Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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PROVERB
TOO THICK DON'T STICK.
Submitter comment:
THE TENOR OF THIS METAPHOR IS A FRIEND; THE VEHICLE IS WALL PAPER
PASTE. IF WALL PAPER PASTE IS TOO THICK, IT LOSES ITS ADHESIVE
QUALITIES. JUST LIKE PASTE, FRIENDS THAT ARE TOO CLOSE (TOO THICK),
OFTEN BECOME ENEMIES. THIS WAS A FAVORITE SAYING OF MY GRANDMOTHER.
NEITHER THE INFORMANT NOR THE COLLECTOR KNOWS IF THIS WAS
ORIGINALLY IN POLISH.
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): ELLIPSIS
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: CA00001890S ; 01-13-1980
PROVERB
TOO FAST DON'T LAST
Submitter comment:
I'M SURE THIS PROVERB, ANOTHER OF MY GRANDMOTHER'S FAVORITES,
IS A METAPHOR. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE IS LOST. LIKE ITS TWIN
PROVERB (SQ 771820-33), THIS PROVERB REFERS TO FRIENDS. IF YOU
STRIKE UP A FRIENDSHIP QUICKLY, CHANCES ARE THAT IT WILL NOT BE
AN ENDURING ONE.
I HAVE NO IDEA IF THIS PROVERB WAS ORIGINALLY IN POLISH.
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): ELLIPSIS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: CA00001890S ; 01-13-1980
PROVERB
SHARP ENDS MAKE BAD FRIENDS.
Submitter comment:
THIS PROVERB HAS A DOUBLE-MEANING: FIRST, YOU COULD HURT YOURSELF
ON A SHARP OBJECT, SO A SHARP OBJECT IS A BAD FRIEND. IF YOU GIVE
A PERSON A PIN OR A GIFT WHICH IS A SHARP OBJECT, YOUR FRIENDSHIP
WILL DETERIORATE. IN ORDER TO OVERCOME THIS DILEMMA, THE RECEIVER
OF THE GIFT MUST PAY THE GIVER A PENNY. BY PAYING A PENNY, THE
RECEIVER BUYS THE GIFT AND COUNTERACTS MAKING A BAD FRIEND.
THE INFORMANT DOES NOT RECALL HEARING THAT THE GIVER MUST
GIVE A PENNY WITH THE SHARP GIFT.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: CA00001890S ; 01-13-1980
IF YOU HAVE 'M, FLOSS 'EM}
Submitter comment:
FLOSSING HELPS TO REDUCE TOOTH DECAY, SO IF YOU HAVE REAL TEETH,
FLOSS THEM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 02-00-1980
COLD HANDS, WARM HEART
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
James Callow Keyword(s): AFFECTION ; ALLITERATION FOR CONTRAST ; CONTRAST ; ELLIPSIS ; LOVE ; METONYMY ; TENDERNESS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 00001950S
TEARS DO NOT MELT TROUBLES.
Submitter comment: SAID WHEN CRYING OVER SOMETHING THAT WILL NOT GO AWAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
James Callow Keyword(s): ALLITERATION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 00001940S
PROVERBIAL METAPHOR
WALK SOFTLY AND CARRY A BIG STICK.
Submitter comment: I WAS TOLD THIS WHEN GOING FOR AN INTERVIEW.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 00001970S
PROVERBIAL METAPHOR
PRIDE GOES BEFORE A FALL.
Submitter comment: WHEN LEARNING HOW TO SKI, MY MOM TOLD THIS TO ME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 00001960S
WHAT A LIFE WITHOUT A WIFE AND TWENTY-NINE KIDS.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT WOULD KEEP A STRAIGHT FACE AND SAY THIS HOPING TO GET A
LAUGH FROM HIS CHILDREN OR GRANDCHILDREN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Number P686.1.29 PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: CA00001977
AMERICAN PROVERB
I HAD NO SHOES AND COMPLAINED, UNTIL I MET A MAN WHO HAD NO FEET.
Submitter comment:
THE COLLECTOR HEARD THIS PROVERB DURING A SERMON AT GARFIELD
BAPTIST CHURCH IN MOUNT CLEMENS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): RELATIVITY
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: CA00001975
AMERICAN PROVERB
TO BUILD SOUNDLY, YOU MUST THINK CONSTRUCTIVELY.
Submitter comment:
SOUTHFIELD, MICHIGAN IS A VERY BUSINESS-ORIENTED CITY HARBORING
MANY JEWISH COMMUNITIES WHICH STRESS THE IMPORTANCE OF SUCCESS.
THE INFORMANT WORKS IN THE SOUTHFIELD AREA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: CA00001972
LIBERIAN PROVERBS
YOU CAN'T SPILL WATER AND THEN PICK IT UP. (WHAT ONE HAS
SAID CAN'T BE TAKEN BACK.)
A ROOSTER CAN'T CROW IN HIS FRIEND'S VILLAGE. (YOU CAN'T DO IN
ANOTHER VILLAGE WHAT YOU NORMALLY CAN DO IN YOUR OWN VILLAGE.)
BAMBOO KNOWS WHERE TO RUB HIS BOTTOM. (A WISEMAN KNOWS
WHO TO FIGHT.)
YOU SEW LOOSELY, YOU WEAR LOOSELY. (A LAZY PERSON WILL
PRODUCE LAZY WORK.)
CASSAVA LEAF IS NOT FOR GOAT ALONE. (SCHOOL IS NOT FOR
CHILDREN ALONE.)
WHEN THE LION IS NOT IN THE FOREST, THE BEARS ARE
FRISKY. (CHILDREN PLAY WHEN THE ELDERS ARE AWAY.)
WHEN AN ELDER'S TEETH IS ABOUT TO FALL APART, DON'T TOUCH THEM.
(DON'T BE CRUEL TO YOUR ELDER, YOU CAN BE CRUEL TO YOURSELF.)
AN AXE CAN CUT DOWN A BIG TREE. (THE TRUTH WILL FREE A PERSON.)
PLAY IS PLAY AND JOKE IS JOKE BUT NEVER POINT YOUR FINGER
AT A CASKET. (DON'T TEASE, IF YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE CONSEQUENCES.)
YOU CAN BEND A YOUNG STICK BUT NOT AN OAK TREE. (TRAIN A CHILD
WHEN THE CHILD IS VERY YOUNG.)
EMPTY POTS MAKE LOT OF NOISE. (PEOPLE WITH LITTLE
THINGS PRETEND TO OWN THE ENTIRE WORLD.)
NEVER LOOK AT A PRETTY WOMAN'S FACE. (LOOKS ARE DECEIVING.)
WOMEN ARE LIKE THE RAINBOW WITH SEVERAL COLORS. (WOMEN ARE
HARD TO SATISFY.)
A MONKEY'S HAND IS ALWAYS DARK. ( ONCE A ROGUE, ALWAYS A ROGUE.)
YOU HAVE TO CRAWL BEFORE YOU WALK. (EVERYTHING HAPPEN
IN A SEQUENCE.)
IF YOUR KNIFE CUTS YOU, THROW IT DOWN AND PICK IT UP. (IF
YOUR RELATIVE HARMS YOU, FORGIVE HIM, BUT NEVER TRUST HIM AGAIN.)
PALM NUTS DO NOT GROW ON ORANGE TREES. (EVERYTHING ON THIS
EARTH HAS A PLACE AND TIME.)
ONE TREE DOES NOT MAKE A FOREST. (IT TAKES MANY PEOPLE
TO ELECT A LEADER.)
DON'T SEND A MAN TO TAKE OFF DRY FISH. (IF YOU KNOW THAT
A MAN IS CRIMINAL, DON'T TRUST HIM WITH ANYTHING.)
IF A ROGUE COMES TO YOU, LET HIM IN YOUR HOUSE, BUT IF A LIAR
COMES TO YOU TURN HIM AWAY. (ROGUES TAKE THINGS THAT CAN
BE REPLACED, BUT THE TALES OF A LIAR HURT FOREVER.)
SOFTLY, SOFTLY, CATCHES MONKEY (NICE WORDS CAN MAKE MORE FRIENDS THA
RABBIT OR A POT OF RICE.)
ONE CAPTAIN CAN'T STEER TWO SHIPS AT THE SAME TIME. (TWO
CHIEFS CAN'T RULE A TRIBE. THEY WILL EVENTUALLY
BRING ABOUT CIVIL WAR.)
HUNGER MAKE MONKEY EAT PEPPER. (WHEN THINGS ARE ROUGH, YOU WILL
DO ANYTHING TO MAKE IT BETTER.)
THE BIG MAN IS THE SERVANT OF THE PEOPLE. (THE EDUCATED
PERSON CORRECTS WHAT THE UNTRAINED PERSON DID WRONG.)
SMALL PEANUTS ARE NOT SLAVES TO BIG ONES.
(EVERYONE IS EQUAL IN THE SIGHT OF GOD.)
FAMILY STICK CAN BEND, BUT IT NEVER BREAKS. (RELATIVES MAY
FUSS, BUT THEY WILL BE TOGETHER IN TIME OF NEED.)
A NEW BROOM SWEEPS WELL. (A NEW RELATIONSHIP HAS NO FAULTS,
IT SHINES ALWAYS.)
AN INDIVIDUAL CAN'T DRINK A WELL DRY. (IT TAKES MORE THAN
ONE PERSON TO COMPLETE A PROJECT.)
WATER IS SWEET WHEN THE WEATHER IS DRY. (YOU NEVER REALIZE
A GOOD THING UNTIL IT IS TOO LATE.)
WHAT IS DEATH TO FROG IS FUN TO A CHILD. (WHEN YOU HURT
SOMEONE, YOU DON'T REALIZE HOW SERIOUS IT CAN BE.)
Submitter comment: THESE PROVERB WERE FREQUENTLY HEARD IN MY HOUSE IN MONROVIA.
Where learned: LIBERIA ; MONROVIA
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 00-00-1965
POLISH PROVERB
IN A LITTLE WHILE, MANY SOULS WILL FACE GOD.
TRANSLATION OF
QUIELE DUSZ STANIE ZA CHWILE, PRZED BAGIEM. (POLISH)
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A SAYING OFTEN USED BEFORE A BATTLE. MY FATHER REMEMBERS THI
FROM POLAND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
Keyword(s): DEATH ; PREDICTION ; WAR
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- War BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 11-26-1967
IN ORDER TO GET THE FRUIT, YOU HAVE TO CLIMB THE TREE.
Submitter comment:
(YOU HAVE TO WORK HARD FOR WHAT YOU GET.) MARILOU'S INFORMANT WAS HE
GRANDMOTHER BRIDGET O'CONNOR, 81, WIDOWED, IRISH FROM LONDON,
ONTARIO.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Keyword(s): METAPHOR ; OBSERVATION ; PARALLELISM
James Callow Keyword(s): CANADA
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 11-08-1972
INSIDE INFORMATION HELPS.
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): ASSONANCE ; OBSERVATION
James Callow Keyword(s): USEFULNESS
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
FLEMISH PROVERB
IN THE DARKNESS, ALL KITTENS LOOK ALIKE.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS GIVEN TO ME WHEN HE WAS VISITING DETROIT, MICHIGAN FROM
BELGIUM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ALLITERATION ; CAT ; OBSERVATION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mammal PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 11-01-1967
FLEMISH PROVERB
IN THE KINGDOM OF THE BLIND, THE ONE-EYED MAN IS KING.
TRANSLATION OF
FLEMISH TEXT NOT KEYPUNCHED. SEE ORIGINAL 5 X 8 INCH CARD.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS GIVEN TO ME WHEN HE WAS VISITING DETROIT, MICHIGAN FROM
BELGIUM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): OBSERVATION
James Callow Keyword(s): RELATIVITY
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 10-00-1967
POLISH PROVERB
IN THE OLD STOVE, THE DEVIL IS BURNING.
TRANSLATION OF
W STARYM PIECU DIABEL PALI. (POLISH)
Submitter comment:
THE CONTEXT IS INTERESTING. IT IS GENERALLY APPLIED TO AN OLDER MAN
WHO SHOWS INTEREST IN A YOUNGER GIRL OR GIRLS.
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): ASSONANCE ; OBSERVATION
James Callow Keyword(s): OLD AGE DOES NOT RULE OUT AMOROUS INCLINATIONS. ; SYMBOL: FIERY DEVIL FOR SEXUAL INTEREST
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Devil Demon PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
IN THE SAME BOAT
Submitter comment:
WHEN TWO OR MORE PERSONS ARE IN THE SAME PREDICAMENT, ENGAGED IN THE
SAME BUSINESS, OR INTERESTED IN THE SAME CAUSE, THEY ARE SAID TO BE
IN THE SAME BOAT.
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase |
Date learned: 11-10-1969
AFRICAN PROVERB
I KNOW HOW MUCH YOUR GRANDMOTHER WAS BOUGHT FOR.
Submitter comment: I'VE BEEN LIVING LONGER THAN YOU HAVE.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Keyword(s): ADVISING
James Callow Keyword(s): WISDOM ASSUMED TO RESULT FROM AGE
Date learned: 00001967 (FALL)