Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for Man returned 288 results.
AUTOGRAPH BOOK RHYME
BURN YOUR TONGUE AND THINK OF ME.
WHEN YOU ARE OLD AND DRINKING TEA,
Submitter comment: RHYME FROM INFORMANT'S JUNIOR HIGH AUTOGRAPH BOOK, 1929-1933.
Keyword(s): COUPLET ; RESENTMENT ; SURPRISE ENDING
James Callow Keyword(s): COMMAND ; REMEMBRANCE ; RHYME: AA ; WISH
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Remember me |
Date learned: 10-02-1971
FOLK BELIEF (LUCK)
IN GERMAN VILLAGES WHEN A MAN ENTERS AN INN HE MUST HIDE HIS FACE
AND SEEK OUT HIS FRIENDS. HE MUST THEN BUY ALE FOR HIS CHRONIES
(CRONIES) BEFORE THEY RECOGNIZE HIM. THIS WILL BRING GOOD LUCK.
IF SOMEONE ELSE BUYS THE FIRST BEER FOR HIM IT IS
AN OMEN OF BAD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): DRINKING ; GERMAN BELIEF ; SOCIAL RELATIONS
Date learned: 09-21-1968
LUCK AND BAD LUCK
SEEING A PREYING (PRAYING) MANTIS ON A WINDOW SILL IS GOOD LUCK.
KILLING ONE IS BAD LUCK.
Where learned: SCHOOL APARTMENT ; TOLD AT
James Callow Keyword(s): CRUELTY TO ANIMALS: KILLING A PRAYING MANTIS ; POSITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Insect BELIEF -- Good luck P881.33 BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.33 |
Date learned: 09-18-1969
RIDDLE
WHAT'S BLUE AND GOES DING-DONG?
A FROZEN AVON LADY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): DEFINITION
James Callow Keyword(s): DOOR-TO-DOOR SALESWOMAN ; SICK JOKE
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: 02-20-1968
AUTOGRAPH BOOK VERSE
WHEN YOU ARE MARRIED AND EATING HAM,
THINK OF ME AND MY OLD MAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
James Callow Keyword(s): INSTRUCTIONS ; RHYME: AA ; SLANG: OLD MAN FOR ; SLANT RHYME
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1933
AUTOGRAPH BOOK VERSE
WHEN YOU GET MARRIED
AND YOUR OLD MAN GETS CROSS,
PICK UP THE BROOM
AND SAY I'M BOSS.
Where learned: KANSAS ; HUDSON
James Callow Keyword(s): INSTRUCTIONS ; RHYME: ABCB ; SLANG OLD MAN FOR HUSBAND.
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1933
WHEN I WAS A LITTLE GIRL WE PLAYED A GAME CALLED
"NOMANS LAND". THERE WOULD BE TWO TEAMS, IT DIDN'T
MATTER HOW MANY KIDS THERE WERE TOTALLED BUT THE
NUMBER HAD TO BE EVEN BECAUSE WE WERE PAIRED OFF.
ONE TEAM STOOD ON ONE SIDE OF THE GRASS AND THE
OTHER TEAM OPPOSITE THEM WITH THE SIDEWALK IN BETWEEN.
THE OBJECT OF THE GAME WAS TO PULL YOUR OPPOSITE
PARTNER ONTO THE SIDEWALK WHICH WAS NOMANS LAND. THE
TEAM THAT HAD THE ONLY PLAYERS LEFT WERE THE WINNERS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): NO MAN'S LAND
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Bodily Activity |
WHEN I WAS A CHILD, MY MOTHER USED TO TELL MY SISTERS
AND ME THAT THE BLESSED MOTHER WOULD CRY IF SHE HEARD
LITTLE GIRLS SINGING AT THE DINNER TABLE OR WHISTLING
AT ANY TIME.
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION ; TABLE MANNERS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222. |
Date learned: 00001950S
RAIN RHYME
IT'S RAINING, IT'S POURING,
THE OLD MAN IS SNORING.
BUMPED HIS HEAD
ON THE HEAD OF THE BED
AND COULDN'T GET UP
IN THE MORNING.
Submitter comment:
THIS RHYME WAS SAID WHENEVER THERE WAS A THUNDERSTORM. THE
OLD MAN'S SNORING REFERRED TO THE THUNDER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; REDFORD
James Callow Keyword(s): NAME FOR GOD: OLD MAN
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief C860.465 |
Date learned: 00-00-1973
WHEN I WAS A LITTLE GIRL, MR. HOOKRADLE OWNED THE CORNER HOUSE,
MUCH LIKE OUR LOT TODAY. (WE LIVE ON A CORNER PARCEL.)
HE (MR. HOOKRADLE) SAID, "IF YOU CUT MY CORNER I'LL
CUT YOUR EARS OFF." ALL THE LITTLE KIDS WERE AFRAID OF
HIM. HE WOULD SAY, "WOULD YOU LIKE TO COME DOWN TO MY
BASEMENT AND SEE MY EAR COLLECTION?" HE SAID HE HAD AN
EAR-ROOM FULL TO HIS CEILING. NO ONE EVER CUT ACROSS HIS
LAWN AGAIN.
Where learned: MOM
Keyword(s): KNIFE
James Callow Keyword(s): OTOMANIAC
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate BELIEF -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate |
Date learned: 00001940S
"SHINEYMAN"
THE SHINEYMAN WAS A JUNKMAN, NO, CAN'T SAY THAT CAUSE THEY'RE NOT THE SAME. HE WAS MORE OF A CELEBRITY. HE ALWAYS WORE A FUNNY OLD HAT. HE HAD LARGE TRINKETS AND USED BROOMS HANGING FROM HIS WAGON. HE ALWAYS TOOTED A FUNNY HORN. I THOUGHT HE WAS A KIDNAPPER BECAUSE HE WAS UGLY, DIRTY, AND SMELLY. HE WAS A REGULAR AND HAD HIS OWN ROUTE. EVERYDAY HE WOULD COME UP AND DOWN GRANDMA'S ALLEY AND PICK UP OLD CARPETS, AND OTHER USED OBJECTS WHICH PEOPLE HAD DISCARDED I DON'T KNOW HOW HE GOT HIS TITLE BUT WE JUST CALLED HIM THE SHINEYMAN, AND NEVER ASKED WHY.
APPARENTLY, EACH NEIGHBORHOOD HAD ITS OWN SHINEYMAN.
Submitter comment: PRONOUNCED "SHEE-NEE"
Where learned: DETROIT ; MOTHERS GRANDMOTHERS HOME
James Callow Keyword(s): SHEENY MAN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being BELIEF -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate |
Date learned: 00001940S
GRANDMA'S ICEMAN CAME BY ONCE A WEEK IN HIS HORSE AND
WAGON. SHE USED TO PUT A SIGN IN THE WINDOW SO HE KNEW
HOW MANY POUNDS TO BRING IN. IN THOSE DAYS GRANDMA STILL
COULD NOT AFFORD AN ELECTRIC FREEZER. ANYHOW, THE
ICEMAN WOULD CUT THE BLOCKS OUT IN THE STREET, AND US
KIDS WOULD RUN OUT AND EAT THE BROKEN CHIPS; AS LONG
AS THE HORSE HADN'T POOPED! THE ICEMAN TOLD US THAT HIS
ICE CAME STRAIGHT FROM SANTA CLAUS AT THE NORTH POLE.
WE BELIEVED HIM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; GRANDMAS HOME
Keyword(s): DELIVERYMAN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Secular hero BELIEF -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew |
Date learned: 00001940S
IN AFGHANISTAN, THE VARIOUS MOUNTAIN TRIBES PLAY A
POPULAR GAME. THE GAME GOES LIKE THIS.
THE MEN OF THE TRIBE, MOUNTED ON HORSEBACK, ARE EQUIPPED
WITH POLES THAT HAVE A LONG BLADE ON THE END. WHILE ON
HORSEBACK, THEY MUST KILL A YOUNG CALF WITH THEIR POLES
AND CUT OFF THE HEAD. THEN THEY MUST ROLL THE HEAD OF THE
CALF FROM ONE END OF THE FIELD TO THE OTHER, AND THEN
BACK AGAIN TO WHERE THEY STARTED. THE ONE IN POSSESSION
OF THE HEAD AT THIS POINT WINS THE GAME.
Submitter comment:
SINCE THE SOVIET INVASION OF AFGHANISTAN, THE AFGHANIS
NOW USE CAPTURED SOVIET POW'S FOR THIS GAME INSTEAD OF
THEIR CATTLE, WHICH THEY FEEL THAT THEY MUST CONSERVE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): BEHEADING ; SEVERED HEAD OF HUMAN USED AS BALL ; WAR PRISONERS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- War |
Date learned: 08-00-1987
WHY DID THE BLACK MAN WEAR A TUXEDO TO HIS VASECTOMY?
ANSWER. IF I'M GONNA BE IMPOTENT I MIGHT AS WELL LOOK
IMPOTENT.
Submitter comment:
I GOT THIS JOKE FROM THE MOVIE "SOUL MAN." IT WAS TOLD
BY TWO WHITE GUYS IN FRONT OF A BLACK GUY TO MAKE HIM
FEEL BAD.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): IMPOTENT- USED INSTEAD OF THE WORD IMPORTANT TO MAKE ; THE BLACK MAN'S SPEECH SEEM BAD.
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- BLAC |
Date learned: 10-00-1987
If a woman or girl sings at the table, she
will marry a crazy man.
Submitter comment:
Informant said this happened to a friend of hers who
used to listen to the radio and sing while she was
eating. When she grew up she married a man who was
crazy.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): EATING ; FUNCTION ; Meals ; TABLE MANNERS
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Physically handicapped Deformed BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222. |
Date learned: 00001940S
Have you heard about the man who swam halfway across
the ocean, then he decided that he couldn't make it
so he swam back?
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): strong man
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale |
Date learned: 00001980S
Kill the Belgian
This game is played just like "Hide and Seek," with
one person (called the Belgian) hiding and the others
hunting and then chasing him to the goal.
Submitter comment:
This game was played by non-Belgians, who
used the term Belgian for Swabian or Pole.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): German, Polish
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Hiding Searching SPEECH -- Game Pastime Sport |
Date learned: 00001940CA
HOG MINNIE NIGHT
HOG MINNIE NIGHT WAS A TRADITIONAL NEW YEAR'S EVE
CELEBRATION INCLUDING SONGS, DANCING, FEASTING, AND
GAMES.
Submitter comment: HOG MINNIE NIGHT WAS PRACTICED IN SCOTLAND AND DETROIT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): HOGMANAY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve |
Date learned: 00-00-1935
In the Arab culture there is a superstition referred
to as the "evil eye." This consists of statues,
pendants, jewelry etc. that are shaped like an eye
(usually blue with a big black pupil) and are worn
on the person or hung up in the house. It is the
belief that these will ward off any evil spirits
and will watch any evil thoughts or persons until
they regain their consciences. It is a form of
protection.
Submitter comment:
The informant seemed to suggest that it is no longer
a serious belief but more a silly superstition.
Keyword(s): evil, protection
James Callow Keyword(s): talisman
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Curse |
Date learned: 00-00-1965
WHILE SITTING ON A HAY BALE AT THE 1989 MICHIGAN
RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL, A FRIEND AND I OVERHEARD A YOUNG BOY CALL
ANOTHER BOY A "FROGHEAD." CONTEXT: "WAIT UP, YOU FROGHEAD!"
BOTH OF US ENJOYED THE NAME SO MUCH THAT WE SPREAD IT TO OUR
FRIENDS. MY FRIENDS AND I STILL USE THE EXPRESSION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Holly
Keyword(s): FROG
James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMAL NAME FOR HUMAN
| Subject headings: | Person / Nickname |