Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for Ail returned 170 results.
RHYME
A HAMMER HAS A HEAD, BUT NEVER WEARS A HAT,/
ALTHOUGH A SHIRT HAS A TAIL, IT'S NO RELATION TO A CAT.
Submitter comment:
A SIMPLE PLAY ON WORDS WHICH PERSONIFIES A HAMMER AND
GIVES LIFE TO A SHIRT.THE INFORMANT REMEMBERS THIS RHYME
FROM HIS CHILDHOOD DAYS. IT'S SIMPLY A NICE LITTLE RHYME THAT
CAN BE INTERPRETED TO SUIT THE SITUATION.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): CAT ; Contrary ; Hammer ; Hat ; HEAD ; Opposition ; PERSONIFICATION ; RHYME ; RIDDLE ; Shirt ; Tail
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Riddle True Riddle |
Date learned: 11-10-1971
LIMERICK
THERE WAS A YOUNG MAN OF AUSTRALIA,
WHO PAINTED HIS BUM LIKE A DAHLIA.
THE DRAWING WAS FINE,
THE COLOR DIVINE,
THE SCENT - AH}THAT WAS A FAILURE.
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): BUTTOCKS ; IMPERFECT RHYME: DAHLIA/FAILURE ; RHYME: AABBA
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR.
Entry filtered.
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 |
A MAN WENT TO THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT OF A COMPANY AND TOLD
THE SECRETARY HE WANTED TO APPLY FOR A JOB. THE SECRETARY WAS
EXPLAINING THAT THE COMPANY WAS NOT HIRING WHEN THE BOSS CAME
WALKING IN.
"ANY MESSAGES?" HE ASKED.
"SIR," SAID THE MAN, "I WOULD LIKE A JOB WITH YOUR COMPANY."
"WHERE DID YOU COME FROM?" ASKED THE BOSS.
"YALE," SAID THE MAN.
"REALLY?" ASKED THE BOSS.
"YES, SIR," SAID THE MAN, "AND I LEARNED A LOT WHILE I WAS THERE."
"WELL, WE REALLY AREN'T HIRING JUST NOW, BUT WITH YOUR CREDENTIALS,
COME INTO MY OFFICE AND WE'LL SEE WHAT WE CAN DO."
THE MAN SAID, "I SURE APPRECIATE THIS, SIR."
"NOTHING TO APPRECIATE," SAID THE BOSS, "THERE'S ALWAYS ROOM FOR
BRIGHT YOUNG MEN, BUT TELL ME MR. - UH - I DON'T BELIEVE I CAUGHT
YOUR NAME."
"YIM YONES, SIR," SAID THE MAN.
Submitter comment: I HEARD THIS JOKE IN 1981.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 00-00-1981
Entry filtered.
WHEN I WAS YOUNGER, MY FAMILY VISITED MY
COUSINS IN ILLINOIS ON A YEARLY BASIS.
EVERY TIME I STAYED WITH MY GRANDFATHER I ALWAYS
NOTICED THAT HE HAD A COPPER BRACLET ON.
AFTER YEARS OF QUESTIONING HIM AND GETTING NO
RESPONSE HE FINALLY TOLD ME IT WAS TO
KEEP THE ARTHRITIS DEVIL AWAY.
Submitter comment:
MY GRANDFATHER WORKED ON A FARM ALL OF HIS LIFE
AND TO THIS DAY HE DOES NOT HAVE ARTHRITIS.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; TAYLOR
Keyword(s): AILMENT ; Arthritis ; Bracelet ; Copper ; CURE ; Homeopathy ; PREVENTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 00001970CA
MAKING A WISH
WHEN ELENA WAS YOUNG, SHE WAS TOLD BY HER OLDER SISTER
THAT WHEN SHE WAS RIDING IN A CAR AND IT CROSSED OVER A RAILROAD
TRACK THAT SHE SHOULD TOUCH SMETHING MADE OF METAL AND
LIFT HER FEET OFF THE FLOOR AND MAKE A WISH.
Submitter comment: FORMER ROOMMATE
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES
Keyword(s): RAILROAD TRACK
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Prayer |
RIDDLE
WHAT LETTER IS NEVER IN THE ALPHABET?
THE ONE YOU PUT IN THE MAIL BOX.
Where learned: GEORGIA ; ATLANTA
James Callow Keyword(s): MAILBOX
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: 00-00-1990
Entry filtered.
To her knowledge, when a child of Greek descent is born, he or
she is given a charm (a golden eye) to protect him or her from what
is called a "matiasma." Roughly translated it means "given the eye"
or "eyed." This happens when someone admires someone out of jealousy
out loud. For example, "His voice is so incredible. I wish I had it."
Once one is eyed, if he or she is not wearing the charm or if one
doesn't say "ftousou" which is a Greek word that means "to spray
saliva," he or she is condemned to sickness. (When said, ftousou
literally sprays saliva in the person's face.)
Submitter comment:
This particular superstition is feared by my informant because,
as a child, she was "eyed" and became seriously ill. All was tried to
lower my informant's fever but nothing worked. Finally, with
hesitation, a witch doctor was summoned and the fever disappeared
within a single day. To this day she has believed in the curse and
gave me and her other son the golden eye. However, both have been
misplaced and to this date have not been found.
Where learned: GREECE
Keyword(s): AILMENT ; SICKNESS ; unexplained
James Callow Keyword(s): amulet, talisman
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Witch Shaman BELIEF -- Witch Shaman BELIEF -- Curse |
Date learned: 00001943CA
YEARS AGO ONE TEACHER TOLD EVERYONE THAT IF THEY DIDN'T BRING
SOMETHING TO WRITE WITH TO HER CLASS, SHE'S CUT THEIR GRADE
DOWN A POINT EACH TIME THEY CAME IN WITHOUT ANYTHING. EVEN
AFTER A NEW TEACHER TOOK HER PLACE, EVERY DAY, EVERYONE TOOK
A BRAILLER WHICH IS BIG AND CUMBERSOME TO ENGLISH CLASS.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE ; TSB ; TALKING WITH HIM THERE
Keyword(s): BRAILE WRITER BRAILE WRITING
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
HOMELY TALE
WHEN I WAS A LITTLE GIRL, OUR COW WOULDN'T LET A MAN
MILK IT. SO, MY GRANDFATHER SPENCE DRESSED UP IN A
SUNBONNET AND A MOTHER HUBBARD DRESS WHICH WAS A
LONG DRESS THAT TOUCHES THE FLOOR. BUT AS SOON AS
HE SAT TO MILK IT, THE COW KICKED THE BUCKET AND OFF
WENT THE COW. YOU COULDN'T FOOL THAT COW.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): DISGUISE FAILS TO FOOL COW ; TRANSVESTISM
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 07-21-1968
I ONCE SAW THIS THING IN 1964, LIKE A JET VAPOR TRAIN
AND IT WOULD GO ACROSS THE SKY WITHOUT SPREADING OUT.
SO ALL OF US KIDS WHO SAW IT ON THE PLAYGROUND AT
ROSEBANK STARTED GETTING REAL EXCITED THINKING WE
WERE BEING VISITED BY OTHER PLANETS AND EVERYTHING.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): ALIENS ; UFO U. F. O. UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECT ; VAPOR TRAIL
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Celestial Body |
Date learned: 07-20-1968
PROVERB
THE PIGS WERE SO SKINNY THEY HAD TO TIE KNOTS IN THEIR
TALES TO KEEP FROM BLOWING THROUGH THE RAIL FENCE.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
Keyword(s): TAILS THIN
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: 08-07-1968
NOT GIVEN
THIRD TIME'S A CHARM.
Submitter comment:
THIS STATES A BELIEF THAT WHEN SOMETHING IS DONE FOR THE
THIRD TIME, IF IT HAS FAILED THE FIRST TWO TIMES, THE
THIRD TIME WILL SUCCEED. IF SUCCESSFUL THE FIRST TWO
TIMES, THE THIRD TIME WILL FAIL.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
Keyword(s): SUCCESS FAILURE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
CURE FOR FELON:
TAKE ONE TABLESPOON OF RED LEAD AND ONE TABLESPOON OF
CASTILE SOAP, MIX THEM WITH AS MUCH WOOL LYE AS WILL
MAKE IT SOFT ENOUGH TO SPREAD LIDE (SIC) A SALVE, AND APPLY
IT ON FIRST APPEARANCE OF THE FELON AND IT WILL CURE IT
IN TWELVE HOURS.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): FELON: AN INFECTION OF THE FINGER AROUND THE BONE OR FINGERNAIL
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Remedy BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 10-10-1973
THE WATER SPRITES' BOAT
THE CHILDREN IN NORWAY ARE TAUGHT NEVER TO LEAVE A TINY NAIL
SLIVER ANYWHERE FOR THE WATER SPRITES TO FIND. THE LITTLE
SPRITES COLLECT ALL THE CUTTINGS THEY CAN FIND, BECAUSE THEY ARE
BUILDING A GREAT BOAT OUT OF THEM. WHEN THE BOAT IS FINISHED
THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO SAIL IT INTO A FJORD, AND ON REACHING THE
END, THE BOAT WILL EXPLODE AND CAUSE SUCH AN EARTHQUAKE
THAT THE WORLD WILL COME TO AN END.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
Keyword(s): FINGERNAILS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
THE WATER SPRITES' BOAT
THE CHILDREN IN NORWAY ARE TAUGHT NEVER TO LEAVE A TINY NAIL
SLIVER ANYWHERE FOR THE WATER SPRITES TO FIND. THE LITTLE
SPRITES COLLECT ALL THE CUTTINGS THEY CAN FIND, BECAUSE THEY ARE
BUILDING A GREAT BOAT OUT OF THEM. WHEN THE BOAT IS FINISHED
THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO SAIL IT INTO A FJORD, AND ON REACHING THE
END, THE BOAT WILL EXPLODE AND CAUSE SUCH AN EARTHQUAKE
THAT THE WORLD WILL COME TO AN END.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
Keyword(s): FINGERNAILS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
IT'S AN ILL WIND THAT BLOWS NO GOOD.
Keyword(s): WEATHER SAILING
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: ANYTIME {???}