Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for Ate returned 400 results.
IN A SMALL TOWN IN NEW YORK STATE, A YOUNG ENGINEER
WAS TRYING TO PURCHASE AN OLD TWIN ENGINE AIRPLANE.
THE OWNER TOLD HIM THAT THE PLANE HAD BEEN BURNT
DOWN TO THE SKELETON OF THE PLANE YEARS BEFORE.
THE PLANE BURNT QUICK BECAUSE IT WAS A FABRIC-
COVERED PLANE. THE ENGINEER STARTED THE PLANE UP WITH
THE HELP OF THE OWNER AND THEN HE SAT ALONE IN THE
COCKPIT READING THE GAUGES. SUDDENLY, A MAN WITH AN
OLD BROWN FLIGHT JACKET AND LEATHER HELMET TAPPED
HIM ON THE SHOULDER AND SAID, "GET OUT QUICK, PLANE'S
ON FIRE!" THE ENGINEER JUMPED OUT AND RAN FROM THE
PLANE. WHEN HE TURNED AROUND NOTHING WAS LEFT BUT THE
SMOLDERING SKELETON.
WHEN THE OWNER ASKED HIM WHAT HAPPENED, WHEN HE
RETURNED, THE ENGINEER TOLD THE WHOLE STORY AND
DESCRIBED THE MAN WHO WAS NOWHERE TO BE FOUND. THE
OWNER REPLIED, "THAT SOUNDS LIKE MY BROTHER." THE
ENGINEER THEN ASKED WHAT HAPPENED TO HIM. THE OWNER
THEN SAID, "HE DIED WHEN THE PLANE BURNT THE FIRST
TIME YEARS BEFORE!"
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN ; NEW YORK, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): REPEATED TRAGEDY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
THE LAIRD OF LENOX
A VERY THIN MAN WITH WHITE, SIGHTLESS EYES, RED SKINNED,
AND DRESSED IN STUART-TARTAN, EKED OUT A LIVING BY
BLOWING ON A BIG TIN WHISTLE. NOBODY EVER KNEW THE
TUNES THAT THE "LAIRD" PLAYED, BUT ALWAYS BEFORE
BEGINNING HIS RECITAL, HE WOULD REMARK: "WHO GAVE
ME THIS LONESOME WHISTLE?" "AH, I MIND NOO! THE
LAIRD OF LENNOX."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): MUSICIAN, FLUTE BLIND MAN STUART: ALTERNATE SPELLING: STEWART
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 01-28-1971
UNDERTAKER
THIS MAN OWNED A FUNERAL HOME AND HIS BUSINESS WAS
ALWAYS SLOW. HE GOT MOST OF HIS CUSTOMERS BY WATCHING
FOR ANY MISHAP THAT LOOKED LIKE DEATH WAS NEXT. ONCE
A MAN COLLAPSED ON THE STREET BECAUSE HE WAS TOO DRUNK.
THE UNDERTAKER TOOK HIM FOR DEAD AND PUT HIM IN THE
PARLOR WITH INTENTIONS OF EMBALMING HIM THE NEXT MORNING.
THE NEXT MORNING, HE WENT IN TO PREPARE THE SUPPOSED
CORPSE, HOWEVER, THE DRUNK HAD SLEPT OFF HIS CONDITION
AND AWAKENED SHOCKED TO FIND HIMSELF IN A FUNERAL PARLOR.
HE JUMPED UP AND RAN OUT THE DOOR AS THE UNDERTAKER
WAS COMING IN. THE UNDERTAKER YELLED AT HIM AS HE RAN
PAST--HEY! COME BACK HERE, YOU'RE DEAD.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SAYS THIS ACTUALLY HAPPENED IN HIS HOME
TOWN, TUSKALOOSA, ALABAMA (1928).
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALABAMA ; DETROIT ; TUSCALOOSA
Keyword(s): DRUNKARD, MISTAKE ; J1849. INAPPROPRIATE ACTION FROM MISUNDERSTANDING -- MISC.
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 09-19-1971 ; 00-00-1928
NOT GIVEN
STORY ABOUT GUY WHO WAS STUCK IN THE THUNDER BAY AREA OF CANADA
FOR 41 DAYS BECAUSE HE COULDN'T GET A RIDE.
Submitter comment:
STORY TOLD AT YOUTH HOSTEL IN AREA AND BELIEVED. IT SEEMS
USUALLY TAKES ABOUT 2 DAYS TO GET A RIDE ANYWAY.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): ISOLATED, VAST AREA
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Earth PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 07-00-1971
GHOST STORY
TEXT KEYPUNCHED IN NOVEMBER, 1972--ALSO IN 5X8 FILE CABINET WHILE HITCHHIKING IN 1936,
WE WERE GOING TO NEW YORK. WE HAD GOTTEN A RIDE FROM A FARMER BUT HE HAD TO LEAVE US ON THE
OPEN ROAD. MY FRIEND AND I DECIDED TO REST ON A BLUFF WHERE WE COULD SEE IF ANY CARS WERE COMING.
WE WERE THERE FOR A WHILE WHEN WE HEARD FOOTSTEPS. THE MOON WAS FULL AND WE WERE SURE THAT WE DIDN'T
SEE ANYBODY ON THE ROAD. AN OLD MAN WAS WALKING TOWARD US. AFTER EXCHANGING GREETINGS, HE ASKED IF WE
WERE HUNGRY. HE THEN OFFERED US A COCONUT HE GOT FROM A FARMER. HE SLOWLY WALKED AWAY AND DISAPPEARED
FROM OUR SIGHT. I CLIMBED TO THE TOP OF THE BLUFF ONLY TO FIND A CEMETERY. SCARED, WE WENT TO THE ROAD
AND HITCHED A RIDE TO A DINER. THERE THE SHERIFF WAS DESCRIBING AN OLD MAN, THE ONE WE MET. HE HAD BEEN
DEAD FOR FOUR WEEKS. WHEN WE HEARD THIS, WE FAINTED. AFTER TELLING WHAT HAPPENED TO THE SHERIFF, HE TOLD
US THAT THIS WAS THE THIRD TIME IT HAD HAPPENED IN TWO WEEKS.
Submitter comment: GHOST NEAR CEMETERY OFFERS COCONUT TO TRAVELERS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): MEMORATE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 10-29-1972
THE PORPOISES
SEEMS THAT THERE WAS THIS ZOOLOGIST WHO WAS DEEPLY INVOLVED
IN THE STUDY OF KEEPING PORPOISES ALIVE INDEFINITELY.
SEEING AS THAT THE SEA-GULL IS THEIR MAIN FOOD, HE RAISED
THEM, IN HUNDREDS, ON A FARM NEAR THE LABORATORY. SO
EVERY DAY, HE WOULD TAKE A LOAD OF THESE BIRDS FROM THE
FARM, DOWN THE ROAD PAST THE ZOO, TO HIS LAB. WELL, ONE
DAY, AS HE WAS PASSING THE ZOO, A LION, WHO HAD ESCAPED
EARLIER, RAN OUT IN FRONT OF HIS TRUCK. HE COULDN'T
STOP, SO HE HIT IT BROADSIDE. WELL, IT WAS JUST HIS LUCK
THAT A STATE TROOPER WAS PASSING BY AT THAT POINT. THE
OFFICER GOT OUT, SURVEYED THE MESS, AND DECIDED TO TAKE
THE ZOOLOGIST BACK TO THE STATION. WHEN ASKED WHAT THE
CHARGE WAS, HE REPLIED, "YOU ARE GUILTY OF TRANSPORTING
YOUNG GULLS ACROSS A STATE LION FOR IMMORTAL PURPOISES."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): TRANSPORTING YOUNG GIRLS ACROSS A STATE LINE FOR IMMORAL PURPOSES. A FELONY.
| Subject headings: | 6677 Formula Tale |
Date learned: 00-00-1967
MODEST: ONE WHO WEARS THE LATEST FASHIONS.
James Callow Keyword(s): DEFINITION ; HUMOR ; PUN ON "MOD"--FOR THE LATEST, THE MOST MODERN.
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 05-29-1970
WEATHER PROVERB
SUNDAY SAIL, NEVER FAIL
FRIDAY SAIL, ILL LUCK AND GALE
Submitter comment:
NEW ENGLAND FOLKLORE, B. A. BATKINS,
CROWN PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK, NEW YORK
Keyword(s): BOAT WATER
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb |
Date learned: 09-00-1967
SAYING
THE SWAN'S SON IS A SWIMMER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ANIMAL BIRD WATER
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
POLISH PROVERB
THAT KIND OF CHICKEN, THAT KIND OF SKIN (LITERALLY),
OR : ONCE A THIEF, ALWAYS A THIEF.
JAKA KURA TAKA SKORA (SKOORA)
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): TRANSLATED BY MRS. K. J. UNIECHOWSKI
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb C880.700 |
Date learned: 10-01-1967
THOUSANDS UPON THOUSANDS OF RIVERS FLOW INTO THE SEA,
BUT THE SEA IS NEVER FULL -
AND IF MAN COULD TURN STONE INTO GOLD,
STILL WOULD HIS HEART NEVER BE CONTENTED.
Submitter comment: ORIENTAL WISDOM
Keyword(s): WATER GREED MONEY
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
RETORT
WHEN SOMEONE ASKS YOU IF YOU HAVE A MATCH, YOU CHEERILY ANSWER BACK:
"YEAH, DAFFY DUCK AND SPIRO AGNEW." OR "SURE -- ME AND SUPERMAN."
Submitter comment: I OBTAINED THIS ONE WITHOUT EVEN ASKING FOR IT.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; TOLD AT
James Callow Keyword(s): BRAG BOAST ; CARTOON CHARACTER DAFFY DUCK ANIMAL ; VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: SPIRO AGNEW
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
FORMULA SPEECH
SAVE SOME FOR THE FISH.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS SAID WHEN ONE IS WAITING IN LINE AT A DRINKING FOUNTAIN
BEHIND A PERSON WHO IS TAKING AN ANNOYINGLY LONG DRINK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS
James Callow Keyword(s): WATER
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 11-23-1970
I'M GOING TO GET YOU
THERE IS AN ITALIAN GESTURE IN WHICH ONE BITES HIS HAND
WITH HATE IN HIS EYES (AS ONLY THE ITALIANS CAN DO IT)
WHICH MEANS, I'M GOING TO GET YOU! (GOD HELP YOU).
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): THREAT THREATENING GESTURE
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Derision Scorn |
Date learned: 02-17-1970
SPELLING RIDDLE
HOW DO YOU SPELL TENNESSEE?
ONEASEE, TWOASEE, THREEASEE, FOURASEE, FIVEASEE, SIXASEE, SEVENASEE,
EIGHTASEE, NINEASEE, TENASEE.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): STATE
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN BY COLLECTOR
RIDDLE
WHAT HAS FOUR EYES BUT CAN'T SEE?
MISSISSIPPI
Submitter comment: HEARD IT IN GRADE SCHOOL.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): STATE
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN BY COLLECTOR
Entry filtered.
RIDDLE
WHAT IS THERE IN YOUR HOUSE THAT OUGHT TO BE LOOKED INTO?
-- A MIRROR!
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT
Keyword(s): INVESTIGATE
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 10-17-1968
DICK AND JANE RIDDLE
DICK AND JANE WERE LYING ON THE FLOOR DEAD. ON THE FLOOR THERE
WAS BROKEN GLASS AND WATER. HOW DID THEY DIE?
-- THEY WERE GOLDFISH AND THEIR AQUARIUM BROKE.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT HEARD THIS RIDDLE FROM ONE OF HER FRIENDS AT U OF D.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT
Keyword(s): FISH WATER AQUARIUM
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 02-17-1971
RIDDLE
WHAT ANIMAL HAS EYES THAT CANNOT SEE, LEGS THAT CANNOT
MOVE, BUT CAN JUMP AS HIGH AS THE EMPIRE STATE BUILDING?
-- A WOODEN HORSE (THE EMPIRE STATE BUILDING CAN'T JUMP)
Keyword(s): WOOD INANIMATE
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 09-29-1967