Dr. James T. Callow publications
Browse by
Questions or comments on this site? Please email davidsor@udmercy.edu.
The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for Rack returned 142 results.
Belief: Children's Song
STEP ON A CRACK (AS IN A SIDEWALK) (SIC) BREAK YOUR MOTHER'S BACK.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs and Keywords added by TRD
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE ; ASSUMED
Keyword(s): Back ; BELIEF ; CHILDHOOD ; CHILDREN ; Crack ; GAME ; MOTHER ; RHYME ; SONG ; Spine ; SUPERSTITION ; VERSE
James Callow Keyword(s): ELLIPSIS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief C860.533 Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief BELIEF -- Curse |
Date learned: 06-00-1972
Belief: Children's Song
If you step on a crack you'll break your mother's back.
Submitter comment:
Stepping on Cracks Superstition
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [P880] crossed out and replaced with C860.740
Where learned: CHILDHOOD ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Myself
Keyword(s): Back ; BELIEF ; CHILDHOOD ; CHILDREN ; Crack ; GAME ; Line ; MOTHER ; RHYME ; SONG ; Spine ; SUPERSTITION ; VERSE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief |
Retort
Question - Who was your servant last year?
Answer - No one...that's why I have you!
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
The words [Smart Aleck Saying] are crossed out from the top of the card.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; RETORT ; Servant ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Retort
"Please help me out..."
"Sure, Which way did you come in?"
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
The words [Smart Aleck Saying] are crossed out on the top of the submission card.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Retort
"You couldn't hit the broad side of a barn."
Submitter comment:
We would say this to someone who had poor aim.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; INSULT ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Retort
Oh, you have more troubles (or anything could be substituted for troubles...excuses, pains, etc.) than Carter has Little Liver Pills.
Submitter comment:
This informant would use this quip when belittling the complaints of her children.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; INSULT ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Retort
God paid you back...
Submitter comment:
If, when you were teasing her, and you would hurt yourself, the informant would say this.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Callow has written some clarifying remarks on the card for grammatical purposes. example: Teasing Who? The Informant?
Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; INSULT ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Retort
Holy Toledo!
Submitter comment:
A short statement said when amazed.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [S586] crossed out. Replaced with current classification
Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; INSULT ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; Toledo ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Retort
Two retorts to the "Age Before Beauty" line are:
"Only in the dictionary" or,
"But Beauty was a HORSE."
Submitter comment:
These are lines frequently used in grade school.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
The word Smart is crossed out from the title.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): AGE ; BEAUTY ; COMEBACK ; Dictionary ; HORSE ; INSULT ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Retort
Off the Cob.
Submitter comment:
A remark made after someone has expressed an inept idea or an idea lacking in social sophistication.
Informant heard this in Detroit, Michigan.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
Keyword(s): Cob ; COMEBACK ; INSULT ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Retort
Question: How are you?
Retort: Still Alive.
Submitter comment:
I've heard it used around UofD.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Keyword(s): Alive ; COMEBACK ; INSULT ; Response ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Retort
"Doubting Thomas"
When someone tells you something which is hard to believe, a common reply is:
"I'm from Missouri - seeing is believing."
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [C870.570] crossed out. Replaced with current classification.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO
Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; INSULT ; Missouri ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Retort
Political Speech:
"I'm from Missouri; You've got to show me."
...Missouri Congressman.
Submitter comment:
Denotes - One not easily Deceived.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [S554] crossed out. Replaced wtih current classification.
The question [Not a retort??] is written across the top of the card.
Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; HUMOR ; Missouri ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Retort
To answer a "smart" question or statement:
At least I was born, not hatched.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Keyword(s): BIRTH ; Born ; COMEBACK ; Egg ; Hatched ; INSULT ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Retort
Constantinople:
Constantinople is a very long word, and I bet you can't spell it.
Retort: I. T.
Submitter comment:
Informant heard it in 3rd or 4th grade.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [W400] crossed out. Replaced wtih current classification.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; RICHMOND
Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; Constantinople ; INSULT ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; Spell ; SPELLING ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Retort
When someone called me a name when I was younger, I used to answer them with: "Don't call me your middle name."
Submitter comment:
This is something all the kids (on my block) used to say.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; INSULT ; NAME ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Retort
Daily Life Custom:
When a person sneezes, it is customary to say "Gesundheit!"
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [F530] crossed out. Replaced with current classification.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES
Keyword(s): BLESSING ; COMEBACK ; RETORT ; SNEEZE ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Retort
When someone says "Well!" answer him by saying "That's a mighty deep subject for such a shallow mind."
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; Deep ; INSULT ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; Well ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Retort
"A man running by for his life would never notice it."
Submitter comment:
Granny Clisdale used to admonish someone worrying over inicental details with this retort.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; DEATH ; incidental ; INSULT ; LIFE ; Notice ; RETORT ; RUNNING ; SARCASM ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |