Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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LOOK FOR THE FASTBALL, AND YOU'LL HIT THE CURVE. LOOK FOR THE CURVE,
AND YOU WON'T HIT THE FASTBALL.
I HAD STRUCK OUT TWICE ON CURVE BALLS IN MY FIRST GAME IN THE PONY
LEAGUE. MISTER QUINN NOTICED MY FAULT AND CORRECTED ME. LOOK FOR THE
FASTBALL, AND YOU'LL HIT THE CURVE. LOOK FOR THE CURVE, AND YOU
WON'T HIT THE FASTBALL.
Where learned: BOSTON ; Massachusetts
Keyword(s): BASEBALL
James Callow Keyword(s): CHIASMUS ; IRONY
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase |
Date learned: 00-00-1955
GUY WHO HATES HIS JOB
I HATE THIS WORSE THAN A RACOON HATES AN AXE HANDLE.
Submitter comment: ARKANSAS ORIGIN?
Where learned: HOME ; NOT RECORDED
Keyword(s): DISSATISFACTION WITH AN UNPLEASANT JOB
James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMALS
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: 10-01-1968
PROVERB
I LIKE HEMINGWAY VERY MUCH, SAID TOM EARNESTLY.
Keyword(s): SINCERITY
James Callow Keyword(s): LITERARY AUTHOR ; METONYMY: AUTHOR FOR HIS BOOKS ; PUN ON ERNEST HEMINGWAY
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Wellerism Quotation |
Date learned: NOT RECORDED
TOM SWIFTIE
I'M A PLUMBER HE PIPED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HIS HOME ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): JOB
James Callow Keyword(s): PUN ; SAID
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Wellerism Quotation |
Date learned: 10-08-1968
TOM SWIFTY
"I'M NOT FULL OF HOT AIR," HE BELLOWED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): PUN ON BELLOWS
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Wellerism Quotation |
Date learned: 09-16-1969
SAYING
I'M TURNING OVER A NEW LEAF
Keyword(s): STARTING A NEW CHAPTER IN LIFE BY MENDING MY WAYS
James Callow Keyword(s): RESOLUTION TO BEGIN ANEW
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase |
Date learned: 00001950'S
SWIFTIE
"I'M VERY FOND OF LAMB CHOPS," HE SAID SHEEPISHLY.
Keyword(s): FOOD
James Callow Keyword(s): PUN MEEKLY EMBARRASSEDLY
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Wellerism Quotation |
Date learned: 10-00-1968
STOLEN CORPSE OF DOG
TWO OLD LADIES IN BROOKLYN, N. Y., GOT UP ONE MORNING AND FOUND
THEIR OLD TERRIER HAD DIED DURING THE NIGHT. THEY CALLED THE HUMANE
SOCIETY WHO SAID THAT THERE WAS ONLY ONE TRUCK AVAILABLE, IT BEING
SATURDAY, AND WOULD NOT BE AROUND UNTIL THE NEXT TUESDAY. THEY SAID
THE LADIES COULD BRING THE DOG DOWNTOWN IF THEY WISHED. NOT HAVING
THE MONEY FOR A TAXI FROM BROOKLYN TO THE SOCIETY HEADQUARTERS IN
MANHATTAN, THEY TOOK THE SUBWAY DEEP DOWN TO A MANHATTAN STATION
SEVERAL LEVELS BELOW GROUND. MEANWHILE, THEY HAD PUT THE DEAD DOG IN
AN OLD SUITCASE. WHILE THEY WERE TRUDGING ALONG, A YOUNG NEGRO
OFFERED TO CARRY THE SUITCASE UP THE STAIRS. HE DID SO BUT WHEN HE
REACHED THE STREET HE QUICKLY TOOK OFF WITH HIS PRIZE.
Submitter comment:
( GOTTEN ) FROM A SALESMAN FROM NEW YORK CITY
BROOKLYN, NEW YORK IS THE SETTING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): URBAN BELIEF TALE
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate |
Date learned: 08-00-1964
A GRAVE MATTER
IN THE EARLY NINETEENTH CENTURY, THE DAUGHTER OF A WEALTHY
KENTUCKY LANDOWNER CONTRACTED A FEVER, FELL INTO A COMA, AND WITHIN
TWO DAYS PASSED AWAY. ON THE FOLLOWING DAY SHE WAS BURIED IN THE
FAMILY CEMETERY. HER BODY WAS ADORNED IN BEAUTIFUL GARMENTS AND
PRECIOUS GEMS WERE PLACED ABOUT HER ACCORDING TO THE LOCAL CUSTOM.
ON THE NIGHT OF HER BURIAL, TWO GRAVE-ROBBERS EXUMED THE CASKET.
THEY OPENED THE LID AND WERE IN THE PROCESS OF REMOVING ONE OF HER
EARRINGS WHEN, IT WAS ALLEGED, SHE AWAKENED FROM HER COMA. THE
SURPRISED GRAVE-ROBBERS IMMEDIATELY GRABBED A SHOVEL AND STRUCK THE
SCREAMING GIRL ACROSS THE BACK OF HER HEAD. THEY THEN LOWERED THE
CASKET INTO THE PIT AND RECOVERED THE HOLE.
THIS STORY BECAME A LEGEND OVER THE COURSE OF THE FOLLOWING
ONE-HUNDRED-TWENTY-FIVE YEARS UNTIL FINALLY IN THE 1920'S LOCAL
OFFICIALS, IN AN EFFORT TO REPUDIATE THE TALE, OPENED THE GRAVE.
THEY FOUND THE REMAINS OF THE YOUNG LADY LYING FACE DOWN WITH THE
REAR OF HER SKULL BASHED IN.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT HEARD TALE WHILE A RESIDENT OF LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BELIEF TALE ; LOCAL LEGEND
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate |
Date learned: 10-23-1965
WISCONSIN KILLER
A MAN IN NORTHERN WISCONSIN WAS INVOLVED AND SUSPECTED IN A
NUMBER OF DISAPPEARANCES IN THE VICINITY. THE POLICE CAME TO HIS HOME
AND AFTER A BRIEF STAY, ONE OF THEM NOTICED THAT ALL OF THE
FURNITURE IN THE HOUSE WAS UPHOLSTERED IN HUMAN SKIN. LATER
INVESTIGATION FOUND THAT HIS COOKIE JAR WAS FILLED WITH HUMAN FINGERS
AND TOES.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): LOCAL LEGEND ; URBAN BELIEF TALE
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate |
Date learned: 02-03-1968
PASTIME
WHENEVER DANDELIONS WERE IN SEASON, THE CHILDREN IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD
WOULD PINCH UNDER THE TOP OF THE FLOWER, CAUSING IT TO BREAK OFF THE
STEM. THE FLOWER WOULD THEN FLY THROUGH THE AIR. AT THE SAME
TIME, THE FOLLOWING WAS CHANTED: MM
MAMA HAD A BABY
AND ITS HEAD POPPED OFF.
Submitter comment:
THE COLLECTOR FIRST HEARD OF THIS DANDELION PASTIME AS A CHILD IN
TAYLOR, MICH. IN 1970 AND CONTINUED PLAYING IT UPON MOVING TO
SOUTHGATE, MICH. AN ANALOGY IS MADE BETWEEN A MOTHER'S BABY AND
A DANDELION FLOWER. WHEN PLAYED AS DESCRIBED, NO COMPETITION IS
INVOLVED. HOWEVER, WITH TWO OR MORE CHILDREN, THE ELEMENT OF
DISTANCE IS PRESENT AND THE WINNER IS THE ONE WHO POPS THE FLOWER
THE FARTHEST. THIS IS SIMILAR TO THE BEHEADING OF A FLOWER AS
IT RELATES AS A SYMBOL OF A BABY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; USA ; SOUTHGATE
James Callow Keyword(s): BEHEADING OF FLOWER (BABY)
Date learned: 00-00-1970
EASTER EGG CRACK
A TRADITION OF THE GREEKS AT EASTER IS THE EGG CRACK. EVERYONE GETS
A RED EGG WHICH THEY HIT AGAINST ANOTHER. IF ONE CRACKS, HE IS OUT
AND THE ONE THAT REMAINS WHOLE IS KEPT FOR SEVEN YEARS, AND
THEN IT CAN BE BROKEN. IT MUST BE A RED EGG BECAUSE RED REPRESENTS
CHRIST'S BLOOD AND THE CRACK REPRESENTS COMING OUT OF SORROW OF HIS
DEATH AND THE JOY OF HIS RISING. THIS TRADITION GOES BACK TO THE DAYS
OF CHRIST.
Submitter comment:
WHEN MY NEIGHBOR TOLD ME THIS STORY, I THOUGHT THAT IT WAS A TERRIFIC
ONE. IT HAD SO MUCH MEANING TO IT. SHE REMEMBERED DOING IT WHEN SHE
WAS A CHILD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOLS
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday BELIEF -- P681 P681.1 BELIEF -- Color |
Date learned: 00-00-1980
GREEK FUNERAL SERVICE
A SPECIAL MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR DEPARTED SOULS IS CALLED MNEMOSIMON.
AFTER THE MASS IS READ, A DISH OF BOILED SWEETENED KERNELS AND FRUITS
CALLED KOLLIVA, IS DISTRIBUTED IN REMEMBRANCE OF THE DEAD. THE
KOLLIVA IS BLESSED BY THE PRIEST AND THEN EATEN AT THE CHURCH BY
FRIENDS AND RELATIVES. THE BOILED WHEAT GERM SYMBOLIZES RESURREC-
TION AND IS TRADITIONALLY OFFERED FORTY DAYS AFTER DEATH AND ONE
YEAR AFTER DEATH.
IT IS NOT SERVED AT ANY OTHER TIME.
Submitter comment:
THE GREEK MEMORIAL SERVICE IS DIFFERENT THAN OURS, EXCEPT FOR THE
MEAL AFTERWARDS. THEIR MEAL CONSISTS OF DIFFERENT FOOD THAN OURS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): RESURRECTION SYMBOL
Date learned: 00-00-1980
ITALIAN WOMEN
WHAT DO THEY CALL A BATHTUB FULL OF ITALIAN WOMEN?
THE BAY OF PIGS.
Submitter comment:
THE BAY OF PIGS HAS SIGNIFICANCE IN THIS JOKE, BECAUSE
THERE IS ACTUALLY A PLACE HAVING THAT NAME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): ATTEMPT TO OVERTHROW CUBA'S CASTRO. ; CUBA ; KENNEDY'S PRESIDENCY, ALLUDING TO FAILURE OF ; POLITICAL REFERENCE TO INCIDENT DURING JOHN F.
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote ITAL |
MOONING
ONE OF THE FAVORITE PRANKS IN HIGH SCHOOL WAS TO DRIVE AROUND
LOOKING FOR OLDER COUPLES THEN BEEPING THE HORN AND FILLING THE
CAR WINDOWS WITH AS MANY CHEEKS AS POSSIBLE.
Submitter comment: MOONING IS A FUN, HARMLESS PRANK THAT WE DID VERY SKILLFULLY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE
James Callow Keyword(s): SLANG: CHEEK FOR BUTTOCKS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 00001970S
THERE IS A WOMAN WHO LIVES ON ALLEN RD. IN DEARBORN WHO LOST HER
YOUNG DAUGHTER ABOUT 15 YEARS AGO. AS THE STORY GOES, EVERY NIGHT AT
DUSK, SHE PLACES A DOLL IN THE WINDOW WHICH CAN BE SEEN FROM THE
ROAD. THE DOLL IS DRESSED IN APPROPRIATE FASHION IN ACCORDANCE
WITH THE WEATHER. IT WAS QUITE SCARY TO DRIVE BY THIS HOUSE ON A
DARK DREARY NIGHT WITH A GUY IN THE CAR WHO WAS A DISBELIEVER.
Submitter comment:
THIS SCARY STORY WAS TOLD BY JOHN TO ME IN SOPHOMORE YEAR IN HIGH
SCHOOL. I REALLY DIDNT BELIEVE HIM, YET HE KEPT BUILDING THE STORY
UP. FINALLY AFTER CONSUMING MANY BEERS WE DROVE BY THE HOUSE AND I
WAS PROVED WRONG.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
James Callow Keyword(s): COMPARE THE WEEPING LADY OF BELLE ISLE, WHO ALSO ; LAMENTS THE LOSS OF HER CHILD.
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Toy |
Date learned: 00-00-1973
WHEN YOU HEAR A SIREN, SAY A PRAYER FOR THE PERSON INSIDE.
Submitter comment: I HAVE HEARD THIS BEFORE, I BELIEVE IT IS CATHOLIC IN ORIGIN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): THAT IS, INSIDE THE AMBULANCE.
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 00-00-1980 ; 00-00-1950
TERMITE
A TERMITE WENT INTO A BAR AND ASKED, "IS THE
BAR TENDER HERE?"
Where learned: HOME
James Callow Keyword(s): BARTENDER PUN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Insect PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 11-15-1968
JOSEPH'S BROTHER(S) THREW HIM IN A PIT. (THEY)
THOUGHT IT WOULD BE A FINE OPENING FOR A YOUNG MAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BIBLE STORY REFERENCE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 04-00-1968
BACK AT THE LAST TIME WHEN DETROIT WAS IN THE SERIES
IN THE 20'S, THEIR STAR PITCHER WAS MEL FAMEY.
HE HAD THE HABIT OF DRINKING TO EXCESS HOWEVER, AND
BECAUSE OF THIS NEARLY LOST THE FINAL GAME, HAVING
GIVEN UP THREE WALKS. BUT HE GETS THE LAST OUT.
AS THE RUNNERS COME IN ONE ASKS, "WHAT'S THAT
STICKING OUT OF HIS POCKET?" THE OTHER ANSWERS,
"THAT'S THE BEER THAT MADE MEL FAMEY WALK US."
Where learned: WASHINGTON DC
James Callow Keyword(s): BASEBALL GAME. ; MADE MILWAUKEE FAMOUS. ; PUN ON BRAND OF BEER: THEIR SLOGAN: THE BEER THAT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Stupid man or woman |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN