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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

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MENSTRUAL CUSTOM

AS A YOUNG GIRL I WAS TOLD THAT WHILE HAVING MY PERIOD
I SHOULDN'T WASH MY HAIR OR TAKE A SHOWER.

Submitter comment:

THIS CAME FROM A GIRLFRIEND OF MINE WHOSE NAME
I DON'T REMEMBER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): MENSTRUAL TABU

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal

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CHILDREN'S SONG - ENGLISH SONG ABOUT WELSH PEOPLE

TAFFY WAS A WELSHMAN
HOUSE AND STOLE A LEG OF BEEF.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): RHYME: ABCB

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children
PROVERB -- Blason Populaire

Date learned: 11-30-1972

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JOKE

Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.

QUESTION: WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN SWALLOWED BY AN ELEPHANT?
ANSWER: YOU RUN AROUND TIL YOU GET POOPED OUT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE

James Callow Keyword(s): SCATOLOGICAL BOWEL MOVEMENT

Subject headings: RIDDLE -- Riddle Question

Date learned: 11-30-1972

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NEW YEAR'S SAYING

IN IRELAND NEW YEAR'S SAYING "EAT PORK AND LIVE OFF THE FAT OF THE
LAND - EAT CHICKEN AND SCRATCH THE REST OF THE YEAR

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD IN

James Callow Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC MAGIC

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Year
Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals

Date learned: 11-30-1972

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THE HAND IS QUICKER THAN THE EYE

Submitter comment: INFORMANT HEARD THIS EXPRESSION USED AT A CARNIVAL IN 1928

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN ; TOLD IN

James Callow Keyword(s): METONYMY

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim

Date learned: 09-27-72

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AUTOGRAPH BOOK MATERIAL

REMEMBER THE BOY IN THE CITY REMEMBER THE GIRL IN THE TOWN
REMEMBER THE BOY WHO WRECKED YOUR BOOK BY WRITING THIS
UPSIDE-DOWN!

Submitter comment: THE PERSON WRITES THIS ON THE PAGE UPSIDE-DOWN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES

James Callow Keyword(s): INITIAL ITERATION ; RHYME: ABCB ; TYPOGRAPHICAL VERSE

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse

Date learned: 00-01-965

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AUTOGRAPH BOOK MATERIAL

TWO IN A CAR TWO LITTLE KISSES FOUR WEEKS LATER MR AND MRS

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES

James Callow Keyword(s): RHYME: ABCB

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse

Date learned: 00-00-1965

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DEPARTMENT STORE LEGEND

THERE IS A STORY GOING AROUND KMART 4177 OF A SHIPMENT OF
CLOTHES FROM OVERSEAS THAT, WHEN OPENED, SNAKES WERE FOUND
INSIDE, MIXED IN WITH THE CLOTHES.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES

James Callow Keyword(s): K-MART OR K MART DEPARTMENT STORE

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal

Date learned: 11-00-1972

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GRANDPA REMEMBERS WHEN HIS MOTHER DIDN'T HAVE SUPPER ON TIME
USUALLY THE EXCUSE WAS THE BUTCHER GAVE HER A TOUGH PIECE OF
MEAT. OF COURSE, THE OVER THE FENCE GOSSIPING WITH NEIGHBORS
ALL AFTERNOON HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH IT.

Where learned: DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): SATIRE OF WOMEN SEXISM

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222.

Date learned: 10-07-1972

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GRANDPA TELLS WHEN HE WENT TO SCHOOL. HE WENT TO CHURCH EVERY
SUNDAY WITH HIS MOTHER, AFTER BOTH CAME HOME HE WOULD GET A SMACK
IN THE HEAD. HE WONDERED FOR A LONG TIME WHAT FOR. BUT AS HE GOT
OLDER HE KNEW THE NUNS AND MOTHER USED TO STAND TOGETHER AFTER
CHURCH AND WHAT WAS SPILLED BETWEEN THE TWO HE NEVER COULD FIND
OUT.

Where learned: DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): PUNISHMENT

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church

Date learned: 10-07-1972

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NEVER STEP OVER A BABY, IF YOU DO IT WILL NOT GROW, AT ALL.

Where learned: MICHIGAN

James Callow Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC MAGIC

Subject headings: Favorites
BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness

Date learned: 10-05-1972

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PLANT BEANS DURING THE FULL MOON, THAT WAY YOU WILL HAVE BEANS
THAT ARE FULL.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; JACKSON

James Callow Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC MAGIC

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F476
BELIEF -- Moon

Date learned: 11-02-1972

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IF IT'S RAINING AT SEVEN
IT WILL QUIT BY ELEVEN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; JACKSON

James Callow Keyword(s): FEMININE RHYME ; RHYME: AA

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief

Date learned: 10-01-1972

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NEW YEAR'S CUSTOM

GRANDMOTHER SAID WHEN NEW YEAR'S WOULD COME AROUND SHE HAD THE
TRADITIONAL BLACK-EYED PEAS AND COLLARD GREENS TO COMPLETE HER NEW
YEAR'S DINNER. GRANDMOTHER SAID THE TRADITIONAL DINNER REPRESENTED
GOOD FINANCIAL LUCK THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. THE BLACK-EYED PEAS
SYMBOLIZED COINS AND THE COLLARDS REPRESENTED GREENBACKS.

Submitter comment:

INFORMANT
PRACTICED THIS CUSTOM SINCE THE EARLY YEARS OF HER MARRIAGE.

Where learned: SOUTH CAROLINA

James Callow Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC MAGIC MONEY ; SYMBOLS

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20
Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals
BELIEF -- Color
BELIEF -- Good luck P881.42

Date learned: 00001960S (MID)

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CHILDREN'S SONG

MY BOYFRIEND GAVE ME PEACHES
MY BOYFRIEND GAVE ME PEARS
MY BOYFRIEND GAVE ME FIFTY CENTS
AND KICKED ME DOWN THE STAIRS.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT TOLD ME THAT MANY OF HER FRIENDS AND HER SISTERS USED
TO SING THIS WITH HER WHEN SHE WAS YOUNG. SHE ALSO TOLD ME THAT
THIS CAN ALSO BE USED WITH A CLAPPING BEAT OF WHATEVER THE SINGER
THINKS WILL GO WITH THE SONG.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON ; TOLD IN

James Callow Keyword(s): FRUIT AS GIFTS ; INITIAL ITERATION MEDIAL ITERATION ; RHYME: ABCB

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children

Date learned: 09-25-1972

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MILITARY CUSTOM

BLANKET PARTY: } WHEN A MEMBER OF THE MILITARY DOES SOMETHING THAT
VIOLENTLY DISPLEASES A GROUP OF FELLOW SERVICE MEN STATIONED WITH
HIM, THIS FORM OF REVENGE IS CARRIED OUT. THE MALIGNED GROUP
GATHERS TOGETHER AFTER LIGHTS OUT AND THROW A BLANKET OVER THE
SLEEPING VICTIM AND BEAT ON HIM UNTIL THEY ARE SATISFIED WITH THEIR
REVENGE. IN DOING THIS, THE VIOLATOR DOES NOT KNOW WHO THE
INDIVIDUALS WERE THAT TOOK PART IN THE BEATING.

Submitter comment: I ACTUALLY SAW THIS OCCUR WHILD IN BASIC TRAINING, AND THE BEATEN
MAN WAS IN THE HOSPITAL FOR THREE DAYS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON ; TOLD IN

James Callow Keyword(s): PHYSICAL PUNISHMENT

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535

Date learned: 09-27-1972

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MARRIAGE CUSTOM

BRIDES SHOULD ALWAYS HIDE A PAIR OF SCISSORS ON THEMSELVES SO
THEY CAN "CUT" AWAY ANY EVIL THAT MAY BE WISHED UPON THEM

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON ; TOLD IN

James Callow Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage

Date learned: 09-26-1972

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VERSE

LIZZY BORDON TOOK AN AX GAVE HER FATHER FORTY WACKS, WHEN SHE SAW
WHAT
SHE HAD DONE, SHE GAVE HER MOTHER FORTY ONE.

Where learned: DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): RHYME: AABB

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse

Date learned: 06-00-1972

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AUTOGRAPH VERSE

A RING IS ROUND AND HAS NO END AND THAT'S HOW LONG I'LL BE YOUR
FRIEND

Where learned: DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): RHYME: AA

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse

Date learned: 06-00-1972

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RELIGIOUS CUSTOM

THE JEWISH PEOPLE LEAVE A GLASS OF WATER OUTSIDE WHEN GOING TO A
FUNERAL. THEY WASH THEIR HANDS WITH IT WHEN THEY RETURN FROM THE
CEMETARY.

Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON

James Callow Keyword(s): CEMETERY ; PURIFICATION

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial

Date learned: 00-00-1950

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