Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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BOXING DAY
ON THE DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS, ONE WRAPS UP COOKIES AND GOODIES IN
A BOX TO GIVE TO FRIENDS.
Submitter comment: THIS WAS A CUSTOM OF A FORMER NEIGHBOR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
Keyword(s): BOXING DAY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 26 Boxing Day St. Stephen's Day |
THE BEAR WENT OVER THE MOUNTAIN
THE BEAR WENT OVER THE MOUNTAIN,
THE BEAR WENT OVER THE MOUNTAIN
THE BEAR WENT OVER THE MOUNTAIN
TO SEE WHAT HE COULD SEE.
" " " " " " "
" " " " " " "
THE BEAR WENT OVER THE MOUNTAIN
TO SEE WHAT HE COULD SEE.
THE OTHER SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN ( 3 TIMES )
WAS ALL THAT HE COULD SEE ( 3 TIMES )
THE OTHER SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN
WAS ALL THAT HE COULD SEE
Where learned: DETROIT
Keyword(s): ANTICLIMAX
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ballad Epic Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Good humor Jest Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children |
Date learned: 03-00-1968
RIDDLE
WHAT DID THE BIG GUN SAY TO THE LITTLE GUN?
I'LL BE A SON OF A GUN.
Where learned: UNKNOWN
Keyword(s): EXCLAMATION ; PUN
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 09-30-1967
KNOCK KNOCK JOKE
KNOCK KNOCK
WHO'S THERE?
SIXA
SIXA WHO?
SIXA ONE-HALF DOZEN OF ANOTHER.
Where learned: UNKNOWN
Keyword(s): SIX OF ONE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 11-24-1967
Entry filtered.
THAI SAYING
THREE DAYS FROM " NOREE " THERE WILL BE
ANOTHER (IMPLICATION OF THE FICKLE NATURE OF WOMEN).
Where learned: THAILAND
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Human Being PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 00-00-1965
MISS LUCY
MISS LUCY HAD A BABY,
SHE CALLED HIM TINY TIM.
SHE PUT HIM IN THE BATHTUB,
TO SEE IF HE COULD SWIM.
HE DRANK UP ALL THE WATER,
HE ATE UP ALL THE SOAP,
HE WOULD HAVE EATEN THE BATHTUB,
BUT IT WOULDN'T FIT DOWN HIS THROAT.
Where learned: DETROIT
Keyword(s): EXAGGERATION
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Emotion |
Date learned: 00-00-1960
A HOME REMEDY FOR A PERSON WHO HAS A CRACKED LIP IS THIS:
TAKE SOME WAX FROM YOUR OWN EAR AND APPLY IT TO THE CRACKED LIP.
THIS WILL RELIEVE THE PAIN AND HEAL THE LIP.
Where learned: NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Remedy |
Date learned: 11-14-1969
POWDERED MILK FACIAL
TO REMOVE WRINKLES AND RELAX THE FACE MUSCLES,
ADD ENOUGH WATER TO A BOWLOF MILK POWDER TO FORM A THICK PASTE.
SPREAD IT EVENLY OVER THE ENTIRE FACE AND THROAT,
AND LET IT SET FOR ABOUT TEN MINUTES.
REMOVE GENTLY BY SPLASHING THE HARDENED MASK WITH WARM WATER
UNTIL IT BEGINS TO DISSOLVE;
THEN WASH FACE IN WARM WATER AND SOAP, DRY, AND APPLY MOISTURE CREAM.
Submitter comment:
THIS METHOD IS QUITE EFFECTIVE
BUT SHOULD NOT BE USED TOO FRQUENTLY.
BECAUSE IT TENDS TO DRY THE SKIN.
MY INFORMANT OBTAINED THE INFORMATION FROM HER BEAUTY OPERATOR.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO
Keyword(s): BEAUTY TREATMENTS ; COMPLEXION ; FACIALS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Animal |
Date learned: 00-00-1964
Entry filtered.
WOMAN
IF A WOMAN ENTER YOUR HOUSE FIRST ON MONDAY MORNING,
IT IS SAID THAT YOU WILL HAVE BAD LUCK THE REST OF THE WEEK.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT ACTUALLY EXPERIENCED THIS.
Where learned: TOLD AT INFORMANTS HOME
Keyword(s): FIRST ON MONDAY MORNING ; SEXISM
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 03-06-1971
CHRISTMAS BELIEF
IF A MAN DOES NOT ENTER THE HOUSE FIRST ON CHRISTMAS
MORNING, THE HOUSE WILL BE PLAGUED WITH SICKNESS AND BAD
LUCK DURING THE COMING YEAR. (THE STRONGER THE MAN THE
BETTER THE GOOD LUCK). THIS CUSTOM IS PRACTICED BY POLISH-AMERICANS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TOLD AT COLLECTORS HOME ; SOUTHFIELD
Keyword(s): FIRST FOOTING ; SEXIST
Date learned: 10-25-1970
A BELIEF
ON NEW YEARS DAY THE FIRST PERSON THAT SHOULD ENTER YOUR HOUSE
IS A MAN (IF YOU ARE A WOMAN). IF A WOMAN ENTERS FIRST YOU WILL HAVE
BAD LUCK ALL YEAR.
Submitter comment:
HIS MOTHER WILL NOT LET ANY WOMAN IN HER
HOUSE ON NEW YEARS DAY FIRST AND WILL GET
MAD IF A WOMAN SHOWS UP FIRST.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; COLLECTED AT HOME
Keyword(s): FIRST FOOTING ; SEXIST
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's BELIEF -- Measure of time Year BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 10-10-1971
DON'T CARRY OR ACCEPT A TWO-DOLLAR BILL - IT BRINGS BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment: (MRS. DEVEREUX LEARNED THIS FROM HER COUSIN AS A CHILD.)
Where learned: HOME ; LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR ; TOLD AT
Keyword(s): PARADOX
| Subject headings: | 686 Seconds / Twice / Two |
LIMERICK
THERE WAS A YOUNG MAN OF SPOKANE
WHOSE VERSES WOULD NEVER SCAN.
WHEN TOLD THIS WAS SO,
HE SAID "YES, I KNOW,
BUT I ALWAYS TRY TO GET AS MANY WORDS IN THE LAST
LINE AS I CAN."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ALEXANDRINE FOR HUMOR ; POET ; PROSODY ; RHYME DICTATES PRONUNCIATION OF PLACE NAME ; RHYME: AABBA
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR.
Entry filtered.
COUGH SYRUP
BOIL DESIRED QUANTITY OF FLAXSEED AND PUT LEMON JUICE IN IT.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT'S MOTHER USED THIS WHEN INFORMANT WAS A CHILD. (1920'S)
Where learned: HOME ; PENNSYLVANIA ; GLENSHAW
Keyword(s): FLAX
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 00001920'S
VERSE FROM MURDER
LIZZY BORDON TOOK AN AX/
AND GAVE HER MOTHER FORTY WHACKS/
WHEN SHE SAW WHAT SHE HAD DONE/
SHE GAVE HER FATHER FORTY-ONE.
Submitter comment:
THE FOLLOWING VERSE CAME ABOUT AFTER A FAMOUS MURDER TOOK PLACE.
I AM NOT SURE OF THE SPELLING OF THE NAME.
Data entry tech comment: SPELLING CORRECTED BY KETPUNCHER
Where learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): ANTICLIMAX ; NARRATIVE VERSE JUMP ROPE RHYME ; NONSEQUITUR ; RHYME: AABB ; SURPRISE ENDING
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
Date learned: 11-22-1968
PARODY-JACK & JILL
KAISER BILL/WENT UP THE HILL/TO FETCH A PIECE OF FRANCE
KAISER BILL/RAN DOWN THE HILL /WITH BULLETS IN HIS PANTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
Keyword(s): ANTICLIMAX ; CONTRAST
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: 09-29-1968
LIMERICK
THERE WAS A YOUNG MAN FROM JAPAN
WHOSE POETRY NEVER WOULD SCAN.
THEY TOLD HIM THE THING
DOESN'T GO WITH A SWING.
THAT'S BECAUSE I TRY TO GET ALL THE WORDS IN THE LAST LINE THAT
I POSSIBLY CAN.
Submitter comment: (MRS. CASE HEARD THIS IN HIGH SCHOOL)
Where learned: HOME ; LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR ; TOLD AT
Keyword(s): ALEXANDRINE ; RHYME: AABBA
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
Date learned: 10-15-1972