Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for ANIMAL returned 508 results.
ELEPHANT JOKE
WHAT WAS THE ELEPHANT DOING ON THE HIGHWAY?
OH, ABOUT TEN MILES AN HOUR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ANIMALS: ELEPHANTS ; RIDDLE JOKE: ELEPHANT JOKE
James Callow Keyword(s): PUN ON DOING
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 09-00-1968
RIDDLE
HOW DO YOU STUFF A CIGARETTE BOX WITH AN ELEPHANT?
ANSWER: FIRST TAKE OUT ALL THE CAMELS.
Data entry tech comment: CAMEL IS A BRAND NAME OF A CIGARETTE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMAL
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 00-00-1965
FEAST OF ST. GEORGE-APRIL 23 BYZANTINE RITE
THE USUAL PICTURE OF ST. GEORGE HAS HIM PICTURED ON A
HORSE, WITH A SPEAR IN HIS HAND. HE IS KILLING A DRAGON
WHICH IS SYMBOLIC OF PAGANISM. THE DEW OF THE FEAST DAY
IS CONSIDERED MIRACULOUS AND IF GATHERED BEFORE SUNRISE,
IT SHOULD HEAL ANY DISEASE OF THE EYES. ANOTHER COMMON
EVENT FOR THE DAY IS A PROCESSION AROUND THE FIELD WITH
RELIGIOUS SERVICES. THE PRAYERS ARE PETITIONS FOR A GOOD
HARVEST. ALSO ON THIS DAY, YOUNG GIRLS TRY TO PREDICT THEIR
MARRIAGE DATE. THEY ASK THE CUCKOO HOW LONG BEFORE THEY WILL
MARRY. IF THE CUCKOO STOPS COOING AT THE END OF THE QUESTION
SHE WILL MARRY BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR. IF IT BEGINS
COOING, THE NUMBER OF TIMES IT SINGS WILL BE THE NUMBER OF
YEARS BEFORE HER MARRIAGE.
Submitter comment:
SOME OF THESE CUSTOMS ARE BEGINNING TO DIMINISH IN THE
UNITED STATES.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; ROCHESTER
Keyword(s): ANIMALS
| Subject headings: | Observation Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- April 23 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Typical Elements of a Festive Pattern BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Measure of time Year BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour BELIEF -- Prayer BELIEF -- Number Counting beliefs BELIEF -- Remedy BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 00001950S
CZECHOSLOVAKIAN CHRISTMAS EVE CUSTOM
SMALL BUNS ARE BAKED FOR THE HOLY SUPPER. BEFORE THE
SUPPER BEGINS, THE HEAD OF THE FAMILY AND SOME MEMBERS OF
THE FAMILY, GO TO THE BARN. THEY GIVE A SMALL BUN TO EACH
OF THE ANIMALS. THEY BELIEVE THE ANIMALS ARE SPECIAL SINCE
THEY WERE THE ONLY ONES PRESENT WITH THE HOLY FAMILY ON
THAT FIRST CHRISTMAS NIGHT. THE FAMILY RETURNS TO THE
HOUSE AND THEIR HOLY SUPPER BEGINS. THEY ALSO PARTAKE OF
THE SMALL BUNS. THE BREAD COMMEMORATES THE CHRIST CHILD
WHO IS THE BREAD OF LIFE.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; SLOATSBURG
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals |
Date learned: 00001980S
GHOST STORY
"ONE NIGHT WHEN I SPENT THE NIGHT AT MY BOYFRIEND'S HOUSE, I KEPT
HEARING STRANGE CAT NOISES. I WAS TOO AFRAID TO GET UP AND LOOK
TO SEE WHERE THE NOISES WERE COMING FROM AND I DIDN'T WANT TO WAKE
UP MIKE, SO I WENT BACK TO SLEEP. IN THE MORNING I ASKED MIKE IF
ANY OF HIS NEIGHBORS HAD A CAT; HE SAID NO. HE SAID THAT HE USED
TO HAVE A CAT THOUGH AND THAT IT HAD DIED. HE SAID THAT IT
PROBABLY CAME BACK TO VISIT HIM."
Submitter comment: INFORMANT SAID THAT HER BOYFRIEND FIRMLY BELIEVED THIS.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; ROCHESTER
Keyword(s): ANIMAL GHOST ; CAT GHOST
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal |
Date learned: 00001979CA
Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.
WHENEVER MY MOTHER CAUGHT US TELLING A LIE SHE WOULD
SAY TO US "I'VE HEARD GEESE FART BEFORE."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
Keyword(s): ANIMALS
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
WHATEVER YOU DO YOU SHOULD NEVER HARM ANOTHER
PERSONS ANIMAL. PEOPLE HAVE STRONG BONDS WITH
THEIR ANIMALS, SOME PEOPLE WILL EVEN KILL YOU
ABOUT THEIR ANIMALS. I KNOW THIS TO BE TRUE
BECAUSE MY MOTHER TOLD ME ABOUT A WOMAN AND THE
LOVE SHE HAD FOR HER HORSE. WELL, THIS WOMAN HAD
HER HORSE TEN YEARS BEFORE SHE TOOK A HUSBAND. THAT
OLE HORSE WAS REALLY MEAN. TIME CAME WHEN THAT HORSE
KICKED THAT WOMAN'S HUSBAND, SO THE HUSBAND SHOT THE
HORSE. WELL, THAT WOMAN DIDN'T TAKE THE DEATH OF HER
HORSE EASY. AFTER SHE FOUND OUT WHAT HER HUSBAND DID
SHE TOOK A PIECE OF LOG AND CRACKED HER HUSBAND'S SKULL
AND HE DIED. THERE IS A LESSON TO BE LEARNED, NEVER
HARM ANYONE'S ANIMAL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): CRUELTY TOWARD ANIMALS ; THERIONICIDE HOMICIDE
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Animal BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00-00-1985
IF YOU BRING A STRAY DOG INTO YOUR HOUSE AND FEED IT,
SOMEONE IN YOUR FAMILY WILL GET LOST SOON. "MY AUNT
TOLD ME THIS. SHE BELIEVES THIS BECAUSE IT HAPPENED
TO HER FRIEND."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
James Callow Keyword(s): KINDNESS TO ANIMALS ; POST HOC
| Subject headings: | Observation Favorites BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 10-00-1985 ; 00-00-1979
AT PARTIES, ESPECIALLY THE ONES THAT HAVE ALCOHOLIC
BEVERAGES SERVED, I NOTICED THAT WHEN A PERSON GETS
SLIGHTLY TIPSY, HE WILL PICK UP A CAT (IF THERE IS ONE
AROUND), AND START SWINGING IT BY THE TAIL. MOST OF
THE TIMES, THE PERSON SWINGING THE CAT WILL HOP UP ON
A PIECE OF FURNITURE, SUCH AS A TABLE, CHAIR, OR COUCH,
JUST TO SHOW OFF WHAT HE IS DOING.
Submitter comment:
AT A GRADUATION PARTY, MY FRIEND BEGAN SWINGING HIS
CAT BY THE TAIL, AND A FEW SECONDS LATER WAS HOLDING
ONLY THE TAIL. I TOLD THIS EVENT TO SEVERAL PEOPLE
AND FOUND OUT THE ABOVE ITEM. NEEDLESS TO SAY, MY
FRIEND'S CAT STILL DOESN'T LIKE HIM, AND PROBABLY
NEVER WILL.
ONE THING THAT I NOTICED DIFFERENT BETWEEN THIS
INCIDENT AND THE ITEM WAS THAT MOST OF THE TIME WHEN OTHER
PEOPLE WERE SWINGING THEIR CATS BY THE TAILS, THE CATS STAYED
ATTACHED TO THEIR TAILS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE ; DETROIT ; ROSEVILLE
Keyword(s): ANIMAL TORTURE ; EXPRESSING HAPPINESS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Every old crow
Thinks its baby white as snow.
Submitter comment:
This proverb was told to Maryann by her Italian father,
as a way of dismissing praise given to children by
their own parents.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; SKOKIE
Keyword(s): sarcasm, humor, parental pride
James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMAL METAPHOR ; BIRD ; COLOR
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 00001960S
THE PREACHER AND THE PARROT
A LADY BOUGHT A PARROT AT A PET SHOP. SHE TOOK
THE PARROT PAST A CONSTRUCTION BUILDING AND THE
PARROT HEARD ONE MAN SAY TO ANOTHER, "BRING'M UP,
BRING'M UP." THE NEXT DAY THE LADY TOOK THE
PARROT PAST A BUTCHER SHOP. THE PARROT HEARD THE
BUTCHER SAY "BALONEY, BALONEY." THE NEXT DAY THE
PARROT WENT TO THE CARNIVAL. THE PARROT HEARD A MAN
SAY "HIT A BLACK ONE, WIN A PRIZE." ON SUNDAY
THE LADY TOOK THE PARROT TO CHURCH. THE PREACHER
SAID, "THE DEVIL IS IN HELL." THE PARROT SAID
"BRING'M UP, BRING'M UP." THEN THE PREACHER SAID,
"GOD IS GREAT." THE PARROT SAID, "BALONEY,
BALONEY." SO THE PREACHER THROWS THE BIBLE AT THE PARROT
AND HITS A BLACK MAN BY MISTAKE. THE PARROT SAID,
"HIT A BLACK ONE, WIN A PRIZE, HIT A BLACK ONE, WIN
A PRIZE."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TAYLOR
James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMAL
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 00001980'S
Japanese custom
"Even monkeys fall from trees" means "Even smart people make
mistakes".
Where learned: JAPAN
Keyword(s): ANIMALS
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 00-00-1925
Michelle's grandpa used to tell her mom when she couldn't fall
asleep as a young child that her stuffed animals got very
angry because at the stroke of midnight they came out to play.
In the morning, the animals were spread out all over the floor
so the child believed the story.
Submitter comment:
Michelle said her mom used to use the same one on her and she
believed it and fell asleep.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): Stuffed animals
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour |
ONCE THERE WERE TWO COYOTES. ONE WAS FROM MONTANA
AND THE OTHER WAS FROM NORTH DAKOTA. ONE DAY THE
NORTH DAKOTA COYOTE GOT HIS PAW CAUGHT IN A
TRAP. THE MONTANA COYOTE HAPPENED TO BE WANDERING
BY, SO THE NORTH DAKOTA COYOTE ASKED THE
MONTANA COYOTE HOW TO GET OUT OF THE TRAP.
THE MONTANA COYOTE REPLIED, "YOU WILL HAVE TO
CHEW OFF YOUR PAW," AND THEN WENT ABOUT HIS
BUSINESS. A FEW DAYS LATER THE MONTANA COYOTE
HAPPENED TO BE PASSING BY THE SAME SPOT AND
SAW THE NORTH DAKOTA COYOTE STILL CAUGHT IN THE
TRAP. HE ASKED THE NORTH DAKOTA COYOTE WHY HE
HAD NOT ESCAPED. THE NORTH DAKOTA COYOTE
REPLIED, "I HAVE CHEWED OFF THREE OF MY PAWS
AND I STILL CANNOT GET OUT OF THIS TRAP!"
Submitter comment:
IN MONTANA THE BRUNT OF MOST JOKES ARE PEOPLE
FROM NORTH DAKOTA. NORTH DAKOTANS ARE THE
"POLLACKS" OF THE NORTHWEST.
Where learned: MONTANA ; FROMBERG
James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMALS
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote PROSE NARRATIVE -- Stupid man or woman Food Drink -- NORT |
Date learned: 01-00-1980
CONGESTION CURE 2
PIZZLE GREASE, WHICH IS MADE FROM THE MALE ORGANS OF A
HOG COOKED DOWN INTO GREASE AND THEN THE ORGANS STRAINED
FROM THE GREASE, WAS BOTTLED AND SOLD AS A CURE FOR A BAD
COLD AND PNEUMONIA.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; MARTIN
James Callow Keyword(s): PIZZLE=ANIMAL PENIS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Remedy BELIEF -- Animal |
Date learned: 00001940CA
DIET
DOWN SOUTH PEOPLE USE TO EAT A DISH CALLED LIVER AND LITES.
THIS WAS A DISH THAT CONSISTED OF LIVER AND THE LUNGS OF SOME
ANIMAL. ANOTHER DISH THAT USE TO BE EATEN WAS CALVES BRAINS,
WITH A SIDE DISH OF HOT BISCUITS AND GRAVY.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; MARTIN
James Callow Keyword(s): CALVES' BRAINS ; LIGHTS=AN ANIMALS LUNGS
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Food Food Drink -- Kind of Food and Its Preparation Food Drink -- Meat |
Date learned: 00001947CA
DR. SNIDER HEARD THE PHRASE:
"DON'T WORRY ABOUT THE MULE GOING BLIND,
HIT HIM IN THE HEAD WITH A LOADED LINE."
A FEW TIMES WHILE GROWING UP. HE DOESN'T REMEMBER
WHY HE HEARD IT, BUT HE REMEMBERS THINKING IT WAS A SLAVE
CONCEPT ABOUT BEATING PEOPLE INTO SUBMISSION.
Submitter comment:
AFTER TELLING THIS TO ME, DR. SNIDER EXPLAINED
THAT HIS FAMILY NEVER OWNED SLAVES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WEST BLOOMFIELD
James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMAL ; WHIPPING
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535 BELIEF -- Mammal PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 09-12-1990
Putting tabasco sauce on bread and feeding it to ducks can
put a curse on you. And soon something degrading will
happen to you.
Submitter comment:
I learned of this story back in grade school when the
teacher scolded some of my friends for going to the pond
and feeding the ducks with bread soaked in tabasco sauce.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WEST BLOOMFIELD
Keyword(s): tabasco, hot, spicy.
James Callow Keyword(s): CRUELTY TO ANIMALS ; FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Animal BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Curse |
Date learned: 00-00-1983
WHILE SITTING ON A HAY BALE AT THE 1989 MICHIGAN
RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL, A FRIEND AND I OVERHEARD A YOUNG BOY CALL
ANOTHER BOY A "FROGHEAD." CONTEXT: "WAIT UP, YOU FROGHEAD!"
BOTH OF US ENJOYED THE NAME SO MUCH THAT WE SPREAD IT TO OUR
FRIENDS. MY FRIENDS AND I STILL USE THE EXPRESSION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Holly
Keyword(s): FROG
James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMAL NAME FOR HUMAN
| Subject headings: | Person / Nickname |
"Once a dog from a meat market stole a piece of meat and began to
run. On the road, he encountered a small bridge. As he looked down
into the water he saw a larger piece of meat. (Unknown to him, it was
just a reflection of the meat he had in his mouth.) As he opened his
mouth to grab the 'larger piece of meat,' he lost the piece he had.
Moral: Whoever wants more than he or she has loses the little he or
she does have."
Submitter comment: The moral loses much in the translation.
Where learned: GREECE
James Callow Keyword(s): animal fable
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal Tale |
Date learned: 00001950CA