Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for Ear returned 226 results.
"BLOODY MARY" (BRAVERY GAME)
A TEST OF BRAVERY IN MY GRADE SCHOOL WOULD BE A GAME CALLED
"BLOODY MARY".
FIRST, ONE WOULD GO INTO A SCHOOL BATHROOM, TURN OUT THE LIGHTS
AND FILL THE SINK WITH WATER. AFTER STARING INTO THE WATER FOR
THIRTY SECONDS, ONE WOULD QUICKLY LOOK INTO A MIRROR IN HOPE OF
SEEING THE GHOST OF "BLOODY MARY" STABBING HERSELF.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA ; CASS ELEMENTARY
James Callow Keyword(s): CONJURATION ; FEAR TEST
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: CA00001970
AUTOGRAPH BOOK VERSE
NOVEMBER 10, 1937
WHEN YOU GET MARRIED,
DON'T MARRY A FOOL.
MARRY A BOY
FROM CARY SCHOOL. MM
2 DAY
+2 MORROW
4 GET ME NOT
GERALDINE RITCHIE MM
DECEMBER 8, 1937
IF I WAS A LITTLE RABBIT
AND HAD A TAIL OF FLUFF,
I WOULD SIT ON YOUR DRESSER
AND BE YOUR POWDER PUFF.
ELEANOR FODOR MM
DECEMBER 12, 1937
YOU MAY LIVE IN ITALY.
YOU MAY LIVE IN SPAIN.
BUT THE WAY I LOVE YOU BABY,
WOULD MAKE A BULLDOG BREAK ITS CHAIN.
YOURS TIL BUTTER FLIES.
GEORGIA CASH MM
FEBRUARY 7, 1938
WHEN YOU GET MARRIED
AND HAVE TWINS,
DON'T SEND TO ME
FOR SAFETY PINS.
SYLVIA GAZDAG MM
FEBRUARY 14, 1938
YOU MAY BE FRENCH OR GERMAN,
BUT MARRY A BOY NAMED HERMAN.
CAROLYN
Submitter comment:
THE AUTOGRAPH BOOK VERSE WAS COLLECTED BY THE INFORMANT
WHILE A PUPIL AT HUGH CARY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, 6501 SOUTH
STREET, DETROIT, MICHIGAN. THE INFORMANT ATTENDED CARY
SCHOOL FROM 1931-1940 (KINDERGARTEN-EIGHTH GRADE) AND
ESTIMATES THE ETHNIC MAKE-UP AS 50% ARMENIAN, 20% HUNGARIAN,
20% ITALIAN, AND 10% OTHER (LESS THAN 1% BLACK).
"STEP-INS" ARE PANTIES. "TOYS", ACCORDING TO THE
INFORMANT, MEANS "I AM FOND OF YOU."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SLANG: BABY FOR SWEETHEART
Date learned: 09-00-1982
THE MAN AND THE COAT
THE MAN AND THE COAT. THERE WAS A MAN WHO WAS VERY TIMID. HE WAS
IN LOVE WITH THE SCHOOLTEACHER. ANOTHER MAN LOVED HER TOO, THOUGH.
THIS OTHER MAN WAS VERY MEAN AND DECIDED TO PLAY A TRICK ON THE FIRST
MAN TO RID HIMSELF OF THE COMPETITION. KNOWING THAT THE FIRST MAN
WAS TIMID, THE SECOND MAN MADE A BET WITH HIM IN FRONT OF THE WOMAN
AND EVERY ONE ELSE. THERE WAS A VERY SPOOKY CEMETARY IN THE
MIDDLI OF TOWN WHICH NO ONE LIKED TO ENTER AT NIGHT ESPECIALLY
THE FIRST MAN. THE SECOND MAN TEASED THE FIRST ABOUT HIS TIMIDITY
AND TOLD HIM THAT IF HE WERE REALLY BRAVE HE WOULD WALK THROUGH THE
CEMETARY THAT NIGHT ON HIS WAY HOME. THE FIRST DID NOT WANT TO
BE OUTDONE SO HE AGREED THOUGH HE WAS VERY SCARED. THAT NIGHT
THE TOWN GATHERED TO SEND THE MAN OFF ON HIS JOURNEY. THE MAN
BEGAN WALKING. HE HEARD MANY STRANGE NOISES WHICH REALLY FIGHTENED
HIM AND HE BEGAN TO RUN. SUDDENLY HE TRIPPED RIGHT IN FRONT OF
A TOMBSTONE AND FELL DOWN. AS HE TRIED TO GET UP HE FELT SOMETHING
TUG ON HIS COAT. HE DID NOT REALIZE THAT IT WAS CAUGHT ON A TWIG.
HE PULLED AND TUGGED AND SCREAMED AND SCREAMED BUT COULD NOT GET
LOOSE. HE BEGAN TO GET SO SCARED THINKING THAT A GHOST HAD GRABBED
HIM THAT HE HAD A HEART ATTACK AND DIED. THE NEXT MORNING SOMEONE
FOUND HIM WITH A HORRIBLE LOOK OF FRIGHT ON HIS FACE. HE WAS
PALE AS A GHOST, LOOKED AS IF HE HAD BEEN SCARED TO DEATH.
Submitter comment:
THIS STORY IS LIKE THE ONE ABOUT ICHABOD CRANE AND IN FACT I
BELIEVEVE THE MANS NAME WAS THE SAME BUT I CANT BE SURE NOW.
Where learned: NEW JERSEY ; TOMS RIVER
James Callow Keyword(s): FEAR TEST
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Magic |
Date learned: 00001970S
Entry filtered.
326 Youth Who Wanted to Learn What Fear Is
There once was a little girl that claimed she was very
brave, and wasn't afraid of anything. So one day her
brothers dared her to go to the grave yard to steal a
tombstone and bring it back to show them. The little girl
did indeed go to the graveyard to get that tombstone but
never returned. What everyone says that happened was that as
she was putting her dress over the stone to carry it out the
stone fell on her dress and pulled her down. Of course the
little girl thought that the spirit of the grave was tugging
on her dress, and she was so scared that she died right there
on the spot.
Where learned: IOWA ; Des Moines
James Callow Keyword(s): dying of fright ; FEAR TEST
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Magic |
Date learned: 00-00-1910
Entry filtered.
Saying
Grouchy as a bear.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Keyword(s): Bear ; Grouchy ; Grumpy ; Language ; METAPHOR ; Saying ; SIMILE
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Group of Vowels and Consonants, and of Words |
IF IT RAINED WHEN A PERSON DIED, IT MEANT THAT THE ANGELS WERE CRYING FOR HIM AND HE WENT TO HEAVEN.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS TOLD TO THE INFORMANT WHEN HE WAS TEN YEARS OLD BY HIS PARENTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE FARMS ; informant's home ; 138 Mapleton
Keyword(s): TEARS
Date learned: 10-03-1971
MNEMONIC DEVICE
JOHN STEPHEN ULRICH NEEDS EVERY VITAMIN, MINERAL, PLUS MEAT
Submitter comment:
THIS SENTENCE HELPS IN REMEMBERING THE PLANETS IN THE ORDER OF
LARGEST TO SMALLEST
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): Earth ; JUPITER ; MARS ; MERCURY ; NEPTUNE ; PLANETS ; PLUTO ; SATURN ; URANUS ; VENUS
| Subject headings: | Favorites ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- MNEM |
Date learned: 10-00-1973
IF YOU WET THE FRONT OF YOUR BLOUSE WHILE YOU'RE
DOING THE DISHES, YOU'LL MARRY A DRUNK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): WEAR AN APRON!
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 02-19-1972
IF I USED THE NAME OF GOD IN VAIN, THEN GOD WOULD STRIKE
ME DEAD.
Where learned: NEW YORK CITY ; NEW YORK ; SIGNET BOOK ; THE NEW AMERICAN LIBRARY ; PAGE 82
James Callow Keyword(s): CURSING ; SWEARING
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Curse |
Date learned: 00-00-1945
MY MOTHER USED TO SEND ME OUTSIDE TO GET A CAT WHEN THERE WAS
A QUILTING BEE AT OUR HOUSE. THEY WOULD PUT THE CAT IN THE
QUILT, SHAKE 'ER UP AND WHEREVER THE CAT LANDS, THE PERSON
BESIDE THE CAT WILL MARRY NEXT.
THERE WAS AN OLD MAID, OL' MISS STEVENS, AND SHE WAS FINALLY
ASKED TO MARRY. NOW WHEN THAT CAT LANDED BESIDE HER, SHE
WAS TICKLED PINK. SHE ACTED SO FOOLISH JUST BECAUSE THAT
CAT LANDED THERE.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; SHELBYVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): NEAR NEAREST NEARBY
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 06-17-1972
SHAKING SAND
ONCE THERE WAS A HAUNTED HOUSE THAT NO ONE WAS ABLE TO STAY IN
OVERNIGHT. THE FOLK WHO OWNED THE HOUSE SAID THAT IF ANYONE WAS
ABLE TO REMAIN THERE FOR A WHOLE NIGHT (HE) COULD HAVE THE HOUSE.
A MAN, WITHOUT A HOME, DECIDED HE WOULD GIVE IT A TRY. THE
NIGHT HE CHOSE TO STAY IN THE HOUSE WAS UNUSUALLY DARK AND DREARY
LOOKING. WHILE IN THE KITCHEN PREPARING SUPPER, THE MAN HEARD A
VOICE SAYING, "I'M COMING CROSS THE FIELD SHAKING SAND. I'M COMING
IN THE FRONT YARD SHAKING SAND. I'M COMING UP THE STEPS SHAKING
SAND. I'M COMING ON THE FRONT PORCH SHAKING SAND. I'M COMING IN
THE FRONT ROOM SHAKING SAND. I'M COMING IN THE DINING ROOM
SHAKING SAND. I'M COMING IN THE KITCHEN SHAKING SAND." THE MAN
SAID, "I'M GOING OUT THE BACK DOOR SHAKING SAND."
James Callow comment: FINAL QUOTATION MARK ADDED.
Where learned: GEORGETOWN ; SOUTH CAROLINA, ASSUMED
James Callow Keyword(s): CHAIN ; FEAR TEST
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
COMPARISON
TO RUN LIKE A SCARED RABBIT.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
Keyword(s): FEAR
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
PROVERB: FOXES
THE SLEEPING FOX CATCHES NO POULTRY.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; FRANKLIN
Keyword(s): EARLY BIRD
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
Entry filtered.
PROVERB
DON'T JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
Keyword(s): APPEARANCES
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
DOG-LIKE CREATURE
WHILE GOING HOME FROM THE MILL, MY GRANDFATHER HAD TO
CROSS A BRIDGE OVER A RIVER. WHILE ON THE BRIDGE, A
DOG-LIKE CREATURE CLIMBED FROM UNDERNEATH THE BRIDGE,
HIS EYES GLEAMED IN THE MOONLIGHT. THE CREATURE SLOWLY
FOLLOWED BEHIND. THE WAGON WAS SPEEDED UP BUT STILL
THE CREATURE FOLLOWED CLOSELY BEHIND. EVERYTHING
REMAINED THE SAME THRU THE ENTIRE NIGHT. SOON MORNING
WAS COMING AND AS MY GRANDFATHER TURNED FOR THE LAST
TIME HE SAW THE CREATURE DISAPPEAR RIGHT IN FRONT OF
HIS EYES. IT WAS THEN HE NOTICED THAT THE SUN HAD
JUST RISEN.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A STORY TOLD TO MY MOTHER (THE INFORMANT BY
HER FATHER). ACCORDING TO HER, HER FATHER SEEMED TO
BELIEVE IN WHAT HE SAID, EVEN UP TO THE POINT OF
SWEARING TO THE TRUTH OF THE STORY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN HEIGHTS
Keyword(s): MAGIC APPEARANCE AND DISAPPEARANCE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Supernatural Being |
Date learned: 10-03-1970
IN THE OLD COUNTRY, AT FUNERALS, IT WAS CONSIDERED
RESPECTFUL FOR SOMEONE TO STAY UP ALL NIGHT WITH THE
BODY. SINCE EVERYONE WOULD RATHER "WHOOP IT UP" AT
THE WAKE, INSTEAD OF STAYING WITH THE BODY, THEY
USUALLY GOT A COBBLER, WHO STAYED UP ALL NIGHT
ANYWAY, WORKING ON HIS SHOES, TO DO THE JOB.
ONE NIGHT, A COUPLE PRANKSTERS DECIDED TO PUT A LIVE
PERSON IN THE COFFIN, INSTEAD OF THE BODY. TOWARDS
THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT, THE "CORPSE" LIFTED ITS
RIGHT LEG. THE COBBLER, WITHOUT THINKING TWICE,
PUSHED IT BACK IN PLACE. A LITTLE WHILE LATER, AN
ARM WENT UP, AND THE COBBLER, SLIGHTLY ANNOYED,
PUSHED IT BACK. BUT THIS KEPT UP ALL NIGHT, UNTIL
THE COBBLER WAS PRETTY EXASPERATED. THE "CORPSE"
FINALLY PUT ITS HEAD UP AND LOOKED AT THE COBBLER.
AT THIS POINT, IN A FIT OF TEMPER, THE COBBLER PICKED
UP HIS HAMMER AND BASHED THE "CORPSE'S" HEAD IN.
THE MAN NOW REALLY WAS A CORPSE.
Where learned: OHIO ; CLEVELAND
James Callow Keyword(s): BLASON POPULAIRE: COBBLERS ARE FEARLESS ; HUMOR ; IRONY
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 11-22-1967
GHOST STORY
IN A SMALL VILLAGE IN GREECE, AN OLD MAN DIED AND IT
WAS FOUND THAT HIS GHOST WAS ROAMING THE COUNTRYSIDE.
TO DISPEL THE GHOST, A BRAVE YOUNG MAN NAMED
KAFMAN TOLD THE VILLAGERS THAT HE WOULD STAY
BY THE OLD MAN'S GRAVE TO SEE IF THE GHOST WOULD
APPEAR. KAFMAN WORE A LONG, HOODED CAPE WHICH TOUCHED
THE GROUND, AND WHEN HE KNELT, THE CAPE SPREAD AROUND
HIM. BY AND BY, HE STARTED TO IMAGINE THINGS AND
HE STABBED AT THE DARKNESS WITH HIS DAGGER AND IT
STUCK INTO THE GROUND PIERCING THE CAPE. AS KAFMAN
STARTED TO LEAVE, HE FELT THE JERK OF THE CAPE
PINNED TO THE GROUND AND DIED OF A HEART ATTACK.
Submitter comment: JAMES LEARNED THIS FROM HIS FATHER.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN ; MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): DEATH FROM FRIGHT ; FEAR TEST
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Stupid man or woman |
Date learned: 10-10-1967