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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

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FARMER WITH TROUBLE

A FARMER HAD THREE SONS WHO WORKED VERY HARD ON THE FARM AND DID
NOT SEEM TO HAVE ANY ENEW JERSEYOYMENT OTHERWISE. SO THE OLD GENT,
FIGURED
D HE HAD TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT, AND HE SUGGESTED THEY CLEAN UP
THE BACK FORTY WHERE THE COWS USUALLY HERDED AND MAKE A BASEBALL
DIAMOND SO THEY COULD INVITE THEIR FRIENDS TO PLAY BALL AND
PICNIC. SO, THE FIRST SUNDAY, BEFORE THE GAME WAS HALF OVER
ONE OF THE SONS CAME TO THE HOUSE, AND BROTHER, WAS HE A MESS.
THE OLD MAN ASKED WHAT HAPPENED. "WELL," THE SON SAID, "I HIT
ONE A COUNTRY MILE, THE COACH ON FIRST SAID KEEP GOING. WHEN I
REACHED SECOND THE COACH ON THIRD WAIVED ME TO COME AHEAD. THE
PLAY WAS CLOSE BUT I WAS CALLED OUT WHEN I SLID INTO WHAT I
THOUGHT WAS THIRD BASE. SO, HERE I AM."

Where learned: DETROIT, ASSUMED

James Callow Keyword(s): COW MANURE

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote

Date learned: 10-07-1972

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JOSE

JOSE LIVED IN A SMALL MEXICAN VILLAGE AND WON A CONTEST TO SEE
FOR FREE A MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL GAME. THE VILLAGE BEING SMALL,
GOT HIM DRESSED AND PREPARED AND SENT HIM OFF WITH A BRASS BAND
ON HIS RETURN, THE CITIZENS GAVE HIM A HERO'S WELCOME. THEY WENT
TO THE SCHOOL SO HE COULD TELL THEM OF HIS VISIT AND EXPERIENCES
IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY. HE MOST REMEMBERED WHEN 53,333 PEOPLE STOOD
UP BEFORE THE GAME AND SANG "JOSE CAN YOU SEE?".

Where learned: DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): STAR-SPANGLED BANNER

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote

Date learned: 10-07-1972

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GRANDPA TELLS WHEN HE WENT TO SCHOOL. HE WENT TO CHURCH EVERY
SUNDAY WITH HIS MOTHER, AFTER BOTH CAME HOME HE WOULD GET A SMACK
IN THE HEAD. HE WONDERED FOR A LONG TIME WHAT FOR. BUT AS HE GOT
OLDER HE KNEW THE NUNS AND MOTHER USED TO STAND TOGETHER AFTER
CHURCH AND WHAT WAS SPILLED BETWEEN THE TWO HE NEVER COULD FIND
OUT.

Where learned: DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): PUNISHMENT

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church

Date learned: 10-07-1972

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IT'S NOT THE COUGH THAT CARRIES YOU OFF, IT'S THE COFFIN THEY
CARRY YOU OFF IN.

Submitter comment: THIS WAS SAID AS A HUMOROUS EXPRESSION WHENEVER SOMEONE HAD A COUGH.

Where learned: DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): PUN

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Formula
PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim

Date learned: 10-07-1972

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GRANDMA'S DAYS, WAYBACK

SHE USED TO SEND THE SON TO THE BUTCHER SHOP AND TELL HIM TO BE
SURE AND GET A DOG BONE. THIS WAS USUALLY FOR FREE AND BEFORE THE
DAYS WHEN SAUSAGE WAS $2.00 A POUND. SO GRANDMA USED THE DOG BONE
TO FEED THE FAMILY FIRST WITH A GOOD SOUP OR STEW AND THE DOG
STILL HAD ENOUGH TO EAT AFTER TWO MEALS.

Where learned: DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): RISE IN PRICES

Subject headings: Food Drink -- Food

Date learned: 10-07-1972

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MUD PUT ON MOSQUITO BITES STOPS THEM FROM ITCHING AND MAKES THEM
GO AWAY FASTER.

Where learned: DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): POULTICE

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Mineral

Date learned: 08-00-1969

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Entry filtered.

THE HOUSEBOAT

Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.

ONCE, THERE WAS A BUNCH OF POLLACKS LIVING IN A HOUSEBOAT.
THERE WASN'T MUCH FOOD OR ROOM SO THEY DECIDED TO PUT IN A
BASEMENT. THEY FIXED THE FORMS AND MADE THE PLANS AND THE
ITALIANS CAME TO POUR THE FOOTING.

Submitter comment:

POLES USE THIS STORY AS AN ANTI-` ITALIAN JOKE.

Where learned: DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote
ITAL
BELIEF -- Poli

Date learned: 10-07-1972

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WHEN WE WERE KIDS WE USED TO SAY THIS WHEN CALLED NAMES BY OTHERS:
"I'M RUBBER, YOU'RE GLUE. WHATEVER YOU SAY BOUNCES OFF ME AND STICKS
TO YOU."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): RETORT

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Speech

Date learned: 10-07-1972

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MOTHER MAY I

WHEN I WAS A CHILD THE GROUP I PLAYED WITH PLAYED " MOTHER MAY I."
IN THIS GAME, ONE PERSON BECAME "MOTHER". THE OBJECT WAS TO GET
FROM ONE LINE TO ANOTHER. YOU DID THIS BY DOING WHAT MOTHER SAID.
MOTHER WOULD TELL YOU TO TAKE A GIANT STEP, PINCH STEP, SIDE STEP,
HOP, SKIP, JUMP OR ANYTHING ELSE. BEFORE THE PERSON COULD DO IT HE
MUST ASK "MOTHER MAY I?" AND SHE WOULD ANSWER "YES, YOU MAY" OR NO
"YOU MAY NOT". SNEAKING STEPS WERE SOMETIMES ALLOWED.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): POLITENESS

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Bodily Activity

Date learned: 10-07-1972

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EASTER BASKETS ARE HIDDEN FROM THE CHILDREN ON THE NIGHT BEFORE.
IN THE MORNING THE CHILDREN FIND THE BASKETS WITH THEIR NAME ON IT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): GIFTS

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Palm Sunday
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Season
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter baskets

Date learned: 10-07-1972

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WHEN WE WERE CHILDREN WE USED TO SAY THIS WHEN SOMEONE TOLD A LIE
AND UNTRUTH. "LIAR, LIAR PANTS ON FIRE,/HANGING FROM A RUSTY WIRE."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): REBUKE

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- C570
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Speech Speech

Date learned: 10-07-1972

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WHEN WE VISITED SOMEONE FOR THE FIRST TIME AT THE FIRST OF THE
YEAR WE HAD TO TAKE THEM SOMETHING. IF THE FAMILY WAS NOT
TAKEN SOMETHING THEY WOULD BE IN NEED FOR THE REST OF THE
YEAR.

Where learned: MICHIGAN

James Callow Keyword(s): GIFT-GIVING AT NEW YEAR'S SEASON

Subject headings: 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually.
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Year
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20

Date learned: 10-20-1972

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NEVER STEP OVER A BABY, IF YOU DO IT WILL NOT GROW, AT ALL.

Where learned: MICHIGAN

James Callow Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC MAGIC

Subject headings: Favorites
BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness

Date learned: 10-05-1972

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WHEN A PERSON HAS TRENCH MOUTH CALL THE PREACHER. HE BLOWS INTO
THE PERSON'S MOUTH AND THE TRENCH MOUTH IS CURED.

Where learned: MICHIGAN

James Callow Keyword(s): CONTAGIOUS MAGIC ; VINCENT'S ANGINA

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Curer

Date learned: 10-05-1972

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WARTS

WHEN A PERSON HAS WARTS COUNT THE NUMBER OFWARTS AND GO TO THE
DRAIN-SPOUT WHERE THE RAIN WATER RUNS OUT AND PICK UP THESAME
NUMBER OF SMALL PEBBLES. PUT THE PEBBLES INA PRETTY
HANDKERCHIEF AND TIE THEM IN A KNOT INSIDE IT. TAKE THE
HANDKERCHIEF WITH THE PEBBLES INSIDE IT TO A FORK IN THE ROAD
DROP IT, THE FIRST PERSON TO PICK IT UP WILL GET YOUR WARTS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN

James Callow Keyword(s): TRANSFER

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Number Counting beliefs
BELIEF -- Method of Curing

Date learned: 10-05-1972

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PERSON KNOCKED OUT

HALF CUP OF VINEGAR
TWO TABLESPOONS OF SODA
TAKE THE VINEGAR AND SODA AND DISSOLVE THEM TOGETHER, THIS
MIXTURE WILL WAKE THE PERSON UP QUICKLY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; JACKSON

James Callow Keyword(s): UNCONSCIOUS INSENSIBLE

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Remedy

Date learned: 11-01-1972

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HAY FEVER

BUY A BOTTLE OF LYCERINE. PUT IT UP YOUR NOSE WITH A GLASS
TUBE. QUICKLY CLEARS YOUR HAY FEVER FOR SEVERAL HOURS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; JACKSON

James Callow Keyword(s): LISTERINE? GLYCERINE?

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Remedy

Date learned: 11-01-1972

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BOWEL TREATMENT

FOUR GLASSES OF WATER, IF THIS FAILS TO WORK TAKE SIX OUNCES OF
COTTON SEED OIL FOLLOWED BY A GLASS OF MILK.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; JACKSON

James Callow Keyword(s): CONSTIPATION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Remedy

Date learned: 11-02-1972

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ACUTE INDIGESTION

TAKE ONE TEASPOON OF CHAMAMILE FLOWER HERBS TO ONE CUP OF HOT
WATER, STEEP THIS MIXTURE AND DRINK IT. IT WILL CAUSE PERSON
TO BELCH IF MIXED PROPERLY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; JACKSON

James Callow Keyword(s): CAMOMILE ; CHAMOMILE

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Plant

Date learned: 11-02-1972

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PLANT BEANS DURING THE FULL MOON, THAT WAY YOU WILL HAVE BEANS
THAT ARE FULL.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; JACKSON

James Callow Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC MAGIC

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F476
BELIEF -- Moon

Date learned: 11-02-1972

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