Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for Car returned 109 results.
THE DEATH CAR
WHEN I WAS IN HIGHSCHOOL I REMEMBER A RUMOR GOING AROUND SCHOOL ABOUT
A 1963 CORVETTE THAT WAS FOR SALE FOR THE RIDICULOUS PRICE
OF $200.00. THE REASON IT WAS SO CHEAP WAS THAT SOMEONE HAD DIED IN
IT AND IT WAS SO LONG BEFORE THEY FOUND HIM THAT THE CAR SMELLED
VERY BADLY. THE CAR HAD BEEN FUMIGATED, RE-UPHOLSTERED AND AIRED OUT
THOROUGHLY, BUT THE CAR STILL STUNK TOO BADLY TO DRIVE.
Data entry tech comment: COLLECTOR'S SPELLING HAS BEEN CORRECTED BY KEYPUNCHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CAR SELLING
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00-00-1964
NEW YEAR'S
IN EUROPE DURING THE NEW YEAR'S HOLIDAY, CARDS WERE SENT BY
PEOPLE TO THEIR RELATIVES AND FRIENDS IN MUCH THE SAME WAY AS
WE DO HERE FOR CHRISTMAS. ONCE A PERSON REACHED HIS LATE TEENS,
HE WOULD HAVE NAME CARDS PRINTED (COMPARABLE TO OUR BUSINESS
CARDS) AND WOULD SEND THEM TO RELATIVES. OFTEN, UNSIGNED OR
"MYSTERIOUS" CARDS WOULD BE SENT BETWEEN LOVERS, SECRET ADMIRERS,
ETC., AND THE RECEIVER WOULD HAVE TO GUESS WHO HAD SENT THE CARD.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector share the same surname and place of residence.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH ; informant's residence
Keyword(s): ANONYMOUS ; CARDS ; GIFTGIVING
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 |
Date learned: 11-01-1970
YOU HAVE AS MANY CLOTHES AS CARTER HAS PILLS.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT SAYS THIS WHENEVER MY MOTHER BUYS NEW CLOTHES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVERTISING ; CARTER'S LITTLE LIVER PILLS
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: 01-00-1974
THE $200 CORVET.
AS THE STORY GOES, THERE IS A CORVET FOR SALE FOR ONLY $200
THAT A MAN DIED IN, AND WAS NOT FOUND FOR TWO WEEKS. AFTER THE
BODY WAS REMOVED, THE SMELL COULD NOT BE REMOVED FROM THE CAR NO
MATTER WHAT WAS DONE TO THE CAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
Keyword(s): DEATH CAR ; DECAYED SMELL.
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 04-26-1972
THE DRIVERLESS CAR
THIS IS A STORY ABOUT THIS YOUNG FELLA WHO WAS HITCH HIKING ON A
LONELY COUNTRY ROAD IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT. IT WAS RAINING AND
COLD AND NO CARS HAD PASSED IN OVER AN HOUR. THE BOY LOOKED DOWN
THR ROAD AND SAW THE HEADLIGHTS OF AN APPROACHING CAR. THE CAR WAS
GOING REAL SLOW. IT WOULD STOP NOW AND THEN AND THEN START GOING
REAL SLOW. WHEN FINALLY THE CAR GOT TO THE BOY IT STOPPED. THE
BOY LOOKED IN AND SAW THAT THERE WAS NO ONE DRIVING. WELL IT WAS
RAINING AND COLD AND THE BOY WAS TIRED SO THE BOY GOT INSIDE THE CAR
THEN THE CAR STARTED TO GO REAL SLOW. THE BOY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO
MAKE OF IT BUT FIGURED IT WAS BETTER THAN BEING OUT IN THE COLD RAIN
SO HE SAID TO THE EMPTY DRIVER'S SEAT NEXT TO HIM, "DROP ME OFF AT
THE NEXT TOWN." THE CAR KEPT ON GOING REAL SLOW AND ABOUT AN HOUR
LATER CAME TO A TOWN AND STOPPED IN FRONT OF A HOTEL. THE BOY GOT
OUT OF THE CAR. ALL OF A SUDDEN A MAN ALL BEAT OUT AND SOAKING WET
CAME UP TO HIM OUT OF NO WHERE AND SAYS, "IT SURE IS A TERRIBLE NIGH
OUT." "IT SURE IS," SAID THE BOY. "YOU KNOW," SAYS THE MAN, "I RAN
OUT OF GAS AND I'VE BEEN PUSHING THIS CAR ALL THE WAY FROM THE LAST
TOWN BACK THERE." THE BOY JUST SMILED BACK AT THE MAN AND SAID AS H
TURNED AND WALKED AWAY, "THANKS FOR THE RIDE."
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH
Keyword(s): SURPRISE ENDING CARS DRIVING MYSTERY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Man |
Date learned: 11-07-1968
IN A LITTLE ITALIAN CITY THERE LIVED A VERY POOR
MAN. ALL HE OWNED WAS AN OLD BICYCLE OF WHICH HE WAS
VERY PROUD. ONE DAY HE WENT TO A SMALL GROCERY
STORE TO BUY SOME VEGETABLES AND WHEN HE CAME
BACK, HE FOUND HIS BICYCLE ALL BROKEN INTO LITTLE
PIECES--PROBABLY SOME EVIL BOY DECIDED TO PLAY A
BAD JOKE ON HIM. THE MAN BEGAN TO CRY. AT THAT
TIME, A FUNERAL PROCESSION ARRIVED AND THE MAN JOINED THE
RELATIVES OF THE DEAD WOMAN, CRYING SO PITIFULLY THAT
A FRIEND OF THE DEAD WOMAN STOPPED HIM AND SAID,
"COME ON NOW, SHE WAS OLD AND DECREPIT, YOU KNOW."
TO THAT THE MAN REPLIED, "YES, BUT SHE STILL HAD
TWO PEDALS AND A HANDLE-BAR!"
Submitter comment:
THE ABOVE IS AN EXAMPLE OF THE FUNNY STORIES CHILDREN
TELL IN ITALY. I REMEMBER HEARING AND TELLING ONE
SIMILAR TO THIS WHEN I WAS YOUNGER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): TRANSLATION---ITALIAN VERSION ON 5 X 8 CARD.
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Stupid man or woman |
Date learned: 10-06-1971
GREEK RETORT
THE MULE CALLS THE CHICKEN-FAT HEAD.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS USED TO TELL SOMEONE OFF WHEN THEY ARE YOU TO
DO OR SAY SOMETHING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
James Callow Keyword(s): GREEK LANGUAGE RETORT IS ON 5 X 8 CARD. ; TRANSLATION
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
GREEK RETORT
KNOCK ALL YOU WANT AT A DEAF MAN'S DOOR.
Submitter comment: YOU SAY THIS TO A BULL-HEADED OR STUBBORN PERSON.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
James Callow Keyword(s): GREEK TRANSLATION ON 5 X 8 CARD. ; TRANSLATION
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
FIRST, HAVE THE PREGNANT WOMAN LIE DOWN. NEXT YOU GET A
SEWING NEEDLE, TIE A PIECE OF STRING THROUGH THE "EYE" OF
THE NEEDLE. NOW YOU ARE TO HOLD THE STRING AT THE
END ALLOWING THE NEEDLE TO SWING FREE. YOU HOLD THE
NEEDLE OVER THE ABDOMEN OF THE PREGNANT WOMAN AND WATCH
THE ROTATION OF THE NEEDLE. IF THE NEEDLE SWINGS
VERTICALLY, THE CHILD WILL BE A BOY. IF THE NEEDLE SWINGS
HORIZONTALLY, THE CHILD WILL BE A GIRL. YOU SHOULD BE
STANDING AT HER FEET TO WATCH THE DIRECTION OF THE SWING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): DIAGRAMS OF HORIZONTALLY AND VERTICALLY ON 5 X 8 CARD.
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Date learned: 12-06-1967
THE RUBBERBAND AND THE HAND
THERE WAS A LITTLE GIRL WHO GOT INTO THE HABIT OF WRAPPING RUBBER
BANDS AROUND HER WRIST BECAUSE SHE LIKED TO LOOK AT THE IMPRESSIONS
THEY LEFT ON HER SKIN WHEN SHE TOOK THEM OFF. ONE DAY SHE FORGOT SHE
HAD THE RUBBER BANDS ON AND KEPT WEARING THEM.
YEARS LATER THE GIRL'S
HAND TURNED BLACK SO THEY TOOK HER TO THE HOSPITAL WHERE THEY
OPERATED ON HER HAND. THE DOCTOR CUT OPEN HER WRIST TO SEE WHY THE
BLOOD STOPPED FLOWING INTO HER HAND AND HE FOUND THE RUBBER BAND. IT
SEEMS THE RUBBER BAND HAD BECOME IMPRESSED IN HER SKIN AND EVENTUALLY
THE SKIN GREW OVER IT. THE GIRL PROMISED NEVER TO WEAR A RUBBER BAND
ON HER WRIST AGAIN.
Submitter comment:
TOLD TO THE INFORMANT BY HIS MOTHER WHEN HE WAS A CHILD TO BREAK
HIM OF WEARING RUBBER BANDS. HE SAYS IT WORKED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FEAR ; FUNCTIONAL SCARE STORY
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Body part Senses |
Date learned: 03-03-1967
BAD LUCK
IF, IN PLAYING CARDS, YOU HAVE BAD LUCK, A WALK AROUND THE CHAIR
WILL BRING GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
Keyword(s): CONVERSION ; GAMES: CARDS ; HOME, DOMESTIC PURSUITS
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement BELIEF -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Conversions P883.6 |
Date learned: 11-01-1967
WE CELEBRATE A HOLIDAY IN GERMANY CALLED "FAST NACH." IT IS LIKE
HALLOWEEN ONLY IS IS CELEBRATED IN FEBRUARY. ALL THE CHILDREN
AND ADULTS DRESS UP IN COSTUMES AND HAVE A PARADE TO CHASE AWAY
THE GHOSTS. WE CAN NOT EAT MEAT ON THIS DAY, SO WE EAT DONUTS
INSTEAD. THIS IS DONE IN MOST SMALL TOWNS IN GERMANY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): ABSTINENCE ; CARNIVAL ; FASTNACHT
Date learned: 02-00-1982
A POLISH CHRISTMAS CUSTOM.
BEGINNING AT 6:00 P.M.
THE FAMILY GATHERS, CELEBRATES.
8:00 P.M. FOOD IS BROUGHT OUT
BUT NO MEAT IS SERVED, ONLY
FISH AND MACARONI, THIS IS THE
FASTING TIME. 9:00 P.M. SANTA
CLAUS ARRIVES BRINGING GIFTS
FOR ALL THE CHILDREN. AT 10:30 P.M.
CAROLS ARE SUNG. 11:30 P.M.
MIDNIGHT MASS. 1:00 A.M. PASSING
OUT OF WAFER, THEN MEAT IS BROUGHT OUT.
Submitter comment: THIS IS PRACTICED BY CONNIE'S IN-LAWS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK
James Callow Keyword(s): MACARONI
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve |
(sung to the tune of "Jingle Bells")
Jingle bells, Batman smells,
Robin laid an egg.
Batmobile lost a wheel,
And Joker got away. MM
Jingle bells, Batman smells,
Fifty miles away.
He blows his nose in cheerios,
And eats them right away!
Submitter comment:
This is only one of many such "gross" songs that the
elementary school boys love to sing.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALLEN PARK
Keyword(s): Parody, Cartoon character, humor, Christmas
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Good humor Jest Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children |
Date learned: 00001987ca
Irish Blessing
May the road rise to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the sun shine warm upon your face
May the rains fall soft upon your fields
And until we meet again
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR
Keyword(s): caring, love
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 00-00-1991
The souls of ancestors were reborn in other living things or
objects.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): African Reincarnation Myths
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 02-00-1992
TICK, TACK, TOE
AND AROUND WE GO
AND WHERE WE STOP
NOBOBY KNOWS.
THE PERSON CLOSES HIS EYES AS HE RECITES THIS VERSE.
HE CIRCLES THE CHART WITH A POINTER AND WHERE THE
VERSE ENDS, HE POINTS TO THE PLACE WHERE HE STOPS.
AS MANY POINTS HE POINTS TO, THAT'S THE AMOUNT HE
GETS. AT THE END OF THE GAME, THE PERSON WITH THE
MOST POINTS WINS.
Submitter comment: I USED TO PLAY THIS WHEN I WAS SMALL, IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SEE NUMBERED, WHEEL-CHART, DRAWN ON 5 X 8 CARD.
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime C500.750 |
Date learned: 11-28-1967
TO CHANGE ONE'S (BAD) LUCK IN A POKER GAME,
YOU GET UP AND WALK AROUND YOUR OWN CHAIR AND
SIT DOWN AGAIN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): CARDS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement BELIEF -- Conversions Games Pastimes Sports |
Date learned: 12-00-1971
COUNT 100 RED CONVERTIBLES AND THE NEXT BOY YOU MEET IS YOUR
FUTURE HUSBAND.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; DORM ; PEABODY COLLEGE ; NASHVILLE
Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILES CARS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Number P686.1.100 BELIEF -- Number Counting beliefs BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 04-09-1969
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