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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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SMALL CHANGE FOR GOOD LUCK.
AN OLD MALTESE CUSTOM SAYS, PUT SMALL CHANGE ON THE WINDOW SILL
BEFORE THE NEW YEAR COMES. LEAVE IT THERE UNTIL AFTER THE NEW YEAR
SO THAT YOU'LL HAVE FINANCIAL GOOD LUCK THAT YEAR.
Submitter comment:
EVEN THOUGH THE INFORMANT DIDN'T BELIEVE THE WART
CURE {PREVIOUS ENTRY}, SHE SEEMED TO
BELIEVE THIS ONE, JUST BY THE WAY SHE SAID IT.
SHE GOT THIS ITEM FROM HER MALTESE HUSBAND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; RIVERVIEW
James Callow Keyword(s): BELIEF
Date learned: 01-00-1974
WART CURE
IF YOU HAVE A WART, STEAL SOMEONE'S DISHRAG AND TAKE IT AND BURY IT.
THE WART WILL DISAPPEAR WITHIN THREE WEEKS.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT OFFERED THIS ONE, ALTHOUGH IT APPEARED SHE DID NOT
BELIEVE IT, SAYING SHE HAD HEARD IT FROM A FRIEND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; RIVERVIEW
James Callow Keyword(s): DISBELIEF
Date learned: 01-00-1974
THE EGG
PUT AN EGG IN YOUR SHOE AND BEAT IT.
Submitter comment:
MRS. FRENDO JUST SNICKERED AS SHE FINISHED THIS ONE, EXPECTING A
GROAN BEFORE MOVING ON TO THE NEXT ONE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; RIVERVIEW
James Callow Keyword(s): PUN SLANG: BEAT IT FOR GO AWAY
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 01-00-1974
CURSE TO KEEP PEOPLE AWAKE
FIRST WRITE A LETTER TO A DEAD PERSON TELLING HIM ABOUT THIS PERSON
YOU WANT TO KEEP AWAKE AT NIGHT TO THINK ABOUT HIS WRONG DOINGS. YOU
THEN SEAL THE LETTER AND PLACE IT UNDER YOUR BED. YOU ALSO PUT A
GLASS OF WATER ON TOP OF THE LETTER. WHEN THE WATER EVAPORATES THE
SPELL IS WORKING.
Submitter comment:
THIS CURSE WAS USED ON A MALE FRIEND OF THE INFORMANT AND IT WAS
SUCCESSFUL. IT WAS USED IN FLORIDA.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; FLORIDA ; New Orleans
James Callow Keyword(s): INSOMNIA ; SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Measure of time Sleeping BELIEF -- Curse SPEECH -- To Be Seen |
Date learned: CA11001973
LUCK
IF YOU LIE A BUMP WILL GROW ON YOUR TONGUE OR YOU WILL ACCIDENTALLY
BITE YOUR TONGUE.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans
James Callow Keyword(s): LYING ; SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Mouth, teeth, lips, tongue BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: CA11001973
LUCKY CROSSING
IF YOU LIFT YOUR FEET OFF THE FLOOR OF YOUR CAR WHILE CROSSING A
BRIDGE OVER WATER YOU WILL ALWAYS REACH THE OTHER SIDE SAFELY.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS A MORE COMMON BELIEF IN THE EARLY 1900S WHEN PEOPLE WERE A
LITTLE MORE WARY ABOUT DRIVING CARS OVER BRIDGES.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SAINT CLAIR
James Callow Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE ; MAGIC
Date learned: 00001960S
THUMP DRAG
THERE WAS A COUNSELOR AT CAMP NAMED JERRY. HE WAS BOSSY TO ABOUT
THREE CHILDREN. ONE DAY, AFTER A CAMP MOVIE, ONE OF THE CHILDREN TOOK
A CLUB AND HIT JERRY ON THE HEAD. THEN THEY TIED HIM UP AND POURED GAS
OVER HIM. THEY LIT A MATCH AND PRETENDED THEY WOULD IGNITE HIM. HALF OF
HIS BODY WAS BURNT. THE NEXT YEAR THE SAME CAMPERS CAME BACK. DURING THE
WINTER SOME OF THE FOOD AND SUPPLIES WERE STOLEN. THE DOCTOR THOUGHT IT
WAS A BEAR. THE CHILDREN CONFESSED WHAT HAD HAPPENED. IT WAS BELIEVED THAT
JERRY WENT INSANE. ONE DAY THEY HEARD A THUMP AND A DRAG. THIS WAS THE SOUND
THAT JERRY MADE BECAUSE HIS
LEG WAS BURNED. ONE DAY HE WALKED INTO A CABIN AND TOOK ONE OF THE
THREE CHILDREN. THE COUNSELOR HEARD THE NOISE AND CAME RUNNING. THUMP
DRAG DROPPED THE CHILD. THE COUNSELOR DECIDED TO GET THUMP DRAG. THEY
FOLLOWED HIM TO A SEWER AND SAW BLOOD AND BONES ALL OVER. THUMP DRAG
SMASHED THE HEADS OF TWO COUNSELORS. ONE COUNSELOR SHOT HIM BUT THUMP
DRAG DISAPPEARED. ONE YEAR LATER HE WAS FOUND DEAD BY A FARMER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
James Callow Keyword(s): BEOWULF ; FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed BELIEF -- Mammal |
Date learned: 11-00-1973
CLANCY
CLANCY WAS A COOK AT CAMP OZANAM. HE LIVED IN AN APARTMENT NOW CALLED
ASH. CLANCY WAS BELIEVED TO BE FROM ANOTHER PLANET. ONE DAY CAMPERS
HEARD SCREAMS. THE COUNSELORS WENT IN AND SAW A MEAT GRINDER AND SOME
KIDS. CLANCY WOULD TAKE KIDS AND GRIND THEM UP. HE WAS SERVING THE
CAMP CHILDREN GROUND UP PEOPLE. THE COUNSELORS CALLED THE POLICE AND
CLANCY RAN OUT. THE POLICE SHOT CLANCY BUT NOTHING HAPPENED. CLANCY
RAN ONTO A ROCK AND SHOT UP INTO THE AIR. HE WAS NEVER SEEN AGAIN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
James Callow Keyword(s): CANNIBALISM ; INEFFECTIVE BULLETS INVULNERABILITY
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Supernatural Being BELIEF -- Planet |
Date learned: 11-00-1973
EVERY YEAR IN MASSILLON, OHIO, BEGINNING WITH THE FIRST FRIDAY
OF THE SCHOOL YEAR, AND CONTINUING FOR TEN WEEKS, THE FOOTBALL GAMES
OF THE CITY'S ONLY HIGH SCHOOL DOMINATE THE SOCIAL, ENTERTAINMENT
AND CONVERSATIONAL ASPECTS OF THE CITIZENS. THE SEASON TRADITION-
ALLY CLOSES WITH AN INTER-CITY RIVALRY WITH CANTON'S (MASSILLON'S
NEIGHBORING CITY--LESS THAN TEN MILES AWAY) LARGEST SCHOOL--MCKINLEY,
AND APPROPRIATELY, "BEAT MCKINLEY WEEK."
THE MASSILLON TIGER--MCKINLEY BULLDOG FESTIVITIES ARE NOT PAR-
TICIPATED IN JUST BY STUDENTS. PEOPLE OF ALL AGES GET EXCITED ABOUT
THE GAME. SOME OF THE MOST ARDENT SUPPORTERS ARE OLD-TIMERS WHO
LOOK FORWARD TO IT EVERY YEAR, AND MOST EVERY CHILD HAS SEEN ONE
TIGER GAME, AND PROBABLY SPORTS A TIGER JACKET, BY THE TIME HE ENTERS
FIRST GRADE.
EACH OF THE TEAM'S THREE BOOSTER CLUBS, THE TIGER BOOSTERS, THE
SIDELINERS (EACH OF WHOSE MEMBERS SPONSOR A FOOTBALL PLAYER) AND THE
BENCHWARMERS, HOLD A "BEAT MCKINLEY RALLY" SOMETIME DURING THE WEEK,
AND THE STUDENT BODY ITSELF ALSO HOLDS A FEW RALLIES DURING THE
COURSE OF THE WEEK.
ON FRIDAY NIGHT, THE BIGGEST PRE-GAME EVENT IS HELD. A PARADE
MARCHES THROUGH THE DOWNTOWN AREA. INCLUDED IS THE MASSILLON TIGER
SWING BAND, MAJORETTES, COACHES, PLAYERS, AND FLOATS (ALL BEARING
THE THEME"BEAT MCKINLEY.") "OBIE," THE MASCOT IN A TIGER SKIN
(AND SINCE 1970, A LIVE TIGER IN A CAGE ALSO) ARE THERE, AS WELL AS
THE TRADITIONAL CALLIOPE; PLAYED ONLY DURING BEAT MCKINLEY WEEK, IT
ALSO DRIVES AROUND THE CITY STREETS PLAYING FOR A FEW HOURS
EACH NIGHT. THE PARADE MARCHES TO THE STADIUM COMPLEX, WHERE A HUGE
BONFIRE IS HELD. (STARTING IN 1973, FIRE REGULATIONS REDUCED THE
SIZE OF THE FIRE. AT THE SAME TIME THE SITE WAS CHANGED TO A PLACE
CLOSER TO THE DOWNTOWN AREA. SEE SUPPLEMENTARY PICTURE, AND NOTE
ATTENDANCE.)
INDIVIDUAL CITIZENS ALSO DO A GREAT DEAL OF "CAMPAIGNING."
BESIDES THE TIGER JACKETS, RAINCOATS, RIBBONS, CUSHIONS, BUMPER
STICKERS, AND TIGER TAILS, SOME FAMILIES DECORATE THEIR HOMES WITH
BOTH MASS-PRODUCED AND HOME-MADE SIGNS, AS WELL AS OCCASIONAL THREE-
DIMENSIONAL EXHIBITS, SUCH AS A STUFFED BULLDOG WITH A NOOSE TIED
AROUND HIS NECK.
THE SITE OF THE GAME ALTERNATES YEARLY BETWEEN MASSILLON TIGER
STADIUM AND CANTON FAWCETT STADIUM, AND IS ALWAYS PLAYED ON A SATUR-
DAY AFTERNOON AT TWO O'CLOCK. (WHEREAS ALL THE OTHER GAMES ARE
PLAYED ON FRIDAY NIGHTS.) IT NEVER DRAWS LESS THAN A SELLOUT CROWD
OF OVER TWENTY THOUSAND, EVEN THOUGH IT IS ALWAYS BROADCAST LIVE ON
THE LOCAL TELEVISION STATION.
THE FANS COME AS MUCH AS TWO HOURS BEFORE THE START OF THE GAME,
BECAUSE OF THE TRAFFIC JAMS. BEFORE THE START OF THE GAME, THE LIVE
TIGER MEETS MCKINLEY'S LIVE BULLDOG, AS DO THEIR COSTUMED COUNTER-
PARTS. LARGE CRATES OF HELIUM-FILLED BALLOONS (ORANGE AND BLACK BY
MASSILLON, AND RED AND BLACK BY CANTON) ARE ALWAYS RELEASED. THE
MAJORETTES RECEIVE CARNATIONS, AND THE SENIOR BAND MEMBERS ARE GIVEN
A FAREWELL CEREMONY. DURING THE PAST FEW YEARS, AN AIRPLANE BEARING
A BANNER WITH THE "BEAT MCKINLEY" MESSAGE HAS FLOWN BACK AND FORTH
OVER THE STADIUM, ADDING ANOTHER TRADITION TO THE GAME. DURING
HALF-TIME, THE SWING BAND PLAYS "THE TIGER RAG," AND PERFORMS SOME
ROUTINES THEY HAVE DONE FOR DECADES.
THE NIGHT OF THE GAME IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST NIGHTS FOR CELEBRA-
TION IN STARK COUNTY. WIN OR LOSE, THE ADULTS AND TEENS ALL HAVE
THEIR RESPECTIVE GET-TOGETHERS. MANY CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS SPONSOR
DANCES, INDIVIDUAL HOMES HAVE PARTIES, AND IT IS VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE
TO GET A RESTAURANT RESERVATION LESS THAN THREE TO FOUR WEEKS IN
ADVANCE OF THE GAME.
IN ADDITION TO CALLING ATTENTION TO THE EVENTS OF "BEAT MCKINLEY
WEEK," THE TOWN NEWSPAPER, THE EVENING INDEPENDENT, ALSO CARRIES OUT
CERTAIN TRADITIONS OF ITS OWN. ON THE DAY BEFORE THE BIG GAME, THE
INDEPENDENT SUPERIMPOSES THE WORDS "BEAT MCKINLEY" (IN BIG BLOCK
LETTERS PRINTED IN ORANGE) OVER THE FRONT-PAGE STORIES. ON NEARLY
EVERY OTHER PAGE (AND ESPECIALLY ON THE SPORT PAGE) THE COL-
UMNS OF THE PAPER ARE BORDERED WITH THE WORDS "BEAT MCKINLEY." ALSO,
THE PAST SCORES OF THE MASSILLON-CANTON GAME, FROM ITS ORIGIN IN
1894, ARE TRADITIONALLY PRINTED YEARLY. SOMETIME DURING THE COURSE
OF THE WEEK, PICTURES OF THE SENIORS PLAYING THEIR LAST GAME ARE
PRINTED.
Submitter comment:
CANTON CELEBRATES "BEAT MASSILLON WEEK" IN MUCH THE SAME WAY AS
MASSILLON CELEBRATES "BEAT MCKINLEY WEEK." THERE IS ALWAYS A LITTLE
"RIBBING" (SOMETIMES FRIENDLY, SOMETIMES NOT) BETWEEN MASSILLONIANS
AND CANTONIANS. I MYSELF ATTENDED THE NEAREST CATHOLIC SCHOOL, WHICH
IS LOCATED BETWEEN CANTON AND MASSILLON. EVEN THERE, THOUGH WE HAD
FOOTBALL GAMES OF OUR OWN THE SAME WEEK, STUDENTS WOULD WEAR "BEAT
MASSILLON" AND "BEAT MCKINLEY" RIBBONS, DEPENDING ON THEIR ALLEGIANCE
AND IT WAS A SIMILAR SITUATION IN ALL THE SUBURBAN AND COUNTY
SCHOOLS.
Where learned: OHIO ; MASSILLON
James Callow Keyword(s): SPORTS FOOTBALL
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 11-00-1973
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
SIGNATURES
YOURS TILL CIGARS BOX.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): PUN ON BOX
| Subject headings: | Z210 |
Date learned: 09-00-1973
SIGNATURES
YOURS TILL THE UNITED STATES DRINKS CANADA DRY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): PUN. CANADA DRY II BRAND OF SOFT DRINK.
| Subject headings: | Z210 |
Date learned: 09-00-1973
IF ONE NOTICES A RAMBLER TRAVELLING AHEAD OF YOU IN TRAFFIC, THE
BEST COURSE OF ACTION IS TO FIND ANOTHER ROUTE QUICKLY,
FOR RAMBLERS
(ABOUT 99 %) ARE KNOWN TO TRAVEL ON THE AVERAGE ABOUT 15 MPH UNDER
THE SPEED LIMIT AND TEND TO CONFUSE TRAFFIC TO AN ABSURD DEGREE.
IT IS THOUGHT THAT ALMOST 85% OF RAMBLERS, ANCIENT THOUGH THEY BE,
ARE STILL TRYING TO MAKE IT HOME FROM THE SHOWROOM.
Submitter comment: THIS BELIEF WAS DERIVED THROUGH YEARS OF OBSERVATION.
James Callow comment:
RAMBLER=SMALL AMERICAN MOTORS CAR
CK[ AUTOMOBILE
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE
Date learned: 09-22-1972
AN ITCHING RIGHT HAND PALM IS A SIGN OF GOOD LUCK WHILE AN ITCHING
LEFT PALM IS A SIGN OF FINANCIAL LOSS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Sensations and involuntary actions Itching hands and feet BELIEF -- Good luck BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 10-15-1972
WHEN YOU CUT A DECK OF CARDS AND THE ACE OF SPADES SHOWS UP, THIS
SIGNIFIES DEATH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. Observation Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 10-29-1972
TOAST
THROUGH THE TEETH AND OVER THE GUMS,
LOOKOUT STOMACH, HERE IT COMES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
James Callow Keyword(s): APOSTROPHE ; MOCK GRACE BEFORE EATING
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Speech Speech BELIEF -- Body part Senses |
Date learned: 10-17-1972
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
TO TAKE OUT AND PUT BACK NEVER EMPTIES THE POT.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT WARNS TO BEWARE OF THOSE WHO ARE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR A
HANDOUT.
Where learned: MARYLAND ; BALTIMORE ; TOLD IN
James Callow Keyword(s): BEGGING CHARITY BEGGARS
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 00-00-1972
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
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