Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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PROVERBIAL COMPARISON
LIFE IS LIKE A BEAVER COLONY, ONE DAMN THING AFTER ANOTHER
Submitter comment: THIS WAS MY PHILOSOPHY IN HIGH SCHOOL
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
James Callow Keyword(s): OBSERVATION ; PUN ON DAM
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 00-00-1974
IF YOU DO NOT LET YOUR CAR WARM UP BEFORE DRIVING, YOU ARE GOING TO
GET STUCK.
Submitter comment:
GET STUCK MEANS YOUR CAR WILL EITHER BREAK DOWN OR YOU WILL BE
STRANDED IN IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
James Callow Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE
Date learned: 02-00-1979
PARODY OF A NURSERY RHYME
MARY HAD A LITTLE LAMB...THAT'S WHAT SHE GETS FOR SLEEPING IN THE
BARN.
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): BESTIALITY SODOMY BUGGERY ; BIRTH OF ANIMAL FROM HUMAN
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: CA00001969
PROSE ROUND ; FORMULA TALE
IT WAS A DARK AND STORMY NIGHT. WE WERE ALL SITTING AROUND THE
CAMPFIRE WHEN SUDDENLY UNCLE JOE WALKED UP, AND SOMEONE CALLED OUT
"UNCLE JOE, TELL US A STORY}" AND HE BEGAN: "IT WAS A DARK AND STORMY
NIGHT. WE WERE ALL SITTING AROUND THE CAMPFIRE WHEN SUDDENLY UNCLE
GEORGE WALKED UP, AND SOMEONE CALLED OUT, "UNCLE GEORGE, TELL US A
STORY}" (THIS IS REPEATED, USING A DIFFERENT NAME EACH TIME.)
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): CHAIN INVOLVING NAMES ; INTERESTING COMBINATION OF ROUND AND CHAIN TALE
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: CA00001968
SIGNS OF THE DEVIL
IF LEAVES DANCE IN A CIRCLE WHILE THE WIND IS BLOWING THEM,
IT IS A SIGN OF THE DEVIL.
Where learned: GEORGIA ; MILLEDGEVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Wind Whirlwind Hurricane Cyclone Tornado BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Circle and other round forms |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
CUSTOM
A MOTHER SAYS TO HER DAUGHTER, CONCERNING THE AMOUNT OF
PERFUME SHE'S PUT ON: "YOU'D LIKE TO KILL A HORSE."
Submitter comment:
THIS LETS THE GIRL KNOW THAT SHE HAS PUT ON TOO MUCH PERFUME;
LITERALLY ENOUGH TO KNOCK OUT A HORSE.
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): HYPERBOLE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Home SPEECH -- Formula PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase |
Date learned: CA00001960S
RIDDLE
THERE IS A TEACHER AT THE LAWRENCE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
WHO ASKS THE QUESTION: WHAT IS A FOUR LETTER WORD FOR INTERCOURSE
THAT ENDS IN K? THE ANSWER IS TALK
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
James Callow Keyword(s): PRETENDED OBSCENE RIDDLE
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: 01-00-1979
CUSTOM
IN LEBANON WE HAVE A CUSTOM THAT IS FOLLOWED WHEN A MAN AND A WOMAN
MARRY. A WOMAN MUST BE A VIRGIN WHEN SHE MARRIES, SO ON THE NIGHT
AFTER THE WEDDING, THE COUPLE TAKES THEIR BLOODY SHEET TO THE HOUSES
OF BOTH THEIR FAMILIES TO PROVE THIS. IF THE WOMAN WAS NOT A VIRGIN,
HER HUSBAND WOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO DIVORCE HER AT ONCE, AND HER
FAMILY WOULD LOSE THEIR HONOR.
Submitter comment: THIS IS A CUSTOM FOLLOWED BY MUSLIMS IN LEBANON.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; COLLECTORS HOME
James Callow Keyword(s): BREAKING THE HYMEN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
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NOW I LAY ME DOWN TO REST
I PRAY I PASS TOMORROW'S TEST
IF I SHOULD DIE BEFORE I WAKE
THAT'S ONE LESS TEST I HAVE TO TAKE.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT DORMS
Keyword(s): RHYME: AABB
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
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INNOCENTS DAY
ON DECEMBER 28 THE BOYS AND MEN OF CERTAIN TOWN IN THE ISLAND
CELEBRATE THE INNOCENTS DAY BY DRESSING UP IN EXTREMELY COLORFUL
COSTUMES WITH TINY BELLS ATTACHED ALL OVER. THEY GO AROUND IN FLOATS
PLAYING TRICKS AND ASKING FOR MONEY. AT THE END OF THE DAY THE BEST
COSTUME AND CARAVAN IS SELECTED.
Submitter comment: SOME OF THESE COSTUMES MAY COST AROUND 500.00 DOLLARS TO MAKE.
Where learned: PUERTO RICO ; HATILLO
James Callow Keyword(s): BEGGING
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 28 Holy Innocents CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
GHOST IN GUAJATACA
IT IS BELIEVED THAT THE GHOST OF A WOMAN KILLED IN A CAR ACCIDENT
STILL ROAMS ASKING FOR RIDES AND DISAPPEARING AFTERWARDS. SHE IS
DRESSED IN WHITE. SEVERAL PEOPLE CLAIM TO HAVE SEEN HER.
Submitter comment:
SIMILAR TALES LIKE THIS ONE HAVE BEEN TOLD IN DIFFERENT TOWNS OF THE
ISLAND.
Where learned: PUERTO RICO ; GUAJATACA
James Callow Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
GRAFFITO
"THE U.S. ARMY CONSISTS OF THE UNEDUCATED LEADING THE UNWILLING
IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THE UNNECESSARY."
Where learned: SOUTH VIETNAM ; Vietnam ; ARMY LATRINE ; AHN KHE
James Callow Keyword(s): PARAMOION: REPETITION AT THE BEGINNINGS OF WORDS ; SATIRE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Art Craft Architecture Art, Craft, Architecture |
Date learned: CA00001969
FOLK ART: FUNCTIONAL SHIFT
MANY OLD RAILROAD DEPOTS HAVE BEEN CONVERTED FOR USE AS
RESTAURANTS, SHOPS AND OFFICES.
Submitter comment:
A CLOSE-BY EXAMPLE IS THE FORMER MICHIGAN CENTRAL RAILROAD IN
ANN ARBOR. IT IS NOW THE GANDY DANCER RESTAURANT.
Where learned: UNITED STATES
James Callow Keyword(s): ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Color Design ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Public Building |
POLISH WEDDING CUSTOM
AT POLISH WEDDING RECEPTIONS, THE BRIDE AND GROOM ARE
PRESENTED WITH SALT AND WATER BY THE GUESTS. THIS INSURES THAT
THE COUPLE WILL HAVE SUSTENANCE THROUGHOUT THEIR MARRIED LIFE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOLS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Reception BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Water |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
PROVERBIAL METAPHOR
ONCE BURNT TWICE SHY
YOU AVOID AN UNFORTUNATE HAPPENING THE SECOND TIME
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CONTRAST ; ELLIPSIS ; NUMBERS
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 00-00-1971
ONE HUNDRED NOTHINGS
ONE HUNDRED NOTHINGS KILLED THE JACK ASS
Submitter comment: STORY EXPLAINING PROVERB
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): NUMBERS
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 07-00-1964