Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for ANT returned 422 results.
SONG
MCDONALDS IS YOUR KINDA PLACE
HAMBURGERS IN YOUR FACE.
FRENCH FRIES UP YOUR NOSE,
COKES DOWN YOUR PANTYHOSE.
LAST TIME I WAS THERE,
THEY FRIED MY UNDERWEAR.
MCDONALDS IS YOUR KINDA PLACE.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM SOME FRIENDS IN SCHOOL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): MC'DONALD'S IS A FAST FOOD RESTAURANT CHAIN.
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ill humor Ridicule Mockery Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children |
Date learned: 00001978CA
GRATITUDE IS THE LEAST OF VIRTUES, BUT
INGRATITUDE THE WORST OF VICES.
Submitter comment: SHE BELIEVES IT.
Where learned: JAMAICA ; PRINCETON
James Callow Keyword(s): ANTITHESIS ; CONTRAST
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 00-00-1977 ; 00-00-1985
JOY AND TEMPERANCE AND REPOSE
SLAM THE DOOR ON THE DOCTOR'S NOSE.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A SAYING THAT MY INFORMANT LEARNED FROM
HIS GRANDFATHER.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; ROCHESTER
James Callow Keyword(s): BATHOS ANTILLIMAY ; CONTRAST ; SURPRISE
| Subject headings: | 730 Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: 11-08-1985
WHY DID THE BLACK MAN WEAR A TUXEDO TO HIS VASECTOMY?
ANSWER. IF I'M GONNA BE IMPOTENT I MIGHT AS WELL LOOK
IMPOTENT.
Submitter comment:
I GOT THIS JOKE FROM THE MOVIE "SOUL MAN." IT WAS TOLD
BY TWO WHITE GUYS IN FRONT OF A BLACK GUY TO MAKE HIM
FEEL BAD.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): IMPOTENT- USED INSTEAD OF THE WORD IMPORTANT TO MAKE ; THE BLACK MAN'S SPEECH SEEM BAD.
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- BLAC |
Date learned: 10-00-1987
PUT DOWN THAT CORNER STONE, MOTHER.
YOU'RE TAKING TOO MUCH FOR GRANITE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): PUN ON GRANTED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
That's all right
That's o.k.
You're gonna work
For us someday!
Submitter comment:
This cheer was learned by my sister, Jennifer, who
attended Northwestern University. The cheer was
used by Northwestern football fans when their opponents
were winning the game.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; Evanston ; Northwestern University
Keyword(s): Chant, humor, derision
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Custom Festival Custom Festival |
Date learned: 00001982CA
THE SHANTY BOY
"AS I WALKED OUT ONE EVENING, JUST AS THE SUN WENT DOWN.
I CARELESSLY DID RAMBLE TILL I CAME TO SAGINAW TOWN.
I HEARD TWO GIRLS CONVERSING, AS SLOWLY I PASSED THEM BY;
ONE SAID SHE LOVED A FARMER'S SON, AND THE OTHER A SHANTY
BOY.
"THE ONE THAT LOVED THE FARMER'S SON, THESE WORDS I HEARD
HER SAY,
'THE REASON WHY I LOVE HIM IS AT HOME WITH ME HE'LL STAY;
HE'LL STAY AT HOME ALL WINTER, TO THE WOODS HE WILL NOT GO,
AND WHEN THE SPRINGTIME COMES AGAIN, HIS LANDS HE'LL
PLOW AND SOW.'
'I SHALL ALWAYS PRAISE MY SHANTY BOY WHO GOES TO THE
WOODS IN THE FALL,
HE IS BOTH STOUT AND HEARTY AND FIT TO STAND A SQUALL;
WITH PLEASURE I WILL GREET HIM IN THE SPRING WHEN
HE COMES DOWN.
HIS MONEY ON ME HE'LL SPEND IT FREE WHEN YOUR MOSSBACK
HE HAS NONE.'
HOW CAN YOU PRAISE YOUR SHANTY BOY WHO TO THE WOODS
DOES GO?
HE'S ORDERED OUT BEFORE DAYLIGHT TO FACE THE FROST AND SNOW,
WHILE HAPPY AND CONTENTED MY FARMER'S SON WILL LIE,
SOFT TALES OF LOVE HE'LL TELL TO ME WHILE THE STORMS
ARE BLOWING BY.'
'I NEVER CAN STAND THAT SOFT TALK,' THE OTHER GIRL DID SAY,
'THE MOST OF THEM THEY ARE SO GREEN THE COWS COULD EAT
THEM FOR HAY;
HOW EASY IT IS TO KNOW THEM WHEN THEY COME INTO TOWN,
THE SMALL BOY SHOUTING AFTER THEM, "MOSSBACK, HOW COME
YOU DOWN?'
'WHAT I'VE SAID UNKIND OF YOUR SHANTY BOY, I DO NOT
MEAN IT SO,
AND IF EVER I MEET WITH ONE OF THEM ALONG WITH HIM
I'LL GO,
AND LEAVE MY MOSSBACK FARMERS' SON TO PLOUGH AND PLANT
HIS FARM.
WHILE MY SHANTY BOY SO BOLD AND FREE WILL SAVE ME FROM
ALL HARM.
Submitter comment:
THIS SONG COMES FROM NOT AN EDUCATED PERSON BUT FROM
THE HEART OF A LUMBERING CREW. IT FITS THE MENTALITY
OF THE AVERAGE LOGGING CREW.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
Keyword(s): LOGGING SONGS ; SHANTY BOY
James Callow Keyword(s): CONTRASTED OCCUPATIONS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ballad Epic |
Date learned: 03-04-1990
This was an autograph in my mother's yearbook:
"2-4-6-8, Don't make love by the garden gate,
Love is blind, but the neighbors ain't."
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA
James Callow Keyword(s): Assonantal rhyme
| Subject headings: | 730 Lyrical Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse |
Date learned: 06001958 ca.
IF WE CANTELOPE, LETTUCE MARRY.
Submitter comment:
ONE OF MY DAD'S FAVORITE LINES.
HE USED IT TO TEASE US, ESPECIALLY WHEN WE
WERE TOO SERIOUS ABOUT SOMETHING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Flint
James Callow Keyword(s): CANTALOUPE ; PUN
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 00-00-1977
THE BLOODY FINGER
ONCE THERE WAS A YOUNG GIRL WHO WAS BABYSITTING. THE CHILDREN
HAD BEEN PUT TO BED AND SHE WAS READY TO WATCH SOME TV WHILE
WAITING FOR THE PARENTS TO RETURN. SUDDENLY THE PHONE RANG. WHEN
SHE ANSWERED A VOICE SAID, "THE BLOODY FINGER IS COMING FOR YOU."
THE GIRL THOUGHT NOTHING OF THIS. IT WAS PROBABLY JUST A FRIEND
TRYING TO SCARE HER. SHE WENT TO MAKE SOME POPCORN. THE PHONE
RANG AGAIN. "THE BLOODY FINGER IS TEN MILES AWAY," THE VOICE
SAID. THE BABYSITTER STILL WASN'T WORRIED. THEN, THE POWER WENT
OUT! THE PHONE RANG. "THE BLOODY FINGER IS FIVE MILES AWAY."
THE GIRL FOUND A FLASHLIGHT. THE PHONE RANG AGAIN. "THE BLOODY
FINGER IS AT THE CORNER STORE." THE BABYSITTER WENT BACK TO THE
KITCHEN AND FOUND A BUTCHER KNIFE. THE DOORBELL RANG. THE
BABYSITTER WAS READY. SHE TOOK THE KNIFE AND ANSWERED THE DOOR.
A MAN STOOD ON THE FRONT PORCH. HE SMILED, HELD UP HIS BLEEDING
FINGER AND SAID..."HI! HAVE YOU GOT A BAND-AID?"
Submitter comment:
THIS STORY WAS COMMON AT GRADE SCHOOL SLUMBER PARTIES. WHEN
ALL THE LIGHTS WERE OUT AND GHOST STORIES WERE BEING TOLD, "THE
BLOODY" FINGER WAS SURE TO BE INCLUDED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): ANTICLIMAX
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
It is Greek belief that if one misplaces something from as small
as a ring to as large as a missing child, it can be relocated by
baking an offering known as a "Fanouropita" to St. Fanourio.
(Fanouropita means Bread of St. Fanourio.) Then taking the offering
and donating it to a church. The missing object is then said to
mysteriously turn up.
Where learned: GREECE
James Callow Keyword(s): compare St. Anthony
| Subject headings: | Favorites Food Drink -- Plant food BELIEF -- Religious hero BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Church BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color |
Religious belief or tale
When I was a little girl my mother used to try and soothe me
during a thunder and lightning storm by telling me that when it
thunders, it is God bowling and when it lightnings God hits a
strike.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ANTHROPOMORPHISM
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement BELIEF -- Gods BELIEF -- Lightning Thunder |
Date learned: 00-00-1980
Baby Belief
Babies born with "outtie" (a navel that sticks out) navels will
have good luck.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK
James Callow Keyword(s): outie -- variant spelling?
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 03-00-1992
When the Devil Beats his Wife
It is said that when you see a whirlwind it usually means that
the devil is beating his wife.
Submitter comment: The informant was giggling when she told this to me.
Where learned: MISSISSIPPI ; Louise
Keyword(s): Small Storms
James Callow Keyword(s): ANTHROPOMORPHISM
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Wind Whirlwind Hurricane Cyclone Tornado |
Date learned: 00-00-1970
A snowstorm is actually the angels having a pillow fight in
Heaven.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): ANTHROPOMORPHISM
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Angel BELIEF -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew BELIEF -- Weather sign or control |
Date learned: 00-00-1982
The Ant and the Grasshopper
All day long all through the warm days of summer, a green
grasshopper went happily about. Whenever the grasshopper was
thirsty, he would sip nectar from any plant he saw. One
afternoon, as the grasshopper was leaping from flower to flower,
he saw beneath him a little black ant struggling to carry a fat
leaf bigger than himself. "Little friend," said the grasshopper,
"What are you doing down there?" "Why, I am carrying this leaf
off to my nest. I must fill my nest with food to last through
winter." "Winter?" said the grasshopper. "Who cares about
winter? Why don't you climb up to this flower and enjoy its
sweet nectar? Winter will take care of itself." "That isn't the
way things work in this world," said the ant. "Winter will be
here soon. The flowers will be gone, and there will be nothing
to eat." "Well, suit yourself," said the grasshopper. And off
he went, singing happily and having no cares at all. The ant
returned to carry each leaf, but he did not mind. He knew he
would have enough to last the winter. Soon the cold weather
came. The ant was snug in his
nest with plenty of food to eat. The grasshopper? He had
nothing to eat and soon was no more. A WISE PERSON KNOWS THAT
SUMMER DOES NOT LAST FOREVER.
Submitter comment: My informant remembers reading this fable in Aesop.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Lansing
Keyword(s): Nectar = A sweet liquid secreted by plants
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal Tale BELIEF -- Measure of time Winter |
Date learned: 11-00-1991
Sing-song
When my children were very young, I overheard my grandmother
reciting this little sing-song to them:
Eyes, Nose, Cheekie, Cheekie, Chin
Cheekie, Cheekie, Chin, Nose, Eyes
Submitter comment:
The sing-song was accompanied by pointing to the child's eyes,
nose, cheeks and chin. She said this was how they would easily
learn parts of their body.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): Antistrophe
Date learned: 00001970S
MISTLETOE
DURING THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS, MISTLETOE IS HUNG FROM
CHANDELIERS, ARCHWAYS, ETC. WHEN A PERSON STANDS
UNDER THIS MISTLETOE, THE FIRST PERSON OF THE
OPPOSITE SEX TO COME UP TO SUCH PERSON, IS TO KISS
HIM OR HER.
Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM PARENTS WHEN VERY YOUNG.
Keyword(s): PARASITE ; poison ; POISONOUS PLANT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Mistletoe and other greenery |
Date learned: 11-27-1967
MISTLETOE
DURING THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS, MISTLETOE IS HUNG FROM
CHANDELIERS, ARCHWAYS, ETC. WHEN A PERSON STANDS
UNDER THIS MISTLETOE, THE FIRST PERSON OF THE
OPPOSITE SEX TO COME UP TO SUCH PERSON, IS TO KISS
HIM OR HER.
Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM PARENTS WHEN VERY YOUNG.
Keyword(s): PARASITE ; poison ; POISONOUS PLANT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Mistletoe and other greenery |
Date learned: 11-27-1967
Saying
We'll cross that bridge when we come to it.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Keyword(s): Anticipate ; Bridge ; Cross ; Language ; Saying
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Group of Vowels and Consonants, and of Words |