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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for C500 returned 216 results.
This game is played in a circle of people,
each time substituting a new name into the phrase.
The named person must respond immediately--if not,
they must leave the circle.
(all) "Who stole the cookie from the cookie jar?"
(leader) "Jennifer stole the cookie from the cookie jar"
(Jennifer) "Who me?"
(leader) "Yes you."
(Jennifer) "Couldn't be"
(leader) "Then who?"
(Jennifer picks a name) "David stole the cookie from the
cookie jar."
David must respond and he and Jennifer go back and forth.
The last person remaining is the winner.
Where learned: Girl Scout Camp ; New York State
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime |
At slumber parties we used to play a game called
Truth or Dare (Formally: Truth, Dare, Double Dare
Promise or Repeat). This game is best when played by
many people. Any person begins by saying a person's
name, then, "Truth, dare, double dare, promise or
repeat?" If the person picks truth, they have to
tell the truth about whatever the asker asks. If
the person does not want to answer, they have to do
a dare. If they pick dare, they have to do the dare
the asker tells them. If they pick promise they have to
promise to do whatever they are told. If they pick
repeat they have to repeat whatever they are told.
If the category double dare is chosen, then the
person picked has to do the designated dare with
another person in the group. Now, usually, the two
categories of truth and dare are used. Then if the
person does not want to answer the question they have
to take the dare.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime |
Date learned: 00001980S
"FRIZBITCHES" ARE FEMALES IN THEIR TEENS WITH LONG HAIR THAT'S
"RATTED" (BACK COMBED TO STICK UP, LOOKING LIKE A RAT'S NEST).
THEY USE A LOT OF HAIR SPRAY. THEY TALK IN HIGH PITCHED VOICES
AND CHEW THEIR GUM WITH THEIR MOUTH OPEN. THEY WEAR MINI-
SKIRTS AND HIGH HEELS THAT THEY CAN'T WALK IN. THEY AREN'T
VERY INTELLIGENT.
Submitter comment:
ALICIA STATES,"THEY ALONE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR 50% DEPLETION OF
THE OZONE LAYER."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime |
Playing the Dozens
A game played by Inner city youths where any number of
participants could play, but as the game progressed by
embarrassing the players with comments about their families the
players steadily decreased until only two were left and the winner
was decided by how bad the remaining players could make the crowd
laugh with comments again about the other player's family.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; RIVER ROUGE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime |
Teddy Bear
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear turn all around.
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear touch the ground.
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear tie your shoes.
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear read the news.
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear go upstairs.
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear say your prayers.
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear turn off the lights.
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear say good night.
Submitter comment: This song is sung while children jump rope.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 02-02-1992
Hands Up to 85
To play this game there should be at least 3 or more players.
(The more players the more interesting a game!) The players stand
in a circle clapping each others hands throughout the entire game.
This game is usually played by young girls.
Object: To name something different about the subject your group
has chosen.
Rules: No one can repeat anything already named.
Players must not hesitate or demonstate.
Players must keep on the beat of the clap.
The rhyme: Hands up to 85,
Gonna get,
Names of,
(Name the subject) e.g., boy names
No hesitation,
No demonstration,
So let's go,
Starting with,
(Name the player to begin).
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): hesitate or demonstrate ?
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Athletic sport and exercise Gymnastics |
Date learned: 01-00-1992
No Nuthin
This was a little game my grandmother played with me, and with
my children. When a special day was coming, and she had purchased
the gift for your special day, she would pose this question to you.
Would you like to know what I bought for you? Of course a young
child does, so the response was, "Yea!" Then she would smile and
hug you and say, "A no nuthin with a whistle on the end." A very
confused child then would respond, "What is that?" Grandma would
reply, "I guess you'll have to wait to find out. But, do you want
to know what color it is?" Of course a child will respond, "Yes!"
Grandma would very seriously say, "Well, it's sky-blue pink."
Submitter comment:
It has been many years since my grandmother was alive, but this
little ditty is still repeated by me and my children, and I'm sure
it will continue with my own grandchildren.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): GIFT GIVING
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 00001950S
Piddiddle
A piddiddle, as identified by teens in the 1930's in New
Jersey was an automobile with a burned out head lamp. If a teen
girl or boy were out on a date and saw a "piddiddle" and was the
first to shout it out, he or she could ask for a kiss or could
announce that his or her "piddiddle" would cancel their mate's next
piddiddle -- meaning, if he or she announced that he/she wanted a
kiss on the next "piddiddle", the one who canceled it with the
prior sighting did not have to kiss him or her.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN ; FATHER
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime |
Date learned: 00001960S
THIS WAS A SORT OF PRANK PLAYED ON THE NEW MEMBERS
OF OUR BOYSCOUT GROUP.
THE VETERAN MEMBERS WOULD SEND THE NEW MEMBERS
ON A HUNT IN SEARCH OF A SNIPE (AN IMAGINARY ANIMAL).
THE VETERANS WOULD URGE THE NEW MEMBERS ON WITH CRIES
OF "THERE'S ONE," SENDING THE NOVICES RUNNING THROUGH
THE WOODS IN SEARCH OF SOMETHING WHICH DIDN'T EXIST.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 12-04-1967
STREETLIGHT GAME--GAME OF FIRSTS
WHEN THE FIRST STREETLIGHT COMES ON, YOU ARE TO YELL OUT,
"ZERO, FIRST STREETLIGHT!" ANOTHER PERSON SHOUTS, "ZERO,
SECOND STREETLIGHT!" THE PERSON WHO SAYS, "ZERO, THIRD
STREETLIGHT!" GETS HIT BY THE REST OF THE GROUP.
Submitter comment:
WE USED TO PLAY THIS EVERY NIGHT WHEN THE STREETLIGHTS WOULD
COME ON. THEN EVERYBODY CAUGHT ON AND WE WOULD HAVE TO
COMPEL SOMEONE TO TAKE THE THIRD PART SO THE GAME
COULD FINISH AND WE COULD SWAT SOMEBODY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime BELIEF -- Number |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
HELENA RUBINSTEIN
AT ONE TIME OR ANOTHER ANY PLEDGE OF MY SORORITY MUST PLAY
THE GAME CALLED HELENA RUBINSTEIN. THE PLEDGES TOGETHER
MUST TELL THE MEMBER ASKING WHAT THEY THINK LOOKS GOOD OR
SHOULD BE CHANGED ABOUT THEM. TIMES GET TENSE FOR THE
PLEDGE THAT BEGINS TO CRITICIZE OR TEAR DOWN THE APPEAR-
ANCE OF ANY MEMBER. BUT THEN THE PLEDGES ARE TOLD TO
BE TRUTHFUL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
Keyword(s): "ARE" IN LINE 3300 UNDERLINED.
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime |
Date learned: 10-08-1971
PIDIDLE
THE APPEARANCE OF A CAR WITH ONLY ONE HEADLIGHT IS THE
CAUSE OF THIS GAME BETWEEN A GIRL AND A BOY ON A DATE.
IF THE GIRL SEES THE ONE-HEADLIGHT CAR FIRST AND SAYS
PIDIDLE, SHE GETS TO PUNCH HER DATE IN THE ARM. IF THE
BOY SEES AND ACKNOWLEDGES FIRST, HE IS REWARDED (SUPPOSEDLY)
BY A KISS.
Submitter comment: SOURCE REVEALED THAT IT DOES NOT ALWAYS WORK THAT WAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime |
Date learned: 11-17-1968
HUCKLE-BUCKLE BEANSTALK
THIS IS A GAME INVOLVING SEVERAL PLAYERS. ONE PERSON HIDES
AN OBJECT (ANYTHING, RELATIVELY SMALL) WHILE THE OTHER
PLAYERS HAVE TO FIND IT. SOMETIMES A LIMITED TIME WAS
GIVEN TO THE "HIDER" BY HAVING THE PLAYERS COUNT. THE
PLAYERS, ALSO, KNOW WHAT THEY ARE LOOKING FOR. WHEN A
PLAYER THINKS HE HAS FOUND THE OBJECT, INSTEAD OF YELLING
"I FOUND IT," THE PLAYER WOULD HAVE TO RUN TO A DESIGNATED
AREA OR "GOAL" AND YELL "HUCKLE-BUCKLE BEANSTALK!" WITHOUT
GIVING AWAY THE IDENTITY OF THE LOCATION. THE "HIDER"
WOULD THEN VERIFY THE FINDERS' LOCATION OF THE OBJECT
AND THE NEW FINDER WOULD THEN BECOME THE "HIDER."
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
THE OBJECT OF THE GAME IS TO THROW A STONE ONTO ONE OF THE
SQUARES IN SUCCESSION, HOP ON ONE FOOT AROUND THE
PATTERN AND SAY A NAME IN YOUR CATEGORY FOR EACH SQUARE.
PATTERN (DRAWN ON SIDEWALK?)
7. COUNTRIES 6. COLORS
8. PRESIDENTS 5. BASEBALL PLAYERS
9. CEREAL 4. STATES
10. MOVIE STAR (F) 3. ANIMALS
11. CIGARETS 2. POP
12. CARS 1. MOVIE STARS (M)
ALL THE ABOVE CATEGORIES ARE ENTERED IN SQUARES.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime |
Date learned: 10-22-1968
GIANT STEPS (OR MOTHER, MAY I?)
THE LEADER POSITIONS HIMSELF APPROXIMATELY 200 FEET FROM
THE CONTESTANTS ALONG A SIDEWALK, ADDRESSING HIMSELF
ALTERNATELY TO THEM. HE SAYS, "YOU MAY TAKE THREE BABY
STEPS," FOR EXAMPLE. BUT THE KID MUST ANSWER, "MOTHER
MAY I?" AND RECEIVE IN TURN A "YES, YOU MAY!" FROM THE
"MOTHER." A "NO, YOU MAY NOT," AND NO ADVANCEMENT.
THE NUMBER AND TYPE OF STEPS ALLOWED IS LEFT TO "MOTHER'S"
DISCRETION. THERE ARE BABY STEPS--SHORT HEEL TO TOE
STEPS; GIANT STEPS, LARGEST STRIDES POSSIBLE; UMBRELLA
STEPS--STEPPING WHILE SPINNING ABOUT; BANANA STEPS--
STEPPING WHILE SLIDING THE FEET ON THE SIDEWALK.
FIRST TO (REACH) MOTHER WINS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; SOUTHWEST
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime |
MOTHER MAY I GAME
THIS GAME IS A GAME LEARNED BY MANY AMERICAN CHILDREN
AS THEY ARE GROWING UP. ONE PERSON IS THE "MOTHER" AND
THE OTHER PLAYERS STAND SOME DISTANCE BEHIND THE PLACE
WHERE THE "MOTHER" STANDS. THE PLAYERS STAND NEXT TO EACH
OTHER AND TAKE TURNS SPEAKING. WHEN THEIR TURN COMES
ABOUT THEY CAN ASK THE MOTHER IF THEY CAN TAKE A CERTAIN
AMOUNT OF STEPS TOWARDS HER. THERE ARE DIFFERENT KIND OF
STEPS SUCH AS THE BABY STEP, THE SCISSOR STEP, THE GIANT
STEP, THE BANANA STEP, THE LEAP STEP, THE BACKWARD STEP
ETC. THE PLAYER HAS TO SPECIFY THE AMOUNT AND TYPE OF
STEP HE WISHES TO TAKE AND THE "MOTHER" HAS THE PRIVILEGE
TO REFUSE OR ACCEPT THE REQUEST. THE "MOTHER" ALSO
HAS THE PRIVILEGE TO TELL THE PLAYER TO GO BACKWARDS.
THE OBJECT OF THE GAME IS TO REACH THE FRONT WHERE THE
"MOTHER" IS STANDING. THE FIRST PLAYER TO REACH THE
FRONT IS THE NEW "MOTHER."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime |
Date learned: 03-28-1968
RED LIGHT
"RED LIGHT, GREEN LIGHT" IS PLAYED BY ANY NUMBER OF
CHILDREN. AN "IT" STATIONS HIMSELF APART FROM THE
OTHERS AND THE OBJECT OF THE GAME IS TO BE THE FIRST
TO REACH HIM. THE CONTESTANTS MUST "FREEZE" (REMAIN
MOTIONLESS) AS LONG AS "IT" IS LOOKING IN THEIR
DIRECTION. THEY MAY APPROACH ONLY WHEN "ITS" BACK IS
TURNED TO THEM.
FIRST TO (REACH) "IT" BECOMES NEW "IT."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; REDFORD
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Racing Chasing Fighting |
Date learned: 00-00-1958
IN THIS GAME, A PERSON TAKES EACH CONSONANT IN
A WORD, USUALLY A PERSON'S NAME, AND ADDS THE
LETTERS "OP". FOR EXAMPLE, JOHN WOULD BE CALLED
JOP-O-HOP-NOP. MARY WOULD BE CALLED MOP-A-ROP-YOP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime |
GAME: COMMIES VS. AMERICANS. STREET WAS THE BERING
STRAIGHT.
GAME: CALDWELLS (BAD GUYS) VS. (BLANK)
BIKES WERE HORSES. ALWAYS TWO GIRLS AT LEAST IN THE
CALDWELL CLAN; PRISCILLA AND PENELOPE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime |
Date learned: 11-03-1971
IF YOU GO INTO A CLOSET AND SHUT THE DOOR AND SAY
"MARY WORTH" THIRTY-ONE TIMES WHILE CONCENTRATING
VERY HARD ON HER, YOU WILL FEEL LIKE YOUR ARM
OR YOUR LEG IS COMING OFF.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A PASTIME TRIED BY MYSELF WHEN I WAS YOUNGER,
AND ONE WHICH MORE CHILDREN TRY).
Where learned: ZX
James Callow Keyword(s): COMIC STRIP CHARACTER=MARY WORTH
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime |
Date learned: 11-20-1968