Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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BLACK-AMERICAN CURE
TO REMOVE FRECKLES, STIR A TABLESPOON OF FRESHLY
GRATED HORSE-RADISH INTO A CUPFUL OF SOUR MILK;
LET IT STAND FOR 12 HOURS, THEN STRAIN AND
APPLY OFTEN.
Submitter comment:
THIS METHOD ACCORDING TO INFORMANT ALSO BLEACHES
THE COMPLEXION AND TAKES OFF TAN.
Where learned: TENNESSEE
Keyword(s): MEDICATION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Animal BELIEF -- Plant |
BLACK-AMERICAN BELIEF
IF YOU SAY YOUR PRAYERS AFTER YOU GO TO BED, YOU
SAY THEM TO THE DEVIL.
Submitter comment: MOTHER USED TO REMIND HIM OF THIS BEFORE BED-TIME.
Where learned: ALABAMA
James Callow Keyword(s): BEDTIME
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour BELIEF -- Prayer |
BLACK-AMERICAN BELIEF
WHAT YOU DREAM THE FIRST NIGHT UNDER A
NEW ROOF WILL COME TRUE.
Submitter comment: HEARD BEFORE MOVING INTO A NEW HOME.
Where learned: MISSISSIPPI
James Callow Keyword(s): METONYMY
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. Spirit / Mind / Body Favorites |
Date learned: 00-00-1957
BLACK-AMERICAN BELIEF
IF YOU MARRY AS THE HAND OF THE CLOCK
GOES UP, YOU WILL RISE IN THE WORLD.
IF YOU MARRY AS THE HAND OF THE CLOCK
GOES DOWN, YOU WILL NOT SUCCEED IN THE
WORLD.
Where learned: MISSISSIPPI
James Callow Keyword(s): TIME
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour |
Date learned: 00-00-1960
BLACK AMERICAN
FOR DEEP CUTS, FIRST CLEAN CUT THOROUGHLY,
THEN WRAP RAW SALT PORK AROUND THE CUT AND
BANDAGE. THE SALT PORK WILL DRAW OUT IN-
FECTION AND PREVENT SWELLING.
Submitter comment:
GRANDMOTHER USED THIS METHOD ON HER GRAND-
CHILDREN AND IT REALLY WORKS.
Where learned: MISSISSIPPI
Keyword(s): MEDICATIONS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Animal |
Date learned: 00-00-1955
UP NORTH, NEAR LAPEER, IT IS BELIEVED THAT IF A BESPECTACLED
PERSON COMES INTO A WARM HOUSE WALKING BACKWARDS AFTER BEING
OUT IN THE COLD FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME, HIS GLASSES WILL
NOT FOG UP. NO REASON FOR THIS BELIEF IS GIVEN.
Submitter comment:
I HAVE TRIED THIS SEVERAL TIMES, BUT IT HASN'T WORKED.
WHEN MY COUSIN WENT BACK UP NORTH, HE ASKED AROUND ABOUT
THIS, AND FOUND NO REASON WHY THIS SHOULD WORK. HE DID
FIND OUT THAT MOST PEOPLE UP THERE BELIEVED IT. I, BEING
NEARSIGHTED, HAVE FOUND THAT THE ONLY ALTERNATIVE TO
FOGGED GLASSES IS CONTACT LENSES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; NORTH BRANCH
Keyword(s): GLASSES ; PREVENTIVE MEASURE
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 11-00-1985
DURING 1987, DETROIT EXPERIENCED A RASH OF TEEN VIOLENCE
OCCURRING IN EPIDEMIC PROPORTIONS UNMATCHED BY ANY OTHER CITY
IN THE U.S. THIS EARNED DETROIT THE PHRASE:
"DETROIT, THE LAND OF THE SMOKING GUN."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): PLACE NAME NICKNAME
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Place |
Date learned: 07-00-1987
MISS SUZI HAD A TUGBOAT.
THE TUGBOAT HAD A BELL.
MISS SUZI WENT TO HEAVEN
THE TUGBOAT WENT TO
HELLO OPERATOR. GIVE ME #9
AND IF YOU DISCONNECT ME,
I'LL KICK YOU RIGHT
BEHIND THE FRIGERATOR THERE WAS A PIECE OF GLASS.
MISS SUZI FELL UPON IT
AND BROKE HER LITTLE
ASK ME NO MORE QUESTIONS.
TELL ME NO MORE LIES.
MISS SUZI TOLD ME ALL OF THIS
THE DAY BEFORE SHE
DYED HER HAIR ALL PURPLE
SHE DYED HER HAIR ALL BLUE.
SHE DYED HER HAIR ALL POLKA DOTS
AND THAT'S THE WAY IT GREW.
Submitter comment:
THIS SONG IS SUNG QUICKLY RUNNING THE WORDS AT THE END OF THE LINE
ALL TOGETHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
James Callow Keyword(s): COMIC RHYMES
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Good humor Jest Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children |
Date learned: 00-00-1976 ; 11-00-1987
MY MOTHER WAS A BAKER, A BAKER, A BAKER.
MY MOTHER WAS A BAKER AND THIS IS WHAT SHE SAID UMM, UMM.
MY FATHER WAS A GARBAGE MAN, A GARBAGE MAN, A GARBAGE MAN.
MY FATHER WAS A GARBAGE MAN AND THIS IS WHAT HE SAID UMM, UMM,
P-U.
MY SISTER WAS A MOVIE STAR, A MOVIE STAR, A MOVIE STAR.
MY SISTER WAS A MOVIE STAR AND THIS IS WHAT SHE SAID UMM, UMM,
P-U, CURLY WHIRLY, WHOOP-D-DO.
MY BROTHER WAS A COWBOY, A COWBOY, A COWBOY.
MY BROTHER WAS A COWBOY AND THIS IS WHAT HE SAID UMM, UMM, P-U,
CURLY WHIRLY, WHOOP-D-DO, BANG, BANG, YOU'RE DEAD FIFTY BULLETS
IN THE HEAD.
MY GRANDFATHER WAS A TAILOR, A TAILOR, A TAILOR.
MY GRANDFATHER WAS A TAILOR AND THIS IS WHAT HE SAID UMM, UMM, P-U,
CURLY WHIRLY, WHOOP-D-DO, BANG, BANG, YOU'RE DEAD FIFTY BULLETS IN
THE HEAD, OUCH.
Submitter comment: YOU PINCH THE PERSON YOU ARE TELLING THIS TO WHEN YOU SAY OUCH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Flint
James Callow Keyword(s): CUMULATIVE ; INCREMENTAL REPETITION
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Good humor Jest |
Date learned: 00-00-1978 ; 11-00-1987
EATING BATTER GIVES YOU BIGGER BOOBS.
Submitter comment: THIS WAS TOLD TO ME BY MY GRANDMOTHER WHEN I WAS MAKING PANCAKES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; NEW BUFFALO
James Callow Keyword(s): ALLITERATION ; BOOBS = BREASTS (ASSUMED)
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses |
Date learned: 00-00-1981 ; 10-14-1987
Some people say that a man of dark color is crazy about a
high yellow, but high yellow will throw you, and when
you come home, there will be another mule kicking in your
stall. A brown skin girl is the best gal after all.
Where learned: VIRGINIA
James Callow Keyword(s): African-American color of skin
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Color SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 00-00-1939
SECRETARIES' SAYING, "GIVE US RAISES
NOT ROSES."
Submitter comment:
IN RESPONSE TO BOSSES GIVING THEIR
SECRETARIES FLOWERS ON SECRETARIES DAY,
(THE WEDNESDAY IN THE LAST FULL WEEK OF
APRIL), THE PROFESSIONAL SECRETARIES
INTERNATIONAL REBELLED WITH THIS PHRASE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ALLITERATION ; RHYME
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Work Commerce Business CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- March 21 equinox to June 20 |
Date learned: 00-00-1980
HOW TO PRESERVE A HUSBAND
BE CAREFUL, IN YOUR SELECTION
DO NOT CHOOSE TOO YOUNG
SOME INSIST ON KEEPING THEM IN A PICKLE,
WHILE OTHERS KEEP THEM IN HOT WATER.
THIS ONLY MAKES THEM SOUR, HARD AND
SOMETIMES BITTER.
EVEN POOR VARIETIES MAY BE MADE SWEET,
TENDER AND GOOD BY GARNISHING THEM WITH
PATIENCE, WELL SWEETENED WITH SMILES AND
FLAVORED WITH KISSES TO TASTE.
WRAP THEM IN A MANTLE OF CHARITY,
KEEP WARM WITH A STEADY FIRE OF DOMESTIC
DEVOTION AND SERVE WITH PEACHES AND CREAM.
WHEN THUS PREPARED THEY WILL KEEP FOR YEARS.
Submitter comment:
THIS "FAVORITE RECIPE" WAS PASSED FROM THE INFORMANT'S
MOTHER TO THE INFORMANT JUST BEFORE HER WEDDING IN
1952. ORIGIN CIRCA 1926 OR BEFORE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): RECIPE
James Callow Keyword(s): HUMOR ; METAPHOR ; MOCK RECIPE
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Marriage |
NEVER TAKE A TUB BATH OR WASH YOUR HAIR DURING YOUR
MENSTRUAL PERIOD.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT'S MOTHER TOLD HER THIS, INFORMANT IS
NOT SURE OF THE SIGNIFICANCE, BUT ALL HER FRIENDS
WERE TOLD THE SAME THING FROM THEIR MOTHERS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CURSE ; MENSTRUATION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 00-00-1945
DAB BUTTER ON A BURN, IT WILL MAKE IT FEEL BETTER.
Submitter comment:
MY GRANDMOTHER TOLD ME TO DO THIS WHEN I BURNED
MY HAND WHEN I WAS VISITING HER. I LATER FOUND OUT
THIS IS A TERRIBLE THING TO DO. IT SORT OF FRIES THE
SKIN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; REDFORD
Keyword(s): BURN CURE ; REMEDY
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Remedy |
Date learned: 00-00-1967
Little Sally Walker
This is a game that little girls play. Girls stand
in a circle, all facing each other, with one girl in the
middle who is called Little Sally Walker. They all sing
this song together and shake their hips while Sally chooses
a partner to dance with and repeat the song again and chooses
another partner until everyone is chosen. This is the end of
the game.
They sing this song:
Little Sally Walker, walking down the street.
She didn't know what to do, so she jumped in front of me.
She said "Go on Girl shake that thing, shake that thing,
STOP!
Go on girl choose your partner, choose your partner, STOP!
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): game, song
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Singing Dancing Marching Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1987
Having a Baby
My mama is having a baby.
My daddy is going crazy.
If it's a girl, I'll give it a curl.
If it's a boy, I'll give it a toy.
If it's twins, I'll wrap it up in toilet tissue,
And throw it on the elevator.
First Floor, STOP.
Second Floor, STOP.
Third Floor, STOP.
Fourth Floor, STOP.
Fifth Floor, STOP.
Now lets clap till our hands get hot.
Submitter comment: This is a rhyme said while playing a clapping game.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): GAME
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1987
IF IN THE MORNING YOU THROW MINUTES AWAY, YOU
WILL NEVER PICK THEM UP AT THE END OF THE DAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): WASTING TIME
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
POWDER AND PAINT MAKES A GIRL SEEM
WHAT SHE AIN'T.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): COSMETICS
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
MISS SUZI HAD A TUG BOAT, THE TUG BOAT HAD A BELL.
MISS SUZI WENT TO HEAVEN, THE TUG BOAT WENT TO
HELL-O OPERATOR, PLEASE GIVE ME NUMBER NINE, AND
IF YOU DISCONNECT ME, I'LL KICK YOU RIGHT BEHIND
THE 'FRIGERATOR, THERE LAID A PIECE OF GLASS,
MISS SUZI FELL UPON IT AND BROKE HER LITTLE
AS-K ME NO MORE QUESTIONS, PLEASE TELL ME NO MORE
LIES, MISS SUZI TOLD ME ALL OF THIS THE DAY BEFORE SHE
DIED HER HAIR ALL PURPLE, SHE DYED HER HAIR ALL RED,
SHE DYED HER HAIR ALL POLKA DOTS AND IT ALL RAN DOWN
THE SINK, GLUG, GLUG, GLUG.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LINCOLN PARK
James Callow Keyword(s): HAND GAME OR JUMPING COUNTING GAME
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime C500.560 |
Date learned: 09-00-1988