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 F536 returned 346 results.
DURING STRENUOUS PRACTICE SESSIONS OR DURING GAMES, PARTICIPATING
BASKETBALL PLAYERS NEVER DRINK WATER. THEY FEAR THIS WOULD CAUSE
THEIR STOMACHS TO BE BOGGED DOWN AND WOULD ADVERSELY AFFECT THEIR
PLAY. INSTEAD THEY COOL OFF BY POURING A STEADY STREAM OF COLD WATER
ON THEIR WRISTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): OBSERVATION ; SPORTS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 10-00-1975
IN A BAR, IF A CUSTOMER PUTS HIS EMPTY GLASS ALONGSIDE THE WOODEN
EDGE OF THE COUNTER IT SIGNALS TO THE BARTENDER THAT HE WILL HAVE
ANOTHER OF WHAT HE HAS BEEN DRINKING. THE BARTENDER WILL
AUTOMATICALLY BRING THE DRINK, VERBAL TRANSACTIONS ARE NOT NECESSARY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; PAT SULLIVANS TAVERN
James Callow Keyword(s): ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ; OBSERVATION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion Food Drink -- MenuService Food Drink -- Alcoholic beverage SPEECH -- To Be Seen |
Date learned: 10-00-1975
"BAR TIME" IS THE TIME ON CLOCKS IN BARS AND LOUNGES. IT IS ALWAYS
FAST, USUALLY TEN OR FIFTEEN MINUTES SO. THIS IS TO PROVIDE
INSURANCE THAT THE BARTENDER DOES NOT SERVE ANY DRINKS AFTER THE
TIME SPECIFIED BY THE LIQUOR LAWS OF THE LOCALE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; PAT SULLIVANS TAVERN
James Callow Keyword(s): ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Common law BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour SPEECH -- Vocabulary of Special Group |
Date learned: 10-00-1975
HALLOWEEN CUSTOM
THE DAY BEFORE HALLOWEEN' OCTOBER 30, IS COMMONLY KNOWN AS DEVIL,S
NIGHT. ON THAT NIGHT CHILDREN ARE SUPPOSED TO GO ABOUT THEIR
NEIGHBORHOODS RINGING DOORBELLS, SOAPING
WINDOWS OR STREAMING TOILET TISSUE ON TREES. IT IS A HARMLESS
DIVERSION.
Submitter comment:
IN RECENT YEARS DEVIL'S NIGHT HAS NOT BEEN HARMLESS. IT HAS TURNED
FROM A NIGHT OF PRANKS TO A NIGHT OF DESTRUCTION. BREAKING WINDOWS,
THROWING STONES AT CARS OR PAINT AT HOUSES IS NOT UNCOMMON. WAX
HAS BEEN SUBSTITUTED FOR SOAP. THE CHANGE IN CHILDREN'S PRANKS
COULD VERY WELL BE RELATED TO THE SICKNESS IN RECENT HALLOWEENS.
IN RECENT YEARS RAZOR BLADES, POISON AND NEEDLES HAVE BEEN PLACED IN
TRICK OR TREATER'S CANDY AND APPLES. THIS COULD VERY WELL HAVE A
DIRECT CORRELATION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): CRUEL PRANKS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F103 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: CA00001962
GOOD FRIDAY
IN ITALY, ON GOOD FRIDAY, IT WAS A CUSTOM FOR THE PEOPLE TO TAKE
NOISEMAKERS TO CHURCH. AT A PRESCRIBED TIME DURING THE SERVICES,
EVERYONE WOULD BEGIN MAKING NOISES. SOMETIMES THIS WOULD BE A PIECE
OF WOOD AND A HAMMER AND NAILS--ANYTHING THAT WOULD MAKE NOISE.
ALSO IF SOMEONE IN FRONT OF YOU HAD A COAT ON AND LAID IT ON
THE PEW, YOU MIGHT NAIL THE COAT TO THE PEW AS A TYPE OF PRANK.
Submitter comment: AS RECOUNTED FROM MRS. BENESTELLI, A NEIGHBOR, ON TAPE.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH
Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC MAGIC ; PRANKS
| Subject headings: | 663 Good Friday Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Typical Elements of a Festive Pattern |
Date learned: 11-01-1970
PRACTICAL JOKE
TELL SOMEBODY THAT THEY CAN READ SIAMESE. THEN WRITE THIS OUT;
"O WA TAGU SIAM". THEN HAVE THEM READ IT OUT LOUD UNTIL THEY
REALIZE THAT THEY ARE SAYING, "OH WHAT A GOOSE I AM".
Where learned: MISSOURI ; AGENCY
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Wit CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: CA00001967
PRACTICAL JOKE
WRITE THIS OUT: "POLISH IT IN THE CORNER". HAVE SOMEONE SAY IT
OUT LOUD THREE TIMES, THEN SAY: "SHAME ON POLLY"
Where learned: MISSOURI ; AGENCY
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Wit CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: CA00001967
TAPE OF MISCELLANOUS INFORMATION
GHOATS, MONETARY SYSTEM,(NIARA & KOBO) DISEASES, WALKING BAREFOOTED,
CARRYING THINGS ON YOUR HEAD, GHOSTS OF CHILDREN, SUPERSTITIONS:
NIGERIAN SUPERSTITION, THEIR ORIGIN, JUJU, MAKING MONEY
USING HEAD OF CHILD, BANSHEE IN IRELAND, NIGERIAN LIGHTENING,
OMENS, CHARMS, GAMES, (MOTHER MAY I?)
WATER DANGEROUS FOR SWIMMING, AMDG FOR LUCK, FESTIVALS
Where learned: NIGERIA ; SOME FROM IRELAND
Date learned: OOOOI96OS
POLISH CUSTOM
1ST MAY: IF THERE IS SOME UNMARRIED WOMAN IN THE VILLAGE THE
PEOPLE WHO PLAY TRICKS HANG AN EFFIGY OF A MAN ON THE DOOR.
FOR A BACHELOR THEY DO THE OPPOSITE.
Submitter comment: LEARNED IN POLAND
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- May 1 May Day CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 09-27-1967
DEVIL'S NIGHT
OCTOBER 30, THE DAY BEFORE HALLOWEEN, IS DEVIL'S NIGHT.
THE KIDS WHO ARE TOO OLD TO GO BEGGING SOAP OR WAX WINDOWS, THROW
EGGS, OR RING DOORBELLS.
ANOTHER TRICK IS TO WRAP FRESH DOG CRAP IN NEWSPAPER, PUT IT ON
SOMEONE'S PORCH, IGNITE THE NEWSPAPER, AND RING THE DOORBELL. THE
OCCUPANT USUALLY TRIES TO EXTINGUISH IT BY STAMPING ON THE NEWS-
PAPER.
SOMETIMES FIRECRACKERS ARE PUT IN MAILBOXES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): PRANKS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F103 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 10-30-1968
A FOLKTALE ABOUT A HALLOWEEN CUSTOM
WHEN I WAS JUST A LITTLE FELLOW, JUST ABOUT SO TALL, ME AND THESE
FRIENDS OF MINE WENT OUT ON DEVILS NIGHT AND DECIDED WE WAS GONNA
HAVE US SOME FUN. WELL WE TOOK US AN OLD TIRE, TIRES WAS HARD TO
GET IN THOSE DAYS, AND WE FILLED THAT OLD TIRE WITH COW MANURE.
THEN WE TIED A LONG ROPE TO IT AND PUT IT OUT IN THE ROAD. NOW
TIRES WAS HARD TO GET IN THOSE DAYS AND THERE WAS SURE TO BE
SOMEONE WHO WOULD STOP TO PICK IT UP. WELL WE HID IN THE BUSHES
AND WAITED AND SURE AS YOU MAKE HEAD CHEESE FROM PIGS A CAR STOPPED
TO PICK IT UP. AND WOULDN'T YOU KNOW IT TWO FELLAS, ALL DRESSED
UP 'CAUSE THEY WERE GOING TO TOWN, STOPPED THEIR CAR AND WAS
GANNA PICK UP THAT OLD TIRE WHEN WE GIVE IT A GOOD PULL. WELL
THEY WEREN'T GONNA LET US KIDS OUT SMART THEM SO THEY PICKED UP THAT
OLD TIRE AND GAVE IT A GOOD PULL AND WE LET IT GO AND THEY FELL
WITH THAT TIRE ON TOP OF THEM AND GOT ALL MESSED UP AND THAT OLD
TIRE WASN'T NO GOOD ANYWAY. (SIC)
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WESTLAND
Keyword(s): PRANKS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F103 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 09-15-1969
HALLOWEEN CUSTOMS
ON HALLOWEEN THE INFORMANTS MOTHER AND HER FRIENDS USED TO GO
"WINDOW-RATTLING." A WINDOW RATTLER IS MADE BY CUTTING NOTCHES
AROUND BOTH ENDS OF A SPOOL, AND WRAPPING STRING AROUND IT.
THEN YOU PUT A PENCIL THROUGH THE HOLE IN THE SPOOL. WHEN YOU HOLD
THE RATTLER AGAINST A WINDOW AND PULL THE STRING A LOUD NOISE IS
PRODUCED, SCARING THE OCCUPANTS OF THE HOUSE.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT'S MOTHER IS 45, IRISH-AMERICAN, LIFE-LONG RESIDENT OF
LITTLE FALLS, NEW YORK
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): PRANKS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- October 31 Halloween CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 09-18-1969
HALLOWEEN CUSTOM
IT IS THE CUSTOM IN CZECHOSLOVOKIA ON HALLOWEEN FOR THE BOYS TO
DUMP A BUCKET OF ( WATER ON ? ) UNSUSPECTING GIRLS AS A TRICKSTER
PRANK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): PRANKS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- October 31 Halloween CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
HALLOWEEN TRICK
PUT DOG MANURE INTO A PAPER BAG; THROW IT ONTO SOMEONE'S PORCH,
THEN LIGHT THE BAG AND KNOCK ON THE DOOR. RUN BEHIND SOME BUSHES AND
WAIT FOR SOME LAUGHS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
Keyword(s): PRANKS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- October 31 Halloween CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: CHILDHOOD
HALLOWEEN
ANOTHER GAME IS BLIND FOLDING YOUR PARTNER AFTER HE PICKED OUT A
PICTURE OF A PRETTY GIRL THEN ASKING HIM TO KISS THE PICTURE
AFTER THE BLINDFOLD IS ON. IN THE MEANTIME A SAUCER OF FLOUR IS
SLIPPED OVER THE PICTURE AND HE ENDS UP WITH A WHITE FACE.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; PEORIA
Keyword(s): PRANKS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- October 31 Halloween CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 11-01-1971
HALLOWEEN
ANOTHER TRICK IS TO TELL SOMEONE THAT YOU CAN PIN A CUP OF WATER INTO
THE TOP OF A DRAPE.
WHILE YOU ARE STANDING ON A CHAIR TRYING TO PIN THE CUP OF WATER YOUR
AUDIENCE ACCIDENTLY GETS A CUP OF WATER ON HIS HEAD.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; PEORIA
Keyword(s): PRANKS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- October 31 Halloween CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 11-01-1971
HALLOWEEN CUSTOM
UPON THE ANNUAL CELEBRATION OF HALLOWEEN CHILDREN USUALLY WOULD GET
IN TROUBLE SIMPLY BY HAVING FUN. IN THE OLD DAYS CHILDREN WOULD
DISASSEMBLE HORSE'S CARRIAGE AND THEN REASSEMBLE THE CARRIAGE ON
THE ROOF OF THE OWNER'S BARN.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT SAID THAT HE AND OTHER CHILDREN OFTEN PERFORMED THIS
ACT TO SOMEONE ON HALLOWEEN NIGHT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): PRANKS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- October 31 Halloween CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 10-31-1971
HALLOWEEN
IT WAS A CUSTOM IN PLYMOUTH, INDIANA 20 YRS. AGO TO KNOCK DOWN
FARMERS' OUTHOUSES ON HALLOWEEN NIGHT. A GROUP OF FOUR OR MORE
TEENAGERS WOULD DO THIS EVERY YEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): PRANKS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- October 31 Halloween CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 10-10-1971
CUSTOM
IT IS NOT ONLY QUITE RUDE BUT CUSTOMARILY FORBIDDEN FOR A SON
OF ANY AGE TO SMOKE IN HIS FATHER'S PRESENCE. HE MAY HOWEVER
SMOKE IN THE PRESENCE OF HIS MOTHER.
Where learned: KOREA ; WAEGWAN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 01-00-1964
TRADITIONAL SONG SUNG AT SPORT EVENTS
IT HAS BECOME TRADITIONAL TO SING THE
" STAR SPANGLED BANNER " BEFORE ALL SPORT ACTIVITIES
IN THE UNITED STATES.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Daily Life CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |