Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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JUST PLANT A WATERMELON ON MY GRAVE
AND LET THE JUICE SLIP THROUGH.
JUST PLANT A WATERMELON ON MY GRAVE
THAT'S ALL I ASK OF YOU!
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: OHIO ; TROTWOOD
Keyword(s): CHILDREN ; Children's Song ; Grave ; Juice ; RHYME ; Watermelon
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children |
Date learned: 04-00-1972
Custom
You should never say "good luck" to an actor or actress on opening night - you always say "break a leg"
Data entry tech comment:
Entered by TRD
Keyword(s): Actor ; ACTRESS ; Break a Leg ; CUSTOM ; GOOD LUCK ; LUCK ; OMEN ; Opening Night ; Play ; Saying ; THEATER
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Trade & commerce |
Riddle - Question
Some months have thirty days some have thirty one. HOw many months have twenty eight?
Answer: all of them.
Data entry tech comment:
Entered by TRD
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
Keyword(s): CALENDAR ; Dates ; Month ; PUZZLE ; RIDDLE ; Trick Question
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
A LATE BATH
THIS IS TOLD TO YOUNG CHILDREN: IF YOU DON'T TAKE YOUR
BATH EARLY YOU WILL SEE THE WATER MOVING AROUND AS A GHOST IS
IN THE TUB.
Submitter comment:
TOLD BY GRANDMOTHER
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Keyword(s): CHILDREN ; FUNCTION ; GHOST ; KIDS ; THREAT ; WATER
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 10-00-1967
SIGNS OF GHOSTS
GHOSTS CAN'T CROSS RUNNING WATER.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): GHOST ; SPIRIT ; SUPERSTITION ; Ward ; WATER
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 09-25-1969
SPIRTIUAL BELIEF
EVERYONE HAS THEIR OWN SPIRIT WHO WILL TALK TO HIM THROUGH
THE OUIJA BOARD.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Keyword(s): Communicate ; GAME ; GHOST ; Haunt ; Ouija ; SPIRIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 11-00-1968
LEGEND
IF YOU WERE A BAD BOY WHEN YOU WERE YOUNG AND YOUR PARENTS
COULDN'T CONTROL YOU THEY WOULD SEND YOU AWAY TO THIS OLD
MAN'S HOUSE WHERE HE WOULD BEAT YOU TO MAKE YOU LISTEN. YOUR
PARENTS COULD ALSO CALL HIM ON THE PHONE AND TELL HIM YOU WERE
BAD AND HE WOULD COME TO YOUR HOUSE IF YOUR PARENTS WANTED HIM.
HIS NAME WAS MR. SKEEZIX. TO GET YOU TO OBEY YOUR PARENTS WOULD
SAY: "DO YOU WANT ME TO CALL MR. SKEEZIX?"
THAT WAS ENOUGH TO MAKE YOU LISTEN.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS
Keyword(s): Behave ; Boogeyman ; CHILD ; CHILDREN ; Misbehaving ; Mr. Skeezix ; Parent ; Punish ; THREAT ; Threaten
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Instructions Directions |
Date learned: 11-12-1971
ORIGIN OF THE PEARLS OF THE PERSIAN GULF
TO THE ANCIENT PEOPLE OF IRAQ, THE RIVER TIGRIS REPRESENTED A
BEAUTIFUL GIRL WHO FELL IN LOVE WITH THE HANDSOME EUPHRATES.
THEIR FAMILIES OPPOSED THE MARRIAGE BUT THEY RAN AWAY FROM HOME
UNTIL THEY MET IN THE SOUTH OF IRAQ IN ONE WIDE RIVER.
WHEN THE TWO LOVERS MET THEY WEPT, AND THEIR HAPPINESS TEARS
ARE STILL PICKED UP BY DIVERS IN THE ARAB GULF AS BEAUTIFUL AND
PRECIOUS PEARLS.
Data entry tech comment:
THERE IS A DIAGRAM ON THE BACK OF THE 5X8 CARD.
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ETYMOLOGY ; Euphrates ; GEOGRAPHY ; Iraq ; Legend ; Lore ; Origin ; Pearls ; Persian Gulf ; Tigris
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Still water |
Date learned: 12-00-1965
LAKE BELIEF
ACCORDING TO LOCAL INDIAN BELIEF IN SYRACUSE NEW YORK, THE LAKE HAS
NO END AND JUST SINKS ENDLESSLY IN THE EARTH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): American Indians ; ETYMOLOGY ; GEOGRAPHY ; INDIANS ; Lake ; Legend ; Lore ; NEW YORK ; River ; Syracuse ; WATER
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Still water Small body. |
Date learned: 10-14-1970
FINGER LAKES BELIEF
THE IROQUOIS BELIEVED THAT THE FINGER LAKES OF UPPER NEW
YORK STATE WERE FORMED BY THE HAND OF GOD, DESCENDING IN BLESSING
UPON THE LAND.
Submitter comment:
MR. WYATT LEARNED OF THE LEGEND WHILE LIVING IN GENEVA, NEW YORK
HIS HOME. GENEVA IS ONE OF THE FINGER LAKES.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): AMERICAN INDIAN ; BELIEF ; BLESSING ; ETYMOLOGY ; Finger ; Finger Lakes ; Hand of God ; INDIAN ; Iroquois ; Lakes ; Lakes ; Legend ; NEW YORK ; Origin ; WATER
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Still water Small body. |
Date learned: 10-22-1965
LAKE SUPERIOR BELIEF
LAKE SUPERIOR IS KNOWN AS THE LAKE THAT DOES NOT GIVE UP ITS
DEAD. THE REASON FOR THIS IS THAT BECAUSE THE LAKE IS SO COLD,
THE BODIES DON'T DECOMPOSE AND RISE TO THE SURFACE.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Dead ; Decompose ; Lake ; Lake Superior ; Nickname ; Origin ; TEMPERATURE ; WATER
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Still water Small body. BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
SHAKER LAKE BELIEF
MANY PEOPLE HAVE DROWNED IN SHAKER LAKE AROUND CLEVELAND, OHIO.
BECAUSE OF THIS, NO ONE WILL SWIM THERE, BECAUSE IT IS BELIEVED
THAT ANYONE WHO DOES WILL DROWN.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Cleveland ; Drown ; Lake ; OHIO ; Shaker Lake ; SUPERSTITION ; WATER
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Still water Small body. BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 11-00-1968
COURTSHIP BELIEF
IF YOUR SLIP IS HANGING, IT MEANS YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A BOYFRIEND.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT DIDN'T REMEMBER SOURCE.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): Boyfriend ; COURTSHIP ; Fashion ; Female ; Girl ; Mate ; SIGN ; Single ; SLIP ; SYMBOL ; Woman
| Subject headings: | Custom BELIEF -- Marriage Dating Courtship |
Date learned: 06-29-1964
FOLK DEODORANT
USE BAKING SODA AS A DEODORANT FOR UNDERARMS
AND FEET. USE BAKING SODA ON VOMIT TO ELIMINATE THE
UNPLEASANT ODOR.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
Keyword(s): Baking Soda ; Deodorant ; Domesticity ; Household ; HYGIENE ; Odor ; REMEDY ; Smell ; Tip ; TRICK ; Vomit
James Callow Keyword(s): SODIUM BICARBONATE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Home |
Date learned: 11-00-1968
WHEN CROSSING A BRIDGE OVER WATER HOLD YOUR BREATH AND
PICK UP YOUR FEET OR YOU LOSE YOUR BOYFRIEND.
Submitter comment:
ACQUIRED IN TAMPA, FLORIDA WHILE SHE WAS IN GRADE SCHOOL.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Boyfriend ; BREATH ; Bridge ; FEET ; Girlfriend ; Relationship ; SUPERSTITION ; WATER
James Callow Keyword(s): DIRECTION ; POSITION
Date learned: 08-02-1969
SAINT PATRICK'S DAY FESTIVAL AND BELIEFS
SAINT PATRICK DERTA GEROGADE E FRANC OR ALBAN. THAT MEANS SAINT
PATRICK CAME FROM FRANCE OR ENGLAND. WE WERE TAUGHT THAT EXPRESSION
AS CHILDREN. HE WAS SENT BY POPE CELESTINE TO BRING THE CATHOLIC
FAITH TO IRELAND. HE KILLED ALL THE SNAKES IN IRELAND BY SQUASHING
THEM WITH HIS STAFF. HE DIDN'T REALLY EXIST THOUGH. WE WOULD
CELEBRATE SAINT PATRICK'S DAY IN ENGLAND BY WEARING ALL GREEN.
Submitter comment:
"SPELLMAN, BURKE, AND I WOULD GO OUT FOR A WALK IN THE COUNTRY BECAUSE
WE HAD NO MONEY AND WE DIDN'T WANT THOSE DAMN ENGLISH TO THINK WE
WERE STAYING HOME ON SAINT PATRICK'S DAY."
MY MOTHER, WHO IS FROM IRELAND, WENT TO NURSING SCHOOL IN ENGLAND IN
1947. SHE CAME FROM A POOR FAMILY.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Celebrate ; Green ; holiday ; IRELAND ; Irish ; Legend ; Lore ; Origin ; Saint Patrick's Day ; Tale
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero BELIEF -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 00-00-1947 ; 11-22-1979
ON DECEMBER 6, ONE OF THE NEIGHBORS WOULD DRESS
UP AS SAINT NICHOLAS IN OLD CLOTHES AND WOULD
DISTRIBUTE BAGS OF FRUIT, ESPECIALLY APPLES, NUTS,
AND CANDY TO ALL THE CHILDREN. THEY ALSO
CELEBRATED CHRISTMAS.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CANDY ; Celebrate ; Consumption ; CUSTOM ; Feast ; FESTIVAL ; FOOD ; holiday ; Nicholas ; Nick ; Saint ; ST. NICHOLAS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 6 Feast of St. Nicholas |
Date learned: 03-31-1971
GERMAN CUSTOM
ON DECEMBER 6 THE GERMANS PUT THEIR STOCKINGS OUT,
AND THIS IS IN THE OLD CHRISTMAS TRADITION. IF
THE CHILD IS GOOD, HE RECEIVES ALL KINDS OF GOOD
THINGS, BUT IF HE IS A BAD CHILD, HE RECEIVES TWO
LUMPS OF COAL.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): Celebrate ; CUSTOM ; GERMAN ; holiday ; Nicholas ; Saint ; St. Nick ; tradition
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 6 Feast of St. Nicholas |
Date learned: 11-00-1968
ON DECEMBER 6 ALL THE CHILDREN HANG UP THEIR STOCKING AND
ST. NICHOLAS COMES (EQUIPPED WITH BISHOPS HAT AND
A LONG WHIP). HE FILLS THE GOOD CHILDREN'S STOCKINGS
WITH FRUIT AND NUTS, THE BAD CHILDREN GET COAL.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS AN ACTUAL PRACTICE IN NEW HAMBURG, MISSOURI
(OR WAS WHEN THE INFORMANT WAS YOUNG) SHE SAYS SHE
HEARD OF A NEIGHBOR BOY WHO RECEIVED COAL.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MISSOURI ; DETROIT ; NEW HAMBURG
Keyword(s): Celebrate ; CUSTOM ; holiday ; Nicholas ; Saint ; St. Nick ; tradition
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 6 Feast of St. Nicholas |
Date learned: 09-20-1968
HUNGARIAN CUSTOM
ON ST. NICHOLAS DAY A FELLOW CALLED "KRUMPUS" WOULD
COME THROUGH THE TOWN. HE WORE A LONG BELT FASHIONED
FROM CHAIN. HE CARRIED A WOODEN SWITCH AND A BAG OF
WALNUTS.
KRUMPUS WOULD WALK THROUGH THE TOWN AND STOP AT EACH
HOUSE. IF WELL-BEHAVED CHILDREN LIVED IN THE HOUSE,
HE WOULD THROW WALNUTS IN THE DOOR. IF BAD CHILDREN
LIVED IN THE HOUSE, HE WOULD STAND IN THE DOORWAY,
RATTLE HIS CHAIN AND SHAKE HIS SWITCH AT THEM.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: CANADA ; ONTARIO ; WINDSOR
Keyword(s): Celebrate ; CUSTOM ; holiday ; HUNGARIAN ; Nicholas ; Saint ; St. Nick ; tradition
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 6 Feast of St. Nicholas |
Date learned: 11-17-1968