Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for ACCIDENT returned 50 results.
IF YOU PLAY WITH FIRE, YOU WILL WET YOUR PANTS.
Submitter comment: TOLD BY MOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): ACCIDENT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Fire BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 10-00-1967
LIMERICK
ONE NIGHT A YOUNG AMOROUS SIOUX
HAD A DATE WITH A MAIDEN HE KNIOUX
THE CORONER LATER FOUND
THAT THE COUPLE HAD DROWNED
PADDLING A LEAKY CANIOUX
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ACCIDENT ; CACOGRAPHY ; CANOE ; DEATH ; FRENCH SPELLING ; RHYME: AABBA
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR.
A DRIVER'S NIGHT PRAYER
NOW I LAY ME DOWN TO SLEEP,/ I PARKED MY CAR ACROSS THE STREET.
AND IF IT ROLLS BEFORE I WAKE,/I PRAY THE LORD TO PULL THE BRAKE.
Submitter comment: TAKEN FROM INFORMANT'S AUTOGRAPH BOOK.
Where learned: NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): IMPERFECT RHYME ; QUATRAIN ACCIDENT AUTOMOBILE PARODY OF PRAYER ; RHYME: AABB
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse |
Date learned: NOT RECORDED BY THE COLLECTOR
LEGEND
ON THE EAST SIDE OF DETROIT ON STRASBURG STREET NEAR SEVEN MILE AND
HOOVER, A GIRL WAS HIT BY A CAR. HER DRESS GOT CAUGHT IN THE DOOR
AND SHE WAS DRAGGED ALONG. SHE KEPT KNOCKING ON THE DOOR OF THE CAR
BUT NO ONE HEARD HER. NOW, EVERYTIME THAT YOU DRIVE DOWN STRASBURG
STREET YOU HEAR A KNOCKING ON YOUR CAR DOOR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIBRARY ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): AUTO ACCIDENT ; KNOCK-KNOCK STREET
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 03-15-1968
KNOCK- KNOCK STREET
THERE IS A STORY THAT ONE DAY ON A STREET IN DETROIT, A LITTLE GIRL
WAS HIT BY A SPEEDING DRIVER. THE LITTLE GIRL DID NOT DIE IMMEDIATELY
BUT WAS HANGING ON THE BUMPER, KNOCKING ON THE SIDE OF THE CAR TRYING
TO GET THE DRIVER'S ATTENTION. NOW, THE LEGEND GOES, WHENEVER A
PERSON DRIVES DOWN THE STREET, IT IS SAID ONE CAN HEAR THE LITTLE
GIRL KNOCKING ON THE SIDE OF THE CAR WARNING PEOPLE TO SLOW DOWN.
Where learned: SCHOOL
Keyword(s): AUTO ACCIDENT ; KNOCK-KNOCK STREET
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 03-00-1967
DRUNK JOKE
THE ONE DRUNK SAYS TO THE OTHER DRUNK, "WE MUST BE
GETTING NEAR A TOWN." THE OTHER DRUNK SAYS, "HOW CAN
YOU TELL?" THE FIRST DRUNK SAYS, "BECAUSE WE'RE
HITTING A LOT OF PEDESTRIANS."
Data entry tech comment: ITEM PUNCHED AS IT APPEARED ON CARD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ABSURD ; ACCIDENT ; AUTOMOBILE ; DIOLOGUE ; DRINKING ; DRUNKS ; HUMOR
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Stupid man or woman |
Date learned: 09-16-1969
THE CATFISH FISHERMAN
THE INFORMANT TOLD THE STORY OF A MAN WHO HAD LOST A HAND AND HAD
A HOOK IN ITS PLACE. HE USED TO FISH ON THE MISSISSIPPI FOR
CATFISH AND WHEN HE'D CATCH ONE, HE'D GET IT ALONGSIDE THE BOAT,
GAFF IT WITH HIS HOOK AND HAUL IT IN. WELL, ONE DAY HE GOT ONE
THAT WAS JUST A LITTLE TOO BIG. HE HAD IT ALONGSIDE THE BOAT;
BUT WHEN HE GAFFED IT TO HAUL IT IN, IT PULLED HIM UNDER AND
DROWNED HIM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MUNISING
Keyword(s): ACCIDENT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
Date learned: 08-00-1966
THE HUGE BLACK MAN
THERE IS A STORY AMONG TRUCK DRIVERS THAT TELL OF A TERRIBLE
ACCIDENT ON U.S. ROUTE 22-30 IN THE LAUREL MOUNTAINS OF PENNSYLVANIA
A GASOLINE TRUCK HAD COLLIDED WITH A STEEL CARRIER AND THE DRIVER
OF THE GASOLINE TRUCK WAS TRAPPED INSIDE A BURNING CAB. THE
COLLISION HAD SMASHED THE DOOR MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR HIM TO
ESCAPE. QUITE A FEW PEOPLE GATHERED TO WATCH AND TRY TO HELP BUT
IT WAS DARK AND THE ONLY LIGHT WAS THAT FROM THE BURNING TRUCK.
JUST THEN A HUGE BLACK MAN CAME STRIDING OUT OF THE WOODS AND WALKED
UP TO THE BURNING TRUCK. HE GRABBED THE DOOR HANDLE AND TORE THE
WHOLE DOOR OFF OF THE TRUCK AND CARRIED THE DRIVER TO SAFETY. THEN
THE HUGE BLACK MAN DISAPPEARED INTO THE WOODS AND HAS NEVER BEEN
SEEN SINCE.
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): ACCIDENTS
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero |
THE CIGARETTE TRICK
TELL SOMEONE WHO SMOKES THAT YOU HAVE A NEAT TRICK THAT YOU'D
LIKE TO BET HIM ON. GET HIS CIGARETTES AND PLACE THEM STANDING UP
ON A TABLE. TAKE ONE CIGARETTE AND BALANCE IT ACROSS THE TOP
OF THE PACK. TELL HIM THAT YOU CAN FLIP THE CIGARETTE UP
IN THE AIR WITH YOUR FINGER SO THAT IT FALLS DOWN AND GOES
INTO THE PACK. HOWEVER, WHEN YOU BRING YOUR FINGER DOWN TO FLIP
THE CIGARETTE, YOU SMASH THE PACK WITH YOUR FIST.
THEN YOU LOOK APOLOGETIC AND TELL THE GUY, "OOPS, I MISSED."
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SUPPOSED ACCIDENT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 00-00-1980
IF YOU KNOCK FLOWERS OVER AT A FUNERAL YOU WILL BE THE NEXT TO DIE
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): ACCIDENT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 00001950S
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
I HEARD THE STORY FROM SOMEWHERE, I DON'T RECALL WHERE, ABOUT
THE GIRL WHO WAS RUN OVER BY A TRUCK ON THE STREET CALLED
STRASBURG IN DETROIT. NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES THAT STREET
HAS BEEN RESURFACED YOU CAN STILL HEAR THE GIRL POUNDING
UNDERNEATH YOUR CAR AS YOU DRIVE DOWN THAT STREET BECAUSE
WHEN SHE WAS RUN OVER SHE WAS TRAPPED BENEATH THE TRUCK AND
WITNESSES SAW HER POUNDING AND SCREAMING UNDERNEATH THE TRUCK
AS THE TRUCK DRAGGED HER DOWN THE STREET.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): GHOSTLY SOUNDS FROM SCENE OF ACCIDENT
James Callow Keyword(s): KNOCK-KNOCK STREET
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
One night my little brother Mike, had the hick-ups.
Mike was only 8 years old at the time, so I liked
to pick on him. Knowing that he would do just
about anything, I told him that I could cure his
hick-ups as long as he did exactly what I said.
Mike agreed. First I told Mike to stand up. Then
I said to raise his left hand, then to raise his
right foot, then to place his right hand pinky
finger on his left nostril, then to close his
right eye, and then finally to jump up and down.
I was just making things up for him to do. It was
funny watching him. But to my whole family's
surprise, Mike's hick-ups were gone.
Since that day I have cured about 15 people with
hick-ups. It works almost always except when
the person is drunk. Then the success rate drops
below 50%.
Submitter comment:
I think the reason the cure works is because
the person has to concentrate so hard to keep
from falling down, that the hick-ups go away.
Where learned: MICHIGAN
Keyword(s): Accidental Cure
James Callow Keyword(s): HICCUPS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 00-00-1984
IF YOU SPILL SALT, YOU WILL HAVE BAD LUCK UNLESS
YOU IMMEDIATELY THROW SALT OVER YOUR RIGHT
SHOULDER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): ACCIDENT ; POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Conversions Activities |
Date learned: 04-03-1967
IF YOU SPILL SALT, PICK SOME UP AND THROW IT OVER
YOUR LEFT SHOULDER OR YOU WILL HAVE BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
MY MOTHER COLLECTED THIS FROM A WOMAN WITH WHOM
SHE WORKED. MRS. HAIRSTON LEARNED IT FROM HER
MOTHER AND HER GRANDMOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): ACCIDENT ; POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Conversions Activities |
Date learned: 02-00-1967
WHEN SALT IS SPILLED, SOME OF IT MUST BE TOSSED
OVER YOUR LEFT SHOULDER.
Submitter comment: TO AVERT BAD LUCK, SAYS COLLECTOR.
James Callow Keyword(s): ACCIDENT ; POSITIN DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Conversions Activities |
Date learned: 10-00-1968
IF YOU SPILL SALT, PICK SOME UP AND THROW OVER LEFT
SHOULDER TO PREVENT BAD LUCK FROM HAPPENING.
Where learned: OHIO, ASSUMED ; Mount Clemens
James Callow Keyword(s): ACCIDENT ; POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Conversions Activities |
Date learned: 02-00-1970
IF YOU SPILL SALT, YOU WILL HAVE BAD LUCK UNLESS
YOU PICK SOME OF IT UP WITH YOUR RIGHT HAND AND THROW
IT OVER YOUR LEFT SHOULDER.
Submitter comment: SHE LEARNED THIS FROM A FRIEND IN HIGH SCHOOL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): ACCIDENT ; POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Conversions Activities |
Date learned: 10-20-1967
IF YOU SPILL SOME SALT YOU SHOULD PICK SOME UP
AND THROW IT OVER YOUR LEFT SHOULDER TO AVOID
BAC LUCK.
Where learned: HOME
James Callow Keyword(s): ACCIDENT ; POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Conversions Activities |
Date learned: 00-00-1959
SPILLING SALT BRINGS BAD LUCK, BUT THROWING IT
OVER YOUR RIGHT SHOULDER BRINGS GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): ACCIDENT ; POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Conversions Activities |
Date learned: 09-20-1965