Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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KISSING GAME
INFORMATION GIVEN IS IN COLLECTOR'S WORDS. SIX TO SEVEN GIRLS AGES
7-12, SIT THEMSELVES ON A PORCH-STEP, CURB, PARK BENCH OR ANYTHING
AVAILABLE. THE GIRLS ARE THE "DAUGHTERS" OF ANOTHER PLAYER, WHO IS
USUALLY OLDER AND PLAYS THE MOTHER. THE GIRLS SIT ON THE BENCH AND
THE MOTHER SWEEPS OR "CLEANS HOUSE" SUDDENLY ANOTHER PLAYER
(USUALLY A BOY ARRIVES WISHING TO SPEAK TO THE MOTHER AND SAYS
THE KING WANTS TO KNOW HOW MANY DAUGHTERS THE LADY OF THE HOUSE HAS.
THE MOTHER SAYS IT'S NONE OF THE KING'S BUSINESS AND
TO GO AWAY. THE PLAYER LEAVES AND SOON RETURNS WITH THE KING (A MALE
BETWEEN 11-12). THE MOTHER TAKES A DIFFERENT TONE AND SAYS: BEHOLD
MY DAUGHTERS. PICK YOUR FAVORITE. THE KING RESPONDS BY SAYING IN SPA MMNISH
NISH: NO LA ESCOJO POR BONITA NI TAMPOCO POR MUJER, LO QUE QUIERO ES
UNA ROSA ACABADA DE NACER. TRANSLATED IT MEANS: I'M NOT LOOKING FOR A
BEAUTY NOR A WIFE, I'M LOOKING FOR INNOCENCE THE KING THEN PICKS
GIRL AND THEY GO OFF AND KISS. THE GAME CONTINUES UNTIL ALL THE DAUGH
TERS ARE SELECTED, OFTEN THE GAME CONTINUES UNTIL THE KING GETS TIRED
OUT.
DAUGHTERS
PLAYED
Submitter comment:
THIS INFORMATION WAS GIVEN TO ME BY MY MOTHER; IT WAS A GAME SHE PLA
YED AS A GIRL IN SABINAS, HIDALGO MEXICO. THE INFORMANT GAVE ME THE
WHOLE STORY IN SPANISH. WHEN QUESTIONED THE INFORMANT GAVE ME THE WHO
LE STORY IN SPANISH. WHEN QUESTIONED THE INFORMANT REFUSED TO ANSWER
WETHER SHE MET THE COLLECTORS FATHER THAT WAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Dramatic |
Date learned: 11-00-1981
DRUNK OMEN
IN MEXICO, WHEN A DRUNK OR ALCOHOLIC GOES TO A PRIEST AND SWEARS
THAT HE WILL NOT DRINK FOR A YEAR, THE ALCOHOLIC IS FEARFUL THAT IF
HE BREAKS HIS VOW BAD LUCK WILL COME TO HIM OR HIS FAMILY
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A CUSTOM PRACTICED IN MEXICO WHERE RELIGION IS A VERY IMPOR
TANT MATTER AND FEAR OF PUNISHMENT BY GOD REHABILITATES REFORMED
DRUNKS.
IMPORTANT
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 11-00-1981
ST JOHNS DAY
ON JUNE 24 OF EVERY YEAR PEOPLE OF THE VILLAGE GO TO THE RIVER TO
BATHE AND GET THEIR HAIR CUT: IT:S GOOD LUCK BECAUSE IT WILL GROW
(JUNE 24 IS SAINT JOHN THE BAPTISTI DAY).
Submitter comment:
THIS CUSTOM IS PRACTICED IN MEXICO. HISTORICALLY IT TIES IN
RELIGIOUS WITH PAGAN CUSTOMS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): BATHE, WATER
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- June 24 St. John's Day / Midsummer Day BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 11-00-1981
HAIR BELIEF
IN MEXICO ITS A CUSTOM FOR CHILDREN NOT TO GET THEIR HAIRCUT FOR THE
FIRST YEAR OF THEIR LIFE OR THEY'LL GO BLIND.
Submitter comment:
A BELIEF OF SABINAS MEXICO AND THE INFORMANT PRACTICED IT ON HER CHIL
DREN (THE COLLECTOR INCLUDED). THE INFORMANT DOES'NT BELLIEVE THE
CHILDREN WILL GO BLIND BUT PRACTICES IT BECAUSE IT'S TRADITION.
CHILDREN
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 11-00-1981
DRESS CUSTOM
(IN COLLECTOR'S OWN WORDS) PEOPLE OF MEXICO MAKE A PLEDGE TO THEIR PA
TRON SAINT AND THEN DRESS AS THE SAINT WOULD FOR AN ENTIRE MONTH.
PATRON
Submitter comment: DETROIT, MICHIGAN
Where learned: MEXICO ; SABINAS HIDALGO ; NUEVO LEON
| Subject headings: | Favorites ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Dress BELIEF -- Religious hero BELIEF -- Measure of time Month BELIEF -- Prayer |
MARRIAGE BELIEF
WHEN A SINGLE GIRL HAS HER FEET SWEPT SHE'LL MARRY A WIDOWER.
Submitter comment: BELIEF COMES FROM MEXICAN TRADITION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation Favorites BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 12-00-1981
FOOD CUSTOM
BAKING CHANGE INTO A BIRTHDAY CAKE FOR THE BIRTHDAY BOY OR GIRL AND
THE OTHERS TO FIND AND KEEP.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS DONE BY MY GRANDMOTHER WHILE I WAS YOUNG. SHE WAS A SECOND
GENERATION GERMAN AMERICAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LINCOLN PARK
James Callow Keyword(s): COINS ; MONEY
Date learned: 00-00-1967
Entry filtered.
Entry filtered.
DEATH JOKE
PAT WAS SENT TO BREAK THE NEWS TO MRS. MURPHY THAT HER HUSBAND WAS
KILLED ON THE JOB. HE HAD PUT THE BODY IN A TRUNK. TRYING TO
BREAK THE NEWS GENTLY HE SAID, "DOES THE WIDOW MURPHY LIVE HERE?"
SHE SAID "I AM MRS. MURPHY AND I'LL HAVE YOU UNDERSTAND I AM NO
WIDOW." PAT SAID "OH, YOU'RE NOT HEY?" WELL WAIT TILL YOU SEE
WHAT I HAVE OUT HERE IN THE TRUNK}"
Where learned: FLORIDA ; KEY BISCAYNE
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 09-00-1981
CATHOLIC JOKE
A CIRCUS PERFORMER WENT TO CONFESSION TO A PRIEST WHO LOVED THE
CIRCUS BUT COULD NOT GET THERE THIS TIME AROUND. THE PERFORMER
TOLD THE PRIEST ABOUT SOME NEW CARTWHEELS AND HANDSTANDS THEY WERE
DOING. HE OFFERED TO SHOW THE PRIEST IN THE CENTER AISLE. HE DID
SO WHILE THE PRIEST WATCHED FROM THE CONFESSIONAL. MRS. O'BRIEN,
WAITING TO GO TO CONFESSION, SAID TO MRS. KELLY," MOTHER OF GOD,
LOOK AT THE PENANCE FR. FLANIGAN IS HANDING OUT AND ME WITH NO
BLOOMERS ON."
Where learned: FLORIDA ; KEY BISCAYNE
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 09-00-1981
PROSE ROUND
ONCE UPON A TIME THERE WERE THREE BUMS SETTING BY THE FIRE, AND ONE
BUM SAID TO THE OTHER BUM, "TELL ME A STORY." AND THE OTHER BUM
SAID, "OOOOOK," AND THIS IS WHAT HE SAID. "ONCE UPON A TIME THERE
WERE THREE BUMS SETTING BY THE FIRE, AND ONE BUM SAID TO THE OTHER
BUM, "TELL ME A STORY." AND THE OTHER BUM SAID,"OOOOK," AND THIS
IS WHAT HE SAID..............
Submitter comment:
LAURA LEARNED THIS STORY FROM HER FATHER, GEORGE SYLVAIN. BOTH
HE AND HIS BROTHER TOLD THIS STORY TO THEIR CHILDREN FOR AS LONG
AS THEY CAN REMEMBER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Mount Clemens
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: 10-00-1981
HANGING SPOONS ON THE NOSE
AFTER A PERSON HAS HAD A FEW DRINKS (OF ANY KIND) THEY HAVE TO TRY
TO HANG A SPOON FROM THEIR NOSE. THIS IS DONE BY BREATHING ON THE
SPOON TO MAKE IT SLIGHTLY MOIST. THEN YOU STICK THE ROUND END TO
YOUR NOSE. IF IT DOESN'T HANG THERE YOU HAVE TO DRINK. EVENTUALLY
THE GAME GETS RATHER ELABORATE. YOU HAVE TO BE ABLE TO WALK, DANCE,
AND TALK WITH THE SPOON HANGING FROM YOUR NOSE. NEEDLESS TO SAY
EVERYONE GETS QUITE DRUNK. THE DRUNKER YOU ARE THE HARDER IT IS
TO GET THE SPOON TO HANG FROM YOUR NOSE.
Submitter comment:
THIS GAME IS PLAYED OFTEN WITH LAURA'S RELATIVES IN HARBOR SPRINGS.
EVERYONE IN HER FAMILY IS GOOD AT HANGING SPOONS FROM THEIR NOSES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Mount Clemens
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Bodily Activity |
Date learned: 10-00-1981
ACADEMIC FOLKLORE
SOME PEOPLE I WAS ATTENDING SCHOOL WITH AT CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIV.
WERE MEMBERS OF THE THETA CHI FRATERNITY. ONE OF THE MEMBERS
TOLD ME ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED TO ONE OF THEIR RUSH MEMBERS THE YEAR
BEFORE. THE FRAT MEMBERS TOOK A PLEDGE AND BLIND FOLDED HIM AND
PUT HIM IN A CAR. THEY DROVE ALL THE WAY TO INDIANA WITH HIM AND
LEFT HIM IN THE MIDDLE OF A MAN'S FIELD. THE GUY HAD NO IDEA WHERE
HE WAS BUT HE SAW A FARMHOUSE AND WENT UP TO IT. HE ASKED THE
FARMER WHERE HE WAS AND EXPLAINED WHAT HAD HAPPENED TO HIM. THE
FARMER GOT A BIG KICK OUT OF IT BECAUSE HE HAD BEEN IN A FRAT WHEN
HE WAS IN COLLEGE. THE FARMER SAID HE WOULD HELP THE GUY GET BACK
TO SCHOOL. HE HAD A PLANE FOR DUSTING CROPS AND HE FLEW THE GUY
BACK TO MT. PLEASANT IN THE PLANE. THE RUSH MEMBER MADE IT BACK
TO THE FRAT HOUSE BEFORE THE OTHER GUYS AND WAS WAITING THERE FOR
THEM. WHEN THEY ARRIVED BACK HE SAID, "WHAT TOOK YOU SO LONG?"
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS TOLD TO ME ABOUT FIVE YEARS AGO (1976) WHEN I WAS A LITTLE
SISTER TO THE THETA CHI FRATERNITY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Legend CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 11-00-1981
ITALIAN JOKE
AN ITALIAN PUT AN ADVERTISEMENT IN THE PAPERS THAT HE HAD DISCOVERED
A METHOD OF WRITING WITHOUT PEN AND INK, AND THAT HE WOULD GIVE THE
SECRET FOR A SMALL FEE. IN A FEW DAYS HE WAS FLOODED WITH REQUESTS
FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY, TO WHICH HE REPLIED: "WRITE WITH PENCIL."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
James Callow Keyword(s): TRICKSTER, ITALIAN
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote ITAL |
Date learned: 02-25-1982
EVIL EYE
THE MOLOQUE IS A HAND GESTURE THAT HAS THE FIRST AND FOURTH FINGER
POINTING STRAIGHT UP WITH THE OTHER TWO FINGERS AND THUMB CLENCHED
IN A FIST.
Submitter comment:
THE MOLOQUE IS USED BY A PERSON AGAINST SOMEONE WHO IS EITHER
ENVIOUS OF OR SAYING BAD THINGS ABOUT THAT PERSON. IT IS MOST OFTEN
FLASHED SOMEWHERE THE ENVIOUS PERSON CAN'T SEE IT (BEHIND A THIGH
OR IN A POCKET, FOR EXAMPLE). IT IS BELIEVED TO "REPULSE" WHATEVER
"SIGNALS" OR "VIBES" THE ENVIOUS PERSON IS SENDING OUT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Bird SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 02-25-1982
HOLY WEEK CUSTOM
AN ITALIAN CUSTOM FOR HOLY THURSDAY IS TO VISIT SEVEN CHURCHES.
A FAMILY WOULD SPEND A HALF-HOUR IN EACH CHURCH AND SAY PRAYERS AS A
FORM OF PENANCE.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS DONE IN ITALY BUT NOT IN THE UNITED STATES. THE FAMILY
WOULD WALK TO EACH CHURCH, SO THEY PICKED THOSE THAT WERE CLOSE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | 663 Holy Thursday 686 Seven / Sevenths / Several Favorites BELIEF -- Church BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 02-25-1982
DUCK ON A ROCK
THE GAME WAS CALLED "DUCK ON A ROCK" AND INVOLVED MANY PLAYERS.
ONE KID WAS "IT" AND THE REST WOULD GO AND HIDE ANYWHERE ON THE
STREET. A TIN CAN (THE "DUCK") WAS PLACED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE
STREET. AS THE PLAYER WHO WAS "IT" SEARCHED FOR THE HIDERS, ONE OF
THE KIDS WOULD RUN TO THE CAN. IF HE/SHE BEAT "IT" TO THE CAN,
HE/SHE WOULD PICK IT UP AND THROW IT DOWN THE STREET. "IT" WOULD
THEN HAVE TO GO GET THE CAN WHILE EVERYONE CHANGED HIDING PLACES.
IF "IT" WON THE RACE TO THE CAN, THE OTHER KID WOULD BECOME "IT."
THE PERSON WHO WAS "IT" COULD ALSO CHANGE PLACES WITH A HIDER IF
HE DISCOVERED THE HIDER BEFORE ANYONE THREW THE DUCK.
Submitter comment:
THIS GAME WAS PLAYED IN PENNSYLVANIA BY THE INFORMANT, JOHN KOWATCH,
BETWEEN 1920-1925. OFTEN, ONE OF THE KIDS WHO GOT TO THE CAN BEFORE
"IT" WOULD THROW THE CAN IN THE DIRECTION OF ANOTHER KID'S HIDING
PLACE, HOPING TO GIVE THE LATTER AWAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 03-22-1982
POLISH WEDDING CUSTOM
ONE OF THE CUSTOMS AT WEDDINGS WAS TO TRY TO SMASH A DISH BY THROWING
SILVER DOLLARS AT IT. THE BRIDE AND GROOM WOULD SIT AT A TABLE WITH
PLATES SPREAD OUT IN FRONT OF THEM. THE MEN AT THE WEDDING WOULD
COME BY, ONE AT A TIME, AND THROW A SILVER DOLLAR AT THE PLATE. IF
IT BROKE, THE "THROWER" WOULD GET TO DANCE WITH THE BRIDE. IF IT
DIDN'T, THE NEXT GUY WOULD TAKE A TURN.
Submitter comment:
THIS CUSTOM WAS BROUGHT OVER FROM POLAND AND WAS EXTREMELY POPULAR
IN THE YEARS FROM 1900 TO 1930. ITS PURPOSE WAS TO RAISE MONEY
FOR THE NEWLYWEDS. IT DIED OUT IN THE LATE 1930'S.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Date learned: 03-22-1982
GAME VERSE
SPRING HAS SPRUNG,
THE GRASS HAS RIZ.
I WONDER WHERE THE FLOWERS IS
Submitter comment:
WE ALWAYS SAID THIS ON THE FIRST SPRING-LIKE DAY AFTER A COLD
WINTER. IT WAS THE ONLY TIME MY PARENTS TOLERATED BAD GRAMMAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
Date learned: 00001960S