Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for C560 returned 390 results.
KNIFE BASEBALL
YOU TAKE A MEDIUM-SIZED BOARD AND JACKKNIFE WITH
A LARGE AND SMALL BLADE. (DIAGRAM ON 5 X 8 CARD OF
KNIFE). IF THE KNIFE LANDS WITH THE LARGE BLADE
AND THE BOTTOM OF THE KNIFE STUCK IN THE WOOD, IT'S
A SINGLE; IF JUST THE LARGE BLADE STICKS IT'S A
DOUBLE; IF SMALL AND LARGE BLADE STICK=TRIPLE;
IF JUST THE SMALL BLADE STICKS=HOMERUN; LANDS ON IT'S
BACK=BASE ON BALLS. IF KNIFE LANDS JUST ON IT'S
SIDE=OUT. THE GAME IS PLAYED LIKE REAL BASEBALL, 2
TEAMS (OF PEOPLE) PLAY NINE INNINGS, THE HIGHEST
SCORE WINS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 01-00-1970
MUMBLY PEG
THIS GAME IS PLAYED WITH A POCKET KNIFE. THERE ARE
ELEVEN DIFFERENT THROW(S) THAT MUST BE MADE WITH THE
KNIFE. THE FIRST IS TO HOLD THE KNIFE IN THE PALM
OF THE HAND WITH THE BLADE OUT AND FLIP IT SO IT
STICKS IN THE GROUND. THE SECOND THROW IS THE SAME
AS THE FIRST, ONLY WITH THE OPPOSITE HAND. IF THE
PERSON MISSES, HE CAN WAIT HIS TURN OR TAKE A RISK
TOSS. IF HE MISSES THIS ONE, HE CAN TAKE ONE FINAL
RISK TOSS. IF HE MISSES THE FIRST RISK TOSS, HE
STARTS OVER FROM THE BEGINNING. IF HE MISSES THE SECOND
TOSS, HE LOSES THE GAME. IF HE MAKES EITHER TOSS, HE
MOVES ON TO THE NEXT THROW. THE THIRD THROW IS TO MAKE
A FIST AND LAY THE KNIFE IN THE POCKET MADE BY YOUR
FIST WITH THE BLADE POINTED THE SAME WAY AS THE
THUMB. THE FOURTH THROW IS THE SAME ONLY WITH THE
OPPOSITE FIST. THE FIFTH SHOT IS FROM THE WRIST.
THE SIXTH IS FROM THE ELBOW. THE SEVENTH IS FROM
THE SHOULDER. THE EIGHTH IS FROM THE CHIN. THE
NINTH IS FROM THE NOSE. THE TENTH IS FROM THE FORE-
HEAD, AND THE ELEVENTH IS OVER THE HEAD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
SPLITS
THIS WAS A RELATIVELY SIMPLE GAME FOR TWO PLAYERS. THE
TWO PLAYERS WOULD STAND, FEET TOGETHER AND FACING
EACH OTHER, ABOUT THREE FEET APART. ONE PLAYER WOULD
THROW THE JACKKNIFE. HE WOULD HAVE TO THROW IT IN
FRONT OF HIM AND OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE PLAYER WHO
FACED HIM. IF IT STUCK BLADE FIRST INTO THE GROUND
SO THAT TWO FINGERS WIDTH SEPARATED IT FROM CONTACT
WITH THE GROUND AT THE HANDLE, THEN IT WAS A LEGAL
THROW. THE OTHER PLAYER WOULD HAVE TO LEAVE ONE
FOOT STATIONARY AND STRETCH THE OTHER ONE FAR ENOUGH
TO REACH THE KNIFE. HE WOULD THEN HAVE TO REACH OVER
AND PICK UP THE KNIFE IN ORDER TO HAVE HIS TURN. A
BAD TOSS MERELY MEANT THAT IT WAS THE OTHER PERSON'S
TURN. THE THROWING CONTINUED UNTIL ONE OF THE PLAYERS
COULDN'T STRETCH THE REQUIRED DISTANCE OR FELL OVER IN
ATTEMPTING TO PICK UP THE KNIFE, WHICH MADE HIM THE
LOSER.
Submitter comment: OLDER NEIGHBORHOOD BOYS TAUGHT ME THIS GAME.
Where learned: INDIANA ; FORT WAYNE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 00001949 CA.
MUMBLETY-PEG
THIS GAME REQUIRES TWO OR MORE PEOPLE AND A JACKKNIFE. A SMALL TWIG IS CUT FROM A TREE AND WHITTLED INTO A PEG ABOUT THREE INCHES LONG. IT IS THEN INSERTED A SHORT WAYS INTO THE GROUND. THE PLAYERS KNEEL IN A CIRCLE AROUND THE PEG. ONE PLAYER THROWS THE JACKKNIFE IN ANY MANNER HE WISHES (MAKING IT FLIP TWICE, FLIPPING IT FROM HIS ELBOW, NOSE, OR FROM EACH OF HIS FINGERS SUCCESSIVELY). IF THE KNIFE STICKS SO THAT TWO FINGERS CAN BE INSERTED BETWEEN THE GROUND AND THE HANDLE, IT IS CONSIDERED A LEGAL THROW. THEN EACH OF THE OTHER PLAYERS HAS TO EXACTLY DUPLICATE THE MANNER IN WHICH THE ORIGINAL PLAYER FLIPPED THE KNIFE. AS SOON AS YOU DUPLICATE THE STUNT WITH A LEGAL THROW, YOU ARE CONSIDERED EXEMPT FROM THE PENALTY THAT WILL FOLLOW. YOU KEEP TOSSING UNTIL THERE IS ONLY ONE PERSON LEFT. HE THEN GETS A "FIREMAN'S CHANCE" OR LAST ATTEMPT. IF HE SUCCEEDS THEN THE KNIFE CONTINUES AROUND UNTIL ONE PERSON AGAIN SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETES A STUNT WHICH EVERYONE HAS TO MATCH. SHOULD THE PERSON FAIL ON HIS "FIREMAN'S CHANCE" HE MUST PAY THE PENALTY. THE KNIFE IS PASSED AROUND THE RING OF PARTICIPANTS WITH THE BLADE OPEN. EACH PERSON HOLDS THE KNIFE BY THE FLAT OF THE BLADE AND STRIKES THE PEG ONCE, DRIVING IT INTO THE GROUND. THEN THE KNIFE IS PASSED AROUND AGAIN. THIS TIME WITH THE BLADE CLOSED. EACH PERSON GRIPS THE KNIFE IN HIS FIST AND BRINGS THE BU; OF IT DOWN ON THE PEG, DRIVING IT FURTHER
INTO THE GROUND. EACH PERSON ONLY GETS ONE TRY
THOUGH. IF YOU MISS THE NARROW PEG, YOU DON'T GET TO
TRY AGAIN. THIS IS CALLED "SPIKING." NOW THE PEG
IS EITHER VERY CLOSE TO THE GROUND OR EVEN BURIED IN
IT. THE PERSON WHO LOST MUST GET DOWN ON HIS HANDS
AND KNEES AND EXTRACT THE PEG FROM THE GROUND WITH
HIS TEETH, OFTEN A VERY MESSY PROCESS.
Submitter comment:
I LEARNED THIS FROM THE NEIGHBORING CHILDREN IN
FORT WAYNE.
Where learned: INDIANA ; FORT WAYNE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 00001949 CA.
TEEPEEING A HOUSE
AT NIGHT, THE PLAYERS TAKE ROLLS OF TOILET PAPER AND
THROW THEM OVER AND BACK ACROSS THE BUSHES, HOUSE,
AND LAWN OF SOMEONE THEY GENERALLY DISLIKE. THE
RESULT THE FOLLOWING DAY IS TOILET PAPER STREWN
ACROSS THE PERSON'S PROPERTY IN PLACES THAT ARE
TOO OFTEN TOO HARD TO REACH.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT SAW SOME FELLOW STUDENTS DO IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 00001964 SUMMER
TABLE FOOTBALL
TO PLAY, YOU FOLD A PIECE OF PAPER IN A CERTAIN MANNER,
SIMILAR TO A FLAG. IT WILL LOOK LIKE A TRIANGLE.
THIS IS THE FOOTBALL. YOU FLICK THE FOOTBALL WITH
A SNAP OF YOUR INDEX FINGER AND THUMB, BACK AND
FORTH ON THE TABLE WITH YOUR OPPONENT. IF IT LANDS
WHERE IT HANGS OVER THE EDGE OF THE TABLE YOU SCORE
A TOUCHDOWN. TO SCORE A FIELD GOAL ONE PERSON HOLDS
HIS FINGERS WITH THE TWO INDEX FINGERS TOUCHING AND
THUMBS UP (DIAGRAM ON 5 X 8 CARD), THE FOOTBALL IS
THEN FLICKED WITH THE INTENTION OF GOING THROUGH
THE GOAL--SCORE THREE POINTS. EXTRA POINTS ARE
DONE SIMILARLY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 01-00-1970
PEG AND STICK
A STICK ABOUT FOUR INCHES LONG IS WHITTLED DOWN TO A
POINT ON EACH END. IT IS CALLED A PEG. THE STICK
WAS ABOUT TWELVE INCHES LONG. IT IS USED TO TAP
THE PEG ON EITHER END AND AS THE PEG ROSE IN THE AIR
TO STRIKE IT TOWARDS THE OPPONENT'S GOAL. THE GAME
IS PLAYED ON THE STREET, USING THE CURBS AS A SIDELINE
BOUNDARY. THE GOALS ARE USUALLY SET APART FOR THE
DISTANCE OF FIVE OR SIX HOUSES. MANHOLE COVERS WERE
LOCATED ON EACH END. EACH MAN TOOK HIS TURN AT THE
PEG. IT WOULD REMAIN IN THE POSITION IT LANDED RE-
GARDLESS WHERE--EVEN UP AGAINST A CURB. WHEN A
PLAYER FELT HE WAS CLOSE ENOUGH TO A PLAYER'S GOAL,
HE WOULD TRY TO THROW THE PEG AT HIS OPPONENT'S
STICK WHICH WAS PLACED IN A ROUND HOLE CARVED JUST IN
FRONT OF THE MANHOLE COVER, IF HE HITS THE STICK
HE RECEIVES A POINT. WHEN A PLAYER RECEIVES A SET
NUMBER OF POINTS, HE IS THE WINNER.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; GLENVIEW
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 11-29-1970
PASTIME (DRAWING)
A LOT OF PEOPLE SIT AROUND A TABLE. EACH PLAYER HAS
A PIECE OF PAPER AND A PENCIL. FIRST EACH PERSON
DRAWS A HEAD. THEN HE FOLDS OVER THE PIECE OF
PAPER, SO NO ONE CAN SEE WHAT HE HAS DRAWN, AND
PASSES IT TO THE PLAYER ON HIS RIGHT. HE JUST LEAVES
TWO LINES OF THE NECK COMING DOWN, SO THE NEXT PERSON
WILL KNOW WHERE TO ATTACH THE BODY. THIS PERSON
DRAWS A BODY DOWN TO THE WAIST, FOLDS OVER THE PAPER
AND LEAVES TWO LINES FOR THE NEXT PERSON. THEN
EVERYONE DRAWS A BODY FROM THE WAIST DOWN TO THE KNEES.
LAST OF ALL, ARE THE KNEES DOWN TO THE FEET.
WHEN THE PAPER ARE OPENED UP, THE PICTURES ARE
REALLY NIFTY.
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 02-21-1971
RING TOSS
CHILDREN STAND IN A CIRCLE WITH ONE RING. AS THE
MUSIC BEGINS, THEY TOSS IT TO THE NEXT PERSON AND
KEEP DOING THIS UNTIL THE MUSIC STOPS. THE PERSON
CAUGHT WITH THIS IN THEIR HAND IS ELIMINATED AND THIS
CONTINUES UNTIL ONLY ONE PERSON, THE WINNER, IS LEFT.
Submitter comment: FROM MY CRITIC TEACHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 12-00-1966
SKATEBOARDING
THE PERSON SKATEBOARDING STANDS ON A BOARD ABOUT A
FOOT AND A HALF LONG, WITH A PAIR OF WHEELS AT EITHER
END. HE THEN PUTS ONE SHOE ON THE BOARD AND
PUSHES HIMSELF WITH THE OTHER FOOT. ONE ATTAINING
A SPEED BETWEEN TROTTING AND RUNNING, HE PUTS HIS
OTHER FOOT ON THE BOARD AND COASTS. THE LEFT FOOT
IS PERPENDICULAR TO THE BOARD AND THE RIGHT IS
SQUARELY ON THE BOARD. TURNS CAN BE MADE BY SHIFTING
ONE'S WEIGHT FROM SIDE TO SIDE ON THE BOARD.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED IT FROM HIS NEIGHBOR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 00001967 FALL
SHINNY
LIKE HOCKEY, THIS GAME USES STICKS TO KNOCK AROUND
ANYTHING RESEMBLING A BALL OR PUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 04-00-1970
SHINNEY
SHINNEY WAS JUST LIKE DONKEY ON THE ROCK. EVERYBODY
CARRIED A BIG STICK. THEY WOULD TAKE IT AND BEAT
UP A CAN; THEY BEAT IT TIL IT WAS FLAT. (SIMILAR
TO HOCKEY.) THEN THEY WOULD PLAY WITH IT JUST LIKE
HOCKEY. THEY CALLED IT SHINNEY BECAUSE YOUR SHINS
ALWAYS PEELED FROM YOUR ANKLES TO YOUR KNEES AND
HIGHER.
Submitter comment: PLAYED WHEN HE WAS A BOY IN HOLLISTER, OHIO
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; OHIO ; DETROIT ; HOLLISTER
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 05-11-1965
TIPPY
TAKE A BROOMSTICK OR MOPSTICK FOR A BAT AND ANOTHER
SIX INCH PIECE OF BROOMSTICK OR MOPSTICK. YOU LEAN
THE SIX INCH PIECE ON A BRICK. THEN YOU TAKE THE
LONG BROOMSTICK AND HIT THE SIX INCH PIECE, WHICH
FLIES INTO THE AIR AND THEN BAT IT WHEN IT COMES
DOWN.
Submitter comment: MY MOTHER LEARNED IT DURING THE DEPRESSION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 11-20-1967
TIPPY
AN OBLONG BLOCK OF WOOD, POINTED AT EACH END,
IS HIT BY A STICK. THE BLOCK FLIES IN THE AIR.
SOMETIMES THE GAME IS PLAYED WITH NUMBERS ON THE
BLOCK. THIS WAY SCORE CAN BE KEPT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 04-00-1970
BEFORE PLAYING A REGULATION VARSITY BASKETBALL
GAME, I WOULD NOT TAKE OFF ANY WARM UP CLOTHES
UNTIL THE LAST POSSIBLE MOMENT, OR IT WOULD BRING
BAD LUCK.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; FRANKLINVILLE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement BELIEF -- Bad luck Games Pastimes Sports |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
IN BASEBALL, IT IS BAD LUCK TO STRIKE OUT THE FIRST
BATTER AGAINST YOU.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement BELIEF -- Bad luck Games Pastimes Sports |
Date learned: 02-09-1972
FROM THE AGE OF EIGHT TO 22, I PLAYED ORGANIZED
BASEBALL AND ALWAYS RAN ACROSS THE BELIEF THAT
STEPPING ON THE (CHALKED) LINES IS BAD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; NEW YORK ; LONG ISLAND ; HEMPSTEAD
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement BELIEF -- Bad luck Games Pastimes Sports |
Date learned: 12-00-1971
WHEN PLAYING BASEBALL, IT IS BAD LUCK TO WALK ON
THE BASELINE WHEN WALKING ACROSS IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Athletic sport and exercise Gymnastics Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement BELIEF -- Bad luck Games Pastimes Sports |
Date learned: 11-16-1968
IF YOU ARE A MEMBER OF A BASEBALL TEAM, IT IS BAD
LUCK, IF ON A CLEAR DAY YOU GO UP TO BAT AND A
CLOUD SUDDENLY PASSES BETWEEN YOU AND THE SUN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
IF YOU ARE HAVING BAD LUCK IN CARDS, WALK AROUND
YOUR CHAIR FOR GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 03-05-1972