Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for Origin returned 52 results.
Language
Etymology of "shotgun"
I remember how in grade school days my brother and I would yell out "shotgun" as we ran to the car for a ride. This word claimed a seat by the window for whoever could shout first.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Keyword(s): Car ; ETYMOLOGY ; Language ; Origin ; Shotgun ; SLANG ; Window ; WORDS
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Folk etymology |
Music
The article studies three historical traditions of the banjo, the folk, minstrel popular, and classical.
Traditions of the banjo are characterized by:
a) The ways in which knowledge of the banjo was transmitted.
b) Closeness of the performer or craftsman to his audience or clientele
c) Self-perceived relation between the craftsman or musician to other crafstmen or musicians.
Exact origins of banjo unknown. Possible from West Africa with slaves.
Earliest banjo was made from a gourd.
Frets introduced in the 1860's and 70's
Peak of development (quality) in 1920's
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: ; The Physical Development of the Banjo ; New York Folklore Quarterly
Keyword(s): Audience ; Banjo ; Classical ; Craftsman ; Folk ; Fret ; GOURD ; HISTORY ; Instrument ; Minstrel ; MUSIC ; Origin ; Performer ; Slaves
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Wood Gourd ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Musical instrument |
NAMING A RIVER
THE RIVRE ROUGE WAS NAMED BY THE FRENCH EXPLORER LASALLE
IN THE 17 TH CENTURY. AS HE WAS PASSING THROUGH THE AREA
LASALLE NOTICED THE NUMBER OF RED BERRY BUSHES ALONG THE
RIVERS EDGE. THE SUNS RAYS PASSED THROUGH THE BUSHES AND
ON TO THE WATER'S SURFACE. THIS CAUSED THE
WATER TO HAVE A REDDISH OR ROUGE GLOW, THUS THE RIVER RECEIVED
ITS NAME.
Submitter comment:
MR. BARRY PICKED THIS UP DURING HIS MANY YEARS AS A ROUGE PLANT
WITH FORD MOTOR.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
Keyword(s): 17th Century ; ETYMOLOGY ; Explorer ; FRENCH ; Lasalle ; Legend ; Origin ; River Rouge ; Rouge
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: SUMMER 1963
ORIGIN OF THE JACK O LANTERN
A BOY NAMED JACK WANTED TO GO TO HEAVEN, BUT HIS CONSCIENCE
WOULD NOT LET HIM. SO JACK WANTED TO GET INTO HELL, BUT SINCE
HE PLAYED TRICKS AND JOKES, THE DEVIL WOULD NOT LET HIM IN.
SO JACK HAD TO ROAM THE EARTH FOR ALL TIME, CARRYING
A LANTERN. THEREFORE PEOPLE HAVE CALLED HIM, JACK O LANTERN.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALPENA
Keyword(s): ETYMOLOGY ; HALLOWEEN ; HELL ; Jack O lantern" Heaven ; Lantern ; Origin ; Pumpkin
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 10-04-1970
ORIGIN OF THE PEARLS OF THE PERSIAN GULF
TO THE ANCIENT PEOPLE OF IRAQ, THE RIVER TIGRIS REPRESENTED A
BEAUTIFUL GIRL WHO FELL IN LOVE WITH THE HANDSOME EUPHRATES.
THEIR FAMILIES OPPOSED THE MARRIAGE BUT THEY RAN AWAY FROM HOME
UNTIL THEY MET IN THE SOUTH OF IRAQ IN ONE WIDE RIVER.
WHEN THE TWO LOVERS MET THEY WEPT, AND THEIR HAPPINESS TEARS
ARE STILL PICKED UP BY DIVERS IN THE ARAB GULF AS BEAUTIFUL AND
PRECIOUS PEARLS.
Data entry tech comment:
THERE IS A DIAGRAM ON THE BACK OF THE 5X8 CARD.
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ETYMOLOGY ; Euphrates ; GEOGRAPHY ; Iraq ; Legend ; Lore ; Origin ; Pearls ; Persian Gulf ; Tigris
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Still water |
Date learned: 12-00-1965
FINGER LAKES BELIEF
THE IROQUOIS BELIEVED THAT THE FINGER LAKES OF UPPER NEW
YORK STATE WERE FORMED BY THE HAND OF GOD, DESCENDING IN BLESSING
UPON THE LAND.
Submitter comment:
MR. WYATT LEARNED OF THE LEGEND WHILE LIVING IN GENEVA, NEW YORK
HIS HOME. GENEVA IS ONE OF THE FINGER LAKES.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): AMERICAN INDIAN ; BELIEF ; BLESSING ; ETYMOLOGY ; Finger ; Finger Lakes ; Hand of God ; INDIAN ; Iroquois ; Lakes ; Lakes ; Legend ; NEW YORK ; Origin ; WATER
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Still water Small body. |
Date learned: 10-22-1965
LAKE SUPERIOR BELIEF
LAKE SUPERIOR IS KNOWN AS THE LAKE THAT DOES NOT GIVE UP ITS
DEAD. THE REASON FOR THIS IS THAT BECAUSE THE LAKE IS SO COLD,
THE BODIES DON'T DECOMPOSE AND RISE TO THE SURFACE.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Dead ; Decompose ; Lake ; Lake Superior ; Nickname ; Origin ; TEMPERATURE ; WATER
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Still water Small body. BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
LE GNOMME ROUGE
THE CITY OF DETROIT HAS A FRENCH ORIGIN. BOTH CADILLAC AND
FATHER RICHARD GREATLY AIDED THE CITIES FOUNDING. BOTH OF
THESE MEN WERE ADVISED BY 'LE GNOMME ROUGE.' THIS LITTLE
MAN HELPED IN MAKING IMPORTANT DECISIONS . MANY OF THE CITIZENS
SAW HIM FROM TIME TO TIME. HE WAS LAST SEEN IN 1806 DURING THE
DETROIT FIRE AND IN 1943 DURING THE RACE RIOTS. AT THAT TIME,
SOME CITIZENS SAW HIM, OPENLY SOBBING, WALKING THE STREETS
OF DOWNTOWN. BILL GORMAN HEARD THIS, I WOULD THINK, FROM TRADITIONAL
SOURCES.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
Keyword(s): Cadillac ; Detroit ; ETYMOLOGY ; FESTIVAL ; FRENCH ; Gnomme Rouge ; Legend ; Nain Rouge ; Origin ; RACE ; Riots
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 07-08-1964
SAINT PATRICK'S DAY FESTIVAL AND BELIEFS
SAINT PATRICK DERTA GEROGADE E FRANC OR ALBAN. THAT MEANS SAINT
PATRICK CAME FROM FRANCE OR ENGLAND. WE WERE TAUGHT THAT EXPRESSION
AS CHILDREN. HE WAS SENT BY POPE CELESTINE TO BRING THE CATHOLIC
FAITH TO IRELAND. HE KILLED ALL THE SNAKES IN IRELAND BY SQUASHING
THEM WITH HIS STAFF. HE DIDN'T REALLY EXIST THOUGH. WE WOULD
CELEBRATE SAINT PATRICK'S DAY IN ENGLAND BY WEARING ALL GREEN.
Submitter comment:
"SPELLMAN, BURKE, AND I WOULD GO OUT FOR A WALK IN THE COUNTRY BECAUSE
WE HAD NO MONEY AND WE DIDN'T WANT THOSE DAMN ENGLISH TO THINK WE
WERE STAYING HOME ON SAINT PATRICK'S DAY."
MY MOTHER, WHO IS FROM IRELAND, WENT TO NURSING SCHOOL IN ENGLAND IN
1947. SHE CAME FROM A POOR FAMILY.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Celebrate ; Green ; holiday ; IRELAND ; Irish ; Legend ; Lore ; Origin ; Saint Patrick's Day ; Tale
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero BELIEF -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 00-00-1947 ; 11-22-1979
FORMING MICHIGAN
ONE DAY THE INDIAN GOD WAS DRAWING THE VARIOUS LANDS ON THE GLOBE.
AND AS HE WAS TRACING ALONG, HE HAD TO LEAN ON THE LAND WITH HIS
OTHER HAND FOR SUPPORT. WELL, WHEN HE GOT DONE DRAWING AND HE
STOOD BACK TO LOOK AT HIS WORK, HE FOUND THAT HE HAD MADE A BIG
HAND PRINT RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE LAND. WELL, THAT HAND PRINT
IS NOW THE STATE OF MICHIGAN.
Submitter comment:
THIS LEGEND WAS TOLD TO MY SISTER ONE DAY IN SCHOOL.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Lansing
Keyword(s): CREATION ; ETYMOLOGY ; GEOGRAPHY ; INDIAN ; Legend ; Lore ; MICHIGAN ; Native American ; Origin
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Creation and Order of Universe PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formation BELIEF -- Creator |
Date learned: 11-01-1968
FORMING MICHIGAN
ONE DAY THE INDIAN GOD WAS DRAWING THE VARIOUS LANDS ON THE GLOBE.
AND AS HE WAS TRACING ALONG, HE HAD TO LEAN ON THE LAND WITH HIS
OTHER HAND FOR SUPPORT. WELL, WHEN HE GOT DONE DRAWING AND HE
STOOD BACK TO LOOK AT HIS WORK, HE FOUND THAT HE HAD MADE A BIG
HAND PRINT RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE LAND. WELL, THAT HAND PRINT
IS NOW THE STATE OF MICHIGAN.
Submitter comment:
THIS LEGEND WAS TOLD TO MY SISTER ONE DAY IN SCHOOL.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Lansing
Keyword(s): CREATION ; ETYMOLOGY ; GEOGRAPHY ; INDIAN ; Legend ; Lore ; MICHIGAN ; Native American ; Origin
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Creation and Order of Universe PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formation BELIEF -- Creator |
Date learned: 11-01-1968
FORMING MICHIGAN
ONE DAY THE INDIAN GOD WAS DRAWING THE VARIOUS LANDS ON THE GLOBE.
AND AS HE WAS TRACING ALONG, HE HAD TO LEAN ON THE LAND WITH HIS
OTHER HAND FOR SUPPORT. WELL, WHEN HE GOT DONE DRAWING AND HE
STOOD BACK TO LOOK AT HIS WORK, HE FOUND THAT HE HAD MADE A BIG
HAND PRINT RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE LAND. WELL, THAT HAND PRINT
IS NOW THE STATE OF MICHIGAN.
Submitter comment:
THIS LEGEND WAS TOLD TO MY SISTER ONE DAY IN SCHOOL.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Lansing
Keyword(s): CREATION ; ETYMOLOGY ; GEOGRAPHY ; INDIAN ; Legend ; Lore ; MICHIGAN ; Native American ; Origin
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Creation and Order of Universe PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formation BELIEF -- Creator |
Date learned: 11-01-1968
OUR LADY OF LOURDES CHURCH
OUR LADY OF LOURDES CHURCH IN PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, IS A
QUAINT LITTLE CHURCH LOCATED ON LANCASTER AVENUE AT 63RD STREET.
THE TRADITION AROUND THERE IS THAT THIS CHURCH WAS BUILT BY ALL
THE MAIDS OF THE SURROUNDING RICH FAMILIES (ALTHOUGH IT IS NO
LONGER A RICH SECTION). IT WAS TO BE JUST THEIR OWN LITTLE
CHURCH, BUT IT IS EVEN USED TODAY (AND BY EVERYBODY).
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Holy placeChurchTemple |
THE ORIGIN OF THE SANDWICH
DID YOU KNOW THAT WHAT WE CALL A SANDWICH TODAY IS NOT REALLY A
SANDWICH? IT'S A SHREWSBURY} I'M SURE YOU HEARD THE STORY ABOUT
THE EARL OF SANDWICH INVENTING THAT DELICACY,
BUT THAT STORY IS FALSE, IT WAS INVENTED BY THE DUKE OF SHREWSBURY,
TO CELEBRATE HIS INVENTION, THE DUKE INVITED ALL OF THE NOBILITY
FROM FAR AND NEAR TO A BANQUET, WHERE HE WAS GOING TO INTRODUCE
THE SHREWSBURY. HE HAPPENED TO INVITE THE EARL OF SANDWICH.
THE EARL RECOGNIZED WHAT A GOOD THING THIS WAS, SO HE INVITED
THE DUKE OVER TO HIS CASTLE THE NEXT DAY.
WHEN THE EARL SAW THE DUKE ABOUT TO ENTER THE CASTLE, HE LIFTED UP
THE DRAWBRIDGE, AND THE DUKE FELL IN THE MOAT. HE THEN PULLED THE
PLUG AND THAT WAS THE LAST ANYONE SAW OF THE DUKE. THE EARL OF
SANDWICH TOOK THE INVENTION AND MADE IT POPULAR AND THAT IS WHY WE
CALL IT A SANDWICH.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT HEARD THE STORY FROM SOMEONE AT WESTERN MICHIGAN
UNIVERSITY, WHERE HE IS A STUDENT. HE WAS NOT SURE OF THE FELLOW'S
NAME, BUT HE KNEW THAT HE WAS FROM MASSACHUSETTS.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): FOOD ; Invention ; NAME ; Origin ; Sandwich
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Pastry Sweet Dessert Bread, rolls, etc. SPEECH -- Folk etymology |
Date learned: 04-10-1965
"Ka zoon tight" is a word used to scare away bad spirits,
because when you sneeze you open up your body to bad spirits.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: DETROIT
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; ETYMOLOGY ; Origin ; SNEEZE
James Callow Keyword(s): Gesundheit
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Devil Demon SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 00001960S
INDIAN LEGEND
THE INDIANS OF THE NORTHWEST ONLY FISHED IN CREEKS.
SOME STRANGERS CAME ALONG--THERE WERE SIXTEEN OF THEM.
THEY WERE STRANGE LOOKING, FOR THEY WERE TALL WITH BLUE
EYES AND BLOND HAIR. THEY HAD METAL WEAPONS. THEY
TAUGHT THE INDIANS HOW TO BUILD BOATS AND HOUSES AND
HOW TO HUNT FOR WHALES. LEGEND SAYS THAT THESE WERE
VIKINGS WHO CAME OVER WITH LEIF ERIKSEN--THEY WENT DOWN
THE GREAT LAKES, UP THE FOX RIVER TO THE MISSISSIPPI,
THEN UP INTO CANADA. A FEW YEARS AGO A VIKING SHIP
WAS FOUND THERE; ALSO A STONE TABLET WITH VIKING
WRITING ON IT.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): GEOGRAPHY ; INSTRUCTION ; Legend ; Lore ; MICHIGAN ; Origin ; Viking
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero |
Date learned: 05-15-1965
OUR LADY OF LOURDES CHURCH
OUR LADY OF LOURDES CHURCH IN PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, IS A
QUAINT LITTLE CHURCH LOCATED ON LANCASTER AVENUE AT 63RD STREET.
THE TRADITION AROUND THERE IS THAT THIS CHURCH WAS BUILT BY ALL
THE MAIDS OF THE SURROUNDING RICH FAMILIES (ALTHOUGH IT IS NO
LONGER A RICH SECTION). IT WAS TO BE JUST THEIR OWN LITTLE
CHURCH, BUT IT IS EVEN USED TODAY (AND BY EVERYBODY).
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BUILDING ; CREATION ; Legend ; Origin
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Holy placeChurchTemple |
Date learned: 10-28-1968
INDIAN LEGEND
THE INDIANS OF THE NORTHWEST ONLY FISHED IN CREEKS.
SOME STRANGERS CAME ALONG--THERE WERE SIXTEEN OF THEM.
THEY WERE STRANGE LOOKING, FOR THEY WERE TALL WITH BLUE
EYES AND BLOND HAIR. THEY HAD METAL WEAPONS. THEY
TAUGHT THE INDIANS HOW TO BUILD BOATS AND HOUSES AND
HOW TO HUNT FOR WHALES. LEGEND SAYS THAT THESE WERE
VIKINGS WHO CAME OVER WITH LEIF ERIKSEN--THEY WENT DOWN
THE GREAT LAKES, UP THE FOX RIVER TO THE MISSISSIPPI,
THEN UP INTO CANADA. A FEW YEARS AGO A VIKING SHIP
WAS FOUND THERE; ALSO A STONE TABLET WITH VIKING
WRITING ON IT.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): GEOGRAPHY ; INDIAN ; INSTRUCTION ; Native American ; Origin ; Settlement ; Viking
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero |
Date learned: 05-15-1965
OUR LADY OF LOURDES CHURCH
OUR LADY OF LOURDES CHURCH IN PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, IS A
QUAINT LITTLE CHURCH LOCATED ON LANCASTER AVENUE AT 63RD STREET.
THE TRADITION AROUND THERE IS THAT THIS CHURCH WAS BUILT BY ALL
THE MAIDS OF THE SURROUNDING RICH FAMILIES (ALTHOUGH IT IS NO
LONGER A RICH SECTION). IT WAS TO BE JUST THEIR OWN LITTLE
CHURCH, BUT IT IS EVEN USED TODAY (AND BY EVERYBODY).
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CHURCH ; Origin ; Wealthy
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Holy placeChurchTemple |
Date learned: 10-28-1968
BELIEF
THERE ARE CUFFS ON PANTS BECAUSE ENGLISH GENTLEMAN FARMERS USED
TO ROLL UP THEIR TROUSERS WHEN THEY WENT TO WORK IN THE FIELDS.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): Cuffed ; English ; Farmers ; Fashion ; Functions ; Menswear ; Origin ; Pants
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Work Commerce Business |
Date learned: 11-05-1968