Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for B returned 4320 results.
Toast
Here's to the ones who say they will,
Here's to the ones who say they won't
And here's to the ones who say they will but
When you get them alone they don't.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN
Keyword(s): Boys ; DATING ; DRINKING ; Girls ; Innuendo ; Social ; TOAST
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Speech Speech SPEECH -- Formula |
Entry filtered.
Toast
Verse With Drink:
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust,
If you drink good booze, Your pipes won't rust.
Submitter comment:
I heard this as a toast before drinking.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original Title read [Verse Without Music]. Crossed out and replaced with current title.
Original BN [C700; N400; C700] crossed out. Replaced with current classifications.
Keyword(s): Booze ; DRINKING ; Pipes ; Rust ; Social ; TOAST
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Speech Speech SPEECH -- Formula |
Toast
Down the hatch/ Past the tongue./ Watch out belly/ Here it comes!
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ANATOMY ; BELLY ; DRINKING ; Social ; TOAST ; TONGUE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Speech Speech SPEECH -- Formula |
Toast
May I never be above you / May I never be beneath you / May I always be on the level with you.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): Above ; Beneath ; DRINKING ; Level ; Relation ; Social ; TOAST
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Speech Speech SPEECH -- Formula |
Retort
When someone tells you his accomplishments in some particular event, a common retort is to say "What do you want me to do, pin a rose on your nose?"
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Grammatical corrections.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Keyword(s): Accomplishment ; COMEBACK ; NOSE ; Prize ; RETORT ; Rose ; Win
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Toast
Are you making food for thrashers?
Submitter comment:
This question is usually directed toward the woman of the house who is preparing a large dinner.
Informant's Comment: An Indian custom at thrashing-time is for all the farmers to meet at one farm to help thrash the wheat. The women prepare the noon meal for the thrashers. In the same sense "making food for thrashers" implies a large amount or an overabundance.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [V400] is crossed out. Replaced with current classification.
Where learned: WASHINGTON DC
Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; FARMING ; FOOD ; RETORT ; Thrashers ; Wheat
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Retort
Lebanese expression "Ya Adrah" which translated means "Mother of God, Help"
Submitter comment:
Is often (frequently) used when someone slips or barely misses hurting themselves.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Grammatical corrections.
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; ETHNIC ; God ; Help ; Lebanese ; MOTHER ; RETORT
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Retort
Old saying for Italians when they are astonished is "Mama Mia."
It means "My Mother."
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [S550] crossed out. Replaced with current classification.
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; ETHNIC ; Italian ; RETORT ; Saying
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Retort
If someone is giving you a made up excuse and they are doing a poor job of pulling the wool over your eyes then merely say:
Tell it to Murphy, McCarthy already heard it.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [V600] crossed out. Replaced with current classification.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; EXCUSE ; McCarthy ; Murphy ; RETORT ; Wool
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Retort
Get a Horse!
-Said to anyone driving too slow.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE ; HORSE ; RETORT ; SPEED ; Tease
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Retort
Question - Who was your servant last year?
Answer - No one...that's why I have you!
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
The words [Smart Aleck Saying] are crossed out from the top of the card.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; RETORT ; Servant ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Retort
"Please help me out..."
"Sure, Which way did you come in?"
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
The words [Smart Aleck Saying] are crossed out on the top of the submission card.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Retort
"You couldn't hit the broad side of a barn."
Submitter comment:
We would say this to someone who had poor aim.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; INSULT ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Retort
Oh, you have more troubles (or anything could be substituted for troubles...excuses, pains, etc.) than Carter has Little Liver Pills.
Submitter comment:
This informant would use this quip when belittling the complaints of her children.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; INSULT ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Retort
God paid you back...
Submitter comment:
If, when you were teasing her, and you would hurt yourself, the informant would say this.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Callow has written some clarifying remarks on the card for grammatical purposes. example: Teasing Who? The Informant?
Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; INSULT ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Retort
Holy Toledo!
Submitter comment:
A short statement said when amazed.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [S586] crossed out. Replaced with current classification
Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; INSULT ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; Toledo ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Retort
Two retorts to the "Age Before Beauty" line are:
"Only in the dictionary" or,
"But Beauty was a HORSE."
Submitter comment:
These are lines frequently used in grade school.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
The word Smart is crossed out from the title.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): AGE ; BEAUTY ; COMEBACK ; Dictionary ; HORSE ; INSULT ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Retort
Off the Cob.
Submitter comment:
A remark made after someone has expressed an inept idea or an idea lacking in social sophistication.
Informant heard this in Detroit, Michigan.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
Keyword(s): Cob ; COMEBACK ; INSULT ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |