Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for C538 returned 80 results.
CHRISTMAS GAME
THE GAME IS CALLED "I'M THINKING OF A BULB."
IN ORDER TO PLAY, ONE PERSON HAS TO BE CHOSEN TO GO
FIRST. THIS LEADER THEN SAYS, "I'M THINKING OF A
BULB" AND DESCRIBES A CERTAIN BULB FOUND ON THE
CHRISTMAS TREE. IN TURN ALL THE OTHER PLAYERS
START TO GUESS WHICH BULB IT IS. THE PERSON WHO
GUESSES THE BULB THEN BECOMES THE LEADER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Guessing CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas tree |
Date learned: 01-24-1971
I SPY
ONE CHILD: I SPY
THE OTHERS: WHAT DO YOU SPY?
ONE CHILD: I SPY WITH MY LITTLE EYE,
SOMETHING THAT IS (A COLOR).
THE OTHER CHILDREN TRY TO GUESS THE OBJECT UNTIL
SOMEONE GUESSES WHAT IT IS. THEN, THIS PERSON GETS
A TURN TO SPY.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT LEARNED THIS IN HER GRADE SCHOOL DAYS IN
NORTHWEST DETROIT (MICHIGAN).
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): DIALOGUE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Guessing Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse C750.538 |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
CIRCLE GAMES
FINNISH CHILDREN PASS A RING AROUND A ROPE; THE PLAYER
IN THE MIDDLE MUST GUESS WHO HAS IT. ALASKAN ESKIMOS
LEARNED RING AROUND THE ROSY FROM MISSIONARIES.
RING AROUND THE ROSY, POCKET FULL OF POSIES MAY HAVE
HAD AN EQUALLY GRISLY BEGINNING (LIKE LONDON BRIDGE).
DURING THE PLAGUES THAT SWEPT EUROPE IN THE MIDDLE
AGES, PEOPLE CARRIED SWEET-SMELLING HERBS AND FLOWERS
AS A SHIELD AGAINST THE DISEASE.
Where learned: "PLAY WORLD SPANS TIME AND SPACE" ; NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SCHOOL BULLETIN ; VOLUME 42 ; NUMBER 15
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Guessing |
Date learned: 01-27-1964
HOT AND COLD
THIS IS A GAME FOR TWO PEOPLE THAT CAN BE PLAYED
ANYWHERE, ANYTIME. ONE PERSON MERELY PICKS AN
OBJECT. THE OTHER TRIES TO GUESS WHAT IT IS.
IF THE GUESSER IS WAY OFF, THE OTHER PERSON TELLS HIM
HE IS "COLD." IF THE GUESSER GETS CLOSE, THEN THE
OTHER PERSON TELLS HIM HE IS GETTING "WARM." OTHER
DEGREES SUCH AS "COLDER, LUKEWARM, FREEZING, AND
BURNING" ARE ALSO USED. WHEN THE PERSON HITS ON THE
CORRECT OBJECT, THEN IT IS HIS TURN TO THINK OF ONE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): TEMPERATURE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Guessing |
Date learned: 12-00-1963
TAP YA ON THE ICEBOX
ONE PERSON CLOSES HIS EYES. ANOTHER IS THE NARRATOR
AND DESCRIBES TO THE PERSON WITH HIS EYES CLOSED
WHAT IS BEING DRAWN ON HIS BACK. AN OLD MAN'S FACE
IS DRAWN. ONE PERSON WILL PUT IN THE OUTLINE, AND
THE SAME OR ANOTHER PERSON THE EARS, EYES, ETC.
THE NOSE IS LEFT FOR LAST. AS SOON AS THE NARRATOR
SAYS "AND HERE IS HIS NOSE," SOMEONE STRIKES THE
PERSON'S BACK TO INDICATE A NOSE. AT THIS THE PERSON
QUICKLY TURNS AROUND AND OPENS HIS EYES, TRYING TO
SEE OR GUESS WHO DREW THE NOSE ON HIS BACK. IF HE
GUESSES CORRECTLY, THEN THAT PERSON MUST BLINDFOLD
THEIR EYES. IF NOT, THEN EVERYONE RUNS AWAY WHILE
THE PERSON WHO INCORRECTLY GUESSED MUST TURN AROUND
AGAIN, COUNT TO ONE HUNDRED, AND TRY TO FIND WHERE
THE OTHERS ARE HIDING, JUST AS IN HIDE AND SEEK.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT PLAYED THIS GAME WHEN HE WAS A YOUNGSTER
BUT IS AT A LOSS TO EXPLAIN THE TITLE OR ITS CONNEC-
TION WITH THE GAME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- C535 Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Guessing |
Date learned: 12-00-1963
ROMAN BOYS TWO THOUSAND YEARS AGO JUMPED ON FRIENDS'
BACKS AND SHOUTED, BUCCA, BUCCA, QUOT SUNT HIC?--'BUCCA,
BUCCA, HOW MANY ARE HERE?' IF THE WOBBLING 'MOUNTS'
COULD GUESS THE NUMBER OF FINGERS THEIR 'RIDERS' HELD UP,
IT WOULD BE THEIR TURN TO JUMP. TODAY, BOYS IN ENGLAND
SHOUT, "BUCK, BUCK, HOW MANY HORNS DO I HOLD UP?" THE
RULES ARE THE SAME.
Where learned: PLAY WORLD SPANS TIME AND SPACE ; NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SCHOOL BULLETIN ; VOLUME 42 ; NUMBER 15
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- C535 Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Guessing |
GAME TAUNT
YOU, USUALLY A BOY, HOLLARS OUT THE WINDOW AT
SOME GIRLS, "HEY, PICK A NUMBER FROM ONE TO TEN."
SHE PICKS A NUMBER. YOU COME BACK WITH "YOU LOSE,
TAKE OFF YOUR CLOTHES."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): NUDITY ; TRICK
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Guessing |
Date learned: 00001961-1963
NEW YORK
YOU WOULD CHOOSE SIDES AND DECIDE WHAT THE OTHER SIDE
SHOULD DO. ONE SIDE WOULD SAY: HERE WE COME.
THE OTHER WOULD ASK: WHERE FROM? ANSWER: NEW YORK.
QUESTION: WHAT'S YOUR TRADE? ANSWER: ICE CREAM AND
LEMONADE. QUESTION: GIVE ME YOUR INITIAL AND SET
TO WORK.
THEN THE OPPOSING SIDE WOULD GIVE THE INITIALS OF THE
TASK THEY HAD CHOSEN FOR THE OTHER SIDE TO DO; FOR
EXAMPLE, "SSFSS" FOR "SEWING SOCKS FOR SEVEN SISTERS."
THEN THEY WOULD PANTOMIME THE ACTION AND THAT
OPPOSING SIDE WOULD HAVE TO GUESS WHAT IT WAS. WHEN
THEY GUESSED IT RIGHT, THE PANTOMIMING TEAM WOULD ALL
RUN; WHOEVER WAS CAUGHT WOULD HAVE TO GO OVER TO THE
OTHER SIDE.
Submitter comment: PLAYED WHEN SHE WAS A GIRL IN GLOUCESTER, OHIO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; OHIO ; DETROIT ; GLOUCESTER
James Callow Keyword(s): ALLITERATION ; DIALOGUE ; RHYME: AABCCD
Date learned: 05-11-1965
TAPPY ON THE ICE BOX
SOMEONE WOULD STAND WITH HIS HANDS COVERING HIS EYES
AND SAY: "DRAW A CIRCLE ON MY BACK AND SOMEBODY
PUNCH!" THEN SOMEBODY WOULD HIT HIM IN THE BACK
AND HE WOULD TURN AROUND AND ASK ONE OF THE CHILDREN
IN THE CIRCLE "WAS IT YOU?" IT WAS REPEATED
TIL HE GUESSED THE RIGHT ONE WHO THEN BECAME "IT."
Submitter comment: PLAYED WHEN SHE WAS A GIRL IN GLOUCESTER, OHIO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; OHIO ; DETROIT ; GLOUCESTER
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Guessing |
Date learned: 05-11-1965
WHO AM I?
A PERSON GOES OUT OF THE ROOM. THE REMAINING PEOPLE
PICK A PERSON FOR HIM TO BE. HE COMES BACK INTO
THE ROOM AND ASKS "IF I WAS A (BLANK) WHAT KIND OF (BLANK)
WOULD I BE?" EXAMPLE: HAD THE GROUP DECIDED HE WOULD
BE JESUS CHRIST AND HE ASKED "IF I WAS A SHOE WHAT
KIND OF SHOE WOULD I BE?" THE PLAYERS MIGHT SAY
"SANDAL." HE HAS TO GUESS WHO HE IS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Guessing |
Date learned: 00-00-1961
A POLISH VERSE
GUESS, GUESS, GUESS,
IN WHICH HAND IS THE GOLDEN BALL?
Submitter comment:
MY MOTHER REMEMBERS THIS FROM HER CHILDHOOD, IN
POLAND. I KNOW IT FROM MY OWN. IT'S USED
WHEN ONE IS HIDING SOMETHING IN ONE HAND AND
ANOTHER HAS TO GUESS IN WHICH HAND IT IS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN ; POLAND
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Guessing Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse C750.538 |
Date learned: 11-27-1967
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
COLOR TAG
A PERSON IS IT. HE LOOKS AROUND THE AREA THE
PLAYERS ARE SITTING (IN) AS FAR AS HE CAN SEE.
HE DECIDES ON SOME OBJECT IN VIEW AND SAYS TO THE
OTHERS, "I'M THINKING OF A COLOR AND IT'S (WHATEVER COLOR
THE OBJECT IS)." THE OTHER PLAYERS TAKE TURNS
TRYING TO GUESS WHAT OBJECT IN VIEW IT IS. THE
FIRST TO DO SO, WAS "IT" NEXT TIME. IF EVERYONE
GAVE (UP) THEN THE PERSON WHO WAS IT HAD ANOTHER
TURN.
Submitter comment: PLAYED BY THE KIDS ON MY BLOCK WHEN I WAS 6-9 YEARS OLD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): AGE OF PLAYERS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Guessing |
Date learned: 04-00-1967
COLOR, THIMBLE GAME
THE ONE WHO'S IT THINKS OF A COLOR. EACH PERSON
HAS TO GUESS A COLOR WHEN THE ONE WHO'S IT STANDS
IN FRONT OF HIM. THE ONE WHO'S IT HAS A
THIMBLE OF WATER. THE PLAYER WHO GUESSES THE RIGHT
COLOR GETS THE THIMBLE OF WATER THROWN AT HIM AND
IS THE NEXT ONE TO BE IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
James Callow Keyword(s): TRICK
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Guessing |
Date learned: 09-00-1970
MURDER
THIS IS A GAME PLAYED IN A DARKENED BASEMENT. A SLIP OF PAPER WAS PUT IN A BO; FOR EACH PERSON IN THE
ROOM. ONE PIECE MARKED WITH AN X, HE WAS THE
MURDERER, ONE MARKED WITH AN O, HE WAS THE LAWYER.
THE PERSON WHO DREW THE O LEFT THE ROOM. THE PERSON
DRAWING THE X PRETENDED TO MURDER SOMEONE IN THE ROOM
AND THEY PRETENDED TO DIE. ALL OF THE PEOPLE IN THE
ROOM WOULD CALL "MURDER." THE LAWYER WOULD ENTER
THE ROOM AND ASK EACH PERSON 3 QUESTIONS, THEN GUESS
WHO HAD COMMITTED THE "MURDER."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN HEIGHTS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Dramatic Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Guessing |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
TICKLE TOUCH
EVERYONE LIES ON THE FLOOR AND ONE PERSON THINKS
OF A NUMBER FROM ONE TO TEN. WHEN THE PERSON
POINTS TO ANOTHER, THEY HAVE TO GUESS THE NUMBER.
IF HE GUESSES THE NUMBER, HE GETS TICKLED AND THEN
IS "IT."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Guessing |
Date learned: 01-00-1970
CHARADES
THERE IS A GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT SIT DOWN. ONE
PERSON GETS UP AND ACTS SOMETHING OUT. BUT THE
PERSON WHO ACTS IT OUT DOES NOT SAY ANYTHING.
THEN THE GROUP OF PEOPLE HAVE TO GUESS WHAT THE
PERSON IS ACTING OUT. IT CAN BE A MOVIE TITLE,
BOOK TITLE, TELEVISION SHOW OR SONG.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT'S OWN WORDS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Dramatic Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Guessing |
Date learned: 01-00-1970
BEAR
THIS IS A GAME THAT IS USUALLY PLAYED IN THE
DRAK IN A LARGE AREA. THE OBJECT IS FOR THE
PERSON WHO IS CHOSEN TO BE THE BEAR TO FIND ANOTHER
PERSON AND GUESS WHO IT IS. THEN THE CAPTURED
PERSON IS THE BEAR. IN ORDER NOT TO BE FOUND
THE OTHER PLAYERS DON'T MAKE ANY NOISE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
James Callow Keyword(s): SILENCE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Guessing |
Date learned: 01-00-1970
SEVEN UP
THIS GAME IS OFTEN PLAYED IN A CLASSROOM. SEVEN
PLAYERS ARE CHOSEN "IT," ANOTHER PLAYER IS
CAPTAIN. THE CAPTAIN REQUESTS ALL THE REMAINING
PLAYERS TO PUT THEIR HEADS DOWN AND COVER THEIR
EYES. THE SEVEN "IT" PLAYERS QUIETLY WALK AROUND
AND EACH TAPS ONE PERSON ON THE HEAD. THE CAPTAIN
REQUESTS "HEADS UP" WHEN "IT" PLAYERS RETURN TO
THEIR PLACES. ALL TAPPED PLAYERS STAND AND TRY TO
GUESS, IN ONE CHANCE, WHO TAPPED THEM. IF THEY
GUESS CORRECTLY, THEY GET TO TAKE THAT PERSON'S
PLACE; IF INCORRECT, THEY SIT DOWN AND THE PLAY
CONTINUES AS BEFORE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
James Callow Keyword(s): HANDICAP: COVERING EYES
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Dramatic Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Guessing |
Child's Game (Rock School)
One child is the teacher. She puts a rock in one hand. If the "students" guess which hand has the rock in it then that child gets to advance another step. When all steps are advanced she then becomes the teacher.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector are the same person.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Guessing |