Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for Out returned 110 results.
IN ORDER TO DETERMINE WHO WOULD KICK OFF OR RECEIVE
THE BALL IN THE BEGINNING OF NEIGHBORHOOD FOOTBALL
GAMES, THE TWO CAPTAINS WOULD TURN THEIR BACKS AND
ANOTHER WOULD SPIN THE FOOTBALL BEHIND THEIR
BACKS. THE CAPTAIN WOULD HAVE TO GUESS IF THE
LACINGS WERE FACE UP OR NOT SHOWING. HENCE,
THE NAME OF THE GAME, "STRINGS, NO STRINGS."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): COUNTING OUT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: CHILDHOOD
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 |
IF YOU CLEAN OUT YOUR PLATE THE SUN WILL SHINE THE
NEXT DAY.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SAID HE (SIC) PARENTS TOLD HER THIS DURING
HER CHILDHOOD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE PARK
James Callow Keyword(s): CLEAN OUT MEANS CLEAN UP.
| Subject headings: | Prediction / Divination BELIEF -- Sign or prediction through Eating BELIEF -- Control Prevention Provocation Protection P892.28 |
Date learned: 09-24-1970
WHEN YOU SEE A ONE-EYED CAR, KISS YOUR KNEE AND THE FIRST PERSON
YOU SEE WILL BE YOUR SWEETHEART.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
Keyword(s): HEADLIGHT ONE HEADLIGHT OUT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Feet, toes, toenails BELIEF -- Use of Object Manufactured objects, homemade, machined BELIEF -- Use of object for determining future spouse |
Date learned: 06-18-1973
WHEN YOU SEE TWO WHITE BUTTERFLYS, THEN YOU CAN GO BAREFOOT
IN THE SUMMER.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): WITHOUT SHOES
| Subject headings: | 686 Seconds / Twice / Two BELIEF -- Insect BELIEF -- Measure of time Summer |
Date learned: 00-00-1972
ON MAY 1ST BEGIN GOING BAREFOOT.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; FRANKLIN
James Callow Keyword(s): WITHOUT SHOES
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- May 1 May Day BELIEF -- Body part Senses Feet, toes, toenails |
Date learned: 06-17-1973
SUPERSTITION: CENTIPEDES
IF A CENTIPEDE HAS A CHANCE TO COUNT YOUR TEETH, YOU WILL SOON
DIE.
Submitter comment:
THUS CAUSING CHILDREN IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD TO KEEP THEIR LIPS FIRMLY
CLOSED WHILE IN COMPANY WITH THE ABUNDANT CENTIPEDES OF OUR WOODS.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
Keyword(s): MOUTH, INSECTS
| Subject headings: | Prediction / Divination BELIEF -- Body part Senses Mouth, teeth, lips, tongue BELIEF -- Insect BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Number Counting beliefs |
Date learned: 03-23-1972
TALE
WHILE HUNTING IN THE UPPER PENINSULA ONE SEASON, I CLIMBED A TREE
TO GET A BETTER VIEW OF THE TERRAIN. THE BRANCH I SAT ON BROKE
AND I FELL INTO WHAT TURNED OUT TO BE A HOLLOW TREE WITH BEAR CUBS
IN IT. KNOWING THAT THE MOTHER BEAR WOULD SOON BE BACK, I TRIED
MY BEST TO CLIMB OUT OF THE TREE, TO NO AVAIL. SO I GRABBED MY
KNIFE AND WAITED FOR HER. JUST THEN, I HEARD HER SCRATCHING HER
WAY UP THE TREE. I SAW HER AT THE TOP OF THE TREE CLIMBING INTO
THE HOLE REAR FIRST, SO I GRABBED HER TAIL AND JABBED MY KNIFE
INTO HER BEHIND. SHE SHOT UP THE TREE, PULLING ME WITH HER. AS
SOON AS WE WERE OUT, I PICKED UP MY GUN AND SHOT HER.
Where learned: NORTHERN MICHIGAN
Keyword(s): SEE ROBERTS' SOUTH FROM HELL-FOR-SATAN, TALE 71.
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale |
Date learned: 08-15-1969
TALE
WHILE HUNTING IN THE UPPER PENINSULA ONE SEASON, I CLIMBED A TREE
TO GET A BETTER VIEW OF THE TERRAIN. THE BRANCH I SAT ON BROKE
AND I FELL INTO WHAT TURNED OUT TO BE A HOLLOW TREE WITH BEAR CUBS
IN IT. KNOWING THAT THE MOTHER BEAR WOULD SOON BE BACK, I TRIED
MY BEST TO CLIMB OUT OF THE TREE, TO NO AVAIL. SO I GRABBED MY
KNIFE AND WAITED FOR HER. JUST THEN, I HEARD HER SCRATCHING HER
WAY UP THE TREE. I SAW HER AT THE TOP OF THE TREE CLIMBING INTO
THE HOLE REAR FIRST, SO I GRABBED HER TAIL AND JABBED MY KNIFE
INTO HER BEHIND. SHE SHOT UP THE TREE, PULLING ME WITH HER. AS
SOON AS WE WERE OUT, I PICKED UP MY GUN AND SHOT HER.
Where learned: NORTHERN MICHIGAN
Keyword(s): SEE ROBERTS' SOUTH FROM HELL-FOR-SATAN, TALE 71.
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale |
Date learned: 08-15-1969
WAS BITTER IST IM MUNDE DAS IST DEM HERZ GESUNDE.
Where learned: RESIDENCE
Keyword(s): IS HEALTHY IN THE HEART. ; {KEYPUNCHER'S TRANSLATION} : WHAT IS BITTER IN THE MOUTH
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
CASINO WORKERS USE GESTURES: FINGERTIPS TOUCHING
TABLE MEANS "THERE'S A CHISLER HERE;" A FINGER BEHIND
THE EAR IS A DISTRESS CALL FOR THE HEAD MAN; CROSSED
INDEX AND THIRD FINGER MEANS "PLEASE TAKE OVER;"
PALM AND FINGERS EXTENDED DOWNWARD MEANS "THEY ARE
CLEANED OUT."
Where learned: BOOK
Keyword(s): SLANG: CLEANED OUT: OUT OF MONEY.
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Work Commerce Business SPEECH -- Underworld SPEECH -- Instructions Directions |
Date learned: 00-00-1965
THERE IS A BRASILIAN GESTURE IN WHICH ONE TAKES HIS
RIGHT HAND AND THROWS IT OUT, THEN DOWN, AND THEN
BACK QUICKLY WHICH MEANS "COME HERE."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE
Keyword(s): BRAZIL ; SOUTH AMERICA
James Callow Keyword(s): COME HITHER GESTURE
| Subject headings: | 602 Body Parts SPEECH -- Instructions Directions |
Date learned: 02-19-1970
Story
The recruit would go around the base in a constant search looking for a piece of paper. He would go through elaborate to attract attention [sic]. He would turn over rocks, pick up other pieces of paper or what have you. After each act he would exclaim "no, that's not it!" Finally he got the attention of the camp doctors who then had him confined. Finally the doctors deemed him unfit for service and gave him a medical discharge. Then the guy said he finally found the right piece of paper.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original Bogg Number [B600] crossed out and replaced with B646
Keyword(s): Discharge ; FEIGNED INSANITY TO GET OUT OF MILITARY SERVICE. ; Fool ; INSANITY ; INSANITY ; Mental Disorder ; MILITARY ; Parable ; Recruit ; Sanity ; Wise Fool
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Romantic Realistic |
Entry filtered.
Goats Feet
There was a girl who liked to dance and socialize very often. Her parents objected so she used to sneak out of the house. One day her mother caught her and put a curse on her. If she went out of the house to go dancing again her feet would turn to goat's ffet. She didn't believe her mother. Next time she went out her beau picked her up and off they went. When she went to get out of the car, she looked down and her feet had turned to goat's feet. The moral is: listen to your parents.
Submitter comment:
Polish Tale (Written across the top of the card)
Co - Feet of girl turned into feet of goat when/after she is cursed by her mother for dancing. (written on an attached card that listed motifs. Signed by M. Butzen
Data entry tech comment:
Non-numbered motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original Boggs Number [B600] crossed out and B642 written nest to it.
Collector's note of Polish Tale is crossed out.
Why Polish is written at the bottom of the card, then crossed out and followed by: B. Fagan says this is a Polish FolkTale.
A separate card is attached with motif numbers listed. Bottom of card is signed by an M. Butzen.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): Dancing ; DATING ; Fable ; FAMILY ; FEET ; Goat ; Moral ; PARENTAL RESPECT ; PARENTS ; POLISH ; SOCIAL RELATIONS ; Teenager ; YOUTH
James Callow Keyword(s): POLISH
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Magic |
The Blacksmiths Son
Long ago in a small village there lived a blacksmith. Now although blacksmiths were poor, they were, nevertheless, held in respect because they were the strongest men in the village.
People used to go to the blacksmith for advice and help. This particular balcksmithhad one son, and the blacksmith wanted his son to be a blacksmith also. But the son was lazy and did not like to work. One day he told his father: "father, I have a very brilliant idea. I'm going to learn your trade in an easy way. Here's my plan: Put me in a large basket above yuor workshop and I will watch everything you do. And by watching you constantly, I will earn your trade."
So the son was put in the basket and watched his father fort several months. Then the son said to his father: "Father, I think I'm ready." And so the father gave the son tools, and a large piece of iron, and said to his son: "now son, what are you going to make?"
"Father," the son said, "I think I'll make a hammer."
"Son," the father said, "If you can make a hammer, you will be a better blacksmith than I, because it took me five years to learn how to make a hammer." And the son worked feverishly for several days but to no avail. So the son went to his father and said: "Father, I think I'll make a horseshoe instead."
The father said; "Son, if you can make a horseshoe, you will be a better blacksmith than I, because it took me three years to learn how to make a horseshoe." The son again went out, pounding and forming, but to no avail. He said to the fahter: "Father, I think I will make a nail instead of a horseshoe."
The fahter said: "Son, if you can make a nail, you will be a better blacksmith than I, because it took me two years to learn how to make a nail." The son worked for several hours, but to no avail. He said to his father: "Father, I will make something you never made. I will make a needle."
"Son," said the father, "if you make a needle, you will be a better blacksmith than I, for no smith has made a needle. " And so, the son worked and worked until finally there was nothing left. but he did not give up. He said: "Father, I will make something with no iron at all."
"Son, if you can make something without iron, it will indeed make you a great blacksmith," the father replied.
The son said: "Come watch, Father." He took a pair of tongs and heated them red hot, and suddenly plunged them into a barrel of water, and said: "Father, I did it. I made a pss."
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original Boggs Number [ B665] crossed out and B646 is written next to it.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALLEN PARK
Keyword(s): Blacksmith ; FAMILY ; Father ; Hammer ; HORSESHOE ; HUMOR ; IRON ; Learn ; Lesson ; Needle ; Outsmart ; Skill ; Son ; TRADE ; Wise ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Romantic Realistic |
Superstition: Baseball
Never mention a shutout or a perspective no-hitter to a pitcher or anyone in a Major-League dugout during the feat or it will be lost to fate.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
The original BN [P880] is crossed out and replaced with P536.
The words Bad Luck are also crossed out from the top left-hand corner of the card.
Where learned: NBC TELEVISION ; RADIO PROGRAM
Keyword(s): BAD LUCK ; BASEBALL ; BASEBALL STADIUM ; CHANCE ; CUSTOM ; Fan ; FATE ; jinx ; LUCK ; No-Hitter ; Shutout ; SPORTS ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Superstition: Baseball
WHEN THE PITCHER HAS A NO-HITTER GOING IN A BASEBALL GAME IT IS BAD
LUCK TO MENTION THIS FACT UNTIL THE GAME IS OVER. IF YOU DO MENTION
IT THE PITCHER WILL LOSE HIS NO-HITTER. DURING THE 1979 DETROIT
TIGERS BASEBALL SEASON DAVE ROZEMA HAD A NO-HITTER GOING IN THE
SEVENTH INNING AND THE UN-BASEBALL-WISE CHANNEL FOUR TV ANNOUNCER
MIKE BARRY ANNOUNCED THIS AND SURE ENOUGH THE NEXT BATTER GOT A
HOMERUN. THE OTHER TV ANNOUNCERS, FORMER BASEBALL PLAYERS AL KALINE
AND GEORGE SWELL, ALMOST THREW BARRY OUT OF THEIR THIRD-DECK BOOTH.
ANYBODY THAT KNOWS ANYTHING ABOUT BASEBALL KNOWS YOU ARE NOT SUPPOSE
TO MENTION A NO-HITTER AND BARRY SAID IT IN FRONT OF A QUARTER
MILLION PERSON TV AUDIENCE.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
Keyword(s): BAD LUCK ; BASEBALL ; BASEBALL STADIUM ; CHANCE ; CUSTOM ; Fan ; FATE ; jinx ; LUCK ; No-Hitter ; Shutout ; SPORTS ; SUPERSTITION
James Callow Keyword(s): SPEAKING TABU
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 11-23-1979
Superstition: Baseball
IF YOU'RE PLAYING BASEBALL AND YOUR PITCHER IS PITCHING
A NO-HITTER, IT'S BAD LUCK TO TALK ABOUT IT AND SAY
ANYTHING ABOUT IT TO HIM. JUST PRETEND LIKE YOU
KNOW NOTHING ABOUT IT.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS AN OLD CUSTOM IN BASEBALL THAT I LEARNED FROM
PLAYING IT VERY EARLY IN LIFE.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS ; ASSUMED
Keyword(s): BAD LUCK ; BASEBALL ; BASEBALL STADIUM ; CHANCE ; CUSTOM ; Fan ; FATE ; jinx ; LUCK ; No-Hitter ; Shutout ; SPORTS ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
Superstition: Baseball
NO ONE SHOULD MENTION TO A PITCHER BETWEEN INNINGS THAT
HE HAS A SHUTOUT OR NO-HITTER GOING.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
Keyword(s): BAD LUCK ; BASEBALL ; BASEBALL STADIUM ; CHANCE ; CUSTOM ; Fan ; FATE ; jinx ; LUCK ; No-Hitter ; Shutout ; SPORTS ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 09-24-1969