Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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LEGEND
A YOUNG GIRL DESPERATELY WANTED TO GO TO A PARTY BUT SHE DIDN'T HAVE
A DATE. SHE THEN EXCLAIMED THAT SHE WOULD GO TO THE PARTY
WITH ANYBODY,
EVEN THE DEVIL HIMSELF. THEN A FRIEND ASKED HER TO THE PARTY
AND SHE HAD A MARVELOUS TIME. AS SHE WAS SAYING GOODBYE SHE GLANCED
DOWN AND SAW HOOVES INSTEAD OF FEET AND SHE REALIZED THAT SHE TRULY
WAS OUT WITH THE DEVIL.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT'S MOTHER TOLD HER THIS TO WARN HER NOT TO CALL UPON
SATANIC PO/WERS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon |
Date learned: 09-18-1972
NAMES
IN SICILY, THE FIRSTBORN SON MUST BE NAMED AFTER THE PATERNAL
GRANDFATHER AND THE FIRSTBORN DAUGHTER MUST BE NAMED AFTER THE
PATERNAL GRANDMOTHER.
NOT TO COMPLY WITH THIS MEANT DISGRACE AND EVEN EXILE BY
THE FAMILY FOR THE PARENTS OF THE CHILD. IT IS CONSIDERED
AN INSULT TO
THE PATERNAL GRANDPARENTS NOT TO.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT, MY FATHER, HAD TO NAME ME MARY AFTER HIS MOTHER AND MY
OLDER BROTHER BENEDICT AFTER HIS FATHER. I ALSO HAVE FIVE COUSINS
NAMED MARY AND EIGHT COUSINS NAMED BENEDICT.
Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD IN
| Subject headings: | Person / Nickname Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 09-14-1972
TALE
ONCE, A MAN AND WOMAN GOT MARRIED. THE WIFE ALWAYS WORE
A BLACK CHOKER AROUND
HER NECK. AFTER A WHILE, THE HUSBAND GOT SICK OF SEEING THE
CHOKER AND ASKED HER TO TAKE IT OFF, BUT SHE WOULD NOT. SO ONE NIGHT
WHILE SHE WAS ASLEEP, THE MAN WENT OVER TO HIS WIFE AND CUT THE
CHOKER WITH A SCISSORS AND THE WOMAN'S HEAD FELL OFF.
Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD IN
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: 09-20-1972
VERSE
YOUR HEART IS NOT A PLAYGROUND,
YOUR HEART IS NOT A TOY,
BUT IF YOU WANT IT BROKEN,
JUST GIVE IT TO A BOY.
WANT IT BROKEN, JUST GIVE IT TO A BOY.
Submitter comment:
THIS VERSE WAS TAKEN FROM AN AUTOGRAPH BOOK BELONGING TO THE
INFORMANT,
WHO IS MY MOTHER. THIS SAME VERSE WAS FOUND THREE TIMES IN THE
BOOK, SO IT MUST HAVE BEEN A POPULAR VERSE WITH THE EIGHTH GRADE
AT NICHOLS SCHOOL IN DETROIT, JUNE 1944.
Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD IN
James Callow Keyword(s): RHYME: ABCB ; SEXISM
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse |
Date learned: 06-09-1944
LET THE DEPARTMENT OF REDUNDANCY DEPARTMENT HANDLE THAT.
Submitter comment: USED TO DESCRIBE SOMEONE WHO REPEATS HIMSELF
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 09-26-1972
MY OLDER BROTHER WAS BORN IN AUSTRIA-HUNGARY IN 1905 RIGHT BEFORE
MY PARENTS CAME TO THIS COUNTRY. HE WAS JUST A FEW MONTHS OLD AND
BECAME DEATHLY ILL. AN OLD GYPSY WOMAN HEARD ABOUT HIS SICKNESS
AND CAME TO SEE MY MOTHER AND ASKED HER IF SHE WANTED MY BROTHER TO
GET WELL AND LIVE. MY MOTHER ANSWERED "YES." THE OLD GYPSY TOLD
HER THAT SHE COULD NOT INTERFERE WITH WHATEVER SHE WANTED TO DO AND
MUST LEAVE THE BABY WITH HER IN ONE ROOM OF THE HOUSE ALL NIGHT LONG
AND THAT THE BABY WOULD BE ALL RIGHT THE NEXT MORNING, BUT THAT
NEITHER MY MOTHER OR DAD SHOULD TRY TO FIND OUT WHAT SHE DID, OR
BOTHER HER THROUGH THE NIGHT REGARDLESS OF WHAT THEY MIGHT HEAR.
MY PARENTS AGREED. THAT NIGHT THEY HEARD MANY VOICES, A LOT OF
MOANING AND MANY STRANGE NOISES, THOUGH THEY DID NOT TRY AND FIND
OUT WHAT WAS GOING ON. THE NEXT MORNING THE OLD GYPSY WOMAN CAME
OUT OF THE BEDROOM WITH MY BROTHER AND HE WAS WELL AND PERFECTLY
ALL RIGHT.
Where learned: OHIO ; CLEVELAND
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Witch Shaman PROSE NARRATIVE -- B439 BELIEF -- Curer |
Date learned: 09-10-1972
MALIGNANT WIND
IN AUSTRIA-HUNGARY, IN MY PARENTS HOME VILLAGE, THERE WAS A CROSS-
ROADS WITH A SIGNPOST THAT GAVE DIRECTIONS TO LARGE NEIGHBORING
TOWNS. PEOPLE WOULD NEVER GO THERE AROUND SUNSET OR DURING THE
NIGHT BECAUSE OF WHAT THEY DESCRIBED AS A TERRIFIC WIND THAT WOULD
BUFFET YOU, TEAR YOUR CLOTHES, KNOCK YOU DOWN, GIVE YOU BRUISES,
ETC. ONE EVENING THE VILLAGE PRIEST WAS RETURNING FROM VISITING
A SICK PERSON OUT IN THE FOREST AND APPROACHED THE CROSSROADS JUST
AFTER SUNSET. WHEN HE REACHED THEM, A HUGE WIND THREW HIM DOWN,
AND PHYSICALLY INJURED HIM. THE PRIEST ONLY SURVIVED BY CRAWLING
TO THE SIGNPOST AND HANGING ON. THE PEOPLE FOUND HIM BADLY INJURED
THE NEXT MORNING, STILL CLINGING TO THE POST. AFTER HE RECOVERED
HE WENT TO THE CROSSROADS NEAR SUNSET WITH SOME OF THE VILLAGERS.
THEY HAD A LARGE WOODEN CRUCIFIX THAT THEY SET UP NEXT TO THE SIGN-
POST. THE PRIEST WAS BLESSING THE CRUCIFIX AND THE ROADWAYS WHEN
THE STRONG WIND CAME UP AND TRIED TO TEAR THE CRUCIFIX DOWN AND
HURT THE PEOPLE. BUT AS IT STARTED SHAKING THE CRUCIFIX IT SUDDENLY
DIED OUT. NO ONE WAS EVER BOTHERED AGAIN.
Where learned: OHIO ; HUNGARY ; AUSTRIA ; CLEVELAND
Date learned: 09-10-1972
MY MOTHER WOULD TELL OF A NEW MOTHER IN THEIR TOWN IN AUSTRIA-
HUNGARY WHOSE NEW-BORN BABY CRIED CONTINUOUSLY AND WOULD NEVER BE
QUIET. THE NEW MOTHER WAS BECOMING VERY UPSET AND NERVOUS BY ALL
THE SCREAMING AND CRYING AND CRYING AND CARRYING-ON. AN OLD GYPSY
HEARD THE SCREAMING ONE DAY AND CAME UP TO THE HOUSE TO ASK IF THE
MOTHER WANTED THE BABY TO BE QUIET AND CRY ONLY WHEN HUNGRY OR WET,
AND THAT THE OLD GYPSY COULD STOP THE GENERAL CRYING. THE MOTHER
SAID YES AND WAS TOLD THAT SHE WOULD HAVE TO LEAVE THE OLD WOMAN
ALONE WITH THE BABY FOR A WHILE. THE MOTHER LEFT THE OLD WOMAN WITH
THE BABY IN THE HOUSE AND WENT OUTSIDE TO WAIT. A WHILE LATER THE
OLD GYPSY WOMAN CAME OUT WITH THE BABY AND THE BABY WAS QUIET AND
CONTENTED. THE MOTHER ASKED WHAT SHE HAD DONE WITH THE BABY, AND
THE GYPSY REPLIED THAT SHE HAD TAKEN SPIT AND RUBBED IT ON THE
BABY'S EYES WHILE SAYING SOME WORDS AND THAT THE BABY WOULD NOW BE
FINE. IT WAS JUST AS SHE SAID AND AFTER THAT THE BABY ONLY CRIED
WHEN IT WAS HUNGRY OR NEEDED TO BE CHANGED.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: OHIO ; HUNGARY ; AUSTRIA ; CLEVELAND
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- B439 BELIEF -- Curer |
Date learned: 09-10-1972
IN THE TOWN THAT MY PARENTS CAME FROM IN AUSTRIA-HUNGARY, THE CHURCH
WAS HAUNTED AND PEOPLE BELIEVED THAT NO ONE COULD GO IN THERE AFTER
SUNSET. IF YOU WERE PASSING BY IN THE EVENING YOU COULD HEAR ALL
SORTS OF STRANGE NOISES AND MOANINGS, EVEN SCREAMS. ONE WOMAN SAID
THAT SHE DIDN'T BELIEVE THE STORIES AND THAT SHE MEANT TO GO IN
THERE ONE EVENING AND SEE FOR HERSELF. SHE DID GO IN THERE ONE
NIGHT AFTER MIDNIGHT AND WAS NEVER SEEN AGAIN. THE NEXT MORNING
ALL OF HER CLOTHING WAS FOUND ON THE FLOOR OF THE CHURCH.
Where learned: OHIO ; CLEVELAND
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 09-10-1972
MY MOTHER AND FATHER WERE WALKING WITH MY BROTHER WHEN HE WAS A BABY.
IT WAS ABOUT SUNSET AND NEXT TO A CEMETERY, SUDDENLY MY FATHER
NOTICED THAT SOMEONE ALL IN BLACK WAS FOLLOWING THEM. MY FATHER
TOLD MY MOTHER NOT TO TURN AROUND BUT TO KEEP WALKING. BUT MY
MOTHER WAS CURIOUS AND KEPT TRYING TO SEE OUT OF THE CORNER OF HER
EYE. WHATEVER IT WAS, IT KEPT COMING CLOSER AND CLOSER AND THEY
COULD FEEL A PRESENCE OF EVIL. MY MOTHER HANDED MY BROTHER TO MY
FATHER JUST AS THEY WERE BEING OVERTAKEN. SHE OPENED HER PURSE AND
GRABBED A CRUCIFIX THAT SHE ALWAYS CARRIED AS SHE WAS VERY
SUPERSTITIOUS.
SHE TURNED AROUND WITH THE CRUCIFIX IN HER HAND AND CON-
FRONTED THE FIGURE IN BLACK AS IT WAS JUST A FEW FEET FROM THEM.
AS SOON AS SHE DID SO THE FIGURE DISAPPEARED INTO THIN AIR. MY
MOTHER BELIEVED THAT IT WAS THE DEVIL THAT WAS FOLLOWING THEM.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT SAYS THIS HAPPENED TO HER MOTHER IN CLEVELAND IN 1906
Where learned: OHIO ; CLEVELAND
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications |
Date learned: 09-10-1972
{THE FATAL HAIRDO}
THERE WAS A WOMAN WHO WENT TO THE BEAUTY PARLOR TO GET A "BEE HIVE"
HAIRDO. THE HAIR IS RATTED AND PLACED ON A WAXED PAPER CONE AND
BUILT INTO A HIVE SHAPE. THERE WERE COCKROACH EGGS ON THE PAPER
AND THE WOMAN DIDN'T BOTHER TO WASH HER HAIR FOR A FEW WEEKS,
THE EGGS HATCHED. THE WOMAN AT FIRST THOUGHT THE ITCHING WAS DUE
TO HER NOT HAVING WASHED HER HAIR FOR SUCH A LONG TIME. IN FACT,
THE COCKROACHES ATE THROUGH TO HER BRAIN AND SHE DIED. PEOPLE
DISCOVERED THE COCKROACHES AFTER SHE HAD DIED.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT HEARD THIS STORY WHILE LIVING IN A SMALL TOWN IN
WESTERN OHIO, BELLEVUE, AROUND 1959.
Where learned: OHIO ; DETROIT ; BELLEVUE
James Callow Keyword(s): DEVASTATING COCKROACHES, NOT SPIDERS
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Body part Senses |
Date learned: 09-20-1972
A MAN BUILDS A HOUSE THAT HAS WINDOWS ON ALL SIDES AND EACH SIDE HAS
A SOUTHERN EXPOSURE. A BEAR COMES WANDERING BY. WHAT COLOR IS THE
BEAR?
ANSWER: IF THE HOUSE HAS SOUTHERN EXPOSURES ON ALL SIDES IT
WOULD HAVE TO BE AT THE NORTH POLE. THE BEAR WOULD THEN HAVE
TO BE A POLAR BEAR AND WOULD BE WHITE IN COLOR.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 09-20-1972
FIRST VOWS IN THE SOCIETY
THERE IS A STORY TOLD FREQUENTLY IN THE JESUITS ABOUT A NOVICE WHO
WAS PRONOUNCING FIRST VOWS ALONG WITH 8 OR 10 OTHER NOVICES. INSTEAD
OF PLEDGING PERPETUAL POVERTY, CHASTITY AND OBEDIENCE; HE WAS HEARD
TO SAY, "I VOW PERPETUAL POVERTY, CHARITY, AND OBEDIENCE." WHILE
IT DOES SOUND SIMILAR, THE MEANINGS ARE COMPLETELY DIFFERENT. HE
WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN FOUND OUT AND MADE TO REPEAT THE CORRECT
FORMULA BY HIMSELF.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- B439 |
Date learned: 09-20-1972
LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR
DURING THE 1930'S IN CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A HOUSE OF THE LITTLE SISTERS
RAN OUT OF COAL FOR THEIR FURNACE AND COULD NOT GET ANY MORE FROM THE
COAL COMPANY BECAUSE OF PAST BILLS THAT WERE STILL OWED. SO ONE OF
THE SISTERS PLACED A STATUE OF ST. JOSEPH IN THE COAL BIN AND THE
WHOLE COMMUNITY PRAYED FOR ST. JOSEPH TO HELP THEM. THE NEXT DAY,
WHILE A COAL TRUCK WAS MAKING A DELIVERY TO THE BUILDING NEXT TO THE
LITTLE SISTERS, THE DRIVER BY MISTAKE EMPTIED THE COAL INTO THEIR
BASEMENT, BURYING THE STATUE OF ST. JOSEPH.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT WAS TOLD THIS STORY BY ONE OF THE LITTLE SISTERS AT
THEIR TOLEDO, OHIO HOME.
Where learned: OHIO ; TOLEDO ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- B439 BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color |
Date learned: 09-20-1972
LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR
WHILE WORKING AT THE LITTLE SISTERS HOME IN TOLEDO, OHIO DURING THE
SUMMER OF 1971, I WAS ABLE TO OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING:
DURING A THREE WEEK DRY SPELL, THE SISTER WHOSE JOB IT WAS TO GO OUT
EVERY DAY AND BEG FOR THE COMMUNITY PLACED A STATUE OF ST. JOSEPH
(THE PATRON OF THE ORDER) IN A BUCKET OF WATER UP TO THE STATUE'S
NECK, AND THEN ASKED THE OTHER SISTERS TO JOIN WITH HER IN PRAYING
TO ST. JOSEPH FOR SOME RAIN. THE NEXT DAY WHILE OUT DRIVING THEIR
PICK-UP TRUCK ON HER BEGGING ROUNDS, SISTER ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT
DURING A TERRIBLE THUNDER STORM WHEN SHE SKIDDED OFF THE ROAD WITH
THE TRUCK. HER IMMEDIATE COMMENT WAS THAT SHE HAD HAD A FEELING
THE DAY BEFORE THAT SHE SHOULD ONLY HAVE PLACED ST. JOSEPH IN UP TO
HIS KNEES AND NOT UP TO HIS NECK.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT'S OBSERVATIONS ARE THAT THE LITTLE SISTERS HAVE A SIMPLE
BUT PROFOUND FAITH, ONE THAT MIGHT ALMOST SEEMS LIKE MAGIC TO MORE
SOPHISTICATED PEOPLE
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
James Callow comment:
DOES COLLECTOR MEAN UNSOPHISTICATED PEOPLE?
SEEMS TO BE RELATED TO THE TALE OF "BUYING THE WIND."
THE MOTIF IS ONE OF OVERDOING SOMETHING.
Where learned: OHIO ; TOLEDO ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- B439 BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color |
Date learned: 09-20-1972
LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR
WHEN THE SACRED HEART HOME FOR THE AGED WAS TO BE RELOCATED TO A NEW
SITE AND BUILDING THREE YEARS AGO IN TOLEDO, OHIO, THE SISTERS WENT
TO LOOK AT THE LAND THAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO HAVE FOR THE NEW
BUILDING.
THEY FOUND THE LAND OUT IN THE COUNTRY, MADE SOME INQUIRIES AS TO
WHO OWNED THE LAND AND WOULD HE BE WILLING TO SELL AND FOR HOW MUCH
MONEY. THEY FOUND THAT IT WOULD BE NEXT TO IMPOSSIBLE TO GET THE
LAND, AT LEAST FROM OTHER PERSONS' OBSERVATIONS. THE DAY BEFORE
THEY WERE TO SEE THE OWNER ABOUT THE LAND, TWO OF THE SISTERS WENT
OUT AND SECRETLY BURIED A STATUE OF ST. JOSEPH ON THE FIELD THAT
THEY WANTED AND THEN THE WHOLE COMMUNITY OF SISTERS LAID SIEGE TO
ST. JOSEPH WITH PRAYERS. WHEN THEY SAW THE OWNER OF THE PROPERTY
THE NEXT DAY, HE WAS MOST GENEROUS WITH THEM AND THEY RECEIVED THE
LAND, THOUGH HE WAS NOT EVEN A CATHOLIC.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT WAS TOLD THIS STORY BY ONE OF THE SISTERS WHO DID THE
BURYING OF THE STATUE.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: OHIO ; TOLEDO ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- B439 BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 09-20-1972
JESUITS
WHEN THE NOVITIATE AT MILFORD, OHIO WAS BEING BUILT, THE PLANS WERE
DRAWN UP AND SENT TO ROME FOR APPROVAL. THE PLANS WERE COMPLETE
EXCEPT FOR LAVATORIES AND SHOWERS. WHEN THE PLANS WERE SENT BACK
THEY HAD BEEN APPROVED EXCEPTING THE COMMENT WRITTEN IN LATIN:
"SUNTNE ANGELIX" OR IN ENGLISH, "ARE THEY ANGELS?"
THE PLANS WERE AMENDED BY ERECTING TWO TOWERS CONTAINING THE TOILETS
AND SHOWERS AND URINALS, ONE AT EITHER END OF THE BUILDING.
FROM THIS THE NOVICES WHOSE JOBS IT WAS TO KEEP THE LAVATORIES
CLEAN COINED THE FOLLOWING JOB DESCRIPTIONS: THE LAVATORIES WERE THE
"CASTLES", THE "KEEPER OF THE KEYS" WAS IN CHARGE OF SUPPLIES, THE
"REX" WAS CLEANER OF THE TOILETS AND URINALS WHICH WERE THE THRONES,
THE REX'S HELPER WAS THE "PRINCE".
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- B439 |
Date learned: 09-20-1972
MARINE CORPS
MICKEY MOUSE-ANYTHING THAT HAD TO DO WITH "SPIT AND POLISH", YOUR
PERSONAL GEAR, PERSONAL APPEARANCE. A COMMON WIDELY APPLIED TERM
REFERRING TO THE POSTER BOARD SOLDIER; NEAT, PROPER AND TRIM.
READY TO PASS INSPECTION, A REAL PAIN IN THE ASS, LOT OF HOGWASH,
SOMETHING WITH NO PRACTICAL APPLICATION IN THE FIELD. ANY UNNECES-
SARY WORK, GIVEN TO KEEP BUSY. NEVER USED IN REGARDS TO CLEANING
YOUR RIFLE BECAUSE YOUR LIFE DEPENDED ON THAT OUT IN THE FIELD.
James Callow comment:
BY 1978 "MICKEY MOUSE" WAS BEING USED ON CAMPUS
AND ELSEWHERE TO CHARACTERIZE THINGS AS CHEAP,
LOW-GRADE.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites SPEECH -- Trade & commerce |
Date learned: 09-26-1972
GOOD FRIDAYS
MY MOTHER, ON GOOD FRIDAY, USED TO TAKE HER BROOM
AND SWISH IT AROUND THE HOUSE TO RID IT OF EVIL SPIRITS.
SHE EVEN SHOOK THE BROOM IN THE CLOSETS. SHE USED TO MUTTER
SOMETHING IN SICILIAN AS SHE DID IT, A CURSE; THE LAST WORD
OF WHICH WAS A SWEAR WORD.
Submitter comment: INFORMANTS MOTHER IMMIGRATED FROM SICILY AS A YOUNG GIRL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEWOOD MANOR ; ROSEVILLE
| Subject headings: | 663 Good Friday Favorites BELIEF -- Devil Demon |
CAT STEW
BELGIANS ARE GENERALLY BELIEVED TO BE EATERS OF CAT STEW-
THAT IS, SHORTLY AFTER A BELGIAN FAMILY MOVES INTO A
NEIGHBORHOOD, THE PET CATS WILL DISAPPEAR-TO REAPPEAR
ON THE BELGIANS' TABLE AS THEIR DINNER.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT USED TO LIVE NEXT DOOR TO A BUILDING WITH 6 BELGIAN
FAMILIES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites Food Drink -- Meat PROVERB -- Blason Populaire |