Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for S640 returned 10 results.
IMBECILE GESTURE
PUT YOUR INDEX FINGER ON YOUR LIPS AND THEN MOVE IT
UP AND DOWN QUICKLY, WHILE HUMMING--SIGNIFIES AN
IMBECILE.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Physically handicapped Deformed SPEECH -- Foolishness Stupidity Insanity |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
LOONEY GESTURE
A GESTURE MEANING THAT SOMEONE IS NUTS IS POINTING
THE INDEX FINGER AT THE EAR AND TWIRLING THE FINGER
CLOCKWISE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Physically handicapped Deformed SPEECH -- Foolishness Stupidity Insanity |
Date learned: 10-00-1969
GESTURE OF DISGUST
HITTING THE FOREHEAD WITH THE HEEL OF THE PALM
MEANS STUPID OR DUMB.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; STUDENT UNION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Physically handicapped Deformed SPEECH -- Foolishness Stupidity Insanity |
Date learned: 10-03-1969
THUMB SUCKING
THIS GESTURE IS MADE BY PLACING THE THUMB IN OR NEAR
THE MOUTH. IT USUALLY DENOTES THAT A PERSON HAS DONE
SOMETHING FOOLISH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WESTLAND
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Physically handicapped Deformed SPEECH -- Foolishness Stupidity Insanity |
Date learned: 09-15-1969
YOU--POINT TO PERSON
DRIVE--PUT HANDS ON IMAGINARY STEERING WHEEL AND TURN.
ME--POINT TO YOURSELF
CRAZY--TURN FINGER NEAR TEMPLE AREA OF YOUR HEAD.
YOU DRIVE ME CRAZY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Foolishness Stupidity Insanity |
Date learned: 02-04-1972
STUPID NUT--PUTTING THUMB ON NOSE AND TWITCHING FINGERS.
Submitter comment: FROM FRIEND.
Where learned: HOSPITAL
Keyword(s): DEROGATORY GESTURE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses SPEECH -- Foolishness Stupidity Insanity |
Date learned: 11-05-1967
THE INDEX FINGER MOTIONING IN A CIRCLE AT THE SIDE OF
THE HEAD OF THE PERSON WHO IS SIGNALING, MEANING
"DIZZY" OR AN OBJECT OR SUBJECT IS THOUGHT "STUPID."
Submitter comment: CANNOT REMEMBER WHERE FROM.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Foolishness Stupidity Insanity |
Date learned: 10-04-1967
WITH YOUR FINGER MAKING A FEW CIRCLES ALMOST AGAINST
YOUR HEAD AND THEN POINTING TO A PERSON: THIS MEANS THAT
THE PERSON IS CRAZY.
Submitter comment: SHE PROBABLY LEARNED IT FROM SCHOOL FRIENDS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Foolishness Stupidity Insanity |
Date learned: 02-08-1967
A SIGN TO INDICATE CRAZINESS IS TO MOVE THE INDEX
FINGER AROUND THE EAR IN A SPIRAL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Foolishness Stupidity Insanity |
Date learned: 09-12-1967
AN ITALIAN GESTURE FORMED BY CUPPING THE RIGHT
HAND WITH FINGERTIPS TOGETHER. THIS MEANS TO SAY:
ARE YOU CRAZY? WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
James Callow Keyword(s): RHETORICAL QUESTION
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Foolishness Stupidity Insanity |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN