Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for Son returned 500 results.
PROVERBIAL APOTHEGM
LET GEORGE DO IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): PERSONAL NAME USED IN PROVERB
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 10-02-1968
MY EYES ARE BIGGER THAN MY STOMACH.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN BY COLLECTOR
James Callow Keyword(s): APPETITE ; COMPARISON ; EATING ; METONYMY
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN BY COLLECTOR
MONEY DOESN'T CARE WHO HAS IT.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN BY COLLECTOR
James Callow Keyword(s): PATHETIC FALLACY ; PERSONIFICATION ; WEALTH
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN BY COLLECTOR
A POLISH PROVERB
A MIRACLE HAPPENED ONCE WHEN THE OLD MAN SPOKE TO THE PORTRAIT,
AND THE PORTRAIT SAID NOTHING.
TRANSLATION OF:
STAT SIE CUD PEWNEGO RAZU,
PRZEMOWIT DZIAD DO ABRAZU,
A OBRAZ DO NIEGO NIC.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A POPULAR SAYING WHEN ONE TALKS AND IS NOT HEARD.
MY FATHER OFTEN USES THIS. HE KNOWS IT FROM POLAND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
James Callow Keyword(s): REBUKE TO INATTENTIVE PERSON
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 11-17-1967
POLISH PROVERB
MARTIN WAS TEACHING LITTLE MARTIN, BUT HE HIMSELF
WAS AS STUPID AS A PIG.
TRANSLATION OF:
ULCZYT MARCIN MARCINN, A PAM GTUPI JAK S'IVINIA.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS USED IN REFERENCE TO SOMEONE WHO TRIES TO IMPRESS OTHERS
WITH SOMETHING HE KNOWS LITTLE ABOUT.
MY GRANDMOTHER KNOWS IT FROM POLAND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN ; POLAND
James Callow Keyword(s): OBSERVANCE ; PERSONAL NAME
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Blason Populaire |
Date learned: 11-21-1967
FIGURE OF SPEECH
MARY SLOAN IS NOT THE BIGGEST CATFISH IN MY SEA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; DETROIT ZOO
James Callow Keyword(s): METAPHOR ; PERSONAL NAME
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase |
Date learned: 08-20-1967
SAYING
MAKE SOMEONE HAPPY TODAY... EVEN IF IT'S YOURSELF.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; CAR SIGN
James Callow Keyword(s): SONG TITLE: MAKE SOMEONE HAPPY
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 00-00-1968
STATEMENT MADE DESCRIBING THE DEGREE OF ANGER
MAD AS TUCK WAS WHEN SUE DIED.
Submitter comment:
WHY WAS HE MAD? BECAUSE SHE DIED AND LEFT HIM ALL OF THE COTTON
TO PICK.
James Callow Keyword(s): PERSONAL NAMES
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: 09-00-1968
PROVERB
LET WANT BE YOUR MASTER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): PERSONIFICATION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 08-01-1968
THE FACE
HIS FACE LOOKS LIKE THE SOUTH END (SIDE) OF A HORSE GOING NORTH.
Submitter comment:
YOU CAN USE THIS RETORT ANYTIME SOMEONE IS BRAGGING OR PUTTING
SOMEONE ELSE DOWN AND YOU WANT HIM TO KNOW HE HAS NOTHING TO TALK
ABOUT.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMAL COMPARISON ; EUPHEMISM FOR RUMP OF HORSE ; INSULT UGLINESS
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 02-25-1971
LOOKING IN CORNERS
WHEN SOME PERSON YOU KNOW IS CONSTANTLY SNOOPING AROUND YOU CAN SAY
"ONLY MONKEYS LOOK IN CORNERS."
WHEN YOU WRITE A LETTER OR A NOTE YOU CAN WRITE "ONLY MONKEYS LOOK
IN CORNERS."
Submitter comment:
THESE TWO GO TOGETHER BECAUSE OFTEN PEOPLE LOOK FOR MISTAKES IN
LETTERS THEY RECEIVE AND BY PUTTING THE PHRASE IN ONE OF THE CORNERS
YOU ARE SAYING THAT THE PERSON SHOULD ENJOY THE LETTER AND NOT LOOK
FOR MISTAKES. THIS IS A COMMON PRACTICE FOR THE INFORMANT.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
Keyword(s): ANIMAL COMPARISON
James Callow Keyword(s): PARA-RIME: BUY BE ; TREATING TO DRINKS
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 01-24-1971
RIDDLE
WHAT TIME IS IT IF FOUR MEN ARE SHOVELING SNOW AND
A POLICEMAN IS WATCHING?
-- WINTER TIME.
Keyword(s): SEASON
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
The Blacksmiths Son
Long ago in a small village there lived a blacksmith. Now although blacksmiths were poor, they were, nevertheless, held in respect because they were the strongest men in the village.
People used to go to the blacksmith for advice and help. This particular balcksmithhad one son, and the blacksmith wanted his son to be a blacksmith also. But the son was lazy and did not like to work. One day he told his father: "father, I have a very brilliant idea. I'm going to learn your trade in an easy way. Here's my plan: Put me in a large basket above yuor workshop and I will watch everything you do. And by watching you constantly, I will earn your trade."
So the son was put in the basket and watched his father fort several months. Then the son said to his father: "Father, I think I'm ready." And so the father gave the son tools, and a large piece of iron, and said to his son: "now son, what are you going to make?"
"Father," the son said, "I think I'll make a hammer."
"Son," the father said, "If you can make a hammer, you will be a better blacksmith than I, because it took me five years to learn how to make a hammer." And the son worked feverishly for several days but to no avail. So the son went to his father and said: "Father, I think I'll make a horseshoe instead."
The father said; "Son, if you can make a horseshoe, you will be a better blacksmith than I, because it took me three years to learn how to make a horseshoe." The son again went out, pounding and forming, but to no avail. He said to the fahter: "Father, I think I will make a nail instead of a horseshoe."
The fahter said: "Son, if you can make a nail, you will be a better blacksmith than I, because it took me two years to learn how to make a nail." The son worked for several hours, but to no avail. He said to his father: "Father, I will make something you never made. I will make a needle."
"Son," said the father, "if you make a needle, you will be a better blacksmith than I, for no smith has made a needle. " And so, the son worked and worked until finally there was nothing left. but he did not give up. He said: "Father, I will make something with no iron at all."
"Son, if you can make something without iron, it will indeed make you a great blacksmith," the father replied.
The son said: "Come watch, Father." He took a pair of tongs and heated them red hot, and suddenly plunged them into a barrel of water, and said: "Father, I did it. I made a pss."
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original Boggs Number [ B665] crossed out and B646 is written next to it.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALLEN PARK
Keyword(s): Blacksmith ; FAMILY ; Father ; Hammer ; HORSESHOE ; HUMOR ; IRON ; Learn ; Lesson ; Needle ; Outsmart ; Skill ; Son ; TRADE ; Wise ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Romantic Realistic |
Entry filtered.
Belief: Children's Song
Step on a Crack-break mother's back
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [P880] is crossed out. C860.740 replaces it.
The words Bad Luck are written across the top of the submission card, and subsequently crossed out.
Where learned: Myself
Keyword(s): Back ; BELIEF ; CHILDHOOD ; CHILDREN ; Crack ; GAME ; Line ; MOTHER ; RHYME ; SONG ; Spine ; SUPERSTITION ; VERSE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief |
Belief: Children's Song
DON'T STEP ON A CRACK OR YOU'LL BREAK YOUR MOTHER'S BACK.
Submitter comment:
IS AN OLD CHILDHOOD SAYING THAT THIS INFORMANT REMINDED ME OF.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated on 12-01-2010 / Motifs and Keywords added by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): Back ; BELIEF ; CHILDHOOD ; CHILDREN ; Crack ; GAME ; MOTHER ; RHYME ; SONG ; Spine ; SUPERSTITION ; VERSE
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: NEGATIVE
Date learned: 03-30-1968
Belief: Children's Song
STEP ON A LINE,
BREAK YOUR FATHER'S SPINE.
STEP ON A CRACK,
BREAK YOUR MOTHER'S BACK.
STEP ON A HOLE,
BREAK YOUR MOTHER'S SUGAR BOWL.
Submitter comment:
CHILDREN SING THIS SONG WHILE WALKING TO SCHOOL.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated on 12-01-2010 / Motifs and Keywords added by TRD
Where learned: UNKNOWN
Keyword(s): Back ; BELIEF ; CHILDHOOD ; CHILDREN ; Crack ; Domestic ; GAME ; Hole ; Line ; MOTHER ; RHYME ; SONG ; Spine ; Sugar ; SUPERSTITION ; VERSE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 01-21-1968
Belief: Children's Song
STEP ON A CRACK, BREAK THE DEVIL'S BACK.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated on 12-01-2010 / Motifs and Keywords added by TRD
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): AA ; Back ; BELIEF ; CHILDHOOD ; CHILDREN ; Crack ; DEVIL ; GAME ; MOTHER ; RELIGION ; RHYME ; SONG ; Spine ; SUPERSTITION ; VERSE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief BELIEF -- Devil Demon |
Date learned: 11-19-1969
Belief: Children's Song
(1) DON'T STEP ON A CRACK OR YOU'LL BREAK YOUR MOTHER'S BACK.
(2) IF YOU STEP ON A LINE YOUR MOTHER DRINKS WINE.
Submitter comment:
MY BLACK NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOORS TOLD ME THESE TALES WHEN I WAS A KID.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated on 12-01-2010 / Motifs and Keywords added by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FRANKLIN VILLAGE
Keyword(s): ALCOHOL ; Back ; BELIEF ; CHILDHOOD ; CHILDREN ; Crack ; GAME ; Line ; MOTHER ; RHYME ; SONG ; Spine ; SUPERSTITION ; VERSE ; Wine
James Callow Keyword(s): NEGRO
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief |
Date learned: 00001960S
Belief: Children's Song
WHEN WALKING DOWN THE STREET SOME CHILDREN WILL CAREFULLY WATCH
WHERE THEY STEP AND SAY, "IF YOU STEP ON A CRACK YOUR MOTHER'S
GOT A BROKEN BACK, AND IF YOU STEP ON A LINE YOUR FATHER DRINKS
WINE.
Submitter comment:
I USED TO PLAY THIS GAME.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated on 12-01-2010 / Motifs and Keywords added by TRD
Keyword(s): ALCOHOL ; Back ; BELIEF ; CHILDHOOD ; CHILDREN ; Crack ; Father ; GAME ; Line ; MOTHER ; RHYME ; SONG ; Spine ; SUPERSTITION ; VERSE ; Wine
James Callow Keyword(s): COUNTING
Date learned: 00001958-00001966