Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for B478 returned 313 results.
PETOSKEY STONE
THESE STONES ARE A FOSSILIZED CORAL (HEXAGONARIA) WHICH CONSIST
OF A CYLINDRICAL GEOMETRIC LATTICE OF SIX-SIDED CORAL STEMS ABOUT
A QUARTER INCH ACROSS WITH A SMALL CIRCLE INSIDE EACH ONE. THE
FOSSILS ARE A HARD ROCK WHICH TAKES AN EXCELLENT POLISH AND IS
COMMONLY USED IN SOUVENIR JEWELRY, ETC. UNOFFICIALLY MICHIGAN'S
STATE STONE, IT CAN BE FOUND IN GRAVEL PITS AND SHORES FROM
HIGGINS LAKE TO THE LOWER U.P. (UPPER PENINSULA). NAMED FOR
PETOSKEY, MICHIGAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 10-30-1968
HOW TWO MEDICINE LAKE GOT ITS NAME
WHEN THE GOVERNMENT SET ASIDE A TRACT OF LAND IN NORTHERN MONTANA
FOR A NATIONAL PARK, ONE OF THE TASKS WAS TO GIVE NAMES TO MANY
OF THE NATURAL FEATURES--STREAMS, MOUNTAINS, ETC. ON THE SHORES
OF TWO MEDICINE LAKE THERE WERE FOUND THE REMAINS OF TWO OLD
MEDICINE LODGES, USED AT ONE TIME TO HOUSE THE INITIATION CEREMONY
MAKING YOUNG BLACKFOOT INDIAN BOYS OFFICIALLY MEN OF THE TRIBE.
THE LAKE WAS FIRST CALLED THE LAKE OF THE TWO MEDICINE LODGES,
OR A SIMILAR TITLE. BY CONSTANT USE, THE NAME WAS SHORTENED,
UNTIL TODAY IT BEARS THE NAME TWO MEDICINE LAKE.
Submitter comment:
AS WAS TOLD TO ME BY A FOREST RANGER AT GLACIER NATIONAL PARK
IN AUGUST, 1969.
Where learned: GLACIER NATIONAL PARK
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name BELIEF -- Maturity |
Date learned: 08-00-1969
NAMES
AYERS, MORISON: THIS IS A SCOTTISH NAME. THE FIRST WAS A LAST
NAME OF A CLAN WHO MERGED WITH THE MORISON CLAN. THIS WAS PASSED
DOWN THROUGHOUT THE FAMILY FOR MORE THAN 8 GENERATIONS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 10-02-1970
LACKAWANNA
DID YOU EVER HEAR OF LACKAWANNA, NEW YORK? WELL, I USED TO LIVE
THERE A COUPLE (OF) YEARS AGO. THE STORY AROUND THERE CONCERNING
HOW THE CITY GOT ITS NAME GOES LIKE THIS: THERE WAS THIS INDIAN
TRIBE IN NEW YORK (THE ONEIDAS, I THINK) WHO INHABITED THE
BUFFALO AREA. ONE OF THE INDIANS GOT UP ON THIS BIG OLD HILL
AND SURVEYED THE AREA. ALL THE INDIAN COULD SEE WAS WATER, SO
HE SAID, "LACKAWANNA," WHICH WAS THAT TRIBE'S WAY OF SAYING, "AS
I STAND HIGH ON THIS HILL, AND I LOOK AROUND, ALL I CAN SEE IS
WATER." AND SO THAT IS HOW LACKAWANNA, NEW YORK, GOT ITS NAME.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT, A RESIDENT OF THE BUFFALO AREA, SAID THAT THIS IS
WHAT THE PEOPLE TOLD HIM WHEN HE MOVED THERE.
Where learned: BUFFALO ; NEW YORK
Keyword(s): TALL TALE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 05-12-1965
LAKE ERIE
REMEMBER YESTERDAY HOW I TOLD YOU HOW LACKAWANNA GOT ITS NAME
FROM AN INDIAN STANDING ON A HILL. WELL, THE NEXT DAY, THAT
INDIAN BROUGHT THE CHIEF UP TO THE SAME HILL. WHEN THE CHIEF
GOT UP THERE HE SAID, "YOU WERE RIGHT, ALL YOU CAN SEE FROM UP
HERE IS WATER. BOY, IS THIS EVER EERIE!" SO THAT'S HOW THAT
PARTICULAR BODY OF WATER GOT ITS NAME--LAKE ERIE.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT SAID HE ALSO HEARD THIS IN BUFFALO, NEW YORK.
Where learned: BUFFALO ; NEW YORK
Keyword(s): TALL TALE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 05-14-1965
MONONAGHELA RIVER
THE LEGEND IS THAT A CHIEF OF AN INDIAN TRIBE NAMED THE RIVER
AFTER HIMSELF. THE TRIBE WAS OF FIERCE WARRIORS AND RULED ALONG
MOST OF THE RIVER BEFORE THE LAND WAS EVER SETTLED.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT USED TO LIVE ON THIS RIVER AS A CHILD IN PENNSYLVANIA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 10-07-1970
THE LEGEND OF KRAKUS
AFTER THE FOUNDING OF POLAND (550 A.D.) BY A LEGENDARY
HERO NAMED LECH, THERE FOLLOWED TWELVE PALANTINES.
THEIR RULING WAS GETTING WORSE AND WORSE. FINALLY, THE
PEOPLE CHOSE A YOUNG PRINCE NAMED KRAKUS. HE WAS KNOWN
TO HAVE KILLED A TERRIBLE DRAGON LIVING IN A CAVE,
UNDER THE HILL OF WOWEL NEAR THE VISTULA RIVER,
AFTER WHICH THE CITY OF KRAKOW, OR CRACAW, WAS BUILT.
SINCE KRAKUS WAS SUCH A JUST AND NOBLE RULER, THE PEOPLE
BUILT UP A MOUND, BY HAND, IN HONOR OF HIM. THIS MOUND
EXISTS TO THIS DAY.
THE LEGEND OF KRAKUS' VICTORY OVER THE FIERY DRAGON GOES
LIKE THIS:
FOR MANY YEARS THE PEOPLE LIVING IN THIS AREA FEARED THE
DRAGON THAT LIVED IN THE CAVE. OFTEN HE WOULD ROAR
WHEN HE WAS HUNGRY, SHAKING THE EARTH AS HE DID. ONCE
A YEAR THE DRAGON WOULD COME OUT INTO THE FIELDS WHERE
THE SHEPHERDS HAD THEIR SHEEP GRAZING. HE WOULD ROAR
WITH FIRE COMING OUT OF HIS MOUTH. TO SATISFY THE ANGRY
DRAGON, THE PEOPLE WOULD OFFER A YOUNG MAIDEN, EVERY YEAR,
{FOR HIM} TO CONSUME. HE WOULD THEN RETURN TO HIS CAVE
FOR ANOTHER YEAR.
KRAKUS, BEING A CLEVER YOUNG MAN, DECIDED TO CONQUER THIS
DRAGON. THE PEOPLE PROMISED HIM THE KINGDOM IF HE COULD.
HE TOOK A LAMB, CUT IT OPEN, AND STUFFED IT WITH
BRIMSTONE. HE LEFT THIS LAMB OUT IN THE FIELD WHEN THE
ANGRY DRAGON CAME OUT. SEEING NO YOUNG MAIDEN AROUND,
THE HUNGRY DRAGON QUICKLY DEVOURED THE LAMB. SUDDENLY,
HE WAS VERY THIRSTY. IN HIS THIRST, HE WENT TO THE
VISTULA RIVER TO DRINK. HE DRANK AND DRANK, UNTIL HE
BURST OPEN. THUS THE TERRIBLE DRAGON WAS DEAD AND
KRAKUS WAS THE HERO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
MANY YEARS AGO, DOCTORS THOUGHT THAT THE REASON MEN
HAD AN ADAM'S APPLE WAS BECAUSE ADAM ATE AN APPLE
WHICH STUCK IN HIS THROAT. THUS THE NAME, ADAM'S
APPLE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 02-00-1971
LEGEND OF BEAR ISLAND
THERE IS AN INDIAN LEGEND THAT TELLS HOW THE FAMOUS MICHIGAN BEAR
ISLAND WAS MADE. IT WAS SAID THAT A MOTHER BEAR AND HER TWO CUBS
WERE ATTEMPTING TO SWIM ACROSS LAKE MICHIGAN, BUT THEY EACH WERE
OVERCOME BY EXHAUSTION BEFORE THEY COULD EVEN SWIM 5 TO 6 MILES.
THEIR BODIES NOW FORM THE BIG BEAR ISLAND AND THE TWO SMALL BEAR
ISLANDS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BATTLE CREEK
Keyword(s): AMERICAN INDIAN ; SLEEPING BEAR SAND DUNE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 00-00-1954
LEGEND OF HOW DIXIE GOT ITS NAME
IN THE OLD, OLD SOUTH, THE FRENCH AT ONE TIME PRINTED AND DIS-
TRIBUTED MONEY THAT WAS REFERRED TO AS "DIX," WHICH WAS THE FRENCH
VERSION OF A TEN DOLLAR BILL. TO THE NORTHERNERS, THE SOUTH
BECAME FAMOUS FOR THIS MONEY. THUS, THE SOUTH BECAME KNOWN AS THE
LAND OF THE DIX, OR DIXIE LAND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of quality Medium of exchange |
Date learned: 10-00-1968
LEGEND OF HOW BATTLE CREEK GOT ITS NAME
THERE WAS TWO SURVEYORS FROM DETROIT IN THE EARLY 1800'S WHO WERE
DOING THEIR WORK NEAR WHAT IS NOW THE BATTLE CREEK AND KALAMAZOO
RIVERS. AN INDIAN CAME UP TO THEIR CAMP AND ASKED FOR FOOD. SUB-
SEQUENTLY SOMEHOW A FIGHT WAS STARTED BETWEEN THESE MEN. AND
THUS, BATTLE CREEK GOT ITS NAME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BATTLE CREEK
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name Food Drink -- Food |
Date learned: 00-00-1954
THE BRIDGE TO NOWHERE
LATE IN THE 1950'S, CONSTRUCTION BEGAN ON A BRIDGE ACROSS THE
ALLEGHANY RIVER LINKING DOWNTOWN PITTSBURGH WITH THE CITY'S
NORTHSIDE. THE BRIDGE WAS BUILT AT GREAT EXPENSE, OR IT SHOULD
BE SAID THAT IT WAS ALMOST BUILT. ABOUT TWO YEARS AFTER CONSTRUC-
TION BEGAN, IT ENDED, SOME 40 FEET SHORT OF THE OPPOSITE BANK.
NOT ONLY WASN'T THERE ANY ROAD ON THE OTHER SIDE TO CONNECT THE
BRIDGE TO, BUT RIGHTS-OF-WAY HAD NOT YET EVEN BEEN PURCHASED.
THE BRIDGE REMAINED UNCOMPLETED FOR 14 YEARS, AND QUICKLY ASSUMED
THE NAME OF THE "BRIDGE TO NOWHERE." THE BRIDGE BECAME A SYMBOL
FOR INEFFICIENCY IN GOVERNMENT AND THE TARGET FOR NUMEROUS JOKES.
MANY STORIES ARE TOLD ABOUT PEOPLE DRIVING OFF THE END OF IT
(SOME ACTUALLY DOCUMENTED). THE BRIDGE WAS FINALLY COMPLETED IN
1970 AND OFFICIALLY NAMED THE FORT DUQUESNE BRIDGE, BUT PITTSBURGH
RESIDENTS CONTINUE TO REFER TO IT AS THE BRIDGE TO NOWHERE.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Plan, design, color, building material, and technic ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Bridge |
Date learned: 10-02-1971
LEGEND ABOUT THE ORIGIN OF POLAND
THERE WAS AN OLD MAN AND HE LIVED IN ASIA AND HE HAD THREE SONS
WHOSE NAMES WERE LECH, CZECH AND RUS. AND THE OLD MAN DIED AND
HE DIDN'T LEAVE HIS SONS ANYTHING, SO THEY HAD TO GO OUT INTO THE
WORLD TO SEEK THEIR FORTUNES. SO THEY WENT TO EUROPE AND RUS
WENT NORTH AND FOUNDED RUSSIA AND CZECH WENT SOUTH AND FOUNDED
CZECHOSLOVAKIA. LECH KEPT GOING AND NIGHT CAME AND HE FOUND
HIMSELF IN A CIRCLE AROUND A CLEARING AND HE SAID, "I WILL ESTAB-
LISH A COUNTRY AND THIS WILL BE THE SYMBOL ON MY BANNER." AND
THIS IS HOW THE COUNTRY OF POLAND ORIGINATED.
Submitter comment: SHE LEARNED IT FROM PAN NOWAK WHO TAUGHT HER POLISH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name BELIEF -- Sign Color |
Date learned: 03-14-1967
A LEGENDARY GAME
THERE WAS A PLAGUE IN ENGLAND AND THE GAME "RING AROUND THE ROSEY"
WAS REALLY A RASH WITH A RING AROUND IT, SO IT'S RING AROUND THE
ROSEY. IT USED TO SMELL, SO THEY KEPT POSIES IN THEIR POCKETS,
POCKET FULL OF POSIES. IT ALSO USED TO MAKE THEM SNEEZE, AND AFTER
THEY SNEEZED THEY WOULD FALL DEAD, SO IT ISN'T REALLY ASHES, ASHES,
THEY ALL FALL DOWN, BUT ACHOO, ACHOO, THEY ALL FALL DEAD.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM HER HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Medicine |
Date learned: 03-31-1967
SCOTT FOUNTAIN
THIS FOUNTAIN LOCATED ON BELLE ISLE WAS DONATED BY ONE OF
DETROIT'S MOST NOTORIOUS GAMBLERS AND PRACTICAL JOKERS, WHOSE
NAME THE FOUNTAIN BEARS. THE MONEY FOR THIS HISTORIC LANDMARK
WAS SUPPOSEDLY WON FROM THREE OF DETROIT'S MORE PROMINENT FIGURES
IN A GAME OF CHANCE. IT WAS THE OBJECTION OF THESE THREE THAT
DELAYED ITS CONSTRUCTION FOR SOME THIRTY YEARS. THE FOUNTAIN
NOW STANDS AS AN ETERNAL MOCKERY OF THESE NOBLE CITIZENS, WHO
SCOTT ONCE CUSSED BY SAYING HE WOULD GET THE LAST LAUGH.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Fountain Well Aqueduct |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
LADY
IN ANGLO-SAXON TIMES, THE PEOPLE WERE POOR, THE FAMILIES WERE VERY
LARGE, AND THE WORK LOAD WAS HEAVY, SO WHILE THE CHILDREN WERE
STILL IN THEIR PINAFORES, THEY WERE ALLOTTED VARIOUS CHORES. THE
BOYS, OF COURSE, WORKED IN THE FIELDS, PLOWING AND SEEDING AND
SEPARATING THE WHEAT FROM THE CHAFF, WHILE THE HOUSEWORK WAS LEFT
TO THE GIRLS. THEY WERE TAUGHT TO KNIT AND PURL. SOME DID THE
MILKING, OTHERS THE SPINNING, BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT TASK WAS LEFT
TO THE HOUSEWIFE HERSELF, THAT OF BAKING THE DAILY BREAD SO THAT
THE FAMILY COULD BE FED. SHE WAS CALLED THE BREAD KNEADER OR,
IN ANGLO-SAXON, THE LAE-DIGE. CENTURIES LATER, SHE WAS CALLED
"LADY."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROCHESTER
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Plant husbandry Farming PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name Food Drink -- Plant food Cereal BELIEF -- Home |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
KIBITZER
ANY CARD PLAYER WILL TELL YOU A KIBITZER IS THE LOWEST FORM OF
HUMANITY; HE'S CONTINUALLY PEEKING INTO YOUR HAND, SMIRKING AND
GIVING UNNECESSARY ADVICE. KIBITZERS AREN'T NICE. THE NAME
KIBITZER COMES FROM THE WORD KIBITZ, GERMAN FOR LAPWING OR PLOVER.
THIS CREATURE JABBERS INCESSANTLY, BUT CANNOT SING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROCHESTER
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Bird PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
SLEEPING BEAR DUNES
HOW THE SLEEPING BEAR DUNES (IN NORTHERN MICHIGAN) GOT THEIR
NAME: ONCE THERE WAS A GIANT BEAR AND HER TWO CUBS, AND THEY
HAD TO SWIM ACROSS LAKE MICHIGAN TO GET SOME FOOD BECAUSE THEY
WERE STARVING. THEY SWAM AND THEY SWAM, BUT IT WAS A LONG, LONG
WAY. SO ONE OF THE CUBS COULDN'T GO ANY FURTHER AND IT SANK TO
THE BOTTOM. BUT THE MAMA BEAR AND THE OTHER CUB KEPT ON SWIMMING.
FINALLY THE OTHER CUB TIRED AND SANK TO THE BOTTOM ALSO. WELL,
THE MAMA BEAR KEPT ON COMING AND SHE FINALLY MADE IT TO THE
MICHIGAN SHORE. SO SHE JUST LAID HERSELF DOWN TO WAIT FOR HER
CUBS. WELL, THE SAND CAME AND BLEW OVER HER AND SHE IS STILL
LIVING THERE TODAY, LOOKING OUT OVER THE LAKE FOR HER CUBS. AND
YOU CAN STILL SEE THOSE CUBS TODAY, ONLY THEY HAVE BEEN COVERED
BY LAND ALSO AND THEY NOW LOOK LIKE TWO ISLANDS. WHERE THAT
MOTHER BEAR LIES IS NOW CALLED THE SLEEPING BEAR SAND DUNES.
Data entry tech comment: THE TWO CUBS ARE SAID TO HAVE FORMED THE NORTH AND SOUTH MANITOU
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Lansing
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formation PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 11-01-1968
NAMING MUSKEGON
ONCE AN INDIAN BRAVE WAS PADDLING HIS CANOE ALONG THE SHORE OF LAKE
MICHIGAN. HE HAD LEANED HIS MUSKET AGAINST THE FRONT THWART SO
THAT IT WOULD BE HANDY IN CASE HE NEEDED IT. WELL, IT WAS A
PRETTY STORMY DAY AND THE WAVES WERE KICKING UP SOMETHING FIERCE.
FINALLY ONE WAVE TUMBLED OVER THE BOW OF THE CANOE AND ALMOST
CAPSIZED HIM. HE SAW HIS MUSKET BEING CARRIED OVER THE SIDE OF
THE CANOE AND HE LEAPED TO CATCH IT. WELL, HE LOST IT AND THEN
HE EXCLAIMED, "OH NO, MUSKIE-GONE!" AND FROM THAT DAY FORWARD
THAT PLACE HAS BEEN CALLED MUSKEGON.
Submitter comment:
THIS TALE, CONCERNING THE NAMING OF MUSKEGON, WAS PASSED DOWN TO
MY DAD FROM HIS FATHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Lansing
Date learned: 11-01-1968
NOT GIVEN
ALEXANDRIA, GEORGIA, A VILLAGE OF 100 FAMILIES, WAS NAMED AFTER
ALEXANDER H. STEVENS, THE SECRETARY OF STATE UNDER JEFF DAVIS,
PRESIDENT OF THE CONFEDERACY. IT IS SITUATED BETWEEN SAVANNAH
AND ATLANTA. MR. WRIGHT ALSO SAYS THAT THERE WAS A BIG BATTLE
FOUGHT THERE.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 11-00-1967