Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for F536 returned 346 results.
INCH ME, PINCH ME
INCH ME AND PINCH ME WERE WALKING ACROSS A BRIDGE.
INCH ME FELL OFF. WHO WAS LEFT?
PINCH ME!
(PINCH UNKNOWING SUSPECT)
Where learned: MEMORY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
TED: HEY, JOE, DID YOU GET MY LETTER?
JOE: NO, TED, I DIDN'T.
TED: FUNNY, THAT'S PROBABLY BECAUSE I DIDN'T STAMP IT!
(TED PROCEEDS TO STOMP ON JOE'S FOOT).
Where learned: MEMORY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
"B" ON YOUR BACK
MARK: (DRAWS LETTER "B" ON DAN'S BACK) HEY, DAN, WHAT
IS THAT?
DAN: IT'S A "B", MARK.
MARK: THEN KILL IT!! (SWATS MARK'S BACK HARD)
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT DORMS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 03-00-1972
HURTS, DON'T IT?
BETTY: HEY, SALLY, WOULD YOU LIKE A HURTS 'DONUT?'
SALLY: SURE, BETTY.
BETTY: HURTS, DON'T IT?
(BETTY SOCKS SALLY)
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT DORMS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 03-00-1972
WALKING PRACTICE
IT WAS A COMMON PRACTICE FOR THE INFORMANT, WHEN HE
WAS A CHILD, TO AVOID STEPPING ON THE BLOCKS OF
SIDEWALK WITH THE LETTERS D.P.W. ON THEM. THEY
COULD STEP ON THE BLOCKS WITH A DATE ON THEM, BUT
NOT WITH D.P.W. HE RELATED THAT THEY COULD NOT
STEP ON A CRACK EITHER.
Data entry tech comment: D.P.W.=DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 03-15-1967
PADIDDLES
A CAR WITH ONLY ONE HEADLIGHT BURNING, IS CALLED A
"PADIDDLE." IF THE GIRL SEES IT FIRST, SHE MAY HIT
THE BOY. IF THE BOY SEES IT FIRST HE MAY KISS THE
GIRL.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM HIS FRIENDS ABOUT
1961.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 00-00-1961
KNOCK-KNOCK JOKE
KNOCK KNOCK
WHO'S THERE?
CAPTAIN
CAPTAIN WHO?
CAPTAIN CRUNCH (THEN STEP ON THE PERSON'S FOOT)
Data entry tech comment: CAPTAIN CRUNCH IS A BREAKFAST CEREAL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
James Callow Keyword(s): TRICK
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 03-24-1970
COUNTING-OUT PROCEDURE
TO DETERMINE WHO GETS TO CHOOSE WHETHER THEY WILL BAT OR FIELD
FIRST, A BAT IS TOSSED FROM ONE TEAM CAPTAIN TO ANOTHER.
HAND OVER HAND IS CONTINUED UNTIL NO MORE BAT REMAINS.
BESIDES HAND OVER HAND, OTHER MOVES INCLUDE TWO FINGERS
(WHEN THERE ISN'T ENOUGH ROOM FOR THE WHOLE HAND), FLAT
TOPS (PLACING THE PALM OF YOUR HAND OVER THE HANDLE), OR
EAGLE CLAWS (HOOKING THUMB AND FINGERS OF ONE HAND OVER
THE BAT HANDLE). WHOEVER MAKES THE LAST MOVE GETS FIRST
CHOICE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion SPEECH -- Game Pastime Sport |
Date learned: 00001980S
TRADITION
"TAKING PEOPLE OUT" IS A LONG TRADITION AT THE SAINT FRANCIS CLUB,
AN ALL-MALE SOCIAL COOPERATIVE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT. TAKING
SOMEONE OUT REFERS TO TAKING A MEMBER OUT INTO THE COURTYARD AND
DUMPING COLD WATER ON HIM. THIS IS DONE ONLY TO MEMBERS FOR SUCH
OCCASIONS AS BIRTHDAYS OR WHEN SOMEONE DOES SOMETHING STUPID AT
DINNER. IT IS ALWAYS DONE IN WARM WEATHER AND IN FUN. AT TIMES
ALMOST EVERYONE AT DINNER WILL GO OUT, SUCH AS THE FIRST NICE DAY
IN THE SPRING. I DON'T KNOW HOW FAR BACK THIS GOES, BUT IT HAS BEEN
DONE FOR YEARS BEFORE I JOINED THE CLUB IN 1978.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Private birthday or anniversary CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting |
SAGINAW LUMBERMEN
THE LUMBERMEN WOULD STAY OUT IN THE WOODS IN THE WINTERTIME AND
WORK. THEY CAME INTO TOWN IN THE SPRING AND WOULD RAISE HELL IN
TOWN. THEY WOULD HAVE TERRIBLE FIGHTS, SOMETIMES THEY WOULD
GOUGE EACH OTHERS EYES OUT, AND BITE OFF OPPONENT'S EARS AND
NOSES. THESE FIGHTS WOULD TAKE PLACE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE
STREET.
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM DISGUSTED ME, BUT I GUESS THAT'S THE KIND OF BEHAVIOR
THE LUMBERMEN PRACTICES. THEY APPARENTLY TOOK OUT ALL THEIR
AGGRESSIONS ONCE THEY GOT TO TOWN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Racing Chasing Fighting CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting |
Date learned: 04-02-1982
IT'S A TRADITION AT THE U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY FOR EACH
GRADUATING CLASS TO STEAL A HIGHWAY EXIT SIGN WHICH HAS THAT CLASS'
YEAR OF GRADUATION AS THE EXIT NUMBER, AND TO SET IT UP IN A
PROMINENT LOCATION, USUALLY THE STADIUM.
Where learned: COLORADO SPRINGS ; US AIR FORCE ACADEMY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
THE FUNNEL-TRICK
YOU BET SOMEONE THAT THERE IS SOMETHING WHICH YOU CAN DO BUT
HE CAN'T. YOU DEMONSTRATE BY TAKING A LARGE FUNNEL AND PUTTING THE
NECK DOWN YOUR PANTS. THEN YOU LEAN YOUR HEAD BACK AND PUT A QUARTER
ON YOUR FOREHEAD. BY STRAIGHTENING UP, THE QUARTER WILL FALL
OFF AND INTO THE FUNNEL. YOU BET THE GUY THAT HE CAN'T GET THE
QUARTER INTO THE FUNNEL. WHEN HIS HEAD IS BACK WHERE HE CAN'T
SEE, YOU POUR A LARGE GLASS OF WATER INTO THE FUNNEL AND THUS
ALL DOWN HIS PANTS.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
THE CIGARETTE TRICK
TELL SOMEONE WHO SMOKES THAT YOU HAVE A NEAT TRICK THAT YOU'D
LIKE TO BET HIM ON. GET HIS CIGARETTES AND PLACE THEM STANDING UP
ON A TABLE. TAKE ONE CIGARETTE AND BALANCE IT ACROSS THE TOP
OF THE PACK. TELL HIM THAT YOU CAN FLIP THE CIGARETTE UP
IN THE AIR WITH YOUR FINGER SO THAT IT FALLS DOWN AND GOES
INTO THE PACK. HOWEVER, WHEN YOU BRING YOUR FINGER DOWN TO FLIP
THE CIGARETTE, YOU SMASH THE PACK WITH YOUR FIST.
THEN YOU LOOK APOLOGETIC AND TELL THE GUY, "OOPS, I MISSED."
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SUPPOSED ACCIDENT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 00-00-1980
SWIRLIES
WHEN SOMEONE IN THE FRATERNITY STARTS TO ACT TOO UPPITY, IT'S HIS
BIRTHDAY, OR ELSE JUST FOR THE FUN OF IT, WE GIVE HIM A "SWIRLY."
THAT IS WE PICK HIM UP, CARRY HIM INTO THE BATHROOM, PUT HIS HEAD
IN THE TOILET AND FLUSH IT. THIS REQUIRES A NUMBER OF MEN TO
DO AS THE RECIPIENT TENDS TO BE SOMEWHAT RELUCTANT TO GO
AND USUALLY PUTS UP A CONSIDERABLE STRUGGLE.
THERE IS A SONG THAT IS SUNG WHILE MOVING IN TO GRAB THE GUY: MM
JESUS LOVES THE LITTLE CHILDREN,
ALL THE LITTLE CHILDREN OF THE WORLD,
BE THEY YELLOW, BLACK, OR WHITE,
THEY ARE ALL HIS IN HIS SIGHT,
JESUS LOVES THE LITTLE CHILDREN OF THE WORLD.
Submitter comment:
I DON'T KNOW HOW THIS SONG BECAME CONNECTED WITH GIVING A SWIRLY,
IT'S JUST A WAY OF LETTING THE GUY KNOW WHAT WE'RE UP TO AND THAT
THERE'S NO USE IN TRYING TO GET OUT OF IT.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Emotion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
AUTOGRAPH BOOK JOKE
TO PUT INTO AN AUTOGRAPH BOOK THE CLOSING, "LOOK IN THE CORNER".
THEN, WHEN THE DUPE LOOKS INTO THE CORNER, HE READS, "ONLY FOOLS
LOOK IN THE CORNER".
Submitter comment:
THIS IS AN AMERICAN JOKE THAT RAY HEARD IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
AT ST. MICHAEL'S IN SOUTHFIELD.
Where learned: SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion Z210 |
Date learned: 00-00-1970
SNIPE HUNTING
AS A JOKE TAKE PEOPLE OUT AND TELL THEM THAT YOU ARE GOING SNIPE
HUNTING. THERE IS REALLY NO SUCH THING AS A SNIPE THOUGH. HAVE
SOME PEOPLE WHO KNOW ABOUT THE JOKE PRETEND TO BE CATCHING SOMETHING
IN A BROWN PAPER BAG. THIS SHOULD BE DONE AT NIGHT.
Submitter comment: MY SISTER WAS ACTUALLY FOOLED BY THIS GAG WHEN SHE WAS YOUNGER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
ARGENTINIAN APRIL FOOL'S DAY
IN ARGENTINA, "THE DAY OF THE INNOCENTS" IS THE NAME FOR THE
DAY THAT IS SIMILAR TO THE UNITED STATES APRIL FOOL'S DAY.
WE PLAY JOKES AND PRANKS ON PEOPLE JUST LIKE THEY DO HERE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- April 1 April Fools CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- April 1 (April Fool's Day) CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 28 Holy Innocents CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 00-00-1970
BRAZILIAN HOLIDAY
"CARNIVAL DAY" IN BRAZIL IS LIKE OUR HALLOWEEN.
KIDS AND ADULTS PARTICIPATE BY PAINTING EACH OTHER'S
FACES DURING THE DAY AND PLAYING TRICKS OR PRANKS.
AT NIGHT THERE ARE PARTIES TO ATTEND. THIS HOLIDAY
TAKES PLACE EVERY THIRD SATURDAY IN THE MONTH OF
FEBRUARY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- February CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting |
MILITARY HAZING PRACTICES AND RITES OF PASSAGE
NEW CREWMEMBERS ABOARD SHIP ARE GIVEN NONSENSE DUTIES TO CARRY
OUT. SOME OF THESE ARE LOOKING FOR A CAN OF BULKHEAD REMOVER
WHICH HAS THE HAPLESS CREWMEMBER LOOKING FOR A NON-EXISTANT
"WALLREMOVER." ANOTHER IS FINDING A BUCKET OF CROSSHAIRS
WHICH THE GUNNERSMATE NEEDS FOR SIGHTING THE BIG GUNS.
THE FAVORITE IS THE "SUBMARINE" WATCH. IN THIS ONE THE CREW-
MEMBER IS GIVEN A PAIR OF BINOCULARS AND STATIONED SOMEWHERE
HE CAN EASILY BE SEEN. HE IS THEN INSTRUCTED TO REMAIN ON POST
UNTIL HE IS RELIEVED. AFTER A FEW HOURS OF GUFFAWS SOMEONE WILL
USUALLY GO "RELIEVE" HIM.
"SALTINESS" IS ACHIEVED AFTER A NAVYMAN HAS REPORTED TO
HIS FIRST SHIP HE IS ENTITLED TO ROLL THE BRIM OF HIS WHITEHAT,
HAVE HIS PANTS "BELLED" OR "PEGGED," AND TURN BACK THE CUFFS OF HIS
DRESSBLUE JUMPER. ANOTHER FAVORITE IS A TATTOO OR PIERCED EAR.
"CROSSING THE EQUATOR": ON THE EAST COAST INITIATES GO THROUGH
A "SHELLBACK" INITIATION. THERE ARE SEVERAL TESTS SUCH AS A
CRAWL THROUGH SLIME, THE SHELLBACK GAUNTLET, KISSING THE ROYAL
BABY, THE HORIZON SWEEP, AND DECK RUN. ALL SUCCESSFUL INITIATES
RECEIVE A SHELLBACK ID CARD, WALL PLAQUE TO SEND HOME TO MOTHER.
THE WEST COAST VERSION IS THE SAME EXCEPT THAT YOU BECOME A
MEMBER OF THE "ORDER OF THE GOLDEN DRAGONS." YOU RECEIVE THE
ID CARD, PLAQUE, AND TWO PATCHES WITH GOLD DRAGONS ON THEM TO WEAR
ON THE INSIDE OF THE CUFF OF YOUR DRESSBLUE JUMPER. THIS IS TO
IDENTIFY YOU AS A MEMBER IN GOOD STANDING. THERE ARE DISCOUNTS
AT CERTAIN BARS ON DRINKS AND OTHER "RELAXATIVES" FOR MEMBERS.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; GREAT LAKES
Date learned: 00-00-1969
NAMING
TRAYING: WHEN IT SNOWS AND THERE IS NOT MUCH ELSE TO DO,
SOMETIMES PEOPLE WILL SMUGGLE TRAYS OUT OF THE CAFETERIA
IN THE DORM (AT EAST QUAD, USUALLY BY POPPING THE TRAYS OUT
THE WINDOW AND RETRIEVING THEM LATER).THE CONFISCATED TRAYS
ARE THEN TAKEN TO THE NEAREST HILL AND USED LIKE A SLED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School SPEECH -- Proper Name |
Date learned: 10-00-1983