Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for THIN returned 104 results.
HOW MANY ETHIOPIANS CAN YOU FIT IN A BATH TUB. NONE,
THEY WILL FALL DOWN THE DRAIN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): THIN FROM STARVATION
| Subject headings: | ETHI |
Date learned: 00001970S
Hand clapping rhyme played by African-American children
Little Sally Walker walking down the street
Hey Hey she didn't know what to do
So, she jumped in front of me.
I said gone girl shake that thang, shake that thang
Shake that thang.
Gone girl shake that thang, shake that thang stop.
Submitter comment:
Hand claps accompany this rhyme and rhythm is very
important. Each rhyme has its own tempo that must
be maintained when said and clapped.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; children in the community
James Callow Keyword(s): shake that thing
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1989
In Baghdad, Iraq swimming in the Tigris and Euphrates river
after the holy month of Ramadan is said to be the last
cleansing process of the soul. Only Moslems participate in
this religious ceremony.
Submitter comment:
My father told me this story because he knew of many
individuals who would participate in the ceremony.
James Callow Keyword(s): bathing
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00-00-1948
If yo tink yo bundle of dirty clothes too heavy, try
picking up yo neighbor's own.
Submitter comment:
People always believe that they have the worst of everything
until they realize that other people have problems too.
Where learned: VIRGIN ISLANDS ; Saint Thomas
Keyword(s): tink = think ; yo = you or your
James Callow Keyword(s): Advice -- Positive ; Metaphor: problems = bundle of clothes ; RELATIVITY ; WEIGHT
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 02-00-1991
Drunk man talk what he tink when he sober.
Submitter comment: A drunk person says what he's thinking when he's sober.
Where learned: VIRGIN ISLANDS ; Saint Thomas
Keyword(s): tink = think
James Callow Keyword(s): INHIBITIONS ; OBSERVATION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 02-00-1991
The sanctified religion says women are not allowed to wear make-
up, jewelry, pants, or red in church or outside of church.
Submitter comment:
Leah says that these rules are stated in the bible; the bible
says: "women should dress in modest apparel"; if they don't "Women
should be shame-faced."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CLOTHING
James Callow Keyword(s): COSMETICS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church BELIEF -- Color |
Date learned: 00001970S
White toed sox
A good luck charm to ward off bad gremlins, was socks with
white toes. The Irish say that these socks will keep a person from
being tripped by "little people."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): Apotropaic clothing
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome BELIEF -- Color BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 00001969S
CUSTOM
ON EASTER MORNING, WHEN THE CHURCH BELLS RING, THE MOTHERS BATHE
THEIR BABIES SO IF THEY ARE FRIGHTENED OF ANYTHING, THE FRIGHT WILL
BE WASHED AWAY.
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): bathing ; HOMEOPATHIC MAGIC ; WASHING ; WATER
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting F663.12 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday |
Date learned: 11-11-1967
AT A BABY SHOWER, IF THE BRIDE-TO-BE BREAKS A BOW ON A
GIFT, SHE WILL HAVE ONE BABY. IF SHE BREAKS TWO BOWS,
SHE WILL HAVE TWO BABIES; ETC.
Keyword(s): WEDDING OR BRIDAL SHOWER, I RATHER THINK.
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Number Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually |
Date learned: 00-00-1968
PROVERB
THE PIGS WERE SO SKINNY THEY HAD TO TIE KNOTS IN THEIR
TALES TO KEEP FROM BLOWING THROUGH THE RAIL FENCE.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
Keyword(s): TAILS THIN
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: 08-07-1968
PROVERBIAL METAPHOR
THE SWEETEST MEAT IS NEXT TO THE BONE.
Submitter comment: SLIM WOMEN MAKE THE BEST LOVERS.
Where learned: NASHVILLE ; TENNESSEE, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): THIN
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
TEN ACRES OF SAND AND A RED-HEADED WIFE
IS UAUALLY {SIC} THE END OF A PINHEAD'S LIFE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
Keyword(s): THINKS, PINHEAD MEANS DULL-WITTED.} ; {MEANING? COLLECTOR DOESN'T KNOW. PROBABLY, SHE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb |
Date learned: 09-20-1967
TALK SPEECH
THOSE PANTS MUST HAVE BEEN SPRAYED ON
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ECORSE
Keyword(s): CLOTHING
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase |
FORMULA SPEECH
"IT'S SNOWING DOWN SOUTH."
Submitter comment:
THIS IS SAID WHENEVER YOU WANT TO TELL A WOMAN THAT HER SLIP IS
SHOWING, BUT YOU DON'T WANT TO COME RIGHT OUT AND SAY SO FOR
OTHERS MIGHT HEAR AND CAUSE THE WOMAN EMBARRASMENT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; VALENTES MENS FORMALWEAR
Keyword(s): CLOTHING
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 10-12-1971
Remedy - Animal
Whoever carries the right eye of a wolf fastened inside his right sleeve, remains free from all injury.
Where learned: INDIANA ; VEEDERSBURG
Keyword(s): "NATURAL" REMEDY ; AMULET ; ANIMAL ; BELIEF ; CLOTHING ; CURE ; Injury ; MEDICAL ; PREVENTION ; talisman
James Callow Keyword(s): "NATURAL" REMEDY ; ANIMAL ; BELIEF ; REMEDY
| Subject headings: |
Remedy: Animal
Whoever carries the right eye of a wolf fastened inside his right sleeve, remains free from all injury.
Data entry tech comment:
Motif added by T.R. Davidson
Where learned: INDIANA ; VEEDERSBURG
Keyword(s): "NATURAL" REMEDY ; ANIMAL ; CLOTHING ; PREVENTION ; REMEDY ; Wolf
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Animal |
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 |
Trick
Trick:
A tricky person will point at a button on your clothing and ask "Do you want that?" If you say "yes," then he rips it off and gives it to you. If you are unfortunate enough to say "no," he rips it off and throws it away.
Submitter comment:
Be careful who you pull this trick on. He should not be Dick the Bruiser.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): BULLY ; Button ; CLOTHING ; JOKE ; Prank ; Tease ; TRICK ; TRICKSTER
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
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 |
Ethnic:Polish Superstition
Curing a Spell:
To cure a spell, especially the evil eye, cast on a small child, you remove all the clothes, and dress the baby again with all the clothes inside out. This is a Polish belief.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): CHILD ; CLOTHING ; CURE ; CURSE ; ETHNIC ; EVIL EYE ; Fashion ; MAGIC ; POLAND ; POLISH ; REMEDY ; Removal
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Method of Curing |