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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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PRANK
FILL AN ENVELOPE WITH SHAVING CREAM AND SEAL IT. TEAR OFF ONE OF THE
ENDS AND PUSH ALL THE SHAVE CREAM TO THE OPPOSITE END. SLIDE THE OPEN
END UNDER THE DOOR. STAMP FOOT ON THE END OF THE ENVELOPE WITH SHAVE
CREAM IN IT, SENDING THE SHAVE CREAM SPRAYING INTO THE ROOM.
Submitter comment: THIS WAS TOLD TO ME BY MY BROTHER IN 1970. I USED IT ALSO IN 1970.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 11-24-1973
EVERY YEAR IN MASSILLON, OHIO, BEGINNING WITH THE FIRST FRIDAY
OF THE SCHOOL YEAR, AND CONTINUING FOR TEN WEEKS, THE FOOTBALL GAMES
OF THE CITY'S ONLY HIGH SCHOOL DOMINATE THE SOCIAL, ENTERTAINMENT
AND CONVERSATIONAL ASPECTS OF THE CITIZENS. THE SEASON TRADITION-
ALLY CLOSES WITH AN INTER-CITY RIVALRY WITH CANTON'S (MASSILLON'S
NEIGHBORING CITY--LESS THAN TEN MILES AWAY) LARGEST SCHOOL--MCKINLEY,
AND APPROPRIATELY, "BEAT MCKINLEY WEEK."
THE MASSILLON TIGER--MCKINLEY BULLDOG FESTIVITIES ARE NOT PAR-
TICIPATED IN JUST BY STUDENTS. PEOPLE OF ALL AGES GET EXCITED ABOUT
THE GAME. SOME OF THE MOST ARDENT SUPPORTERS ARE OLD-TIMERS WHO
LOOK FORWARD TO IT EVERY YEAR, AND MOST EVERY CHILD HAS SEEN ONE
TIGER GAME, AND PROBABLY SPORTS A TIGER JACKET, BY THE TIME HE ENTERS
FIRST GRADE.
EACH OF THE TEAM'S THREE BOOSTER CLUBS, THE TIGER BOOSTERS, THE
SIDELINERS (EACH OF WHOSE MEMBERS SPONSOR A FOOTBALL PLAYER) AND THE
BENCHWARMERS, HOLD A "BEAT MCKINLEY RALLY" SOMETIME DURING THE WEEK,
AND THE STUDENT BODY ITSELF ALSO HOLDS A FEW RALLIES DURING THE
COURSE OF THE WEEK.
ON FRIDAY NIGHT, THE BIGGEST PRE-GAME EVENT IS HELD. A PARADE
MARCHES THROUGH THE DOWNTOWN AREA. INCLUDED IS THE MASSILLON TIGER
SWING BAND, MAJORETTES, COACHES, PLAYERS, AND FLOATS (ALL BEARING
THE THEME"BEAT MCKINLEY.") "OBIE," THE MASCOT IN A TIGER SKIN
(AND SINCE 1970, A LIVE TIGER IN A CAGE ALSO) ARE THERE, AS WELL AS
THE TRADITIONAL CALLIOPE; PLAYED ONLY DURING BEAT MCKINLEY WEEK, IT
ALSO DRIVES AROUND THE CITY STREETS PLAYING FOR A FEW HOURS
EACH NIGHT. THE PARADE MARCHES TO THE STADIUM COMPLEX, WHERE A HUGE
BONFIRE IS HELD. (STARTING IN 1973, FIRE REGULATIONS REDUCED THE
SIZE OF THE FIRE. AT THE SAME TIME THE SITE WAS CHANGED TO A PLACE
CLOSER TO THE DOWNTOWN AREA. SEE SUPPLEMENTARY PICTURE, AND NOTE
ATTENDANCE.)
INDIVIDUAL CITIZENS ALSO DO A GREAT DEAL OF "CAMPAIGNING."
BESIDES THE TIGER JACKETS, RAINCOATS, RIBBONS, CUSHIONS, BUMPER
STICKERS, AND TIGER TAILS, SOME FAMILIES DECORATE THEIR HOMES WITH
BOTH MASS-PRODUCED AND HOME-MADE SIGNS, AS WELL AS OCCASIONAL THREE-
DIMENSIONAL EXHIBITS, SUCH AS A STUFFED BULLDOG WITH A NOOSE TIED
AROUND HIS NECK.
THE SITE OF THE GAME ALTERNATES YEARLY BETWEEN MASSILLON TIGER
STADIUM AND CANTON FAWCETT STADIUM, AND IS ALWAYS PLAYED ON A SATUR-
DAY AFTERNOON AT TWO O'CLOCK. (WHEREAS ALL THE OTHER GAMES ARE
PLAYED ON FRIDAY NIGHTS.) IT NEVER DRAWS LESS THAN A SELLOUT CROWD
OF OVER TWENTY THOUSAND, EVEN THOUGH IT IS ALWAYS BROADCAST LIVE ON
THE LOCAL TELEVISION STATION.
THE FANS COME AS MUCH AS TWO HOURS BEFORE THE START OF THE GAME,
BECAUSE OF THE TRAFFIC JAMS. BEFORE THE START OF THE GAME, THE LIVE
TIGER MEETS MCKINLEY'S LIVE BULLDOG, AS DO THEIR COSTUMED COUNTER-
PARTS. LARGE CRATES OF HELIUM-FILLED BALLOONS (ORANGE AND BLACK BY
MASSILLON, AND RED AND BLACK BY CANTON) ARE ALWAYS RELEASED. THE
MAJORETTES RECEIVE CARNATIONS, AND THE SENIOR BAND MEMBERS ARE GIVEN
A FAREWELL CEREMONY. DURING THE PAST FEW YEARS, AN AIRPLANE BEARING
A BANNER WITH THE "BEAT MCKINLEY" MESSAGE HAS FLOWN BACK AND FORTH
OVER THE STADIUM, ADDING ANOTHER TRADITION TO THE GAME. DURING
HALF-TIME, THE SWING BAND PLAYS "THE TIGER RAG," AND PERFORMS SOME
ROUTINES THEY HAVE DONE FOR DECADES.
THE NIGHT OF THE GAME IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST NIGHTS FOR CELEBRA-
TION IN STARK COUNTY. WIN OR LOSE, THE ADULTS AND TEENS ALL HAVE
THEIR RESPECTIVE GET-TOGETHERS. MANY CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS SPONSOR
DANCES, INDIVIDUAL HOMES HAVE PARTIES, AND IT IS VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE
TO GET A RESTAURANT RESERVATION LESS THAN THREE TO FOUR WEEKS IN
ADVANCE OF THE GAME.
IN ADDITION TO CALLING ATTENTION TO THE EVENTS OF "BEAT MCKINLEY
WEEK," THE TOWN NEWSPAPER, THE EVENING INDEPENDENT, ALSO CARRIES OUT
CERTAIN TRADITIONS OF ITS OWN. ON THE DAY BEFORE THE BIG GAME, THE
INDEPENDENT SUPERIMPOSES THE WORDS "BEAT MCKINLEY" (IN BIG BLOCK
LETTERS PRINTED IN ORANGE) OVER THE FRONT-PAGE STORIES. ON NEARLY
EVERY OTHER PAGE (AND ESPECIALLY ON THE SPORT PAGE) THE COL-
UMNS OF THE PAPER ARE BORDERED WITH THE WORDS "BEAT MCKINLEY." ALSO,
THE PAST SCORES OF THE MASSILLON-CANTON GAME, FROM ITS ORIGIN IN
1894, ARE TRADITIONALLY PRINTED YEARLY. SOMETIME DURING THE COURSE
OF THE WEEK, PICTURES OF THE SENIORS PLAYING THEIR LAST GAME ARE
PRINTED.
Submitter comment:
CANTON CELEBRATES "BEAT MASSILLON WEEK" IN MUCH THE SAME WAY AS
MASSILLON CELEBRATES "BEAT MCKINLEY WEEK." THERE IS ALWAYS A LITTLE
"RIBBING" (SOMETIMES FRIENDLY, SOMETIMES NOT) BETWEEN MASSILLONIANS
AND CANTONIANS. I MYSELF ATTENDED THE NEAREST CATHOLIC SCHOOL, WHICH
IS LOCATED BETWEEN CANTON AND MASSILLON. EVEN THERE, THOUGH WE HAD
FOOTBALL GAMES OF OUR OWN THE SAME WEEK, STUDENTS WOULD WEAR "BEAT
MASSILLON" AND "BEAT MCKINLEY" RIBBONS, DEPENDING ON THEIR ALLEGIANCE
AND IT WAS A SIMILAR SITUATION IN ALL THE SUBURBAN AND COUNTY
SCHOOLS.
Where learned: OHIO ; MASSILLON
James Callow Keyword(s): SPORTS FOOTBALL
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 11-00-1973
PRACTICAL JOKE
THE TRICKSTER POINTS WITH HIS INDEX FINGER TO A SPOT ABOUT
HALF-WAY DOWN THE DUPE'S SHIRT, AND ASKS HIM, "WHAT IS THAT?" WHEN
THE DUPE BOWS HIS HEAD TO LOOK DOWN, THE TRICKSTER SCOOTS HIS FINGER
UP AND SLAPS THE FORMER ON THE LOWER CHIN.
Submitter comment:
SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN HAVE BEEN USING THIS AS LONG AS I CAN RE-
MEMBER, AND YOUNG ADULTS STILL DO IT OCCASIONALLY FOR A LAUGH.
THE REALLY AMUSING THING ABOUT IT IS THAT SOMEONE WILL NEARLY ALWAYS
FALL FOR IT, NO MATTER HOW OFTEN THEY HAVE BEEN TRICKED--THE QUESTION
IS SUCH THAT THE REFLEXES ARE IMMEDIATELY STIMULATED INTO FORCING THE
EYES TO LOOK DOWN. SOMETIMES THE TRICKSTER MAY LOOK HORRIFIED, AND
EXCLAIM, "EWWWW, WHAT'S THAT:?" AND MAY AT OTHER TIMES SAY IT MATTER-
OF-FACTLY.
IN THE RARE CASE WHEN THE DUPE IS NOT FOOLED, HE USUALLY GETS A
WIDE GRIN ON HIS FACE, AND WILL NOT LOOK DOWN. THE DEFEATED
TRICKSTER DROPS HIS HAND IN DISGUST.
Where learned: OHIO ; MASSILLON
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 11-00-1973
IN THE 1920'S MY UNCLES , ALONG WITH SOME FRIENDS OF THEIR'S, WENT
OUT TO PLAY PRANKS ON HALLOWEEN AND WOULD TIP OVER PEOPLES OUTHOUSES.
THERE WAS ONE THAT SAT AT THE TOP OF A SMALL RISE IN THE LAND.
THIS ONE THEY TURNED OVER LIKE SOME OTHERS THEY HAD DONE EARLIER AND
WERE SURPRISED TO HEAR YELLS COMING OUT OF THE OUTHOUSE AS IT ROLLED
OVER DOWN THE HILL. THE OLD MAN WHO HAD BEEN INSIDE AT THE TIME,
DID NOT GET PHYSICALLY HURT, BUT HE DID RECOGNIZE THE VOICE OF ONE
OF MY UNCLES.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- October 31 Halloween CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 09-20-1972
WHEN ANSWERING THE PHONE FOR MY COUSIN'S HOUSEHOLD GOODS MOVING
COMPANY IN CLEVELAND, OHIO ABOUT 1966, THE PERSON ON THE LINE SAID:
"HELLO. DO YOU MOVE EVERYTHING?" I ANSWERED YES, AND THE PERSON
SAID, "GOOD, WELL HOW ABOUT MOVING MY BOWELS."
Where learned: OHIO ; DETROIT ; CLEVELAND
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 09-26-1972
"EVERY DAY WE WOULD WALK DOWNTOWN TO TIEDKIES(IN TOLEDO, OHIO)
AND MEET
DAD WHERE WE'D BUY THE GROCERIES, LOOK AT THE ORGAN IN THE STORE, GO
THROUGH THE COFFEE DEPARTMENT AND SMELL ALL THE DIFFERENT SMELLS, AND
WATCH THE MAN PLAY THAT OLD ORGAN. PEOPLE WOULD NEVER THINK OF
WALKING THAT FAR NOW."
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SINCE BURNED DOWN. ; TIEDKIES WAS A DEPARTMENT & GROCERY STORE. IT HAS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 11-05-1972
COAL PILE BASEBALL GAMES
"WHEN I WAS SMALL...WE USED TO GET UP AND GO EARLY AND MEET ALL OF
THE KIDS WHO COULDN'T AFFORD TO BUY TICKETS, AND WE USED TO ALL GO
DOWN TO THE FIELD WHERE THE MUD HENS (TOLEDO) WERE PLAYING, AND WE
WOULD SIT ON TOP OF THESE GREAT BIG COAL PILES AROUND THE FIELD AND
WATCH."
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 11-05-1972
HOUSE PARTIES
"WE WERE ALWAYS HAVING HOUSE PARTIES FOR ALL THE NEIGHBOR'S SPECIAL
OCCASIONS.AND EVEN MY FATHER WOULD STAY AND HELP WITH ALL THE
DECORATIONS AND THE COOKING."
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 11-05-1972
STEALING ICE
"A LOT OF TIMES WE WOULD STEAL ICE FROM THE OLD ICE TRUCKS THAT YOU
DON'T SEE ANYMORE."
Submitter comment: INFORMANT EXPLAINED THAT THIS WAS USUALLY DONE IN A GROUP.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 11-09-1972
GATE HANGING
ONE OF THE THINGS WE USED TO DO, JUST AS A JOKE,
WAS TO TAKE SOMEBODY'S GATE OFF THE HINGES AND HANG IT
FROM A TELEPHONE POLE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
PRANKS IRELAND
TIE TWO ADJACENT FRONT DOOR KNOBS TOGETHER - KNOCK, FOR SOMEONE'S
ATTENTION - RUN - DOORS COULDN'T OPEN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 11-30-1972
PRANKS - PENNSYLVANNIA
TAKE GATES OFF HINGES AND HANG THEM ON LIGHT POLE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 11-30-1972
PRANKS - PENNSYLVANNIA
PUSH OUTHOUSES FOR HALLOWEEN PRANK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SCATOLOGICAL
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- October 31 Halloween CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 11-30-1972
FORMULA SPEECH
A PERSON CALLS SOMEONE ON THE PHONE AND ASKS VERY RAPIDLY
IS THERE A JOHN THERE? SO THE ARTICLE "A" IS HARDLY IF AT ALL
HEARD. IF THE PERSON ANSWERS NO, THE CALLER SAYS, " THERE'S
NO JOHN THERE?" THE PERSON AGAIN SAYS NO, AND THE CALLER
THEN ASKS, "WHAT DO YOU DO? CAN THE STUFF?
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES
James Callow Keyword(s): TELEPHONE PRANK
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 00-00-1972
CUSTOM CANDLE
EVERY YEAR AT CAMP AKIBA IN THE POCONO MOUNTAINS OF PENNSYLVANIA EACH
BUNK WRITES ALL THEIR NAMES ON A PLAQUE. A CANDLE IS PUT ON THE
PLAQUE AND FLOATED DOWN THE LAKE. IF IT REACHES THE OTHER SIDE
GIRLS IN THAT BUNK WILL RETURN.
Submitter comment: THIS WAS DONE ON THE LAST NIGHT OF CAMP
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 00-00-1950
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
DEVIL'S NIGHT
ON DEVIL'S NIGHT RING DOORBELLS AND SOAP WINDOWS
TO SHOW YOUR RESPECT FOR THE DEVIL'S POWER.
Where learned: HOME ; SCHOOL ; MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F103 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- September 23 equinox to December 20 Also used for Advent. BELIEF -- Devil Demon |
Date learned: CA1963-1975
SECOND LINE
THIS IS AN INSTRUMENTAL. THE MUSIC GIVES THE IMPRESSION
OF A SNAPPY MARCH.
Submitter comment:
THE 'SECOND LINE ' IS NOT ONLY A SONG, BUT A DANCE OR STRUT.
IT IS VERY POPULAR AMONG BLACKS IN NEW ORLEANS. THIS STRUT
IS NOT ONLY PERFORMED DURING THE MARDI GRAS SEASON, IT IS
PERFORMED AT THE END OF LAMOST EVERY DANCE, WHITE OR BALCK.
WHEN YOU HEAR THE BLAST OF THE TRUMPETS, IT IS LIKE CALLING
ALL THE PEOPLE TO THE DANCE FLOOR. YOUNG AND OLD ALIKE
CANNOT BEAR TO SIT WHILE THIS TUNE IS PLAYING.
IT IS ALWAYS THE LAST DANCE OF THE BALL. THE SECOND
LINE TUNE IS ALSO PLAYED AFTER A JAZZ FUNERAL, BUT THEY
USUALLY REMEMBER THE SONG 'WHEN THE SAINTS GO MARCHING IN.'
ON MARDI GRAS DAY YOU WILL SEE THE INDIANS DOING THE
'SECOND LINE DANCE' TO THEIR CHANTS AND TO THE MUSIC THAT
THEY MAKE.
THE TUNE ITSELF CAN BE PLAYED AT A RELATIVELY SLOW TEMPO FOR
THE PRESENTATIONS OF THE MEMBERS OF THE CLUB GIVING
THE BALL. THE TEMPO IS QUICKENED FOR THE FINALAE OF THE BALL.
THE SECOND LINE DANCE IS KNOWN BY MANY WHITES IN NEW ORLEANS,
BUT IT IS BASICALLY A TRADITION OF THE BLACKS THERE.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans
James Callow Keyword(s): INTERRACIALISM, NOT RACISM
Date learned: 02-11-1975
TELEPHONE PRANK
CALLER: DO YOU HAVE SIR WALTER RALEUGH IN A CAN?
ANSWERER: (WHO CAN WORK IN A STORE) YES.
CALLER: WELL THEN LET HIM OUT.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT HAS DONE THIS WITH FRIENDS
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LINCOLN PARK
James Callow Keyword(s): PUN ; SLANG: "CAN" FOR TOILET."
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Work Commerce Business CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
THE FOLLOWING IS A FLIM-FLAM TECHNIQUE ONE STUDENT USES TO GET INTO
SOLD OUT EVENTS SUCH AS CONCERTS OR ATHLETIC CONTESTS: THE CORNER OF
A TWENTY DOLLAR BILL IS CUT OFF AND CAREFULLY ATTACHED BY SOME SORT
OF GLUE TO THE CORNER OF A ONE DOLLAR BILL. THE CURENCY IS THEN
FOLDED FOUR OR FIVE TIMES SO THAT JUST THE CORNER SHOWING THE $20
IS EXPOSED. THIS "TWENTY" IS OFFERED TO THE TICKET TAKER WHO-BECAUSE
HE DOES NOT WANT TO CALL ATTENTION TO HIMSELF-USUALLY POCKETS THE
BILL QUICKLY WITHOUT CAREFUL EXAMINATION. THE STUDENT THEN SCAMPERS
INTO THE STADIUM OR ARENA TO SEE THE SCHEDULED EVENT AT BARGAIN
PRICES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): DISHONESTY ; EUPHEMISM
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 10-00-1975