Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for B returned 4320 results.
Retort
Person asks a question. You answer:
"What's it to you? You writing a book?"
If the person says "Yes," you say:
"Well, leave this chapter a mystery!"
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BOOK ; Chapter ; COMEBACK ; INSULT ; Mystery ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Retort
Your teeth are like stars. They come out at night.
Submitter comment:
This is a sarcastic retort used when a person has had a sarcastic remark directed towards them.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; INSULT ; Night ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; STARS ; TEETH ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Retort
You are so dumb that you could screw up a one-car funeral.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Just the hearse?
Keyword(s): Car ; COMEBACK ; Dumb ; Funeral ; INSULT ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Retort
You're outstanding in your field, and that's where you should be - out standing in your field.
Submitter comment:
This is a sarcastic retort used when a person has had a sarcastic remark directed towards them.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Taunt in Prose
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; INSULT ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Retort
Who do you think you are, anyhow?
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
The original title [Wellerism] has been crossed out.
Why not S570? Retort? Yes.
Original BN [V500] crossed out. replaced with current classification.
Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; INSULT ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Retort
You should be on the stage, it's leaving in ten minutes.
Submitter comment:
This is a sarcastic retort used when a person has had a sarcastic remark directed towards them.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original Title [Taunt in Prose] crossed out. Replaced with current title.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; INSULT ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Retort
Shut up? I wasn't shut up, I was brought up, and when I think of you I throw up.
Submitter comment:
Collected upon hearing the informant answer someone who told him to shut up.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; INSULT ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Retort
He thinks he's sharp just because his head comes to a point.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [Z210] crossed out replaced with current classifications.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; INSULT ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Retort
Did your mother have any children that lived?
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Sense?
Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; INSULT ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Retort
You think you're funny but your face beat you to it.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Put-Down? Taunt?
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; Funny ; HUMOR ; INSULT ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Retort
"I doubt it"
Submitter comment:
A phrase used by high school students in reply to any question asked of them, particularly when a yes or no answer was involved mostly favoring the affirmative.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
A large question mark is written next to the collector's comment
Where learned: CALIFORNIA ; LOS ANGELES
Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; Doubt ; INSULT ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Proverb
Don't look a gift horse in the mouth.
Submitter comment:
Informant heard this in Detroit, MI
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
The question [Proves what?] is written next to the collector comment.
Original BN [S570] crossed out. Replaced with current classifications.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
Keyword(s): Appreciation ; COMEBACK ; Generous ; GIFT ; Grateful ; Greedy ; HORSE ; Mouth ; PROVERB ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; TEETH ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Retort
Does your face hurt? No? Well, it's killing me!
Submitter comment:
Heard it from a friend
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
The original title [Jokes] has been crossed out. Replaced wtih current title.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; FACE ; Hurt ; INSULT ; Kill ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Retort
When someone says "Go to Hell!"
Retort: "I've been there but I got kicked out for peddling water."
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; HELL ; INSULT ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; WATER ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Retort
Don't soft soap me.
Submitter comment:
Heard by informant in Detroit, MI
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; INSULT ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; Soap ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Retort
...Says the pretty little bird on Nellie's hat.
(Variant of "Who are you kidding?")
Submitter comment:
Informant heard this often from Nellie Gaffney, a friend of informant's Irish grandmother, Rose Brady.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
Keyword(s): BIRD ; COMEBACK ; DISBELIEF ; Hat ; INSULT ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Retort
You're as handy as a screen door in a submarine.
Submitter comment:
Learned from classmate at school
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: OHIO ; WASHINGTON ; WASHINGTON COURT HOUSE
Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; INSULT ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; Screen ; Submarine ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
PROVERBIAL METAPHOR
YOU'RE LIKE A MILLION DOLLARS; GREEN AND WRINKLED.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Similar entries may be listed as Retort.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): Bucks ; COLOR ; COMEBACK ; Dollars ; Green ; INSULT ; Million ; MONEY ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; SIMILE ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: 09-30-1967
Retort
You're like a million bucks - all green and wrinkled.
Submitter comment:
Learned this from my brother, Brett Gundlach (informant quote)
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Source? Total Effect?
Where learned: OHIO ; WASHINGTON ; WASHINGTON COURT HOUSE
Keyword(s): Bucks ; COLOR ; COMEBACK ; Dollars ; Green ; INSULT ; Million ; MONEY ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; SIMILE ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Retort
You spot a victim and wiat until someone passes your victim in the hall or down the street, then run up to your victim and mumble, "Boy did SHE give you a dirty look!"
Your victim naturally questions, "Who??" and you retort, "Mother Nature."
Submitter comment:
This was a favorite of the nasty boys in grade school.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): Attractive ; COMEBACK ; Homely ; INSULT ; Looks ; Mother Nature ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |