Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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WHEN YOU CARRY YOUR BABY HIGH IT WILL BE A BOY AND WHEN YOU CARRY IT
LOW IT WILL BE A GIRL
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION ; SEXISM
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 11-14-1980
IN A LITTLE ITALIAN CITY THERE LIVED A VERY POOR
MAN. ALL HE OWNED WAS AN OLD BICYCLE OF WHICH HE WAS
VERY PROUD. ONE DAY HE WENT TO A SMALL GROCERY
STORE TO BUY SOME VEGETABLES AND WHEN HE CAME
BACK, HE FOUND HIS BICYCLE ALL BROKEN INTO LITTLE
PIECES--PROBABLY SOME EVIL BOY DECIDED TO PLAY A
BAD JOKE ON HIM. THE MAN BEGAN TO CRY. AT THAT
TIME, A FUNERAL PROCESSION ARRIVED AND THE MAN JOINED THE
RELATIVES OF THE DEAD WOMAN, CRYING SO PITIFULLY THAT
A FRIEND OF THE DEAD WOMAN STOPPED HIM AND SAID,
"COME ON NOW, SHE WAS OLD AND DECREPIT, YOU KNOW."
TO THAT THE MAN REPLIED, "YES, BUT SHE STILL HAD
TWO PEDALS AND A HANDLE-BAR!"
Submitter comment:
THE ABOVE IS AN EXAMPLE OF THE FUNNY STORIES CHILDREN
TELL IN ITALY. I REMEMBER HEARING AND TELLING ONE
SIMILAR TO THIS WHEN I WAS YOUNGER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): TRANSLATION---ITALIAN VERSION ON 5 X 8 CARD.
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Stupid man or woman |
Date learned: 10-06-1971
A POLITICAL JOKE
WHAT HAPPENED WHEN THE AJAX WHITE KNIGHT RODE THROUGH
TEXAS?
THEY ELECTED HIM GOVERNOR.
Submitter comment:
HEARD ON U. OF D.'S CAMPUS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): REFERENCE TO AJAX CLEANING PRODUCTS TELEVISION COMMERCIAL
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Stupid man or woman |
GREEK RETORT
THE MULE CALLS THE CHICKEN-FAT HEAD.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS USED TO TELL SOMEONE OFF WHEN THEY ARE YOU TO
DO OR SAY SOMETHING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
James Callow Keyword(s): GREEK LANGUAGE RETORT IS ON 5 X 8 CARD. ; TRANSLATION
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
GREEK RETORT
KNOCK ALL YOU WANT AT A DEAF MAN'S DOOR.
Submitter comment: YOU SAY THIS TO A BULL-HEADED OR STUBBORN PERSON.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
James Callow Keyword(s): GREEK TRANSLATION ON 5 X 8 CARD. ; TRANSLATION
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
FIRST, HAVE THE PREGNANT WOMAN LIE DOWN. NEXT YOU GET A
SEWING NEEDLE, TIE A PIECE OF STRING THROUGH THE "EYE" OF
THE NEEDLE. NOW YOU ARE TO HOLD THE STRING AT THE
END ALLOWING THE NEEDLE TO SWING FREE. YOU HOLD THE
NEEDLE OVER THE ABDOMEN OF THE PREGNANT WOMAN AND WATCH
THE ROTATION OF THE NEEDLE. IF THE NEEDLE SWINGS
VERTICALLY, THE CHILD WILL BE A BOY. IF THE NEEDLE SWINGS
HORIZONTALLY, THE CHILD WILL BE A GIRL. YOU SHOULD BE
STANDING AT HER FEET TO WATCH THE DIRECTION OF THE SWING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): DIAGRAMS OF HORIZONTALLY AND VERTICALLY ON 5 X 8 CARD.
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Date learned: 12-06-1967
Entry filtered.
DEAD MAN SITS UP
THERE WAS A MAN THAT DIED IN A CHAIR SITTING UP AND WHEN
THEY PUT HIM IN THE CASKET, THEY HAD TO TIE HIM DOWN TO MAKE HIM LIE
FLAT. WHEN THEY WERE HAVING A WAKE FOR HIM AND WERE DRINKING OUT
OF A JUG, THE MAN SAT UP IN THE COFFIN.
EVERYONE ELSE TOOK OFF FOR PARTS UNKNOWN SO THAT THE DEAD MAN WAS
ALONE.
Submitter comment:
MR. YOUNT BELIEVED THIS TO BE TRUE AS EVERYONE ELSE KNEW
THE MAN AND ALSO BELIEVED IT.
HAPPENED IN HOLLISTER, OHIO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): POST-MORTEM REFLEX
James Callow Keyword(s): DEATH WATCH OR WAKE ; RIGOR
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 05-11-1965
CHRIST AND THE ROBINS
THE REASON ROBINS HAVE RED BREASTS ARE BECAUSE WHEN CHRIST WAS
DYING ON THE CROSS BIRDS SNUGGLED UP THEIR BREASTS TO CHRIST'S
WOUNDS, IN ORDER TO CATCH THE FLOWING BLOOD. IN RETURN FOR THEIR
GOOD DEED CHRIST GAVE THEM THEIR RED BREASTS IN RECOGNITION FOR
THEIR DEED.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM A GRADE SCHOOL SISTER IN SECOND GRADE
AT HOLY NAME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CRUCIFIXION
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Characteristics of Animals PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Bird |
Date learned: 03-31-1967
AUTOGRAPH BOOK RHYME
THINGS ARE HARD TO REMEMBER.
THINGS ARE HARD TO FORGET.
BUT THE HARDEST THING TO REMEMBER
IS TO REMEMBER NOT TO FORGET.
Submitter comment: RHYME FROM INFORMANT'S JUNIOR HIGH AUTOGRAPH BOOK.
Keyword(s): CONTRADICTION ; INFORMATIVE ; METER: TROCHEES ; OBSERVATION ; PARADOX ; QUATRAIN ; REMEMBRANCE ; REPETITION ; RHYME: ABAB
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Remember me |
Date learned: 10-02-1971
WHEN EATING LAMB OR GOAT'S MEAT, ONLY THE MEN ARE ALLOWED TO EAT THE
ANIMAL HEAD; THE WOMEN CAN ONLY EAT THE LOWER JAW BONE.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT TOLD ME THAT IT WAS A TREAT TO EAT AN ANIMAL'S
HEAD, AND THAT EATING LAMB AND GOAT IS COMMON IN AFRICA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
James Callow Keyword(s): SEXISM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222. |
Date learned: 03-00-1982
BEER OR "BITTER" IS SOLD AT PUBS IN ENGLAND BY THE PINT AND BY
THE HALF-PINT. HOWEVER, MEN ARE NEVER SUPPOSED TO ORDER HALF-PINTS
AS IT'S A SIGN OF A LACK OF MASCULINITY. WOMEN BY THE SAME TOKEN
SHOULD NEVER ORDER FULL PINTS AS IT'S A SIGN OF A LACK OF FEMININITY.
Where learned: ENGLAND ; CAMBRIDGE
James Callow Keyword(s): SEXISM
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Alcoholic beverage Fermented BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 07-00-1982
ON THE FIRST SIGHT OF SPRING, A CELEBRATION MUST
BE INITIATED BY THE FAMILIES WHO HAVE TWO OR MORE BOYS
IN THE VILLAGE TO INSURE GOOD LUCK FOR THE NEW YEAR.
Submitter comment:
IT WAS BELIEVED THIS WOULD INSURE HEALTHY BIRTHS OF
ALL CHILDREN AND WOULD INCREASE THE BIRTHS OF BOYS.
Where learned: COLLECTED BY MAIL ; COOKHAM RISE ; BERKSHIRE
James Callow Keyword(s): SEXISM
Date learned: 00-00-1970
GRAFFITO
SOME BABIES ARE BORN TO BE GREAT,
OTHERS ARE BORN BOYS}
Submitter comment:
THIS MESSAGE WAS WRITTEN ON THE WALL OF A WOMEN'S RESTROOM AT
HENRY FORD COMMUNITY COLLEGE IN DEARBORN, MICHIGAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
James Callow Keyword(s): SEXISM
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- C850- |
Date learned: 00-00-1982
DIVINATION OF SEX BELIEF
THE INFORMANT'S GRANDFATHER BELIEVED THAT WHEN SOME WOMAN
HE KNEW WAS PREGNANT HE COULD LOOK AT THE MOON AND GET A
FEELING WHETHER THE CHILD WOULD BE A BOY OR A GIRL.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT'S GRANDFATHER TENDED TO DISREGARD ANY INCORRECT
PREDICTIONS REGARDING THIS PRACTICE OF HIS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CLINTON TOWNSHIP
James Callow Keyword(s): SEX
| Subject headings: | Prophet / Seer / Soothsayer Spirit / Mind / Body Observation BELIEF -- Moon BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 11-00-1982
DUNKING DAYS
CHILDREN IN PENNSYLVANIA CELEBRATE DUNKING
DAYS ON TWO CONSECUTIVE SUNDAYS IN MAY OR JUNE
AROUND WHITSUNDAY. ON THE FIRST SUNDAY, THE
BOYS ATTEMPT TO WET THE GIRLS WITH WATER. ON
THE FOLLOWING SUNDAY, THE GIRLS ATTEMPT TO WET
THE BOYS. I DON'T KNOW WHEN I FIRST HEARD ABOUT
THIS CUSTOM, BUT MY MOTHER TOLD ME THAT SHE CELEBRATED
DUNKING DAYS IN DUQUESNE, PENNSYLVANIA AROUND 1945.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT ADVISES THAT HER MOTHER'S NAME IS
MARY MORSILLO GINGERICH, BORN OCTOBER 3, 1937,
FARRELL, PENNSYLVANIA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
James Callow Keyword(s): SEXISM
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- May CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- June CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Week Day Hour CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting After all |
Date learned: 09-00-1982
NEW YEAR'S DAY BELIEF
IT IS CONSIDERED BAD LUCK FOR A WOMAN TO ENTER YOUR HOUSE
BEFORE A MAN ON NEW YEAR'S DAY. THE FIRST PERSON ENTERING
YOUR HOUSE ON NEW YEAR'S MUST NOT BE A WOMAN OR YOU WILL
HAVE BAD LUCK FOR THE ENTIRE YEAR. THIS IS SOMETHING
THAT I HEARD AS A CHILD. WE DIDN'T TAKE IT SERIOUSLY BUT
I DO KNOW OF PEOPLE WHO WILL REFUSE A WOMAN ENTRANCE ON
NEW YEAR'S DAY UNTIL A MAN ENTERS FIRST.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SEXISM
Date learned: 09-00-1982
IF THE FIRST VISITOR ON NEW YEARS DAY IS A MAN YOU WILL HAVE
GOOD LUCK THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SEXISM
Date learned: 00001950S
ARGENTINIAN VALENTINES DAY
IN ARGENTINA WE DON'T HAVE AN OFFICIAL VALENTINES DAY LIKE IT
IS CELEBRATED IN THE UNITED STATES WITH THE EXCHANGE OF CARDS
AND CANDY. INSTEAD EL DIA DE LOS ENAMORADOS IS THE DAY THAT
REPLACES THE LOVERS DAY. IT IS SAID THAT ON THIS DAY THE WOMEN CAN
PROPOSE MARRIAGE TO THE MEN. MANY WOMEN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS
RIGHT ON FEBRUARY 14.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): INVERSION ; ROLE-REVERSAL ; SEXISM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- February 14 Valentine's Day CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Proposal |
Date learned: 00-00-1970
AN ESCAPE TO AMERICA
ONE OF MY DEAREST FRIENDS, NORA SHEPPARD IS 96 YEARS OLD, AND
EVERYONE CALLS HER GRANDMA SHEP. GRANDMA SHEP AS A SWEET
YOUNG COLLEEN EMIGRATING FROM ENGLAND TO THE BRIGHT LAND
OF OPPORTUNITY AND PROMISE, WAS VERY EXCITED TO BE COMING
TO THE UNITED STATES. AT ELLIS ISLAND THE OFFICIALS WERE
CHECKING CAREFULLY THE DOCUMENTS. NORA WAS ONLY SIXTEEN YEARS
OLD AND HAD NO RELATIVE TO SPONSOR HER. THE OFFICIAL SHOOK
HIS HEAD NO. THE FRANTIC YOUNG GIRL TURNED TO THE STOCKY
BOY WHO SHE HAD BECOME GOOD FRIENDS WITH AND SAID, "PLEASE
WOULD YOU MARRY ME?" WITHIN AN HOUR THE PRIEST HAD BLESSED
THE YOUNG COUPLE AND THEY WERE DULY WED. THEY SETTLED IN
THEIR NEW COUNTRY AND THE LESS THAN ROMANTIC BEGINNING
DEVELOPED INTO A MARRIAGE OF 63 YEARS, 7 CHILDREN, 35
GRANDCHILDREN AND 12 GREAT GRANDCHILDREN. IT WAS AND STILL
IS AN EXAMPLE OF LOVE TO ALL WHO KNOW THEM.
Submitter comment:
I THINK THAT THIS STORY GETS MORE DRAMATIC EVERY TIME IT IS
TOLD BUT IT IS STILL CUTE ANYWAYS. GRANDMA SHEP IS A
CHARACTER AND I WOULDN'T PUT IT PAST HER FEISTY DETERMINED
NATURE TO PROPOSE TO A MAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN
James Callow Keyword(s): INVERSION ; ROLE REVERSAL ; SEXISM
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Married couple CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Proposal |
Date learned: 00001900CA