Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for Sport returned 75 results.
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE INITIATION RITE
HOCKEY INITIATION IS A HAIRY SCENE. TRADITIONALLY, VETERAN
PLAYERS HOLD A ROOKIE DOWN, WHIP OUT A RAZOR BLADE AND SCRAPE THE
HAIR FROM VARIOUS PARTS OF HIS BODY.
USUALLY, THE HAIR REMOVED IS FROM THE CHEST OR OTHER, MORE PRIVATE
LOCATIONS USUALLY COVERED BY CLOTHING. BUT SOMETIMES IT'S MORE
VISIBLE. PUBLIC RELATIONS DIRECTOR AL COATES SAYS HIS MINOR LEAGUE
TEAMMATES ONCE TRIMMED OFF ONE OF HIS EYEBROWS. AND THE RECENT
TREND, PERHAPS A BACKLASH CREATED BY MODERN, MALE HAIRSTYLES, IS TO
CHOP HAIR FROM HEADS OF PLAYERS.
FOR DETROIT RED WINGS' ROOKIES MIKE FOLIGNO AND GLENN HICKS, THE
HAIRCUTS TOOK PLACE IN THE SHOWER AREA OF THE TEAM LOCKER ROOM,
LEAVING FOLIGNO WITH A SKULL THAT LOOKS LIKE THE ROUGH OF A
LOW-BUDGET GOLF COURSE AND LEAVING HICKS LOOKING LIKE A HARE KRISHNA
WITHOUT THE PONY TAIL.
"YOU KNOW, POLONICH, HE'S THE INSTIGATOR," SAID COACH BOBBY KROMM,
WHO IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE PRACTICE BUT WORRIED ABOUT IT GETTING OUT
OF CONTROL. HE DESCRIBED THE WAY IT HAPPENS.
"POLONICH IS NOT THE CUTEST-LOOKING GUY IN THE WORLD, YOU KNOW,
WITH HIS NOSE ALL OUT," KRO
SAID. "AND HE GETS THE BLEEPING LITTL
DUNCE HAT OVER HIS HEAD, WITH HIS BLEEPING TASSLE ON THE BACK, AND
HE'S WEARING ONE OF THESE WHITE BLEEPING APRONS, WITH BLOOD AND MEAT
AND EVERYTHING ON IT.
"AND HE'S GOT ALL THE INGREDIENTS. HE LOOKS LIKE A REAL LITTLE
BLEEPING BUTCHER. AND PERRY MILLER COMES WITH AN APRON AND A MASK
AND A HAMMER AND A KNIFE AND A HACKSAW."
THE ROUTINE THAT FOLLOWS IS SIMILAR TO A SURGICAL PREP AND IT
LEAVES THE LOCKER ROOM A MESS. OFTEN, THE PLAYER IS TRICKED INTO AN
AMBUSH. POLONICH WHO RECEIVED A MOHAWK HAIRCUT AS A JUNIOR, WAS
INITIATED WITH THE WINGS IN 1975 AFTER WALT MCKECKNIE CHALLENGED HIM
TO A WRESTLING MATCH.
AFTER MCKECHNIE PINNED POLONICH HE GAVE EVERYBODY THE SIGNAL.
BUGSY WATSON WAS THE GUY THAT DID IT. AS THE BUGSY WATSON OF HIS
ERA, POLONICH LAST WEEK GAVE THE SIGNAL FOR TEAMMATES TO OVERPOWER
FOLIGNO AND BIND HIM WITH A DOZEN ROLLS OF TAPE.
Submitter comment: QUOTED FROM A STORY BY DETROIT FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER JOE LAPOINTE
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SPORTS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 11-14-1979
RAH, RAH, REE,
KICK HIM IN THE KNEE;
RAH, RAH, RASS,
KICK HIM IN THE...
Submitter comment:
WHEN ASKED BY THE INSTRUCTOR IF THIS ITEM WAS A CHEER, THE COLLECTOR
SAID IT WAS.
Data entry tech comment:
I LEARNED A VARIANT OF THIS CHEER AT ST. ELIZABETH'S GRADE SCHOOL IN
DETROIT IN THE LATE 1960'S:
RAH RAH REE
KICK 'EM IN THE KNEE;
RAH RAH RASS
KICK 'EM IN THE...OTHER KNEE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ALLITERATION ; ELLIPSIS ; HUMOR ; NONSENSE WORDS ; REPETITION ; SPORTS ; SURPRISE ENDING
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Custom Festival Custom Festival |
Date learned: 11-20-1968
BASKETBALL SUPERSTITION
IF A BASKETBALL TEAM HAS A VERY GOOD SEASON THE CAPTAIN'S SHOES ARE
HUNG PERMANENTLY IN THE LOCKER ROOM. THIS IS SAID TO BRING THE TEAM
GOOD LUCK IN FOLLOWING YEARS.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
Keyword(s): SOCIAL RELATIONS ; SPORTS ; SUPERNATURAL: CAPTAIN'S SHOES AS LUCKY CHARM
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Dress HandsFeet BELIEF -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Measure of time Year BELIEF -- Good luck P881.19 |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
THE PORPOISES
SEEMS THAT THERE WAS THIS ZOOLOGIST WHO WAS DEEPLY INVOLVED
IN THE STUDY OF KEEPING PORPOISES ALIVE INDEFINITELY.
SEEING AS THAT THE SEA-GULL IS THEIR MAIN FOOD, HE RAISED
THEM, IN HUNDREDS, ON A FARM NEAR THE LABORATORY. SO
EVERY DAY, HE WOULD TAKE A LOAD OF THESE BIRDS FROM THE
FARM, DOWN THE ROAD PAST THE ZOO, TO HIS LAB. WELL, ONE
DAY, AS HE WAS PASSING THE ZOO, A LION, WHO HAD ESCAPED
EARLIER, RAN OUT IN FRONT OF HIS TRUCK. HE COULDN'T
STOP, SO HE HIT IT BROADSIDE. WELL, IT WAS JUST HIS LUCK
THAT A STATE TROOPER WAS PASSING BY AT THAT POINT. THE
OFFICER GOT OUT, SURVEYED THE MESS, AND DECIDED TO TAKE
THE ZOOLOGIST BACK TO THE STATION. WHEN ASKED WHAT THE
CHARGE WAS, HE REPLIED, "YOU ARE GUILTY OF TRANSPORTING
YOUNG GULLS ACROSS A STATE LION FOR IMMORTAL PURPOISES."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): TRANSPORTING YOUNG GIRLS ACROSS A STATE LINE FOR IMMORAL
| Subject headings: | 6677 Formula Tale |
Date learned: 00-00-1967
THE PORPOISES
SEEMS THAT THERE WAS THIS ZOOLOGIST WHO WAS DEEPLY INVOLVED
IN THE STUDY OF KEEPING PORPOISES ALIVE INDEFINITELY.
SEEING AS THAT THE SEA-GULL IS THEIR MAIN FOOD, HE RAISED
THEM, IN HUNDREDS, ON A FARM NEAR THE LABORATORY. SO
EVERY DAY, HE WOULD TAKE A LOAD OF THESE BIRDS FROM THE
FARM, DOWN THE ROAD PAST THE ZOO, TO HIS LAB. WELL, ONE
DAY, AS HE WAS PASSING THE ZOO, A LION, WHO HAD ESCAPED
EARLIER, RAN OUT IN FRONT OF HIS TRUCK. HE COULDN'T
STOP, SO HE HIT IT BROADSIDE. WELL, IT WAS JUST HIS LUCK
THAT A STATE TROOPER WAS PASSING BY AT THAT POINT. THE
OFFICER GOT OUT, SURVEYED THE MESS, AND DECIDED TO TAKE
THE ZOOLOGIST BACK TO THE STATION. WHEN ASKED WHAT THE
CHARGE WAS, HE REPLIED, "YOU ARE GUILTY OF TRANSPORTING
YOUNG GULLS ACROSS A STATE LION FOR IMMORTAL PURPOISES."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): TRANSPORTING YOUNG GIRLS ACROSS A STATE LINE FOR IMMORAL PURPOSES. A FELONY.
| Subject headings: | 6677 Formula Tale |
Date learned: 00-00-1967
THIS WAS HIS WAY OF TELLING A YOUNG BOY HOW TO PLAY
THE OUTFIELD. HE WAS INDEED A FINE LITTLE LEAGUE MANAGER.
IT IS EASIER FOR AN OUTFIELDER TO RUN IN FOR A FLY BALL,
THAN IT IS FOR HIM TO RUN OUT. THEREFORE, PLAY THE OUTFIELD
DEEP.
Where learned: BOSTON ; Massachusetts
Keyword(s): BASEBALL SPORTS
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 00-00-1955
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
Superstition: Baseball
NEVER MENTION A NO-HITTER TO A PITCHER DURING THE GAME.
Submitter comment:
HEARD IT ON T.V.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD 12.2.2010
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; 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
BASEBALL PITCHER IS PITCHING A NO-HITTER, NO ONE SPEAKS
OF IT.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
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: 10-16-1967
Superstition: Baseball
I LEARNED THE FOLLOWING WHILE PLAYING BABE RUTH BASEBALL IN PORT
HURON. "DURING A GAME WHEN A PITCHER IS PITCHING A NO HITTER, IT
IS BAD LUCK TO TELL HIM HOW MANY STRIKE-OUTS HE HAS OR HOW MANY
INNINGS HE HAS YET TO PITCH."
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; PORT HURON
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 BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.6 |
Date learned: 10-30-1972
Superstition: Baseball
IT IS BAD LUCK TO MENTION THAT A PITCHER HAS A NO-
HITTER GOING WHILE THE GAME IS IN PROGRESS.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
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 BELIEF -- Bad luck Games Pastimes Sports |
Date learned: 10-22-1969
Superstition: Baseball
THERE HAS BEEN A PREVAILING BELIEF AMONG THE VARIOUS
BASEBALL BROADCASTERS THAT I HAVE HEARD OVER THE
YEARS, IN THE BAD LUCK OF MENTIONING THE FACT THAT A
PITCHER IS WORKING ON A NO HIT GAME. IF ONE MENTIONS
THE IMPENDING NO-HITTER, THE SUPERSTITION GOES, THE
NO-HITTER WILL NOT CONTINUE FOR THE PITCHER WILL HAVE
BEEN JINXED BY THE MENTIONING OF HIS NEARLY COMPLETE
ACHIEVEMENT.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS
Keyword(s): BAD LUCK ; BASEBALL ; BASEBALL STADIUM ; CHANCE ; CUSTOM ; Fan ; FATE ; jinx ; LUCK ; No-Hitter ; Shutout ; SPORTS ; SUPERSTITION
Date learned: 11-23-1970
Belief: Luck
Bowling: never change your line-up unless you have a losing streak.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [P880] crossed out and replaced with current classification.
The word Luck is written across the top of the card.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES
Keyword(s): Bowling ; CUSTOM ; Entertainment ; LUCK ; SPORTS ; SUPERSTITION
James Callow Keyword(s): LUCK
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Belief: Luck
Winning Streak:
Many coaches won't change a suit, socks or some particular piece of clothing if they have a winning streak going.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: Myself
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; CLOTHING ; CUSTOM ; Entertainment ; GAMBLING ; jinx ; LUCK ; SPORTS ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Custom
Cheer:
In the United States, it is customary to clap and whistle to show approval and to "boo" to show disapproval. But watching the Olympics, I noticed that some countries whistle to express disfavor.
Submitter comment:
I saw this in the hockey games.
Data entry tech comment:
motifs added by TRD
Where learned: SUMMER OLYMPICS
Keyword(s): Audience ; Boo ; CHEER ; Clap ; CUSTOM ; Olympics ; SPORTS ; Whistle
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Superstition: Sports
In order to keep a winning streak going for a team, the team members must not change their socks from game to game.
Submitter comment:
Belief, Predicition, Divination P880
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Reference
Where learned: Myself
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; CLOTHING ; jinx ; LUCK ; SOCKS ; SPORTS ; SUPERSTITION
James Callow Keyword(s): Reference
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Superstition: Sports
Winning Streak:
It was believed to be bad luck to wash your athletic socks during a winning streak. If the coach made you wear clean ones, you always wore your dirty ones underneath those so as not to jinx the team.
Data entry tech comment:
motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [P500] crossed out. Replaced with current classification
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Coach ; FATE ; GAME ; jinx ; LUCK ; SPORTS ; SUPERSTITION ; Win ; Winning Streak
James Callow Keyword(s): Reference
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Entertainment Diversion |