Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for F536 returned 346 results.
PRANK
ON THE CENTRAL DIAG WHERE THE WALKWAYS INTERSECT, THERE IS
A LARGE BRONZE (OR SOME METAL) M (FOR U. OF M.) IMBEDDED IN
THE CEMENT. PEOPLE WHO'VE BEEN AT MICHIGAN OTHER YEARS KNOW,
BUT THEY TELL THE FRESHMEN THAT IF YOU STEP ON THE M, YOU ARE
DOOMED TO FAIL YOUR FIRST EXAM.
IT'S FUNNY TO WATCH ALL THE FROSH WALK AROUND IT.
Submitter comment:
I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THE RESULT OF STEPPING ON IT COULD
BE THE FAILURE OF THE FIRST FINAL, OR A FIRST CLASS OR TERM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. Observation CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 10-00-1983
HIGH SCHOOL FIGHT SONG
WE'RE FOR U 0F D HIGH SCHOOL
WE'RE FULL OF FIGHT
HERE'S TO OUR COLORS
OF MAROON AND WHITE
HERE'S TO ALL THE FELLOWS.
LOYAL WE'LL BE
SINGING THE BATTLE SONG OF U OF D!
Submitter comment:
THIS FIGHT SONG IS REPEATED WITH A VICTORY SIGN-V-SIGN OR CLAPPING
IN THE BACKGROUND. THE HIGHSCHOOL WAS UNIVERSITY OF
DETROIT HIGH SCHOOL, A JESUIT SCHOOL.
THE HYMN WAS SUNG AT BASKETBALL GAMES AND FOOTBALL
GAMES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FRANKLIN VILLAGE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Admiration Praise Adulation CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School |
Date learned: 09-00-1970
LEGEND OF THE WALHALLA MONSTER WHO ABDUCTED AN INDIAN
MAIDEN LONG AGO AND WAS BELIEVED BY INDIANS IN THE
AREA TO HAVE LIVED IN THE LAKE.
Submitter comment:
THIS STORY IS TOLD EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT AS THE VACATIONERS
AT THIS RESORT END THEIR STAY. THE GROUP ASSEMBLES AROUND
A BONFIRE AND, ON CUE, THE OWNER, DRESSED AS THE MONSTER,
COMES OUT OF THE LAKE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WALHALLA
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Supernatural Being BELIEF -- Still water Small body. |
Date learned: 10-00-1983
DING DONG DITCH
MY SON AND HIS FRIENDS PLAY THIS VARIATION ON RINGING
DOORBELLS AND HIDING ON DEVIL'S NIGHT. THEY ONLY BOTHER
PEOPLE WITH LARGE SHRUBS IN FRONT OF THEIR HOMES SO
THEY CAN JUMP DOWN AND HIDE AFTER THE DISTURBANCE.
Submitter comment: THE BOYS ARE FROM NINE TO ELEVEN YEARS OLD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F103 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 00-00-1983
IN THE MACHINE SHOP, WE MIGHT PLAY A TRICK ON A NEW
WORKER BY SENDING HIM TO THE TOOL CRIB FOR "EMERY DUST"
WHICH IS THE DUST FROM THE GRINDING WHEEL. THIS HAS
THE SAME EFFECT AS SENDING SOMEONE FOR A LEFT HANDED
WRENCH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Work Commerce Business CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 00001920S
DO NOT WHISTLE IN A DRESSING ROOM.
IF YOU DO, WALK OUT IN THE HALL, TURN AROUND
THREE TIMES, WALK BACK IN THE ROOM AND CURSE.
Submitter comment:
ON THE TONIGHT SHOW JOAN, AND HER GUEST, LILLIAN
GISH WERE TALKING ABOUT SUPERSTITIONS THAT MOVIE
STARS HAVE.
Where learned: CALIFORNIA ; LOS ANGELES
James Callow Keyword(s): DRAMA
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Circle and other round forms BELIEF -- Conversions |
Date learned: 02-00-1984
THAI CHILDREN'S RECREATION
"ONE OF THE THINGS WE USED TO DO WAS GO TO THE FOREST AND FIND A
LONG STRAND OF SPIDER WEB. WE WOULD THEN STICK AN ANT TO THE END
OF THE WEB AND DROP IT INTO THE RIVER. WHEN WE FELT A TUG ON THE
END WE WOULD LIFT A TINY NEEDLE FISH OUT OF THE WATER. THE TINY
FISH WOULD SWALLOW THE ANT AND GET CAUGHT ON THE WEB."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
James Callow Keyword(s): THAI FISHING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 02-00-1984
VEHICLE SOUNDS REPRESENTED IN THAI LANGUAGE (AMBULANCE)
"IN THAILAND THERE IS A JOKE ABOUT THE SOUND THE SIREN ON AN
AMBULANCE MAKES. THE THAIS JOKE ABOUT 'DAI-NEH, DAI-NEH!'
WHICH SOUNDS LIKE TTHE SIREN AND MEANS 'SURELY DEAD' OR THE
SOUND 'DAI-LAO, DAI-LAO!' WHICH MEANS 'DEAD ALREADY.'"
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Vehicle propelled by mechanical or other force on land SPEECH -- Onomatopoeia |
Date learned: 04-00-1984
PRANK DONE IN THE COUNTRY (RICHMOND, MICHIGAN)
"MY FATHER ONCE TOLD US ABOUT HOW WHEN HE AND HIS BROTHERS ONCE
TOOK A PAPER SACK AND FILLED IT WITH COW MANURE. THEY TOOK THE
SACK FILLED WITH MANURE AND PLACED IT ON A PERSON'S FRONT PORCH.
THEN THEY LIT THE BAG WITH A MATCH AND RANG THE DOORBELL BEFORE
RUNNING AWAY. WHEN THE GUY CAME TO THE DOOR HE SAW THE SMALL
FIRE AND TRIED TO STAMP IT OUT, THUS GETTING MANURE ALL OVER
HIS SHOES."
Submitter comment:
WE WERE WARNED THAT IF WE TRIED SOMETHING LIKE THIS WE'D
REGRET IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 04-00-1984
JOKING GESTURE
IF YOU SQUEEZE A GIRL'S KNEE AND SHE LAUGHS, SHE HAS A
BOYFRIEND.
Submitter comment:
MY FATHER USED TO DO THIS TO ME WHEN I WAS LITTLE. IT WAS
A TEASING JOKE OF HIS THAT HE USED TO DO TO MY SISTERS,
OUR FRIENDS AND MYSELF.
Where learned: MISSOURI ; SAINT LOUIS
IF YOU PLAY WITH SOMEONE'S FEET, YOU'LL HAVE A BABY.
Submitter comment:
THIS FOLK BELIEF WAS COMMUNICATED TO BRIAN BY HIS MOTHER
WHILE GROWING UP IN RURAL OHIO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Athletic sport and exercise Gymnastics CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 11-02-1984 ; 00001960S
COONING FOR APPLES
A GROUP OF 5 OR 6 PEOPLE GET INTO THE BACK OF A PICK-UP TRUCK.
THERE IS ONLY THE DRIVER IN THE TRUCK. THERE ARE AT LEAST 2 TEAMS
OF PEOPLE THAT PARTICIPATE IN THIS CONTEST.
THE OBJECT OF THIS IS TO GO OUT INTO THE APPLE ORCHARDS AT NIGHT AND
STEAL APPLES WITHOUT GETTING CAUGHT.
Submitter comment:
THIS GAME IS PLAYED ON THE EVE OF HOMECOMING DANCE.
THIS IS NATIVE TO RAVENNA, MICHIGAN AND IS CELEBRATED EVERY YEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School SPEECH -- Game Pastime Sport |
ON THE EVE OF THE YEARLY HUNTING OR FISHING
TRIP, A CELEBRATION TAKES PLACE TO RENEW
NEGLECTED FRIENDSHIPS. ALSO, IT IS TO RAISE
THE INTENSITY FOR THE TRIP. THIS IS THE ONLY
TIME OF THE TRIP THAT THE SPORTSMEN "INDULGE."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BERKELEY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 00-00-1968
IT IS BAD LUCK FOR A PLAY IF SOMEONE WHISTLES BACKSTAGE ON
OPENING NIGHT.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Bad luck Activities |
Date learned: 00001983CA
SNIPE HUNT
USUALLY TIS TRICK IS PLAYED ON SOMEONE WHO HAS
NEVER BEEN CAMPING BEFORE. HE IS SENT OUT INTO
WOODS WITH A PAPER BAG IN SEARCH OF SNIPE. THE
THE PERSON ALSO IS INSTRUCTED TO CALL OUT FOR THE
ANIMALS. SOME PEOPLE CLAIM THAT THERE REALLY ARE
SNIPE, BUT I HAVE NEVER SEEN ONE IN MY LIFE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Gaylord ; CAMPING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 00001950S
AT PARTIES, ESPECIALLY THE ONES THAT HAVE ALCOHOLIC
BEVERAGES SERVED, I NOTICED THAT WHEN A PERSON GETS
SLIGHTLY TIPSY, HE WILL PICK UP A CAT (IF THERE IS ONE
AROUND), AND START SWINGING IT BY THE TAIL. MOST OF
THE TIMES, THE PERSON SWINGING THE CAT WILL HOP UP ON
A PIECE OF FURNITURE, SUCH AS A TABLE, CHAIR, OR COUCH,
JUST TO SHOW OFF WHAT HE IS DOING.
Submitter comment:
AT A GRADUATION PARTY, MY FRIEND BEGAN SWINGING HIS
CAT BY THE TAIL, AND A FEW SECONDS LATER WAS HOLDING
ONLY THE TAIL. I TOLD THIS EVENT TO SEVERAL PEOPLE
AND FOUND OUT THE ABOVE ITEM. NEEDLESS TO SAY, MY
FRIEND'S CAT STILL DOESN'T LIKE HIM, AND PROBABLY
NEVER WILL.
ONE THING THAT I NOTICED DIFFERENT BETWEEN THIS
INCIDENT AND THE ITEM WAS THAT MOST OF THE TIME WHEN OTHER
PEOPLE WERE SWINGING THEIR CATS BY THE TAILS, THE CATS STAYED
ATTACHED TO THEIR TAILS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE ; DETROIT ; ROSEVILLE
Keyword(s): ANIMAL TORTURE ; EXPRESSING HAPPINESS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
THERE ARE TWO TYPES OF BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN FANS. ONE TYPE IS
THE "BANDWAGON BRUCE" FAN, WHO SEES BRUCE AS THE HARD, FAST
ROCKER WITH HIS ARMY JACKET AND RANGER BERET. THE OTHER TYPE
ARE HIS REGULAR FANS, WHICH APPRECIATE ALL OF HIS MUSIC.
THERE ARE THREE WAYS TO TELL THE TWO APART BY ASKING THREE
QUESTIONS.
Q1: WHAT SONG, FROM "THE WILD AND THE INNOCENT" DOES
BRUCE ALWAYS PLAY IN CONCERT, BUT NEVER PLAYED
IT ONCE DURING HIS "BORN IN THE USA" TOUR?
A1: "ROSALITA"
Q2: WHAT HAPPENED TO BRUCE IN 1975 WHEN HE RELEASED
"BORN TO RUN" THAT NEVER HAPPENED TO ANY ROCK
STAR BEFORE?
A2: HE APPEARED SIMULTANEOUSLY, DURING THE SAME WEEK, ON THE
COVERS OF BOTH "NEWSWEEK" AND "TIME MAGAZINE".
Q3: WHAT IS THE MESSAGE THAT THE SONG "BORN IN THE USA"
EXPRESSES?
A3: THE HARD TIMES ENCOUNTERED BY THE VIETNAM VET WHEN
HE RETURNS HOME, AND AMERICA'S SEEMING INABILITY TO
DEAL WITH THEM.
A "BANDWAGON BRUCE" FAN WILL NOT KNOW THE ANSWERS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
WHEN I WAS IN GRADE SCHOOL, IF WE WERE
ON THE PLAYGROUND DURING RECESS THE BOYS
WOULD COME UP BEHIND THE GIRLS AND YELL
"DRESS UP DAY" AND PULL UP THEIR DRESSES
AND RUN AWAY LAUGHING.
Submitter comment:
WHEN I WAS IN SCHOOL, THE GIRLS COULD
NOT WEAR JEANS OR SLACKS LIKE THEY DO TODAY.
DRESSES AND SKIRTS WERE ABSOLUTELY REQUIRED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Dress |
Date learned: 00-00-1950
ON HALLOWEEN, THE BOYS WOULD MAKE A TOY
OUT OF A RING OF HEAVY THREAD PUT THROUGH A
BUTTON. HOLDING BOTH ENDS BY BOTH INDEX FINGERS,
THEY WOULD SPIN IT SO THAT IT WOULD TWIST THE
BUTTON IN THE CENTER. BY PULLING THE INDEX
FINGERS BACK AND FORTH SIDEWAYS, IT WOULD MAKE
THE BUTTON SPIN VERY FAST. THEN THEY WOULD
SNEAK UP ON THE FRONT PORCH OF THE HOUSE
TO THE LIVINGROOM WINDOW AND IF THEY
GOT IT SPINNING AND TOUCHED THE WINDOW IT WOULD MAKE
A BUZZING SOUND AND SCARE ANYONE WHO WAS SITTING
NEAR THE WINDOW.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- October 31 Halloween CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Toy |
Date learned: 00-00-1960
TO: ALL EMPLOYEES
FROM: PERSONNEL DEPARTMENT DATE: 1/23/87
SUBJECT: STANDARD PROCEDURE?INSTRUCTIONS ON DEATH OF
EMPLOYEE
IT HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF THIS OFFICE THAT
MANY EMPLOYEES HAVE BEEN DYING WHILE ON DUTY FOR APPARENTLY
NO GOOD REASON. FURTHERMORE, SOME EMPLOYEES ARE REFUSING
TO FALL OVER AFTER THEY ARE DEAD. THIS, IN SOME CASES, HAS
RESULTED IN MUCH UNEARNED OVERTIME PAYMENTS.
EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY, THIS PRACTICE MUST BE DISCONTINUED.
ON OR AFTER THIS DATE, ANY EMPLOYEE FOUND SITTING UP AFTER
HE HAS DIED WILL BE DROPPED FROM THE PAYROLL AT ONCE,
WITHOUT INVESTIGATION UNDER REGULATION NO. 26, SECTION 0,
"NON?PRODUCTIVE LABOR."
WHEN IT CAN BE PROVEN THAT THE EMPLOYEE IS BEING HELD UP BY
A DESK, TYPEWRITER, DRAWING BOARD, TELEPHONE, OR ANY OTHER
APPLIANCE WHICH CAN SUPPORT THE HUMAN BODY, THAT IS THE
PROPERTY OF THE COMPANY, A 90?DAY PERIOD OF GRACE WILL BE
GRANTED.
THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURES WILL BE STRICTLY ADHERED TO:
IF, AFTER SEVERAL HOURS, IT IS NOTED THAT AN EMPLOYEE HAS
NOT MOVED OR OPENED AT LEAST ONE EYE, THE SUPERVISOR WILL
INVESTIGATE. BECAUSE OF THE HIGHLY SENSITIVE NATURE AND
ORIGIN OF SOME EMPLOYEES, AND THE CLOSE RESEMBLANCE BETWEEN
DEATH AND THEIR NORMAL WORKING ATTITUDE, THE INVESTIGATION
WILL BE MADE QUIETLY TO AVOID WAKING THE EMPLOYEE IF HE OR
SHE IS ASLEEP, WHICH IS PERMITTED UNDER THE PRESENT REGIME.
IF SOME DOUBT EXISTS AT TO THE TRUE CONDITION OF THE
EMPLOYEE A PAYCHECK IS TO BE USED AS THE FINAL TEST. IF THE
EMPLOYEE FAILS TO REACH FOR THE CHECK, IT IS REASONABLE TO
ASSUME THAT DEATH HAS OCCURRED. NOTE: IN SOME CASES THE
INSTINCT IS SO STRONGLY DEVELOPED THAT A SPASMODIC CLUTCHING
ACTION MAY OCCUR. DO NOT BE MISLED BY THIS MANIFESTATION.
IN THE EVENT THAT AN EMPLOYEE FAILS TO ABANDON WHATEVER
HE OR SHE IS DOING AT COFFEE TIME, NO INVESTIGATION IS
NECESSARY AS THIS IS CONCLUSIVE PROOF THAT RIGOR MORTIS
HAS ALREADY SET IN.
Submitter comment:
THIS OFFICE MEMO SHOULD BE TYPED ON THE COMPANY LETTERHEAD
USING CURRENT DATE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): PERSONNEL
James Callow Keyword(s): HUMOR ; XEROX LORE
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Work Commerce Business CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 00-00-1970