Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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THE FOLLOWING IS A VERSE THE RESPONDENT LEARNED FROM A CUSTOMER WHO
SAID IT WAS AN OLD MEXICAN SAYING:
"HE WHO DRINKS GETS DRUNK;
HE WHO GETS DRUNK GOES TO SLEEP;
HE WHO GOES TO SLEEP DOES NOT SIN;
HE WHO DOES NOT SIN GOES TO HEAVEN;
SO LETS ALL DRINK AND GO TO HEAVEN."
Where learned: DETROIT ; PAT SULLIVANS TAVERN
James Callow Keyword(s): ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ; CUMULATIVE FORMULA ; RATIONALIZATION
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Verse without Music Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Food Drink C855.447 |
Date learned: 10-00-1975
THE FOLLOWING VERSE IS INSCRIBED ON A SIGN AT THE ENTRANCE OF PAT
SULLIVAN'S TAVERN:
"COME TARRY HERE
AND WELCOME BE
AND QUAFF THE
FOAMING BREW.
A FRIENDLY WORD,
A SMILE, A SONG,
WILL CHEER THE
HEART OF YOU."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; PAT SULLIVANS TAVERN
James Callow Keyword(s): ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ; COMARADERIE ; IRREGULAR RHYME
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Food Drink C855.447 |
Date learned: 10-00-1975
THE FOLLOWING HIGH SCHOOL CHEER WAS USED AT KICKOFFS IN FOOTBALL
GAMES AND AT TIPOFFS IN BASKETBALL GAMES:
"FEE FI FO FUM
LOOK OUT (OPPOSING TEAM'S NICKNAME) HERE WE COME."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): JACK AND THE BEANSTALK ; LINE FROM CANTE FABLE ; THREAT?
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Custom Festival Custom Festival |
Date learned: 10-00-1975
THE FOLLOWING VERSE WAS USED AS A TEASE BY SCHOOL CHILDREN:
"(NAME OF BOY) AND (NAME OF GIRL)
SITTING IN A TREE
K-I-S-S-I-N-G
FIST COMES LOVE
THEN COMES MARRIAGE
THEN COMES (NAME OF BOY OR GIRL) WITH A BABY CARRIAGE."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): EUPHEMISM ; IRREGULAR RHYME ; METONYMY ; OBSERVATION
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: 10-00-1975
"FISHEY FISHEY IN A BROOK,
GRAMPA CATCH'EM ON A HOOK.
GRANDMA FRY'EM IN A PAN,
AND I EAT THEM LIKE A MAN."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): CONTRRST ; RHYME AABB
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: 10-00-1975
POLITICIANS NEVER USE THE PHRASE "IT'S NICE TO MEET YOU" WHEN BEING
INTRODUCED TO SOMEONE . THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE POLITICIAN
HAS MET THE INDIVIDUAL BEFORE AND THIS PERSON, POSSIBLY A VOTING
CONSTITUENT OR CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTOR, MAY BE DISAPPOINTED THAT THE
PREVIOUS MEETING HAS SINCE BEEN FORGOTTEN. POLITICIANS INSTEAD
GREET INDIVIDUALS WITH THE WORDS "IT'S NICE TO SEE YOU" AND THUS SIDE
STEP THE PROBLEM ALTOGETHER.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): CIRCUMVENTION ; OBSERVATION ; TACT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Work Commerce Business SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 10-00-1975
DURING STRENUOUS PRACTICE SESSIONS OR DURING GAMES, PARTICIPATING
BASKETBALL PLAYERS NEVER DRINK WATER. THEY FEAR THIS WOULD CAUSE
THEIR STOMACHS TO BE BOGGED DOWN AND WOULD ADVERSELY AFFECT THEIR
PLAY. INSTEAD THEY COOL OFF BY POURING A STEADY STREAM OF COLD WATER
ON THEIR WRISTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): OBSERVATION ; SPORTS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 10-00-1975
IN A BAR, IF A CUSTOMER PUTS HIS EMPTY GLASS ALONGSIDE THE WOODEN
EDGE OF THE COUNTER IT SIGNALS TO THE BARTENDER THAT HE WILL HAVE
ANOTHER OF WHAT HE HAS BEEN DRINKING. THE BARTENDER WILL
AUTOMATICALLY BRING THE DRINK, VERBAL TRANSACTIONS ARE NOT NECESSARY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; PAT SULLIVANS TAVERN
James Callow Keyword(s): ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ; OBSERVATION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion Food Drink -- MenuService Food Drink -- Alcoholic beverage SPEECH -- To Be Seen |
Date learned: 10-00-1975
DRINKING STROHS BEER, MORE SO THAN INBIBING ANY OTHER BREW, WILL
RESULT IN THE PERSON GETTING A HANGOVER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: NEGATIVE ; ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ; PROPAGANDA
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Alcoholic beverage Fermented BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 10-00-1975
AN OLD ADAGE THIS INDIVIDUAL LEARNED WAS "BE A BRIDE THRICE AND YOU
WILL NEVER BE A BRIDE."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: NEGATIVE ; BRIDESMAID? ; NUMBERS
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple BELIEF -- Marriage PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 10-00-1975
AN OLD SUPERSTITION THIS INDIVIDUAL LEARNED WAS THAT ONE COULD
ASCERTAIN THE AMOUNT OF YEARS ONE HAD REMAINING IN LIFE BY COUNTING
THE NUMBER OF CARS IN THE NEXT FUNERAL PROCESSION TO PASS BY. EACH
CAR REPRESENTED AN ADDITIONAL YEAR TACKED ON THE PERSONS LIFE SPAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE ; NUMBERS ; SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Number |
Date learned: 10-00-1975
A WOMAN MUST NOT TRIP OVER ANY TYPE CORD DURING PREGNANCY. IF THE
EXPECTANT MOTHER WAS TO BE UNFORTUNATE ENOUGH TO DO SO, THE UMBILICAL
CORD WOULD WRAP AROUND THE UNBORN CHILD'S NECK AND THE BABY WOULD BE
STRANGLED TO DEATH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOL ; SYMPATHETIC MAGIC
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 10-00-1975
"BAR TIME" IS THE TIME ON CLOCKS IN BARS AND LOUNGES. IT IS ALWAYS
FAST, USUALLY TEN OR FIFTEEN MINUTES SO. THIS IS TO PROVIDE
INSURANCE THAT THE BARTENDER DOES NOT SERVE ANY DRINKS AFTER THE
TIME SPECIFIED BY THE LIQUOR LAWS OF THE LOCALE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; PAT SULLIVANS TAVERN
James Callow Keyword(s): ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Common law BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour SPEECH -- Vocabulary of Special Group |
Date learned: 10-00-1975
MAFIA APPLICATION
=====================================================================
MAFIA APPLICATION
WHATZA U NAME?}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}U HAGE?}}}}}}}
WHATZA U HOWZA NUMBA?}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}U STREETA?}}}}}}}}}}
WHATZA U BAG? HITTAMAN}}}}}LONE ARRANGER}}}}}PROSTITUIT}}}}}
PUTTA DOWNNA WEAR U WORGA NOW}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}
IZZA U GIRL!!!! OR BOY?!!!! (JUSTTE CHEKA ONE)
WAZZA U INN DE BIGGA OUSE?}}}}}WHATTA WAZZA U INN DE BIGGA OUSE 4?
I SHOOTE ONE GUIZE}}}}}I KEEDENAP SOMEBODYS}}}}}
PROTECKSHON RAGGETS}}}}}SOM UDDER DINGZA}}}}}
U WANNA BE DE BIGGA SHOTZA SOMDAZE? YASSE?}}}}}NO?}}}}}EH?}}}}}
U NO OW 2 MAKKE DE CEMENT SHOOZE?}}}}}}}}}}
U NO OW 2 DRIVA DE CAR? CADDILLAC?}}}}}BUICK?}}}}}LINKEN?}}}}}
U LIKA EAT GARLIC?}}}}}PIZZA?}}}}}SALAMI?}}}}}U LIKKA SPAGHETTI?}}}}}
U LIKKA GIRLZE OR BOYZE?}}}}}}}}}}(PEEKA JUSTA ONE, NO FOOLA ROUND)
U SEE DE GODFATHER?}}}}}OR JUSTE DE MOVIE?}}}}}
---------------------------------------------------------------------
WHENNA U JOINNE U GONNA GETTA SOMADING U REELY GONNA LIKKE.
1 PR. DARKE GLAZZES
1 BLAKE SHIRTE WIDDA WITE TIE
1 WITE HAT WIDDE BLACKE BRIMA
1 PR. POINIE SHOOZE
1 PR. CEMENT SHOOZE (COMZA LATER IFFA U FOOLAROUND)
GOODA STOFF (IFFA U NOTTE SURE, I TELLA U WHATTA U GET WIZZA GUY)
1 KISSE (LATER-ONNA U CHEEDK)
=====================================================================
Submitter comment: MONOLOGUE IN ITALIAN DIALECT
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): HOUSE NUMBER STREET LONE RANGER PROSTITUTE ; SLANG: BIG HOUSE
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Underworld SPEECH -- Formula SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 10-00-1975
AN INDIVIDUAL WHO IS NOT ALLOWED ENTRANCE INTO A DRINKING
ESTABLISHMENT BECAUSE OF SOME PREVIOUS MISDOINGS IS SAID TO BE
"BARRED" FROM THE PREMISES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; PAT SULLIVANS TAVERN
James Callow Keyword(s): ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ; SLANG
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Trade & commerce |
Date learned: 10-00-1975
A "SHELL" IS A GLASS OF DRAFT BEER. WHEN DRAFT BEER IS POURED IN
LARGER GOBLET LIKE GLASSES IT IS CALLED A "BOOMBA."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; PAT SULLIVANS TAVERN
James Callow Keyword(s): ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ; SLANG
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Kind of Food and Its Preparation SPEECH -- Trade & commerce |
Date learned: 10-00-1975
JERRY FORD JOKE
Q: WHICH MEMBERS OF HIS FAMILY DOES JERRY FORD TALK TO BEFORE CASTING
HIS VOTE ON ELECTION DAY?
A: ALL FIVE OF THEM. JERRY HOLDS THE LEVER AND WHEN HE SAYS "NOW:"
THEY JERK THE VOTING MACHINE UP AND DOWN.
Submitter comment: PRESIDENT
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): INSULT ; NUMBERS ; POLISH JOKE? ; PRESIDENT GERALD FORD
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Secular hero RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 10-00-1975
ETHNIC CUSTOM
DECEMBER 6 IS THE FEAST OF ST. NICHOLAS. ON THE NIGHT OF DECEMBER 5,
IN GERMAN HOMES, CHILDREN HANG UP THEIR STOCKINGS. IF THEY HAVE BEEN
GOOD DURING THE YEAR, THEIR STOCKING IS FILLED WITH CANDY, NUTS AND
TANGERINES. IF THEY HAVE BEEN BAD, THE STOCKING IS FILLED WITH COAL
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS A CUSTOM MY MOTHER'S FAMILY FOLLOWED AND WHICH WE FOLLOWED
FROM ABOUT THE TIME I WAS 5 UNTIL I WAS 17.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOL ; THREAT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F120 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 6 Feast of St. Nicholas CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- September 23 equinox to December 20 Also used for Advent. |
Date learned: CA00001960
RELIGIOUS CUSTOM
ON JANUARY 6, THE FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY, YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO WRITE
THE INITIALS OF THE THREE KINGS ABOVE YOUR DOORWAY. IT IS A WAY TO
CELEBRATE' A BLESSING AND A CATHOLIC CUSTOM. WE DIDN,T FOLLOW IT.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT WAS VERY INSISTENT IN THE FACT THAT HIS FAMILY DID NOT
FOLLOW THIS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HIGHLAND PARK
James Callow Keyword(s): NUMBERS
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 BELIEF -- Word Letter |
LEGEND
THERE IS A CATHOLIC CEMETERY IN TOLEDO, IT,S THE BIGGEST CEMETERY
IN TOLEDO. IN THE MID 20S, WHEN GYPSIES WERE STILL A BIG THING,
THERE WAS SUPPOSEDLY A GYPSY QUEEN THAT DIED. SO THE GYPSIES HELD
A BIG BURIAL FOR HER, WITH ALL THE RITES AND FEASTS AND PARTYING-
DOWN. THEY INTERRED HER BODY IN A BIG MAUSOLEUM WITH BEAUTIFUL
STAINED GLASS WINDOWS. THE QUEEN HAD DIED IN CHILDBIRTH. SO ANYWAY
THERE ARE SPECIAL NIGHTS EVERY MONTH' I DON,T KNOW WHAT THE NIGHTS
ARE, WHERE YOU CAN SUPPOSEDLY SEE THE SHADOW OF A WOMAN WALKING A
CHILD AND HEAR A CHILD CRYING. ONE NIGHT MY DAD TOOK ME TO THE
CEMETERY. AGAINST THE FLICKERING LIGHT OF CANDLES, I SAW THE SVELTE
SHADOW OF A WOMAN PACING BACK AND FORTH AND HEARD A BABY CRYING. WE
WENT BACK THE NEXT DAY. THE MAUSOLEUM HAD GATES WHICH CLOSED OFF
THE FRONT, AND HUGE IRON DOORS WHICH WERE SHUT. WE CHECKED THE
GATES AND THEY HAD BEEN WELDED OR RUSTED SHUT, SO THERE WAS NO WAY
ANYONE COULD GET INSIDE.
Submitter comment:
IF THE INFORMANT SAID HE SAW THE SHADOW AND HEARD THE CHILD, HE DID.
HE IS NOT GIVEN TO EXAGGERATING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
James Callow Keyword(s): BELIEF
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- B439 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |