Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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MNEMONIC DEVICE
MY VERY EDUCATED MOTHER JUST SERVED US NINE PICKLES.
Submitter comment:
THIS SENTENCE HELPS TO REMEMBER THE PLANETS IN THE ORDER OF NEAREST
TO THE SUN TO FURTHEST FROM THE SUN
INFORMANT SAID HE LEARNED THE DEVICE FROM SOME OF HIS FRIENDS AT
SCHOOL. HE DIDN'T REMEMBER WHO TOLD IT TO HIM BUT SAID IT WAS USED
BY ALMOST EVERYONE IN HIS CLASS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MADISON HEIGHTS
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION ; NEPTUNE ; PLANETS: MERCURY, VENUS, EARTH, MARS, JUPITER, SATURN, ; PLUTO ; URANUS
| Subject headings: | Favorites ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- MNEM |
Date learned: 10-00-1973
REVERSING A BABY'S SLEEP CYCLE
IF YOU WANT TO REVERSE A BABY'S SLEEP CYCLE YOU TURN IT HEAD OVER
HEELS AND THE SLEEP CYCLE WILL REVERSE.
Submitter comment: SAID HE DIDN'T REALLY BELIEVE IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MADISON HEIGHTS
James Callow Keyword(s): DIRECTION POSITION ; HOMEOPATHIC MAGIC
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Remedy |
Date learned: 10-00-1973
LIMERICK
THERE ONCE WAS A GIRL NAMED ANNHEISER,
WHO SAID THAT NO GUY COULD SURPRISE HER.
UNTIL A GUY NAMED GIBBONS,
UNTIED ALL HER RIBBONS,
AND NOW SHE'S SADDER BUT WISER.
Submitter comment: SOME OF THESE ITEMS ARE FRATERNAL ORGANIZATION FOLKLORE
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; NEW YORK ; ALBANY ; CAMPUS
James Callow Keyword(s): BEER BRAND NAME PUNS: ANHEISER & BUDWEISER
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
Date learned: 12-00-1973
VERSE WITHOUT MUSIC
LITTLE BOY BLUE
COME BLOW YOUR HORN.
THE SHEEP IN THE MEADOW
THE COWS IN THE CORN.
OH WHERE'S THE LITTLE BOY
WHO'S ALWAYS ASLEEP?
HE'S UNDER THE HAYSTACK
EATING THE SHEEP.
Submitter comment: SOME OF THESE ITEMS ARE FRATERNAL ORGANIZATION FOLKLORE
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; TRAVERSE CITY ; CAMPUS
James Callow Keyword(s): PARODY ; RHYME: ABCB
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: 12-00-1973
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 |
VERSE WITHOUT MUSIC
BOYS ARE ROTTEN/ MADE OF COTTON
GIRLS ARE DANDY/ MADE OF CANDY.
Submitter comment:
THE GIRLS IN MY FAMILY LOVE SAYING THIS VERSE. THE BOYS TEND TO
IGNORE IT. THE VERSE IS ALSO PREVALENT AROUND QUEEN OF HOPE SCHOOL
WHERE MY SISTER GOES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): C730.328 ; FEMININE RHYME ; SEXISM
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: 00-02-1974
PEANUTS--CONFESSION JOKE
1ST BOY: FATHER, I THREW PEANUTS IN THE ELEPHANT CAGE.
PRIEST: WELL THAT'S OK SON, NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT.
2ND BOY: FATHER, I THREW PEANUTS IN THE ELEPHANT'S CAGE.
PRIEST: YES. I SEE.
3RD BOY: ...AND I THREW PEANUTS IN THE ELEPHANT'S CAGE.
PRIEST: I SEE, BUT THAT'S NOT A SIN.
4TH BOY COMES IN.
PRIEST: I SUPPOSE YOU'RE GOING TO TELL ME THAT YOU THREW PEANUTS
IN THE ELEPHANT'S CAGE. 5TH BOY: NO I'M NOT. I'M PEANUTS.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS MY GRANDMOTHER'S FAVORITE JOKE ABOUT CONFESSIONS. SHE'S
BEEN TELLING IT TO MY FAMILY EVER SINCE MY OLDER BROTHER WAS OLD
ENOUGH TO GO TO CONFESSION. BECAUSE SHE'S TOLD IT SO MANY TIMES
THERE ARE VARIATIONS EVEN WITHIN HER OWN TELLINGS. THE NUMBER OF
BOYS BEFORE PEANUTS MAY VARY AS WELL AS THE PRIEST'S COMMENTS.
SOMETIMES PEANUTS GETS THROWN INTO THE FOUNTAIN INSTEAD OF THE
ELEPHANT'S CAGE, BUT NATURALLY THE PUNCHLINE ALWAYS REMAINS THE
SAME.
Where learned: OHIO ; CINCINNATI
James Callow Keyword(s): NAME MISUNDERSTOOD
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 00001960S
VERSE WITHOUT MUSIC
DID YOU EVER THINK, WHEN THE HEARSE ROLLS BY,
THAT MAYBE YOU'LL BE THE NEXT TO DIE?
THE WORMS CRAWL IN AND THE WORMS CRAWL OUT
AND THE WORMS GO CRAWLING ALL ABOUT.
Submitter comment:
MY GREAT AUNT LOOKS ON THIS AS BEING RATHER GRUESOME NOW BUT ADMITS
THAT SHE ENJOYED SAYING IT WHEN SHE WAS YOUNGER.
Where learned: OHIO ; CINCINNATI
James Callow Keyword(s): GORE ; RHYME: AABB
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse C730.346 |
Date learned: 00-02-1974
Language
FLAT ROCK IS CALLED BY DOWNRIVER PEOPLE WHO DON'T LIVE IN FLAT ROCK
LEVEL PEBBLE.
Submitter comment:
JUST RECENTLY.
A TOWN SOME 25 MILES SOUTH OO DETROIT, MICHIGAN.; FLAT ROCK, MICHIGAN; THIS ITEM REFERS TO FLAT ROCK, MICHIGAN,
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD 02-22-2011
James Callow comment:
INCOMPLETE COMMENT?
CN[ PARTIPILO, FRANK 720870
C1[ 14909 STONEHAM
C2[ RIVERVIEW, MICHIGAN 48192
CO[ JUST RECENTLY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; RIVERVIEW
Keyword(s): Flat ; Language ; Level ; MICHIGAN ; Nickname ; Pebble ; Region ; REGIONAL ; Rock ; SLANG ; STATE
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Place |
Date learned: 01-00-1974
LUCK
NEVER WASTE PEANUT SHEELS ON THE GROUND, IT CAUSES FUSS.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans
James Callow Keyword(s): ARGUMENT QUARRELING DISCORD
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Plant food BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: CA11001973
LUCK
NEVER BREAK FRENCH BREAD WITH YOUR HAND. ALWAYS CUT IT OR YOU WILL
CAUSE YOUR FATHER TO BREAK HIS BACK.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans
James Callow Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Upper body, arms, neck BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.21 |
Date learned: CA11001973
DEATH
NEVER CUT BOTH ENDS OF A LOAF OF BREAD OR BOTH OF YOUR PARENTS WILL
DIE.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans
James Callow Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.21 |
Date learned: CA11001973
DEATH
NEVER WALK WITH ONE SHOE ON AND ONE SHOE OFF OR YOUR
MOTHER OR FATHER WILL DIE.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans
James Callow Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.19 |
Date learned: CA11001973
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
I HAD A DREAM ONE NIGHT THAT I WAS HUNTING WITH MY BROTHER IN THE
WOODS. HE WAS ABOUT 100 YARDS AHEAD OF ME WHEN I SAW HIM STUMBLE AND
THEN A SPIRIT GOT OUT OF HIS BODY, WAVED TO ME, THEN DISAPPEARED IN
THE WOODS. THEN I WOKE UP. THE FOLLOWING DAY, WHILE HUNTING IN THE
SAME WOODS WITH MY NEPHEW, I RECEIVED WORD THAT MY BROTHER HAD DIED
ONLY A MILE FROM WHERE WE WERE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): MEMORATE
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Dreams Foretelling a death |
Date learned: 10-29-1972
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.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): MEMORATE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 10-29-1972
REMEMBERING
IF YOU FORGET SOMETHING TAKE THREE STEPS BACK TO REMEMBER.
HE WAS TOLD THIS BY HIS GRANDMOTHER WHEN HEWAS LITTLE.
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): DIRECTION POSITION ; HOMEOPATHIC
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 10-00-1972
VIRGINITY
IN BRAZIL THE NEWLYWEDS HANG A BLOODY SHEET ON THE DOOR POST TO
SHOW THAT THE BRIDE WAS A VIRGIN
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): HYMEN ; SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Date learned: 11-19-1972
RING THE BELL
RING THE BELL(PULL LOCK OF HAIR), KNOCK AT THE DOOR (TAP FOREHEAD)
PEEP IN (LOOK IN EARS), LIFT THE LATCH (TILT NOSE), WALK IN
(OPEN MOUTH), GO DOWN IN THE CELLAR AND EAT APPLES(TICKLE THROAT)
Where learned: MARYLAND ; BALTIMORE ; TOLD IN
James Callow Keyword(s): METAPHOR
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Athletic sport and exercise Gymnastics BELIEF -- Body part Senses SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 11-26-1972
THE FEET OF A STRANGER ARE SMALL
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT WILL TELL THIS TO A THIRD PARTY WHO STICKS HIS MOUTH
INTO AN ARGUMENT THAT DOES NOT AFFECT HIM.
Where learned: MARYLAND ; BALTIMORE ; TOLD IN
James Callow Keyword(s): BUTTING IN MEDDLE ; INTERRUPTS ; METONYMY
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 00-00-1972