Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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GAME
COLORED EGGS. ONE PLAYER IS WOLF, ONE IS MOTHER HEN, OTHERS ARE
EGGS. MOTHER NAMES THEM EACH COLORS. WOLF COMES TO THE DOOR..
KNOCK, KNOCK. WHOS THERE? THE WOLF. WHAT DO YOU WANT?
COLORED EGGS. WHAT COLOR? WOLF NAMES COLOR. IF THE MOTHER HAS ONE
THE EGG MUST RUN WHILE WOLF CHASES UNTIL HE GETS BACK. IF HE
GETS CAUGHT HE BECOMES THE WOLF.
Where learned: NEW JERSEY ; TOMS RIVER
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Singing Dancing Marching Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Guessing |
Date learned: 00001970S
TELEVISION
NUMBER OF PLAYERS ARE NOT LIMITED TO A SPECFIC NUMBER.
PLAYERS FORM A CIRCLE AROUND ONE PERSON. THAT PERSON
CHANTS A TV CHANNEL, THE TIME OF DAY A SPEICFIC PROGRAM
COMES ON TV AND THE DAY IT COMES ON. MEMBERS ON THE OUTSIDE
OF THE CIRCLE TRY TO GUESS WHAT PROGRAM IT IS.
THE PERSON GUESSING THE NAME OF THE PROGRAM HAS TO
CHASE THE PERSON IN THE CENTER AROUND THE CIRCLE.
IF THE PERSON IN THE CENTER IS CAUGHT BEFORE GETTING AROUND
THE CIRCLE THEY CHANGE PLACES AND START OVER AGAIN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Guessing |
Date learned: 01-10-0198
ROCKTEACHER
THE NUMBERS OF PLAYERS IS LIMITED TO THE AMOUNT THAT CAN SIT
ON ONE PORCH STEP. ONE PERSON PLAYS THE ROLE OF
A TEACHER. THE OTHER PLAYERS SIT ON THE STEP AND ACT LIKE
STUDENTS. THE TEACHER HAS ONE ROCK IN HER HAND,AND PUTS HER
HANDS BEHIND HER BACK TO FOOL THE STUDENTS. THEN SHE PUTS
HER HAND IN FRONT OF THE STUDENTS AND ALLOWS THEM
TO SELECT THE HAND WITH THE ROCK IN IT. EACH TIME
A STUDENT GUESSES CORRECTLY THEY MOVE UP ONE STEP UNTIL
THEY REACH THE PORCH AND GO BACK DOWN TO THE FIRST STEP.
THE FIRST COMPLETING THIS PROCESS BECOMES THE
TEACHER AND THE TEACHER BECOMES A STUDENT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Guessing Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 01-00-0198
MEDICINE
COW MANURE BOILED IS A CURE FOR SORE THROAT, SWOLLEN
GLANDS AND WHOOPING COUGHS.
Submitter comment:
THIS REMEDY WAS PASSED DOWN FROM ANCESTOR OF MY
MOTHER'S MOTHER; MOST OF HER ANCESTORS WERE AMERICAN
INDIANS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Guessing Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 01-00-0198
COLORED EGGS
THIS GAME WAS PLAYED ON A SWING SET. THE PLAYERS NUMBERED
ANYWHERE FROM 4 TO MORE. ONE PERSON WAS THE WOLF--THE
REST OF THE PLAYERS WERE EASTER BUNNIES. THERE WAS A
MOTHER BUNNY AND HER BABIES. EACH OF THE BUNNIES SAT
ON THE SWINGS. THE BUNNIES WOULD EACH HAVE AN
EASTER EGG AND WOULD SECRETLY DECIDE A COLOR FOR IT . THE
WOLF WOULD TRY TO GUESS THE COLORS OF THE EASTER EGGS.
IF HE GUESSED RIGHT, HE WOULD CHASE THE LITTLE BUNNY
WHOSE COLOR HE HAD GUESSED UNTIL HE CAUGHT THE BUNNY
OR THE BUNNY REACHED THE SAFETY OF THE SWING SET. IF
HE DID NOT CATCH THE BUNNY HE WOULD PLAY WOLF UNTIL HE DID.
IF THE BUNNY WAS CAUGHT, HE WOULD PLAY WOLF AND THE WOLF
WOULD PLAY THE BUNNY.
Submitter comment: THIS GAME WAS PLAYED IN ARKANSAS AROUND EASTER TIME.
Where learned: Arkansas ; LITTLE ROCK
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Guessing Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter eggs |
Date learned: 00-00-1974
HAVE YOU SEEN MY BIRD TODAY?
PLAYERS SIT IN EITHER A ROW OR A CIRCLE. AN "IT"
IS CHOSEN. "IT" MENTALLY CHOOSES A COLOR AND THEN
PROCEEDS TO ASK A PLAYER, "HAVE YOU SEEN MY BIRD
TODAY?" THE PLAYER SAYS YES AND "IT" ASKS, "WHAT
COLOR WAS IT?" IF THE PLAYER ANSWERS WITH THE SAME
THAT "IT" HAD MENTALLY CHOSEN, "IT" EITHER THROWS A
HANDFUL OF GRASS OR A SMALL CUP OF WATER INTO THEIR
FACE (WHAT YOU WILL USE IS DICTATED BY THE WEATHER
CONDITIONS). IF THE PLAYER DOES NOT SAY THE SAME
COLOR THAT "IT" HAS CHOSEN, "IT" MUST ASK EACH
PLAYER UNTIL SOMEONE SAYS THE RIGHT COLOR. THAT
PLAYER THEN BECOMES "IT".
Where learned: NORTH DAKOTA ; LISBON
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Guessing |
Date learned: 00-00-1939
GAME-MOVIE STAR
FIRST SOMEONE STARTS OFF BY SAYING
THE INITIALS OF A MOVIE STAR.
EXAMPLE I.E., THEN A PERSON HAS THREE
GUESSES, IF HE DOES NOT GET IT IN THREE
ANOTHER CLUE IS GIVEN. EXAMPLE, WAS IN
MOVIE "DIRTY HARRY," THE PERSON HAS THREE
GUESSES AGAIN, IF HE DOES NOT GET IT, ANOTHER
CLUE IS GIVEN, THIS BEING THE LAST, THIS
IS USUALLY A DESCRIPTION OF HOW HE LOOKS,
IF HE HAS OTHER SHOWS, ETC... IF THE PERSON
DOES NOT GET IT YOU ARE STILL IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Knowledge Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Guessing |
Date learned: 00001970S
Five Tappers
In grade school we used to play a game during
lunch when we had to stay inside due to bad weather.
The game was played by everyone in the class. The
supervisor of the class would pick five people at
random to be the tappers. The rest of the class stayed
at their desks. The students at their desks had to put
their heads down on the desk and cover their eyes so
they couldn't see. Then once everyone was all set, the
five tappers would go through the room and each would
tap one person. Once a person was tapped, they
put one hand on top of their head so the tappers would
know who was already tapped, and nobody got tapped more
than once. When each tapper tapped a person they went
to the front of the room; then the class lifted their
heads. The ones who had been tapped stood up next to
their desk and tried to guess who was the one who had
tapped them. If the person guessed correctly, the
one who tapped them had to go to their desk and the one
who guessed right took their place as the next tapper.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Bodily Activity Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Guessing |
Date learned: 00001970S
Button, Button
Any number of children can play this game.
One child goes out of the room while all of the rest except
one sit down in a straight line with their hands flattened
together as if in prayer.
The player not in line will then place a button between his
flattened palms. In turn he will go to each child in the
line and slide his hands between their clasped hands.
(It resembles a knife cutting between two slices of bread).
He repeats this action to every player, leaving the button
secretly between the palms of one of them.
Once each child has been given a turn, the first child who
had left the room is called back. All the players in unison
sing, " Button, Button, whose got the button?"
He then must choose which child has the button, while they
all try to either pretend that they have it, or keep a
straight face.
The guesser is given a predetermined number of chances to
guess correctly, depending on the number of players.
If he guesses correctly, the player concealing the button
becomes the new guesser, and the old guesser becomes the
leader who passes the button.
If, however, he does not guess in the number of tries given
to him, he remains the guesser until he successfully does so.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HEMLOCK
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Guessing Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 00001970S
Rock School
This game is played with approximately five players. One
player, the teacher, stands in front of the other players, the
students, who are sitting on the bottom row of stairs (which is used
to symbolize kindergarten). The teacher places a rock in her hands,
puts her hands behind her back, putting the rock in a different hand.
The teacher then puts her closed hands in front of her, the rock is
concealed. The students then have to guess what hand the rock is in.
If the player picks the hand the rock is in he/she passes to the
first grade; if he/she does not they remain on the same step in the
same grade. The amount of steps determines what grade the school
goes up to. The first person to reach the top step becomes the
teacher, and the game resumes from the beginning.
Submitter comment:
This game can be played indoors or outdoors wherever stairs are
available.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Dramatic Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Guessing |
Date learned: 00001970S
7-up
There are seven players involved in this game of 7-up. Each
person is assigned a certain method of bouncing a ball. Three of
the players cover their eyes while the other players throw balls
at them lightly. The object of the game is to determine who threw
which ball. You may distinguish the players by each one's unique
bounce, but if all the balls are thrown at you at the same time,
it is difficult to discern which person threw each ball. When one
of the players is identified, he must sit out until the rest of
the ball throwers are known. Then the last person to be
identified is not "it." This means he gets to be assigned a new
pattern of bouncing the ball and group of individuals who
previously had covered their eyes are assigned ball patterns also.
The individual who had just thrown the balls are now "it."
Submitter comment:
There is also another version of this game which was usually
played during indoor recess. Seven students from the class were
selected to stand against the chalkboard. The remaining students
laid their heads on their desks covering their eyes. One person
with head down would count to 30 and then say, "Heads up 7-up."
While this person is counting to 30, the seven people at the
chalkboard would run around the room and tag one person on the
head. The person tagged would then raise their hand, indicating
they had been already chosen. After the seven individuals at the
chalkboard had tagged one person, they were to run back to the
chalkboard as quickly as possible. If the person counting reaches
the number thirty before the people are done tagging the others,
they are automatically out. The person who catches them gets to
go to the chalkboard the next game. Each of the seven people who
have been tagged, get to guess once who tagged them. If they got
it right then they replaced that person at the board. If the
individual guessed incorrectly then the person at the board
remained at their position. In this version one can cheat by
peeking through their fingers.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sandusky
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Racing Chasing Fighting Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Guessing Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 00-00-1959
Rock Teacher
One person acts as the teacher and the others are students.
The students sit on the bottom step and the teacher holds a rock
in her hand behind her back, either in the right hand or the left
hand. The teacher goes to each player and holds out her two
hands in front of them and the student taps the teacher's hand
that they think holds the rock. If that student is right they
move up a step. The student that gets to the top of the porch
first wins and they become the rock teacher.
Submitter comment:
This is a game that I used to play when I was a little girl
sitting on my auntie's porch with my sister and our friends.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Guessing Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 00-00-1966
Hully Gully
Hully Gully is the name of a game played many years ago.
Some people played for fun and others played it for money. You
put a rock in one hand behind your back, hold both fist out in
front of you and have your opponent try to guess which hand the
rock is in.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Guessing Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 02-12-1992
The Hand-Rock game: The leader stands in front of the porch
steps while three to five friends sit at the top of the porch
steps (should have at least 5 to 10 steps). The leader holds a
small rock in his right or left hand. The leader shows the rock
to all players and then places his hands behind his back. Once
behind the back, the leader switches hands or the leader can keep
the rock in the same hand. The hands are tightly closed and
placed in front of the friends sitting on the step. The first
player is to tap the closed fist hand that she or he believe
would house the stone. If the right hand is chosen, the hand is
opened to reveal the stone. The player would then be rewarded by
sliding down to the next step. If the player chose the wrong
hand, he or she would receive no award and must remain on the
same step. The leader then moves on to the next player and the
same rules are followed. The first player to reach the bottom
step and tap the hand for a standing position is the winner and
the game starts over.
Submitter comment:
This was indeed a fun game. I played it when I was little.
The best part is that you could play it anywhere. On a rainy
day, our hallway steps made for a perfect play area.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Guessing Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
THIS IS A GAME PLAYED IN SCHOOL, IN A CLASSROOM.
THE TEACHER CHOOSES ONE PERSON TO SIT AT THE TEACHER'S
DESK. A BLACKBOARD ERASER IS PLACED UNDER THE TEACHER'S
CHAIR AND THEN ONE STUDENT IS CHOSEN TO STEAL THE
BLACKBOARD ERASER FROM UNDER THE CHAIR WHILE ONE SITTING
AT THE TEACHER'S CHAIR IS BLINDFOLDED. WHEN THE PERSON
WHO TAKES THE ERASER IS BACK AT HIS SEAT, EVERYBODY
SAYS: "OPEN YOUR EYES-DOGGIE, DOGGIE, YOUR BONE IS
GONE-GUESS WHO'S GOT IT." THE PERSON THEN GETS
THREE GUESSES TO FIND WHO TOOK THE ERASER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Guessing |
Date learned: 04-05-1972
IT CAN BE...
THIS IS A GAME PLAYED STRICTLY WITH WORDS CONTAINING
DOUBLE CONSONANTS. ONLY FEW IN THE ROOM ARE AWARE OF
JUST HOW IT WORKS. THOSE INFORMED BEGIN WITH EXAMPLES
"IT CAN BE YELLOW, BUT IT CAN'T BE BLUE." "IT CAN BE
CHILLY BUT IT CAN'T BE COLD" AND CONTINUE WITH THE
FORMULA "IT CAN BE...BUT IT CAN'T BE..." MANY
EXAMPLES ARE GIVEN AND THE AGGRAVATION BUILDS. THOSE
UNINFORMED BEGIN TO GET VERY UPSET AND TENSE. IT IS
SELDOM WHEN SOMEONE CATCHES ON TO THIS GAME WITH ONLY
FEW EXAMPLES. IT'S A LOT OF FUN IF YOU'RE ONE THAT
KNOWS WHAT'S HAPPENING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Guessing |
Date learned: 10-22-1971
DIVIDING THE RING
ONE PERSON GOES TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROOM AND
FACES AWAY. ANOTHER PERSON TAKES A RING AND MAKES
TWO ROUNDS OF ALL THE PEOPLE SITTING AROUND HIM.
THEN THE GUESSER HAS TO COME BACK, AND TRY TO
GUESS IN THREE GUESSES. IF HE DOESN'T, HE MUST FORFEIT
SOMETHING. TO GET IT BACK, HE MUST DO WHATEVER THE
GROUP DECIDES FOR HIM TO DO: RECITE A POEM, SING A
SONG, TELL AN IMPROMPTU STORY OR SUCH.
Where learned: LITHUANIA, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Guessing |
Date learned: 03-27-1972
HANGED MAN
THE GAME ENDS WHEN ONE PLAYER HAS BEEN HANGED BY
MISSING A GUESS FOR EACH LINE OF A STICK FIGURE
DRAWING OF A HANGING MAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Guessing |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
TWENTY QUESTIONS
SCENE: THERE ARE TWO MEN LYING DEAD IN THE MIDDLE
OF THE DESERT WITH PACKS ON THEIR BACKS AND NO
FOOTPRINTS. WHAT HAPPENED?
ANSWER: THE MEN WERE PARACHUTING OVER THE DESERT WHEN
THEIR PARACHUTES FAILED TO OPEN AND THEY CRASHED AND
DIED.
SCENE: A MAN IS RIDING IN AN ELEVATOR OF HIS APARTMENT
BUILDING WHEN SUDDENLY THE ELEVATOR STOPS AND HE KNOWS
INSTANTANEOUSLY THAT HIS WIFE HAS JUST DIED. HOW DID
HE KNOW?
ANSWER: THE MAN'S WIFE HAD A DEFECTIVE LUNG, AND WAS IN
AN ARTIFICIAL LUNG. AS SOON AS THE ELECTRICITY WENT
OFF, SHE WAS UNABLE TO BREATHE, AND SHE WOULD HAVE DIED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Guessing |
Date learned: 09-00-1970
TWENTY QUESTIONS
A SCENE IS GIVEN, FROM WHICH THE AUDIENCE MUST DISCOVER
WHAT HAPPENED BY ASKING LEADING QUESTIONS.
SCENE: THERE IS A MAN LYING DEAD ON A DRIVEWAY, A
CAR IN THE GARAGE, A PIECE OF PAPER, AND A SET OF
TRACKS. WHAT HAPPENED?
ANSWER: THE MAN LYING DEAD ON THE SIDEWALK HAD RUN OVER
A MAN SEVERAL YEARS AGO IN THE CAR ACCIDENT, AND
CRIPPLED THE MAN FOR LIFE. HE HAD LEFT THE ACCIDENT
AND THE MAN WHO HAD BEEN CRIPPLED HAD ONLY BEEN ABLE
TO COPY DOWN HIS LICENSE NUMBER ON THE SLIP OF PAPER.
HE SWORE HE WOULD GET EVEN WITH THE MAN, SO CAME
BACK IN HIS WHEELCHAIR AND KILLED THE MAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Guessing |
Date learned: 09-00-1970