Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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SLOVAK FUNERAL CUSTOM
AFTER COMING BACK FROM A FUNERAL TOUCH A STOVE, WASH YOUR HANDS,
AND SAY "GO TO HEAVEN".
Submitter comment:
JOHN MIHAL
LEARNED THIS ITEM FROM HIS FATHER'S PARENTS WHO WERE
SLOVAK IMMIGRANTS. THEY NOW LIVE IN ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails |
Date learned: 10-15-1975
THE FOLLOWING IS RECALLED FROM THE RESPONDENT'S CHILDHOOD ALTHOUGH
THE EXACT SOURCE LEARNED FROM IS NOT REMEMBERED:
THE "MITTEN" SHAPE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN WAS FORMED IN THE FINAL
STAGES OF GOD'S FORMATION OF THE PLANET. AFTER THE CREATOR WAS
THROUGH IN FORMING THE EARTH, HE PLACED HIS HAND ON THE SPHERES
SURFACE IN ORDER TO EXAMINE HIS WORK. WHEN THE HAND OF GOD WAS
REMOVED IT LEFT AN IMPRESSION AND RESULTED IN THE STATE'S SHAPE AND
DIMENSIONS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): EUPHEMISM
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Creator B220.438 PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formation |
THE FOLLOWING IS A FLIM-FLAM TECHNIQUE ONE STUDENT USES TO GET INTO
SOLD OUT EVENTS SUCH AS CONCERTS OR ATHLETIC CONTESTS: THE CORNER OF
A TWENTY DOLLAR BILL IS CUT OFF AND CAREFULLY ATTACHED BY SOME SORT
OF GLUE TO THE CORNER OF A ONE DOLLAR BILL. THE CURENCY IS THEN
FOLDED FOUR OR FIVE TIMES SO THAT JUST THE CORNER SHOWING THE $20
IS EXPOSED. THIS "TWENTY" IS OFFERED TO THE TICKET TAKER WHO-BECAUSE
HE DOES NOT WANT TO CALL ATTENTION TO HIMSELF-USUALLY POCKETS THE
BILL QUICKLY WITHOUT CAREFUL EXAMINATION. THE STUDENT THEN SCAMPERS
INTO THE STADIUM OR ARENA TO SEE THE SCHEDULED EVENT AT BARGAIN
PRICES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): DISHONESTY ; EUPHEMISM
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 10-00-1975
A STORY USED TO CIRCULATE AROUND THE AUTO PLANT ABOUT WHAT WAS DONE
BY SOME ANGERED FACTORY EMPLOYEE TO AN OVERBEARING FOREMAN. EVERYONE
HATED THE FOREMAN WHO WAS ALWAYS ON THE BACKS OF THE WORKERS TO WORK
HARDER AND FASTER, AND WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR MANY MEN LOSING THEIR
JOBS. ONE DAY THE FOREMAN WAS FOUND DEAD IN THE PAINT ROOM WHERE HE
HAD BEEN SPRAYED BY MANY COATS OF ENAMEL AND THEN BAKED ALIVE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): GORE ; MURDER ; RETALIATION
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate PROSE NARRATIVE -- Tale |
Date learned: 10-00-1975
THE FOLLOWING IS A SONG THAT IS SUNG WHILE DRINKING BEER:
"IN HEAVEN THERE IS NO BEER,
THAT'S WHY WE DRINK IT HERE.
AND WHEN WE ARE GONE FROM HERE
OUR FRIENDS WILL BE DRINKING ALL THE BEER."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ; CHIASMUS ; DRINKING SONG ; RHYME: AAAA
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Daily Life Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Social reunion |
Date learned: 10-00-1975
THE INFORMANT REMEMBERED WRITING THE FOLLOWING REMARK ON THE INSIDE
COVER OF HER SCHOOLBOOKS:
"THIS BOOK IS NOT AN ORPHAN. PLEASE DO NOT ADOPT IT."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): EDUCAAION ; STEALING
| Subject headings: | Z220 |
Date learned: 10-00-1975
THE FOLLOWING IS A VERSE THE RESPONDENT LEARNED FROM A CUSTOMER WHO
SAID IT WAS AN OLD MEXICAN SAYING:
"HE WHO DRINKS GETS DRUNK;
HE WHO GETS DRUNK GOES TO SLEEP;
HE WHO GOES TO SLEEP DOES NOT SIN;
HE WHO DOES NOT SIN GOES TO HEAVEN;
SO LETS ALL DRINK AND GO TO HEAVEN."
Where learned: DETROIT ; PAT SULLIVANS TAVERN
James Callow Keyword(s): ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ; CUMULATIVE FORMULA ; RATIONALIZATION
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Verse without Music Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Food Drink C855.447 |
Date learned: 10-00-1975
THE FOLLOWING VERSE IS INSCRIBED ON A SIGN AT THE ENTRANCE OF PAT
SULLIVAN'S TAVERN:
"COME TARRY HERE
AND WELCOME BE
AND QUAFF THE
FOAMING BREW.
A FRIENDLY WORD,
A SMILE, A SONG,
WILL CHEER THE
HEART OF YOU."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; PAT SULLIVANS TAVERN
James Callow Keyword(s): ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ; COMARADERIE ; IRREGULAR RHYME
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Food Drink C855.447 |
Date learned: 10-00-1975
THE FOLLOWING HIGH SCHOOL CHEER WAS USED AT KICKOFFS IN FOOTBALL
GAMES AND AT TIPOFFS IN BASKETBALL GAMES:
"FEE FI FO FUM
LOOK OUT (OPPOSING TEAM'S NICKNAME) HERE WE COME."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): JACK AND THE BEANSTALK ; LINE FROM CANTE FABLE ; THREAT?
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Custom Festival Custom Festival |
Date learned: 10-00-1975
AUTOGRAPH BOOK VERSE
"ROSES ARE RED
THEY GROW IN THIS REGION
IF I HAD YOUR FACE
I'D JOIN THE FOREIGN LEGION."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): INSULT ; PARODY
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse C750.15 |
Date learned: 10-00-1975
THE FOLLOWING VERSE WAS USED AS A TEASE BY SCHOOL CHILDREN:
"(NAME OF BOY) AND (NAME OF GIRL)
SITTING IN A TREE
K-I-S-S-I-N-G
FIST COMES LOVE
THEN COMES MARRIAGE
THEN COMES (NAME OF BOY OR GIRL) WITH A BABY CARRIAGE."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): EUPHEMISM ; IRREGULAR RHYME ; METONYMY ; OBSERVATION
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: 10-00-1975
THE FOLLOWING VERSE WAS REPEATED AFTER BEING INSULTED OR TEASED BY A
FELLOW PLAYMATE:
"I'M MADE OF RUBBER,
YOU'RE MADE OF GLUE,
EVERYTHING YOU SAY
BOUNCES OFF ME
AND STICKS TO YOU."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): CONTRAST ; IRREGULAR RHYME ; RETALIATION
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse C730.334 Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: 10-00-1975
POLITICIANS NEVER USE THE PHRASE "IT'S NICE TO MEET YOU" WHEN BEING
INTRODUCED TO SOMEONE . THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE POLITICIAN
HAS MET THE INDIVIDUAL BEFORE AND THIS PERSON, POSSIBLY A VOTING
CONSTITUENT OR CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTOR, MAY BE DISAPPOINTED THAT THE
PREVIOUS MEETING HAS SINCE BEEN FORGOTTEN. POLITICIANS INSTEAD
GREET INDIVIDUALS WITH THE WORDS "IT'S NICE TO SEE YOU" AND THUS SIDE
STEP THE PROBLEM ALTOGETHER.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): CIRCUMVENTION ; OBSERVATION ; TACT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Work Commerce Business SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 10-00-1975
DURING STRENUOUS PRACTICE SESSIONS OR DURING GAMES, PARTICIPATING
BASKETBALL PLAYERS NEVER DRINK WATER. THEY FEAR THIS WOULD CAUSE
THEIR STOMACHS TO BE BOGGED DOWN AND WOULD ADVERSELY AFFECT THEIR
PLAY. INSTEAD THEY COOL OFF BY POURING A STEADY STREAM OF COLD WATER
ON THEIR WRISTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): OBSERVATION ; SPORTS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 10-00-1975
IN A BAR, IF A CUSTOMER PUTS HIS EMPTY GLASS ALONGSIDE THE WOODEN
EDGE OF THE COUNTER IT SIGNALS TO THE BARTENDER THAT HE WILL HAVE
ANOTHER OF WHAT HE HAS BEEN DRINKING. THE BARTENDER WILL
AUTOMATICALLY BRING THE DRINK, VERBAL TRANSACTIONS ARE NOT NECESSARY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; PAT SULLIVANS TAVERN
James Callow Keyword(s): ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ; OBSERVATION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion Food Drink -- MenuService Food Drink -- Alcoholic beverage SPEECH -- To Be Seen |
Date learned: 10-00-1975
WHEN SETTING THE TABLE FOR CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER, AN EXTRA PLATE IS
ALWAYS PUT OUT FOR THE "UNINVITED GUEST." THIS IS DONE BECAUSE OF THE
BELIEF THAT CHRIST MIGHT COME TO THE HOME IN THE FORM OF A NEEDY
INDIVIDUAL SEEKING FOOD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): CHARITY ; POLISH CUSTOM
Date learned: 10-00-1975
DRINKING STROHS BEER, MORE SO THAN INBIBING ANY OTHER BREW, WILL
RESULT IN THE PERSON GETTING A HANGOVER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: NEGATIVE ; ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ; PROPAGANDA
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Alcoholic beverage Fermented BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 10-00-1975
I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT A FORD IS THE WORST CAR YOU CAN BUY, THAT THEY
ARE ALWAYS BREAKING DOWN AND IN NEED OF SERVICE. THE LETTERS WHICH
MAKE UP THE WORD "FORD" SERVE AS AN ACRONYM THAT GIVES THE AUTOMOBILE
SHOPPER FAIR WARNING:
F-FIX
O-OR
R-REPAIR
D-DAILY
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: NEGATIVE ; PROPAGANDA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 10-00-1975
AN OLD ADAGE THIS INDIVIDUAL LEARNED WAS "BE A BRIDE THRICE AND YOU
WILL NEVER BE A BRIDE."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: NEGATIVE ; BRIDESMAID? ; NUMBERS
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple BELIEF -- Marriage PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 10-00-1975
AN OLD SUPERSTITION THIS INDIVIDUAL LEARNED WAS THAT ONE COULD
ASCERTAIN THE AMOUNT OF YEARS ONE HAD REMAINING IN LIFE BY COUNTING
THE NUMBER OF CARS IN THE NEXT FUNERAL PROCESSION TO PASS BY. EACH
CAR REPRESENTED AN ADDITIONAL YEAR TACKED ON THE PERSONS LIFE SPAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE ; NUMBERS ; SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Number |
Date learned: 10-00-1975