTION WAS
WHAT WAS HIS NAME, HE MISSES AND DOES NOT HAVE A
GOOD MEMORY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Memory |
Date learned: 03-22-1970
TRIVIA
THIS IS A GAME WHERE YOU ASK SOMEONE IF HE CAN
REMEMBER SOME INSIGNIFICANT ITEM. EXAMPLE: WHAT
WAS TONTO'S HORSE'S NAME? ANSWER: SCOUT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Memory |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN