RE:SEARCH logo
University of Detroit Mercy Libraries / Instructional Design Studio
UDM HOME BLACKBOARD MY UDMERCY
RESEARCH HOME / FIND / SPECIAL COLLECTIONS / THE JAMES T. CALLOW FOLKLORE ARCHIVE /
James Callow Folklore Archive

Collection Home

About Dr. James T. Callow

Dr. James T. Callow publications

Collectors

Browse by

Subject heading

Keyword

Location

Questions or comments on this site? Please email davidsor@udmercy.edu.

The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

search for

Content filter is on

Your search for OBSERVATION returned 415 results.

prev | items
| next

PROVERB

THE BEST LAID PLANS OF MICE AND MEN OFTEN GO ASTRAY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TRENTON

Keyword(s): ANIMAL

James Callow Keyword(s): COMMON MISQUOTATION ; OBSERVATION ; ROBERT BURNS

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

Date learned: 12-25-1969

View just this record

PROVERB

THE BEST PLACE TO FIND A HELPING HAND IS AT THE END OF YOUR OWN ARM.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): HUMAN BODY

James Callow Keyword(s): IRONY ; OBSERVATION

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

View just this record

PROVERB

THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE ARE FREE. IT'S THE WORST THINGS THAT ARE SO
EXPENSIVE.

Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED

Keyword(s): ECONOMICS

James Callow Keyword(s): OBSERVATION ; PARODY

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim

Date learned: 09-17-1965

View just this record

THINKER

THE BEST THINKING IS DONE WITH THE MOUTH CLOSED.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT WAS THE PROCTOR OF A STUDY HALL IN MY HIGH SCHOOL AND
HE USED TO REPEAT THIS ON THE AVERAGE OF TWICE A DAY.

Where learned: WASHINGTON DC

Keyword(s): HUMAN BODY

James Callow Keyword(s): CONVERSATION ; OBSERVATION ; OBSERVATION

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim

View just this record

BEST WORK

THE BEST WORK IS WHAT YOU LIKE.

Submitter comment: THIS WAS WRITTEN IN A LETTER TO ME NOT LONG AGO BY MY GRANDFATHER.

Where learned: HOME ; STURGEON LAKE ; WRITTEN IN A LETTER

James Callow Keyword(s): CONTENTMENT ; OBSERVATION

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim

Date learned: 03-05-1970

View just this record

RUSSIAN PROVERB

BE THERE ONLY A COW AND SOMEHOW A MILK PAIL WILL BE FOUND.

Where learned: RUSSIA ; MOSCOW

Keyword(s): ANIMAL ; FOOD

James Callow Keyword(s): OBSERVATION ; OPPORTUNITY

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

Date learned: 00-00-1910

View just this record

RUSSIAN PROVERB

BE THERE ONLY A SWAMP AND SOON MANY FROGS WILL APPEAR.

Where learned: RUSSIA ; MOSCOW

Keyword(s): REPTILE

James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMAL: AMPHIBIAN ; OBSERVATION ; OPPORTUNITY

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

Date learned: 00-00-1910

View just this record

POLISH PROVERB

BETTER ARE BEANS AND CABBAGE AT HOME THAN A FAT DUCK ON THE BATTLE-
FIELD.
(TRANSLATION)
LEPSZA EV DOMU GROCH, KAPUSTA NIZ NA EVAJNIE KUNA TLUSTA. (POLISH)

Submitter comment: MY GRANDFATHER REMEMBERS THIS FROM POLAND.

Data entry tech comment: SEE 5X8 CARD FOR POLISH.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): FOOD

James Callow Keyword(s): ANTI-WAR ; CONTRAST ; OBSERVATION ; RELATIVITY

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

Date learned: 11-15-1967

View just this record

PROVERB

BETTER A WRONG OPINION THAN NONE AT ALL.

Submitter comment: READ IN A NEWSPAPER.

Data entry tech comment: NOT ALL PROVERBS ARE WISE.

Where learned: OHIO

James Callow Keyword(s): CONTRAST ; ELLIPSIS ; OBSERVATION

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

Date learned: 00-00-1959

View just this record

PROVERB

BETTER LATE, THAN NEVER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; STUDENT UNION

James Callow Keyword(s): CONTRAST ; ELLIPSIS ; OBSERVATION ; PERSISTENCE

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim

Date learned: 09-22-1968

View just this record

PROVERB

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER,
BUT BETTER NEVER LATE.

Submitter comment: HEARD IN CONVERSATION

Data entry tech comment: VARIANT

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): CHIASMUS ; CONTRAST ; OBSERVATION ; PERSISTENCE

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim

Date learned: 10-00-1965

View just this record

LITHUANIAN PROVERB

GERIAU NEPRADITI, NEGU REPABAIGTI. (LITHUANIAN)
BETTER NOT TO START, THAN TO LEAVE UNFINISHED. (TRANSLATION)

Data entry tech comment: VARIANT

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: NEGATIVE ; CONTRAST ; ELLIPSIS ; OBSERVATION

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim

Date learned: 03-08-1968

View just this record

POLISH PROVERB

BETTER PEA SOUP AND SAUERKRAUT IN PEACETIME THAN A FAT CHICKEN
IN WARTIME.

Data entry tech comment: VARIANT

Where learned: HOME

Keyword(s): BIRD ; FOOD

James Callow Keyword(s): ANTI-WAR ; CONTRAST ; ELLIPSIS ; OBSERVATION

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim

Date learned: 10-25-1969

View just this record

PROVERB

BETTER TO DIE OF LOVE THAN TO LOVE WITHOUT REGRET.

Data entry tech comment: MEANING OBSCURE!

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; RESIDENCE HALL

James Callow Keyword(s): CONTRAST ; ELLIPSIS ; OBSERVATION

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim

Date learned: 10-17-1967

View just this record

PROVERB

BETTER TO HAVE A BAD MORNING THAN A BAD MARRIAGE. (TRANSLATION)

Submitter comment: FOR OLD MAIDS WHO DON'T GET MARRIED, ITS BEST FOR THEM TO ALWAYS
REMEMBER: MM[ BETTER TO HAVE A BAD MORNING THAN A BAD MARRIAGE. (TRANSLATION)

Where learned: TOLD AT HOME ; DEARBORN

James Callow Keyword(s): CONTRAST ; ELLIPSIS ; OBSERVATION ; OBSERVATION

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim

Date learned: 02-27-1971

View just this record

PROVERB

BETTER TO HAVE LOVED AND LOST THAN NOT TO HAVE LOVED AT ALL.

Where learned: SHIPLE HALL

James Callow Keyword(s): ALLITERATION ; CONTRAST ; ELLIPSIS ; OBSERVATION

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim

Date learned: 10-18-1967

View just this record

PROVERB

BETTER TO LOSE SOMETHING IN THE COMPANY OF A DULL PERSON, THAN TO
FIND SOMETHING WITH A SMART PERSON (BECAUSE HE WILL PROBABLY TAKE
ADVANTAGE OF YOU).

Submitter comment: INFORMANT RECEIVED INFORMATION FROM RELATIVES IN UKRAINE.

Data entry tech comment: UKRANIAN TEXT GIVEN ON 5X8 CARD.
TRANSLATION DUBIOUS

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): CONTRAST ; ELLIPSIS ; OBSERVATION

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim

Date learned: 10-14-1967

View just this record

Entry filtered.

PROVERB

Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.

BIG CATS ARE DANGEROUS, BUT A LITTLE PUSSY NEVER HURT ANYONE.

Submitter comment:

PUSSY IS A SLANG EXPRESSION FOR THE ACT OF LOVE-MAKING.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): ANIMAL ; SEMANTICS ; SEX

James Callow Keyword(s): OBSERVATION ; OBSERVATION ; PUN ; REFERENCE TO SEXUAL INTERCOURSE

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor
Filter - Mature Content

Date learned: 00-00-1971

View just this record

POLISH PROVERB

BIG CLOUDS--LITTLE RAIN. (TRANSLATION)
Z DUZES CHMURY--MALY DESZCZ. (POLISH)

Where learned: HOME

Keyword(s): ELLIPSIS ; WEATHER PROVERB

James Callow Keyword(s): CONTRAST ; OBSERVATION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Sign or prediction through Natural atmospheric phenomenon
PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

Date learned: 10-25-1969

View just this record

PREDICTION

BIG DROPS, LITTLE RAIN.
LITTLE DROPS, BIG RAIN.

Data entry tech comment: VARIANT

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): CHIASMUS ; CONTRAST ; WEATHER PROVERB

James Callow Keyword(s): ELLIPSIS ; OBSERVATION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Sign or prediction through Natural atmospheric phenomenon
PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

Date learned: 03-15-1968

View just this record

prev | items
| next

University of Detroit Mercy
4001 W. McNichols Detroit , MI , 48221-3038
This site is endorsed by the University of Detroit Mercy (UDM) and supports the views, values, and mission of UDM. The University of Detroit Mercy web site provides links to other web sites, both public and private, for informational purposes. The inclusion of these links on UDM's site does not imply endorsement by the University. Please contact the Associate Dean for Technical Services and Library Systems for any questions regarding this web site.