Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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COUGH
CHARRED FRUITS SUCH AS PEARS AND APPLES, ARE USED BY MANY JAPANESE AS
MEDICINE FOR COUGHS AND BERIBERI.
Where learned: DETROIT
Keyword(s): BERIBERI
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 11-00-1968
DROWNING
SCAPULAR - PROTECTION AGAINST DROWNING
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): AMULET ; PREVENTION ; RELIGIOUS BELIEF
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 10-25-1968
EARACHE
WHEN THE CHILDREN IN THE FAMILY HAD EARACHES, THEIR FATHER WOULD BLOW
CIGAR SMOKE IN THEIR EARS TO ALLEVIATE THE PAIN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; SAINT RITAS CONVENT
Keyword(s): TOBACCO
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 03-01-1970
CURE FOR EARACHE
PLACE A HANDKERCHIEF OVER THE EAR AND BLOW PIPE SMOKE INTO THE EAR.
THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO RELIEVE SOME OF THE PAIN.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT'S GRANDFATHER USED THIS AS A HOME REMEDY ALTHOUGH
IT OFTEN WAS OF NO HELP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; RAGA
Keyword(s): TOBACCO
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 10-24-1971
EARACHE
IF YOU HAVE AN EARACHE, FIND SOMEONE WHO SMOKES A CIGAR, AND HAVE HIM
BLOW THE SMOKE IN YOUR EAR. THE SMOKE WILL GO IN ONE EAR AND THE
INFECTION WILL BE BLOWN OUT THROUGH THE OTHER EAR.
Where learned: DETROIT
Keyword(s): IMITATIVE MAGIC ; TOBACCO
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 02-26-1972
TECHNIQUE FOR PASSING OUT.
INHALE DEEPLY AND THEN RAPIDLY PUSH THE AIR IN AND OUT
TEN TIMES. ON THE TENTH TIME HOLD THE BREATH AND YOU WILL PASS OUT.
Submitter comment: THIS HAPPENED TO MY BROTHER WHEN WE WERE IN GRADE SCHOOL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; KALAMAZOO
Keyword(s): CAUSE ; FAINTING ; NUMBERS
| Subject headings: | 686 First / Once / One / Newness Favorites BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 11-12-1971
FEET
MAKE THE SIGN OF THE CROSS ON THE BOTTOM OF YOUR FOOT WHEN IT
GOES TO
SLEEP AND IT WILL WAKE UP.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): RELIGIOUS BELIEF
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications BELIEF -- Remedy |
FELON
PUT WARM HOLY OIL ON A FALLON TO OPEN IT UP.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT USED HOLY OIL FROM ST. ANNE DE BEAUPRE TO OPEN A FALLON
ON HER FINGER.
Data entry tech comment: SPELLING CORRECTED BY KEYPUNCHER
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): RELIGIOUS BELIEF ; SHRINE IN QUEBEC, CANADA
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 02-19-1967
HEADACHE
IF YOU LET A STRAND OF HAIR FLY OUT THE CAR WINDOW THE PERSON TO WHOM
THE HAIR BELONGS WILL GET A HEADACHE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE ; CAUSE
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
HICCUPS
IF YOU TAKE NINE DRINKS OF WATER WHILE HOLDING YOUR BREATH
IT WILL CURE THE HICCUPS.
Where learned: DETROIT
Keyword(s): NUMBER
| Subject headings: | 686 Ninths / Nine BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 09-22-1969
HICCUPS
DRINK A GLASS OF WATER WITHOUT BREATHING TO CURE HICCUPS.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; HAMBURG
Keyword(s): NUMBER
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Remedy |
Date learned: NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
HICCUPS
DRINK NINE SWALLOWS OF WATER TO CURE HICCOUGHS.
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): NUMBER
| Subject headings: | 686 Ninths / Nine BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 09-27-1968
WORMS
A CURE FOR STOMACH WORMS IS TO PUT MINT IN THE PERSON'S BOTTOM
AND PUT CHEESE IN THEIR MOUTH.
WORMS HATE CHEESE BUT THEY LIKE MINT.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT'S MOTHER-IN-LAW PERFORMED THIS IN FRONT OF HER
TO INFORMANT'S DAUGHTER, WHEN THE CHILD WAS SIX YEARS OLD.
THE CHILD STOPPED CHOCKING AND WAS CURED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; OAK PARK
Keyword(s): EUPHEMISM: BOTTOM FOR ANUS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Remedy |
Date learned: 01-21-1972
CUCKOO MOTHER
A LONG, LONG TIME AGO, A WIDOW MOTHER LIVED ON A FARM WITH HER
THREE SONS; STRONG AS OAK TREES AS BROAD AS TREE-TRUNKS. THEY
LIVED MANY YEARS HAPPILY, EVERYONE'S RESPECTED, TILL HER SONS
GREW UP. AND WHEN THEY GREW UP, THE KING INVITED THEM TO RIDE
WITH HIM INTO WAR. ONE RODE OUT TO THE EAST, ANOTHER TO THE SOUTH,
AND THE THIRD, THE YOUNGEST--TO THE WEST. WHEN THEY RODE OUT,
THROUGH THE THREE YEARS NOT ONE SENT ANY WORD AND THE MOTHER
DIDN'T KNOW WHETHER THEY WERE ALIVE OR DEAD. SHE CRIED, BUT
DIDN'T GIVE UP HOPE, THAT SOMEDAY THEY WILL RETURN, TO CALM
HER OLD DAYS. BUT WHEN THE THIRD SPRING CAME, SHE WENT OUT
ON TOP OF A HILL AND SAW, THAT A HORSE WAS RIDING EMPTY-SADDLED.
AND SHE RECOGNIZED IT AS HER OLDEST SON'S HORSE. SHE
RECOGNIZED AND REALIZED, THAT HER OLDEST SON WAS NO LONGER ALIVE.
AND WHEN SHE REALIZED THIS, SHE CRIED FOR THREE DAYS AND THREE
NIGHTS. BUT THE PEOPLE TOLD HER: "DON'T CRY, THAT YOUR SON DIED
IN WAR. GOD GAVE, AND GOD TAKETH AWAY. BETTER YOU ASK HIM TO
RETURN YOUR OTHER TWO SONS WELL." WHILE THEY WERE CALMING HER,
THEY SAW A SECOND HORSE COME GALLOPING UP, NEIGHING AS IF
WEEPING HIMSELF. THE REIGNS PULLED OFF, THE SADDLE SPLASHED WITH
BLOOD AND THE HORSE ITSELF WOUNDED. HE RAN UP TO THE GATE, KNELT
DOWN ON ALL FOURS AND FELL OVER DEAD. AND THE MOTHER RECOGNIZED
THAT THE SECOND HORSE BROUGHT HER PAINFUL NEWS. SHE BEGAN TO CRY
EVEN MORE PAINFULLY, THAT NOW HER SECOND SON WAS DEAD. THE
PEOPLE DIDN'T KNOW TO COMFORT HER NOW. "IF ONLY. LORD, I KNEW
WHERE MY SONS LIE. WITH A FOX I'D RUN THERE, WITH A BIRD I'D FLY
THERE, ON THEIR GRAVES I WOULD CRY." SHE CRIED DAY AND NIGHT,
CURSING HER FUTURE, WAITING FOR HER YOUNGEST SON. BUT WHILE
SHE WAS CRYING, THE THIRD HORSE CAME HOME, TOO, INJURED AND
WOUNDED. HE RAN UP TO THE GATES, NEIGHED SORROWFULLY AND
KNEELING ON ALL FOURS, FELL OVER DEAD. THE MOTHER RECOGNIZED THAT
NOW HER THIRD SON WOULDN'T COME HOME. SHE FELL TO THE GROUND
FROM THE GRIEF AND TURNED INTO A CUCKOO BIRD, CUCKOOD IN A
SORROWFUL WAY AND FLEW AWAY TO FOREIGN LANDS IN SEARCH OF HER
SONS: SHE FLIES AND HUNTS FOR THEM YEAR ROUND IN THE STRANGE LANDS,
AND IN THE SPRING TIME COMES HOME, FLIES THROUGH THE FORESTS,
CRYING FOR HER SONS. AND WHEN THE DAY COMES THAT THE YOUNGEST
SON'S HORSE CAME HOME, SHE AGAIN FLIES OUT TO THE FOREIGN LANDS
TO SEARCH FOR THEM. AND THAT'S HOW IT ALWAYS WAS, AND ALWAYS WILL
BE....
Submitter comment: (TRANSLATED FROM LITHANIA BY RAMUNE M. STONYS)
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
Keyword(s): BIRDS, ANIMALS, TRANSFORMATION
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Bird |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
YEARLY GROWTH
WHILE ATTENDING A COUSIN'S BIRTHDAY PARTY, MY UNCLE JACK PLACED MY
COUSIN AGAINST THE DOOR JAM IN THE KITCHEN, TOOK OUT HIS KNIFE AND
NOTCHED MY COUSIN,S HEIGHT. LOOKING CLOSELY, I NOTICED THAT THE
HEIGHTS OF ALL THE FAMILY MEMBERS (6) WERE NOTCHED ON THE MOULDING
PIECE. ALSO, THEY WERE MARKED WITH THE APPROPRIATE BIRTHDATE. THUS
A RECORD OF GROWTH AND FINAL HEIGHT COULD BE MEASURED AND SAVED. I
HAVE ALSO NOTICED THIS CUSTOM IN OTHER HOMES SINCE THEN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Mount Clemens
Keyword(s): DOOR JAMB HEIGHT BIRTHDAY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Maturity |
RIDDLE
LITTLE WILLIE LIT A ROCKET
WHICH WAS IN HIS DADDY'S POCKET
THE NEXT DAY HE TOLD HIS COUSIN DAN
DADDY IS A TRAVELING MAN .
Where learned: DETROIT
Keyword(s): EUPHEMISM ; HUMOR ; RHYME: AABB
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
HELEN
HELEN HAD A STEAMBOAT
STEAMBOAT HAD A BELL
HELEN PULLED THE WRONG CORD
AND BLOW US ALL TO HELLO OPERATOR,
GIVE ME NUMBER NINE
IF IT DOES NOT ANSWER
GIVE ME BACK MY DIME
Submitter comment:
SUNG TO A TUNE BUT I HAVE NO WAY OF EXPLAINING.
I CANNOT THINK OF A FAMOUS SONG WITH THIS TUNE.
Data entry tech comment: EUPHEMISM FOR HELL IN LINE FOUR
Where learned: FERNDALE ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): RHYME: ABA ; TELEPHONE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
RIME
IVORY SOAP,
SEE IT FLOAT
DOWN THE RIVER
LIKE A BOAT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GARDEN CITY
Keyword(s): BATHTUB VERSE ; RHYME: ABA
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
VERSE WITHOUT MUSIC "LUCY"
LUCY MET THE TRAIN
THE TRAIN MET LUCY
THE TRACK WAS JUICY
THE JUICE WAS LUCY
Keyword(s): CHIASMUS ; EUPHEMISM ; FEMININE RHYME ; FINAL ITERATION ; INITIAL ITERATION ; RHYME: ABBC
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
VERSE FROM MURDER
LIZZY BORDON TOOK AN AX/
AND GAVE HER MOTHER FORTY WHACKS/
WHEN SHE SAW WHAT SHE HAD DONE/
SHE GAVE HER FATHER FORTY-ONE.
Submitter comment:
THE FOLLOWING VERSE CAME ABOUT AFTER A FAMOUS MURDER TOOK PLACE.
I AM NOT SURE OF THE SPELLING OF THE NAME.
Data entry tech comment: SPELLING CORRECTED BY KETPUNCHER
Where learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): ANTICLIMAX ; NARRATIVE VERSE JUMP ROPE RHYME ; NONSEQUITUR ; RHYME: AABB ; SURPRISE ENDING
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
Date learned: 11-22-1968