Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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CROUP
IF A BABY HAS THE CROUP FRY SOME ONIONS AND PUT THEM IN YOUR
HUSBAND'S SOCK. THEN PIN IT AROUND THE BABY'S NECK.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT HEARD THIS ON THE PHONE(A WET BATTERY 30 PARTY UNIT
INSTALLATION) WHILE A CHILD AND LIVING ON THE FARM IN CENTRAL
ILLINOIS. AN OLD LADY WAS SUGGESTING IT TO HER DAUGHTER
FOR A GRANDCHILD.
Where learned: LETTER
Keyword(s): CHILD'S CROUP ; HEAT REMEDY
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 02-01-1971
EARACHE
WHEN ONE IS SUFFERING FROM AN EARACHE, TO EASE THE ACHE PLACE
A PLASTIC BAG FILLED WITH HOT SALT NEXT TO YOUR EAR.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT DOES THIS WHENEVER SHE SUFFERS FROM AN EARACHE.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): HEAT REMEDY
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Mineral |
Date learned: 02-20-1971
EARACHE
TO CURE SOMEONE OF AN EARACHE, FILL YOUR MOUTH WITH MILK AND LET IT
WARM IN YOUR MOUTH TO BODY TEMPERATURE AND SPIT THE WARM MILK
INTO THE PERSON'S EAR. DON'T LET ANY OF THE MILK DRAIN OUT UNTIL
THE EARACHE IS BETTER.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SAYS THAT THIS CURE ACTUALLY WORKS AND SAID THAT HER
GRANDMOTHER HAD THIS DONE TO HER IN YUGOSLAVIA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
Keyword(s): HEAT REMEDY
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- P763 |
Date learned: 10-00-1971
EARACHE
TO CURE AN EARACHE PUT THE WARM HEART OF AN ONION IN YOUR EAR.
Submitter comment: FROM MRS. HOWARD OF SCOTCH-IRISH DESCENT.
Where learned: GROSSE POINTE
Keyword(s): HEAT REMEDY
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 00001964 SUMMER
EARACHE
MY MOTHER TOLD ME OF THIS CURE FOR EARACHES.
MY UNCLE WHEN HE WAS SMALL HAD A VERY BAD EARACHE
AND WAS VERY SICK.
MY GRANDFATHER HEARD OF A CURE BUT HAD NEVER TRIED IT HIMSELF.
GRANDFATHER SHAPED A PIECE OF CARDBOARD INTO A FUNNEL OR DUNCE HAT
ABOUT TWELVE INCHES HIGH AND FOUR TO FIVE INCHES IN DIAMETER
AT THE BASE. OVER THE CARDBOARD LINEN CLOTH
WAS PLACED. OVER THE LINEN, MELTED WAX WAS PLACED AND THE CARDBOARD
WAS NOW REMOVED, THE FUNNEL NOW CONSISTED OF ONLY THE CLOTH AND WAX.
GRANDFATHER THEN HAD HIS SON, MY UNCLE, LIE DOWN ON THE FLOOR
AND HE PLACED THE BASE OF THE FUNNEL OVER THE ACHING EAR.
HE THEN LIT THE TIP OF THE WAX-CLOTH FUNNEL
AND ALLOWED IT TO BURN DOWN FOUR TO FIVE INCHES.
WHEN HE REMOVED THE FUNNEL, A LARGE AMOUNT OF PUS FROM THE EAR
WAS FOUND UP INSIDE WHAT REMAINED OF THE FUNNEL.
THE AREA AROUND THE EAR WAS SOMEWHAT SINGED FOR AWHILE.
SINCE THAT TIME MY UNCLE HAS NEVER HAD ANY TROUBLE WITH HIS EARS.
Where learned: ROYAL OAK ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): HEAT REMEDY
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Remedy |
Date learned: 11-16-1969
VERSE
WHAT'S YOUR NAME? / JOHN BROWN,/ ASK ME AGAIN AND I'LL KNOCK YOU
DOWN.
Where learned: RESIDENCE
Keyword(s): IMPERFECT RHYME ; MANNERS ; RHYME: ABAB ; RHYME: ABCB ; THREAT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: NOT RECORDED
MULE IN THE BARNYARD TIRED AND SICK
BOY WITH A PIN ON THE END OF A STICK
BOY JABS MULE, MULE GIVES A LURCH
SERVICES MONDAY AT THE CORNER CHURCH.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT SAYS THIS IS A FAVORITE POEM RIDDLE OF HIS MOTHER'S.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; SAINT FRANCIS CLUB
Keyword(s): ELLIPSIS ; INDIRECTION EUPHEMISM ; MISTREATMENT OF ANIMALS, PUNISHMENT FOR ; POETIC VUSTICE ; RHYME: AABB
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
Date learned: 03-20-1972
EPITAPH, FOUND IN BOOT HILL
HERE LIES LESTER MOORE
SIX SLUGS FROM A .44
NO LESS, NO MORE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): DEATH FROM GUNSHOT ; PUN ON PERSONAL NAME ; RHYME: AAA
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: 09-16-1969
AUTOGRAPH (COLLECTOR'S TITLE) ; CYNICAL INSIGHT (CLASSIFIER'S TITLE)
FALSE TEETH, ROUGE, AND BORROWED HAIR/ MAY GIVE TO AGE A YOUTHFUL
AIRE./ BUT WHEN DEATH COMES TO CALL US HENCE/ THERE IS AN END OF
ALL PRETENCE.
Where learned: DETROIT
Keyword(s): MAKEUP WIG ; RHYME DEATH ; RHYME: AABB
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Cynical insight |
Date learned: 00001955 AUTOGRAPH BOOK
AUTOGRAPH BOOK MATERIAL (COLLECTOR'S TITLE) ; PIOUS REFLECTION (CLASSIFIER'S TITLE)
WHEN THE GOLDEN SUN IS SETTING,/ AND ON EARTH NO MORE YOU TROD,
MAY YOUR NAME IN GOLD BE WRITTEN,/ IN THE ANNALS OF GOD.
Where learned: AUTOGRAPH BOOK
Keyword(s): DEATH HEAVEN ; METONYMY: NAME ; RELIGION QUATRAIN ; RHYME ABCB ; SALVATION
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Pious reflection |
Date learned: 00-00-1943
UNDERTAKER (COLLECTOR'S TITLE) ; ROSES ARE RED, AND OTHER SUCH ASSOCIATIONS (CLASSIFIER'S TITLE)
ROSES ARE RED/ VIOLETS ARE BLUE
MY FATHER IS AN UNDERTAKER/ AND HE'LL GET YOU.
Where learned: SCRAPBOOK
Keyword(s): PARODY ; PLANTS FLOWERS ; QUATRAIN DEATH ; RHYME: ABCB
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Roses are red and other such associations |
Date learned: 06-00-1965
WISECRACKS, GAGS, SILLY STORIES, INSULTS (CLASSIFIER'S TITLE)
ASHES TO ASHES,/ DUST TO DUST,/ IF BOYS DON'T GET YOU,/HALFWITS
MUST.
Submitter comment: FROM INFORMANT'S JUNIOR HIGH AUTUGRAPH BOOK 1929-1933
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; GLENSHAW
Keyword(s): DEATH ; ITERATION ; RHYME: ABCB
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Wisecracks, gags, silly stories, insults |
Date learned: 00001929-1933 ; 10-02-1971
SPIDER IN HAIR
A TEENAGE GIRL RATTED HER HAIR AND DIDN'T COMB IT OUT FOR TWO WEEKS.
SHE DIED SUDDENLY. AN AUTOPSY HAD TO BE PERFORMED TO DETERMINE THE
CAUSE OF DEATH. THEY FOUND THAT SPIDERS HAD MADE THEIR HOME IN HER
HAIR AND HAD EATEN THEIR WAY INTO HER BRAIN.
Submitter comment: HEARD SEVERAL TIMES ON U-D CAMPUS.
Where learned: DETROIT
Keyword(s): DEATH INSECT LAZINESS ; FATAL HAIRDO
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Body part Senses |
SCRATCHED ; SCRATCHING AT THE DOOR (KEYPUNCHER'S TITLE)
SEVERAL DECADES AGO A NUMBER OF CO-EDS WERE HATCHETED TO DEATH AT
MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY. IT WAS THEN DECREED THAT NO CO-ED WAS TO
GO OUT ALONE AFTER DARK. ONE EVENING A CO-ED FOUND IT NECESSARY TO GO
TO THE LIBRARY TO FIND A BOOK WHICH SHE NEEDED FOR AN EXAM ON THE
NEXT DAY. HER ROOMMATE WAS ILL, THE CO-ED WENT OUT ALONE. LATER IN
THE EVENING THE ILL CO-ED HEARD SCRATCHING AT HER DOOR. FRIGHTENED
SHE PUSHED A DRESSER AGAINST THE DOOR AND WAITED. NOTHING FURTHER
WAS HEARD, AND SHE FELL ASLEEP. WHEN SHE AWOKE IN THE MORNING, HER
ROOMMATE HADN'T RETURNED. THE GIRL PUSHED THE DRESSER FROM THE DOOR
AND PULLED IT OPEN. HER ROOMMATE HAD RETURNED. SHE LAY AT THE DOOR,
HAND OUT-STRETCHED, WITH A HATCHET PLANTED IN HER BACK.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT HEARD TALE FROM A FRIEND WHO ATTENDS M.S.U.
Where learned: DETROIT
Keyword(s): CAMPUS HORROR STORY ; DEATH UNIVERSITY ; GORE
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 10-23-1965
JOHN C. WOBBLESQUAW
THIS WAS THE COLDEST WINTER MICHIGAN EVER KNEW, LONG BEFORE THEY
RECORDED TEMPERATURES. JOHN C. LIVED ON A RESERVATION WITH HIS FAMILY
AND FRIENDS. IT WAS SUCH A HARD WINTER THAT THEY RAN OUT OF FOOD AND
WERE IN PRETTY ROUGH SHAPE. SEEING THAT JOHN C. WAS THE STRONGEST,
THEY SENT HIM OUT TO GO HUNTING. THEY HAD SENT OTHERS OUT BEFORE,
BUT THEY DIDN,T GET ANYTHING.
JOHN C. WENT OUT AND HE WAS LOOKING THROUGH THE WOODS AND HE HAD A
FEELING THAT SOMEONE WAS FOLLOWING HIM. HE TURNED AROUND, AND THERE
WAS THIS BIG BLACK BEAR. SO THAT SCARED HIM, SINCE HE NEVER FACED
ONE BEFORE. WELL, HE WAS OUT OF AMMUNITION SINCE HE MISSED OTHER
ANIMALS, SO HE RAN AND RAN UNTIL SWEAT CAME ON HIS FOREHEAD, AND
IT WAS SO COLD THAT IT FROZE RIGHT THERE. HE GOT AN IDEA.
SO HE TOOK THE POWDER OUT OF HIS HORN AND PUT IT IN HIS GUN.
AND HE TOOK A FEW BEADS OF FROZEN PERSPIRATION OFF HIS FOREHEAD AND
PUT THEM IN TOO. THEN HE TURNED AROUND, SHOT THE BEAR, AND HIS
PEOPLE LIVED THROUGH THE WINTER.
Where learned: MARYGROVE COLLEGE ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): AMERICAN INDIAN ; FROZEN BEADS OF SWEAT USED FOR AMMUNITION
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale |
Date learned: 00001968 FALL
SAYING
A GREEN CHRISTMAS MAKES A FULL GRAVEYARD.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT HEARD THIS FROM HIS MOTHER WHO SAID THE SAYING WAS USED IN
DUNDEE, SCOTLAND WHERE SHE LIVED UNTIL SHE WAS AROUND 30 YEARS OLD.
INFORMANT'S MOTHER CAME TO AMERICA IN 1912, THREE YEARS AFTER
INFORMANT WAS BORN.
Where learned: HOME ; PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH ; TOLD AT
Keyword(s): DEATH
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Predictions |
Date learned: 10-02-1971
POLISH CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
THE DINNER CONSISTS OF THIRTEEN COURSES, ALL OF WHICH ARE MEATLESS.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
James Callow comment:
Christmas Day?
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; STUDENT UNION BUILDING
Keyword(s): ABSTINENCE FROM MEAT ; CHRISTMAS ; Course ; CUSTOM ; Dinner ; FOOD CUSTOM ; holiday ; Ingredients ; Meal ; Vegetarian
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Menus |
Date learned: 11-25-1969
CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION IN LITHUANIA IS VERY ELABORATE. ON CHRISTMAS
EVE, THE TABLE IS SET WITH A WHITE TABLECLOTH, 12 KINDS OF PREPARED
FISH AND IN THE CENTER--A HANDFUL OF STRAW UNDER THE TABLECLOTH, AND
DIRECTLY ON THAT, "PLOTKELES". "PLOTKELES" IS SIMILAR TO COMMUNION,
ONLY SQUARE, A PIECE OF SIZEABLE SIZE (MOSTLY 6 BY 4 INCHES). IN
LITHUANIAN, IT IS CALLED "KRISTAUS LAISKAS"--CHRIST'S LETTER. IT IS
A LETTER ANNOUNCING HIS BIRTH AND THAT HE WILL SAVE US.
WHEN EVERYONE IS SEATED, THEY SAY A PRAYER AND THEN, THE FATHER TAKES
ONE OF THE "LETTERS", HANDS IT TO THE MOTHER WHO BREAKS OFF A PIECE,
THEN TO THE NEXT OLDEST, ETC...SO ON DOWN THE LINE. THEN THE MOTHER
LETS EVERYONE BREAK OFF A PIECE FROM HER PIECE AND SO ON...
AFTER THE PASSING AROUND OF THE LETTER, THE EATING STARTS. THIS IS
THE ONE TIME THAT WE ARE NOT ALLOWED, BY LITHUANIAN CUSTOM, TO EAT
MEAT. WE PREPARE FISH 12 DIFFERENT WAYS: SMOKED HERRING, PICKLED
HERRING, WHITE FISH, OR ANY OTHER KINDS OF FISH. FISH AND VEGETABLES,
AS MUCH AS WE WANT--FOR DURING THE DAY WE ARE NOT SUPPOSED
TO EAT ANYTHING AT ALL. THERE ARE TO BE 12 VARIATIONS OF EACH FOOD:
12 FISH, 12 VEGETABLES, 12 FRUIT, 12 CAKES.
AFTER THE FISH AND VEGETABLES, THEN STARTS THE FRUITS AND SWEETS.
MOST OF THE CAKES ARE HOME BAKED, THE FRUITS MADE INTO A PUNCH OR A
FRUIT-BOWL.
TO FINISH OFF THE MEAL, THERE ARE THE TRADITIONAL "SLIZIKAI"--TASTE
JUST LIKE BREAD STICKS, ONLY THEY'RE SMALL AND ROUND. YOU PUT THEM
IN SWEET MILK (IN AMERICA--DILUTED PET MILK) AND THAT IS HOW YOU EAT
THEM.
AFTER DINNER, THERE ARE THE PRESENTS OPENING AND AFTER THAT, TIME TO
GO TO CHURCH.
WHEN YOU FIRST WALK INTO THE CHURCH, EVERYTHING IS TOTALLY DARK.
BUT AT EXACTLY MIDNIGHT--ALL THE CANDLES ARE LIT, THE CHIMES AND BELLS
START RINGING, AND THE CONGREGATION BEGINS TO SING. THERE IS A
PROCESSION AROUND THE CHURCH 3 TIMES; THEN THE PROCESSION OF THE
PRIEST, ALTAR BOYS AND GIRLS (THROW FLOWER PETALS IN FRONT OF THE
PRIEST) STOP IN FRONT OF THE CHURCH'S CRIB AND BEGIN TO PRAY. HE
PRAYS FOR THE POPE, THE PRIESTS AND NUNS, FOR THE PEOPLE , AND FOR
THE LITHUANIAN NATION (IN AMERICA, SO THAT THEIR FREEDOM WILL BE
RESTORED) (IN LITHUANIA AT THE PRESENT, THEY ARE UNABLE TO CELEBRATE
IN CHURCH). THEN HE BLESSES THE CONGREGATION WITH HOLY WATER AND THE
MASS BEGINS.
CHRISTMAS DAY IS USUALLY THE VISITING DAY OF FRIENDS AND RELATIVES.
WHEN THE PEOPLE USED TO VISIT, THEY ALWAYS BROUGHT SOMETHING ALONG,
EITHER SOME CAKES, OR CANDY OR A BOTTLE OF WINE AND A LOAF OF BREAD.
IT WAS CONSIDERED A DISGRACE TO GO VISITING AND NOT BRING SOMETHING.
THE CELEBRATING USUALLY LASTED FOR 3 DAYS, BUT NOW--FOR ONLY 1 OR 2
DAYS.
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED
Keyword(s): ABSTINENCE FROM MEAT ; FOOD CUSTOM
Date learned: 03-25-1972
DIVINATION--CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
AT CHRISTMAS EVE SUPPER, A CANDLE IS LIT. IF THE SMOKE GOES UP, ALL
THOSE SEATED AT THE TABLE WILL BE BACK THE FOLLOWING YEAR. IF THE
SMOKE GOES TOWARD A DOOR, ONE OF THE GUESTS WILL DIE BEFORE THE
NEXT CHRISTMAS EVE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; COLLECTED BY LETTER
Keyword(s): DEATH ; PREDICTION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Predictions CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F652 F652.44 |
Date learned: 03-08-1970
CHRISTMAS BELIEF
TWO CANDLES ARE LIT AND PLACED ON THE TABLE DURING THE CHRISTMAS EVE
MEAL. AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE MEAL BOTH THE FATHER AND THE MOTHER
WOULD BLOW OUT A CANDLE AND THEN WOULD WATCH THE SMOKE. IF THE SMOKE
WENT UP YOU WOULD LIVE ANOTHER YEAR. IF THE SMOKE WENT OUT THE DOOR
YOU WOULDN'T.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; TROY
Keyword(s): DEATH ; PREDICTION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Predictions CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Lights and candles |
Date learned: 10-24-1970