The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

IF THREE PEOPLE LIGHT A CIGARETTE ON ONE MATCH, BAD LUCK
WILL FOLLOW THE YOUNGEST TO USE THE MATCH.

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE

James Callow Keyword(s): YOUNGEST IS THE LAST BORN

Date learned: 07-19-1968

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LADYBUGS

WHEN ONE FINDS A LADYBUG ON ONE'S CLOTHING, ONE IS SUPPOSED
TO RELEASE THE BUG IN THE AIR (IT WILL FLY) AND SAY:
LADYBUG, LADYBUG,
FLY AWAY HOME,
YOUR HOUSE IN ON FIRE,
AND YOUR CHILDREN ARE ALL ALONE.

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE

Keyword(s): AND YOUR CHILDREN WILL BURN.

Date learned: 00-00-1973

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(PROVERB)

SOME GUY WHO WAS A GREAT TRACK STAR IN GREEK TIMES
STARTED TO BRAG HOW GREAT HE WAS. COME THE DAY OF THE
ATHENS-SPARTA MARATHON, AND HE WAS UP FOR IT. HIS
TRADE MARK BESIDES WINNING, WAS HIS CLOTHES, BECAUSE
HE WAS POOR. HE SAVED UP AND FOR THE BIG RACE HE
BOUGHT SHEEP WAX TO POLISH UP HIS CLOTHES SO THEY
LOOKED EXPENSIVE. THE RACE BEGINS. HE RAN AS HARD
AND AS LONG AS HE COULD. ALAS AND ALACK HE WAS
BEATEN.
MORAL: DON'T GLOSS YOUR BRITHCES AFORE YOU RUN IN
THEM.

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT

Keyword(s): DON'T CROSS YOUR BRIDGES BEFORE YOU COME TO THEM.

Date learned: 10-20-1970

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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

Date learned: 00-00-1967

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YELLOW FINGER

ONCE UPON A TIME THERE WAS A CASTLE THAT WAS GUARDED BY
A HUGE YELLOW FINGER, WHO WOULDN'T LET ANYONE PASS
THE KING FROM A RIVALING CASTLE SENT ONE OF HIS BRAVEST
KNIGHTS TO GET BY THE FINGER, BUT THE FINGER KILLED HIM.
SO THE KING SENT A DUKE, BUT HE, TOO, WAS KILLED. THEN
THE KING SENT ONE OF HIS PAGES. HE JUST WALKED RIGHT
THROUGH.
MORAL: LET YOUR PAGES DO THE WALKING THROUGH THE YELLOW
FINGER.

Submitter comment: IT SEEMS TO ME THERE WAS SLIGHTLY MORE BUILD-UP ON THIS
STORY, BUT I CAN'T REMEMBER IT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): PUN ON TELEVISION ADVERTISEMENT: LET YOUR FINGERS DO THE

Date learned: 11-18-1968

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(PROVERB)

SOME GUY WHO WAS A GREAT TRACK STAR IN GREEK TIMES
STARTED TO BRAG HOW GREAT HE WAS. COME THE DAY OF THE
ATHENS-SPARTA MARATHON, AND HE WAS UP FOR IT. HIS
TRADE MARK BESIDES WINNING, WAS HIS CLOTHES, BECAUSE
HE WAS POOR. HE SAVED UP AND FOR THE BIG RACE HE
BOUGHT SHEEP WAX TO POLISH UP HIS CLOTHES SO THEY
LOOKED EXPENSIVE. THE RACE BEGINS. HE RAN AS HARD
AND AS LONG AS HE COULD. ALAS AND ALACK HE WAS
BEATEN.
MORAL: DON'T GLOSS YOUR BRITHCES AFORE YOU RUN IN
THEM.

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT

Keyword(s): DON'T CROSS YOUR BRIDGES BEFORE YOU COME TO THEM.

Date learned: 10-20-1970

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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.

Date learned: 00-00-1967

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( PUNCH LINE FROM A SONG)

THERE ONCE WAS A FAMOUS SKIN DIVER NAMED OSEE WHO WAS
ASKED TO TEST A NEW UNDERWATER FLASHLIGHT, INVENTED BY
A PROFESSOR DAWNSEARLY. TO CONDUCT THE TEST, THE
SKINDIVER, THE PROFESSOR AND SOME PROFESSIONAL TEST
CONDUCTORS TOOK A SHIP TO THE NEAREST MURKY WATERS.
OSEE SUBMERGED IN A DIVING SUIT EQUIPPED WITH AN
INTERCOM. HE TOLD THE MAN ON BOARD THAT HE WAS TURNING
ON THE FLASHLIGHT. THEN, THROUGH THE INTERCOM THEY
ASKED THE FATAL QUESTION: "OSEE, CAN YOU SEE BY THE
DAWNSEARLY LIGHT?"

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT

Keyword(s): NATIONAL ANTHEM SONG: OH, SAY, CAN YOU SEE, BY THE DAWN'S EARLY LIGHT.

Date learned: 11-02-1970

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YELLOW FINGER

ONCE UPON A TIME THERE WAS A CASTLE THAT WAS GUARDED BY
A HUGE YELLOW FINGER, WHO WOULDN'T LET ANYONE PASS
THE KING FROM A RIVALING CASTLE SENT ONE OF HIS BRAVEST
KNIGHTS TO GET BY THE FINGER, BUT THE FINGER KILLED HIM.
SO THE KING SENT A DUKE, BUT HE, TOO, WAS KILLED. THEN
THE KING SENT ONE OF HIS PAGES. HE JUST WALKED RIGHT
THROUGH.
MORAL: LET YOUR PAGES DO THE WALKING THROUGH THE YELLOW
FINGER.

Submitter comment: IT SEEMS TO ME THERE WAS SLIGHTLY MORE BUILD-UP ON THIS
STORY, BUT I CAN'T REMEMBER IT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): PUN ON TELEVISION ADVERTISEMENT: LET YOUR FINGERS DO THE WALKING THROUGH THE YELLOW PAGES. COMMERCIAL FOR THE BELL TELEPHONE CO., REGARDING SAVING TIME AND ENERGY BY PRE-SHOPPING THROUGH MAKING CAL

Date learned: 11-18-1968

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YELLOW FINGERS

ONCE THERE WAS A KING WHO WANTED TO GET A MESSAGE THROUGH
TO A NEIGHBORING KINGDOM. BUT IN ORDER TO GET THROUGH,
THE MESSANGER WOULD HAVE TO PASS THE MONSTROUS YELLOW
FINGERS. FIRST A KNIGHT WAS SENT, BUT THE YELLOW FINGERS
PINCHED HIM TO DEATH. THEN A SQUIRE TRIED, BUT MET WITH
THE SAME FATE. FINALLY, A PAGE WAS SENT AND MADE IT
THROUGH.
THE MORAL OF THE STORY IS: LET YOUR PAGES DO THE WALKING
THROUGH THE YELLOW FINGERS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): PUN ON COMMERCIAL FOR THE BELL TELEPHONE CO., WHICH SAYS, "LET YOUR FINGERS DO THE WALKING, THROUGH THE YELLOW PAGES." TIMESAVING AND ENERGY SAVING METHOD OF SHOPPING--LOOK UP IN THE YELLOW PAGES O

Date learned: 10-15-1969

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TIE THE DONKEY WHERE HIS MASTER SAYS.
OCBOT IL HANAE FEIN IGHEIDLU SIDU {MALTESE}

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT INFORMANTS HOME

Keyword(s): {MEANING? YOU SHOULD OBEY AUTHORITY, SAYS COLLECTOR}

Date learned: 03-08-1970

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SALUTATION GESTURE

WAVING GOODBYE AMONG SICILIANS AND MOST LATIN AMERICANS
ENTAILS CUPPING AND UNCUPPING THE HAND--AS IS COMMON IN
THE U.S. HOWEVER, THIS IS DIRECTED TOWARD'S ONE'S OWN
BODY AND NOT TOWARD THE DEPARTING PERSON. THIS GESTURE
IS REPUTED TO BE A SYMBOLIC YEARNING OF THE OTHER'S SOON
RETURN.

Where learned: FLORIDA ; MIAMI

Keyword(s): CUP THE FINGERS, AND WAVE THEM TOWARD YOURSELF.

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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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

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Ethnic: Ukranian

If an unmarried girl dies, she is buried dressed as a bride, according to Ukranian tradition.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

Keyword(s): BURIAL ; Chastity ; DEATH ; ETHNIC ; Female ; Funeral ; Maiden ; UKRAINIAN ; Unmarried ; YOUTH

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Proverb

Too soon old and too late smart.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Original BN [C880.800] crossed out. Replaced with current classification.

Dup of WPP

Where learned: HOME

Keyword(s): AGE ; Elderly ; Hindsight ; IGNORANCE ; Old ; WISDOM ; YOUTH

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Proverb

TOO SOON OLD AND TOO LATE SMART.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD - 01-19-2011

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE

Keyword(s): AGE ; Elderly ; Hindsight ; IGNORANCE ; Old ; WISDOM ; YOUTH

Date learned: 08-05-1968

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Proverb

Polish Proverb:

Narva miotta dobrze zamiata

Translation: A new broom sweeps clean

Submitter comment:

I know this from my parents.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Located in pile marked Duplicates and Other Rejects

Keyword(s): BROOM ; ETHNIC ; JOB ; METAPHOR ; New ; POLISH ; Task ; YOUTH

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Proverb

There's no fool like an old fool.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Located in pile marked Duplicates and Other Rejects

Keyword(s): AGE ; Fool ; Old ; Senility ; Wise ; YOUTH

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Proverb

There's no fool like an old fool.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Located in pile marked Duplicates and Other Rejects

KW:PPP

Where learned: OHIO ; TOLEDO

Keyword(s): AGE ; Fool ; Old ; Senility ; WISDOM ; YOUTH

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