Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for F536 returned 346 results.
LUCKY PENNY
MEL FARR OF THE DETROIT LIONS WEARS A PENNY IN HIS LEFT SHOE
Submitter comment: INFORMANT GOT IT FROM NEWSPAPERS.
Where learned: RATHSKELLER
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 10-16-1967
TELEPHONE PRANK
CALLER: DO YOU HAVE SIR WALTER RALEIGH IN A CAN?
ANSWERER: (WHO WORKS IN A STORE) YES.
CALLER: WELL THEN LET HIM OUT!
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT HAS DONE THIS WITH HIS FRIENDS
Data entry tech comment:
SIR WALTER RALEIGH IS A BRAND OF TOBACCO
SOLD IN CANS
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LINCOLN PARK ; COLLECTED AT INFORMANTS HOME
James Callow Keyword(s): PUN ; SLANG: "CAN" FOR "TOILET"
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Work Commerce Business CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 10-26-1971
"DAVID, BUMBAVID, TILLYAVID
CUM-CAVID,
TEE-LEGGED, TIE-LEGGED,
BOW-LEGGED DAVID.
Submitter comment:
TAKING A CHILD'S NAME AND INSERTING IT
INTO THIS REFRAIN FASCINATES THEM.
Where learned: NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): FINAL ITERATION ; NEOLOGISMS ; RHYME: AABA
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 12-00-1971
WEDDING PRANK
THE BEST MAN OF THE WEDDING TAPES "HE" TO THE GROOM'S RIGHT SHOE,
AND "LP" ONTO THE GROOM'S LEFT SHOE,WHEN THE GROOM KNEELS DOWN AT
THE ALTAR THE SOLES OF HIS SHOES CAN BE READ-"HELP".
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Date learned: 11-19-1977
PRANK
WHEN I WAS IN GRADESCHOOL, THE KIDS WOULD PUT CHALK INSIDE THE
ERASER. WHEN THE TEACHER WOULD USE THE ERASER, CHALK MARKS
WOULD BE MADE ON THE BOARD.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS PRACTICED AT ST. AUGUSTINE GRADE SCHOOL IN
DETROIT, MICHIGAN IN THE 1960'S
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School |
Date learned: CA00001965
PRACTICAL JOKE.
PUT WHIP CREAM ON THE RECEIVER OF A TELEPHONE AND
CALL SOMEONE TO ANSWER IT.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
PRACTICAL JOKE.
PLACE LAYERS OF BLANKETS ON A PERSON SLEEPING
SO THAT WHEN HE WAKES HE CANNOT MOVE.
Submitter comment: DONE AT CAMP.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
PRACTICAL JOKE
AFTER SETTING THE ALARM CLOCK, WAKE A PERSON IN THE
MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT AND TELL HIM IT IS TIME TO GO TO WORK.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
EXPECTANT MOTHERS
THE LIQUID IS CALLED CONGELAC. IT CAN BE PURCHASED AT ANY DRUGSTORE.
YOU MUST DRINK THE WHOLE BOTTLE AND IF YOU DO..... CONGRATULATIONS-
THERE'S A BABY IN EVERY BOTTLE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 00-00-1975
PRACTICAL JOKE
THE FOLLOWING WAS A POPULAR PRACTICAL JOKE IN ENGLAND IN THE EARLY
1920'S.
A PIECE OF FRESH COW OR HORSE MANURE WOULD BE PLACED ON THE THUMB
LATCH OF THE VICTIM'S DOOR (A THUMB LATCH IS A KIND OF DOOR HANDLE
WHICH IS GRASPED WITH THE FINGERS WHILE A LATCH IS PUSHED DOWN WITH
THE THUMB) AND A THORN FROM A NEARBY HEDGEROW WOULD BE STOOD UP IN
IT. THIS IS USUALLY DONE AT DUSK, SO THE VICTIM WHO WILL OPEN
THE DOOR WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SEE THE THUMB LATCH CLEARLY. WHEN THE
VICTIM PUSHES HIS THUMB INTO THE MANURE HE IS STABBED BY THE THORN,
AND HIS NATURAL REACTION TO THE PAIN IS TO PLACE HIS THUMB IN HIS
MOUTH AND SUCK ON IT.
Submitter comment: MY FATHER RECALLS THIS FROM THE TIME HE LIVED IN CORNWALL.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 02-17-1979
PRANKS
DRILL A HOLE IN A ONE PIECE GOLF BALL AND ATTACH IT TO A FISHING
POLE AND THROW IT OUT INTO THE ROUGH OF A GOLF COURSE.
WHEN SOMEONE GOES NEAR IT PULL THE STRING.
Submitter comment: ME AND MY FRIEND INVENTED THE PRANK AND GOT SOME GREAT REACTIONS
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
PRANK
PUT A WALLET ON A STRING WITH MONEY SITTING OUT OF IT AND PULL IT
WHEN SOMEONE GOES TO PICK IT UP
Submitter comment:
THIS ACTUALLY HAPPENED WHERE I WORK AT CLAR-MAR PHARMACY. I HAD THE
PRIVILEGE OF KICKING THE KIDS OUT
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
PRANK
SEND SOMEONE OUT TO GET A SHELF STRETCHER. OF COURSE THERE
IS NO SUCH THING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
PRANK
SEND SOMEONE OUT TO GET TEN POUNDS OF COMPRESSION FOR A CAR
CYLINDER THAT IS LOW ON COMPRESSION. THIS IS NOT POSSIBLE.
CYLANDER THAT IS LOW ON COMPRESSION. THIS IS NOT POSSIBLE.
Submitter comment:
MY INFORMANT TELLS ME THAT THIS IS OFTEN DONE TO THE DUMBEST PERSON
IN THE AUTO SHOP CLASS
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
PRANK
THE SENIORS IN MY JUNIOR HIGHSCHOOL WOULD TELL THE
FRESHMEN ON THEIR FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL THAT THEY MUST
GET ELEVATOR PASSES TO GET TO THE SECOND FLOOR, BECAUSE
THE STAIRS WERE RESERVED FOR UPPER CLASSMEN.
Submitter comment:
OF COURSE THERE WERE NO ELEVATORS IN THE BUILDING AND MANY FRESHMEN
WOULD SPEND ALL DAY LOOKING FOR THEM
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; OAK PARK
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School |
Date learned: 00-00-1972
TURTLE
IN THE FIFTH AND SIXTH GRADE WHEN GIRLS FIRST BEGAN WEARING
BRAS, THE BOYS WOULD COME UP BEHIND THE GIRLS AND ASK THEM
"ARE YOU A TURTLE?" THE GIRL WOULD REPLY "NO" AND THEN THE
BOY WOULD PULL THE BACK OF HER BRA STRAP AND SAY, "WELL THEN HOW COME
YOU SNAP?"
Submitter comment:
THE WHOLE POINT OF THIS WAS FOR THE BOY TO DO IT FAST ENOUGH
THAT THE GIRL COULD NOT TURN AROUND AND HIT HIM OR CHASE HIM
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HUNTINGTON WOODS
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 00-00-1968
GREETING
YOU KNOW WHAT?
WHAT?
THAT'S WHAT
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS DONE GENERALLY TO GET ON PEOPLE'S NERVES.
IT WAS DIFFICULT TO RESIST REPLYING "WHAT"? AND IT MADE A FOOL
OF YOU BECAUSE EVERYONE KNEW THE JOKE
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; OAK PARK
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Speech Speech CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 00001970S
HANDSHAKE
"HOW DO YOU DO, I'M FROM THE NATIONAL HEART ASSOCIATION".
Submitter comment:
AS YOU ARE SHAKING THE PERSON'S HAND YOU SQUEEZE AND RELEASE
IT SEVERAL TIMES TO GIVE THE IDEA OF A HEARTBEAT
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; OAK PARK
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 00001970S
HANDSHAKE
"HOW DO YOU DO, I'M FROM THE NATIONAL DEAF ASSOCIATION"
Submitter comment: AS YOU SHAKE THE PERSON'S HAND YOU SCREAM THE GREETING
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; OAK PARK
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 00001970S
HANDSHAKE
"HOW DO YOU DO, I'M FROM THE NATIONAL DAIRY ASSOCIATION"
Submitter comment:
AS YOU ARE SHAKING THE PERSON'S HAND YOU GRAB TWO OF
HIS FINGERS AND TUG ON THEM, TO MAKE IT SEEM LIKE
YOU ARE MILKING A COW.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; OAK PARK
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 00001970S