Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for Nation returned 121 results.
GOOD LUCK ( COLLECTOR'S TITLE ) ; HUMAN BEINGS AND THEIR ACTIVITIES. ( CLASSIFIER'S TITLE)
IF A BABY WETS ON YOU IT IS GOOD LUCK.
Submitter comment: HIS ITALIAN MOTHER BELIEVES THIS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): URINATION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Good luck P881.2 |
Date learned: 11-00-1970
TRICKING SPIES
IN WORLD WAR ONE, WHEN SPIES WHO HAD INFILTRATED INTO ENEMY RANKS
WERE CAPTURED. THEY WERE PUT TO THE TEST. WHEN A GERMAN SPY
WHO CLAIMED TO BE FRENCH WAS CAUGHT, HE WAS ASKED TO REPEAT THE
WORD "GRENOUILLE" (FROG), WHICH SHOULD
SOUND SOMEWHAT LIKE GRRUNWEEAH
BUT A GERMAN WOULD ALWAYS SAY GRUNWEEHKH, MAKING A HARSH GUTTURAL
SOUND. SIMILARLY, WHEN A FRENCH SPY WAS CAUGHT BY THE GERMANS, HE
WAS ASKED TO SAY HATHAWAY BUT A FRENCHMAN COULD ONLY SUCCEED IN
SAYING HASSAWAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK ; SAINT MARYS RECTORY
Keyword(s): PRONUNCIATION OF FOREIGN WORDS REVEALS IDENTITY AND NATIONALITY
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Legend |
Date learned: 11-17-1968
BARGES
OUT OF MY WINDOW, LOOKING THRU THE NIGHT,
I CAN SEE THE BARGES' FLICKERING LIGHT.
SILENTLY FLOWS THE RIVER TO THE
SEA AND THE BARGES TO GO SILENTLY.
CHORUS: BARGES, I WOULD LIKE TO GO WITH YOU,
I WOULD LIKE TO SAIL THE OCEAN BLUE.
BARGES HAVE YOU TREASURES IN YOUR HOLD,
DO YOU FIGHT WITH PIRATES BRAVE
AND BOLD?
OUT OF MY WINDOW, LOOKING THRU THE NIGHT,
I CAN SEE THE BARGES' FLICKERING LIGHT.
STARBOARD SHINES GREEN AND PORT IS GLOWING RED,
I CAN SEE THE BARGES' STRAIGHT AHEAD.
CHORUS
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): FASCINATION
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Admiration Praise Adulation |
Date learned: 01-00-1979
PROSE ROUND ; FORMULA TALE
IT WAS A DARK AND STORMY NIGHT. WE WERE ALL SITTING AROUND THE
CAMPFIRE WHEN SUDDENLY UNCLE JOE WALKED UP, AND SOMEONE CALLED OUT
"UNCLE JOE, TELL US A STORY}" AND HE BEGAN: "IT WAS A DARK AND STORMY
NIGHT. WE WERE ALL SITTING AROUND THE CAMPFIRE WHEN SUDDENLY UNCLE
GEORGE WALKED UP, AND SOMEONE CALLED OUT, "UNCLE GEORGE, TELL US A
STORY}" (THIS IS REPEATED, USING A DIFFERENT NAME EACH TIME.)
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): CHAIN INVOLVING NAMES ; INTERESTING COMBINATION OF ROUND AND CHAIN TALE
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: CA00001968
REMEDY
I REMEMBER MY GRANDMOTHER CURING A YOUNG CHILD OF A FEAR. IT'S A
RITUAL. WHEN A CHILD IS AFRAID OF SOMETHING, YOU GET SOME WHITE ROCK.
IT'S A SOFT ROCK, I DON'T KNOW THE NAME OF IT. THE ROCK IS PUT INTO A
SKILLET AND HEATED. AS IT HEATS, IT SOFTENS, AND IT WILL FORM INTO A
FIGURE OF WHAT THE CHILD IS AFRAID OF. THE FEAR IS REMOVED FROM THE
CHILD THIS WAY.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): CONJURATION DIVINATION ; HOMEOPATHIC ; MEXICAN-AMERICAN CURE
| Subject headings: | Observation Favorites BELIEF -- Physically handicapped Deformed BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 03-00-1979
Entry filtered.
BIRTH:
IN A LUG GET-TOGETHER, PARTY OR CELEBRATION ETC., THE GREEKS SAY THE
PREGNANT WOMAN IS SUPPOSED TO GET THE FIRST TASTE OF ALL THE FOOD
GIVEN .
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): EATING NATIONALITY
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Date learned: 11-14-1969
GRAFFITI
I.P. DAILY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): GRAFFITI
James Callow Keyword(s): SLANG FOR URINATION
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Art Craft Architecture Art, Craft, Architecture |
Date learned: 00-00-1968
CHILDREN'S VERSE
TATTLE-TALE; TATTLE-TALE
HANG IT ON A BULL'S TAIL
IF THE BULL STARTS TO PEE
YOU WILL HAVE A CUP OF TEA
Where learned: TOLD TO ME IN MY APARTMENT
Keyword(s): NONSENSE
James Callow Keyword(s): REBUKE ; SLANG FOR URINATION
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Speech Speech |
Date learned: 10-15-1969
OUR LADY OF CHASTOHOVA
ONCE UPON A TIME A HEATHEN SOLDIER SLASHED A PICTURE OF MARY IN
IRREVERENCE. THE PICTURE IMMEDIATELY BEGAN TO BLEED. THE POLISH HAVE
SINCE VENERETED HER AS OUR LADY OF CHASTOHOVA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): NATIONALITY ; RELIGION
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
PROVERB
LAUGH AND THE WORLD LAUGHS WITH YOU, SNORE AND YOU SLEEP ALONE.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT HEARD THIS FROM HIS GRANDMOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ALIENATION ; HUMOR ; OBSERVATION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 07-15-1964
POLISH PROVERB
IN THE OLD STOVE, THE DEVIL IS BURNING.
TRANSLATION OF
W STARYM PIECU DIABEL PALI. (POLISH)
Submitter comment:
THE CONTEXT IS INTERESTING. IT IS GENERALLY APPLIED TO AN OLDER MAN
WHO SHOWS INTEREST IN A YOUNGER GIRL OR GIRLS.
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): ASSONANCE ; OBSERVATION
James Callow Keyword(s): OLD AGE DOES NOT RULE OUT AMOROUS INCLINATIONS. ; SYMBOL: FIERY DEVIL FOR SEXUAL INTEREST
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Devil Demon PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Entry filtered.
Entry filtered.
Entry filtered.
QUITTERS NEVER WIN, AND WINNERS NEVER QUIT.
Submitter comment: HEARD IT FROM OLD BASKETBALL COACH.
Data entry tech comment: CHIASMUS
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): DETERMINATION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: NONE GIVEN
ONE DAY IN JUNE, WHEN MY FATHER WAS ALIVE,
THERE WAS A BAD STORM HEADED IN OUR DIRECTION.
AS MY FATHER LOOKED TO THE SKY HE SAID,
"WE BETER GET INSIDE, IT'S GOING TO RAIN LIKE
A COW PEEING ON A FLAT ROCK."
Submitter comment:
MY FATHER WAS RAISED A FARM BOY IN ILLINOIS;
THIS WAS A COMMON EXPRESSION THERE.
Where learned: GROSSE POINTE WOODS
James Callow Keyword(s): URINATION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase |
Date learned: 06-00-1975
SAY, "MOTHER MAY I" AND THEN SPELL CUP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
James Callow Keyword(s): URINATION
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 00-00-1961
MY MOTHER'S MOTHER TOLD HER THAT TO BE MARRIED IN
A GOWN THAT HAD SEED PEARLS UPON IT TOLD OF HAVING
GIRL CHILDREN. SURE ENOUGH, MY PARENTS HAVE TWO
CHILDREN, BOTH ARE GIRLS!
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
James Callow Keyword(s): SEX DETERMINATION
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Marriage |
Japanese custom
Removal of shoes when entering a home is necessary because one
may bring in bad diseases or spirits.
Where learned: JAPAN
Keyword(s): Contamination
Date learned: 00-00-1925