Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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POSH PLACE
POSH PLACE COMES FROM PORT OUT OF STARBOARD HOME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): B478 EXPLANATION OF A NAME
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Custom |
Date learned: 10-14-1967
TALE
A MAN HAD JUST PURCHASED A NEW CAR. AFTER DRIVING IT FOR TWO
WEEKS, HE DISCOVERED AN AWFUL RATTLE IN THE DOOR. TAKING IT TO
A GARAGE TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS WRONG, HE DISCOVERED AN EMPTY
COKE BOTTLE WAS LODGED IN THE DOOR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE ; COKE=COCA COLA: BRAND NAME FOR SOFT DRINK.
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Vehicle propelled by mechanical or other force on land |
Date learned: 00-00-1965
IT IS CONSIDERED VERY BAD LUCK TO TRIP ON A GANGPLANK
THIS ESPECIALLY HOLDS TRUE BEFORE GOING ON LIBERTY
AND SHOULD THIS OCCUR, IT IS BELIEVED THAT A VERY BAD
LIBERTY WILL RESULT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALMA
James Callow Keyword(s): LIBERTY=LEAVE, VACATION, TIME OFF ; MARITIME
Date learned: 03-09-1970
IF ST. ELMO'S FIRE APPEARS AROUND A SHIP IT IS A
SURE SIGN OF BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment: I SAW THIS ON TELEVISION IN "MOBY DICK."
Where learned: NEW HAMPSHIRE ; MILFORD
James Callow Keyword(s): MARITIME ; ST. ELMO, PATRON OF SAILORS.
Date learned: 09-00-1967
SINGING, DANCING, AND CLAPPING GAME
PEPSI COLA, COCA COLA, ROYAL CROWN, YOU GOT TO HYPNOTIZE THEM,
BOOMERIZE THEM, KNOCK THEM DOWN. YOU KNOW THAT PEPSI COLA SHOT 'EM
DOWN. DR. PEPPER PICKED THEM UP AND NOW WE'RE DRINKING SEVEN-UP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): CARBONATED BEVERAGES POP SOFT DRINKS ; NEOLOGISM: BOOMERIZE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse C750.523 |
Date learned: 11-00-1974
THE NIGHTINGALE
EARLY ONE MORNING, ONE MORNING IN SPRING,
TO HEAR THE BIRDS WHISTLE, THE NIGHTINGGALE SING, I MET A FAIR
MAIDEN WHO SWEETLY DID SING, "I'M GOING TO BE MARRIED NEXT MONDAY
MORNING. HOW OLD ARE YOU MY FAIR YOUNG MAID, HERE IN THIS VALLEY,
THIS VALLEY SO GREEN? HOW OLD ARE YOU MY FAIR YOUNG MAID? "I'M
GOING TO BE 16 NEXT MONDAY MORNING." WELL 16 YEARS OLD, THAT'S TOO
YOUNG FOR TO MARRY, SO TAKE MY ADVICE, FIVE YEARS LONGER TO TARRY,
FOR MARRAIGE BRINGS SORROWS AND TROUBLES BEGIN, SO PUT OFF YOUR
WEDDING FOR MONDAY MORNING. YOU TALK LIKE A MADMAN, A MAN WITH NO
SKILL. FIVE YEARS I HAVE WAITED AGAINST MY OWN WILL, AND NOW I'M
DETERMINED TO HAVE MY OWN WAY, AND I'M GOING TO BE MARRIED NEXT
MONDAY MORNING. NEXT MONDAY MORNING, THE BELLS THEY WILL RING,
MY TRUE LOVE WILL BUY ME A GAY GOLDEN RING. ALSO HE'LL BUY ME A
PRETTY NEW GOWN, TO WEAR AT MY WEDDING NEXT MONDAY MORNING.
NEXT MONDAY NIGHT WHEN I GO TO MY BED, I'LL TURN 'ROUND TO THE MAN
THAT I'VE WED. AROUND HIS MIDDLE MY ARMS THEY WILL FLING, OH I
WISH TO MY SOUL IT WAS MONDAY MORNING.
Submitter comment:
THIS SONG WAS ARRANGED BY PAUL STOOKEKY, BUT THE WORDS ARE STILL
THE SAME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
James Callow Keyword(s): PAUL STOOKEY OF THE GROUP "PETER, PAUL & MARY?"
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Song Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Song |
Date learned: CA03001974
CHIQUITA BANANA
IM A CHIQUITA BANANA
AND IM HERE TO STAY
IF YOU WANT TO KILL YOUR TEACHER
I HAVE FOUND THE WAY.
EAT A BANANA.
PUT THE PEEL ON THE FLOOR
AND WATCH YOUR TEACHER FLY OUT THE DOOR.
(THIS IS SUNG TO THE TUNE OF THE CHIQUITA BANANA AD ON TV)
Submitter comment:
VIOLENCE AGAINST TEACHERS IS ALWAYS A POPULAR SUBJECT FOR GRADE
SCHOOL SONG PARODIES. IT IS ALSO COMMON FOR CHILDREN TO MAKE UP
PARODIES OF THE ADS ON TV SINCE THEY SEE THEM SO OFTEN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): PARODY OF ADVERTISEMENT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ill humor Ridicule Mockery |
HI HO, HI HO
HI HO, HI HO,
IT'S OFF TO SCHOOL WE GO
WE LEARN SOME JUNK
AND THEN WE FLUNK
HI HO, HI HO, HI HO.
HI HO, HI HO
IT'S OFF TO CHURCH WE GO
WITH A BOTTLE OF BEER
AND A KICK IN THE REAR
HI HO, HI HO, HI HO.
HI HO, HI HO
I BIT THE TEACHER'S TOE
THE DIRTY RAT
SHE BIT ME BACK
HI HO, HI HO, HI HO.
Submitter comment:
CLAIRE SAYS SHE LEARNED THESE SONGS AT GIRL SCOUT CAMP. I ALSO
HEARD THE LITTLE GIRL I BABYSIT FOR SINGING THE THIRD ONE.
HER MOTHER TRIED TO STOP HER BY SAYING' "YOU SHOULDN'T SING SONGS
LIKE THAT. HOWEVER' I DON'T THINK THE MOTHER'S ADMONITION FAZED
THE LITTLE GIRL MUCH. IT WILL PROBABLY ONLY HELP TO IMPRINT THIS
SONG ON HER MIND.
James Callow comment:
HI HO= SONG FROM WALT DISNEY MOVIE "SNOW WHITE"
CK[ SATIRE OF EDUCATION
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SATIRE OF EDUCATION
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children |
Date learned: 00-01-1974
THE FOLLOWING CONVERSATION TOOK PLACE BETWEEN A CUSTOMER AND A
WAITRESS IN A JEWISH RESTAURANT.
FUNEM?
SVFM.
FUNEX?
SVFX.
OKMNX.
TRANSLATION:
HAVE YOU ANY HAM?
YES, WE HAVE HAM.
HAVE YOU ANY EGGS?
YES, WE HAVE EGGS.
OK, HAM AND EGGS.
Submitter comment:
WHEN MY GREAT UNCLE TRIED THIS ON US NO ONE COULD GUESS IT JUST BY
LOOKING AT IT. HOWEVER, WHEN HE READ IT TO US USING EXPRESSION IT
WAS MUCH EASIER TO CATCH ON. THE ONLY PROBLEM WITH THIS "PUZZLE" IS
THAT IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO CATCH ON TO THE FIRST TIME YOU SEE
IT. THEN ONCE YOU ARE TOLD WHAT IT MEANS THE ELEMENT OF CURIOSITY IS
DESTROYED. ALMOST INVARIABLY PEOPLE WILL TRY TO READ EACH LINE
AS A WORD NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES YOU TELL THEM TO PRONOUNCE EACH
LETTER SEPARATELY.
Where learned: OHIO ; CINCINNATI
James Callow Keyword(s): JEWISH PRONUNCIATION OF ENGLISH
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Group of Vowels and Consonants, and of Words RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 00001960S
KNOCK KNOCK BRIDGE
A COUPLE WAS TRAVELING WITH THEIR DAUGHTER ACROSS A BRIDGE IN GROSSE
POINTE. THE LITTLE GIRL FELL OUT OF THE CAR. SHE WAS DRAGGED BY THE
SIDE OF THE CAR AND KNOCKED ON THE DOOR OF THE CAR AS SHE WAS
DRAGGED. NOW ANYONE THAT CROSSES THE BRIDGE CAN HEAR HER KNOCKING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
James Callow Keyword(s): VARIANT OF KNOCK-KNOCK STREET
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 11-15-1973
RHYME OF DERISION
TEACHER, TEACHER, I DECLARE
I SEE (SO-AND-SO'S) UNDERWEAR
MIGHT BE PINK, MIGHT BE WHITE,
MIGHT BE FULL OF DYNAMITE.
I SAW LONDON, I SAW FRANCE
I SAW (SO-AND-SO'S) UNDERPANTS
MIGHT BE WHITE, MIGHT BE PINK,
I DON'T KNOW, BUT THEY SURE STINK.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS USED BY CHILDREN WHEN THEY SEE SOMEONE ELSE'S UNDERWEAR.
IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE A "HINT" TO TUCK IN YOUR SHIRT, OR PULL UP
YOUR FLY, AND IS USED BY BOTH BOYS AND GIRLS. USUALLY ONE OR THE
OTHER VERSE IS USED, BUT SOMETIMES THEY ARE BOTH USED IN SUCCESSION.
THE LAST STANZA OF EACH VERSE IS OFTEN SUBSTITUTED IN THE OTHER,
SINCE IT DOES NOT AFFECT THE RHYME.
Where learned: OHIO ; MASSILLON
James Callow Keyword(s): METAPHOR: NAMES OF COUNTRIES FOR BODY PARTS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse SPEECH -- Formula SPEECH -- Place |
Date learned: 11-00-1973
SIGNATURES
YOURS TILL THE UNITED STATES DRINKS CANADA DRY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): PUN. CANADA DRY II BRAND OF SOFT DRINK.
| Subject headings: | Z210 |
Date learned: 09-00-1973
RIDDLE
Q: WHY DO SO FEW PEOPLE COMMIT SUICIDE ON QUEMOY?
A: BECAUSE YOU CAN'T KILL YOURSELF JUMPING OUT OF A CAVE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE PARK ; TOLD IN
James Callow Keyword(s): QUEMOY: ISLAND OFF THE CHINA COAST
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 10-15-1972
RIDDLE
Q: WHAT IS A BIGAMIST?
A: AN ITALIAN FOG.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE PARK ; TOLD IN
James Callow Keyword(s): SATIRE OF ITALIAN PRONUNCIATION OF ENGLISH
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- W4OO |
Date learned: 10-15-1972
RETORT
WHEN SOMEONE HAS CALLED YOU A DIRTY OR A NASTY NAME, YOU ARE TO
RETORT WITH "I KNOW YOU ARE BUT WHAT AM I?"
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT, MY YOUNGER SISTER, SAYS THIS IS A VERY GOOD WAY TO
KEEP BIG MOUTHS AWAY BECAUSE THIS RETORT HAS A CIRCULAR MOTION
TO IT, AND YOU COULD KEEP SAYING IT ALL DAY.
Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD IN
James Callow Keyword(s): METONYMY: BIG MOUTH FOR OFFENSIVE TALKER ; SLANG: BIG MOUTH FOR OFFENSIVE TALKER
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 09-20-1972
NO BUILDING CAN BE BUILT HIGHER THAN WILLIAM PENN'S HAT ON
TOP OF CITY HALL.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PHILADELPHIA
James Callow Keyword(s): HEIGHT OF BUILDING ; STATUE OF WILLIAM PENN
| Subject headings: | Favorites ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Architecture BELIEF -- Secular hero |
Date learned: 11-30-1972
LAUGH BEFORE BREAKFAST AND YOU WILL CRY BEFORE SUPPER
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT REMEMBERS HER MOTHER TELLING HER THIS IN DETROIT DURING THE
EARLY 1930S
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN ; TOLD IN
James Callow Keyword(s): CONTRAST ; INEVITABILITY OF CHANGE
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 09-19-1972
GRANDPA REMEMBERS WHEN HIS MOTHER DIDN'T HAVE SUPPER ON TIME
USUALLY THE EXCUSE WAS THE BUTCHER GAVE HER A TOUGH PIECE OF
MEAT. OF COURSE, THE OVER THE FENCE GOSSIPING WITH NEIGHBORS
ALL AFTERNOON HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH IT.
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SATIRE OF WOMEN SEXISM
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222. |
Date learned: 10-07-1972
SMOKY THE BEAR RIDDLE
HOW COME SMOKY THE BEARS' WIFE CAN'T ET PREGNANT? EVERYTIME SHE
GETS HOT. HE HITS HER WITH A SHOVEL.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; RENO HALL
James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOL OF FIRE PREVENTION
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 09-28-1972
GRAFFITI
FLUSH TWICE, IT'S A LONG WAY TO THE MESS HALL.
Where learned: CANADA ; ONTARIO ; DORM ; UNIVERSITY OF WINDSOR ; WINDSOR
James Callow Keyword(s): SATIRE OF QUALITY OF FOOD IN THE INSTITUTION
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Art Craft Architecture Art, Craft, Architecture |
Date learned: 09-24-1972