Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for C560 returned 390 results.
MICHIGAN STATE LOTTERY BELIEF
THE MICHIGAN STATE LOTTERY DAILY NUMBERS GAME HAS THIS LIST OF
NUMBERS WHICH THEY NEVER LET WIN. THEY PICK THESE NUMBERS BECAUSE
PEOPLE ARE MORE LIKELY TO BET ON THEM BECAUSE THEY THINK THESE
NUMBERS ARE LUCKY. INFORMANT THEN SUGGESTED SOME LOGICAL NUMBERS
WHICH COLLECTOR FORGETS. INFORMANT KNOWS THIS BECAUSE HE USED TO BE
ON THESE NUMBERS AND STILL FOLLOWS THEM AND THESE NUMBERS HAVE NEVER
WON. INFORMANT BELIEVES THERE MUST BE SOME STATISTICAL WAY TO PROVE
HIS THEORY.
Submitter comment:
DR. MARTIN REALLY SEEMED TO BELIEVE THIS THEORY AND TRIED TO CONVINC
ME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement BELIEF -- Number |
Date learned: 03-00-1979
JACK ROCKS
THE CHILD WOULD SPREAD OUT SMALL ROCKS OR STONES. HE WOULD THEN
PICK UP AS MANY STONES AS HE COULD BEFORE THE BALL BOUNCED A
SECOND TIME.
Submitter comment:
STONES WERE USED INSTEAD OF METAL JACKS BECAUSE THE FAMILY
WAS TOO POOR AND COULD NOT AFFORD TO BUY METAL JACKS.
Where learned: WEST VIRGINIA ; MINDEN
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Toy |
Date learned: 00-00-1926
COUNTING GAME
THE MOTHER WOULD LAY TOOTHPICKS ON THE TABLE. THE CHILD WOULD
WOULD HAVE TO COUNT THE TOOTHPICKS. THE MOTHER WOULD THEN
EITHER ADD OR SUBRACT TOOTHPICKS. THE CHILD WOULD THEN COUNT THEM
AGAIN. THIS WOULD BE DONE OVER AND OVER UNTIL THE CHILD KNEW HOW
TO COUNT ACCURATELY.
Where learned: WEST VIRGINIA ; MINDEN
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION ; TEACHING
Date learned: 00-00-1924
SHINNY ON YOUR OWN SIDE
ONLY TWO PEOPLE WERE ALLOWED TO PLAY AT ONE TIME. EACH OF
THE CHILDREN WOULD GET A STICK AN DRAW A LINE DOWN THE MIDDLE OF
A CERTAIN AREA OF LAND. EACH WOULD STAY ON THEIR OWN SIDE OF THE
LINE AND ATTEMPT TO HIT A TIN CAN DOWN TO THEIR GOAL WHICH WAS AT
ON ONE OF THE ENDS OF THE LINE.
Where learned: WEST VIRGINIA ; MINDEN
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 00-00-1928
POLISH CHRISTMAS TRADITION
PRIOR TO SETTING THE CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER TABLE, ONE STRAND OF HAY
FOR EVERY PERSON SHARING THE MEAL IS PLACED IN THE CENTER OF THE
TABLE UNDER THE TABLE CLOTH. THE STRANDS ARE OF VARYING LENGTHS.
AFTER DINNER, EVERYONE MAKES A WISH AND PULLS A STRAND OF HAY
OUT FROM UNDERNEATH THE TABLECLOTH. THE INDIVIDUAL WHO PULLS OUT
THE LONGEST STRAND OF HAY WILL OBTAIN HIS WISH BEFORE THE END OF
THE NEW YEAR.
Submitter comment:
THOUGH THE WISHES AREN'T GUARANTEED, CHILDREN AS WELL AS SOME
ADULTS EXPECT THEM TO COME TRUE.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve BELIEF -- Measure of time Year BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: CA00001890S ; 01-13-1980
CHINESE GAME
CHINESE PEOPLE CAUGHT BEES WITH THEIR OWN SHOE AND ATE THE HONEY.
Submitter comment:
JULIE WAS AN OLD NEIGHBOR OF MINE, AND SINCE HAS MOVED AWAY. I HAVE
LOST CONTACT WITH HER.
Where learned: UNKNOWN
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: CA0001970
CALCULATOR GAMES
GREET YOUR CALCULATOR, THEN ENTER 0.7734 FOR ITS REPLY-HELLO.
Where learned: WASHINGTON DC
James Callow Keyword(s): MODERN FOLKLORE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Number |
Date learned: 02-00-1980
CALCULATOR PASTIME
TO FIND OUT A FAMOUS CIVIL WAR BATTLE ENTER 0.7145 AND INVERT-SHILO.
Where learned: VIRGINIA ; FAIRFAX
James Callow Keyword(s): MODERN FOLKLORE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Number |
Date learned: 02-00-1980
WHAT DO A SUNDAY GOLFER AND THE MOVIE "CASABLANCA" HAVE IN COMMON?
MULTIPLY 332.375 BY 96 TO FIND OUT-BOGIE.
Where learned: VIRGINIA ; FAIRFAX
James Callow Keyword(s): MODERN FOLKLORE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Number |
Date learned: 02-00-1980
OLIVER TWIST
THIS GAME IS DESIGNED FOR ONE PERSON AND IS PLAYED WITH A BALL OF AN
SIZE. AS A LINE OF THE FOLLOWING RHYME IS SAID, THE BALL IS BOUNCED
AGAINST A BUILDING, AND CAUGHT BEFORE IT CAN BOUNCE ON THE GROUND.
IN THE LINES WHICH MENTION THE PARTS OF THE BODY, THE APPROPRIATE
ACTION IS MADE. FOR THE LAST LINE, THE BALL IS THROWN UNDER THE LEG
OF THE PLAYER. THE BALL SHOULD NEVER BOUNCE ON THE GROUND. MM
OLIVER TWIST,
TELL ME THIS,
IS IT A CRIME,
TO MAKE A MISS,
TOUCH MY KNEE,
TOUCH MY TOE,
TOUCH THE GROUND,
AND UNDER WE GO}
Submitter comment:
THIS GAME WAS LEARNED IN MY EARLY CHILDHOOD FROM A CLOSE NEIGHBOR IN
DETROIT. ON SUMMER DAYS, NEIGHBORHOOD CHILDREN OFTEN PLAYED IT
AGAINST THEIR OWN HOUSE WHEN A PLAYMATE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse |
Date learned: 02-12-1980 ; 00-00-1968
SNIPE HUNT
A SNIPE HUNT IS A HUNT FOR AN IMAGINARY ANIMAL. IT IS A GAME.
BEFORE THE HUNT BEGINS, BROWN BAGS ARE DISTRIBUTED TO THE HUNTERS
AND THEY ARE TOLD THAT SNIPES LIVE IN THE WOODS AND ARE ATTRACTED TO
NOISE.
THE HUNT BEGINS WITH THE HUNTERS GOING INTO THE WOODS AND HITTING
STICKS TOGETHER FOR NOISE. POT AND PAN LIDS CAN ALSO BE USED.
THE PLAYERS ARE TOLD TO HOLD THEIR BAGS OPEN SO THAT THE SNIPE
CAN JUMP IN AND THEY CAN CATCH IT. THE NOISE MUST BE MAINTAINED IN
ORDER TO ATTRACT THE SNIPE.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SAID THAT MANY TIMES, SNIPES ARE DESCRIBED BY CAMP
STAFF SO THAT CAMPERS KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR.
THE GAME ITSELF IS LOOKED UPON AS A JOKE PLAYED ON CAMPERS BY THE
CAMP STAFF. MANY INEXPERIENCED CAMPERS ARE OFTEN TRICKED INTO
THINKING THERE IS A REAL ANIMAL CALLED A SNIPE.
THE INFORMANT ALSO CAUTIONED THE COLLECTOR NOT TO PLAY THE GAME
ON VERY YOUNG CAMPERS WHO GET SCARED VERY EASILY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WIXOM
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 02-07-1980 ; 00-00-1964
WHEN IT THUNDERS, IT IS BECAUSE ANGELS ARE BOWLING.
Submitter comment: 1 SHE TELLS THIS TO HER CHILDREN WHEN THEY GET SCARED IN STORMS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
AT EASTER TIME THE IRISH PLAY THE GAME "BUCKING EGGS". WHOEVER CRACK
THE OTHER ONES EGG, GETS TO KEEP THAT EGG.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BERKELEY
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter eggs |
BASEBALL GAME "PITCHER-CATCHER"
TWO PEOPLE PLAY THIS GAME, ONE PERSON IS THE PITCHER,
THE OTHER IS THE CATCHER. THE PERSON PITCHING MUST
THROW STRIKES TO THE CATCHER. IF HE THROWS FOUR BALLS,
THE "IMAGINARY HITTER" WALKS AND TAKES A BASE. THE TWO
PLAY FOR THREE OR MORE INNINGS. THE PERSON WHO HAS
GIVEN UP THE MOST RUNS LOSES.
Submitter comment:
THIS GAME IS FOR THOSE WHO ENJOY BASEBALL. THE GAME
STRENGTHENS A PERSON'S ARM AND TEACHES HIM TO THROW
STRIKES AT A CONSISTANT RATE. MANY TIMES WHEN THIS
GAME WAS PLAYED, THE FINAL
OUTCOME WAS A LOW-SCORING GAME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
Date learned: CA00001967
BASEBALL GAME "FLYBALLS"
AGAIN, TWO PEOPLE PLAY HERE. THE PLAYERS CHALLENGE
EACH OTHER WITH FLYBALLS. BALLS THAT FALL IN AT
CERTAIN POINTS ARE DESIGNATED AS A SINGLE, DOUBLE,
TRIPLE, OR HOME RUN. THE PERSON THAT SCORES THE MOST
RUNS AFTER NINE INNINGS IS THE WINNER. FLYBALLS THAT
ARE CAUGHT ARE OUTS; THREE OUTS ENDS THAT PERSON'S SIDE
OF THE INNING.
Submitter comment:
THIS GAME IS FOR THOSE WHO ENJOY BASEBALL AND FOR THOSE
WHO WANT TO IMPROVE THEIR SKILLS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
Date learned: CA00001967
PASTIME
WHENEVER DANDELIONS WERE IN SEASON, THE CHILDREN IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD
WOULD PINCH UNDER THE TOP OF THE FLOWER, CAUSING IT TO BREAK OFF THE
STEM. THE FLOWER WOULD THEN FLY THROUGH THE AIR. AT THE SAME
TIME, THE FOLLOWING WAS CHANTED: MM
MAMA HAD A BABY
AND ITS HEAD POPPED OFF.
Submitter comment:
THE COLLECTOR FIRST HEARD OF THIS DANDELION PASTIME AS A CHILD IN
TAYLOR, MICH. IN 1970 AND CONTINUED PLAYING IT UPON MOVING TO
SOUTHGATE, MICH. AN ANALOGY IS MADE BETWEEN A MOTHER'S BABY AND
A DANDELION FLOWER. WHEN PLAYED AS DESCRIBED, NO COMPETITION IS
INVOLVED. HOWEVER, WITH TWO OR MORE CHILDREN, THE ELEMENT OF
DISTANCE IS PRESENT AND THE WINNER IS THE ONE WHO POPS THE FLOWER
THE FARTHEST. THIS IS SIMILAR TO THE BEHEADING OF A FLOWER AS
IT RELATES AS A SYMBOL OF A BABY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; USA ; SOUTHGATE
James Callow Keyword(s): BEHEADING OF FLOWER (BABY)
Date learned: 00-00-1970
JUMP-ROPE RHYME
THE FOLLOWING IS A JUMP ROPE RHYME ACCOMPANIED BY DIFFERENT ARM AND
LEG MOVEMENTS. MM
NOT LAST NIGHT, BUT THE NIGHT BEFORE
TWENTY FOUR ROBBERS CAME KNOCKING AT MY DOOR.
AS I STEPPED OUT, THEY STEPPED IN
AND THIS IS WHAT THEY SAID TO DO. MM
LADY, LADY TURN AROUND.
LADY, LADY TOUCH THE GROUND.
LADY, LADY TIE YOUR SHOE.
AND THIS IS WHAT THEY SAID TO DO.
Submitter comment:
THE COLLECTOR HEARD OF THIS FIRST IN 1970 AS A CHILD IN TAYLOR,
MICHIGAN. IT MAY BE A VARIATION OF TANGLETALK SINCE THERE ARE
CONTRADICTORY STATEMENTS. THIS IS AN ACTION RHYME WHICH REQUIRES
THE JUMPER TO PERFORM SIMPLE TASKS WHILE JUMPING. THE OPENING
SECTION IS A PLAIN RHYME WHICH THE JUMPER SIMPLY CHANTS A RHYME
TO THE RHYTHM OF HER JUMPING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; USA ; SOUTHGATE
Date learned: 10-00-1980 ; 00-00-1970
COUNTING GAME
THE MOTHER WOULD LAY TOOTHPICKS ON THE TABLE. THE CHILD WOULD
HAVE TO COUNT THE TOOTHPICKS. THE MOTHER WOULD THEN EITHER
ADD OR SUBTRACT TOOTHPICKS. THE CHILD WOULD THEN COUNT THEM AGAIN.
THIS WOULD BE DONE OVER AND OVER UNTIL THE CHILD KNEW HOW TO
COUNT ACCURATELY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- C531 Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 00-00-1964
TIN CAN COPPER
FOR THIS GAME YOU WILL NEED A BIG EMPTY CAN. THE PERSON THAT IS IT
IS THE TIN CAN COPPER. HE GUARDS THE TIN CAN. THE OBJECT OF THE
GAME IS FOR THE COPPER TO ARREST ALL OF THE PLAYERS AS THEY TRY TO
KICK THE CAN. THE TIN CAN COPPER STAYS IN THE AREA OF THE TIN CAN
PROTECTING IT FROM THE OTHERS. THE OTHER CHILDREN TRY TO SUCCEED IN
KICKING THE CAN AWAY FROM THE COPPER. BEFORE THE COPPER CAN CHASE
THE CHILD HE MUST FIRST RETURN THE CAN TO THE SAME SPOT. ONCE THE
CAN HAS BEEN REPLACED THE COPPER CAN TRY TO CATCH THE OTHERS. IF A
CHILD IS CAUGHT BEFORE THE CAN IS KICKED AGAIN THAT PERSON IS CAUGHT
FOR THE REST OF THE GAME.
Submitter comment:
THE WORD COPPER IN THIS GAME MUST HAVE ORIGINATED FROM THAT TIME
BECAUSE I HAVE HEARD IT IN OLD MOVIES. THERE IS A VARIATION OF
THIS GAME I USED TO PLAY. WE CALLED IT KICK THE CAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Hiding Searching Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 00001930S
SKY BLUE
THIS GAME I OFTEN PLAUED AFTER SCHOOL AND ON THE WEEKENDS WITH MY
FRIENDS. IT IS RELATED TO THE GAME HOPSCOTCH THAT IS PLAYED NOW.
IN IT PLAYERS THREW A ROCK INTO A SQUARE MARKED WITH A NUMBER, AND
PLAYERS HAD TO HOP THAT MANY TIMES. IF A LINE OF A SQUARE WAS
TOUCHED, THE PERSON WAS OUT OF THE GAME.
Submitter comment:
THIS GAME ORIGINATED IN CHICAGO, AND IT WAS PLAYED QUITE OFTEN AS A
PASTIME BY MY AUNT.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 00-00-1940