Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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RIDDLE
WHAT IS SMOKEY THE BEAR'S MIDDLE NAME? ANSWER: THE.
Data entry tech comment: SMOKEY THE BEAR IS A TELEVISION COMMERCIAL CHARACTER ; USED
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): CATCH
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
CATCH JOKE
THIS IS A FAIRY STORY AND A RIDDLE.
ONCE THERE WAS A GREAT KING WHO HAD TWO UNMARRIED
DAUGHTERS. A BRAVE KNIGHT CAME TO CALL ON THE KING AND
WAS IMMEDIATELY OFFERED THE CHANCE TO MARRY INTO THE ROYAL
FAMILY. NOW ONE DAUGHTER WAS TERRIBLY HOMELY, BUT SHE WAS
A TERRIFIC HOMEMAKER AND A GREAT COOK. SHE WAS, EXCEPT
FOR HER LOOKS, A PERFECT MATE. THE OTHER DAUGHTER WAS
BEAUTIFUL-- BUT HELPLESS. SHE COULD NEITHER COOK NOR
KEEP HOUSE. AFTER LENGTHY DELIBERATION, THE FOUR OF THEM--
THE KING, THE TWO DAUGHTERS, AND THE BRAVE KNIGHT--
GATHERED TO HEAR THE DECISION. WHOM DID HE CHOOSE?
(AT THIS POINT THE LISTENER GUESSES ONE DAUGHTER OR
THE OTHER.) WRONG! HE CHOSE THE KING. I TOLD YOU IT
WAS A FAIRY STORY.
Submitter comment:
I WAS TOLD THIS JOKE ON MY JOB AT DETROIT BANK AND TRUST
COMPANY IN 1977. THE JOKE, OF COURSE, IS IN THE DOUBLE-
ENTENDRE OF THE MEANING OF THE WORD "FAIRY", WHICH IS
USED HERE AS A DERISIVE TERM FOR HOMOSEXUALS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): CATCH TALE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale SPEECH -- Formula RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
PRACTICAL JOKE
THE JOKE TELLER INSTRUCTS THE DUPE TO REPEAT THE PHRASE
"BEHIND THE BUSH" AFTER EVERY STATEMENT THAT HE MAKES.
JOKE TELLER- THERE WAS A YOUNG MAN.
DUPE- BEHIND THE BUSH.
JOKE TELLER- TAKING OFF HIS CLOTHES.
DUPE- BEHIND THE BUSH.
JOKE TELLER- WHERE WERE YOU?
DUPE- BEHIND THE BUSH.
Submitter comment:
THIS JOKE IS MEANT TO TRAP PEOPLE (ESPECIALLY WOMEN) INTO
ADMITTING TO HAVING DONE SOMETHING DISGUSTING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
James Callow Keyword(s): CATCH TALE ; REFRAIN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: 00001970S
TAUNTING SONG
I'M GOING TO SEND MY BOY TO BONA,
ACROSS THE DIRTY RAILROAD TRACKS.
I'M GOING TO SEND MY BOY TO BONA,
AND HOPE TO HELL HE DON'T COME BACK, HE DON'T COME BACK. MM
I'M GOING TO SEND MY BOY TO BONA,
WHERE THEY WILL EDUCATE HIM WELL, LIKE HELL.
I'M GOING TO SEND MY BOY TO BONA,
OH YES I AM, LIKE HELL.
HERE'S TO DEAR OLD BONA-A! WUMPHF!
THIS SONG IS SUNG MANY TIMES AT EACH CANISIUS COLLEGE-
ST. BONAVENTURE UNIVERSITY BASKETBALL GAME BY THE CANISIUS
FANS. THERE EXISTS A FIERCE RIVALRY BETWEEN THE TWO.
Submitter comment:
"BONA" IS PRONOUNCED LIKE THE FIRST TWO SYLLABLES OF
BONAVENTURE.
Data entry tech comment:
Keypunched by R.J.Miller 11/82
Updated by TRD 01/12
Where learned: BUFFALO ; NEW YORK
Keyword(s): EDUCATION ; HUMOR ; IRONY ; Lyrics ; RHYME ; SONG
James Callow Keyword(s): EDUCATION ; IRONY ; SATIRE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ill humor Ridicule Mockery CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School |
Date learned: 11-00-1966
GHOST STORY
"ONE NIGHT WHEN I SPENT THE NIGHT AT MY BOYFRIEND'S HOUSE, I KEPT
HEARING STRANGE CAT NOISES. I WAS TOO AFRAID TO GET UP AND LOOK
TO SEE WHERE THE NOISES WERE COMING FROM AND I DIDN'T WANT TO WAKE
UP MIKE, SO I WENT BACK TO SLEEP. IN THE MORNING I ASKED MIKE IF
ANY OF HIS NEIGHBORS HAD A CAT; HE SAID NO. HE SAID THAT HE USED
TO HAVE A CAT THOUGH AND THAT IT HAD DIED. HE SAID THAT IT
PROBABLY CAME BACK TO VISIT HIM."
Submitter comment: INFORMANT SAID THAT HER BOYFRIEND FIRMLY BELIEVED THIS.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; ROCHESTER
Keyword(s): ANIMAL GHOST ; CAT GHOST
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal |
Date learned: 00001979CA
DURING THE DEPRESSION, SOUTHERN BLACK WOMEN WHO DIDN'T HAVE
THE MONEY TO BUY HAIR GREASE TO USE WHEN PRESSING THEIR HAIR
USED LARD INSTEAD.
Submitter comment:
TOLD BY HER GRANDMOTHER AND PASSED ON
LARD=ANIMAL FAT
Where learned: NORTH CAROLINA ; CARTHAGE
James Callow Keyword(s): BEAUTIFICATION ; COSMETICS
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Human or animal body BELIEF -- Body part Senses |
Date learned: 00001950S
DURING THE 1930s, BLACK WOMEN WHO DIDN'T HAVE EYEBROW
PENCILS WOULD STRIKE A MATCH, BLOW OUT THE FLAME, TAKE THE
WARM TIP AND SCRAPE IT AGAINST THE INSIDE WALL OF THE
FIREPLACE AND USE THE TIP AS AN EYEBROW LINER.
Submitter comment: SHE USED MANY GESTURES.
Where learned: NORTH CAROLINA ; CARTHAGE
James Callow Keyword(s): BEAUTIFICATION ; COSMETICS
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Human or animal body |
Date learned: 10-14-1984 ; 00-00-1950
TARZAN AND ELEPHANT JOKE #1
Q. WHAT DID TARZAN SAY WHEN HE SAW THE HERD OF ELEPHANTS
COMING OVER THE HILL?
A. LOOK--A HERD OF ELEPHANTS COMING OVER THE HILL!!
Submitter comment:
THIS JOKE IS KNOWN AS A GROANER, SINCE IT RECEIVES GROANS,
NOT LAUGHS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNION LAKE
James Callow Keyword(s): LITERAL CATCH
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 03-00-1984
BLACK-AMERICAN CURE
FOR SICK HEADACHE, LAY A COLD WET CLOTH ON THE STOMACH WITH
DRY FLANNEL OVER IT. PUT THE FEET INTO HOT MUSTARD WATER,
AND SWALLOW A FEW SPOONFULS OF LEMON JUICE.
Submitter comment:
MRS. GOODEN FAITHFULLY PRACTICES HER OLD-FASHIONED CURES
WHEN NEEDED.
Where learned: TENNESSEE
Keyword(s): MEDICATION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
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
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
AT MIDNIGHT YOU WERE MADE TO STAND IN A FIELD, USUALLY A
CAMP GROUND. YOU WERE TOLD TO SCREAM THREE INDIAN WORDS
VERY FAST UNTIL YOU FIGURED OUT WHAT IT MEANS.
THE THREE WORDS WERE, "WANNA," "ASA," "AM." SAID VERY FAST
THESE WORDS SOUND LIKE --WHAT AN ASS I AM.
Submitter comment: IT WAS USED AS AN INITIATION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): CATCH
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 00001970S
Entry filtered.
Balinese Custom
In Bali, one month after birth a baby's head is shaved
completely to chase all evil spirits away.
Where learned: Bali ; Indonesia
Keyword(s): PURIFICATION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hair, on head, mustache, widow's peak BELIEF -- Measure of time Month |
Date learned: 00-00-1955
Chinese Custom
In China, and in the Chinese culture one month after the birth
of a baby, the head, eyebrows, and eyelashes are shaved to
achieve greater growth.
Where learned: CHINA
Keyword(s): PURIFICATION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hair, on head, mustache, widow's peak BELIEF -- Measure of time Month |
Date learned: 00-00-1955
Question: How many people are buried in a cemetery?
Answer: All that are dead.
Submitter comment:
Informant's grandfather used to ask this riddle
every time they drove past a cemetery.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CATCH
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 00001940S
A popular joke in school was:
If a rooster is on top of a roof, on a peak,
and lays an egg, which direction will the egg roll?
Answer, roosters do not lay eggs.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): Catch Riddle
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: 00001970S
Willing is a good man; Able is a better one.
Submitter comment:
Being willing to try to do something is good but being able to
do something is better.
Where learned: VIRGIN ISLANDS ; Saint Thomas
James Callow Keyword(s): NAMES ; PERSONIFICATION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 03-00-1991
Latvian School
When Latvian school children reach the early teenage years, they
must attend Latvian school. There, they are taught the history,
traditions, music, and language of their country.
Submitter comment:
Guy attended this school, and learned a great deal about the
birthplace of his father.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
Keyword(s): EDUCATION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School |
Date learned: 00001985ca
Entry filtered.