Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for FUNCTION returned 213 results.
CRANBERRY SCOOP
CRANBERRY SCOOP PICTURES SEE SQ692406-3 TO SQ692406-7
Submitter comment:
THE CRANBERRY SCOOP WAS USED IN THE HARVESTING OF CRANBERRIES. THE
ONE PICTURED COMES FROM KINGSTON MASSACHUSETTS. AND IS ABOUT 35 YEARS
OLD. IT BELONGED TO MY GREAT UNCLE. THEY STOPPED USING THE SCOOP
FOR HARVESTING THE ENTIRE CRANBERRY BOG IN THE EARLY TO MIDDLE 1950S
WHEN A MECHANIZED PICKER WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE BUSINESS. IT WAS
STILL USED TO HARVEST ALONG THE SIDES OF THE BOG FOR THE
MECHANICAL PICKER COULDN'T HARVEST THERE.
THE OLD SCOOPS THAT ARE NO LONGER BEING USED IN THE BOG HAVE BEEN
USED IN THE HOME FOR NEWSPAPER RACKS AND MAGAZINE RACKS. IN SOME
CASES THE SCREEN WAS REMOVED AND A PIECE OF CREWEL WORK WAS PUT IN
ITS PLACE TO MAKE THE SCOOP MORE ATTRACTIVE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Massachusetts ; MADISON HEIGHTS ; KINGSTON
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTIONAL SHIFT
| Subject headings: | Favorites Favorites ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Occupation Fishing ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Household furniture and utensil |
Date learned: 00-00-1938
NARRATIVE SONG
DOCTOR, DOCTOR, CAN YOU TELL
WHAT WILL MAKE POOR (GAL'S NAME) WELL?
SHE IS SICK AND ABOUT TO DIE
AND THAT WOULD MAKE (HER BEAU'S NAME) CRY.
Submitter comment:
MY GREAT-AUNT PLAYED THIS ON THE PIANO AT ALL THE FAMILY PARTIES
THAT THEY HAD AT THEIR HOUSE. ALL THE KIDS WOULD JOIN IN THE
SINGING. IN THIS SONG THE NAME OF A GIRL COUSIN WAS ALWAYS FILLED
IN THE FIRST BLANK AND THEN A BOY COUSIN'S NAME WAS CHOSEN FOR THE
SECOND BLANK. NATURALLY NO ONE WAS REALLY SICK. THE OBJECT OF
THE SONG IS RATHER OBVIOUS--JUST PAIRING OFF THE GIRLS AND THE
BOYS WHO WERE THERE.
Where learned: OHIO ; CINCINNATI
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ballad, Song, Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Good humor Jest |
Date learned: 00001960S
POINTING
YOU SHOULD NEVER POINT AN ACCUSING FINGER AT A PERSON BECAUSE IF
YOU LOOK AT YOUR HAND, THREE OF YOUR FINGERS ARE POINTING AT YOU.
Submitter comment: TOLD TO BREAK CHILDREN OUT OF HABIT OF POINTING AT PEOPLE.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: CA11001973
POINTING
IF YOU POINT AT THE SKY YOU SHOULD BITE YOUR FINGER BECAUSE YOU
ARE POINTING AT GOD.
Submitter comment: THIS SAYING WAS TOLD TO STOP CHILDREN FROM POINTING.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Creator BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Conversions P883.22 SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: CA11001973
THE GIRL WHO LOST HER VIRGINITY AND HER LIFE.
THIS GUY FINALLY TALKED HIS GIRL INTO SPENDING THE NIGHT WITH HIM
AT A MOTEL AFTER THEIR SENIOR PROM. SHE WAS A VIRGIN BEFORE THAT
NIGHT. DRIVING HER HOME AFTER THEY HAD HAD INTERCOURSE THEY WERE
INVOLVED IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT AND SHE WAS KILLED. SHE WENT TO HELL
FOR ETERNITY AND AT NIGHT HER GHOST COMES BACK TO HAUNT THE MOTEL
ROOM AND ITS OCCUPANTS. HER BOYFRIEND WAS ALSO HAUNTED BY HER AND
KILLED HIMSELF BY DRIVING OFF A CLIFF WITH HIS CAR.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SAINT CLAIR
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION ; SUICIDE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 00001960S
THUMP DRAG
THERE WAS A COUNSELOR AT CAMP NAMED JERRY. HE WAS BOSSY TO ABOUT
THREE CHILDREN. ONE DAY, AFTER A CAMP MOVIE, ONE OF THE CHILDREN TOOK
A CLUB AND HIT JERRY ON THE HEAD. THEN THEY TIED HIM UP AND POURED GAS
OVER HIM. THEY LIT A MATCH AND PRETENDED THEY WOULD IGNITE HIM. HALF OF
HIS BODY WAS BURNT. THE NEXT YEAR THE SAME CAMPERS CAME BACK. DURING THE
WINTER SOME OF THE FOOD AND SUPPLIES WERE STOLEN. THE DOCTOR THOUGHT IT
WAS A BEAR. THE CHILDREN CONFESSED WHAT HAD HAPPENED. IT WAS BELIEVED THAT
JERRY WENT INSANE. ONE DAY THEY HEARD A THUMP AND A DRAG. THIS WAS THE SOUND
THAT JERRY MADE BECAUSE HIS
LEG WAS BURNED. ONE DAY HE WALKED INTO A CABIN AND TOOK ONE OF THE
THREE CHILDREN. THE COUNSELOR HEARD THE NOISE AND CAME RUNNING. THUMP
DRAG DROPPED THE CHILD. THE COUNSELOR DECIDED TO GET THUMP DRAG. THEY
FOLLOWED HIM TO A SEWER AND SAW BLOOD AND BONES ALL OVER. THUMP DRAG
SMASHED THE HEADS OF TWO COUNSELORS. ONE COUNSELOR SHOT HIM BUT THUMP
DRAG DISAPPEARED. ONE YEAR LATER HE WAS FOUND DEAD BY A FARMER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
James Callow Keyword(s): BEOWULF ; FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed BELIEF -- Mammal |
Date learned: 11-00-1973
BLUE BELLS
"BLUE BELLS, COCKLE SHELLS, EAVY, IVY, OVER. HERE COMES THE LADY
WITH THE BIG FAT STICK, NOW IT'S TIME FOR ARTIHMETIC. ONE AND ONE
IS TWO, TWO AND TWO IS FOUR, NOW IT'S TIME FOR GEOGRAPHY. THE WORLD
TURNS ROUND, ROUND, TILL IT TOUCHES THE GROUND.
Submitter comment: THIS IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE JUMP-ROPE RHYMES.
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 00001950S LATE-00001960S
LEARNING TO COUNT
"FIVE SHINEY PENNIES SINGLE AND BRIGHT, BUY AS MUCH AS ONE NICKEL
MIGHT."
Submitter comment: I LEARNED THIS RHYME IN KINDERGARTEN. IT TEACHES YOU TO COUNT.
James Callow Keyword(s): CORNS ; FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse C750.531 |
Date learned: 00-00-1958
IF A CHILD CONTINUALLY MISBEHAVES, THREATEN TO SELL HIM TO THE
GYPSIES WHO LIKE TO BUY CHILDREN AND MISTREAT THEM.
Where learned: OHIO ; CLEVELAND
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- B439 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 09-10-1972
A GIRL THAT WHISTLES IN THE HOUSE WILL COME TO A BAD END.
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.2 |
Proverb
A WATCHED POT NEVER BOILS.
Submitter comment:
USED BY INFORMANT WHEN CHILDREN WAITED IMPATIENTLY FOR THINGS.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; Wappingers Falls
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 00001960S
YOU CAN DRESS A PERSON UP BUT YOU CAN'T TAKE HIM OUT.
Submitter comment:
USED BY INFORMANT'S GIRLFRIEND AT SENIOR PROM WHEN INFORMANT STARTED
THROWING CHUNKS OF FRUIT SALAD INTO AIR AND CATCHING THEM IN HIS
MOUTH.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; Wappingers Falls
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 00-00-1969
GRANDPA REMEMBERS WHEN HIS MOTHER USED TO CUT PAPER SQUARES,
ABOUT 8 INCHES BY 8 INCHES EXACT. THIS WAS AFTER THE SUNDAY
PAPERS HAD BEEEN READ. AFTER JUDGING THE PILE SHE SAID, "SON
ATTACH THIS PILE TO THE PEG IN THE OUTHOUSE."
Submitter comment: THESE PAPERS WERE USED AS TOILET PAPER.
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTIONAL SHIFT: NEWSPAPERS CONVERTED INTO TOILET PAPER
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Home |
Date learned: 10-07-1972
Entry filtered.
BAD LUCK
NOBODY COULD TOUCH MY FATHER'S RAZOR STRAP BECAUSE IT WAS BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT'S FATHER ACTUALLY BELIEVED THIS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.1 |
Date learned: 10-14-1972
THE SHAWANO LAKE MONSTER
THIS STORY WAS ORIGINALLY TOLD BY FR. ARNIE SHINKTON AT CAMP TIVOLI
WISCONSIN. THE STORY IS USUALLY TOLD TO BELIEVING 7-YEAR OLDS. IT
WAS A DARK AND STORMY NIGHT AND SOME OF CABINERS WANTED TO SLEEP
OUT BY THE LAKE. THEY WENT TO THE CAMP DIRECTOR WHO WOULDN'T LET
THEM BECAUSE IT WAS RAINING OUT. BUT THEY WERE HEADSTRONG, SO AFTER
LIGHTS-OUT THEY WENT DOWN TO THE LAKE WITH THEIR SLEEPING BAGS. THE
CAMP COUNSELORS CHECKED THE GROUNDS AT NIGHT. THE YOUTHS SUCCESSFULLY
EVADED THE COUNSELORS AND PROMPTLY WENT TO SLEEP. THEY WERE
AWAKENED AT MIDNIGHT BY A TREMENDOUS STORM. THEY WERE AFRAID TO
RETURN TO THEIR CABINS FOR FEAR OF BEING CAUGHT.
SUDDENLY THEY WERE AWARE OF A STRANGE NOISE. SO ONE OF THEM TOOK
OUT HIS FLASHLIGHT AND SHINED IT AGAINST THE WATER. THE NARROW
AS THE BEAST APPROACHED THEM. ONE WAS ABLE TO GET UP AND RUN AWAY
BUT HE DIDN'T REALIZE HIS FRIEND WAS STUCK IN HIS SLEEPING BAG. HE
RAN UP TO THE CABINS AND AROUSED THE COUNSELORS. BUT, BY THE TIME
THEY REACHED THE SHORE IT WAS TOO LATE. ALL THEY FOUND OF THE
MISSING CAMPER WAS HIS SLEEPING BAG AND SHREDDED CLOTHES. THEY
STILL HEARD THE NOISE OF THE AWFUL BEAST AND RAN UP TO AROUSE
THE PRIEST. FR. BUTLER CAMP DIRECTOR SENT ONE OF THE COUNSELORS TO
THE RIFLE RANGE TO GET A GUN. THEY CALLED THE SHERIFF AND CAMP
CUSTODIAN NAMED BERT. FR. BUTLER LOADED THE GREAT SHOTGUN. THEY ALL
ARMED THEMSELVES AND WENT DOWN TO THE LAKE. FR. JOE
MAN, TOOK ONE OF THE ROWBOATS OUT TO THE MIDDLE OF THE LAKE. THEY
TOOK A GIANT FLASHLIGHT AND PLAYED THE BEAM OVER THE WATER. AND
THERE IT WAS... THE SHAWANO LAKE MONSTER.
THE MONSTER REARED UP IN THE WATER AND CHARGED JOE'S BOAT.
JUST BEFORE IT REACHED JOE, SOMEONE YELLED, "FIRE" AND THEY
ALL SHOT AT THE MONSTER. THE BULLETS SEEMED TO HAVE NO EFFECT.
THE BEAST STRETCHED ITS FULL LENGTH REVEALING A WHITE SPOT
BELOW ITS TWO BEADY EYES. JOE YELLED "FIRE AT THE WHITE SPOT."
THE BEAST SUDDENLY LURCHED AND IT SOON BECAME APPARENT THAT HE
WAS MORTALLY WOUNDED. FINALLY THE BEAST DIED AND WAS DRAGGED
SHORE. THE NEXT DAY AFTER EVERYONE HAD INSPECTED THE BEAST
THEY CUT IT UP INTO SMALL PIECES. THEY WEIGHTED EACH PIECE
WITH LEAD AND DROPPED THEM IN THE DEEPEST PART OF THE LAKE.
TEN YEARS LATER, FARMERS ON THE LAKE BEGAN TO REPORT MISSING
ANIMALS. FOOTPRINTS WERE LEADING TO AND FROM THE LAKE.
CURIOSITY WAS AROUSED ABOUT THE DEAD MONSTER. SO THEY SENT
EXPERT TEAM DIVERS DOWN TO EXAMINE THE REMAINS. THEY FOUND
NOTHING. THIS LEADS TO SPECULATION THAT THE SHAWANO LAKE
MONSTER IS ALIVE AND LIVING IN QUICKSAND CREEK (A TRIBUTARY
OF THE LAKE). THEY EVEN SAY THAT ON STORMY NIGHTS, HE COMES
OUT LOOKING FOR VICTIMS.
James Callow comment:
AT LEAST ONE KEYPUNCH CARD SEEMS TO BE MISSING HERE.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Still water Small body. Lake, pond.... |
Date learned: 12-07-1972
LIAR, LIAR, YOUR PANTS ARE ON FIRE.
GOT THEM CAUGHT ON A TELEPHONE WIRE.
Submitter comment: THIS CHANT IS REPEATED WHEN SOMEONE IS CAUGHT LYING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION ; RHYME: AA
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1957
CRY, BABY, CRY.
STICK YOUR FINGER IN YOUR EYE.
TELL YOUR MOTHER IT WASN'T I.
Submitter comment: THIS IS RECITED TO SHAME CHILDREN WHO ARE CRYING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION ; RHYME: AAA ; VERBAL IRONY
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
DON'T GO WITH A MARRIED MAN'S WIFE YOU'LL GET KILLED. THIS DOESN'T
MEAN NECESSARILY BY HIM.
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 10-09-1972
MY BACK IS BREAKING, MY GIRDLE'S TOO TIGHT, MY HIPS ARE SHAKING
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. LEFT, RIGHT...
Submitter comment: THIS IS USE TO TEACH CHILDREN THEIR LEFT FROM THEIR RIGHT SIDES.
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION ; POSITION--LEFT AND RIGHT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 08-04-1972