Dr. James T. Callow publications
Browse by
Questions or comments on this site? Please email davidsor@udmercy.edu.
The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for F535 returned 99 results.
DISHONORABLE NAVAL DISCHARGE
IF YOU WANT FOLKLORE, YOU MUST MEAN TRADITIONS,
RIGHT? WELL, HERE IS A BIT OF NAVAL TRADITION. WHEN
I WAS IN THE U.S. NAVY, I WAS STATIONED IN SAN DIEGO,
CALIFORNIA. ONE TIME WE WERE ALL ORDERED TO (GO) OUT
ON THIS LARGE FIELD, (SOMETHING LIKE DRILL FIELD) AND
STAND AT ATTENTION. SOON THE OFFICERS LED THESE THIRTY
OR SO MEN ON THE FIELD. THE MEN WERE ALL DRESSED IN
BLACK. THEY HAD BLACK HATS, SHIRTS, TIES, BELTS, PANTS,
SHOES AND SOCKS. THEY WERE ALL BLACK! WELL, ONE BY
ONE THEY WERE TOLD TO COME FORWARD TO GET DISHONORABLE
DISCHARGES. THE CHARGES THAT WERE PLACED AGAINST THEM
WERE READ PUBLICLY. WHEN THEY WERE LED OFF THE FIELD,
ALL OF US WERE TOLD TO TURN OUR BACKS TO THEM. ALL OF
THESE MEN DRESSED IN BLACK WERE PUT ON A BUS AND LET OFF
IN DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO. THEY HAD NO MONEY EXCEPT $2.00
WHICH WAS GIVEN TO THEM. AS I UNDERSTAND IT, THIS HAS
BEEN THE NAVAL TRADITION FOR A COUPLE HUNDRED OF YEARS.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT LEARNED OF THIS TRADITION IN THE NAVY.
Where learned: NAVY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535 |
Date learned: 05-19-1965
DRINKING THE DOLPHINS
CEREMONY WHERE A SUBMARINER RECEIVES HIS DOLPHIN PIN FOR COMPLETING
THREE CRUISES. THE PIN IS PLACED IN A PITCHER OF BEER AND THE
SUBMARINER MUST GUZZLE THE BEER DOWN, CATCHING THE DOLPHIN PIN IN
HIS TEETH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Irregular |
Date learned: 10-00-1981
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
IF A SOLDIER ENTERS YOUR HOME, YOU MUST BE HOSPITABLE
AND GRANT EVERY WISH THEY DESIRE IN ORDER TO RETAIN GOOD LUCK
IN THE HOME. THIS BROUGHT GOOD LUCK IF DONE CORRECTLY.
IF NOT FOLLOWED THROUGH, MISFORTUNE MAY OCCUR TO MALE MEMBERS
OF THE FAMILY.
Submitter comment:
THIS BELIEF WAS HELD BY INFORMANT'S GRANDMOTHER
DURING 1940-1941 WHEN ENGLAND WAS IN WWII ALONE WITHOUT
THE AID OF THE UNITED STATES.
Where learned: COLLECTED BY MAIL ; COOKHAM RISE ; BERKSHIRE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- B439 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535 BELIEF -- Legend BELIEF -- Good luck BELIEF -- Bad luck |
BLOOD ON THE RISERS
HE WAS JUST A ROOKIE TROOPER,
AND HE SURELY SHOOK WITH FRIGHT.
HE CHECKED OFF HIS EQUIPMENT,
AND MADE SURE HIS PACK WAS TIGHT.
HE HAD TO SIT AND LISTEN TO THOSE
AWFUL ENGINES ROAR.
AND HE AIN'T GONNA JUMP NO MORE. MM
(CHORUS) GORY, GORY WHAT A HELLUVA WAY TO DIE.
GORY, GORY WHAT A HELLUVA WAY TO DIE.
GORY, GORY WHAT A HELLUVA WAY TO DIE.
AND HE AIN'T GONNA JUMP NO MORE. MM
IS EVERYBODY HAPPY,
CRIED THE SERGEANT LOOKING UP?
OUR HERO FEEBLY ANSWERED, YES,
AND THEN THEY STOOD HIM UP.
HE JUMPED INTO THE ICY BLAST,
HIS STATIC LINE UNHOOKED.
AND HE AIN'T GONNA JUMP NO MORE. MM
(CHORUS) MM
HE COUNTED LOUD, HE COUNTED LONG,
HE WAITED FOR THE SHOCK.
HE FELT THE WIND, HE FELT THE COLD,
HE FELT THE AWFUL DROP.
HE JERKED THE CORD, THE SILK SPILLED OUT,
AND WRAPPED AROUND HIS LEGS.
AND HE AIN'T GONNA JUMP NO MORE. MM
(CHORUS) MM
THE RISERS SWUNG AROUND HIS NECK,
CONNECTORS CRACKED HIS DOME.
SUSPENSION LINES WERE TIED IN KNOTS,
AROUND HIS SKINNY BONES.
HIS CANOPY BECAME HIS SHROUD,
AND HE HURLED INTO THE EARTH.
AND HE AIN'T GONNA JUMP NO MORE. MM
(CHORUS) MM
THE DAYS HE LIVED AND LOVED AND LAUGHED,
KEPT RUNNING THROUGH HIS MIND.
HE THOUGHT ABOUT THE GIRLS BACK HOME,
THE ONES HE LEFT BEHIND.
HE THOUGHT ABOUT THE MEDICS,
AND HE WONDERED WHAT THEY'D FIND.
AND HE AIN'T GONNA JUMP NO MORE. MM
(CHORUS) MM
THE AMBULANCE WAS ON THE SPOT.
THE JEEPS WERE RUNNING WILD.
THE MEDICS JUMPED AND SCREAMED WITH GLEE,
AND ROLLED THEIR SLEEVES AND SMILED.
FOR IT HAD BEEN A WEEK OR SO
SINCE LAST A CHUTE HAD FAILED.
AND HE AIN'T GONNA JUMP NO MORE. MM
(CHORUS) MM
HE HIT THE GROUND, THE SOUND WAS SPLAT.
HIS BLOOD WENT SPURTING HIGH.
HIS COMRADES THEN WERE HEARD TO SAY,
WHAT A HELLUVA WAY TO DIE.
HE LAY THERE ROLLING TO AND FRO,
IN THE WELTER OF HIS GORE.
AND HE AIN'T GONNA JUMP NO MORE. MM
(CHORUS) MM
THERE WAS BLOOD UPON THE RISERS.
THERE WAS BRAIN UPON THE CHUTE.
INTESTINES WERE A'DANGLIN' FROM
THIS PARATROOPER'S BOOTS.
THEY PICKED HIM UP STILL IN THE CHUTE,
AND POURED HIM FROM HIS BOOTS.
AND HE AIN'T GONNA JUMP NO MORE. MM
(CHORUS)
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A MARCHING CADENCE SUNG TO THE TUNE
OF "BATTLE HYMN OF THE REPUBLIC." UNITED
STATES ARMY AIRBORNE SCHOOL IS A THREE-WEEK
COURSE OF INSTRUCTION AT FORT BENNING,
GEORGIA. THE FIRST TWO WEEKS OF INSTRUCTION
CONSIST OF GROUND AND TOWER TRAINING. THE
THIRD WEEK CONSISTS ENTIRELY OF SUCCESSFULLY
COMPLETING FIVE PARACHUTE JUMPS FROM AN AIRCRAFT
IN FLIGHT. AFTER SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF
GROUND AND TOWER TRAINING, BUT PRIOR TO JUMP
WEEK, "BLOOD ON THE RISERS" RECORDINGS ARE
PLAYED ON LOUDSPEAKERS THROUGHOUT THE STUDENT
COMPANY AREA AS A FORM OF GOOD-NATURED INTIMIDATION
BY THE CADRE.
"RISERS" REFERS TO HEAVY NYLON STRAPS WHICH
EXTEND FROM THE PARACHUTE HARNESS TO THE SUSPENSION
LINES. "STATIC LINE" IS A CORD WHICH IS SNAPPED
TO A WIRE RUNNING THE LENGTH OF THE INTERIOR OF
THE AIRCRAFT, AND WHICH OPENS THE CHUTE
AUTOMATICALLY AS THE JUMPER EXITS THE AIRCRAFT.
THE "COUNT" REFERS TO THE JUMPER'S SILENTLY
COUNTING TO FOUR AND AWAITING THE OPENING SHOCK
OF THE PARACHUTE, LETTING HIM KNOW THAT THE
PARACHUTE HAS DEPLOYED SAFELY. THE "CONNECTORS"
ARE HEAVY ALUMINUM CLIPS WHICH ATTACH THE RISERS
SECURELY TO THE PARACHUTE HARNESS AT CHEST LEVEL.
"SUSPENSION LINES" ARE THE SEVERAL NARROW NYLON
CORDS WHICH RUN FROM THE RISERS TO THE EDGE OF
THE PARACHUTE CANOPY.
THE SONG IS SUNG BY THE STUDENT COMPANY
AT THE GRADUATION CEREMONY AS THE PARACHUTIST
WINGS ARE PINNED ON AFTER THE FIFTH QUALIFYING
JUMP.
Where learned: GEORGIA ; FORT BENNING
James Callow Keyword(s): INITIAL ITERATION (STANZA 3). ; MEDIAL ITERATION (STANZA 3).
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
ANIMAL CALLS (CATTLE)
"TO CALL THE CATTLE IN FROM THE WOODS, MOST OF THE FARMERS IN MY
AREA (ST. CLAIR, MI.) WILL CALL 'COME BAHS, COME BAHS!' SEVERAL
TIMES VERY QUICKLY AND LOUDLY. THIS WILL CAUSE THE CATTLE TO
COME RUNNING UP TO THE BARN. IF THE FARMER DOESN'T FEEL LIKE
CALLING, AS MY GRANDFATHER DID MANY TIMES, HE'LL TURN THE MOTOR
ON IN THE SILO WHICH ACTS AS A DINNER BELL FOR THE CATTLE."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535 SPEECH -- Onomatopoeia SPEECH -- To Be Heard |
Date learned: 04-00-1984
WHEN A CHILD REACHES THE AGE OF 3, PLANT A TREE OF THE SAME HEIGHT
AS THE CHILD AND MEASURE THE CHILD'S GROWTH WITH THE TREE TO SEE
WHICH IS GROWING BETTER. THIS WILL TELL HOW TALL THE CHILD WILL
BE IN THE FUTURE.
Submitter comment:
THE TRADITION WAS PASSED THROUGH THE FAMILY, BUT THE PROCESS WAS
LOST WHEN THE FAMILY MOVED FROM GRAND RAPIDS TO DETROIT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GRAND RAPIDS
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of space: distance, height, depth BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 01-00-1966
IT IS A TRADITION OF THE TURKISH ARMY FOR EACH MALE CITIZEN
OF TURKEY TO COME BACK TO THE HOMELAND AND JOIN THE ARMY FOR
A RIGOROUS TRAINING PERIOD OF THREE MONTHS WHEN HE REACHES THE
AGE OF 21. THIS PERTAINS TO ALL MALES WHO STILL CARRY TURKISH
CITIZENSHIP.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT WAS ALSO REQUIRED TO FOLLOW THIS TRADITION EVEN
THOUGH HE WAS A STUDENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT.
Where learned: TULSA ; OKLAHOMA
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535 |
Date learned: 00-00-1973
WHY DO SAILOR UNIFORMS HAVE THIRTEEN
BUTTONS ON THEIR PANTS?
THEY REPRESENT THE ORIGINAL THIRTEEN
COLONIES.
Submitter comment: MY HUSBAND GAVE ME THIS EXPLANATION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BUTTONS
| Subject headings: | 686 Specific number by specific number being described CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535 ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Dress Lower body and legs |
Date learned: 10-00-1987
This was a game or sometimes punishment that my
father learned in the army. Actually it would
prove how strong you are in muscle endurance. The
object was to hold an empty bucket in each hand, then
extend your arms out from you, forming a cross. In
a short time your arms would begin to throb from the
weight of the empty buckets. It was said to me that
if you came back in about 15 minutes you could
actually see the person leaning over from the weight.
As I said this was sometimes a punishment that the
Drill Sergeant would use if someone made a mistake
in doing their drills.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535 |
Plant potatoes on Good Friday.
Submitter comment: My father's parents did this every year.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Oakley
| Subject headings: | 663 Good Friday CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535 |
Date learned: 00-00-1945
After Easter throw wheat so that there will be a
good harvest. You should also throw wheat inside
your home to insure that you will have bread to
eat in the coming year. This was important
because most people worked on the farm and this
was their only income, so a bad crop was
disastrous.
Submitter comment:
Mrs. Wojtan grew up in Kansas on a farm with over
forty acres of wheat. Before the depression this
was the only income. This was practiced every
year and she believed that it worked.
Where learned: KANSAS ; Manhattan
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting |
Date learned: 00001920S
DR. SNIDER HEARD THE PHRASE:
"DON'T WORRY ABOUT THE MULE GOING BLIND,
HIT HIM IN THE HEAD WITH A LOADED LINE."
A FEW TIMES WHILE GROWING UP. HE DOESN'T REMEMBER
WHY HE HEARD IT, BUT HE REMEMBERS THINKING IT WAS A SLAVE
CONCEPT ABOUT BEATING PEOPLE INTO SUBMISSION.
Submitter comment:
AFTER TELLING THIS TO ME, DR. SNIDER EXPLAINED
THAT HIS FAMILY NEVER OWNED SLAVES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WEST BLOOMFIELD
James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMAL ; WHIPPING
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535 BELIEF -- Mammal PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 09-12-1990
According to British military traditions, the reason that
the British salute with their palms facing toward the
person they're saluting at is because a soldier had killed
a superior officer by being able to hide a pistol in the
palm of his hand. This then forced the British military
to change their saluting process and had them salute as
above and being able to see what's in their hand.
Submitter comment:
I learned this from my uncle while we were on vacation
in England.
Where learned: ENGLAND ; WINDSOR
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535 SPEECH -- Salutes |
BEFORE GOING ON A MISSION OR A TRAINING PROGRAM, ALL MEN IN
THE UNIT DRINK AN ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CALLED A SQWATT.
Where learned: CALIFORNIA ; MARINES
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535 Food Drink -- Alcoholic beverage |
Hazing
Hazing is a common practice in the Seals, but the traditional
pre-marriage hazing is a practice worth mentioning. Before a member
of a Seal team is married, the other men in the team will kidnap him,
strip him, shave his body hair, tie him to a pier, throw him in the
ocean or bay, and let him "bob" for the remainder of the day.
Submitter comment:
Being the fiance of a Seal, I am not particularly fond of this
tradition.
Where learned: United States Navy Seals
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 01-00-1990
Frogman Shot
This is a Seal tradition involving the consumption of alcohol.
The shot consists of tequila, rum, and whiskey. The men partaking of
the Frogman shot must first put the shot in their mouths, and hold it
for as long as they can. They then return the alcohol to the shot
glass and repeat the process. After the alcohol is returned to the
glass for a second time, the men must hold their breath for as long
as possible, exhale completely, and finally drink the shot.
Submitter comment:
This disgusting tradition has caused many new Seals to feel a
bit "under the weather."
Where learned: United States Navy Seals
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535 Food Drink -- Alcoholic beverage Distilled Food Drink -- Special Form and PurposeObject of Bodily Consumption |
Date learned: 06-00-1991
Hungry Song
During a twenty-two week training period for the Navy Seals,
every time the men went to breakfast, lunch, or dinner, they were
forced to sing the "Hungry Song" before they were allowed to eat. The
song is to the tune of "Are You Sleeping, Brother John?," and the
words are as follows: "We are hungry, we are hungry, feed us now,
feed us now. Hungry little tadpoles, waiting for their dinner
(breakfast, lunch), feed us now, feed us now."
Where learned: United States Navy Seals
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Daily Life CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222. |
Initiation
When a Seal becomes a member of a platoon, he goes through a
rather strange initiation. He receives a pin, known as the
"Trident," and is then tied and blindfolded. The other members of the
platoon then take turns making "attacks" on the new member. He must
defend himself from these attacks, or face the punishment decided on
by the group. Usually, the group decides that the new member has not
sufficiently defended himself, and designates a punishment. A common
punishment consists of allowing the entire platoon a "free shot" on
the new man. The new man is never seriously injured, but is often
uncomfortable after the ordeal.
Where learned: United States Navy Seals
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 09-00-1991