Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for CHILD returned 175 results.
NO TITLE SUPPLIED
DAD: I SURE WISH YOU'D STOP REACHING FOR
THINGS. DON'T YOU HAVE A TONGUE.
SON: YES, BUT MY ARM IS LONGER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; DEARBORN HEIGHTS
Keyword(s): ABSURD ; CHILDREN ; DIOLOGUE ; EATING ; HUMOR ; PARENTS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 10-00-1968
Entry filtered.
"MOMMY, MOMMY" JOKE
"MOMMY, MOMMY" HOW COME I KEEP RUNNING AROUND IN CIRCLES?"
"SHUT UP OR, I'LL NAIL YOUR OTHER FOOT TO THE FLOOR"
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SAID THAT MOMMY, MOMMY JOKES WERE POPULAR IN HIS
CLASS AT SCHOOL.
Data entry tech comment: CHAPTER 6 IN "WITCRACKS" BY ALVIN SCHWARTZ
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; OAK PARK
Keyword(s): ABSURD ; CHILD ; DIALOGUE ; HUMOR ; RUNNING
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 02-02-1972
AUTOGRAPH BOOK VERSE
WHEN YOU GET MARRIED AND HAVE A TOT,
SEND ME A LETTER FOR A PE-PE POT.
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): BABY ; EUPHEMISM: PE-PE POT FOR CHILD'S TOILET
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Matrimony |
Date learned: 00-00-1974
DESERTED CHILD
THERE WAS A PREGNANT WOMAN. WHEN THE BABY WAS BORN HER HUSBAND
DIED. SHE BLAMED THE BABY AND LOCKED HIM UP IN THE ATTIC. THE
CHILD WAS ALWAYS BY THE WINDOW AND USED TO WATCH THE FIRE-ENGINES
PASS BY. THE WOMAN NEVER OPENED THE DOOR TO THE ATTIC AND EVEN
FED HIM THROUGH THE DOOR. ONE DAY THE WOMAN HAD COMPANY AND
FORGOT TO LOCK THE DOOR. THE BOY WAS TWELVE YEARS OLD AT THIS
TIME AND HE ESCAPED FROM THE ATTIC AND HOPPED DOWN THE STREET
LIKE A KANGAROO AND SCREAMED WRRRRRRR... JUST LIKE A FIRE-ENGINE.
THIS IS TRUE.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT HEARD THIS FROM A GIRLFRIEND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
Keyword(s): STRANGE CHILDREN
James Callow Keyword(s): INTERNMENT CONFINEMENT ; ISOLATION ; SOLITUDE
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 08-00-1964
THERE IS A WOMAN WHO LIVES ON ALLEN RD. IN DEARBORN WHO LOST HER
YOUNG DAUGHTER ABOUT 15 YEARS AGO. AS THE STORY GOES, EVERY NIGHT AT
DUSK, SHE PLACES A DOLL IN THE WINDOW WHICH CAN BE SEEN FROM THE
ROAD. THE DOLL IS DRESSED IN APPROPRIATE FASHION IN ACCORDANCE
WITH THE WEATHER. IT WAS QUITE SCARY TO DRIVE BY THIS HOUSE ON A
DARK DREARY NIGHT WITH A GUY IN THE CAR WHO WAS A DISBELIEVER.
Submitter comment:
THIS SCARY STORY WAS TOLD BY JOHN TO ME IN SOPHOMORE YEAR IN HIGH
SCHOOL. I REALLY DIDNT BELIEVE HIM, YET HE KEPT BUILDING THE STORY
UP. FINALLY AFTER CONSUMING MANY BEERS WE DROVE BY THE HOUSE AND I
WAS PROVED WRONG.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
James Callow Keyword(s): COMPARE THE WEEPING LADY OF BELLE ISLE, WHO ALSO ; LAMENTS THE LOSS OF HER CHILD.
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Toy |
Date learned: 00-00-1973
THE HARE THAT RAN AWAY
THIS ANCIENT STORY IS ONE OF A SERIES ABOUT THE WISE
BUDDHA IN HIS SUCCESSIVE ANIMAL INCARNATIONS. THE
STORY MAY BEGIN WITHOUT REFERENCE TO BUDDHA:
ONCE THERE WAS A WISE LION WHO DID MUCH TO HELP
HIS FELLOW CREATURES AND HE FOUND THERE WAS MUCH TO
BE DONE. FOR INSTANCE, THERE WAS A LITTLE NERVOUS
HARE...."
Submitter comment:
AN OLD EAST INDIAN FOLKTALE ABOUT A HARE THAT THOUGHT
THE SKY WAS FALLING DOWN, BECAUSE A PIECE OF FRUIT
HIT HIM ON THE HEAD. HE CAUSED COMMOTION AMONG
ALL THE ANIMALS AND THEY BEGAN TO BELIEVE THAT THE
SKY WAS FALLING, TOO. A LION CONVINCED HIM HE WAS
WRONG BY SHOWING THE HARE HOW IT REALLY HAPPENED.
THEN EVERYTHING IN THE WOODS RETURNED BACK TO
NORMAL.
Where learned: HOME
James Callow Keyword(s): HENNY-PENNY CHILDREN'S STORY.
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal Tale |
Date learned: 10-22-1972
RIDDLE
WHAT DO YOU CALL A SIX-YEAR-OLD DELINQUENT?
ANSWER: A CHILD HOOD.
Data entry tech comment: A HOOD IS A STREET TERM FOR A CRIMINAL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): CHILDHOOD
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 00-00-1965
GYPSY DAVEY
IT WAS LATE LAST NIGHT
WHEN THE BOSS CAME HOME,
ASKING ABOUT HIS LADY
AND THE ONLY ANSWER HE RECEIVED,
SHE'S GONE WITH THE GYPSY DAVEY,
SHE'S GONE WITH THE GYPSY DAVE.
GO SADDLE FOR ME MY BUCKSKIN HORSE,
AND MY HUNDRED DOLLAR SADDLE,
POINT OUT TO ME THEIR WAGON TRACKS,
AND AFTER THEM I'LL TRAVEL,
WELL AFTER THEM I'LL RIDE.
WELL HE HAD NOT RODE TO THE MIDNIGHT MOON,
WHEN HE SAW THEIR CAMPFIRE GLEAMING.
HE HEARD THE NOTES OF THE BIG GUITAR
AND THE VOICE OF THE GYPSY SINGING
THAT SONG OF THE GYPSY DAVE.
TAKE OFF, TAKE OFF YOUR KIDSKIN GLOVES,
AND YOUR BOOTS OF SPANISH LEATHER,
AND GIVE TO ME YOUR LILY WHITE HANDS,
WE'LL GO BACK HOME TOGETHER;
WE'LL GO BACK HOME AGAIN.
NO, I WON'T TAKE OFF MY K
NOR MY BOOTS OF SPANISH LEATHER,
I'LL GO MY WAY FROM DAY TO DAY,
AND SING WITH THE GYPSY DAVEY,
I'LL GO WITH THE GYPSY DAVE.
HAVE YOU FORSAKEN YOUR HOUSE AND HOME?
HAVE YOU FORSAKEN YOUR BABY?
HAVE YOU FORSAKEN YOUR HUSBAND DEAR,
TO GO WITH THE GYPSY DAVEY?
AND SING WITH THE GYPSY DAVE?
YES, I'VE FORSAKEN MY HOUSE AND HOME,
TO GO WITH THE GYPSY DAVEY,
AND I'VE FORSAKEN MY HUSBAND DEAR,
BUT NOT MY BLUE-EYED BABY,
MY PRETTY LITTLE BLUE-EYED BABY.
Submitter comment: BALLAD PERFORMED ON APPALACHIAN DULCIMER
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WATERFORD
James Callow Keyword(s): CHILD BALLAD 200
| Subject headings: | -- |
Date learned: 00-00-1984
BLACK-AMERICAN BELIEF
THE NUMBER OF WRINKLES IN THE FOREHEAD SHOWS HOW
MANY KIDS YOU WILL HAVE.
Submitter comment: GRANDMOTHER PASSED THIS SAYING.
Where learned: MISSISSIPPI
James Callow Keyword(s): CHILDREN
Date learned: 00-00-1960
Superstition
A pregnant woman should mix her urine with Drano. The
resultant color determines the sex of the child.
Unfortunately, the informant (a nurse) forgets which color is
which.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): Childbirth, divination
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- Color BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Shut yo do' an lick yo chil'.
Submitter comment:
This is not a literal suggestion but means that one should
deal with personal matters privately and not let the whole
world be privy to your business.
Where learned: VIRGIN ISLANDS ; Saint Thomas
Keyword(s): an = and ; chile = child ; do = door ; lick = spank (punish) ; yo = your
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 03-00-1991
Old Mary Mack
There's a children's song entitled 'Old Mary Mack' and it goes
like this:
Old Mary Mack Mack Mack
All dressed in black black black
With silver buttons buttons buttons
All down her back back back
She went to the store store store
With fifteen cents cents cents.
Submitter comment: This was sort of one of those patty cake chants.
Where learned: MISSISSIPPI ; Louise
Keyword(s): Children's songs
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1970
Etymology
Origin of Name:
Hungry Mother State Park gets its name from the little boy who is said to have been found wandering through the park (which was at the time only pasture) crying and saying "Hungry, Mother." Later the child's mother was found dead.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Keyword(s): CHILD ; Dead ; ETYMOLOGY ; HUNGRY ; Legend ; MOTHER ; NAME ; Origin ; Pasture
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Folk etymology |
Wedding Custom
At a shower for a bride-elect, she wil have the same number of children as ribbons broken.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Keyword(s): Break ; Bridal ; Bride ; Broken ; CHILDREN ; CUSTOM ; Offspring ; Predict ; Ribbons ; Shower ; WEDDING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Maturity |
LADYBUGS
WHEN ONE FINDS A LADYBUG ON ONE'S CLOTHING, ONE IS SUPPOSED
TO RELEASE THE BUG IN THE AIR (IT WILL FLY) AND SAY:
LADYBUG, LADYBUG,
FLY AWAY HOME,
YOUR HOUSE IN ON FIRE,
AND YOUR CHILDREN ARE ALL ALONE.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
Keyword(s): AND YOUR CHILDREN WILL BURN.
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1973
TRUE STORY
AT ONE TIME, MARIA WAS TEACHING A RELIGION CLASS
OF LITTLE CHILDREN AND SHE ASKED A LITTLE BOY,
"WHAT'S ANOTHER NAME FOR GOD?" AND THE LITTLE
CHILD REPLIED "HAROLD." MARIA EXCLAIMED, "HAROLD?
WHERE DID YOU HEAR THAT?" THE LITTLE CHILD REPLIED
"IN THE LORD'S PRAYER, BECAUSE WE SAY 'OUR FATHER
WHO ARE IN HEAVEN, HAROLD BE THY NAME."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): ABSURD MISUNDERSTANDING ON PART OF A CHILD.
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
TRUE STORY
AT ONE TIME, MARIA WAS TEACHING A RELIGION CLASS
OF LITTLE CHILDREN AND SHE ASKED A LITTLE BOY,
"WHAT'S ANOTHER NAME FOR GOD?" AND THE LITTLE
CHILD REPLIED "HAROLD." MARIA EXCLAIMED, "HAROLD?
WHERE DID YOU HEAR THAT?" THE LITTLE CHILD REPLIED
"IN THE LORD'S PRAYER, BECAUSE WE SAY 'OUR FATHER
WHO ARE IN HEAVEN, HAROLD BE THY NAME."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): ABSURD MISUNDERSTANDING ON PART OF A CHILD.
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
THE TROUBLE WITH BEING A PARENT IS THAT BY THE TIME
YOU ARE EXPERIENCED, YOU ARE UNEMPLOYED.
Where learned: RESIDENCE
Keyword(s): CHILDREN
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
OLD SAYING
THE WAY YOU RAISE 'EM, THAT'S THE WAY YOU GET 'EM.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT'S FATHER TOLD HIM THIS AND HIS GRANDFATHER TOLD
HIS FATHER THIS. IT'S AN OLD SAYING THAT'S BEEN PASSED
DOWN IN THE FAMILY.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CHILDREN PARENTS
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 03-05-1971