Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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PRACTICAL JOKE
WHEN A NEW WORKER BEGINS TO CLEAN TOILETS FOR THE FIRST TIME AT
COBO HALL, HE IS ASKED REPEATEDLY BY THE OLDER WORKERS IF HE HAS
A STATE BOARD OF HEALTH CARD. IF HE SAYS NO, WHICH HE ALMOST
CERTAINLY WILL, HE IS REPRIMANDED FOR NOT TELLING THE SUPERVISOR
AND RISKING A POSSIBLE FINE AGAINST THE COMPANY.
Submitter comment:
THIS QUESTION HAS BEEN ASKED OF ALL WORKERS, INCLUDING MYSELF, AT
LEAST SINCE I STARTED WORK THERE 3 1/2 YEARS AGO.I FOUND OUT FROM
OTHER WORKERS THAT THEY ALSO WERE ASKED THIS QUESTION. THE LONGEST
WORKING EMPLOYEE ASKED WAS A WORKER WITH 10 YEARS SENIORITY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): HOAX PRACTICAL JOKE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 00-00-1971
COUNTING-OUT RHYME
MY MOTHER AND YOUR MOTHER WERE HANGING CLOTHES,
MY MOTHER PUNCHED YOUR MOTHER IN THE NOSE,
WHAT COLOR WAS THE BLOOD? (THE PERSON TO WHOM THE CALLER IS POINTING
NAMES A COLOR) EXAMPLE-BLUE
B-L-U-E SPELLS BLUE AND I WILL NOT PICK YOU.
Submitter comment:
THIS COUNTING-OUT RHYME WAS A FAVORITE OF THE KIDS IN MY
NEIGHBORHOOD BECAUSE SELDOM WOULD A COLOR BE CHOSEN VERY OFTEN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SPELLING
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: CA00001961
HOW TO KEEP A BELLY-BUTTON FROM GROWING OUTWARD
IF YOU TAPE A SILVER DOLLAR TO A YOUNG NEWBORN'S NAVEL IT WILL
PREVENT THE NAVEL FROM GROWING OUTWARD.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT DIDN'T BELIEVE IT WORKED EVEN THOUGH HER MOTHER TOLD HER
IT DID.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MADISON HEIGHTS
James Callow Keyword(s): DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 10-00-1973
MNEMONIC DEVICE
ST. WAPINAC-L
Submitter comment:
THIS IS WHAT HE USED TO REMEMBER THE PRESIDENT'S CABINENT AS IT WAS
IN THE YEAR 1938.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MADISON HEIGHTS
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- MNEM |
Date learned: 10-00-1973
CURE FOR MILKLEG
SOAK OAK LEAVES IN WATER UNTIL PLIABLE, THEN WRAP AROUND THE
INFECTED LEG. AFTER COVERING WITH THE LEAVES WRAP THE LEG AND
LEAVES WITH HOT TOWELS.
Submitter comment:
AN INDIAN FROM CANADA CURED HIS GRANDMOTHER AFTER A DOCTOR TOLD
HER THAT THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO TO SAVE THE LEG.
THE INFORMANT SEEMED TO BELIEVE THE STORY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MADISON HEIGHTS
James Callow Keyword(s): AMERINDIAN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 10-00-1973
MNEMONIC DEVICE
MY VERY EDUCATED MOTHER JUST SERVED US NINE PICKLES.
Submitter comment:
THIS SENTENCE HELPS TO REMEMBER THE PLANETS IN THE ORDER OF NEAREST
TO THE SUN TO FURTHEST FROM THE SUN
INFORMANT SAID HE LEARNED THE DEVICE FROM SOME OF HIS FRIENDS AT
SCHOOL. HE DIDN'T REMEMBER WHO TOLD IT TO HIM BUT SAID IT WAS USED
BY ALMOST EVERYONE IN HIS CLASS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MADISON HEIGHTS
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION ; NEPTUNE ; PLANETS: MERCURY, VENUS, EARTH, MARS, JUPITER, SATURN, ; PLUTO ; URANUS
| Subject headings: | Favorites ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- MNEM |
Date learned: 10-00-1973
MNEMONIC DEVICE
H-O-M-E-S
Submitter comment:
THE WORD HOMES HELPS TO REMEMBER THE GREAT LAKES
INFORMANT SAID HE LEARNED THE DEVICE FROM SOME OF HIS FRIENDS AT
SCHOOL. HE DIDN'T REMEMBER WHO TOLD IT TO HIM BUT SAID IT WAS USED
BY ALMOST EVERYONE IN HIS CLASS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MADISON HEIGHTS
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION ; LAKES: HURON, ONTARIO, MICHIGAN, ERIE, SUPERIOR
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- MNEM |
Date learned: 10-00-1973
IF YOU PUT A BLESSED MOTHER STATUE IN THE WINDOW, IT WON'T
RAIN.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
Keyword(s): Catholic ; CATHOLICISM ; VIRGIN MARY
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Religious hero BELIEF -- Sign or prediction through Natural atmospheric phenomenon |
Date learned: 06-14-1973
REVERSING A BABY'S SLEEP CYCLE
IF YOU WANT TO REVERSE A BABY'S SLEEP CYCLE YOU TURN IT HEAD OVER
HEELS AND THE SLEEP CYCLE WILL REVERSE.
Submitter comment: SAID HE DIDN'T REALLY BELIEVE IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MADISON HEIGHTS
James Callow Keyword(s): DIRECTION POSITION ; HOMEOPATHIC MAGIC
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Remedy |
Date learned: 10-00-1973
CRANBERRY SCOOP
CRANBERRY SCOOP PICTURES SEE SQ692406-3 TO SQ692406-7
Submitter comment:
THE CRANBERRY SCOOP WAS USED IN THE HARVESTING OF CRANBERRIES. THE
ONE PICTURED COMES FROM KINGSTON MASSACHUSETTS. AND IS ABOUT 35 YEARS
OLD. IT BELONGED TO MY GREAT UNCLE. THEY STOPPED USING THE SCOOP
FOR HARVESTING THE ENTIRE CRANBERRY BOG IN THE EARLY TO MIDDLE 1950S
WHEN A MECHANIZED PICKER WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE BUSINESS. IT WAS
STILL USED TO HARVEST ALONG THE SIDES OF THE BOG FOR THE
MECHANICAL PICKER COULDN'T HARVEST THERE.
THE OLD SCOOPS THAT ARE NO LONGER BEING USED IN THE BOG HAVE BEEN
USED IN THE HOME FOR NEWSPAPER RACKS AND MAGAZINE RACKS. IN SOME
CASES THE SCREEN WAS REMOVED AND A PIECE OF CREWEL WORK WAS PUT IN
ITS PLACE TO MAKE THE SCOOP MORE ATTRACTIVE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Massachusetts ; MADISON HEIGHTS ; KINGSTON
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTIONAL SHIFT
| Subject headings: | Favorites Favorites ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Occupation Fishing ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Household furniture and utensil |
Date learned: 00-00-1938
LIMERICK
THERE WAS A YOUNG LADY FROM YETTA/ WHO FANCIED HERSELF IN A SWETTA/
THREE REASONS SHE HAD/ TO KEEP WARM WAS NOT BAD/ BUT THE OTHER TWO
REASONS WERE BETTA
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MADISON HEIGHTS
James Callow Keyword(s): INDIRECTION FOR BREASTS ; SWEATER
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1969
OMEN
WHEN A DOG HOWLS AT NIGHT, IT MEANS DEATH IS NEAR. IT HAPPENED TO ME
ONCE WHEN OUR DOG, SNOOPY BOY, HOWLED ONE NIGHT AND HE NEVER REALLY
HOWLED BEFORE. THE NEXT MORNING WE FOUND OUT A RELATIVE HAD DIED.
THEN, ONE NIGHT RECENTLY, OUR DOG PRINCESS HOWLED, AND THE NEXT
MORNING WE FOUND OUT OUR GRANDFATHER HAD DIED THE NIGHT BEFORE. BOTH
STORIES ARE TRUE, THOUGH MANY DO NOT BELIEVE IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LINCOLN PARK
James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMAL
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 01-10-1973
REMEDY
FOR CHANGE OF LIFE (THROUGH THE YEARS)- TOMARINDO, CINNAMON STICKS,
FRESH NUTMEG-CHIPPED, ANISE, CLOVES, PEPPERMINT LEAVES, AND ROSEMARY
LEAVES, THEN THEY BOIL IT. AND FOR EVERY QUART, THEY ADD THE JUICE
OF 3 LEMONS, PUT IN THE SKINS AND FERMENT IT IN A JAR FOR 3 DAYS .
THEN STRAIN IT WITH A CHEESECLOTH. THEN THEY ADD 3 JIGGERS OF
ANNISETTE LIQUEUR. THEN THEY ADD 7 OUNCES OF HONEY. THEY DON'T
BELIEVE IN HORMONE SHOTS FOR CHANGE OF LIFE.
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS LEARNED BY THE INFORMANT WHEN SHE WAS A YOUNG GIRL IN
TEXAS. SHE WAS TAUGHT THIS BY HER MOTHER OR GRANDPARENTS, PRIMARILY
HER GRANDMOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LINCOLN PARK
James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMAL BEE ; PLANTS
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Plant food Fruit Food Drink -- Brew of leaf, bark, root Food Drink -- Alcoholic beverage BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 01-10-1973
REMEDY
POOR PEOPLE WITH TUBERCULOSIS USE THIS- RICE WATER TEA WITH HONEY
DAILY AT EVERY OPPURTUNITY BY ITSELF OR MIXED WITH JUICES OF THE
TROPICAL FRUITS THEY GROW THERE (IN TEXAS) SUCH AS PAPAYA JUICE,
MANGOS, CACTUS JUICE, AND COCONUT MILK, ALMOST LIKE A FULL MEAL TO
THE WEAK PERSON. ALL THE FRUITS ARE STRAINED AND THE RICE WATER
TEA IS MADE WITH RICE WATER AND PEPPERMINT LEAVES OR ANY OTHER TEA
LEAVES.
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS LEARNED BY THE INFORMANT WHEN SHE WAS A YOUNG GIRL
IN TEXAS. SHE WAS TAUGHT THIS INFORMATION BY HER MOTHER OR
GRANDPARENTS, PRIMARILY HER GRANDMOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LINCOLN PARK
James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMAL BEE ; PLANT
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Plant food Fruit Food Drink -- Animal product Food Drink -- Brew of leaf, bark, root BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 01-10-1973
REMEDY
FOR ARTHRITIS AND ACHES CAUSED BY OLD AGE, ETC. - 10 TO 12 OUNCES OF
MAJORANA BOILED IN A QUART OF WATER. USED AS A CHASER OR WITH
WHISKEY, TEQUILA, ETC.
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS LEARNED BY THE INFORMANT WHEN SHE WAS A YOUNG GIRL
IN TEXAS. SHE WAS TAUGHT THIS BY HER MOTHER OR GRANDPARENTS,
PRIMARILY HER GRANDMOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LINCOLN PARK
James Callow Keyword(s): MARJORAM? HERB? ; PLANT SPICE
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Flavoring Food Drink -- Alcoholic beverage BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 01-10-1973
REMEDY
FOR NERVES, HEADACHES, ETC.- BRANDY,1 OR 2 JIGGERS PER HALF GALLON OF
CINNAMON TEA.
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS LEARNED BY THE INFORMANT WHEN SHE WAS A YOUNG GIRL
IN TEXAS. SHE WAS TAUGHT THIS BY HER MOTHER OR GRANDPARENTS,
PRIMARILY HER GRANDMOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LINCOLN PARK
James Callow Keyword(s): PLANT SPICE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 01-10-1973
DRINK
FOR MORNING TEAS- FRESH CINNAMON TEA IN THE MORNING. THEY BELIEVE
THIS GIVES THEM VITAMANS FOR THEIR NUTRITIONAL DAILY REQUIREMENTS,
THIS IS USED YEAR ROUND THERE.
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS LEARNED BY THE INFORMANT WHEN SHE WAS A YOUNG GIRL
IN TEXAS. SHE WAS TAUGHT THIS BY HER MOTHER OR GRANDPARENTS,
PRIMARILY HER GRANDMOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LINCOLN PARK
James Callow Keyword(s): PLANT SPICE
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Flavoring Food Drink -- Brew of leaf, bark, root BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 01-10-1973
DRINK
FOR BABIES- FOR NUTRITION MIX A CAN OF PET MILK WITH 1 CAN OF WATER
PLUS RICE WATER WITH HONEY. RICE WATER IS THE WATER LEFT AFTER
BOILING RICE.
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS LEARNED BY THE INFORMANT WHEN SHE WAS A YOUNG GIRL
IN TEXAS. SHE WAS TAUGHT THIS BY HER MOTHER OR GRANDPARENTS,
PRIMARILY HER GRANDMOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LINCOLN PARK
James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMAL INSECT BEE
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Plant food Cereal Food Drink -- Animal product Food Drink -- Brew of leaf, bark, root BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 01-10-1973
REMEDY
FOR YOUNG GIRL'S FIRST MENSTRUAL PERIODS- BOIL ROSEMARY LEAVES, AND
ANISE SEED, CINNAMON STICKS, PEPPERMINT LEAVES, DRIED OR FRESH. IN
TEXAS THEY WOULD ADD A JIGGER OF ANNISETTE ( MEXICAN LIQUEUR )FOR
MEDICINAL PURPOSES.
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS LEARNED BY THE INFORMANT WHEN SHE WAS A YOUNG GIRL
IN TEXAS. SHE WAS TAUGHT THIS BY HER MOTHER OR GRANDPARENTS,
PRIMARILY HER GRANDMOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LINCOLN PARK
James Callow Keyword(s): PLANTS SPICE FLAVORING
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Flavoring BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 01-10-1973
LUCK
WHEN STIRRING GO IN ONLY ONE DIRECTION, OR YOUR BATTER WILL BE
SPOILED. AND IF YOU SEE AND KILL A SPIDER, IT IS BAD LUCK. ALSO
IF THE FIRST PERSON TO CROSS YOUR THRESHOLD AFTER NEW YEAR'S IS A
WOMAN, IT IS BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
CHURCH PROCESSIONS ALSO COINCIDED WITH THE IDEA OF ONLY GOING IN
ONE DIRECTION, AS IS SEEN IN SOME FAIRY TALES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMAL ARACHNID
Date learned: 02-00-1974