Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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HOW THE GREAT LAKES WERE FORMED
JOHN BUNYAN, PAUL BUNYAN'S BROTHER, DECIDED ONE DAY TO BUILD A
LONG, LONG LADDER TO REACH UP TO HEAVEN. HE BUILT THE LADDER
OUT OF FIR TREES AND USED THE BRANCHES FOR RUNGS. HE STARTED
CLIMBING ONE DAY, AND HE CLIMBED AND CLIMBED AND CLIMBED. THEN
HE GOT SO DIZZY FAR ABOVE THE GROUND THAT HE FELL. JOHN BUNYAN
BOUNCED IN FIVE PLACES, MAKING FIVE DEEP HOLES IN THE EARTH.
AFTER THE GLACIAL AGE THE WATER FILLED IN THE HOLES AND FORMED THE
GREAT LAKES. AS THE LADDER FELL, IT ENDED UP IN A STRAIGHT LINE,
AND BECAME THE TRACKS OF THE TRANSCONTINENTAL RAILROAD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Still water Large body. Ocean, sea.... PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale |
Date learned: 02-26-1982
CHILDREN'S GAMES - BLUEBIRD
THIS GAME IS PLAYED MOSTLY BY LITTLE GIRLS. THE CHILDREN GET INTO
A CIRCLE, AND ONE CHILD IS THE LEADER. THE LEADER WALKS IN
BETWEEN THE CHILDREN, WHO STAY IN THE CIRCLE. THE GROUP SINGS THE
FOLLOWING SONG:
BLUEBIRD, BLUEBIRD, IN AND OUT MY WINDOW,
BLUEBIRD, BLUEBIRD, IN AND OUT MY WINDOW
TAKE A LITTLE GIRL AND TAP HER ON THE SHOULDER,
TAKE A LITTLE GIRL AND TAP HER ON THE SHOULDER,
OH JOHNNY I AM TIRED.
THE LEADER TAPS A LITTLE GIRL ON THE
SHOULDER WHILE THESE TWO LINES ARE SUNG AND THIS GIRL JOINS IN
A LINE IN BACK OF THE LEADER - IT GETS CONFUSING WHEN THERE ARE MORE
KIDS IN THE LINE THAN IN THE CIRCLE, AND THE GAME USUALLY BREAKS
UP IN GIGGLES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Singing Dancing Marching |
Date learned: 03-00-1982
CHILDREN'S GAMES - SIMON SAYS
THIS GAME CAN BE PLAYED INDOORS OR OUTSIDE. THE LEADER TELLS
THE PARTICIPANTS WHAT TO DO, SUCH AS SIMON SAYS STAND ON ONE LEG,
SIMON SAYS KNEEL DOWN, SIMON SAYS HOLD YOUR RIGHT ARM UP. AT
THE LEADER'S DISCRETION, SHE COMMANDS THE CHILDREN TO DO SOMETHING
WITHOUT PRECEEDING THE COMMAND WITH SIMON SAYS. IF THEY FOLLOW
THIS COMMAND THEY ARE OUT. THE GAME PROGRESSES IN THIS MANNER
UNTIL ALL OF THE CHILDREN BUT ONE ARE OUT. THIS ONE BECOMES THE
NEW LEADER.
Submitter comment:
THE TRICK TO THIS GAME, IF YOU ARE THE LEADER IS TO GET THE PLAYERS
INTO A DIFFICULT SPOT TO MAINTAIN PHYSICALLY, THEN SAY A COMMAND
WHICH RELEASES THEM FROM THIS SPOT WITHOUT SAYING SIMON SAYS.
THE PLAYERS WILL BE SO GLAD TO GET OUT OF THE DIFFICULT SPOT THAT
THEY WILL NOT REALIZE THAT THE SIMON SAYS COMMAND WAS NOT GIVEN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Bodily Activity |
PICKLE
PICKLE IS AN OUTSIDE GAME. THERE ARE ONLY ABOUT 6 PEOPLE
INVOLVED. TWO PEOPLE WITH BASEBALL MITTS ARE THE CATCHERS AND THEY
STAND AT A BASE, OF WHICH THERE ARE TWO. THE BASES ARE PLACED
APPROXIMATELY 30 TO 40 FEET APART. THE OTHER PLAYERS ARE
RUNNERS, THEY STAND ON THE BASES AND TRY TO RUN BETWEEN THEM
WITHOUT GETTING CAUGHT. THE CATCHERS THROW A BALL BETWEEN
THEMSELVES AND TRY TO PICK OFF THE RUNNER, WHO MUST BE TOUCHING
THE BASE WHEN NOT RUNNING. THE RUNNER CAN DECIDE TO RUN AT WILL,
BUT SOMETIMES HE IS CAUGHT IN A PICKLE. THIS HAPPENS WHEN TWO
CATCHERS THROW THE BALL BETWEEN THEM WHILE THE RUNNER TRIES TO
ESCAPE. IF HE IS TAGGED, HE BECOMES A CATCHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 00001950S
LITTLE JAKE SELIGMAN
LITTLE JAKE SELIGMAN WAS FIVE FEET TALL, MAYBE LESS. HE WAS
A BANKER AND MERCHANT IN SAGINAW DURING THE 1880S. HE WOULD OFFER
LUMBERJACKS A BARGAIN. ONE OF THEM WOULD GET A FREE SUIT IF HE
COULD CATCH A VEST THAT LITTLE JAKE WOULD THROW INTO THE CROWD.
LITTLE JAKE WOULD THROW THE VEST AND THE LUMBERJACKS WOULD FIGHT
OVER THE VEST. THEY WOULD FIGHT SO MUCH THAT ALL THEIR CLOTHES
WOULD BE IN TATTERS. ONE GUY WOULD COME UP IN POSSESSION OF THE
VEST, THE OTHERS WOULD NEED NEW CLOTHES, WHICH THEY WOULD BUY
AT JAKE'S STORE.
Submitter comment: THIS WAS AN EXAMPLE OF WISE MERCHANDISING IF I EVER SAW ONE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): TRICKSTER
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 04-02-1982
THE STATUE OF LITTLE JAKE
THERE WAS AN IRON STATUE MADE OF JAKE SELIGMAN AFTER HE DIED
AND THIS STATUE STOOD FOR MANY YEARS ON TOP OF A BUILDING THAT
JAKE SELIGMAN HAD BUILT. THIS BUILDING WAS THE FIRST IRON FRAME
CONSTRUCTED BUILDING IN SAGINAW. HE WAS UP THERE FOR YEARS,
UNTIL 1942. THE STATUE BLEW DOWN IN A HIGH WIND THEN, AND WAS
USED FOR SCRAP METAL FOR THE WAR EFFORT..
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 04-02-1982
THE GREAT FIRE OF 1874
THIS FIRE BURNED DOWN THE WHOLE TOWN. THERE WERE THREE CITIES
AT THAT TIME, AND THE FIRE STARTED IN WEST SAGINAW. THE FIRE
STARTED AT A SAWMILL BY THE BRIDGE. IT CROSSED THE BRIDGE,
BURNING DOWN THE BRIDGE IN THE PROCESS, AND THEN BURNED EAST
SAGINAW. THERE IS A LEGEND THAT A PRIEST WALKED AROUND ST MARY'S
HOSPITAL ALL DURING THE FIRE AND IT WAS SPARED. THE PRIEST WAS
SAYING HIS BRIEVIARY THE WHOLE TIME. EVERYTHING ELSE AROUND THE
HOSPITAL WAS BURNED.
Submitter comment:
THE FACT THAT THE TOWN WAS BUILT ON SAWDUST HAD SOMETHING TO DO
WITH THE WAY THE FIRE SPREAD EVERYWHERE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): CIRCUMAMBULATION
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Fire BELIEF -- Prayer BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Circle and other round forms |
THE 1918 FLU EPIDEMIC
MS. BOW'S MOTHER'S PARENTS LIVED IN MISSOURI, IN A SMALL TOWN
NAMED PERRYVILLE.THEIR HOUSE HAD A FRONT, BACK AND SIDE DOOR.
THEIR NEVER USED THEY SIDE DOOR, IN FACT THEY HAD A BUREAU IN
FRONT OF THE DOOR. GREAT UNCLE ANDREW (GRANDPA'S BROTHER) ALWAYS
CAME TO THE SIDE DOOR AND KNOCKED ON IT WHEN HE CAME TO VISIT.
ONE NIGHT THEY WERE ALL ASLEEP AND THE HEARD A KNOCK
ON THE SIDE DOOR.
GRANDMA SAYS TO GRANDPA "MIKE, MIKE GET UP, ANDREW'S HERE." GRANDPA
WENT TO THE DOOR AND NOBODY WAS THERE. THE NEXT DAY THEY GOT
WORD THAT GREAT UNCLE ANDREW AND ANDREW'S WIFE AND THREE OF
THEIR SIX CHILDREN HAD ALL DIED THE NIGHT BEFORE. MS. BOW'S
MOTHER WAS SEVEN YEARS OLD AND LIVING WITH HER PARENTS IN THE
HOUSE WHERE THIS OCCURRED AND SHE SWEARS THAT IT IS TRUE.
Submitter comment: WHAT A STORY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 04-02-1982
THE GIRL WHO WENT TO THE DANCE
THERE WAS A GIRL WHO WANTED TO GO TO A DANCE, BUT HER PARENTS
DIDN'T WANT HER TO GO. SHE WENT ANYWAY. AT THE DANCE SHE MET A
HANDSOME STRANGER AND DANCED ALL NIGHT WITH HIM. AT MIDNIGHT SHE
LOOKED DOWN AND SAW THAT THE STRANGER HAD CLOVEN HOOVES. HE
DRAGGED HER OUTSIDE AND STARTED TO RISE IN THE AIR WITH HER, MMCARRYING HER BY ONE HAND. THE PEOPLE FROM THE DANCE RUSH
OUT, FALL ON THEIR KNEES AND START TO PRAY THE CREDO. THE DEVIL
DROPS HER AND SHE IS SAVED.
Submitter comment: THE APPARENT MORAL OF THE STORY IS ALWAYS OBEY YOUR PARENTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 04-02-1982
THE STORY IS ABOUT THE LITTLE BOY WHO DOES THE "LIFE" CEREAL
COMMERCIALS ON TELEVISION (LET'S GET MIKEY, HE HATES EVERYTHING).
THE RUMOR GOES THAT HE ATE A CASE OF POP-ROCKS CANDY AND THEN DRANK
A COKE AND EXPLODED.
Submitter comment:
SHE LEARNED THIS AT HER COLLEGE, COLUMBIA, IN NEW YORK
BUT IT WAS ALSO CONFIRMED BY A STUDENT FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF
GEORGIA.
Where learned: ENGLAND ; CAMBRIDGE
James Callow Keyword(s): INTEMPERANCE
| Subject headings: | Favorites Food Drink -- Pastry Sweet Dessert Food Drink -- Kind of Drink and Its Preparation BELIEF -- Human Being |
AUTOGRAPH BOOK VERSE
GO LITTLE ALBUM FAR AND NEAR
TO ALL OF ROSIE'S FRIENDS SO DEAR,
SO EACH MAY WRITE A LITTLE PAGE
FOR HER TO READ IN HER OLD AGE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
James Callow Keyword(s): APOSTROPHE ; FUTURE ; RHYME: AABB
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1933
AUTOGRAPH BOOK VERSE
THIS IS A LOVELY LITTLE SPOT.
I'LL WRITE THE WORDS FORGET ME NOT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
James Callow Keyword(s): RHYME: AA
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1933
JOKE
SAM WAS SITTING IN A BAR ONE DAY WHEN THE MAYOR CAME ON TV.
"HE'S A JERK," SAID SAM.
"DON'T EVER SAY THAT," SAID THE MAN SITTING NEXT TO HIM, "THE
MAYOR'S THE NICEST GUY YOU'D EVER WANT TO MEET."
"DON'T GET EXCITED," SAID SAM, "YOU'D THINK HE WAS A FRIEND OF
YOURS OR SOMETHING."
"FRIEND?" SAID THE MAN, "WHY ME AND THE MAYOR USED TO PLAY
FOOTBALL TOGETHER WHEN WE WERE KIDS."
"LISTEN, WHATEVER YOUR NAME IS," SAID SAM, "I DON'T BELIEVE YOU
KNOW THE MAYOR."
"MY NAME IS CECIL, SAID THE MAN, "AND I'LL PROVE TO YOU THAT
ME AND THE MAYOR ARE BUDDIES."
CECIL TOOK SAM TO THE MAYOR'S OFFICE. WHEN THE SECRETARY TOLD
THEM THE MAYOR WAS IN A MEETING, CECIL TOLD HER TO CALL HIM AND
TELL HIM THAT CECIL WAS HERE. AS SOON AS SHE CALLED HIM, THE
MAYOR CAME RUSHING OUT OF HIS OFFICE AND THREW HIS ARMS AROUND
CECIL. HE TOLD HIM HOW HAPPY HE WAS TO SEE HIM AND MADE HIM
PROMISE TO HAVE LUNCH WITH HIM THE NEXT DAY.
"WELL, NOW WHAT DO YOU SAY?" ASKED CECIL AS THEY WERE LEAVING
THE MAYOR'S OFFICE."
"OKAY," SAID SAM, "YOU PROVED IT." MM
THE NEXT WEEK, SAM WAS IN THE BAR READING THE PAPER AND COMPLAINING
ABOUT STATE TAXES GOING UP WHEN CECIL OVERHEARD HIM.
"HEY, THE GOVERNOR DOES THE BEST HE CAN," SAID CECIL.
"OH, I SUPPOSE YOU KNOW HIM TOO," SAID SAM.
"KNOW HIM?" SAID CECIL, "ME AND HIM ARE ALMOST LIKE BROTHERS."
"BET YOU FIVE BUCKS HE'S NEVER HEARD OF YOU," SAID SAM.
SO CECIL TOOK SAM TO THE GOVERNOR'S MANSION. THE GOVERNOR WAS
SO HAPPY TO SEE CECIL, HE THREW HIS ARMS AROUND HIM AND INSISTED
THAT THE TWO MEN STAY FOR DINNER.
WHEN THEY LEFT, SAM GAVE CECIL THE FIVE BUCKS AND TOLD HIM HOW
IMPRESSED HE WAS. MM
THE NEXT WEEK, SAM WAS SITTING IN THE BAR COMPLAINING ABOUT THE
PRESIDENT. CECIL WALKED UP TO HIM BUT BEFORE HE COULD SAY ANYTHING,
SAM SAID, "DON'T TELL ME, DON'T TELL ME! YOU AND THE PRESIDENT
WENT TO SCHOOL TOGETHER."
"WHY, NO, I MET HIM IN THE ARMY," SAID CECIL, "BOY WE HAD SOME GOOD
TIMES TOGETHER."
"THIS IS TOO MUCH, CECIL," SAID SAM. "THE MAYOR, OK...THE
GOVERNOR, OK...BUT THE PRESIDENT, NO WAY! TEN TO ONE YOU DON'T KNOW
THE PRESIDENT."
SOON SAM AND CECIL WERE ON THEIR WAY TO WASHINGTON. WHEN THEY
GOT TO THE WHITE HOUSE, THE PRESIDENT RAN OUT AND THREW HIS ARMS
AROUND CECIL AND INSISTED THE TWO MEN SPEND THE WEEK-END. AFTER
THEY LEFT THE WHITE HOUSE, SAM GAVE CECIL HIS MONEY AND TOLD HIM
NOTHING WOULD SURPRISE HIM ANYMORE.
"NEXT THING I KNOW," SAID SAM, "YOU'LL BE TELLING ME YOU KNOW THE
POPE."
"KNOW HIM?" SAID CECIL, HE'S PROBABLY THE BEST FRIEND I EVER HAD." MM
SOON SAM AND CECIL WERE HEADED FOR VATICAN CITY. WHEN THEY GOT
THERE, IT WAS A SUNDAY MORNING AND A HUGE CROWD WAS GATHERED OUTSIDE
THE VATICAN.
"LOOK, SAM," SAID CECIL, "I DON'T THINK YOU'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO
GET PAST ALL THE GUARDS. THE POPE'S DUE TO COME OUT ON THAT
BALCONY IN A FEW MINUTES. YOU STAND UP HERE IN THE FRONT AND
WATCH. IF YOU SEE ME WALK OUT WITH THE POPE, WILL YOU BELIEVE
I KNOW HIM?"
"SURE," SAID SAM, "TO GET THAT FAR YOU'D HAVE TO KNOW HIM."
IN A FEW MINUTES CECIL WALKED OUT ON THE BALCONY WITH HIS ARM
AROUND THE POPE'S SHOULDER. THE CROWD WAS CHEERING AND YELLING.
CECIL RAISED HIS ARM TO WAVE TO SAM, BUT WHEN HE LOOKED DOWN HE
SAW SAM FALL TO THE GROUND. HE EXCUSED HIMSELF TO THE POPE AND RAN
DOWN TO SEE WHAT HAD HAPPENED.
"SAM, SAM! HE SAID, "ARE YOU ALL RIGHT?"
"I THINK SO," SAID SAM OPENING HIS EYES, "I GUESS I MUST HAVE
FAINTED. CECIL, I DIDN'T BELIEVE YOU KNEW THE MAYOR, BUT YOU DID.
I DIDN'T BELIEVE YOU KNEW THE GOVERNOR, BUT YOU DID. I REALLY
DIDN'T BELIEVE YOU KNEW THE PRESIDENT, BUT YOU DID. I HAVE TO
ADMIT I WAS SURPRISED WHEN YOU WALKED OUT ON THE BALCONY WITH YOUR
ARM AROUND THE POPE. BUT WHEN THE CROWD STARTED YELLING,
"WHO'S THAT MAN WITH CECIL?" I JUST COULDN'T TAKE ANYMORE."
Submitter comment: I HEARD THIS JOKE AT A PARTY IN 1980.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
James Callow Keyword(s): HARRY GARRETT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 00-00-1980
EXPECTANT MOTHER
WHEN I WAS ABOUT EIGHT MONTHS PREGNANT WITH MY FIRST CHILD,
I WENT SHOPPING WITH MY MOTHER-IN-LAW IN A VILLAGE IN LEBANON.
WE CAME ACROSS A VENDOR WITH A MONKEY. WHEN I NOTICED THE MONKEY,
I TOLD MY MOTHER-IN-LAW TO LOOK AT HOW CUTE IT WAS. SHE WAS
HORRIFIED! "SPIT, SHE YELLED, "QUICK, SPIT!
WHEN I ASKED WHY, SHE SAID IF I DIDN'T SPIT, THE BABY WOULD COME
OUT LOOKING LIKE A MONKEY.
"THAT'S A RIDICULLOUS SUPERSTITION," I TOLD HER, "I DON'T BELIEVE
IT AND I WON'T SPIT."
WHEN SHE TURNED HER BACK I QUICKLY SPIT -- JUST IN CASE.
James Callow Keyword(s): PRAISE ; SPITTLE
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- Mammal |
Date learned: 11-00-1982
A MAN WENT TO THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT OF A COMPANY AND TOLD
THE SECRETARY HE WANTED TO APPLY FOR A JOB. THE SECRETARY WAS
EXPLAINING THAT THE COMPANY WAS NOT HIRING WHEN THE BOSS CAME
WALKING IN.
"ANY MESSAGES?" HE ASKED.
"SIR," SAID THE MAN, "I WOULD LIKE A JOB WITH YOUR COMPANY."
"WHERE DID YOU COME FROM?" ASKED THE BOSS.
"YALE," SAID THE MAN.
"REALLY?" ASKED THE BOSS.
"YES, SIR," SAID THE MAN, "AND I LEARNED A LOT WHILE I WAS THERE."
"WELL, WE REALLY AREN'T HIRING JUST NOW, BUT WITH YOUR CREDENTIALS,
COME INTO MY OFFICE AND WE'LL SEE WHAT WE CAN DO."
THE MAN SAID, "I SURE APPRECIATE THIS, SIR."
"NOTHING TO APPRECIATE," SAID THE BOSS, "THERE'S ALWAYS ROOM FOR
BRIGHT YOUNG MEN, BUT TELL ME MR. - UH - I DON'T BELIEVE I CAUGHT
YOUR NAME."
"YIM YONES, SIR," SAID THE MAN.
Submitter comment: I HEARD THIS JOKE IN 1981.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 00-00-1981
EVIL EYE
WHEN MY BROTHER WAS ABOUT A YEAR OLD, OUR FAMILY WENT TO VISIT
SOME RELATIVES IN CANADA. WE STOPPED AT A SMALL GROCERY STORE
IN CANADA. THE OLD MAN IN THE STORE KEPT SAYING WHAT A
BEAUTIFUL BABY MY BROTHER WAS. MY FATHER HURRIED US ALONG.
WHEN WE GOT IN THE CAR, HE SAID HE DIDN'T LIKE THE WAY THE
MAN LOOKED AT MY BROTHER AND WAS WORRIED THAT THE MAN HAD
AN "EVIL EYE."
AFTER WE CAME HOME THAT NIGHT, BY BROTHER BECAME VERY ILL WITH
DIARRHEA. BY THE NEXT DAY, HE WAS DEHYDRATING AND HAD TO BE
HOSPITALIZED. HE ALMOST DIED. HE WAS IN THE HOSPITAL FOR
ALMOST A MONTH. MM
A FEW MONTHS LATER HE PICKED UP A BOTTLE OF LIQUID FURNITURE
POLISH WHILE MY SISTER WAS CLEANING HOUSE AND DRANK IT. HE
HAD TO BE HOSPITALIZED AND HAVE HIS STOMACH PUMPED. MM
A FEW MONTHS LATER, MY BROTHER CAME DOWN WITH TONSILLITIS AND
WAS GIVEN A PRESCRIPTION FOR PENICILLIN. HE TURNED OUT TO BE
ALLERGIC TO THE PENICILLIN AND ENDED UP BEING RUSHED TO THE HOSPITAL
AGAIN. MM
THROUGHOUT THIS TIME, MY FATHER SWORE THAT THE MAN IN THAT STORE
HAD GIVEN MY BROTHER THE "EVIL EYE" AND THAT THE ONLY THING THAT HAD
SAVED HIS LIFE WAS MY FATHER'S CONSTANT PRAYING. I DON'T BUY
THE EVIL-EYE THEORY, BUT I DID AT THE TIME.
Submitter comment:
MY FATHER WAS BORN IN SIOUX FALLS, SOUTH DAKOTA IN 1909 WHILE HIS
PARENTS WERE VISITING THE UNITED STATES. THEY ALL WENT BACK TO
LEBANON A YEAR LATER. HIS MOTHER AND THREE BROTHERS DIED IN AN
EPIDEMIC WHEN HE WAS 3 YEARS OLD, AND HE WAS RAISED BY HIS
GRANDMOTHER WHO WAS VERY SUPERSTITIOUS.
MY FATHER'S NAME WAS SHERIFF MAHSSNEY. HE DIED IN 1980.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Body part Senses Eyes, evil eye BELIEF -- Curse |
Date learned: 00-00-1954
TATTOO
MY FATHER, WHO GREW UP IN LEBANON, HAD A CLOVER-LIKE TATTOO ON EACH
OF HIS TEMPLES. HE EXPLAINED THAT WHEN HE WAS A CHILD, HE HAD VERY
POOR EYESIGHT AND WAS BELIEVED TO BE GOING BLIND. HIS GRANDMOTHER
TOOK HIM TO A MAN WHO GAVE HIM THE TATTOOS. HE SWORE HIS VISION WAS
RETURNED TO NORMAL. HE NEVER WORE GLASSES UNTIL HE WAS ABOUT
50 YEARS OLD.
Submitter comment:
MY FATHER WAS BORN IN THE UNITED STATES, BUT LIVED IN LEBANON
FROM THE TIME HE WAS A YEAR OLD UNTIL HE WAS TWENTY AND CAME TO THE
U.S. HE DIED IN DEARBORN, MICHIGAN IN 1980.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Body part Senses Eyes, evil eye ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Human or animal body Tattoo BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
A YOUNG BOY WAS KIDNAPPED BY A GIANT WHO WAS PLANNING ON EATING
HIM AFTER FATTENING HIM UP WITH A LARGE MEAL.
THE BOY PLACED A BAG UNDER HIS SHIRT AND FILLED IT WITH THE FOOD
FROM THE GIANT'S TABLE.
THE BOY THEN SAID "I AM SURE FULL" AS HE TOOK A KNIFE AND CUT THE
BAG OPEN, SPILLING THE FOOD ONTO THE GROUND.
THE GIANT, WHO HAD BEEN EATING AT THE TIME AS WELL, GRABBED THE
KNIFE FROM THE BOY AND CUT OPEN HIS STOMACH.
THE GIANT DIED, AND THE BOY GOT AWAY.
Where learned: COPENHAGEN ; DENMARK
James Callow Keyword(s): JACK TALES
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Abnormal in size |
Date learned: 07-00-1978
SPEECH CUSTOM
TO INSURE GOOD LUCK, THE FIRST THING ONE MUST SAY ON THE MORNING
OF MARCH FIRST IS "WHITE RABBIT".
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- March 1 BELIEF -- Good luck SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: CA00001960S
"HI, BOB" DRINKING GAME
A DRINKING GAME CALLED "HI BOB" INVOLVES A GROUP WATCHING RE-RUNS
OF A BOB NEWHART SHOW. EVERY TIME SOMEONE SAYS "HI" ON THE SHOW,
EVERYONE MUST TAKE A SIP OF BEER. EVERY TIME SOMEONE SAYS "HI BOB",
THE ENTIRE CAN MUST BE FINISHED. THE PERSON LEFT STANDING AFTER
THE HALF-HOUR SHOW IS OVER IS DECLARED THE WINNER.
Submitter comment:
"HI, BOB" WAS COLLECTED ON THE UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT CAMPUS, BUT
IT IS BELIEVED TO HAVE ORIGINATED ON CALIFORNIA CAMPUSES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Bodily Activity Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Wit Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: CA00001970S