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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

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RIDDLE

Q: ROUND AS AN APPLE, DEEP AS A CUP, AND IN THE MIDDLE IT GOES
FLIPPETY-FLOP.
A: A CHURN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

Keyword(s): ACTIONS (Q) ; EATABLES (Q) ; LITERAL ; UTENSILS (A) ; UTENSILS (Q)

Subject headings: RIDDLE -- True Riddle

Date learned: 09-16-1969

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RIDDLE

Q: WHAT BREAD THAT IS BLACK AND HARD IS IT THAT YOU CAN T EAT?
A: FRYING PAN.

Submitter comment: N.B. THE ABOVE IS A PLAY ON WORDS. THE JAPANESE HAVE TAKEN THE
ENGLISH, FRYING PAN, INTO THEIR LANGUAGE BUT PRONOUNCE
IT "FURAIPAN.".
PAN IS ALSO THE JAPANESE WORD FROM THE FRENCH FOR BREAD. IN THIS
RIDDLE THE FRYING PAN (FURAIPAN) IS USED AS BREAD PAN.
INFORMANT LIVES IN JAPAN AND LEARNED ABOVE FROM HIS CHILDREN.

Where learned: LETTER ; JAPAN

Keyword(s): EATABLES (Q) ; STATE OF BEING (Q) COLOR ; UTENSILS (A)

Subject headings: RIDDLE -- True Riddle

Date learned: 07-28-1964

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MIZSLE - LITHUANIAN RIDDLE

Q: ILGAS - BEGALO, GILUS - BE DUNGE. - LONG - WITHOUT END, DEEP -
WITHOUT A BOTTOM.
A: ZIEDAS - A RING.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): ANTITHETICAL OPPOSITIONAL ; STATES OF BEING (Q) ; WEARABLE (A)

Subject headings: RIDDLE -- True Riddle

Date learned: 03-20-1968

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RIDDLE

Q: WHY DID THE ELEPHANT WEAR PINK TENNIS SHOES?
A: BECAUSE HIS GREEN ONES WERE IN THE WASH.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): ACTIONS (Q) ; ANIMALS (Q) ; CLOTHES (A) ; LITERAL ; WEARABLE (Q)

Subject headings: RIDDLE -- Riddle Question

Date learned: NOT GIVEN BY COLLECTOR

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RIDDLE IN VERSE

Q: I TALK BACK TO FOLKS IT IS TRUE/ AND I LIKE CRACKERS AS WELL
AS YOU.
A: PARROT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): ACTIONS (Q) ; ANIMALS (A) ; EATABLES (Q) ; LITERAL ; PERSONS (Q)

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Riddle True Riddle

Date learned: 10-00-1967

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TRUE RIDDLE

Q: WHO AM I?/ PERKY EARS AND WIGGLY NOSE,/
BUSHY TAIL AND PAINTED ( POINTED? ) TOES,/ BRIGHT BLACK EYES AND
FURRY DRESS,/ WHO AM I? YOU NEED NOT GUESS,/
IF YOU'LL LOOK, YOU'LL PLAINLY SEE
A: I M A SQUIRREL, UP IN A TREE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): ANIMAL (Q) ; ANIMALS (A) ; PARTS OF THE BODY (Q) ; WEARABLE (Q)

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Riddle True Riddle

Date learned: NOT GIVEN BY COLLECTOR

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RIDDLE

Q: RIDDLE COME RIDDLE COME RARLET/ MY PETTICOAT'S LINED WITH SCARLET/
A STONE IN THE MIDDLE AND STICK AT THE TAIL/ TELL ME THIS RIDDLE
WITHOUT ANY FAIL.
A: A CHERRY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): CLOTHES (Q) ; EATABLES AND DRINKS (A) ; NATURAL PHENOMENA (Q)

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Riddle True Riddle

Date learned: 03-01-1968

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Q: TASTY TO SOME FOLKS,/ AND USED THE WORLD ROUND./ NOT MADE OF DIRT,
BUT IT ALWAYS IS GROUND.
A: COFFEE.

Submitter comment: I FOUND THIS ACTIVITY BOOK IN THE ATTIC. FROM:
"LOTS OF THINGS TO DO"
(AKRON, OHIO, THE SAALFIELD PUBLISHING CO., 1951)
THE PAGES ARE NOT NUMBERED.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): EATABLES AND DRINKS (A) ; EATABLES AND DRINKS (Q) ; PERSONS (Q)

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Riddle True Riddle

Date learned: 08-00-1964

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TRUE RIDDLE

Q: AS I WENT THROUGH THE FIELDS OF WHEAT/ I FOUND SOMETHING GOOD
TO EAT,/ 'TWAS NEITHER FLESH NOR MEAT, NOR BONE,/
I KEPT IT UNTIL IT RAN ALONE.
A: AN EGG.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT SAID THAT THIS WAS A RIDDLE THAT SHE HEARD AT MICHIGAN
MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY FROM A CO-OFFICE-WORKER ABOUT A YEAR AGO.
INFORMANT ADMITS TO BEING STUMPED FOR A FEW HOURS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): EATABLES (Q) ; PARTICULAR AREA (Q) ; PARTS OF THE BODY (Q)

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Riddle True Riddle

Date learned: 10-20-1971

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RIDDLE

Q: IN MARBLE HALLS AS WHITE AS MILK
LINES (LINED) WITH SKIN AS SOFT AS SKIN. (SILK)
WITH A FOUNTAIN CRYSTAL CLEAR,
A GOLDEN APPLE DOTH APPEAR.
NO DOORS ARE THERE TO THIS STRONGHOLD,
YET THIEVES BREAK IN AND STEAL THE GOLD.
A: AN EGG.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

Keyword(s): BUILDINGS (Q) ; EATABLE (Q) ; EATABLES AND DRINKS (A) ; PERSONS (Q)

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Riddle True Riddle

Date learned: 02-22-1970

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RIDDLE

Q: A RIDDLE, A RIDDLE, AS I SUPPOSE, / A HUNDRED EYES, AND NEVER
A NOSE.
A: POTATO.

Submitter comment: I WAS ASKED THIS RIDDLE AS A YOUNGSTER AT A BIRTHDAY PARTY.

Where learned: OHIO ; TOLEDO

Keyword(s): EATABLES AND DRINKS (A) ; PARTS OF THE BODY (Q) ; PRIVATIONAL

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Riddle True Riddle

Date learned: 00-00-1946

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RIDDLE? MUCH LIKE SAND

Q: MUCH LIKE SAND, ONLY SWEET;/ WET, IT DISAPPEARS, COMPLETE.
A: SUGAR.

Submitter comment: I FOUND THIS ACTIVITY BOOK IN THE ATTIC. FROM:
"LOTS OF THINGS TO DO"
(AKRON, OHIO, THE SALLFIELD PUBLISHING CO., 1951) THE PAGES ARE
NOT NUMBERED.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): ANTITHETICAL ; EATABLES AND DRINKS (A) ; NATURAL PHENOMENA (Q)

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Riddle True Riddle

Date learned: 08-00-1964

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WHAT ARE BOYS AND GIRLS MADE OF? VERSE

Q: WHAT ARE LITTLE GIRLS MADE OF?
A: SUGAR AND SPICE AND EVERYTHING NICE,/ THAT'S WHAT LITTLE GIRLS
(ARE) MADE OF.
Q: WHAT ARE LITTLE BOYS MADE OF?
A: STICKS AND STONES AND PUPPY DOG BONES,/ THAT S WHAT LITTLE BOYS
ARE MADE OF.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): EATABLES AND DRINKS (A) ; NATURAL ; STATE OF BEING (Q)

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Riddle C890.400

Date learned: CHILDHOOD

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Entry filtered.

CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS JOKE

Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.

Q: WHAT DID CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS SAY WHEN HE SAW A NEGRO FOR THE
FIRST TIME.
A: GOD BLESS MY HEART, GOD BLESS MY SOUL. I SAW A WALKING
TOOTSIE ROLL.

Submitter comment:

THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD CHILDREN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

Keyword(s): ACTIONS (A) ; ACTIONS (Q) ; EATABLES (A) ; PERSONS (Q)

James Callow Keyword(s): CANDY ; RACISM

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Riddle C890.400
RIDDLE -- Riddle Question
Filter - Mature Content

Date learned: 08-00-1964

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THERE WAS A LITTLE GREEN HOUSE - RIDDLE

Q: THERE WAS A LITTLE GREEN HOUSE,/ AND IN THE LITTLE GREEN HOUSE/
THERE WAS A LITTLE BROWN HOUSE,/ AND IN THE LITTLE BROWN HOUSE/
THERE WAS A LITTLE YELLOW HOUSE,/ AND IN THE LITTLE YELLOW HOUSE/
THERE WAS A LITTLE WHITE HOUSE,/ AND IN THE LITTLE WHITE HOUSE/
THERE WAS A LITTLE HEART.
A: A WALNUT.

Submitter comment: I FOUND THIS IN AN OLD MOTHER GOOSE COLORING BOOK WHICH WAS IN THE
ATTIC. THE COVER AND SOME PAGES WERE MISSING. IT IS AT LEAST TEN
YEARS OLD.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): BUILDINGS (Q) COLOR ; EATABLES AND DRINKS ; PART OF THE BODY (Q)

James Callow Keyword(s): CUMULATIVE VERSE ; INITIAL ITERATION ; MEDIAL ITERATION

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Riddle True Riddle

Date learned: 08-00-1964

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TRUE RIDDLE

Q: UP ON A HILL IS A GREEN HOUSE,
IN THE GREEN HOUSE IS A WHITE HOUSE,
IN THE WHITE HOUSE IS A RED HOUSE WITH A LOT OF COLORED BABIES,
WHAT IS IT?
A: A WATERMELON.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

Keyword(s): ACTIONS (Q) ; BUILDINGS (Q) ; EATABLES AND DRINKS (A) ; PERSONS (Q)

James Callow Keyword(s): CUMULATIVE VERSE ; FINAL ITERATION ; INITIAL ITERATION

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Riddle C890.400
RIDDLE -- Riddle Question

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RIDDLE

Q: ROUND AS AN APPLE, THIN AS A KNIFE;/ ANSWER THIS RIDDLE AND I'LL
BE YOUR WIFE.
A: A DIME.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT HEARD FROM FRIEND IN DETROIT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALLEN PARK

Keyword(s): EATABLE (Q) ; MONETARY ITEMS (A) ; PERSON (Q) ; UTENSIL (Q)

James Callow Keyword(s): MARRIAGE PROPOSAL

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Custom Festival C840.545
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Riddle True Riddle
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Proposal

Date learned: 11-25-1967

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RIDDLE - THE CAKE

Q: YOU'LL EAT THIS CAKE WITH GREAT REGRET-/ IT'S GOOD FOR NOTHING
UNTIL WET.
A: A BAR OF SOAP

Submitter comment:

I FOUND THIS ACTIVITY BOOK IN THE ATTIC.
FROM: "LOTS OF THINGS TO DO"
(AKRON, OHIO: THE SAALFIELD PUBLISHING CO., 1951) THE PAGES ARE
NOT NUMBERED.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): ACTIONS (Q) ; EATABLES (Q) ; EATABLES (Q) ; NOTION ITEMS (A)

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Riddle True Riddle

Date learned: 08-00-1964

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RIDDLE

Q: AS ROUND AS AN APPLE,/ AS DEEP AS A CUP,/ AND ALL THE KING'S
HORSES/ CAN'T PULL IT UP.
A: A WELL.

Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED

Keyword(s): ACTIONS (Q) ; ANIMALS (Q) ; EATABLES (Q) ; PARTICULAR ; PERSONS (Q)

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Riddle True Riddle

Date learned: NOT GIVEN BY COLLECTOR

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ELIZABETH RIDDLE

Q: ELIZABETH, ELSPETH, BETSY AND BESS,/ THEY ALL WENT TOGETHER TO
SEE A BIRD'S NEST./ THEY FOUND A BIRD'S NEST WITH FIVE EGGS IN,/
THEY ALL TOOK ONE AND LEFT FOUR IN.
A: ELIZABETH, ELSPETH, BETSY AND BESS ARE ALL THE SAME GIRL.

Data entry tech comment: FUNCTION: TO TEACH NICKNAMES

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): ACTIONS (Q) ; ANIMALS (Q) ; EATABLES (Q) ; NUMBERS

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Riddle True Riddle

Date learned: NOT GIVEN BY COLLECTOR

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