Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for B667 returned 313 results.
TAUNT
PETE AND HIT ME WERE WALKING ACROSS A BRIDGE.
PETE FELL IN AND WHO WAS LEFT?
HIT ME!
Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM HER BROTHER, BARRY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
James Callow Keyword(s): CATCH
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: 09-25-1967
GAME
THAT'S LIFE.
WHAT'S LIFE?
A MAGAZINE.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
IT COSTS TWENTY CENTS.
I{VE} ONLY GOT A NICKEL.
THAT'S LIFE.
WHAT'S LIFE?
ETC.
Submitter comment:
I PLAYED THIS GAME WHEN I WAS A CHILD, IT ONLY CONSISTS
OF REPREATING THE SAYING AND CAN GO ON FOREVER; IT
MAY ALSO BE SUNG.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
I WAS WALKING DOWN THE STREET AND NOTICED EVERYONE WAS
DEAD. SO I ACTED CALM AND ASKED AN ARTICHOKE WHAT
THE DEAL WAS. HE REPLIED, "A KING OF SPADES, TWO
JACKS AND AN ACE." (VARIOUS SUITES ON THE JACKS AND
ACE). I THEN PICKED UP THE ARTICHOKE AND GAVE IT A
SQUASH WITH MY LEFT HAND. HE THANKED ME AND SAID
HE'D BE HAPPY WITH IT AND THEN I WENT ON MY MERRY
WAY. I WENT HOME WHERE I FELL ASLEEP AND DREAMED EVERY-
ONE WAS ALIVE AND WELL, EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS HATRED,
POLLUTION, CRIME AND DISEASE. THEN I DIED IN MY SLEEP
WITH THAT DREAM IN MIND AND ALL WAS WELL.
OBJECT: PLAY YOUR CARDS RIGHT AND YOU WON'T GO WALKING
AROUND TALKING TO ARTICHOKES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): PUN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: 02-29-1972
WHEN AUSTRIA WAS HUNGARY, IT TOOK A LITTLE TURKEY
AND TOOK A LITTLE GREECE, PUT IT IN JAPAN AND
ATE IT OFF OF CHINA.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT REMEMBERED THIS FROM CHILDHOOD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): PUN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: 10-07-1967
IT WAS THE NIGHT OF THE ST. THOMAS HIGH SCHOOL REUNION
DANCE, HELD AT THE ST. THOMAS THE APOSTLE PARISH IN
DETROIT {MICHIGAN}. A FEW OF MY OLD CLASSMATES GOT BORED
WITH THE DANCE AND DECIDED TO GO FOR A RIDE. THEY LATER
CAME BACK WITH A RATHER STRANGE ACCOUNT OF THAT RIDE.
JOE, LOU, AND DAVE WERE RIDING AROUND IN GROSSE POINT
WHEN THEY FOUND THEMSELVES IN A PRIVATE DRIVE THAT LED TO A
PRIVATE GOLF COURSE. SO THEY FIGURED THAT WHILE THEY WERE
THERE, THEY WOULD GO AND SEE WHAT THE COURSE LOOKED LIKE.
THEY PULLED UP A FEW HUNDRED FEET, STOPPED, AND SHUT OFF
THE HEADLIGHTS. IN THE DARKNESS, THEY COULD MAKE OUT
SHAPES MOVING AROUND, SHAPES WHICH LOOKED LIKE LITTLE
MEN RUNNING AROUND--LIKE PIGMIES. THE THREE OF THEM WERE
GOING TO GET OUT OF THE CAR TO GET A CLOSER LOOK, BUT THE
FLASHLIGHT DIDN'T WORK, SO THEY DECIDED TO STAY INSIDE.
LATER, THEY LEFT TO COME BACK TO THE DANCE WITH THE
INTENTION OF GOING BACK WITH A WORKING FLASHLIGHT.
ON HEARING THEIR STORY WHEN THEY RETURNED, WE WANTED TO GO
AND SEE FOR OURSELVES, BUT JOE, LOU, AND DAVE DIDN'T
FEEL UP TO DIRECTING US. SO WE ENDED UP TALKING ABOUT
IT ALL NIGHT AND FOR SOMETIME AFTER.
ABOUT A YEAR LATER, I FOUND THAT THERE REALLY WERE NO
PIGMIES AT ALL. IT WAS ALL A BIG JOKE THAT THE THREE
FELLOWS HAD COME UP WITH TO PLAY ON US ALL.
NOW THOUGH, THE STORY OF THE PIGMY GOLF COURSE LIVES
ON. IF YOU ASK ANY OF MY FRIENDS ABOUT IT, THEY WILL TELL
YOU ABOUT THE SAME STORY.
Submitter comment:
STORY OF LITTLE MEN (PYGMIES) RUNNING AROUND A GOLF COURSE AT NIGHT
TOLD AS HOAX, STORY SURVIVES, THOUGH MADE UP FOR THE OCCASION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
I WANT MY LIVER BACK
THIS STORY WAS POPULAR AT PAJAMA PARTIES IN THE LATE
1950S. THE LIGHTS WERE USUALLY DIMMED WHEN IT WAS TOLD.
ONCE THERE WAS A LITTLE BOY AND HIS MOTHER SENT HIM TO
THE STORE TO BUY SOME LIVER FOR DINNER. WELL, ON THE
WAY HOME FROM THE STORE, HE DROPPED THE LIVER AND A DOG
CAME ALONG AND ATE IT UP. THE LITTLE BOY KNEW HE'D GET
IN TROUBLE IF HE DIDN'T BRING HOME SOME LIVER, SO HE WENT
TO A CEMETERY, DUG UP A DEAD MAN AND TOOK OUT HIS
LIVER. THE LITTLE BOY'S MOTHER COOKED THE MAN'S LIVER
AND THEY ATE IT FOR DINNER.
WELL, THAT NIGHT WHEN THE LITTLE BOY WAS IN BED AND
EVERYTHING WAS DARK, HE HEARD SPOOKY VOICE SAYING,
"JOHNNY, I WANT MY LIVER BACK." THEN IT SAID, "JOHNNY,
I'M ON THE FIRST STAIR. JOHNNY, I'M ON THE SECOND
STAIR. JOHNNY, I'M ON THE THIRD STAIR. JOHNNY,
I'M ON THE FOURTH STAIR {THE TELLER USUALLY GOT TIRED
AT THIS POINT} JOHNNY, I'M ON THE TENTH STAIR.
JOHNNY, I'M RIGHT OUTSIDE YOUR ROOM. JOHNNY, I'M IN
YOUR ROOM. JOHNNY," BOO! {AT THIS ALL THE GIRLS
SHRIEKED}.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: 00001950S
THIEFS
THREE GUYS STOLE A HORSE, A COW, AND A WAGON. THEY WERE
CAUGHT AND WENT BEFORE THE JUDGE ONE AT A TIME. THE
FIRST ONE STOLE THE HORSE. THE JUDGE ASKED HIM HOW LONG
HE HAD THE HORSE AND THE THIEF SAID SINCE IT WAS A COLT.
THE JUDGE SAID NOT GUILTY. THE SECOND PERSON BEFORE THE
JUDGE HAD STOLEN THE COW. THE JUDGE ASKED HIM HOW LONG
HE HAD OWNED THE COW AND HE SAID SINCE IT WAS A CALF.
THE JUDGE DISMISSED THE CASE. THE NEXT ONE STOLE THE
WAGON. THE JUDGE ASKED HIM HOW LONG HE HAD THE WAGON
AND THE MAN SAID EVER SINCE IT WAS A WHEELBARROW. THE
JUDGE SAID GUILTY.
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: 00-00-1968
MASTER OF ALL MASTERS
A MAN SAID TO HIS SON WHAT IS THIS? THE BOY SAID TROUSERS.
THE MAN SAID THEY IRONED CREASES. WHAT IS THIS? THE BOY
SAID A ROAD. THE MAN SAID DUCTY BEOZERS. WHAT IS THIS?
THE BOY SAID FIRE. THE MAN SAID VAPARATION. WHAT IS
THIS? THE BOY SAID A BARN. THE MAN SAID THIS WAS A
HIGH TOP MOUNTAIN. THE MAN SAID WHAT IS THIS? THE BOY
SAID A CAT. THE MAN SAID IT WAS A BALD HEADED
PERSIMMON. THE MAN WENT TO SLEEP AND THE BOY SAID,
BOSS, BOSS, WAKE UP. PUT ON YOUR IRONED CREASES. THAT
BALD HEADED PERSIMMON HAS SET THAT HIGH TOP MOUNTAIN TO
REVAPARATION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: 01-17-1972
PROSE--RAINY DAY
AS I WAS SITTING IN MY WIGGLEWARY LOOKING THROUGH MY
WINKLEWARY, I SAW OL' UNGLE-BUNGLE-BAG COME CARRY OFF
MY WEE-TIG-TAG. I SAID IF I HAD MY FIDDEN-FADDEN,
I WOULD MAKE OL' UNGLE-BUNGLE-BAG DROP MY WEE-TIG-TAG.
WIGGLEWARY: ROCKING CHAIR. WINKLEWARY: WINDOW.
UNGLE-BUNGLE-BAG: HAWK. WEE-TIG-TAG: CHICKEN.
FIDDEN-FADDEN: GUN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TRAVERSE CITY ; ST
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: 03-29-1970
SOLOMON GRUNDY
SOLOMON GRUNDY
BORN ON MONDAY
GREW UP ON TUESDAY
GOT MARRIED ON WEDNESDAY
GOT SICK ON THURSDAY
GOT WORSE ON FRIDAY
DIED ON SATURDAY
WAS BURIED ON SUNDAY
AND THAT WAS THE END OF SOLOMON GRUNDY
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Prose Narrative Prose Narrative |
Date learned: 04-04-1970 ; 22-00-
VERSE
MONDAY THE CATS DIED
TUESDAY MY IN-LAWS DIED
WEDNESDAY THE WAIF DIED
THURSDAY THE DEVIL DIED
FRIDAY WE LIGHT THE CANDLE
SATURDAY THE COLORED MAN DIED
SUNDAY THE MAN SWELLED
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Prose Narrative Prose Narrative |
Date learned: 11-23-1970
(CHAIN INVOLVING CONTRADICTIONS OR EXTREMES)
ONCE THERE WERE 2 MEN RIDING IN AN AIRPLANE.
UNFORTUNATELY, ONE FELL OUT.
FORTUNATELY, THERE WAS A HAYSTACK BELOW HIM.
UNFORTUNATELY, THERE WAS A PITCHFORK IN THE HAYSTACK.
FORTUNATELY, HE MISSED THE PITCHFORK.
UNFORTUNATELY, HE MISSED THE HAYSTACK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: 00-00-1956
BOO-RAY
AT MY PARTY, ALL THE GIRLS WILL WEAR SUITS OF ARMOR.
BOO!
AND THE GUYS WILL HAVE CAN OPENERS.
YAY! {RAY!}
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS COLLECTED AT A FRATERNITY PARTY.
SEE ROGER D. ABRAHMS, THE HOUSE BURNED DOWN AGAIN,
JOURNAL OF AMERICAN FOLKLORE, LXXVI (1963), 337-39, FOR
PARALLELS.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
A BLESSING IN DISGUISE
ONCE THERE WAS AN OLD MAN WHO HAD A HORSE. ONE DAY
HIS HORSE DISAPPEARED, AND HIS FRIENDS ALL CAME
TO CONSOLE HIM FOR HIS LOSS. BUT THE OLD MAN SAID:
"HOW CAN YOU TELL IT WAS NOT A LUCKY OMEN?" AFTER
SEVERAL MONTHS THE LOST HORSE RETURNED, BRINGING WITH
HIM ANOTHER HORSE. THE OLD MAN'S FRIENDS, WHO HEARD
OF HIS HAPPY NEWS, CAME TO OFFER THEIR CONGRATULATIONS
AND THE OLD MAN REMARKED: "HOW CAN YOU TELL THAT IT
WAS NOT A BAD OMEN?"
BY AND BY, HIS SON FORMED THE HABIT OF RIDING ON THE
HORSE AS A HOBBY, AND ONE DAY HE FELL OFF AND BROKE
HIS LEG. THE FRIENDS CALLED AGAIN AND EXPRESSED THEIR
SORROW. THE OLD MAN SAID: "HOW CAN YOU TELL THAT IT
WAS NOT A GOOD OMEN?"
A YEAR LATER AN ORDER WAS GIVEN THAT ALL THE YOUNG MEN
BE MADE TO JOIN THE ARMY AND FIGHT THE TARTERS. THE
CRIPPLED SON, OWING TO HIS LAMENESS, WAS, OF COURSE,
SPARED.
SO THE OLD MAN SAID TO HIS FRIENDS: "HUMAN AFFAIRS
ARE ALWAYS CHANGEABLE. HOW CAN YOU TELL WHETHER
WHAT TODAY IS A MISERY MAY NOT TURN OUT TO BE A
BLESSING TOMORROW?"
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
BLACK AND DARK
ONCE THERE WAS A BLACK, DARK FOREST. IN THIS BLACK,
DARK FOREST WAS A BLACK, DARK HOUSE. IN THE
BLACK, DARK HOUSE WAS A BLACK, DARK ROOM. IN THE
BLACK, DARK ROOM WAS A BLACK, DARK TABLE. ON THIS
BLACK, DARK TABLE WAS A BLACK, DARK BOX. IN THIS
BLACK, DARK BOX WAS A BLACK, DARK GHOST!
THE STORY IS TOLD SLOWLY WITH "GHOST" YELLED OUT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALLEN PARK
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: 07-00-1964
PROVERB
FOR WANT OF A NAIL THE SHOE WAS LOST; FOR WANT OF A
SHOE THE HORSE WAS LOST; AND FOR WANT OF A HORSE
THE RIDER WAS LOST.
Data entry tech comment: AND FOR WANT OF A RIDER, THE WAR WAS LOST.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: 11-21-1968
(CLIMAX OF HORRORS)
THEN THERE WAS THE STORY ABOUT THE SOUTHERNER WHO
FINALLY RETURNED TO HIS PLANTATION AFTER DESERTING
HIS WIFE YEARS AGO. HE RAN INTO HIS HEAD SERVANT,
AN OLD NEGRO, AT THE GATE TO THE HOUSE AND ASKED IF
ANYTHING HAD CHANGED SINCE HE HAD LEFT. "NO SIR,"
THE SERVANT REPLIED, "EVERYTHING JUST ABOUT THE SAME."
"OH, SIR, YOUR DOG DIED FROM EATIN' THE BAD HORSE
MEAT."
MASTER: WHERE DID HE GET THE BAD HORSE MEAT?
SERVANT: IT CAME FROM THE DEAD HORSES IN THE BARN THAT
BURNT.
MASTER: HOW DID THE BARN BURN?
SERVANT: IT MUST HAVE BEEN THE FLAMES FROM THE HOUSE.
MASTER: HOW DID THE HORSE CATCH ON FIRE?
SERVANT: IT MUST HAVE BEEN THE FLAMES FROM THE CANDLES
THAT LIT THE CURTAINS.
MASTER: WHAT WERE THE CANDLES FOR?
SERVANT: THEY WAS FOR YOUR GRANDMOTHER'S FUNERAL.
MASTER: HOW DID MY GRANDMOTHER DIE?
SERVANT: SHE DIED OF A HEART ATTACK WHEN YOUR WIFE
RAN OFF WITH MY SON.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
(ADAM AND EVE AND PINCH ME)
ADAM AND EVE AND PINCH-ME-TIGHT, --FIRST PERSON
WENT OVER THE RIVER TO SEE A FIGHT,
ADAM AND EVE CAME BACK BEFORE NIGHT,
NOW WHO WAS LEFT TO SEE THE FIGHT?
PINCH-ME-TIGHT -- SECOND PERSON.
Submitter comment:
WHEN THE SECOND PERSON RESPONDS "PINCH ME TIGHT" THE
FIRST PERSON PINCHES HIM SAYING YOU TOLD ME TO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Prose Narrative Prose Narrative |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
Entry filtered.
MIRROR AND THE STEPS
THE LISTENER ANSWERS "JUST LIKE ME" AFTER EACH PHRASE:
I CLIMED UP ONE STEP
I CLIMBED UP ANOTHER STEP
I CLIMBED UP STILL ANOTHER STEP
I WENT IN THE HALL
I LOOKED IN THE MIRROR
AND I SAW A MONKEY
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HUNTINGTON WOODS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: 11-13-1968