Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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HIDE AND SEEK
ONE PLAYER IS IT AND HE STANDS AT THE GOAL (TREE,
POST, ETC.) AND THE OTHER PLAYERS HIDE. WHILE THE
OTHERS RUN AND HIDE, HE COUNTS TWENTY-FIVE. HE THEN
CALLS THAT HE IS COMING AND GOES TO LOOK FOR THEM.
THE FIRST ONE WHOM HE FINDS IS IT NEXT TIME THE GAME
IS PLAYED. HE CONTINUES TO SEARCH UNTIL ALL ARE
FOUND. A HIDER MAY SAVE HIMSELF BY REACHING AND
TAGGING THE GOAL BEFORE THE "IT" DOES.
Submitter comment: I DON'T REMEMBER WHERE I LEARNED IT.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; HAMBURG
Date learned: HIGH SCHOOL
HANGMAN
HANGMAN IS A GAME COMMON IN AMERICA. A GROUP OF
PEOPLE OR POSSIBLY ONE PERSON TRIES TO GUESS A
WORD WHICH ANOTHER PERSON HAS IN MIND. THE PERSON
DRAWS A FIGURE LIKE THIS: (LOOKES LIKE A LARGE
SEVEN) AND ALSO INDICATES THE NUMBERS OF LETTERS IN
THE WORD BY DRAWING ONE BLANK FOR EACH LETTER. PEOPLE
TRY TO GUESS THE LETTERS IN THE WORD. IF A PERSON GUESSES
CORRECTLY, THE OTHER PERSON INSERTS IT IN THE PROPER
BLANK. IF HE GUESSES A LETTER INCORRECTLY, A HEAD OF A
STICKMAN IS DRAWN HANGING FROM THE FIGURE LIKE THIS:
(PICTURE ON 5 X 8 CARD SHOWS A ROUND FIGURE, LIKE A
HEAD AT THE BOTTOM OF THE AFOREMENTIONED SEVEN-LIKE
FIGURE). AS MORE INCORRECT LETTERS ARE GUESSED
MORE PARTS OF THE STICKMAN ARE ADDED. THE PERSON
WHO GUESSES THE WORD BY THE CLUES GIVEN IN THE BLANK
SPACES, WINS THE GAME.
Submitter comment:
I THINK THAT I LEARNED THIS GAME IN GRADE SCHOOL AT
ST. JULIANA PARISH IN DETROIT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Guessing Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
THE GAME CONSISTS OF A SMALL HOLLOW PIECE OF WOOD
ABOUT 2 INCHES. THE OTHER PIECE FITS INTO THE HOLE
OF THE FIRST. (DIAGRAM ON 5 X 8 CARD) THE FIRST ALSO
IS CLOSED AT ONE END BY A PLUG WHICH HOLDS A RUBBER
BAND HALF-IN AND HALF-OUT OF THE END. THE NARROW
PIECE HAS A SMALL NOTCH IN ONE END.
THE OBJECT IS TO CATCH THE RUBBER-BAND INSIDE THE
HOLLOW PIECE WITH THE NOTCHED END OF THE OTHER.
THE JOKE COMES BECAUSE THERE REALLY IS NO RUBBER
BAND INSIDE. WHEN A PERSON DEMONSTRATES THE GAME
HE PRETENDS TO CATCH THE NON-EXISTENT RUBBER-BAND
AND THEN FORCES THE ROUNDED END TO SLIP THROUGH HIS
FINGERS SO THAT IT SNAPS BACK AS IF IT HAD BEEN PULLED
BY THE RUBBER BAND. THE VICTIM NEVER CAN DO THE TRICK
UNLESS HE KNOWS THE SECRET.
Submitter comment:
THIS TRICK WAS GIVEN TO ME BY MY FATHER, WHO HAD IT
WHEN HE WAS A CHILD IN PENNSYLVANIA.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
HUCKLEBUCKLEBEANSTALK
ONE PERSON HIDES AN OBJECT. OTHER MEMBERS SEARCH FOR IT;
THE ONE WHO FINDS IT SHOUTS "HUCKLEBUCKLEBEANSTALK" AND
THEN BECOMES "IT."
Submitter comment: GAME IS USUALLY PLAYED INDOORS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 03-10-1970
TAY TARA TOOSSAY OR
EVERYONE SITS IN A CIRCLE. EACH PERSON HAS A SHOE, STICK
OR GLASS OR REASONABLE FACSIMILE. YOU SING THIS SONG:
TAY TARA TOSSAY OR,
TAY TARA TOSSAY OR,
TARA, TOSSA, TARA TOSSAY ORIUM,
KAY OGYZUM, KAY OGYZUM,
KAY ZIGGY, ZIGGY ZOOM.
ON EVERY SYLLABLE, YOU PASS THE OBJECT TO YOUR RIGHT
AND PICK UP THE ONE PASSED TO YOU ON YOUR LEFT.
WHEN YOU GET TO "ZIGGY, ZIGGY" INSTEAD OF PASSING,
YOU TOUCH IT TO THE RIGHT, THEN TO THE LEFT AND
FINALLY PASS IT ON THE WORD "ZOOM." IF YOU BREAK THE
RHYTHM, YOU ARE OUT. THE GAME CONTINUES UNTIL THERE
IS ONLY THE WINNER LEFT. DONE PROPERLY, THIS TAKES
ON A RITUALISTIC EFFECT.
Submitter comment:
MY SISTER LEARNED THIS AT CYO CAMP FOR GIRLS, CARSONVILLE,
MICHIGAN IN 1966.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM ; CYO CAMP ; CARSONVILLE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 00-00-1966
HOP SCOTCH
TO PLAY THE GAME ON THE DIAGRAM BELOW, (ON 5 X 8 CARD)
THEY TOOK SOMETHING HEAVY, LIKE A ROCK OR A METAL
WASHER, AND THREW IT ON THE NUMBERS IN SEQUENCE.
YOU HAD TO HOP TO YOUR NUMBER AND LAND ON IT, PICK UP
THE OBJECT AND THEN HOP BACK. THEN YOU THREW IT
ON THE NEXT NUMBER IN SEQUENCE UNTIL THERE WERE NO
MORE. WHEN YOU DID THIS WITHOUT DROPPING YOUR MARKER
OR HOPPING ON A LINE, YOU WON. IF YOU HOPPED ON A
LINE OR DROPPED THE MARKER, YOU LOST YOUR TURN.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS ANOTHER DIAGRAM OF THE SAME GAME WITH THE
SAME RULES. THE INFORMANT LEARNED IT FROM THE
NEIGHBORHOOD KIDS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; LIVONIA
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
GAME FOR TRAVELING: YOU WOULD COUNT AS YOU RODE. ALL
ANIMALS COUNTED ONE, BUT A WHITE HORSE COUNTED FIVE.
YOU DIDN'T COUNT POULTRY AS THEY WERE TOO HARD TO SEE.
SOMETIMES, A KID WOULD FIND OUT WHERE ONE WAS AND
ALWAYS SIT ON THAT SIDE. THE HIGHEST POINT COLLECTOR
GOT A PRIZE AT THE END OF THE TRIP.
Submitter comment: PPLAYED AS A BOY IN OMAHA, NEBRASKA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; OMAHA ; NEBRASKA
James Callow Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE ; COUNTING
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 05-10-1965
GAME FOR TRAVELING
IT WAS A DUTCH-GERMAN TRADITION THAT FAMILIES DRIVING
THROUGH THE COUNTRY--SUNDAY DRIVES WERE THE THING TO
DO THEN--AND ON TRIPS, WELL, THE THREE OF US (HERSELF
AND TWO SISTERS) USED TO BE IN THE BACK AND YOU PLAYED
GAMES TO KEEP THE KIDS QUIET. AND ONE OF THE OLD
FAVORITES WAS THAT YOU LOOKED IN THE FIELDS FOR A GRAY
OR WHITE HORSE AND WHOEVER WAS THE FIRST TO SEE HIM
WOULD MOISTEN THE THUMB ON THEIR RIGHT H AND WITH THEIR
TONGUE AND FIRMLY STRIKE THE PALM OF THE LEFT HAND WITH
THE MOISTENED THUMB AND THEN FORM THE RIGHT HAND INTO A
FIST AND STAMP THE PALM OF THE LEFT HAND THAT HAD BEEN
MOISTENED WITH THE THUMB. THEN YOU WATCHED ALL CARS AND
PEOPLE FOR A RED-HEAD AND THE FIRST ONE TO SUCCEED
IN FINDING THE HORSE AND RED HEAD GOT THEIR WISH.
YOU WOULD REPEAT THE SAME PROCEDURE WITH THE RED HEAD
AS WHEN YOU SAY (SAW?) THE HORSE.
Submitter comment: HAPPENED AS A GIRL LIVING IN DETROIT (MICHIGAN).
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; SOUTHFIELD
James Callow Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 05-10-1965
JUNGLE PATCHING
THE DRIVER OF THE CAR DRIVES UP ON A LAWN AND STOPS.
HE THEN TORQUES THE ENGINE AND PUTS THE CAR INTO
GEAR, WHICH CAUSES THE WHEELS TO CHEW UP THE LAWN
IN TWO IDENTICAL LINES. THE RESULT IS TWO PARALLEL
TRACKS OF BARRED EARTH.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT SAW IT HAPPEN A COUPLE OF TIMES.
Where learned: HOME
James Callow Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE ; Prank
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 00001967 SUMMER
THE FADE
IN THIS GAME, THE DRIVER OF THE CAR PULLS NEXT TO
SOMEONE ON A FOUR LANE HIGHWAY, PACING HIM AND THEN
PULLING AHEAD. AS HE DOES SO, HE GOES THROUGH THE
MOTIONS OF TURNING TOWARDS THE CAR NEXT TO HIM, AS IF
HE DOESN'T SEE HIM BY PASSING HIS HANDS OVER THE TOP
OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND LEANING SLIGHTLY TOWARDS
THE DRIVER OF THE OTHER CAR. THE CAR CONTINUES AHEAD
IN A STRAIGHT LINE, BUT GIVES THE FALSE CONCEPTION OF
TURNING. THE USUAL RESULT IS THE UNWARY DRIVER STOPPING
QUICKLY OR SWERVING IN ORDER TO
AVOID A NON-EXISTENT COLLECSION.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED IT FROM A FRIEND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 00001967 SUMMER
THE INFORMANT USED TO COLLECT BASEBALL CARDS WHICH HE
GOT BY BUYING GUM OR TRADING WITH FRIENDS. THE CARDS
HAVE THE NAME, PICTURE AND STATISTICS OF THE PLAYER
ON THEM. THE IDEA WAS TO TRY TO COLLECT A WHOLE
SET OF THE HOME TEAM.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED IT FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD KIDS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): COLLECTING
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
CHOOSING UP SIDES
THE TWO CAPTAINS WOULD TAKE A BAT. ONE WOULD THROW IT
TO THE OTHER MAN, WHO WOULD CATCH IT AROUND THE
TRADEMARK. THE THROWER WOULD THEN PLACE HIS HAND
ON TOP OF THE BAT WHERE THE OPPONENT HAD CAUGHT IT.
THEY WOULD THEN ALTERNATE HANDS ALL THE WAY TO THE TOP
OF THE BAT. WHEN THERE WAS NO MORE ROOM FOR A FULL
HAND, THE MAN WHOSE TURN IT WAS WOULD PLACE HIS HAND
OVER THE BAT AND GRAB AS MUCH OF IT AS HE COULD,
WITHOUT PUSHING HIS OPPONENT'S HAND FROM HIS POSITION
ON THE BAT. ONCE HE HAD GOTTEN HIS GRIP, THE OPPONENT
WOULD LET GO AND HE WOULD TRY TO THROW THE BAT OVER
HIS SHOULDER FOR A PREDETERMINED DISTANCE.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED IT FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD KIDS.
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
RING, BELL, RING
CHILDREN GET IN A CIRCLE. ONE CHILD IS CHOSEN TO CLOSE
HIS EYES. ANOTHER IS GIVEN A BELL, WHICH HE HOLDS
CAREFULLY, SO THAT NO SOUND WILL BE HEARD. THE
CHILD WITH THE BELL RUNS TO SOME DISTANT PLACE OF THE
ROOM. THE CHILD RINGS THE BELL AND THE CHILD BLIND-
FOLDED POINTS TO THE DIRECTION TO WHICH THE BELL
IS BEING RUNG.
Submitter comment: LEARNED AT LOWREY KINDERGARDEN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 12-05-1966
BELT GAME
ONE PERSON IS GIVEN A LEATHER BELT. THE REST OF THE
PLAYERS, WHO ARE IN SHORTS, FORM A CIRCLE. THE PLAYER
WHO HAS THE BELT GOES AROUND THE CIRCLE UNTIL HE COMES
TO A PLAYER HE DISLIKES. HE TAPS THIS PERSON ON THE
SHOULDER. THIS IS THE SIGNAL FOR THE PERSON IN THE
CIRCLE TO RUN. THE PLAYER WITH THE BELT CHASES THE
PLAYER HE DISLIKES AROUND THE CIRCLE ONCE, HITTING
HIM WITH THE BELT AS MUCH AS HE CAN. AFTER GOING
AROUND ONCE THE PLAYER BEING BEATEN IS SAFE. THE
PLAYER HAVING THE BELT HAS TO PASS IT SOMEONE ELSE.
THE GAME CONTINUES.
Submitter comment: I LEARNED THIS IN HIGH SCHOOL GYM CLASS.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; HAMBURG
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: HIGH SCHOOL
CROSSING THE STREAM
BLOCKS ARE PLACED AT REGULAR INTERVALS, 9 INCHES
APART, TO FORM STEPPING STONES. (ONE) MUST NOT FALL
INTO THE "STREAM," BUT RATHER KEEP ON THE "ROCKS."
Submitter comment: (LEARNED AT) LOWREY KINDERGARTEN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 12-05-1966
MAKING FORTS OUT OF REFRIGERATOR BOXES
WHEN HE WAS LITTLE, HE USED TO GET TOGETHER WITH THE
NEIGHBOHOOD KIDS AND SWIPE LARGE CARDBORARD BOXES *510630/BORBO
LIKE THE KINDS REFRIGERATORS COME IN AND MAKE FORTS
OUT OF THEM BY CUTTING SLITS TO SEE AND ENTER BY.
THEY WOULD MAKE THEM IN THE ALLEY SO THE GARBAGE MEN
WOULD PICK THEM UP FOR THEM.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED IT FROM HIS NEIGHBORHOOD BUDDIES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
BICYCLE CHICKEN
TO PLAY THIS GAME, THE TWO PLAYERS WOULD GET ON BICYCLES
AND RIDE TOWARDS EACH OTHER FROM OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS.
THE FIRST ONE TO VEER AWAY FROM THE OTHER LOST AND
WAS CALLED "CHICKEN." IF NEITHER VEERED AND THEY
COLLIDED, NO ONE LOST.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED IT FROM HIS FRIENDS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
BICYCLE GAME
THE INFORMANT'S FRIENDS WOULD GET ON THEIR BIKES AND RIDE
AROUND LOOKING FOR A LONE CYCLIST. WHEN THEY FOUND HIM,
THEY WOULD FOLLOW HIM IN A PACK AND WORRY HIM. AFTER
A WHILE THEY WOULD BREAK OFF AND LEAVE HIM ALONE.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED IT FROM HIS FRIENDS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
BUTTON, BUTTON
FOR THIS GAME, THE CHILDREN GET IN A CIRCLE AND FOLD
THEIR HANDS, AS IF THEY ARE GOING TO PRAY. ONE
CHILD IS A LEADER AND HAS A BUTTON INSIDE HIS
FOLDED HANDS. HE GOES AROUND THE CIRCLE PUTTING HIS
HANDS INSIDE THE HANDS OF THE OTHER CHILDREN, SINGING
"BUTTON, BUTTON, WHO'S GOT THE BUTTON." WHILE
GOING AROUND THE CIRCLE, HE DROPS THE BUTTON INTO THE
HANDS OF ANOTHER CHILD. THE GROUP MUST THEN GUESS WHO
HAS THE BUTTON.
THE ONE WHO GUESSES RIGHT IS THE NEW LEADER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN HEIGHTS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 11-22-1970
HULA HOOP
THIS GAME IS PLAYED WITH A COLORED, PLASTIC HOOP
ABOUT 30 INCHES IN DIAMETER. IT IS PLACED AROUND THE
WAIST AND GIVEN A SPIN. THE HULA HOOP IS KEPT
SPINNING BY MOVING THE HIPS BACK AND FORTH
ACCORDING TO THE SPEED IT IS TURNING. IT CAN ALSO
BE SPUN FROM THE WAIST TO THE NECK, ARMS, LEGS, OR
KNEES.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED IT FROM HIS SISTER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 00001967 FALL