Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for FISH returned 47 results.
WEATHER RHYMES
MACKEREL SKY FIVE MILES HIGH
LETS THE EARTH GO THREE DAYS DRY.
Where learned: HOME
James Callow Keyword(s): FISH
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb |
Date learned: 09-07-1969
MACKEREL SKY
MACKEREL SKY, MACKEREL SKY,
NEVER LONG WET, NEVER LONG DRY.
MACKEREL SCALES AND MARES' TAILS
MAKE LOFTY SHIPS CARRY LOW SAILS.
Submitter comment: USED BY SEAFARING MEN ALONG THE NEW ENGLAND COAST.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN BY COLLECTOR
James Callow Keyword(s): FISH
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN BY COLLECTOR
DICK AND JANE RIDDLE
DICK AND JANE WERE LYING ON THE FLOOR DEAD. ON THE FLOOR THERE
WAS BROKEN GLASS AND WATER. HOW DID THEY DIE?
-- THEY WERE GOLDFISH AND THEIR AQUARIUM BROKE.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT HEARD THIS RIDDLE FROM ONE OF HER FRIENDS AT U OF D.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT
Keyword(s): FISH WATER AQUARIUM
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 02-17-1971
SHERLOCK HOLMES RIDDLE
JOHN AND MARY WERE IN A SEALED ROOM DEAD. WHEN YOU
WALK INTO THE ROOM YOU SEE A PUDDLE OF WATER, BROKEN
GLASS AND A CAT. WHO KILLED JOHN AND MARY?
-- THE CAT, JOHN AND MARY WERE GOLDFISH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT COLLECTORS HOME
Keyword(s): FISH CAT
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 00-00-1967
RIDDLE
SOMEONE CAME INTO THE ROOM AND FOUND JOHN AND MARY DEAD
ON THE FLOOR WITH WATER AROUND THEM. HOW DID THEY DIE?
-- JOHN AND MARY WERE GOLDFISH AND THEIR BOWL GOT KNOCKED
OFF THE TABLE AND BROKE WHICH KILLED THEM.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT
Keyword(s): FISH
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 02-22-1972
Entry filtered.
Belief: Weather
Weather Proverb:
If the wind is from the East, the fishing is the least;
But if the wind is from the West, the fishing is the best.
Submitter comment:
My mother heard this proverb from my father, who likes fishing.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Dup. of WPP
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; Connor St ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES
Keyword(s): Air ; DIRECTION ; East ; FISHING ; PREDICTION ; RHYME ; WEATHER ; West ; Wind
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb |
Verse
The Wind:
When the wind is in the East,
'Tis good for neither man nor feast;
When the wind is in the North,
The skillful fisher goes not forth;
When the wind is in the South,
It blows the bait in the fishes' mouth;
When the wind is in the West,
Then 'tis at its very best.
Submitter comment:
Discovered in a paper placement, printed in Rhode Island. Paper then discovered at Audio's Pizzaria in Detroit.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Dup. of WPP
Where learned: Rhode Island
Keyword(s): Bait ; DIRECTION ; East ; FISH ; Fisherman ; FOOD ; Formula ; North ; Ocean ; PREDICTION ; RHYME ; Sailor ; SEA ; Sky ; SONG ; South ; Sport ; VERSE ; WARNING ; West ; Wind
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb C880.890 |
Proverb
Fish and visitors stink after three days.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [V700] crossed out. Replaced with current classification.
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): Aphorism ; Apothegm ; FISH ; Maxim ; PROVERB ; VERSE ; VISITORS
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Proverb
Old fisherman never die, they just smell that way.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Keyword(s): Aphorism ; Apothegm ; DEATH ; Fisherman ; Maxim ; PROVERB ; Smell ; VERSE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Blason Populaire |
Proverb
Old fisherman never die, they just smell that way.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Keyword(s): Aphorism ; Apothegm ; DEATH ; FISH ; Fisherman ; Maxim ; Old ; PROVERB ; Smell ; VERSE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Blason Populaire |
Proverb
House guests and fish spoil on the third day.
Submitter comment:
Origin: Unknown
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): Aphorism ; Apothegm ; FISH ; Guest ; HOSPITALITY ; Maxim ; PROVERB ; Spoil ; VERSE ; Welcome
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Blason Populaire |
Proverb
Even a fish wouldn't get caught if he kept his mouth closed.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [V500] crossed out. Replaced With current classification.
Where learned: IRELAND ; BELFAST
Keyword(s): Aphorism ; Apothegm ; CATCH ; FISH ; Maxim ; Mouth ; PROVERB ; Trap ; VERSE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Proverb
On the third day the fish begins to stink.
Submitter comment:
For those houseguests who don't know when to leave.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [B660] crossed out. Replaced with current classification.
Keyword(s): Aphorism ; Apothegm ; Company ; FISH ; Houseguest ; Maxim ; PROVERB ; Stink ; VERSE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Proverb
Goldfish:
In a world where all is water, who can tell when goldfish weep?
Submitter comment:
I found these words written on the wall of MRI 305 with no author.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Keyword(s): ; Apothegm ; Cry ; Goldfish ; Maxim ; PROVERB ; VERSE ; WATER ; Weep
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb |
Autograph Rhyme
Album Verse:
Your's till catfish have kittens.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Keyword(s): AUTOGRAPH ; CAT ; Catfish ; FISH ; Kittens ; PLAY ON WORDS ; PUN ; Signature ; Witty ; WORD PLAY
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Verse without Music |
Superstition
The fisherman have two kinds of folk belief: magic and empirical. Magic have no rational explanation-porpoises bring good luck. Empirical can be explained or have a rational line of thought - Circle around moon means bad weather. There is a rational connection between moon, ring, and bad weather.
Beneath the instrumental function of beliefs (to explain something) there is a phycological [sic] function (to ease the dangers of their hazardous occupation.)
Black suitcase is a very bad taboo object. Going out (in boat) on Friday - bad luck. The word alligator - bad luck. Throw change overboard - good luck.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: The Function of Magic Among Texas Coastal Fisherman ; Journal of American Folklore
Keyword(s): Alligator ; BELIEF ; Boat ; Change ; Empirical ; Fisherman ; Friday ; LUCK ; MAGIC ; MONEY ; MOON ; Ocean ; Porpoise ; Sail ; Sailor ; SEA ; Ship ; Suitcase ; SUPERSTITION ; WEATHER
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Still water Large body. BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Language: Rhyme
Nonsense Rhyme:
Of all the fishies in the brook,
I'd rather be a bass.
I'd climb up on the biggest rock
And slide down on my hands and knees.
Submitter comment:
Undetermined Origin
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs Added By TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [C730] crossed out. Replaced with current classification.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
Keyword(s): Brook ; FISH ; Fishies ; Hands ; Knees ; Language ; NONSENSE ; RHYME ; Rock ; Slide
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Speech Speech |
THE RESPONDENT'S AUNT HAS A FISH SHAPED MOLE ON THE
RIGHT SIDE OF HER FACE, SUPPOSEDLY THERE BECAUSE HER
MOTHER, WHILE PREGNANT WITH HER, LOST A FISH OFF HER
HOOK, AND SLAPPED HER OWN CHEEK IN DISGUST.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated on 09-01-11
Where learned: MISSISSIPPI ; BELZONI
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Birthmark ; Caught ; Cheek ; FACE ; FISH ; HOOK ; LOST ; OMEN ; PREGNANCY ; Slapped
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Specific distinguishing characteristic Dimple, wart, mole, scar, freckle, birthmark, strawberry mark, bruise, spot (on any part of body) BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 06-06-1973
IF A WOMAN EATS CATFISH BEFORE HER BABY IS TWO MONTHS
OLD SHE WILL DIE.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MISSISSIPPI ; BELZONI
Keyword(s): AGE ; BABY ; BELIEF ; Catfish ; Consume ; DEATH ; Die ; Eat ; FISH ; FOOD ; infant ; Kill ; Mom ; MONTHS ; MOTHER ; PREGNANCY ; Two
James Callow Keyword(s): AGE
| Subject headings: | 686 Seconds / Twice / Two Food Drink -- Meat Fish and other animal life related to water BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 04-15-1973