Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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KNOCK KNOCK JOKE
KNOCK, KNOCK
WHO'S THERE?
BOO
BOO WHO?
IF YOU STOP CRYING, I'LL TELL YOU.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FRANKLIN VILLAGE
James Callow Keyword(s): BOO HOO
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 00001960S
KNOCK KNOCK JOKE
KNOCK, KNOCK
WHO'S THERE?
NOBEL
NOBEL WHO?
NO BELL, SO I KNOCKED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FRANKLIN VILLAGE
James Callow Keyword(s): DOORBELL
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
SHAGGY DOG STORY
A MAD SCIENTIST WAS TRYING TO GET RID OF A FOUL-MOUTHED
CLONE HE HAD CREATED BY SHOVING THE CLONE OUT OF A WINDOW.
THUS THE SCIENTIST WAS MAKING AN OBSCENE CLONE FALL.
Submitter comment: READ THIS SOMEWHERE IN THE DETROIT FREE PRESS NEWSPAPER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FRANKLIN VILLAGE
James Callow Keyword(s): PUN ON OBSCENE PHONE CALL
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 07-00-1983
WHEN I WAS A CHILD, MY MOTHER USED TO TELL MY SISTERS
AND ME THAT THE BLESSED MOTHER WOULD CRY IF SHE HEARD
LITTLE GIRLS SINGING AT THE DINNER TABLE OR WHISTLING
AT ANY TIME.
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION ; TABLE MANNERS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222. |
Date learned: 00001950S
THE HAIRY HAND
ONCE THERE WAS A YOUNG GIRL WHO WAS WANDERING AROUND
OUTSIDE WHEN SHE FELL INTO A DEEP HOLE. HELPLESS AND
AFRAID, SHE CRIED FOR HELP. A WITCH APPEARED AND PROMISED
TO HELP IF THE GIRL WOULD EAT A HAIRY HAND.
THE WITCH LEFT AND THE GIRL HID THE HAND UNDER A ROCK.
WHEN THE WITCH RETURNED AND ASKED IF THE GIRL HAD EATEN
THE HAND, SHE REPLIED THAT SHE HAD. BUT THE WITCH CALLED
FOR THE HAND AND THE HAND TOLD THE WITCH WHERE IT WAS
HIDDEN. THIS CONTINUED A FEW MORE TIMES UNTIL THE GIRL
HID THE HAND AGAINST HER STOMACH, INSIDE OF HER CLOTHES.
WHEN THE WITCH RETURNED AND CALLED FOR THE HAIRY HAND,
IT ANSWERED THAT IT WAS IN THE GIRL'S STOMACH. THINKING
THAT THE GIRL HAD EATEN THE HAND, THE WITCH FREED HER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): CANNIBALISM
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Witch Shaman |
WREATHES CALLED STEPHANA WORN BY THE BRIDE AND GROOM DURING
THE GREEK WEDDING CEREMONY ARE EXCHANGED ON THEIR HEADS
THREE TIMES, THEN TIED TOGETHER WITH A SATIN RIBBON TO
SIGNIFY UNITY. WHEN A SPOUSE DIES, THE SATIN RIBBON IS
CUT AND ONE WREATHE IS BURIED WITH THE DECEASED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Headdress CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 00-00-1950
DURING THE GREEK WEDDING CEREMONY, A PRAYER IS READ REGARDING
THE ROLE OF HUSBAND AS RULER OF THE HOUSEHOLD AND THE
RULER OF HIS WIFE. IF THE BRIDE HAS ANY OBJECTION TO
THIS, SHE DISCREETLY TAPS THE GROOM'S FOOT WITH HER RIGHT
FOOT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Ceremony BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 00-00-1950
DURING THE GREEK BAPTISMAL RITES, THE BABY IS ANOINTED
ON THE CHEST TO SIGNIFY THE LOVE FOR GOD IN HIS HEART,
ON THE BACK TO SIGNIFY CARRYING HIS CROSS FOR LIFE AND
ON THE PALMS AND FEET AS REMINDERS OF THE CRUCIFIXION.
AT THIS POINT THE GREEKS BELIEVE THAT THE CHILD IS
BLAMELESS, SPOTLESS, AND WITHOUT SIN, A SAINT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Baptism Naming rite BELIEF -- Body part Senses |
Date learned: 00-00-1950
SOME "FOSSOYEUR", IN ORDER TO MAKE SOME MONEY, SELL DIRT FROM
CEMETERIES, WATER FROM TOMBS, AND ALSO SKULLS TO "QUIMBOISEURS".
THE "QUIMBOISEURS" USED TO PAY IN A CERTAIN WAY SO THAT THEY DO
NOT GET BAD LUCK OR MISFORTUNE. FOR INSTANCE, THE DIRT AND THE
WATER WERE SOLD IN GLASS CONTAINERS, AND THEY PAY FOR THEM WITH
WHITE ROCKS OR SILVER JEWELRY, AND ON THE OTHER HAND, THE SKULL
WAS PAID FOR WITH GOLD.
Where learned: GUADELOUPE
Keyword(s): "FOSSOYEURS" ARE GRAVEDIGGERS ; "QUIMBOISEURS" ARE PEOPLE THAT ; PRACTICE WITCHCRAFT AND ALSO WHITE MAGIC.
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Witch Shaman BELIEF -- Curer |
Date learned: 00-00-1973
IN ORDER TO CURE SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN SICK, THE "QUIMBOISEUR" WILL
GIVE THE PERSON A BATH USING THE SAME WATER THAT SEVEN DOGS HAD
BEEN BATHED IN.
Where learned: GUADELOUPE
Keyword(s): "QUIMBOISEUR" IS SOMEONE THAT PRACTICES WITCHCRAFT AND WHITE MAGIC.
| Subject headings: | 686 Seven / Sevenths / Several BELIEF -- Animal BELIEF -- Mineral |
Date learned: 00-00-1974
IF YOU HAVE BOLL WEEVILS IN THE
CUPBOARD, BREAK A DISH, WRAP IT IN A
WET DISHRAG AND BURY IT IN THE YARD
UNDER A ROSE BUSH AND THE BUGS WILL
DISAPPEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): BOLL WEEVIL
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Insect |
GHOST STORY
"A LITTLE BOY GOT KILLED BY A TRAIN WHEN HE WAS PLAYING
ON SOME RAILROAD TRACKS. HE HAD BEEN TOLD NOT TO PLAY
ON THE TRACKS. THE TRAIN HIT HIM REAL HARD AND PULLED HIM
FOR A REAL LONG WAY. THE TRAIN CUT HIS BODY UP INTO
HUNDREDS OF PIECES. HIS MOM AND DAD WENT UP AND DOWN THE
TRACKS PICKING UP HIS BODY PARTS. IF YOU LISTEN AT NIGHT
AT THE TIME THE BOY WAS KILLED, YOU CAN HEAR HIM CALLING
TO HIS MOM AND DAD. HE SAYS,'MOMMY, HERE'S A PIECE OF ME.
AND HERE'S ANOTHER PIECE OF ME.'"
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SHAMOKIN
Keyword(s): DISOBEYED PARENTS
James Callow Keyword(s): DISMEMBERMENT BY MISFORTUNATE ACCIDENT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Body part Senses |
Date learned: 00001934CA
SONG
COMET, IT MAKES YOUR TEETH TURN GREEN.
COMET, IT TASTES LIKE LISTERINE.
COMET, WILL MAKE YOUR VOMIT.
SO GET SOME COMET
AND VOMIT TODAY.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT LEARNED THIS SONG FROM A FRIEND IN SCHOOL. A FRIEND
OF HERS IS THE ONE WHO WROTE IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): COMET IS A BATHROOM CLEANSER
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Good humor Jest |
Date learned: 00001978CA
UNDER NEW STRAITSVILLE, OHIO, THERE IS A FIRE BURNING IN THE
COAL RUIN THAT HAS BEEN BURNING FOR OVER THIRTY YEARS. THE
FIRE BEGAN WHEN SOME STRIKING MINERS WERE DISSATISFIED WITH THE
STATE OF NEGOTIATIONS, SO THEY FILLED A COUPLE OF CARS WITH
COAL AND DOUSED THEM WITH GASOLINE, AND SENT THE BURNING
COAL CARS TO GO INTO THE MINE. TODAY PEOPLE STILL SEE STEAM
COMING UP FROM THE GROUND.
Submitter comment:
THIS STORY WAS TOLD TO BRIAN AS A CHILD GROWING UP IN RURAL
OHIO, NOT FAR FROM NEW STRAITSVILLE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): LABOR UNION
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Fire |
Date learned: 00001960S ; 11-02-1984
DURING THE DEPRESSION, SOUTHERN BLACK WOMEN WHO DIDN'T HAVE
THE MONEY TO BUY HAIR GREASE TO USE WHEN PRESSING THEIR HAIR
USED LARD INSTEAD.
Submitter comment:
TOLD BY HER GRANDMOTHER AND PASSED ON
LARD=ANIMAL FAT
Where learned: NORTH CAROLINA ; CARTHAGE
James Callow Keyword(s): BEAUTIFICATION ; COSMETICS
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Human or animal body BELIEF -- Body part Senses |
Date learned: 00001950S
DURING THE 1930s, BLACK WOMEN WHO DIDN'T HAVE EYEBROW
PENCILS WOULD STRIKE A MATCH, BLOW OUT THE FLAME, TAKE THE
WARM TIP AND SCRAPE IT AGAINST THE INSIDE WALL OF THE
FIREPLACE AND USE THE TIP AS AN EYEBROW LINER.
Submitter comment: SHE USED MANY GESTURES.
Where learned: NORTH CAROLINA ; CARTHAGE
James Callow Keyword(s): BEAUTIFICATION ; COSMETICS
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Human or animal body |
Date learned: 10-14-1984 ; 00-00-1950
SOUTHERNERS BELIEVED THAT A PERSON WITH A COLD SHOULD BE
RUBBED DOWN WITH VICK'S VAPOR RUB ON THE FOREHEAD, CHEST, AND
BACK. THE PERSON SHOULD THEN BE PLACED UNDER HEAVY COVERS SO
THEY COULD SWEAT OUT THE COLD.
Submitter comment: MY MOTHER ALWAYS RUBS ME DOWN WITH VICK'S WHENEVER I HAVE A COLD.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH
James Callow Keyword(s): VICK'S VAPO RUB
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 10-14-1984 ; 00001960S