Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for SARCASM returned 125 results.
Proverb
That's as funny as a screen door in a submarine
Submitter comment:
Wet Floor
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Located in pile marked Duplicates and Other Rejects
Keyword(s): Funny ; JOKE ; SARCASM ; Screen Door ; SIMILE ; Submarine ; Unfunny
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Toasts
May your eyeballs never cease to stop rolling (Irish).
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): DRINKING ; ETHNIC ; Eyeballs ; Irish ; SARCASM ; Social ; TOAST
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Speech Speech 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
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 |
Retort
Q: So what?
Retort: Buttons on eggs, zippers on bananas.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Keyword(s): Bananas ; BUTTONS ; COMEBACK ; Eggs ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; Sew ; SEWING ; Wisecrack ; Zippers
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Retort
You make a better door than you do a window.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
[When said? When someone gets in the way?]
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GRAND RAPIDS
Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; Door ; INSULT ; Obstruction ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; View ; Window ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Retort
If y ou aren't sure what is going on, or you don't know the answer to a question, a common answer is "I'm out to lunch!"
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
The original title [Formula] has been crossed out. Replaced with current Title.
Keyword(s): AWAY ; COMEBACK ; INSULT ; Lunch ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |