Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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IF YOU PUT ALL THE PEOPLE IN A BAG YOU WOULDN'T KNOW WHICH ONE TO
SHAKE TO THE TOP.
Submitter comment:
IN BELGIUM, THE FLEMISH HAVE A HUGE BAG OF POTATOES IN WHICH THEY
SHAKE THE BAG IN ORDER TO GET THE BAD POTATOES OUT. THIS PROVERB
IS SAID IN REFERENCE TO A GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO ARE ALL UNDESIRABLE.
Data entry tech comment: PROFESSOR CALLOW HAS MADE NECESSARY SPELLING CHANGES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; HOLDEN HALL ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): VEGETABLES SEPARATION GOOD AND EVIL
James Callow Keyword(s): OBSERVATION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor PROVERB -- Blason Populaire |
Date learned: 09-00-1967
"I SEE," SAID THE BLIND MAN TO THE DEAF DOG AS THEY WALKED ALONG.
Where learned: INDIANA ; University of Notre Dame
Keyword(s): ALLITERATION
James Callow Keyword(s): CONTRADICTION
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale PROVERB -- Wellerism Quotation |
Date learned: 02-04-1971
I SINK LIKE A STONE WHEN I SWIM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): METAPHOR, ALLITERATION, SWIMMING, OBSERVATION, CONTRADICTION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
PROVERB
LARGER SHIPS
MAY VENTURE MORE.
LITTLE BOATS
MUST STAY NEAR SHORE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ALLITERATION FOR CONTRAST ; CONTRAST ; RIME ; VERSE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb |
Date learned: 07-17-1964
PROVERBIAL APOTHEGM MAXIM
LAUGH BEFORE BREAKFAST; CRY BEFORE BEDTIME.
Submitter comment: SCOTTISH.
Where learned: INFORMANTS PLACE OF OCCUPATION - DETROIT BOARD OF
Keyword(s): ALLITERATION ; CONTRAST ; ELLIPSIS ; PARALLEL STRUCTURE.
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 03-17-1970
PROVERB - - OMEN - - BELIEF
LAUGH BEFORE BREAKFAST, CRY BEFORE SLEEP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ALLITERATION ; CONTRAST ; ELLIPSIS ; PARALLELISM
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 04-00-1970
PROVERB
WER DEN SCHADEN HAT, BRAUCHT FURDEN SPOTT NICHT ZU SORGEN.
THE LAUGH IS ALWAYS ON THE LOSER.
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): ALLITERATION ; GERMAN
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 12-05-1965
SPANISH PROBERB
"EN BOCCA CERRADA NO QUE LO HACE"
"DON'T OPEN HOUR MOUTH OR FLIES WILL GET IN
"IF YOU ARE CAREFUL CAREFUL OF WHAT YOU SAY, YOU WON'T GET INTO
TROUBLE."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ALLITERATION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 03-20-1968
"AYA ONVAOZEGH'OE PIE' ZA' WH'ZEA N' WO'ZES IA' O'E GA'VN.
IF YOU ARE MIXED UP WITH BAD COMPANY, YOU TOO BECOME THE SAME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
Keyword(s): ALLITERATION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
COLD HANDS, WARM HEART
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
James Callow Keyword(s): AFFECTION ; ALLITERATION FOR CONTRAST ; CONTRAST ; ELLIPSIS ; LOVE ; METONYMY ; TENDERNESS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 00001950S
TEARS DO NOT MELT TROUBLES.
Submitter comment: SAID WHEN CRYING OVER SOMETHING THAT WILL NOT GO AWAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
James Callow Keyword(s): ALLITERATION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 00001940S
HARVEST CELEBRATION IN LIBERIA
MANY PEOPLE IN LIBERIA DEPEND ON AGRICULTURE.
AGRICULTURE DEPENDS ALSO ON FAVORABLE WEATHER
CONDITIONS. THERE ARE TWO SEASONS. THE RAINY AND THE
DRY SEASON. IF THERE ISN'T SUFFICIENT RAIN THERE
WOULDN'T BE SUFFICIENT HARVEST AND THE SITUATION TENDS TO
CREATE UNHAPPINESS IN OUR COMMUNITY. WE HAVE DEVELOPED
RITES AND CEREMONIES THAT RELATES TO RURAL LIFE.
HARVEST CELEBRATION IS AN ACTIVITY WHICH
STRENGTHENED COMMUNITY CONSCIOUSNESS AND SOLIDARITY.
THE HARVEST CELEBRATION IS USUALLY CELEBRATED AT THE
BEGINNING OF THE YEAR. IT IS ALSO A FAMILY AFFAIR.
IT IS A TIME WHEN RELATIVES COME TOGETHER TO CELEBRATE THE
NEW YEAR AND TO REFLECT ON THE PAST YEAR. IT IS A TIME
OF HAPPINESS. BEFORE COLONIZATION, FAMILIES WOULD MEET AT THE
HOME OF THE OLDEST MALE RELATIVE.
AN EXAMPLE WOULD BE THE FATHER, GRANDFATHER, A NEPHEW OR
AN UNCLE OR A DISTANT MALE RELATIVE.
FAMILY MEMBERS ARE PRESENT. INDIVIDUALS CAN ONLY BE EXCUSE
IN THE CASE OF DEATH OR SERIOUS ILLNESS.
RELATIVES WHO LIVE FAR AWAY USUALLY ARRIVE AHEAD OF
SCHEDULE; THEY ARRIVE A DAY AHEAD.
ON THE LAST DAY OF THE YEAR, A SMALL CELEBRATION IS HELD.
RELATIVES ARE OFFICIALLY WELCOME, THE OLDEST MALE IS
PRESENTED WITH GIFTS. THE GIFTS CONSISTS OF CORN,
CATTLE, WHEAT OR RICE. THE YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN USUALLY
ARE GATHERED OUTSIDE AND ARE CIRCLED BY
A FIRE. THEY CARRY ON A CONVERSATION. THE GRANDMOTHERS
SIT WITH THE CHILDREN NEAR A FIRE AND TELL FOLKTALES.
ON NEW YEAR'S MORNING, GOATS ARE SLAUGHTERED. THE YOUNG
MEN PREPARE THE GOAT FOR COOKING AND ROASTING. THE
WOMEN TRAVELS INTO THE FOREST TO GATHER WOOD. THE WOMEN
RETURN AND PREPARE THE MEAL FOR THE BIG CELEBRATION.
WHILE THE WOMEN ARE COOKING, THE MEN ARE GATHERED
IN A SPECIAL GROUP TO CONVERSE AND TO DRINK PINEWINE. A PINE IS
SHARED AMONG THE MALES. MATTERS OF VITAL IMPORTANCE
ARE DISCUSSED. VILLAGE IMPROVEMENT IS ALSO DISCUSSED.
THE HARVEST CELEBRATION IS USUALLY READY BY MID_AFTERNOON.
EVERYONE EATS AT THIS TIME. AFTER EVERYONE HAS EATEN,
THE WOMEN ARE LEFT ALONE TO PERFORM THE CLEANING.
THE MEN RETIRE TO ANOTHER LOCATION TO DISCUSS THE NEW YEAR.
AFTER CLEANING THE COOKING UTENSILS AND YARD,
THE WOMEN RETURN AND THE VILLAGE ELDERS
USUALLY PRAISE THE WOMEN FOR THE DELICIOUS MEAL
AND ENCOURAGES EVERYONE TO MAKE A WISH FOR THE NEW YEAR.
AFTER THE PRAISES AND SPEECH BY THE ELDERS,
WOMEN, MEN AND CHILDREN ALIKE ARE JOINED TOGETHER
FOR A FESTIVAL WHICH INCLUDES MUSIC AND DANCE.
AT THE END OF THE MUSIC WHICH USUALLY BRING THE HARVEST
TO AN END, A GRANDPARENT LEADS ALL IN PRAYERS FOR A SAFE
JOURNEY HOME.
THIS BRING A HAPPY AND MEMORABLE CELEBRATION TO AN END.
Submitter comment:
THE CELEBRATION IS HELD DURING THE MONTH OF JANUARY.
WE PARTICIPATE IN THIS FESTIVAL ANNUALLY.
Where learned: LIBERIA ; BONG COUNTY
James Callow Keyword(s): IT IS ALSO SEXES ; SEPARATION OF THE SEXES ; SEXISM
Date learned: 00-00-1968
EASTER MONDAY IN LIBERIA
EASTER MONDAY IS CELEBRATED AS A HOLIDAY IN MONROVIA. SCHOOLS
ARE CLOSED AND MANY GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE BUILDINGS ARE ALSO CLOSED
EASTER MONDAY USUALLY FALLS ON THE SAME MONDAY AS THAT OF THE
UNITED STATES AND OTHER CHRISTIAN NATIONS AROUND
THE WORLD. THE ONLY BIG DIFFERENCE IS THE TIME. THERE IS A FIVE
HOUR TIME DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NEW YORK AND MONROVIA. THEREFORE,
WHEN EASTER CELEBRATION IS BEING HELD IN MONROVIA, PEOPLE ARE
ASLEEP HERE. AFTER FIVE HOURS OF CELEBRATIONS IN MONROVIA
PEOPLE ARE GETTING OUT OF BED HERE IN THE UNITED STATES. THE
CHRISTIANS IN MONROVIA CELEBRATE EASTER MONDAY BECAUSE THEY
BELIEVE THAT IT WAS AFTER THE SUNDAY THAT JESUS CHRIST THE LORD
ROSE FROM THE DEAD. THE SCHOOLS ARE THE MOST ATTRACTIVE PLACE
OF CELEBRATION. ON EASTER MONDAY, STUDENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO WITNESS
A GAME BETWEEN RIVAL SCHOOLMATES. THE RIVAL SCHOOLMATES CONSISTS
OF MALES AND FEMALES. THE GAME TO BE WITNESSED IS CALLED THE
TUG-OF-WAR. THERE ARE THREE PLAYERS ON THE FEMALE TEAM AND
THE NUMBER IS UNEVEN BECAUSE MEN ARE SUPPOSED TO BE PHYSICALLY
STRONGER THAN WOMEN. THIS DOES NOT ALWAYS HOLD TRUE FOR THE MEN AS
THE WOMEN USUALLY WIN THE GAME. THE WOMEN USUALLY GO THROUGH
DIFFERENT FORMS OF EXERCISES SUCH AS KARATE, WRESTLING, JOGGING
AND MUSCLE PULLING FOR ABOUT SIX MONTHS DAILY PRIOR TO THE GAME.
THESE EXERCISES AID THE FEMALES IN THEIR STRUGGLE TO PROVE TO
THE MEN THAT IT MAY OR MAY NOT BE TRUE THAT MEN ARE SUPERIOR
TO THE WOMEN; WHAT IS DEFINITELY CERTAIN IS THAT TRADITIONALLY,
IN THE SIGHT OF GOD ALL IS EQUAL. THIS IS TRUE BECAUSE THE FEMALES
USUALLY WORK HARD TO PROVE THIS POINT. THE FEMALE CONTESTANTS
ARE VERY LARGE WOMEN ALSO. ABOUT SIX FEET TALL. A WOMAN OF PETITE
BUILD WILL NOT BE ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE. THE SIZE AND HEIGHT
ARE PRESENTED TO THE SPECTATORS TO SHOW THAT WOMEN SHOULD
NOT BE TAKEN FOR GRANTED. WHENEVER THE MALES LOSE THE GAME IT
IS AND CAUSES LOT OF HUMILIATIONS FOR THEM UNTIL THE FOLLOWING
YEAR. ON THE FOLLOWING YEAR, ABOUT TWO DAYS BEFORE GOOD FRIDAY,
A REMATCH IS SCHEDULED. AT THIS TIME INSTEAD OF THE GAME
THEY THEN GET INVOLVED INTO A SPELLING CONTEST. THE WINNER OF
THE CONTEST IS THEN AWARDED WITH A CHECK OF 50 DOLLARS FROM
HIS SCHOOL AND THE FEMALE'S SCHOOL. THE MALES ARE ALSO
INTRODUCED TO A CRASH COURSE CALLED LEARNING AWARENESS.
THE CRASH COURSE IS SIMPLY AN EDUCATIONAL COURSE TO PROVE TO
THE MALE STUDENTS THAT MEN ARE NOT SUPERIOR TO FEMALES
INTELLECTUALLY. THE SUBJECT OF EASTER MONDAY FITS WELL INTO
THE REALM OF FOLKLORE, ESPECIALLY FROM THE STANDPOINT OF
CUSTOM. IT ALSO FITS WELL BECAUSE IT IS STILL PRACTICED TODAY
AND MANY MEN STILL FEEL THAT THEY ARE SUPERIOR TO WOMEN BY
PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES AND INTELLIGENCE.
Submitter comment: THE SPELLING CONTEST IS USUALLY HELD TWO DAYS PRIOR TO GOOD FRIDAY.
Where learned: LIBERIA ; MONROVIA
James Callow Keyword(s): SEPARATION OF THE SEXES ; SEXISM
Date learned: 00-00-1968
FLEMISH PROVERB
IN THE DARKNESS, ALL KITTENS LOOK ALIKE.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS GIVEN TO ME WHEN HE WAS VISITING DETROIT, MICHIGAN FROM
BELGIUM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ALLITERATION ; CAT ; OBSERVATION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mammal PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 11-01-1967
WEATHER RHYME
IN THE MORNING MOUNTAINS,
IN THE EVENING FOUNTAINS.
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): ALLITERATION ; CONTRAST ; ELLIPSIS ; FEMININE RHYME ; OBSERVATION PREDICTION ; PARALLELISM
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb |
Date learned: 09-07-1969
RAH, RAH, REE,
KICK HIM IN THE KNEE;
RAH, RAH, RASS,
KICK HIM IN THE...
Submitter comment:
WHEN ASKED BY THE INSTRUCTOR IF THIS ITEM WAS A CHEER, THE COLLECTOR
SAID IT WAS.
Data entry tech comment:
I LEARNED A VARIANT OF THIS CHEER AT ST. ELIZABETH'S GRADE SCHOOL IN
DETROIT IN THE LATE 1960'S:
RAH RAH REE
KICK 'EM IN THE KNEE;
RAH RAH RASS
KICK 'EM IN THE...OTHER KNEE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ALLITERATION ; ELLIPSIS ; HUMOR ; NONSENSE WORDS ; REPETITION ; SPORTS ; SURPRISE ENDING
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Custom Festival Custom Festival |
Date learned: 11-20-1968
THE BROLGA
THE BROLGA OR AUSTRALIAN CRANE
HOLDS DANCING ORGIES ON THE PLAIN;
AND STUDENTS OF THE RUSSIAN BALLET
HAVE CREPT IN CROWDS ACROSS THE MALLEE
FAR BEYOND THE DESERT GRASSES
TO WHERE THE BROLGA HOLDS ITS CLASSES;
AND MANY A MOTIF FOR THE LEG
HAS EMANATED FROM AN EGG.
BUT CERTAIN PURISTS DO NOT CARE
FOR SUCH TECHNIQUE AND PRUDES DECLARE
SPECIFIC MOVEMENTS OF THE BROLGA
UNACADEMIC, IF NOT VOLGA.
Where learned: AUSTRALIA ; TOORAK ; VICTORIA
Keyword(s): ALLITERATION ; ASSONANCE ; DANCE ; HUMOR ; MONOLOGUE ; PRONUNCIATION ; RHYME: AABB
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Prose Narrative C820.444 |
THE MARSUPIAL MOLE
LIKE MILTON, THE MARSUPIAL MOLE
PURSUES HIS OWN UNWORLDLY GOAL.
SIGHTLESS HE SLEEPS WITHIN THE EARTH
REMOVED FROM MADNESS AND FROM MIRTH.
AS DAYS AND NIGHTS AND SEASONS PASS
OVER THE CHANGING DESERT GRASS
HE FLOATS UPON HIS SECRET STREAMS
OF MARVELLOUS MARSUPIAL DREAMS,
AND MIXES WITH CELESTIAL BREEDS
MORE SUITED TO HIS AIMS AND NEEDS--
CONSORTING WITH (UPON THE WHOLE)
A BETTER TYPE OF LADY MOLE.
Where learned: AUSTRALIA ; TOORAK ; VICTORIA
Keyword(s): ALLITERATION ; HUMOR ; MONOLOGUE ; RHYME: AABB
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Prose Narrative C820.44I |
Date learned: CA10001968
Entry filtered.
THE DOVES
OUTSIDE MY WINDOW PANE
THE DOVES ARE MATING ONCE AGAIN
THEY BOW, THEY BILL, THEY FLAP, THEY FLUTTER
FROM ROOF TO RAIL, FROM GATE TO GUTTER.
THEY PECK AND PREEN AND SCRATCH AND SCATTER,
MAKING THE MOST INFERNAL CHATTER--
A COURSE OF CONDUCT OPPORTUNE,
NO DOUBT, TO SUCH A MONTH AS JUNE.
AND YET, I MUST CONFESS I FIND
SUCH BEDLAM (TO THE TEMPERATE MIND),
WHEN EMPHASISED WITHOUT ABATEMENT,
MERELY BECOMES AN OVER-STATEMENT.
Where learned: AUSTRALIA ; TOORAK ; VICTORIA
Keyword(s): ALLITERATION ; HUMOR ; MONOLOGUE ; ONOMATOPAEIA ; PHONETIC INTENSIVE: FLAP, FLUTTER ; RHYME: AABB
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Prose Narrative C820.444 |
Date learned: CA10001968