Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for S636 returned 45 results.
A DEROGATORY {OBSCENE} GESTURE IN AMERICA IS
MADE BY CLENCHING YOUR FIST AND UPLIFTING THE
MIDDLE FINGER TOWARD THE PERSON.
Where learned: NEW YORK, ASSUMED ; FRANKLINVILLE
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Derision Scorn |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
CHILDREN WHO AREN'T GETTING ALONG IN NEWFOUNDLAND
{CANADA} HAVE AN INSULTING GREETING WHICH CONSISTS
OF LIFTING UP THE RIGHT LEG OFF OF THE GROUND AND
SLAPPING THE RIGHT BUTTOX WITH THE RIGHT HAND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): BUTTOCKS ; POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Derision Scorn |
Date learned: 11-00-1971
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AN INDIAN INSULT
THIS PERSON REPORTS THAT THE GREATEST INSULT KNOWN IN
THE INDIAN SIGN LANGUAGE IS TO "CLOSE THE HAND
TIGHTLY WITH THE NAILS OF THE FINGERS DOWNWARD, THEN
SUDDENLY OPENING THE HAND, USUALLY ACCOMPANIED WITH
A SNEER OF CONTEMPT.
THIS WAS THE GREATEST INSULT THAT AN INDIAN COULD GIVE.
Where learned: BOOK
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Body parts involved S602.1 SPEECH -- Derision Scorn |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
THE LITTLE AND INDEX FINGERS RAISED FROM A CLENCHED
FIST WITH KNUCKLES TOWARD BEARER, TELLS RECEIVER
HE IS "FULL OF IT."
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): DISBELIEF
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Derision Scorn |
Date learned: 12-00-1971
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THE GESTURE "THE HORNS" WAS USED TO DENOTE FALSEHOOD OR
IN TERMS OF THE VERNACULAR IT MEANT "BULLSHIT."
IT WAS USED BY A PERSON TO SHOW THAT HE DID NOT
BELIEVE WHAT HE WAS HEARING.
Data entry tech comment: DIAGRAM OF HAND WITH INDEX AND LITTLE FINGER RAISED,
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Derision Scorn |
Date learned: 00-00-1962
A GESTURE FORMED BY EXTENDING THE LITTLE FINGER AND
THE FOREFINGER. IT MEANS LITERALLY "BULLSHIT" BUT
IT SIGNIFIES DISBELIEF IN SOMETHING.
Where learned: GROSSE POINTE WOODS ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Derision Scorn |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
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WHEN A PERSON SAYS SOMETHING TO ANOTHER PERSON AND
THE OTHER PERSON DOESN'T LIKE IT, AFTER THE PERSON
WHO SAID IT TURNS AND WALKS AWAY, THE PERSON WHO IT
WAS SAID TO STICKS HIS TONGUE OUT AT THE
PERSON WHO SAID IT. THIS INDICATES A DISLIKE
ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE PERSON WHO SAID IT.
Where learned: PORT CHESTER ; NEW YORK, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Derision Scorn |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
SOMETIMES THERE IS A PERSON IN A GROUP OF PEOPLE
THAT IS TELLING EXTRA-BULL STORIES. A GESTURE USED
TO SHOW THIS IS: MAKING A SHOVELING MOTION--THAT
THE BULL IS GETTING PRETTY DEEP.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
James Callow Keyword(s): BULL=UNTRUTH, LIE ; DISBELIEF
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Derision Scorn |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
RUSSIAN OR ROMAN
THIS IS A PUN ON:
RUSHING=RUSSIAN. ROAMING=ROMAN.
AND IS USUALLY MENTIONED ABOUT SOMEONE WHO CLAIMS
TO HAVE HAD A GOOD TIME WITH A DATE. OR COULD
REFER TO SEX FIEND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): ELLIPSIS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage SPEECH -- Derision Scorn |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
A LIBYAN BELIEF
FOR THE ARAB PEOPLES, THE SIGN OF THE GREATEST INSULT
IS TO BE SHOWN THE SOLES OF ANOTHER'S SHOES. FOR AN
EXAMPLE, THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WOULD HAVE TO BE
CAREFUL NOT TO CROSS THEIR LEGS EITH THEIR SHOW
SOLES SHOWING. THIS IS BECAUSE, FOR THE ARABS, THE
SOLE OF A SHOE IS THE LOWEST THING BECAUSE IT
TOUCHES THE GROUND, WHICH IS REGARDED AS THE LOWEST
DIRTIEST AND MOST DISGUSTING THING.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Derision Scorn |
Date learned: 11-29-1969
I'M GOING TO GET YOU
THERE IS AN ITALIAN GESTURE IN WHICH ONE BITES HIS HAND
WITH HATE IN HIS EYES (AS ONLY THE ITALIANS CAN DO IT)
WHICH MEANS, I'M GOING TO GET YOU! (GOD HELP YOU).
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): THREAT THREATENING GESTURE
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Derision Scorn |
Date learned: 02-17-1970
GESTURE
TO TURN ONE'S NOSE UP. THIS HAS REFERENCES AS A SCORN.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): SNOBBISH ; SNOOTY ; SNUB ; STUCK-UP
James Callow Keyword(s): METAPHOR
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Derision Scorn |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN