Dr. James T. Callow publications
Browse by
Questions or comments on this site? Please email davidsor@udmercy.edu.
The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for AA returned 1455 results.
WHATEVER YOU DO YOU SHOULD NEVER HARM ANOTHER
PERSONS ANIMAL. PEOPLE HAVE STRONG BONDS WITH
THEIR ANIMALS, SOME PEOPLE WILL EVEN KILL YOU
ABOUT THEIR ANIMALS. I KNOW THIS TO BE TRUE
BECAUSE MY MOTHER TOLD ME ABOUT A WOMAN AND THE
LOVE SHE HAD FOR HER HORSE. WELL, THIS WOMAN HAD
HER HORSE TEN YEARS BEFORE SHE TOOK A HUSBAND. THAT
OLE HORSE WAS REALLY MEAN. TIME CAME WHEN THAT HORSE
KICKED THAT WOMAN'S HUSBAND, SO THE HUSBAND SHOT THE
HORSE. WELL, THAT WOMAN DIDN'T TAKE THE DEATH OF HER
HORSE EASY. AFTER SHE FOUND OUT WHAT HER HUSBAND DID
SHE TOOK A PIECE OF LOG AND CRACKED HER HUSBAND'S SKULL
AND HE DIED. THERE IS A LESSON TO BE LEARNED, NEVER
HARM ANYONE'S ANIMAL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): CRUELTY TOWARD ANIMALS ; THERIONICIDE HOMICIDE
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Animal BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00-00-1985
DURING FAMILY WEDDINGS, AT THE RECEPTION, ALL THE WOMEN
PICK UP THE GROOM, CARRY HIM INTO THE BATHROOM, TAKE
OFF HIS TUXEDO AND LEAVE HIM. HE MUST STAY THERE UNTIL
THE BRIDE DECIDES THAT HE CAN RETURN TO THE CELEBRATION.
"IT WAS A TRADITION IN MY MOTHER'S FAMILY THAT BETWEEN THE
CHURCH CEREMONY AND THE RECEPTION THE IMMEDIATE FAMILY
TOOK THE BRIDE AND GROOM TO A FAIRLY FAMILIAR PLACE
(USUALLY SOMEONE'S HOUSE) AND TIED THEM TO A BANNISTER.
THE FAMILY WOULD THEN LEAVE THE COUPLE. IF THE BRIDE AND
GROOM COULD NOT FREE THEMSELVES BY THE TIME THE RECEPTION
STARTED, THE FAMILY WOULD RESCUE THEM. INSTEAD OF HANDING
DOWN THIS PARTICULAR TRADITION, MY MOTHER AND HER SISTERS
MADE UP A NEW ONE THAT OUR FAMILY COULD HAND DOWN."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Date learned: 00-00-1980 ; 00-00-1970
A FRIEND FROM MY WORK TOLD ME THAT HER FRIEND STOPPED
FOR GAS AT A STATION ONE DAY. THE ATTENDANT ASKED HER
HOW SHE WOULD PAY AND SHE GAVE HIM A CREDIT CARD. THE
ATTENDANT CAME BACK TO THE CAR AND SAID, "I'M SORRY MISS,
BUT YOU WILL HAVE TO COME WITH ME TO SPEAK WITH THE
MANAGER." MY FRIEND ASKED IF THERE WAS A PROBLEM BUT
THE ATTENDANT SAID THAT HE COULD NOT DISCUSS IT.
THE LADY WENT INSIDE THE STATION AND THE ATTENDANT SAID,
"I HAD TO GET YOU OUT OF THE CAR. THERE WAS A MAN HIDING
IN YOUR BACK SEAT HOLDING A HATCHET."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate |
Date learned: 00-00-1985 ; 00-00-1984
YOU CAN PLAY THIS GAME WITH ANY NUMBER OF PLAYERS. ONE
PERSON STARTS BY SAYING THE FIRST LETTER OF A WORD (T)
THAT HE IS THINKING OF (TREASURE). THE SECOND PERSON SAYS
THAT LETTER (T) PLUS ANOTHER ONE (E) WITH A WORD IN MIND
(TEACHER). THE NEXT PERSON ADDS ON TO TE WITH A LETTER (X)
IN MIND FOR HIS WORD TEXTURE. THE NEXT PERSON MUST ADD ON.
IF HE THINKS THE PREVIOUS PLAYER IS BLUFFING, BECAUSE HE
THINKS THE PREVIOUS PLAYER HAS NO WORD IN MIND FOR TEX, THE
PREVIOUS PLAYER MUST STATE HIS WORD(TEXTURE). THE PLAYER THAT
CHALLENGED NOW HAS A POINT BECAUSE HE COULD NOT THINK OF A
WORD THAT BEGAN WITH TEX AND THE OTHER PLAYER WAS NOT
BLUFFING. IF A PLAYER ENDS A WORD, SUCH AS G, GU, GUM,
BECAUSE HE COULD NOT THINK OF A LONGER WORD BEGINNING WITH
GU, THEN HE GETS A POINT. WHOEVER GETS TEN POINTS FIRST
IS THE LOSER OF THE GAME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Mental Activity |
Date learned: 07-00-1985 ; 00-00-1970
IF YOU BRING A STRAY DOG INTO YOUR HOUSE AND FEED IT,
SOMEONE IN YOUR FAMILY WILL GET LOST SOON. "MY AUNT
TOLD ME THIS. SHE BELIEVES THIS BECAUSE IT HAPPENED
TO HER FRIEND."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
James Callow Keyword(s): KINDNESS TO ANIMALS ; POST HOC
| Subject headings: | Observation Favorites BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 10-00-1985 ; 00-00-1979
THE MIRACLE FROM FR. SOLONIUS
MANY YEARS AGO MY MOTHER JUDITH WAS A VERY SICK CHILD. SHE
WAS IN THE HOSPITAL WITH APPENDICITIS. BECAUSE THE INFECTION
IN HER APPENDIX WAS SO SEVERE IT HAD CAUSED HER TO GET PNUEMONIA.
BECAUSE MY MOTHER HAD PNEUMONIA SHE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO HAVE
THE SURGERY TO REMOVE THE INFECTED APPENDIX BECAUSE SHE WOULD
DIE ON THE TABLE. MY GRANDMOTHER, THELMA PATTERSON, HAD NOWHERE
ELSE TO TURN SO SHE WENT TO THE CAPUCHIN MONASTERY
ON KERCHEVAL IN DETROIT. SHE ASKED TO SEE ONE OF THE PRIESTS
AND SHE WAS GIVEN FR. SOLONIUS. SHE ASKED FATHER SOLONIUS
TO SAY A PRAYER FOR HER LITTLE GIRL AND HE DID. THE NEXT DAY
WHEN MY GRANDMOTHER WENT TO SEE JUDITH SHE WAS MUCH BETTER
AND WAS WELL ENOUGH TO GO THROUGH THE SURGERY. NEEDLESS TO
SAY JUDITH FULLY RECOVERED.
Submitter comment: FR. SOLONIUS IS UP FOR SAINTHOOD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero BELIEF -- Curer |
THE LEGEND OF THUMPDRAG
A LONG TIME AGO WHEN CAMP OZANAM FIRST OPENED THERE WAS THIS
COUNSELOR NAMED SAM WHO LOVED CHILDREN VERY MUCH BUT HE DIDN'T
LIKE IT WHEN BIG KIDS PICKED ON THE LITTLE ONES. IN THE GROUP THAT
WAS ASSIGNED TO SAM THERE HAPPENED TO BE TWO BULLIES NAMED MARK
AND SEAN. THESE TWO ALWAYS USED TO PICK ON THIS ONE LITTLE GUY
JOE. WELL, ONE DAY SAM GOT TIRED OF SCOLDING MARK AND SEAN AND
DECIDED TO PUNISH THEM BY MAKING THEM CLEAN THE MESS HALL BY
THEMSELVES. SEAN AND MARK WERE FURIOUS AND PLOTTED AGAINST SAM.
ONE NIGHT LATER THAT WEEK MARK AND SEAN SNEAKED OUT OF
THE CABIN AND WAITED FOR SAM TO GET OUT OF HIS NIGHTLY
COUNSELOR MEETING. AFTER THE MEETING WAS OVER SAM SAID
HIS GOOD-BYES AND HEADED BACK TO THE CABIN. WHEN SAM
WAS OUT OF SIGHT OF THE OTHERS SEAN AND MARK JUMPED HIM
AND KNOCKED HIM UNCONSCIOUS. WHEN SAM WOKE UP HE WAS
STRAPPED TO A BENCH AND GAGGED. SEAN AND MARK HAD POURED
GASOLINE ALL OVER HIM AND WERE STANDING OVER HIM WITH LIT
MATCHES THREATENING TO SET HIM AFIRE. THE NEXT THING THAT
HAPPENED WAS THAT ANOTHER COUNSELOR FOUND SEAN AND MARK
OUTSIDE THE HALL CRYING IN THE FACE OF THE BLAZING FIRE.
THE TWO BOYS CONFESSED TO WHAT THEY HAD DONE BUT IT WAS
TOO LATE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. JUST THEN THEY SAW
WHAT LOOKED LIKE A MAN LIMPING OUT OF THE FIRE DRAGGING
ONE LEG. ALL THE COUNSELORS SEARCHED EVERYWHERE FOR HIM
BUT HE RAN INTO A CORNFIELD AND COULDN'T BE FOUND. AFTER
A WHILE THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT AND EVERYONE SETTLED BACK INTO
THEIR CABINS INCLUDING, MARK AND SEAN. THE TWO BOYS WERE
REQUIRED TO STAY AT THE CAMP FOR ONE MORE NIGHT BECAUSE
THEIR PARENTS COULDN'T COME TO GET THEM UNTIL THEN. THAT
NIGHT AS THE TWO BOYS LAY SLEEPING IN THEIR BEDS THE DOOR OF
THEIR CABIN SWUNG OPEN AND THE SOUNDS THUMP! DRAG!
WERE HEARD SCRAPING ACROSS THE FLOOR. THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN
MARK AND SEAN LOOKED UP AND THERE WAS THIS THING ALL BURNT
AND DEFORMED THAT GRABBED THEM BOTH AND DRAGGED THEM
SCREAMING OUT THE DOOR. THE COUNSELOR WOKE UP FROM THE SCREAMS
AND WENT RUNNING OUT THE DOOR AND TRIPPED. THE COUNSELOR
GOT A GLIMPSE OF THE THING AND FIGURED IT MUST OF BEEN SAM.
WHEN THE COUNSELOR GOT UP HE FOUND THAT WHAT HE TRIPPED OVER
WAS THE BODIES OF MARK AND SEAN. THE TWO HAD DIED OF FRIGHT.
AFTER THE AUTHORITIES GOT AHOLD OF WHAT HAD HAPPENED THEY
PUT OUT A STATE-WIDE MANHUNT FOR SAM BUT TURNED UP WITH
NOTHING.
Submitter comment:
THIS STORY WAS TOLD IN THE CAMP HALL WHICH AT ONE TIME
BURNED DOWN SOME YEARS AGO AND HAD BEEN REBUILT. THE MORAL
POINT OF THE STORY IS NOT TO PICK ON THOSE SMALLER THAN
YOURSELF.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CAMP OZANAM
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
SUPERSTITION AMONG JAZZ MUSICIANS.
"NIGHT TIME IS THE RIGHT TIME." JAZZ MUSICIANS HAVE A
SUPERSTITION IN WHICH THEY WILL ONLY PLAY AT NIGHT BECAUSE
THEY BELIEVE THAT IF YOU PLAY DURING THE DAY THE "GIG"
WILL BE A BUMMER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS ; BAND CLASS
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour |
IF A LULL OCCURS IN A CONVERSATION AT TEN OF OR TEN AFTER THE
HOUR, GOD IS GIVING A WARNING THAT THE DEVIL IS LISTENING.
Submitter comment:
I FIRST HEARD OF THIS WHEN THE INFORMANT SAID "TEN OF, TEN
AFTER" WHEN A LULL OCCURED IN A PHONE CONVERSATION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 First / Once / One / Newness Favorites BELIEF -- Gods BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 11-00-1985
"THE NEW JERSEY DEVIL"
THE NEW JERSEY DEVIL IS A CREATURE BORN OF A WITCH IN THE
MID-1800'S. IT WAS BORN WITH THE BODY OF A NORMAL BABY,
EXCEPT THAT IT HAD WINGS, A FORKED TONGUE, HORNS, AND A TAIL.
IT HISSED AT THE MID-WIFE, WHO IMMEDIATELY HAD A HEART ATTACK
AND DIED. THE DEVIL THEN FLEW UP THE CHIMNEY. IT GREW TO
ADULTHOOD, AND NOW HAS THE FACE OF LUCIFER. TODAY, IT LIVES IN
THE PINE BARRENS OF WEST CENTRAL NEW JERSEY. IT IS STILL
SEEN TODAY.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT HEARD THIS STORY FROM HIS GRANDMOTHER, WHO WOULD
SCARE HIM BY THREATENING TO TAKE HIM TO THE PINE BARRENS.
EVERY SO OFTEN, ARTICLES APPEAR IN NEW JERSEY NEWSPAPERS
ABOUT SIGHTINGS OF THE DEVIL. THIS IS ALSO THE SOURCE OF THE
NAME OF THE NEW JERSEY DEVILS HOCKEY TEAM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Devil Demon |
Date learned: 11-00-1985
CROWN IN THE CAKE
IN FRANCE ON CHRISTMAS DAY, DECEMBER 25TH, A FAMILY WILL
GET TOGETHER AND HAVE A HUGE FEAST. AFTER DINNER, A LARGE
CAKE IS BROUGHT OUT. THE HEAD OF THE HOUSE WILL CUT THE
CAKE VERY CAREFULLY. SOMEWHERE IN THE CAKE, THERE IS A SMALL
CROWN, THE SIZE OF A HALF DOLLAR. THE ONE WHO GETS THE
CROWN IS KING OR QUEEN FOR THE DAY. HE OR SHE GETS ANYTHING
THEY DESIRE, AND ALL THEIR WISHES MUST BE OBEYED. THIS IS ONLY
FOR THAT DAY.
Submitter comment:
MY GRANDMOTHER SPOKE OF THIS TRADITION WITH A SMILE.
IT IS A FADING TRADITION IN FRANCE. SHE REMEMBERS IT
FROM HER EARLIEST CHILDHOOD.
Where learned: CANADA ; COLLECTED IN ONTARIO
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below. |
Date learned: 00-00-1926
EVERY YEAR ON THE FIRST OF THE NEW YEAR, WE GIVE PRESENTS
TO EACH MEMBER OF MY FAMILY. THIS IS DONE BECAUSE IN GREECE, IT
IS SAINT BASIL'S DAY. SAINT BASIL IS THE GREEK SAINT OF
CHILDREN. HE BRINGS PRESENTS TO THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN GOOD THE
PREVIOUS YEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights ; WHERE I LEARNED THIS
James Callow Keyword(s): GIFT-GIVING
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's BELIEF -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 01-00-1972
MY INFORMANT TOLD ME OF A BELIEF THAT IS HELD BY
HUNGARIANS CONCERNING CHRISTMAS. HUNGARIAN TRADITION
SAYS THAT JESUS' ANGELS BRING YOUR PRESENTS RATHER THAN
SANTA CLAUS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Gifts, gift giving at Christmas BELIEF -- Angel |
MY INFORMANT TOLD ME OF A SUPERSTITION IN HIS FAMILY
IN REGARD TO EASTER. THIS CATHOLIC FAMILY BELIEVES
THAT ALL CONFESSIONS GIVEN ON GOOD FRIDAY ARE WORTHLESS.
CONSEQUENTLY, HIS FAMILY WOULD RECEIVE THE SACRAMENT OF
RECONCILIATION ON HOLY THURSDAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 663 Holy Thursday 663 Good Friday Favorites BELIEF -- Church |
Entry filtered.
BLACK-AMERICAN BELIEF
WHAT YOU DREAM THE FIRST NIGHT UNDER A
NEW ROOF WILL COME TRUE.
Submitter comment: HEARD BEFORE MOVING INTO A NEW HOME.
Where learned: MISSISSIPPI
James Callow Keyword(s): METONYMY
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. Spirit / Mind / Body Favorites |
Date learned: 00-00-1957
BLACK-AMERICAN TALE
ONCE ON A SOUTHERN PLANTATION, THE BUTLER, MOSES,
A HOUSE SLAVE WOULD TATTLE TO THE MASTER ABOUT
EVERYTHING THE HOUSE AND FIELD SLAVES DID. ON
ONE OCCASSION, MOSES TOLD THE MASTER THAT A
FIELD SLAVE HAD STOLEN SOME FOOD. THE MASTER
TOOK THE THIEF TO THE RIVER AND THREW HIM IN.
LATER, DURING A PARTY AT THE BIG HOUSE, MOSES
TOOK A STROLL DOWN NEAR THE RIVER. HE SAW
A SKELETON. UPON CLOSER INSPECTION, THE
SKELETON SPOKE, SAYING, "TEETH AND TONGUE
BROUGHT ME HERE". MOSES INQUIRED, "WHAT?"
THE SKELETON REPLIED, "TEETH AND TONGUE
BROUGHT ME HERE". MOSES, BIG EYED AND
VERY FRIGHTENED, SCURRIED BACK TO THE
BIG HOUSE CRYING FOR HIS MASTER.
THE MASTER, PERTURBED AT BEING DISTURBED DURING
HIS PARTY, ASKED MOSES WHAT WAS THE PROBLEM.
MOSES TOLD HIM THAT HE HAD SEEN A TALKING
SKELETON AT THE RIVER. THE MASTER WARNED
MOSES ABOUT DISTURBING HIS PARTY WITH SUCH
FOOLISHNESS. MOSES PERSISTED WITH HIS ACCOUNT
OF THE TALKING SKELETON DOWN NEAR THE RIVER.
THE MASTER, TIRED OF MOSES' SILLY BABBLING, DE-
CIDED TO CHECK THE RIVER. HOWEVER, HE WARNED
MOSES THAT IF HE WAS LYING, HE WOULD KILL HIM.
THEY RUSHED TO THE RIVER AND COULD NOT FIND
THE TALKING SKELETON. THE MASTER SHOT MOSES
AND LEFT HIM BY THE RIVER TO DIE BEFORE RE-
TURNING TO HIS PARTY. WHILE MOSES LAY DYING,
BY THE RIVER, THE SKELETON REAPPEARED SAYING
"TEETH AND TONGUE BROUGHT ME HERE."
Submitter comment: LEGEND TOLD BY GRANDFATHER WHEN WE TATTLED.
Where learned: MISSISSIPPI
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Tale |
Date learned: 00001950S
BLACK-AMERICAN BELIEF
MOLE ON THE EAR, MONEY BY THE YEAR.
MOLE ON THE NECK, MONEY BY THE PECK.
MOLE ON YOUR BACK, MONEY BY THE PACK.
MOLE ON YOUR ARM, YOU ARE A GENTLEMAN'S CHARM.
MOLE ON YOUR ARM, YOU'LL LIVE ON A FARM.
Submitter comment: HEARD WHEN A CHILD FROM GRANDMOTHER.
Where learned: MISSISSIPPI
Date learned: 00-00-1957
BLACK AMERICAN
FOR FLAT-CHESTED WOMEN. RUB
BAKING POWDER OVER THE BREASTS.
LEAVE ON OVERNIGHT AND THE BREASTS
WILL HAVE RISEN BY MORNING.
Submitter comment:
PASSED TO A CLASSMATE BY HER GRAND-
MOTHER.
Where learned: MISSISSIPPI
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Remedy |
Date learned: 00-00-1967
BLACK AMERICAN
MARRIED IN WHITE, YOU HAVE CHOSEN RIGHT;
MARRIED IN RED, YOU'RE BETTER OFF DEAD;
MARRIED IN YELLOW, ASHAMED OF THE FELLOW;
MARRIED IN BLUE, YOUR LOVER IS TRUE;
MARRIED IN GREEN, ASHAMED TO BE SEEN;
MARRIED IN BLACK, YOU'LL RIDE IN A HACK;
MARRIED IN PINK, YOUR SPIRITS WILL SINK;
MARRIED IN BROWN, YOU'LL LIVE OUT OF TOWN;
MARRIED IN GREY, YOU'LL BE SAD EVERY DAY.
Where learned: MISSISSIPPI
James Callow Keyword(s): COLORS
| Subject headings: | 860 Belief Observation Favorites BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Color |
Date learned: 09-15-1985