Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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DUCK ON THE ROCK
AN EMPTY CAN WOULD BE PLACED ON A ROCK. ONE CHILD WOULD BE IT AND
STAND NEXT TO THE ROCK. THE REST OF THE PLAYERS WOULD STAND SOME
DISTANCE AWAY, ARMED WITH OTHER EMPTY CANS. THE ONE WHO WAS ABLE TO
KNOCK THE CAN FROM THE ROCK WOULD HAVE TO PLACE THE CAN BACK ON
THE ROCK BEFORE THE ONE WHO WAS "IT" COULD DO IT OR ELSE HE WAS OUT
OF THE GAME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 10-14-1972
LUCKY STRIKE
WHEN I WAS SMALL WE USED TO PLAY A GAME CALLED "LUCKY STRIKE."
A COUPLE OF US GUYS WOULD WALK AROUND AND WHOEVER SPOTTED AN
EMPTY LUCKY STRIKE CIGARETTE PACKAGE WOULD STEP ON IT AND
SAY "LUCKY STRIKES, NO STRIKES BACK." THIS PERSON COULD
THEN PUNCH ONE OF HIS FRIENDS IN THE SHOULDER WITHOUT FEAR
OF RECEIVING ONE IN RETURN. WE USE TO PLAY THIS GAME WHILE
WALKING TO THE SHOW OR STORE OR ANYWHERE FOR THAT MATTER.
YOU COULDN'T STEP ON THE SAME CIGARETTE PACKAGE TWICE.
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
GAMES
MY INFORMANT TELLS ME OF A GAME WHERE YOU PICK TEN MEN FOR
EACH SIDE. YOU THEN DRAW A CIRCLE ON THE GROUND OF ABOUT
THIRTY FEET IN DIAMETER. THE OPPOSING TEAM STANDS WAY OUTSIDE
THE CIRCLE PLAYING THE FIELD. THE OTHER TEAM STANDS
JUST OUTSIDE THE CIRCLE ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE AND ONE OF ITS
MEN PLACES HIMSELF DIRECTLY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CIRCLE.
THIS MAN HOLDS A BIG THICK STICK AND HAS TO HIT ANOTHER STICK
ABOUT SIX INCHES LONG. THIS SMALLER STICK IS PITCHED BY ONE
OF THE OPPOSING TEAM'S MEN IN THE FIELD. THE OBJECT OF THE
GAME IS TO HIT THE STICK AS FAR AS YOU CAN. IF THE HIT STICK
DOESN'T GET OUT OF THE CIRCLE OR IS CAUGHT BY A MAN IN THE
FIELD, THEN THE MAN IN THE CIRCLE IS OUT. ANOTHER MAN FROM THE
SAME TEAM TAKES HIS PLACE IN THE CIRCLE. PLAY CONTINUES UNTIL
ALL TEN MEN ON ONE TEAM ARE OUT AND THEN THE MEN FROM THE FIELD
COME IN TO HIT. NO POINTS ARE SCORED AND THE GAME IS CALLED
STICKBALL.
Submitter comment: (TCHELIKE IN GREEK)
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALLEN PARK
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 09-00-1972
TRUCK DRIVING PROWESS
DURING THE 1940'S AND EARLY 1950'S SEMI DRIVERS
FOLLOWING EACH OTHER ON OLD U.S. 22 (ONE OF THE FEW TRUCK
ROUTES INTO THE NEW YORK METRO AREA FROM THAT AREA [HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA]) USED TO ENGAGE IN A "CONTEST"
BY ALTERNATELY KNOCKING OUT THE ROADSIDE MAILBOXES BY SWAYING THE
REARMOST END OF THE TRAILER.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT'S INFORMANT: JOHN POTERE A DRIVER FOR MCCLEAN TRUCKING. THE INFORMATION WAS OBTAINED IN HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA IN OCTOBER OF 1969.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
James Callow Keyword(s): OCCUPATIONAL FOLKLORE TRUCK DRIVERS
Date learned: 12-01-1972
STONE SCHOOL
THIS IS A CHILD'S GAME USUALLY PLAYED ON A STAIRCASE. ALL THE
CHILDREN EXCEPT FOR THE ONE WHO IS THE "TEACHER" SIT ON THE
BOTTOM STEP. THE "TEACHER" HAS A STONE IN HIS HANDS, HE HIDES
HIS HANDS BEHIND HIS BACK AND PUTS THE STONE IN ONE. HE THEN
PRESENTS HIS CLOSED FISTS TO ONE OF THE CHILDREN. THE CHILD
MUST GUESS WHICH HAND THE STONE IS IN. IF HE GUESSES CORRECTLY
HE GETS TO MOVE UP ONE STEP (OR GRADE). IF HE GUESSES INCORRECTLY
HE JUST STAYS WHERE HE IS AND IT IS SOMEONE ELSE'S TURN. THE FIRST
CHILD TO REACH THE TOP OF THE STAIRS WINS AND BECOMES THE "TEACHER".
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Guessing Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
BASEBALL
IF YOU RUB A BASEBALL IN THE DIRT BEFORE YOU PLAY, YOU WILL WIN.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN ;
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement BELIEF -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Good luck P881.2 |
Date learned: CA1963-1975
GAME SUPERSTITION
IF A PERSON HITS MOST OF HIS SHOTS IN A BASKETBALL
WARM UP, HE WILL MISS THEM IN A GAME, AND VICE VERSA.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; FRANKLINVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): OPPOSITES
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement BELIEF -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.6 |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
GAME SUPERSTITION
IF A BATTER SWINGS AND MISSES AT THE FIRST PITCH, HE WILL
STRIKE OUT.
Submitter comment: THIS ALWAYS HAPPENED TO THE INFORMANT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): BASEBALL
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
GAME SUPERSTITION
IN BOWLING THERE IS A SUPERSTITION THAT IF
SOMEONE MAKES THREE STRIKES IN A ROW, THE PERSON SCORING
SHOULD NOT FILL IN THE SCORE EXCEPT X'S FOR FEAR OF BAD LUCK FOR THE
BOWLERS NEXT ROLLS.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; PORT CHESTER
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement BELIEF -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.6 |
Date learned: 12-00-1970
EASTER:
PREPARATIONS FOR EASTER USUALLY BEGAN ON HOLY THURSDAY AND LASTED UP
TILL EASTER SUNDAY MORNING. THERE WAS CLEANING TO DO, BAKING,
COOKING, AND EGGS TO COLOR.
PEOPLE WERE REQUIRED TO GO TO MASS ON THURSDAY,
FRIDAY AND SATURDAY MORNINGS. ON SATURDAY AT MIDNIGHT THEY WERE ALSO
REQUIRED TO COME.
THE BAKING & COOKING STARTED OFF WITH "BABKA" - A POLISH KIND OF
BREAD; SWEET, WITH RAISINS. THIS WAS USUALLY EATEN WITH HONEY.
THERE WAS GOOSE, FISH, VEGETABLES - ALL KINDS OF FOOD IN HUGE
AMOUNTS. BUT WHAT EVERYONE ENJOYED MOST, WAS THE COLORING OF THE
EGGS.
BECAUSE LITHUANIANS ARE SO ARTISTIC, THEIR ART COMES OUT IN A SMALL
WAY ON THESE EGGS. THE PROCESS IS VERY SIMPLE: YOU TAKE A WAX
CANDLE, A PIN WITH A HEAD, AND A CLEAN, DRY, HARD-BOILED EGG. YOU
DIP THE PIN HEAD INTO THE MELTING WAX AND QUICKLY STROKE IT ONTO THE
EGG. WHEREVER THE WAX TOUCHES THE EGG, THE COLOR WILL NOT COVER IT
THERE. THERE ARE MANY MANY VARIOUS DESIGNS THAT YOU CAN CREATE
WITH THIS TYPE OF COLORING. AFTER THE WAX ON THE EGG IS DRY, YOU
DROP IT INTO COLD COLORS.
FOR A TWO COLOR, DUO-DESIGN EGG, IT IS JUST AS SIMPLE. THE EGG IS
WHITE FROM THE BEGINNING. YOU DRAW A DESIGN ON IT & DROP IT INTO
GREEN. YOU TAKE IT, PAT IT DRY VERY GENTLY AND THEN PROCEED WITH
ANOTHER DESIGN. YOU SIMPLY STROKE THE WAX ONTO THE GREEN PART OF THE
EGG & DROP IT INTO BLUE. LET'S SAY YOU KEEP IT IN FOR ONLY A FEW
MINUTES AND WHEN YOU TAKE IT: YOU HAVE A WHITE, GREEN & AQUA EGG.
THERE IS ANOTHER WAY OF COLORING EGGS, BUT MORE DIFFICULT. IT IS
HARDLY USED AT ALL TODAY, MY PARENTS NEVER USED IT, SO IT'S RATHER
HARD TO EXPLAIN. THE METHOD IS CARVING THE DESIGN RIGHT OUT ONTO THE
EGG. BUT SINCE I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO FIND A MOST INFORMATIVE SOURCE
FOR THIS METHOD, THIS IS ALL I CAN SAY 'BOUT ( ABOUT ) IT.
EASTER MORNING, OR SATURDAY AT MIDNIGHT, THE CHURCH IS DARK, WITH
ONLY ONE DIM LIGHT IN THE BACK OF THE CHURCH. AT MIDNIGHT, THE
CANDLES ARE LIT, THE PEOPLE BEGIN TO SING AS THE PRIEST TAKES THE
MONSTRANCE AROUND THE CHURCH SEVERAL TIMES IN A PROCESSION. IN FRONT
OF THE PRIEST, THERE ARE SEVERAL GIRLS THROWING ROSE PETALS AT HIS
FEET. AFTER THE PROCESSION IS FINISHED, HE SAYS A SHORT PRAYER FOR
EVERYONE, BLESSES THE PEOPLE WITH HOLY WATER AND MASS BEGINS.
ON EASTER IN THE AFTERNOON, THE CHILDREN GET TOGETHER AND CHALLENGE
EACH OTHER TO AN "EGG-CONTEST". THIS REALLY CONSISTS OF TWO PARTS,
BUT THE OBJECTIVE IS THE SAME: TRYING TO CRACK THE OTHER EGG. THE
FIRST PART WOULD BE WHERE THE CHALLENGED EGG WAS BEING HELD WITH THE
POINTED NOSE UP, AND THE CHALLENGER WOULD ATTEMPT TO CRACK IT. IF
THE CHALLENGER'S EGG CRACKED, HE WAS THE LOSER. BUT IF THE
CHALLENGED EGG WON, HE COULD HAVE A SECOND TRY TO SEE HOW FAR HIS EGG
WOULD ROLL & IF HE CAN CRACK HIS OPPONENT'S EGG THIS WAY. THE
ROLLING WAS USUALLY HELD ON A GRASSY PIECE OF LAND. THERE WOULD BE A
SLANTED BOARD, SIMILAR TO A SLIDE AND THE EGGS WOULD BE ROLLED FROM
THIS. IF THE CHALLENGER'S EGG DEVELOPED A SECOND CRACK FROM HIS
OPPONENT, HE WAS OUT.
THE KIDS IN LITHUANIA DIDN'T RECEIVE EASTER BASKETS. THEY RECEIVED
EGGS, BUT HAD TO HUNT ALL OVER THE FARM FOR THEM. AND TO SOME LUCKY
ONES, IT BROUGHT THEM THE SATISFACTION OF HAVING THE STRONGEST EGG IN
THE VILLAGE.
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM ; GAME ; MUSIC ; WATER
Date learned: 03-26-1972
MARBLES
IT'S CUSTOMARY TO SHOOT MARBLES ON GOOD FRIDAY. ( IT IS ) FOLLOWED
QUITE RIGOROUSLY BY YOUNGER BOYS.
Submitter comment: ( THIS IS A CUSTOM IN THE ) BAHAMAS.
Data entry tech comment:
MARBLES ARE ALSO PLAYED IN SUSSEX, ENGLAND ON GOOD FRIDAY. IT HAS
BEEN SUGGESTED THAT IT SIGNIFIES THE THROWING OF DICE DURING THE
CRUCIFIXION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; DORM ROOM
| Subject headings: | 663 Good Friday Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 02-04-1972
EASTER CELEBRATIONS
A POLISH CUSTOM IS THAT ON THE DAY AFTER EASTER IF A
BOY CATCHES A GIRL SHE MUST GIVE HIM ONE OF HER EGGS. SHE MAY
CHALLENGE HIM FOR THAT EGG. THIS IS DONE BY THE HITTING OF THE
TWO EGGS TOGETHER. IF HER EGG DOESN'T BREAK THEN SHE GETS HIS EGG.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector are the same person.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GRAND RAPIDS
Keyword(s): GAME
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter eggs CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Mexican Easter Custom
THEY'D PRESERVE THE EGG SHELLS AS WHOLE AS POSSIBLE. THEN THE
SHELLS WERE DRIED, COLORED OR DYED. PAPER CUT UP INTO MINIATURE
PIECES OF ALL SHAPES AND COLORS WERE THEN PUT INTO THE SHELLS.
THE OPEN END OF THE EGG WAS SEALED WITH PAPER OR TAPE. NOW THE
EGGS WERE READY TO BE USED AS A FUN-PIECE AT AN EASTER PARTY.
THE EGGS WERE CRACKED OVER EACH OTHER'S HEAD WHEN THE PERSON
WAS CAUGHT OFF GUARD. ALL THE PAPER PIECES WOULD THEN FLY ALL
OVER AND EVERYONE WOULD LAUGH AND CLAP.
Submitter comment:
[INFORMANT] SAID THAT SHE AND THE OTHER 9 OR 10 MEMBERS
OF HER FAMILY LOOKED FORWARD TO THIS FUN EVERY EASTER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; HOLY CROSS HOSPITAL
Keyword(s): GAME
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter eggs |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
THE BREAKING OF EASTER EGGS
THERE IS A CUSTOM AMONG UKRAINIANS WHICH CONSISTS OF HITTING
TOGETHER TWO PAINTED EASTER EGGS BY TWO PEOPLE. THE PERSON
WHOSE EGG DOES NOT BREAK WILL HAVE GOD'S BLESSING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): GAME
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter eggs BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 11-02-1969
EGG GAME
DURING THE EASTER RITUAL OF EATING THE BLESSED FOOD TAKEN TO THE
CHURCH, THE HARD BOILED EGGS ARE SMASHED. THE ONE WHOSE EGG
SMASHES LAST IS THE WINNER.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): GAME
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter eggs |
Date learned: 11-02-1969
EASTER EGG FIGHTS
A CUSTOM THE ARMENIANS HAVE AND AS FAR AS I KNOW ARE THE ONLY ONES
THAT DO IS THE EASTER EGG FIGHTS. WE BOIL AND COLOR OUR EGGS JUST
LIKE EVERYONE ELSE, BUT WE ALSO SEE WHO HAS THE STRONGEST EGG BY
HITTING THE POINTED ENDS OF THE EGGS TOGETHER. THE ONE WHOSE EGG
BREAKS IS THE LOSER. I AM ALSO TOLD THAT WHEN I WAS YOUNG OLDER
MEN LIKE MY GRANDFATHER WOULD MEET ON EASTER AND WAGER DOZENS AND
CASES OF EGGS ON A SINGLE MATCH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; WALSH COLLEGE ; CAMPUS
Keyword(s): GAME
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter eggs |
Date learned: 03-21-1970
EASTER EGG TRADITION
AS LONG AS I CAN REMEMBER, WE USED TO RECEIVE EASTER EGG BASKETS
FULL OF EGGS AND CHOCOLATE. THE CHILDREN WOULD BANG THE HEAVY
END AGAINST EACH OTHER'S EGG AND IF YOU CRACKED THE OPPONENT'S EGG,
IT WAS YOURS TO KEEP. SOME OF US WOULD EVEN DRAIN ONE EGG AND STUFF
IT WITH A HEAVY MATERIAL SUCH AS SAND OR BRICK MORTAR. IN THIS WAY,
OUR SHELL WOULD NOT BREAK AND YOU COULD WIN ALL THE OTHER EGGS.
HOWEVER, SOMEONE ALWAYS BECAME AWARE OF THIS AND YOU WOULD BE
CAUGHT RED-HANDED.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector are the same person. He recalls doing this in the late 1940s.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): GAME
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter eggs CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter baskets |
Date learned: 00001940S LATE
EGG CRACKING CONTEST
WE HAVE A CUSTOM IN OUR FAMILY CALLED THE EGG-CRACKING CONTEST.
EVERY EASTER SUNDAY MY UNCLE AND HIS FAMILY WOULD HOLD THIS CONTEST.
THE CONTEST WOULD DETERMINE WHICH PERSON HAD THE HARDEST OR STRONGEST
HARD-BOILED EGG. (THIS CONTEST USED TO BE HELD AT MY GRANDFATHER'S
HOUSE BUT HE PASSED AWAY ABOUT TEN YEARS AGO.) THE CONTEST STARTS
OUT WITH THE PLAYERS HITTING AND CRACKING
COLORED EGGS AT THE POINT OR SHARP
END OF THE EGG. THE WINNER OF A SKIRMISH IS THE PERSON WHOSE
EGG DOESN'T CRACK. THE LOSER MUST GIVE HIS CRACKED EGG TO THE
WINNER AND TRY AGAIN. THE COMPETITION TAKES PLACE IN THE LIVING
ROOM AND MANY CHALLENGES ARE MADE TO THE OWNER OF A WINNING EGG. THE
GAME CONTINUES UNTIL ONLY ONE EGG IS LEFT UNCRACKED. THIS EGG IS
THE WINNER. THE OWNER OF THIS EGG IS THE WINNER AND USUALLY GETS
THE PRIZE OF ONE DOLLAR. WHEN A "POINTS" WINNER IS DETERMINED,
THE GAME BEGINS OVER AGAIN. THIS TIME THE BOTTOM OR FLATTER PART OF
THE EGG IS USED. A "BUTTS" CHAMPION IS REWARDED WITH A DOLLAR
ALSO.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector are the same person.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): GAME
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter eggs CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
AFTER EASTER SERVICES ALL GREET EACH OTHER WITH COLORED EGGS. EACH
PERSON TRIES TO BREAK THE OTHER'S EGG BY TAPPING THE TOP OF THE EGG.
THE PERSON WHO BREAKS THE EGG GETS TO KEEP BOTH EGGS.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SAID THAT THIS IS A POPULAR ROMANIAN EASTER CHILDREN'S
GAME ALTHOUGH ADULTS ARE KNOWN TO PLAY IT. INFORMANT SAID SHE
ACTUALLY LOOKS FORWARD TO PLAYING IT EACH EASTER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; informant's home
Keyword(s): GAME
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter eggs CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday |
Date learned: 10-20-1971
POLISH ( ITALIAN ) EASTER CUSTOM
ON EASTER, WHEN ITALIAN PEOPLE GO VISITING, THEY EACH TAKE A
HARD-BOILED EGG AND TRY TO CRACK THE SHELL OF EACH OTHER'S EGG. THE
PERSON WHO CRACKED THE SHELL OF ANOTHER PERSON'S EGG FIRST IS THE
WINNER, AND THE PERSON WHOSE SHELL IS CRACKED FIRST IS THE LOSER.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A NORTHERN ITALIAN CUSTOM WHICH SHE LEARNED WHEN SHE WAS
A CHILD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CARPOOL ; EAST SIDE
Keyword(s): GAME