Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for S636 returned 45 results.
CUSTOM
IT IS VERY DISCOURTEOUS TO SHAKE A FINGER AT
A THAI. IT IS ALSO DISCOURTEOUS TO POINT AT
A THAI.
Where learned: THAILAND
| Subject headings: | 602 Body Parts SPEECH -- Respect SPEECH -- Derision Scorn |
Date learned: 03-00-1971
TAPPING YOUR FINGERS ON A TABLE CAN MEAN EITHER
IMPATIENCE OR BOREDOM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Derision Scorn |
Date learned: 11-16-1967
TO SHOW DISGUST WITH SOMETHING OR SOMEONE, ONE HITS
HIS RIGHT SHOULDER WITH HIS LEFT HAND AND EXTENDS
HIS RIGHT ARM STRAIGHT OUT.
James Callow comment: POLISH?
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; ERIE
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Derision Scorn |
Date learned: 00-00-1965
I (POINT TO I) THINK (POINT TO YOUR HEAD) YOU (POINT TO ANOTHER PERSON) STINK (HOLD YOUR NOSE).
Submitter comment: THIS INVOLVES ALL GESTURES--NO SOUNDS OR WORDS.
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of quantity or weight SPEECH -- Derision Scorn |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
DERISIVE GESTURE
WHEN SOMEONE MAKES A REMARK INTENDED TO BE SARCASTIC OR
FUNNY, BUT YOU DON'T THINK IT WAS, YOU TURN TO THEM
AND SAY, "DO YOU KNOW HOW FUNNY THAT WAS? THIS FUNNY."
YOU THEN HOLD UP ONE HAND INDICATING A SPACE (VERY
SMALL) BETWEEN YOUR THUMB AND FOREFINGER INDICATING
AN AMOUNT OF FUNNY (OR FUNNINESS I GUESS YOU SAY).
Submitter comment:
EXPLAINED BY INFORMANT AFTER HAVING USED IT ON
COLLECTOR. INFORMANT SAYS SEVERAL OF HER FRIENDS
USE THIS GESTURE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; VARSITY NEWS OFFICE
James Callow Keyword(s): HUMOR
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Derision Scorn |
Date learned: 10-00-1966
Entry filtered.
ITALIAN GESTURE
BY CHUCKING CHIN FROM BODY OUTWARD WITH THE RIGHT
HAND MEANS "I DON'T GIVE A DMAN."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Derision Scorn |
Date learned: 02-17-1970
ITALIAN GESTURE
WHEN AN ITALIAN FORMS A FIST AND THEN RAISES HIS
SECOND AND FIFTH FINGERS--IT LITERALLY MEANS "YOUR
MOTHER SLEEPS WITH ANOTHER MAN." IT IS THE
HIGHEST FORM OF INSULT AN ITALIAN CAN GIVE.
James Callow Keyword(s): ADULTERY
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Derision Scorn |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
Entry filtered.
WHEN PEOPLE ARE MAD, SOMETIMES ITALIANS, THEY SHAKE
THEIR CLENCHED FIST AT THE PERSON THEY ARE MAD AT.
Where learned: PORT CHESTER ; NEW YORK, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Derision Scorn |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
ACT OF DISDAIN
ITALIAN GESTURE FORMED BY PUTTING HAND UNDER CHIN
AND THEN THRUSTING IT OUTWARD--THIS SIGNIFIES DISDAIN.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN ; ITALY, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Derision Scorn |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
FLICKING THE NAIL OF YOUR THUMB OUT FROM UNDER YOUR
FRONT TEETH AT A PERSON IS TELLING THEM TO GO TO HELL.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT IS ITALIAN AND GOT THE GESTURE FROM HIS
PARENTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; RESTAURANT
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Derision Scorn |
Date learned: 10-28-1971
THE DEATH SIGN OF THE MAFIA IS MADE BY SNAPPING YOUR
THUMBNAIL ON YOUR TWO UPPER FRONT TEETH.
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial SPEECH -- Derision Scorn |
Date learned: 11-02-1967
Entry filtered.
Entry filtered.
DERISIVE GESTURE USED BY GERMANS AND ITALIANS IN
DISAPPROVAL OF OTHER'S DRIVING HABITS IS:
FINGERS TOGETHER, PALM OPEN, SLIGHTLY WAVERING
IN FRONT OF OWN FACE.
USUALLY ACCOMPANIED BY OBSCENITIES, PROBABLY UNIVER-
SALLY EUROPEAN.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Derision Scorn |
Date learned: 12-00-1971
Entry filtered.
THERE WAS A GESTURE AT THURSTON HIGH THAT WAS USED
TO DESCRIBE STUDENTS WHO WERE CONSIDERED WEIRD.
{HOMOSEXUAL} YOU BEND YOUR WRIST AT THE JOINT AND
LET YOUR HAND HANG LIMP AND ALONG WITH THIS, YOU
LISP, "OH THAY {SAY}, FELLA."
Submitter comment: THIS WAS DURING THE YEARS 1967-1970.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; WALSH COLLEGE
Keyword(s): GAY
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Derision Scorn |
Date learned: 03-31-1970
READ IN BETWEEN THE LINES.
Data entry tech comment: DIAGRAM OF HAND WITH MIDDLE THREE FINGERS RAISED AND
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Derision Scorn |
Date learned: 03-11-1971
WAVING THE SMALL FINGER--BITCH, BITCH, BITCH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Derision Scorn |
Date learned: 03-11-1971