Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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AUTHORS AND TITLES
THE YELLOW RIVER BY I. P. DALEY
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: DETROIT
Keyword(s): PUN ; PUNS ; WORDPLAY
James Callow Keyword(s): PUN ON PEE, MEANING URINATE
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: CA00001968
PROVERB
BREAK A LEG
Submitter comment: ALWAYS SAID TO A PERFORMER FOR GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN HEIGHTS
James Callow Keyword(s): THEATER
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 01-00-1979
STORY OF THE STORK
ONE DAY GOD GAVE A MAN A BAG TO CARRY BUT DIDN'T
TELL THE MAN WHAT WAS IN IT. HE TOLD THE MAN TO CARRY THIS BAG
TO A CERTAIN PLACE ON EARTH BUT NOT TO OPEN IT OR LOOK INSIDE.
SO THE MAN TOOK THE BAG BUT GOT CURIOUS AND OPENED IT AND OUT
CAME ALL KINDS OF SNAKES AND FROGS AND WATER ANIMALS.
GOD GOT MAD AND TURNED THE MAN INTO A STORK AND GAVE HIM A LONG
BILL AND LONG LEGS SO HE COULD GO IN SWAMPS AND
GATHER ALL THE ANIMALS HE SET FREE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CREATION ; MYTH ; STORK ; WATER ANIMALS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Creation and Order of Animal Life |
Date learned: 04-07-1972
Superstition: Baseball
WHEN THE PITCHER HAS A NO-HITTER GOING IN A BASEBALL GAME IT IS BAD
LUCK TO MENTION THIS FACT UNTIL THE GAME IS OVER. IF YOU DO MENTION
IT THE PITCHER WILL LOSE HIS NO-HITTER. DURING THE 1979 DETROIT
TIGERS BASEBALL SEASON DAVE ROZEMA HAD A NO-HITTER GOING IN THE
SEVENTH INNING AND THE UN-BASEBALL-WISE CHANNEL FOUR TV ANNOUNCER
MIKE BARRY ANNOUNCED THIS AND SURE ENOUGH THE NEXT BATTER GOT A
HOMERUN. THE OTHER TV ANNOUNCERS, FORMER BASEBALL PLAYERS AL KALINE
AND GEORGE SWELL, ALMOST THREW BARRY OUT OF THEIR THIRD-DECK BOOTH.
ANYBODY THAT KNOWS ANYTHING ABOUT BASEBALL KNOWS YOU ARE NOT SUPPOSE
TO MENTION A NO-HITTER AND BARRY SAID IT IN FRONT OF A QUARTER
MILLION PERSON TV AUDIENCE.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
Keyword(s): BAD LUCK ; BASEBALL ; BASEBALL STADIUM ; CHANCE ; CUSTOM ; Fan ; FATE ; jinx ; LUCK ; No-Hitter ; Shutout ; SPORTS ; SUPERSTITION
James Callow Keyword(s): SPEAKING TABU
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 11-23-1979
LEGEND
THERE IS A STORY THAT ON KELLY'S ISLAND IN OHIO WHEN IN THE EARLY
1800'S THE CEMETERY WAS FIRST BEGINNING TO BE FIXED, SOMEHOW ONE
OF THE MEN WORKING ON THIS AREA GOT INTO A FIGHT WITH HIS BOSS AND
IN HIS ANGER HE SAID THAT HE WAS GLAD HE WASN'T GOING TO BE BURIED
IN THAT PLACE.
A FEW MONTHS LATER THIS SAME MAN WAS WORKING ON A HOUSE THAT FELL
ON HIM. HE WAS THE FIRST TO BE BURIED AT THE CEMETERY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): CONTRAST ; FALSE ASSUMPTION. ASSUMPTION PROVES FALSE. ; IRONY ; PROPHECY REVERSED. WISH REVERSED. OPPOSITE COMES TRUE. ; TEMPTING FATE
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 11-04-1967
THE MAD BUTCHER OF KINGSBERRY RUN
KINGSBERRY RUN IS A ROAD RUNNING THROUGH THE FLATS OF CLEVELAND
(INDUSTRIAL AREA). MANY UNSOLVED MURDERS HAVE BEEN COMMITTED THERE
WHERE THE VICTIMS HAVE BEEN SLICED UP. THE MURDERER HAS BEEN
CALLED THE MAD BUTCHER. THIS INCIDENT HAS BECOME A LEGEND AMONG
THE PEOPLE OF CLEVELAND.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT HEARD OF THIS LEGEND WHILE LIVING IN CLEVELAND WHERE
HE SPENT THE FIRST 18 YEARS OF HIS LIFE.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; STUDENT UNION ; TOLD IN
Keyword(s): MUTILATED MURDERS ; OHIO
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate |
Date learned: 03-02-1970
LYNDEN BANES JOHNSON HAS ONLY ORDERED A GRAVE FOR THREE DAYS.
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): GHOSTS ; PRESIDENTS (UNITED STATES OF AMERICA)
James Callow Keyword(s): CONFIDENCE
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
IF YOU LIE DOWN WITH DOGS, YOU GET FLEAS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
Keyword(s): ANIMALS
James Callow Keyword(s): FRIENDS ASSOCIATES BAD COMPANY ; INSECTS ; OBSERVATION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
QUESTION: WHY WAS THE ELEPHANT SITTING SO CAREFULLY ON THE
MARSHMALLOW? ANSWER: BECAUSE HE DIDN'T WANT TO FALL IN THE HOT
CHOCOLATE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES
James Callow Keyword(s): MARSHMALLOW CHOCOLATE
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 03-19-1980
PROVERB
I GOT THE ROTTEN END OF THE DEAL.
Submitter comment: UNCERTAIN
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
Keyword(s): BAD DEALS
James Callow Keyword(s): CHEATED
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase |
Date learned: 00-00-1964
PROVERB
I GOT THE SHORT END OF THE STRAW.
Submitter comment: UNCERTAIN
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
Keyword(s): BAD DEALS
James Callow Keyword(s): CHEATED
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase |
Date learned: 00-00-1964
TAUNT
LITTLE CHILDREN WILL TRY TO TEASE THEIR FRIENDS WITH THE FOLLOWING; MM
QUESTION - WHAT DID YOU HAVE FOR BREAKFAST?
ANSWER - PEA GREEN SOUP MM
QUESTION - WHAT DID YOU HAVE FOR LUNCH?
ANSWER - PEA GREEN SOUP MM
QUESTION - WHAT DID YOU HAVE FOR DINNER?
ANSWER - PEA GREEN SOUP MM
QUESTION - WHAT DID YOU DO ALL NIGHT?
ANSWER - PEA GREEN SOUP
Submitter comment:
THE COLLECTOR FIRST HEARD THIS IN 1976 FROM A YOUNGER SISTER. IT
IS A CATCH QUESTION EMPHASIZING REPETITION TO EMBARRASS THE UNWARY.
PEA GREEN SOUP IS USED IN TWO DIFFERENT CONTEXTS - FIRST AS A NOUN
AND THEN AS A VERB. PEE IS USED AS A SLANG WORD FOR URINATE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; USA ; SOUTHGATE
James Callow Keyword(s): CATCH ; SLANG: PEE FOR URINATE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 10-00-1980 ; 09-00-1976
Entry filtered.
Entry filtered.
FATHER BAKER'S MIRACLE
THIS IS A TRUE STORY ABOUT FATHER BAKER'S MIRACLE. FATHER BAKER HAD A
LITTLE CHURCH IN BUFFALO NEW YORK. HE WANTED TO BUILD A NEW CHURCH,
BUT THERE WAS NO MONEY. ONE DAY AFTER CELEBRATING MASS HE TOLD THE
ALTAR BOYS TO FOLLOW THEM. STILL DRESSED IN THE GARB OF THE CHURCH
FATHER BAKER POINTED TO A PLACE IN AN EMPTY FIELD AND SAID "DRILL
HERE FOR OIL," BUT EVERYONE KNEW THERE WAS NO OIL IN THE AREA. ON HIS
INSISTANCE THEY DRILLED, FOUND OIL LESS THAN FIFTY FEET DOWN,
AND THUS FINANCED THE CHURCH.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT WAS A MEMBER OF FATHER BAKER'S PARISH WHERE THE STORY
IS TOLD.
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
James Callow Keyword(s): PRIEST AS OIL WITCH ; WATER WITCH: OIL WITCH
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
AUTOGRAPH BOOK JUNGLE
FLORIDA GROWS ORANGES.
CALIFORNIA DOES TOO
BUT IT TOOK OHIO
TO GROW A PEACH LIKE YOU.
Data entry tech comment: ANY STATE COULD BE SUBSTITUTED FOR OHIO.
Keyword(s): FOOD ; LOCATION ; PRAISE ; RHYME: ABCB
James Callow Keyword(s): NAMES OF STATES
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Humorous allusion to love |
Date learned: 10-27-1968
APPRECIATION OF FRIENDS
IT IS EVIDENT THROUGHOUT OUR LIVES,
HOW SWEET AND SOUR OUR LIVES CAN BE.
BUT IF WE COULD LOVE AS WELL AS WE HATE,
WHAT FEW TROUBLES WOULD BE LEFT TO SEE.
FOR JOYS WOULD RESULT WITH NO SORROWS FELT,
THUS LEAVING OUR HEARTS SO EASY TO MELT.
Keyword(s): ADVICE ; ASSONANCE ; CONTRAST ; FREE VERSE ; HATE ; INFORMATIVE ; LOVE ; METAPHOR ; RHYME: ABCBEE ; SERIOUSNESS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Tender sentiment |
Date learned: 00-00-1959
LUCK
A SEA SHELL (SEASHELL) PLACED AT THE FRONT DOOR INVITES LUCK
TO ENTER THE HOUSE.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT CAN'T REMEMBER WHEN OR WHERE HE LEARNED
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): HOME, DOMESTIC PURSUITS ; SALTWATER MOLLUSKS
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Wall Partition Door Window BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 11-25-1967
ST JOHNS DAY
ON JUNE 24 OF EVERY YEAR PEOPLE OF THE VILLAGE GO TO THE RIVER TO
BATHE AND GET THEIR HAIR CUT: IT:S GOOD LUCK BECAUSE IT WILL GROW
(JUNE 24 IS SAINT JOHN THE BAPTISTI DAY).
Submitter comment:
THIS CUSTOM IS PRACTICED IN MEXICO. HISTORICALLY IT TIES IN
RELIGIOUS WITH PAGAN CUSTOMS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): BATHE, WATER
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- June 24 St. John's Day / Midsummer Day BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 11-00-1981
I'VE ALWAYS BEEN AFRAID OF THUNDER AND LIGHTENING SO
WHEN I WAS A LITTLE GIRL MY MOMMA TOLD ME THIS STORY.
SHE TOLD ME THAT ALL THE THUNDER WAS JUST SOME ANGELS
PLAYING POOL AND EVERY TIME THEY HIT A BALL WE WOULD
HEAR ITS ECHO. THE LIGHTENING WAS NOTHING MORE THAN A
PRANKSTER ANGEL CUTTING THE LIGHTS ON AND OFF UP IN
HEAVEN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION ; MATERNAL ROLE
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Lightning Thunder |
Date learned: 03-00-1983