Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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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 |
AUTOGRAPH BOOK VERSE
WHEN YOU ARE MARRIED AND EATING HAM,
THINK OF ME AND MY OLD MAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
James Callow Keyword(s): INSTRUCTIONS ; RHYME: AA ; SLANG: OLD MAN FOR ; SLANT RHYME
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1933
AUTOGRAPH BOOK VERSE
WHEN YOU GET MARRIED
AND YOUR OLD MAN GETS CROSS,
PICK UP THE BROOM
AND SAY I'M BOSS.
Where learned: KANSAS ; HUDSON
James Callow Keyword(s): INSTRUCTIONS ; RHYME: ABCB ; SLANG OLD MAN FOR HUSBAND.
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1933
RAIN RHYME
IT'S RAINING, IT'S POURING,
THE OLD MAN IS SNORING.
BUMPED HIS HEAD
ON THE HEAD OF THE BED
AND COULDN'T GET UP
IN THE MORNING.
Submitter comment:
THIS RHYME WAS SAID WHENEVER THERE WAS A THUNDERSTORM. THE
OLD MAN'S SNORING REFERRED TO THE THUNDER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; REDFORD
James Callow Keyword(s): NAME FOR GOD: OLD MAN
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief C860.465 |
Date learned: 00-00-1973
Religious Verse
Men's book with heaps of chaff are stored
God's book doth "golden grains" afford.
Then leave the chaff and spend thy pains
In gathering up thy golden grains.
Submitter comment:
Found in an autograph book from 1880's
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Keyword(s): Chaff ; God ; Golden ; Grain ; Language ; Man ; RELIGION ; RHYME ; VERSE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
On the feast of St. Barbara (Dec.4), artillerymen wear
red socks.
Submitter comment:
Ray was not sure how this custom came into being, but says
that St. Barbara is the patron saint of artillerymen. Perhaps
because she is the saint to be prayed to for protection from
lightening and fire, the artillerymen feel that she has an
affinity with the explosive power of their weapons.
Where learned: OHIO ; CINCINNATI
Keyword(s): Military, soldiers
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F120 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Typical Elements of a Festive Pattern BELIEF -- Religious hero BELIEF -- Work Commerce Business |
"On top of spaghetti, all covered with cheese,
I lost my poor meatball, when somebody sneezed.
It rolled off the table, and onto the floor,
And then my poor meatball, rolled right out the door.
It rolled in the garden, and under a bush,
And then my poor meatball, was nothing but mush."
Where learned: NEW YORK ; Kenmore
James Callow Keyword(s): Parody of "On Top Of Old Smokey"
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ill humor Ridicule Mockery |
Date learned: 00001973 ca.
WHEN WASHING BRIGHT COLORS, IF SALT IS ADDED INTO THE WASH
WATER, THE COLORS WON'T RUN OR BLEED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): HOUSEHOLD HINT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Working BELIEF -- Mineral |
Date learned: 00001984CA
Yo have mo front 'n Katie Ben.
Submitter comment:
You have more "gumption" than Katie Ben. The story goes back
to the 1940's in Saint Thomas when there was a problem with
the congregation of a Methodist church. Everyone was afraid
to talk about it, including the minister, even though all knew
a problem existed. Katie Ben, a child, got up in church and
spoke out or took the "front." The informant has no idea what
the problem was at the time but that is where this saying came
from.
Where learned: VIRGIN ISLANDS ; Saint Thomas
Keyword(s): 'n = than ; mo = more ; Yo = you
James Callow Keyword(s): Effrontery Boldness Audacity ; Personal name in proverb
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: 03-00-1991
When yo' dig up ol' graves, dem smell stink.
Submitter comment:
When you bring up old grievances and quarrels you can expect
for the unpleasant results to arise as well.
Where learned: VIRGIN ISLANDS ; Saint Thomas
Keyword(s): dem = them ; ol'= old ; Yo = you
James Callow Keyword(s): OBSERVATION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 03-00-1991
Stain Remover
As a high school student, I was forever getting ink on some part
of my clothing. My mother informed me that if put on a fairly new ink
stain, hair spray would remove it completely.
Submitter comment:
This form of stain removal is still used by my family and
friends.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
Keyword(s): HOUSEHOLD HINT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Home |
Date learned: 00001985ca
Ammonia will kill paint odor.
Where learned: OHIO ; CLEVELAND
James Callow Keyword(s): HOUSEHOLD HINT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Home |
Date learned: 00-00-1957
You can use health and beauty aides as laundry spot removers.
I learned that shampoo is a very good spot remover especially for
grease. The other product that can be used is hairspray to remove
ink stains.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HOUGHTON LAKE
Keyword(s): Household hints
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Home CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Working |
Date learned: 00-00-1987
Autograph Rhyme
Each life's an album, every page
From fair haired youth to gray old age
Is writ in prose or story.
God grant your life and album be
Filled up with records good to see
The "finis" found in Glory.
Submitter comment:
Found in autograph book from the 1880's
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Keyword(s): AGE ; Album ; AUTOGRAPH ; Elderly ; Glory ; Gray ; Old ; Record ; RHYME ; Signature ; Story ; VERSE ; Young ; YOUTH
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
POLISH
ON A BABY'S FIRST BIRTHDAY, PLACE A WINE GLASS, A
PRAYER BOOK, AND SOME COINS. WHATEVER HE REACHES
FOR FIRST WILL INDICATE THE TYPE OF CAREER HE
CHOOSES. THE INW GLASS INDICATES THAT HE WILL
BE A DRUNK; THE PRAYER BOOK, A PRIEST; AND THE
COINS, A BUSINESSMAN.
Submitter comment:
WE TRIED THIS AT THE FIRST BIRTHDAY OF MY CURRENTLY
SEVEN YEAR OLD COUSIN. ONLY TROUBLE WAS THAT HE
KNOCKED ALL THREE OBJECTS OFF THE HIGH CHAIR
TRAY AT ONCE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): IN A HIGH CHAIR. ; SEVEN MONTH OLD COUSIN I HOPE, SINCE HE STILL IS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Use of object for determining future of young |
Date learned: 00-00-1962
PROVERBIAL METAPHOR
JUST BECAUSE THERE'S SNOW ON THE MOUNTAIN, IT DOESN'T MEAN
THERE'S NOT FIRE IN THE FURNACE!
Submitter comment:
HEARD FROM MIDDLE AGED LADY REFERRING TO FUN IN GOING ON A TRIP
AND SPENDING THE NIGHT IN A MOTEL.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
Keyword(s): OLD AGE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 00-00-1972
GHOST STORY
ON A STREET CALLED TANGLEWOOD ON BELLE ISLE IN DETROIT
{MICHIGAN}, TEENAGERS USUALLY WENT AT NIGHT TO HAVE
DRINKING PARTIES. THEY SAID THEY ALWAYS SAW A GHOST
DRIVING A WHITE OLDSMOBILE. ONE NIGHT A TEENAGE GIRL
WAS DRIVING ALONE--OUT TO MEET HER FRIENDS ON TANGLEWOOD.
AS SHE WAS DRIVING SHE SAW THIS OLDSMOBILE WITH A GHOST
WHITE DRIVER AND SHE GOT SO SCARED SHE CRASHED INTO A
TREE AND GOT KILLED. NOW THE KIDS SAW THIS AND THEY
SAY THAT IF YOU GO THERE AT NIGHT AND TURN YOUR HEAD-
LIGHTS ON INTO THE WOOD YOU CAN SEE THE YOUNG GIRL
WANDERING AROUND. THEY ALSO SAY THAT HER MOTHER WENT
CRAZY AND ALSO WANDERS AROUND IN THE WOODS AT NIGHT
DRESSED IN WHITE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): TANGLEWOOD, BELLE ISLE, DETROIT, OLDSMOBILE, HEADLIGHTS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 04-05-1972
OL FASHIONED PEANUT BUTTER
HOW DO YA GET OL' FASHIONED PEANUT BUTTER OUTA THE ROOF
OF YER MOUTH?
(ALL THIS IS ASKED IMITATING THE SPEECH OF SOMEONE WHO DOES
HAVE A MOUTHFUL OF PEANUT BUTTER).
WELL, YA KIN BLOW IT OUT. (NARRATOR BLOWS). NOPE, WELL
YA KIN SHAKE IT OUT. (NARRATOR SHAKES HIS HEAD). NOPE,
WELL YA KIN SCRAPE IT OUT WITH YER FINGER. YUP. NOW,
HOW DO YA GET OL' FASHIONED PEANUT BUTTER OFF YER FINGER?
WELL, YA KIN BLOW IT OFF. (BLOWS AGAIN). NOPE, YA
MIGHT BE ABLE TA SHAKE IT OFF. (SHAKES HIS FINGER).
OR YA MIGHT BE ABLE TA LICK IT OFF. . . . NOW HOW DO YA
GET OL' FASHIONED PEANUT BUTTER OUTA THE ROOF OF YER
MOUTH? WELL. . . .
AND THE TALE STARTS ALL OVER AGAIN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): OLD FASHIONED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: 11-05-1967
GHOST STORY
ON A STREET CALLED TANGLEWOOD ON BELLE ISLE IN DETROIT
{MICHIGAN}, TEENAGERS USUALLY WENT AT NIGHT TO HAVE
DRINKING PARTIES. THEY SAID THEY ALWAYS SAW A GHOST
DRIVING A WHITE OLDSMOBILE. ONE NIGHT A TEENAGE GIRL
WAS DRIVING ALONE--OUT TO MEET HER FRIENDS ON TANGLEWOOD.
AS SHE WAS DRIVING SHE SAW THIS OLDSMOBILE WITH A GHOST
WHITE DRIVER AND SHE GOT SO SCARED SHE CRASHED INTO A
TREE AND GOT KILLED. NOW THE KIDS SAW THIS AND THEY
SAY THAT IF YOU GO THERE AT NIGHT AND TURN YOUR HEAD-
LIGHTS ON INTO THE WOOD YOU CAN SEE THE YOUNG GIRL
WANDERING AROUND. THEY ALSO SAY THAT HER MOTHER WENT
CRAZY AND ALSO WANDERS AROUND IN THE WOODS AT NIGHT
DRESSED IN WHITE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): TANGLEWOOD, BELLE ISLE, DETROIT, OLDSMOBILE, HEADLIGHTS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 04-05-1972
OL FASHIONED PEANUT BUTTER
HOW DO YA GET OL' FASHIONED PEANUT BUTTER OUTA THE ROOF
OF YER MOUTH?
(ALL THIS IS ASKED IMITATING THE SPEECH OF SOMEONE WHO DOES
HAVE A MOUTHFUL OF PEANUT BUTTER).
WELL, YA KIN BLOW IT OUT. (NARRATOR BLOWS). NOPE, WELL
YA KIN SHAKE IT OUT. (NARRATOR SHAKES HIS HEAD). NOPE,
WELL YA KIN SCRAPE IT OUT WITH YER FINGER. YUP. NOW,
HOW DO YA GET OL' FASHIONED PEANUT BUTTER OFF YER FINGER?
WELL, YA KIN BLOW IT OFF. (BLOWS AGAIN). NOPE, YA
MIGHT BE ABLE TA SHAKE IT OFF. (SHAKES HIS FINGER).
OR YA MIGHT BE ABLE TA LICK IT OFF. . . . NOW HOW DO YA
GET OL' FASHIONED PEANUT BUTTER OUTA THE ROOF OF YER
MOUTH? WELL. . . .
AND THE TALE STARTS ALL OVER AGAIN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): OLD FASHIONED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: 11-05-1967