Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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ONE OF MY HIGH SCHOOL CLASSMATES HAD QUITE A SKILL WHEN IT CAME TO
BELCHING. HE COULD BELCH ENTIRE SENTENCES IN VERY LOUD AND GROSS
MANNER. ONE OF OUR FAVORITE PRANKS WAS TO FILE INTO THE LIBRARY AND
HAVE OUR EXPERT BELCHER HIDE IN A SECLUDED PART OF THE LIBRARY. WHEN
THINGS BECAME STILL, THE BELCHER WOULD LET GO WITH "QUIET PLEASE"
AND THE ENTIRE LIBRARY WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE NUN WOULD LAUGH.
Submitter comment:
MY SENIOR YEAR IN HIGH SCHOOL WAS QUITE CRAZY. WE MORE OR LESS
THRIVED ON PRANKS AND PRACTICAL JOKES. DAVE'S BELCHING EXPERTISE WAS
ONE OF THE FUNNIEST.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; RIVERVIEW
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School |
Date learned: 00-00-1975
A NUN'S STORY
ONE DAY A FIRST GRADE TEACHER TOLD HER CLASS THAT ALL
THE NUNS AT THE CONVENT WERE GOING TO AN INSTITUTE THAT
WEEKEND. ONE PARTICULAR LITTLE GIRL WENT HOME
AND TOLD HER MOTHER THAT ALL THE NUNS WERE GOING
ON AN "INNOCENT TOOT."
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School SPEECH -- Vocabulary |
Date learned: 06-00-1964
DANCING CUSTOMS
90% OF ALL BOYS AND GIRLS TAKE DANCING LESSONS IN
PRIVATE DANCING SCHOOLS. THE WALTZ, FOX TROT, TANGO,
ENGLISH WALTZ, AND ROCK AND ROLL. AFTER HALF THE
COURSE IS OVER, A FORMAL DANCE IS HELD AND ATTENDED
BY THE YOUNG ADULTS AND PARENTS. THE SECOND HALF OF
THE COURSE TEACHES MODERN DANCE, SAMBA, RUMBA, CHA CHA,
AND OTHER LATIN DANCES. ETIQUETTE AND MANNERS ARE ALSO
LEARNED IN THIS COURSE. THE FINALE IS A BIG BALL AT
WHICH TUXEDO AND FORMAL DRESS IS WORN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; BEAUTY SHOP
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School |
Date learned: 01-00-1971
KISSING LEGEND
AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, (ANN ARBOR) A GIRL IS
NOT TO BE CONSIDERED A CO-ED UNTIL SHE HAS BEEN KISSED
UNDER THE ARCH OF THE ENGINEERING BUILDING. THE
ACTION MUST TAKE PLACE AT MIDNIGHT, IN ORDER TO BE
VALID.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School |
KISSING LEGEND
ALL NAVAL OFFICER CANDIDATES AND MIDSHIPMEN ARE WARNED
TO KEEP THEIR HATS CAREFULLY IN THEIR POSSESSION,
FOR IF THIS HAT IS TO FALL INTO THE POSSESSION OF ANY
YOUNG LADY, THE RANSOM PRICE IS A KISS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School |
Date learned: 00001965 AUTUMN
MILITARY TRADITIONS -NAVAL
IF A GIRL GETS KISSED UNDER THE SITTING INDIAN AT
ANNAPOLIS, SHE WILL MARRY THE GUY SHE KISSED.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT DORMS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School |
NAVAL CUSTOM
AT THE NAVAL ACADEMY IN ANNAPOLIS, A GIRL WHO PUTS
THE HAT OF A MIDSHIPMAN ON HER HEAD AGAINST HIS WILL
OR TO HIS SURPRISE, IS ENTITLED TO A KISS FROM HIM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; DORM ROOM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School |
Date learned: 09-08-1969
SCHOOL CUSTOM
DURING GRADUATION, ALL GRADUATES WALK IN WITH THEIR
TASSELS ON THE RIGHT SIDE, AND AFTER ALL HAVE
RECEIVED THEIR DIPLOMAS THEY FLIP THEIR TASSELS
TO THE LEFT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GRAND RAPIDS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
MOVABLE TASSEL
ON THE DAY OF GRADUATION, YOU WEAR YOUR GRADUATION CAP
WITH THE SCHOOL COLORS ON A TASSEL. BEFORE RECEIVING
YOUR DIPLOMA YOU WEAR THIS TASSEL ON THE RIGHT SIDE
OF YOUR CAP. THE MOMENT AFTER YOU RECEIVE YOUR
DIPLOMA YOU FLIP THE TASSEL TO THE LEFT SIDE OF
THE CAP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School |
Date learned: 10-29-1968
GRADUATION CUSTOMS
IT IS CUSTOMARY AT AMHERST HIGH SCHOOL IN BUFFALO,
NEW YORK, THAT THE SENIORS SKIP A DAY OF CLASSES
NEAR THE END OF THE SEMESTER. ALSO, THEY PULL PRANKS
SUCH AS POURING ACID ON THE GRASS OF THE SCHOOLYARD
TO READ OBSCENE WORDS, OR PUT SOMETHING ON THE
FLAGPOLE AND GREASE IT SO NO ONE COULD GET IT DOWN.
Where learned: BUFFALO ; NEW YORK, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
KOOTIES
IN MY GRADE SCHOOL THE UGLIEST GIRL IN THE CLASS WAS
SAID TO HAVE KOOTIES, AND WHOEVER TOUCHED HER
PICKED UP HER KOOTIES, AND HE KEPT HER KOOTIES TILL HE
TOUCHED ANOTHER PERSON, WHICH TRANSFERRED THE GIRL'S
KOOTIES TO THAT PERSON, UNLESS THE PERSON HAD HIS
FINGERS CROSSED, IN WHICH CASE THE KOOTIES WEREN'T
TRANSFERRED. THUS, IT WAS A SORT OF CONSTANT GAME
OF TAG, WHICH LASTED THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL YEAR, BUT
THE KOOTIES WAS MORE THAN A GAME, IT WAS SORT OF AN
INSTITUTION. AND IT WAS MUCH WORSE TO HAVE SOMEONE
GIVE YOU THE KOOTIES THAN IT WAS TO BE MERELY
TAGGED IT IN A GAME OF TAG.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
COOTIES
LITTLE BOYS IN GRADE SCHOOL HAVE AN UNWRITTEN LAW
THAT THEY ARE IN NO WAY TO COME IN CONTACT WITH THE
GIRLS. IF THE BOYS COME IN ANY CONTACT WITH THE
GIRLS, THEY HAVE ACQUIRED "COOTIES." THIS IS VERY
AWFUL. IT IS LIKE AN INCURABLE DISEASE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
COOTIES
IN GRADE SCHOOL, WHEN THE BOYS WERE TOUCHED BY THE GIRLS
IN ANY WAY, WERE SAID TO HAVE THE "COOTIES." THE ONLY
WAY TO RID ONESELF OF THESE COOTIES WAS TO TOUCH ANOTHER
BOY AND SAY "YOU GOT THE COOTIES."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School |
Date learned: 11-00-1969
CLASS RING CUSTOM
A HIGH SCHOOL CLASS RING IS WORN WITH THE NUMERALS
(YEAR OF GRADUATION) FACING TOWARD THE FINGERTIPS IF
THE STUDENT HASN'T GRADUATED YET. THE NUMERALS ARE
REVERSED AFTER GRADUATION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School |
Date learned: 06-00-1967
SENIOR CUSTOM CONCERNING RING WEARING
THE GRADUATING SENIOR WILL WEAR HIS RING SO THAT HE
CAN READ THE INSCRIPTION ON THE RING WHEN HE LOOKS
AT HIS HAND AND AFTER GRADUATION HE WILL REVERSE
IT SO OTHERS CAN READ IT.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT HIGH SCHOOL
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School |
Date learned: 09-00-1962
RING DAY - SCHOOL CUSTOM
AT ROSARY HIGH SCHOOL, THE DAY THE SENIORS RECEIVE THEIR
CLASS RINGS, IS CALLED SENIOR RING DAY. ON THIS DAY,
A SPECIAL MASS IS PREPARED FOR THE SENIORS AT WHICH
THEIR RINGS ARE BLESSED. AFTER MASS, THE SOPHOMORES
SERVE THE SENIORS BREAKFAST. AFTER BREAKFAST, THE
SENIORS ARE GIVEN THE REST OF THE DAY OFF.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School |
Date learned: 03-31-1972
HIGH SCHOOL TABOOS
THE "CIRCLE PIN" IS A SMALL GOLD PIN IN THE SHAPE OF
A CIRCLE, WITH THE CENTER HOLLOW. IT IS SUPPOSED
TO MEAN, IF WORN, THAT THE GIRL WHO WEARS IT IS A
VIRGIN. IF THE PIN HAS ANY IDENTATIONS IN IT, THEN
THE WEARER IS NOT A VIRGIN. THEREFORE, CIRCLE PINS
WITH NITCHES OR INDENTATIONS IN THEM ARE NOT WORN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School |
Date learned: 10-03-1969
GRADUATION OPEN HOUSE
AFTER HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION CEREMONIES AT TEN BROECK
ACADEMY IN FRANKLINVILLE, NEW YORK, SOME PARENTS HOLD
OPEN HOUSES. FACULTY AND FRIENDS ARE INVITED FOR
DRINKS AND SANDWICHES, AND GIVE THE GRADUATING
STUDENT PRESENTS IN RETURN.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; FRANKLINVILLE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
SCHOOL CUSTOM-TREE PLANTING CEREMONY
EACH SENIOR CLASS AT ROSARY HIGH SCHOOL PLANTS A
SMALL TREE BEFORE THEY GRADUATE ALONG THE SCHOOL'S
CONVENT AS A MEMENTO OF THE CLASS AFTER IT LEAVES.
ROSE AND CANDLE CEREMONY-SCHOOL CUSTOM
THE SENIORS AND JUNIORS AT ROSARY HIGH SCHOOL HAVE A
CEREMONY THAT IS DONE EACH YEAR IN THE AUDITORIUM BEFORE
THE SENIORS GRADUATE IN JUNE. THE SENIORS GIVE THE
JUNIORS A LIGHTED CANDLE SYMBOLIZING THE CUSTOMS AND
TRADITIONS TO BE CARRIED ON BY THE JUNIORS AFTER THE
SENIORS GRADUATE. THE JUNIORS GIVE THE SENIORS A ROSE
SYMBOLIZING THE FOND MEMORIES OF THE SENIOR'S FOUR
YEARS AT ROSARY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School |
Date learned: 03-31-1972
SCHOOL CUSTOM-FRESHMEN WELCOME DAY
AT ROSARY HIGH SCHOOL A DAY IN SEPTEMBER IS SET ASIDE
EACH YEAR IN WHICH THE FRESHMEN ARE WELCOMED TO ROSARY.
EACH FRESHMAN IS GIVEN A SENIOR SISTER, WHO GIVES
HER FRESHMAN SISTER A GIFT. THE SENIORS PUT ON A SKIT
AT THE END OF THE DAY IN THE AUDITORIUM, MOCKING THE
EVENTS THAT WILL OCCUR IN THE LIVES OF THE FRESHMEN
IN THE NEXT FOUR YEARS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School |
Date learned: 03-31-1972