Dr. James T. Callow publications
Browse by
Questions or comments on this site? Please email davidsor@udmercy.edu.
The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for ASS returned 115 results.
PROVERB
FOOLS MAKE FEASTS, WISE MEN EAT THEM.
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): ALLITERATION ; ASSONANCE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 11-02-1969
PROVERB
FOOLS MAKE FEASTS AND WISE MEN EAT THEM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ALLITERATION ; ASSONANCE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 11-00-1968
AUTOGRAPH BOOK VERSE.
WHEN YOU ARE OLD AND CANNOT SEE,
PUT ON YOUR SPECS AND THINK OF ME.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS WRITTEN BY THE LADY NEXT DOOR WHO WAS ABOUT
SIXTY-SEVEN YEARS OLD WHEN SHE WROTE IT.
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SPECTACLES GLASSES SLANG
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Remember me |
Date learned: 12-24-1954
GOOD, BETTER, BEST,
I WILL NEVER REST,
UNTIL THE GOOD IS BETTER,
AND THE BETTER, BEST.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS LEARNED BY THE INFORMANT WHEN SHE WAS IN FIFTH GRADE AT ST.
MICHAEL'S SCHOOL IN SOUTHFIELD, MICHIGAN. SHE RECITED IT, ALONG WIT
OTHER SAYINGS, EVERY DAY BEFORE HER MATH CLASS. THE TEACHER'S NAME
WAS SISTER CONRADIA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
James Callow Keyword(s): AMBITION ; ASSONANCE ; FINAL ITERATION ; RHYME:AABA
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School |
Date learned: 00-00-1970
PAJAMA PARTY STORY
ONCE THERE WERE TWO GIRLS WHO DECIDED TO SPEND A WEEKEND AT A
COTTAGE WHICH BELONGED TO THE PARENTS OF ONE OF THE GIRLS. THIS
COTTAGE WAS NEAR AN INSANE ASYLUM. THE FIRST NIGHT THEY WERE
THERE, ONE OF THE GIRLS WENT TO BED EARLY, BUT THE OTHER DECIDED
TO STAY UP AND SIT IN THE ROCKING CHAIR.
IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT, THE FIRST GIRL WOKE UP AND THOUGHT SHE
HEARD COUNTING: FOUR HUNDRED FIFTY-TWO, FOUR HUNDRED FIFTY-THREE.
SHE WAS TOO SLEEPY TO THINK MUCH OF IT, SO SHE FELL BACK TO SLEEP
AGAIN SHE WOKE TO HEAR: EIGHT HUNDRED NINETY-SIX, EIGHT HUNDRED
NINETY-SEVEN. BUT AGAIN SHE FELL ASLEEP.
IN THE MORNING SHE WOKE UP AND THE COUNTING WAS STILL GOING ON.
SHE GOT OUT OF BED AND WENT IN THE OTHER ROOM TO FIND A MAN SITTING
IN THE ROCKING CHAIR, WITH THE OTHER GIRL'S HEAD IN HIS LAP. HE WAS
PULLING OUT HER HAIR AND COUNTING EACH STRAND. WHEN HE SAW THE FIRS
GIRL HE STARTED CHASING HER, CALLING HOW MANY HAIRS DO YOU HAVE ON
YOUR HEAD?
HOW MANY HAIRS DO YOU HAVE ON YOUR HEAD?
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): MURDER, FEAR
James Callow Keyword(s): DECAPITATION ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
LEGEND
THERE IS A STORY THAT ON KELLY'S ISLAND IN OHIO WHEN IN THE EARLY
1800'S THE CEMETERY WAS FIRST BEGINNING TO BE FIXED, SOMEHOW ONE
OF THE MEN WORKING ON THIS AREA GOT INTO A FIGHT WITH HIS BOSS AND
IN HIS ANGER HE SAID THAT HE WAS GLAD HE WASN'T GOING TO BE BURIED
IN THAT PLACE.
A FEW MONTHS LATER THIS SAME MAN WAS WORKING ON A HOUSE THAT FELL
ON HIM. HE WAS THE FIRST TO BE BURIED AT THE CEMETERY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): CONTRAST ; FALSE ASSUMPTION. ASSUMPTION PROVES FALSE. ; IRONY ; PROPHECY REVERSED. WISH REVERSED. OPPOSITE COMES TRUE. ; TEMPTING FATE
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 11-04-1967
Entry filtered.
HERE'S TO THE TOP - - -
BUT IF IT WASN'T FOR THE BOTTOM,
IT WOULDN'T HOLD A DROP.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
Keyword(s): DRINKING HUMOR
James Callow Keyword(s): GLASS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Speech Speech |
Date learned: 02-28-1970
IF YOU LIE DOWN WITH DOGS, YOU GET FLEAS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
Keyword(s): ANIMALS
James Callow Keyword(s): FRIENDS ASSOCIATES BAD COMPANY ; INSECTS ; OBSERVATION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
INNOCENCE IS ITS OWN DEFENCE ( DEFENSE ).
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): ASSONANCE ; OBSERVATION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 11-00-1968
INSIDE INFORMATION HELPS.
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): ASSONANCE ; OBSERVATION
James Callow Keyword(s): USEFULNESS
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
AFRICAN PROVERB
AN INTELLIGENT ENEMY IS BETTER THAN A STUPID FRIEND.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; WEST SENECA
Keyword(s): ASSONANCE ; CONTRAST ; OBSERVATION
James Callow Keyword(s): ANTITHESIS
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 10-00-1969
POLISH PROVERB
IN THE OLD STOVE, THE DEVIL IS BURNING.
TRANSLATION OF
W STARYM PIECU DIABEL PALI. (POLISH)
Submitter comment:
THE CONTEXT IS INTERESTING. IT IS GENERALLY APPLIED TO AN OLDER MAN
WHO SHOWS INTEREST IN A YOUNGER GIRL OR GIRLS.
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): ASSONANCE ; OBSERVATION
James Callow Keyword(s): OLD AGE DOES NOT RULE OUT AMOROUS INCLINATIONS. ; SYMBOL: FIERY DEVIL FOR SEXUAL INTEREST
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Devil Demon PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
THE BROLGA
THE BROLGA OR AUSTRALIAN CRANE
HOLDS DANCING ORGIES ON THE PLAIN;
AND STUDENTS OF THE RUSSIAN BALLET
HAVE CREPT IN CROWDS ACROSS THE MALLEE
FAR BEYOND THE DESERT GRASSES
TO WHERE THE BROLGA HOLDS ITS CLASSES;
AND MANY A MOTIF FOR THE LEG
HAS EMANATED FROM AN EGG.
BUT CERTAIN PURISTS DO NOT CARE
FOR SUCH TECHNIQUE AND PRUDES DECLARE
SPECIFIC MOVEMENTS OF THE BROLGA
UNACADEMIC, IF NOT VOLGA.
Where learned: AUSTRALIA ; TOORAK ; VICTORIA
Keyword(s): ALLITERATION ; ASSONANCE ; DANCE ; HUMOR ; MONOLOGUE ; PRONUNCIATION ; RHYME: AABB
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Prose Narrative C820.444 |
I KNOW HOW MUCH I PAID FOR MY GRANDMOTHER BEFORE SHE WAS SOLD.
Submitter comment:
TOLD BY MY MOTHER THIS SUMMER INTERPRETATION, (I CAN GIVE YOU MORE
ADVICE BECAUSE I'VE LIVED LONGER.)
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; HOLDEN HALL
Keyword(s): ADVISING
James Callow Keyword(s): WISDOM ASSUMED TO RESULT FROM AGE
Date learned: 09-00-1967
AFRICAN PROVERB
I KNOW HOW MUCH YOUR GRANDMOTHER WAS BOUGHT FOR.
Submitter comment: I'VE BEEN LIVING LONGER THAN YOU HAVE.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Keyword(s): ADVISING
James Callow Keyword(s): WISDOM ASSUMED TO RESULT FROM AGE
Date learned: 00001967 (FALL)
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
TRAP METAPHOR
THERE ONCE WAS AN OLD BLACK MAN NAMED UNCLE WILLIE. NOW UNCLE
WILLIE LIVED A FAIRLY HAPPY LIFE ON A FARM DOWN SOUTH. ONE DAY,
HIS MASTER DECIDED TO SELL THE FARM, BUT WILLIE DIDN'T LIKE THAT
IDEA TOO MUCH, HE JUST PLAIN DID NOT WANT TO MOVE. SO WHEN THE
BUYERS CAME TO SEE THE FARM, WILLIE HAD A PLAN. NOW WILLIE KNEW
THESE FOLKS WERE INTELLIGENT, BUT, HE WASN'T NO DUMMY EITHER.
NOW, WHITES BACK IN THEM DAYS, THEY DIDN'T TRUST THE BLACKS
SO WILLIE KNEW THAT THEM BUYER FOLKS WOULD JUST DO THE OPPOSITE
OF WHAT HE SAID. WILLIE'S MASTER TOLD HIM TO TAKE THE FOLKS AROUND
SO HE DID. AFTER HE GOT OUT OF EARSHOT, HE SAID, "NOW, IF YOU
WANT MY OPINION, YOU WON'T BUY THIS FARM 'CAUSE THERE'S GHOSTS
HERE." THEN HE TOOK THEM TO SOME SCARY SPOTS AROUND THE FARM.
"NOW IF YOU WANT MY OPINION," WILLIE SAID, " YOU WON'T BUY THIS
FARM 'CAUSE THE PLACE IS A SHAMBLES, AND THE ORCHARDS ARE DRY."
THEN HE TOOK THEM TO SOME MESSY SPOTS. THEN WILLIE SAID, "NOW IF
YOU WANT MY OPINION, YOU WON'T BUY THIS FARM, 'CAUSE YOU'LL HAVE
TO CHAIN ME HERE 'CAUSE I WANT TO LEAVE POWERFUL BAD." WELL
THE BUYER'S WIFE, NOW SHE BELIEVED HIM AND SAID, "WE BETTER NOT
BUY THIS FARM." BUT THE HUSBAND THOUGHT TO HIMSELF, SOMETHING'S
UP, SO HE DECIDED TO GO AHEAD AND BUY THE FARM, AND WHAT'S MORE,
HE MADE A DEAL WITH THE MASTER TO KEEP WILLIE ON THE FARM.
SO, WILLIE, HE GOT TO STAY ON THE FARM, JUST LIKE HE WANTED,
AND HE GOT RID OF HIS NASTY OLD MASTER TO BOOT.
Submitter comment:
THE BASIC PRINCIPLE BEHIND TRAP METAPHOR AS BOB EXPLAINED TO ME,
IS THAT "BLACKS DON'T GET MAD, THEY GET EVEN." THIS IS EVIDENT
IN HOW UNCLE WILLIE GOT RID OF HIS OLD MASTER. AS I WAS LISTENING
TO THIS STORY, I WAS AMAZED AT HOW IT CONFORMS TO ALMOST ALL OF
ULRIK'S LAWS FOR FOLKTALES. SOME EXAMPLES ARE: THE LAW OF THREES
WHEN WILLIE GIVES THEM THREE REASONS FOR NOT BUYING THE FARM, ALSO,
THE LAW OF CONCENTRATION ON A LEADING CHARACTER IS CLEARLY
FULFILLED. THE MOST INTERESTING OF THE LAWS MANIFESTED IN THIS ST-
ORY IS THE LAW OF LOGIC. NORMALLY, WE WOULD NOT CONSIDER WILLIE'S
LOGIC USEFUL TO GAIN AN END, YET IN THIS STORY IT IS NOT ONLY
REAL, BUT IT IS FEASIBLE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): OL MASSA AND JOHN STORY
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Tale |
Date learned: 11-26-1980
AFRICAN TRIBE TALE
A CERTAIN BIOLOGY PROFESSOR WAS DELIVERING A LECTURE AT MICHIGAN
STATE ON A TRIBE IN SOUTHERN AFRICA. THE SUBJECT UNDER DISCUSSION WAS
THE ABNORMALLY LARGE "PRIVATES" OF THIS TRIBE. TWO PRUDISH SORORITY
GIRLS EMBARRASSED BY THE CRUDE LECTURE ABRUPTLY LEFT THEIR SEATS
AND STARTED FOR THE DOOR. THE PROFESSOR STOPPED THEM WITH THIS
COMMENT, "WHAT'S YOUR RUSH GIRLS, THE
BOAT DOESN'T LEAVE UNTIL MORNING."
Submitter comment: TOLD TO ME AS ACTUAL FACT IN 1960.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA
Keyword(s): CLASSROOM HUMOR ; COLLEGE PROFESSOR LEGEND
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Body part Senses |
Date learned: 00-00-1960
AUTOGRAPH BOOK MATERIAL
YOURS 'TILL THE OCEAN RUNS DRY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FRIENDSHIP ; PROMISE
James Callow Keyword(s): ASSUMED IMPOSSIBILITY
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Humorous allusion to love |
Date learned: 04-18-1971