Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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STICK PINS IN A LIKENESS OF A PERSON AND IT WILL
DRIVE THEM MAD OR EVEN KILL THEM.
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): VOODOO
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Curse |
Date learned: 10-22-1968
HOO DOO
LAST YEAR WHILE I WAS WORKING AT THE MAURY COUNTY HOSPITAL, AN
AID, WHOSE NAME ESCAPES ME, TOLD ME ABOUT AN OLD LADY IN
MOUNT PLEASANT, WHO PRACTICED HOO DOO. THIS OLD LADY HAD
THE POWER TO PUT A CURSE ON ANYONE WHO BOTHERED HER. SHE'S
AN OLD NEGRO AND APPARENTLY THE NEGROES IN MOUNT PLEASANT
BELIEVE IN HER POWERS. THE ONES WHO DON'T HAVE BEEN
SHOWN THAT HER POWER DOES EXIST.
Where learned: TENNESSEE, ASSUMED ; COLUMBIA
James Callow Keyword(s): VOO DOO
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Witch Shaman |
Date learned: 06-15-1970
CABIN FEVER
IN THE MOUNTAINS IN WYOMING THERE IS A PARTICULARLY
BLEAK TIME OF THE YEAR DURING THE WINTER MONTHS WITH
THE INTENSE COLD AND GREAT QUANTITIES OF SNOW. DURING
THIS TIME, THE NATIVES WILL WARN YOU OF "CABIN FEVER,"
WHICH REFERS TO THE STIR-CRAZY ATTITUDE ONE CAN GET
DURING THIS TIME. ONE FEVER STORY CONCERNS TWO LOGGERS
WHO WERE SENT UP INTO THE TIMBER IN THE EARLY AUTUMN
AND TOLD TO COME DOWN WHEN THEY HAD CLEARED THE AREA.
THESE TWO MEN QUARRELED RIGHT ABOUT THE BEGINNING OF THE
CABIN FEVER TIME AND QUIT SPEAKING. WEEKS WENT BY AND
THE TWO MEN CONTINUED TO WORK OPPOSITE ENDS OF A SAW,
SHARING BED AND BOARD, YET NEVER SPEAKING TO ONE
ANOTHER, EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS NO ONE ELSE AROUND
TO SPEAK TO. THEN, ONE DAY AFTER ABOUT SIX WEEKS OF
THIS, THEY FINISHED THE JOB AND WENT INTO DUBOIS TO
CELEBRATE. THAT NIGHT THEY ENCOUNTERED EACH OTHER NINE
TIMES IN THE BARS AND EACH TIME THEY HAD A VIOLENT
FIGHT. TOWNSPEOPLE WILL STILL POINT OUT WINDOWS THAT
WERE BROKEN AND WHERE BLOOD WAS SPILLED. AFTER THIS
RIOTOUS NIGHT, THE TWO MEN SHOOK HANDS AND WENT
BACK TO THE HILLS AGAIN. CABIN FEVER WAS OVER.
Where learned: NASHVILLE ; TENNESSEE, ASSUMED
James Callow Keyword(s): BOREDOM ; LONLINESS ; WILDERNESS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00-00-1964
COLLEGE STUDENT ON PILLS
THERE WAS AN AVERAGE STUDENT WHO CAME FROM A VERY
WEALTHY FAMILY. HIS PARENTS SENT HIM TO ONE OF THE IVY
LEAGUE SCHOOLS IN THE EAST. THE BOY COULD NOT MAKE
HIS GRADES BY DOING AN AVERAGE AMOUNT OF STUDYING, SO HE
STARTED TAKING DEXEDRINE PILLS. EVERY OTHER NIGHT FOR
AN ENTIRE YEAR HE DIDN'T GO TO BED. AT THE END OF THE
SCHOOL YEAR HE WENT HOME AND WENT TO SLEEP. HIS
PARENTS LET HIM SLEEP FOR TWENTY FOUR HOURS, THEN
TRIED TO AWAKEN HIM. HE WAS DEAD.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): DRUG OVERDOSE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Body part Senses |
Date learned: 08-10-1968
TEETHING
IF A PERSON HAS ASTHMA, IF HE SLEEPS WITH A CHIHUAHUA IT
WILL CURE HIM.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): DOG
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Animal |
Legend
CROSS ON WHICH CHRIST WAS CRUCIFIED WAS SUPPOSEDLY
OF DOGWOOD. THUS THE DOGWOOD FLOWER IS SHAPED LIKE A
CRUCIFIX AS A REMINDER OF THE CRUCIFIXTION. THE TEAR
DROP IN THE CENTER OF THE FLOWER REPRESENTS A TEAR
WHICH IS SHED FOR THE DEATH OF CHRIST.
Submitter comment:
ORIGIN: UNKNOWN
Data entry tech comment:
Updated on 2011-02-22 by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): Christ ; CURSE ; Cursed ; DEATH ; Dogwood ; FLOWER ; Legend ; RELIGION ; Story ; Tale ; Tear ; Tree
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Plant |
Date learned: 07-30-1964
(PROVERB)
SOME GUY WHO WAS A GREAT TRACK STAR IN GREEK TIMES
STARTED TO BRAG HOW GREAT HE WAS. COME THE DAY OF THE
ATHENS-SPARTA MARATHON, AND HE WAS UP FOR IT. HIS
TRADE MARK BESIDES WINNING, WAS HIS CLOTHES, BECAUSE
HE WAS POOR. HE SAVED UP AND FOR THE BIG RACE HE
BOUGHT SHEEP WAX TO POLISH UP HIS CLOTHES SO THEY
LOOKED EXPENSIVE. THE RACE BEGINS. HE RAN AS HARD
AND AS LONG AS HE COULD. ALAS AND ALACK HE WAS
BEATEN.
MORAL: DON'T GLOSS YOUR BRITHCES AFORE YOU RUN IN
THEM.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Keyword(s): DON'T CROSS YOUR BRIDGES BEFORE YOU COME TO THEM.
| Subject headings: | 6677 Formula Tale |
Date learned: 10-20-1970
WINDOW IN THE DOGGIE JOKE
THERE WAS AN ECCENTRIC OLD LADY WHO HAD A LITTLE DOG
THAT SHE LOVED VERY MUCH AND JUST DOTED ON. THE DOG WAS
GETTING OLD AND HADN'T BEEN FELLING WELL, SO THE LADY TOOK
IT TO THE VET. THE DOCTOR TOLD HER THAT THE DOG HAD A
WEAK HEART AND WOULDN'T BE AROUND MUCH LONGER. HE SAID
HE JUST HAD A DOG WHO DIED AND SUGGESTED A HEART TRANSPLANT.
THE LADY CONSENTED AND THE DOCTOR WAS REALLY EXCITED
BECAUSE THIS WAS A FIRST--A HEART TRANSPLANT IN A DOG. THE
LADY WAS WATCHING THE DELICATE OPERATION AND THE SKILLFUL
DOCTOR ASKED THAT SINCE HE WAS ALREADY OPERATING, COULD
HE PUT A WINDOW IN THE DOG SO THEY COULD WATCH THE NEW
HEART WORK. THE LADY BEGAN TO WORRY ABOUT MONEY, BUT
CONSENTED ANYWAY.
FINALLY SHE GOT SO WORRIED ABOUT THE COST OF THE OPERATION
AND EVERYTHING THAT SHE THOUGHT SHE {HAD} BETTER INQUIRE
ABOUT IT. SHE ASKED THE DOCTOR, "HOW MUCH IS THAT WINDOW
IN THE DOGGIE?"
Where learned: INDIANA ; University of Notre Dame
Keyword(s): SONG: HOW MUCH IS THAT DOGGIE IN THE WINDOW.
James Callow Keyword(s): HOW MUCH IS THAT DOGGIE IN THE WINDOW?
| Subject headings: | 6677 Formula Tale |
Date learned: 03-28-1971
YELLOW FINGER
ONCE UPON A TIME THERE WAS A CASTLE THAT WAS GUARDED BY
A HUGE YELLOW FINGER, WHO WOULDN'T LET ANYONE PASS
THE KING FROM A RIVALING CASTLE SENT ONE OF HIS BRAVEST
KNIGHTS TO GET BY THE FINGER, BUT THE FINGER KILLED HIM.
SO THE KING SENT A DUKE, BUT HE, TOO, WAS KILLED. THEN
THE KING SENT ONE OF HIS PAGES. HE JUST WALKED RIGHT
THROUGH.
MORAL: LET YOUR PAGES DO THE WALKING THROUGH THE YELLOW
FINGER.
Submitter comment:
IT SEEMS TO ME THERE WAS SLIGHTLY MORE BUILD-UP ON THIS
STORY, BUT I CAN'T REMEMBER IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): PUN ON TELEVISION ADVERTISEMENT: LET YOUR FINGERS DO THE
| Subject headings: | 6677 Formula Tale |
Date learned: 11-18-1968
Legend
CROSS ON WHICH CHRIST WAS CRUCIFIED WAS SUPPOSEDLY
OF DOGWOOD. THUS THE DOGWOOD FLOWER IS SHAPED LIKE A
CRUCIFIX AS A REMINDER OF THE CRUCIFIXTION. THE TEAR
DROP IN THE CENTER OF THE FLOWER REPRESENTS A TEAR
WHICH IS SHED FOR THE DEATH OF CHRIST.
Submitter comment:
ORIGIN: UNKNOWN
Data entry tech comment:
Updated 02-22-2011 by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): Christ ; CRUCIFIXION ; CURSE ; DEATH ; Dogwood ; FLOWER ; Legend ; RELIGION ; Story ; Tale ; Tear ; Tree
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Plant |
Date learned: 07-30-1964
(PROVERB)
SOME GUY WHO WAS A GREAT TRACK STAR IN GREEK TIMES
STARTED TO BRAG HOW GREAT HE WAS. COME THE DAY OF THE
ATHENS-SPARTA MARATHON, AND HE WAS UP FOR IT. HIS
TRADE MARK BESIDES WINNING, WAS HIS CLOTHES, BECAUSE
HE WAS POOR. HE SAVED UP AND FOR THE BIG RACE HE
BOUGHT SHEEP WAX TO POLISH UP HIS CLOTHES SO THEY
LOOKED EXPENSIVE. THE RACE BEGINS. HE RAN AS HARD
AND AS LONG AS HE COULD. ALAS AND ALACK HE WAS
BEATEN.
MORAL: DON'T GLOSS YOUR BRITHCES AFORE YOU RUN IN
THEM.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Keyword(s): DON'T CROSS YOUR BRIDGES BEFORE YOU COME TO THEM.
| Subject headings: | 6677 Formula Tale |
Date learned: 10-20-1970
WINDOW IN THE DOGGIE JOKE
THERE WAS AN ECCENTRIC OLD LADY WHO HAD A LITTLE DOG
THAT SHE LOVED VERY MUCH AND JUST DOTED ON. THE DOG WAS
GETTING OLD AND HADN'T BEEN FELLING WELL, SO THE LADY TOOK
IT TO THE VET. THE DOCTOR TOLD HER THAT THE DOG HAD A
WEAK HEART AND WOULDN'T BE AROUND MUCH LONGER. HE SAID
HE JUST HAD A DOG WHO DIED AND SUGGESTED A HEART TRANSPLANT.
THE LADY CONSENTED AND THE DOCTOR WAS REALLY EXCITED
BECAUSE THIS WAS A FIRST--A HEART TRANSPLANT IN A DOG. THE
LADY WAS WATCHING THE DELICATE OPERATION AND THE SKILLFUL
DOCTOR ASKED THAT SINCE HE WAS ALREADY OPERATING, COULD
HE PUT A WINDOW IN THE DOG SO THEY COULD WATCH THE NEW
HEART WORK. THE LADY BEGAN TO WORRY ABOUT MONEY, BUT
CONSENTED ANYWAY.
FINALLY SHE GOT SO WORRIED ABOUT THE COST OF THE OPERATION
AND EVERYTHING THAT SHE THOUGHT SHE {HAD} BETTER INQUIRE
ABOUT IT. SHE ASKED THE DOCTOR, "HOW MUCH IS THAT WINDOW
IN THE DOGGIE?"
Where learned: INDIANA ; University of Notre Dame
Keyword(s): SONG: HOW MUCH IS THAT DOGGIE IN THE WINDOW.
James Callow Keyword(s): HOW MUCH IS THAT DOGGIE IN THE WINDOW?
| Subject headings: | 6677 Formula Tale |
Date learned: 03-28-1971
YELLOW FINGER
ONCE UPON A TIME THERE WAS A CASTLE THAT WAS GUARDED BY
A HUGE YELLOW FINGER, WHO WOULDN'T LET ANYONE PASS
THE KING FROM A RIVALING CASTLE SENT ONE OF HIS BRAVEST
KNIGHTS TO GET BY THE FINGER, BUT THE FINGER KILLED HIM.
SO THE KING SENT A DUKE, BUT HE, TOO, WAS KILLED. THEN
THE KING SENT ONE OF HIS PAGES. HE JUST WALKED RIGHT
THROUGH.
MORAL: LET YOUR PAGES DO THE WALKING THROUGH THE YELLOW
FINGER.
Submitter comment:
IT SEEMS TO ME THERE WAS SLIGHTLY MORE BUILD-UP ON THIS
STORY, BUT I CAN'T REMEMBER IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 6677 Formula Tale |
Date learned: 11-18-1968
YELLOW FINGERS
ONCE THERE WAS A KING WHO WANTED TO GET A MESSAGE THROUGH
TO A NEIGHBORING KINGDOM. BUT IN ORDER TO GET THROUGH,
THE MESSANGER WOULD HAVE TO PASS THE MONSTROUS YELLOW
FINGERS. FIRST A KNIGHT WAS SENT, BUT THE YELLOW FINGERS
PINCHED HIM TO DEATH. THEN A SQUIRE TRIED, BUT MET WITH
THE SAME FATE. FINALLY, A PAGE WAS SENT AND MADE IT
THROUGH.
THE MORAL OF THE STORY IS: LET YOUR PAGES DO THE WALKING
THROUGH THE YELLOW FINGERS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 6677 Formula Tale |
Date learned: 10-15-1969
I WAS POURING HIM A HILL, HE WAS DIGGING ME A HOLE.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Keyword(s): {WHEN IS THIS USED?} {DON'T KNOW}
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 10-03-1971
POLISH PROVERB
THE MICE SAFELY CAN RUN AROUND WHEN THE CAT ISN'T HOME.
TRANSLATION OF:
BEZPIECZNIE MYSZY BIEGAJA, GAY ROTA U DOMU NIE MAJA.
Submitter comment: I KNOW THIS FROM HOME.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN BY COLLECTOR
James Callow Keyword(s): FREEDOM
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN BY COLLECTOR
KNOB: A THING TO ADORE.
James Callow Keyword(s): DEFINITION ; HUMOR ; PUN FOR A DOOR.
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 05-29-1970
TEN ACRES OF SAND AND A RED-HEADED WIFE
IS UAUALLY {SIC} THE END OF A PINHEAD'S LIFE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
Keyword(s): THINKS, PINHEAD MEANS DULL-WITTED.} ; {MEANING? COLLECTOR DOESN'T KNOW. PROBABLY, SHE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb |
Date learned: 09-20-1967
VINEGAR CATCHES NO FLIES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FOOD INSECTS ODOR
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 00-00-1965
DID YOU EVER THINK OF ACTING? LIKE A HUMAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): PUT DOWN
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |