Dr. James T. Callow publications
Browse by
Questions or comments on this site? Please email davidsor@udmercy.edu.
The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for rat returned 495 results.
HE LOVES ME,
HE DON'T.
HE'LL HAVE ME,
HE WON'T.
HE WOULD IF HE COULD,
BUT HE CAN'T
SO HE WON'T.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): INITIAL ITERATION
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief |
Date learned: 06-21-1973
WEATHERLORE--FOG AND FROST
IF THERE IS CONTINUED FOG, FROST WILL SOON FOLLOW.
Where learned: NASHVILLE ; TENNESSEE, ASSUMED
James Callow Keyword(s): ALLITERATION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew |
Date learned: 00001969 ASSUMED
THE LOPEY HORSE
A FARMER HAD A HORSE THAT HE COULDN'T BREAK FOR
RIDING. THE HORSE WOULD REAR UP AND FALL ON ITS
BACK OR ELSE TURN A FOREWARD SOMMERSAULT WHEN
ANYONE TRIED TO RIDE IT. THE FARMER SAID HE WOULD
GIVE FIVE DOLLARS TO ANYONE THAT COULD BREAK HIM.
ONE SUNDAY, I WENT TO WATCH A BUNCH OF BOYS TRY TO
RIDE IT, BUT NONE OF THEM COULD DO IT. I TOLD THE
FARMER THAT IF HE WOULD LET ME TAKE IT HOME, I WOULD
HAVE IT BROKE IN A WEEKS TIME. HE SAID YES AND I
TOOK IT HOME AND PUT HIM TO PLOWING FOR A WEEK. FROM
THEN ON, WHEN ANYONE TRIED TO RIDE IT, ALL HE HAD TO
SAY WAS 'GET UP.' THE HORSE WOULD THINK IT WAS
STILL IN THE PLOW HARNESS AND COULD BE RIDDEN.
Submitter comment: THIS STORY WAS TOLD AS TRUTH. IT IS NOT A TALL TALE.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
James Callow Keyword(s): BREAKING IN A HORSE ; PERSONAL NARRATIVE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal |
Date learned: 11-08-1968
GHOST STORY
TEXT KEYPUNCHED IN NOVEMBER, 1972--ALSO IN 5X8 FILE CABINET WHILE HITCHHIKING IN 1936,
WE WERE GOING TO NEW YORK. WE HAD GOTTEN A RIDE FROM A FARMER BUT HE HAD TO LEAVE US ON THE
OPEN ROAD. MY FRIEND AND I DECIDED TO REST ON A BLUFF WHERE WE COULD SEE IF ANY CARS WERE COMING.
WE WERE THERE FOR A WHILE WHEN WE HEARD FOOTSTEPS. THE MOON WAS FULL AND WE WERE SURE THAT WE DIDN'T
SEE ANYBODY ON THE ROAD. AN OLD MAN WAS WALKING TOWARD US. AFTER EXCHANGING GREETINGS, HE ASKED IF WE
WERE HUNGRY. HE THEN OFFERED US A COCONUT HE GOT FROM A FARMER. HE SLOWLY WALKED AWAY AND DISAPPEARED
FROM OUR SIGHT. I CLIMBED TO THE TOP OF THE BLUFF ONLY TO FIND A CEMETERY. SCARED, WE WENT TO THE ROAD
AND HITCHED A RIDE TO A DINER. THERE THE SHERIFF WAS DESCRIBING AN OLD MAN, THE ONE WE MET. HE HAD BEEN
DEAD FOR FOUR WEEKS. WHEN WE HEARD THIS, WE FAINTED. AFTER TELLING WHAT HAPPENED TO THE SHERIFF, HE TOLD
US THAT THIS WAS THE THIRD TIME IT HAD HAPPENED IN TWO WEEKS.
Submitter comment: GHOST NEAR CEMETERY OFFERS COCONUT TO TRAVELERS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): MEMORATE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 10-29-1972
THE LOPEY HORSE
A FARMER HAD A HORSE THAT HE COULDN'T BREAK FOR
RIDING. THE HORSE WOULD REAR UP AND FALL ON ITS
BACK OR ELSE TURN A FOREWARD SOMMERSAULT WHEN
ANYONE TRIED TO RIDE IT. THE FARMER SAID HE WOULD
GIVE FIVE DOLLARS TO ANYONE THAT COULD BREAK HIM.
ONE SUNDAY, I WENT TO WATCH A BUNCH OF BOYS TRY TO
RIDE IT, BUT NONE OF THEM COULD DO IT. I TOLD THE
FARMER THAT IF HE WOULD LET ME TAKE IT HOME, I WOULD
HAVE IT BROKE IN A WEEKS TIME. HE SAID YES AND I
TOOK IT HOME AND PUT HIM TO PLOWING FOR A WEEK. FROM
THEN ON, WHEN ANYONE TRIED TO RIDE IT, ALL HE HAD TO
SAY WAS 'GET UP.' THE HORSE WOULD THINK IT WAS
STILL IN THE PLOW HARNESS AND COULD BE RIDDEN.
Submitter comment: THIS STORY WAS TOLD AS TRUTH. IT IS NOT A TALL TALE.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
James Callow Keyword(s): PERSONAL NARRATIVE BREAKING IN A HORSE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal |
Date learned: 11-08-1968
GHOST STORY
TEXT KEYPUNCHED IN NOVEMBER, 1972--ALSO IN 5X8 FILE CABINET WHILE HITCHHIKING IN 1936,
WE WERE GOING TO NEW YORK. WE HAD GOTTEN A RIDE FROM A FARMER BUT HE HAD TO LEAVE US ON THE
OPEN ROAD. MY FRIEND AND I DECIDED TO REST ON A BLUFF WHERE WE COULD SEE IF ANY CARS WERE COMING.
WE WERE THERE FOR A WHILE WHEN WE HEARD FOOTSTEPS. THE MOON WAS FULL AND WE WERE SURE THAT WE DIDN'T
SEE ANYBODY ON THE ROAD. AN OLD MAN WAS WALKING TOWARD US. AFTER EXCHANGING GREETINGS, HE ASKED IF WE
WERE HUNGRY. HE THEN OFFERED US A COCONUT HE GOT FROM A FARMER. HE SLOWLY WALKED AWAY AND DISAPPEARED
FROM OUR SIGHT. I CLIMBED TO THE TOP OF THE BLUFF ONLY TO FIND A CEMETERY. SCARED, WE WENT TO THE ROAD
AND HITCHED A RIDE TO A DINER. THERE THE SHERIFF WAS DESCRIBING AN OLD MAN, THE ONE WE MET. HE HAD BEEN
DEAD FOR FOUR WEEKS. WHEN WE HEARD THIS, WE FAINTED. AFTER TELLING WHAT HAPPENED TO THE SHERIFF, HE TOLD
US THAT THIS WAS THE THIRD TIME IT HAD HAPPENED IN TWO WEEKS.
Submitter comment: GHOST NEAR CEMETERY OFFERS COCONUT TO TRAVELERS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): MEMORATE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 10-29-1972
ARABIAN SAYING
MY BROTHER AND I FIGHT AGAINST OUR COUSIN;
OUR COUSIN AND WE FIGHT AGAINST OUR ENEMY.
Submitter comment:
EXPLANATION OF HOW THE ARAB NATIONS COULD UNITE AGAINST THE
ISRAELI PEOPLE DESPITE THEIR INTERNAL STRIFE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
James Callow Keyword(s): MEDIAL ITERATION ; RELATIVES UNITE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 08-00-1967
OLD JEWISH SAYING
MOST PRAYER HELPS, MOST EATING HURTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): ALLITERATION FOR EMPHASIS OF CONTRAST
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 00-00-1968
PROVERB
MILK FOR THE YOUNG,
MEAT FOR THE MAN,
BEER FOR THE AGED.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT SAID THIS AS HE PULLED A BEER FROM THE ICEBOX.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): MEDIAL ITERATION ; OBSERVATION
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb |
Date learned: 09-00-1971
PROVERB
MEN MAKE HOUSES, BUT WOMEN MAKE HOMES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
James Callow Keyword(s): ALLITERATION FOR CONTRAST ; CONTRASTS ; OBSERVATION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 03-00-1968
AGRICULTURAL PROVERB
MAKE HAY WHILE THE SUN SHINES.
MAKE LOVE WHILE THE MOON SHINES.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; GRAND RAPIDS
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE ; INCREMENTAL REPITITION ; ITERATION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 04-09-1971
Entry filtered.
GESTURE FOR HOT
HOT -- WET MIDDLE FINGER IN MOUTH, REACH IT FORWARD
AND JERK IT BACK.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
James Callow Keyword(s): TEMPERATURE
| Subject headings: | 602 Body Parts SPEECH -- Gesture SPEECH -- Body parts involved S602.14 |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
GESTURE FOR COLD.
HOLD FIST NEAR SHOULDER AND SHAKE IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): TEMPERATURE
| Subject headings: | 602 Body Parts SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 02-00-1971
RIDDLE
THERE WAS A MAN-DEAD-LYING IN THE DESERT WITH A
POUCH ON HIS BACK. HE WAS LYING FACE DOWN AND THERE
WERE NO FOOTPRINTS OR SIGNS OF ANYTHING AROUND HIM.
HOW DID HE DIE?
-- HE WAS A PARATROOPER AND HIS PARACHUTE DIDN'T
OPEN IN TIME CAUSING HIM TO FALL TO HIS DEATH.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT
Keyword(s): PARATROOPER PARACHUTE DEATH DEAD
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 12-23-1971
Entry filtered.
Entry filtered.
Custom
Chimney Sweep:
In Belgium, or Europe for that matter, each house usually had two or more chimneys. Since they needed cleaning periodically, chimney sweeps were common. Some of these were employed by the cities for the purpose. But, in each case, it was good practice to give the sweeper a good tip, for if you didn't he would play tricks on you. For instance, he might come back to clean your chimney at a future date, but not tell you. Then you would be unprepared and the soot would come into the house because you didn't close the soot door in time.
Submitter comment:
Recorded on Tape
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [M848] crossed out and replaced with F534
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH
Keyword(s): BUSINESS ; Chimney Sweep ; CUSTOM ; Gratuity ; OCCUPATIONS: CHIMNEY SWEEPING ; PRACTICAL JOKE ; TIPPING ; WORK
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Work Commerce Business |
Prank
Fletcher Tube:
The Fletcher Tube us a non-existent piece of equipment. When freshmen are having problems in lab, you tell them that a Fletcher Tube will do the trick. They go to the stockroom to check one out and are laughed at.
Submitter comment:
Informant said that he pulled this gag while he was a graduate student.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CLASSROOM ; CHEMISTRY BUILDING
Keyword(s): ACADEMIC JOKES ; Chemistry ; COLLEGE ; COLLEGE PRANK ; COLLEGE PRANK ; Entertainment ; Freshman ; Hazing ; JOKE ; Laboratory ; PRACTICAL JOKE ; Prank
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Custom
Bicycling:
In Belgium, where bicycles and bicycle racing is still very popular, it is very common to see people walking beside very nicely decorated bikes during a parade. Decorations could consist of colored paper, ribbons, or roses which might be interwoven in the spokes of the wheels, etc. This custom is continued for the spectacle and unique designs which appear.
Submitter comment:
Recorded on Tape.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [M247.6] crossed out and replaced with F536.
The word Bicycling is written across the top of the entry.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; RESIDENCE ; PITTSBURGH
Keyword(s): ADORNMENT BEAUTIFICATION ; Belgium ; Bicycle ; Bicycling ; CUSTOM ; Decorate ; ETHNIC ; Parade ; Ribbons ; Roses
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |