Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for FUNCTION returned 213 results.
PROVERB
BLOW YOUR OWN HORN.
Submitter comment: FROM UNCERTAIN
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: POSITIVE ; BRAG ; DATING ; FUNCTION ; OBSERVATION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 06-00-1964
PROVERBIAL METAPHOR
A CHAIR HAS A BACK BUT IT DOESN'T WEAR A COAT.
Submitter comment:
MEANING HERE THAT MOST THINGS THAT DO HAVE A BACK ARE ABLE TO
WEAR A COAT. IT'S AN ATTEMPT AT PERSONIFICATION.
THIS WAS TOLD TO ME AT A DINNER I ATTENDED. I HEARD THIS USED AS A
RETORT RATHER THAN A RIDDLE, I.E. THAT'S LIKE THE ONE OF THE CHAIR
THAT HAS A BACK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CLOTHING ; FUNCTION ; HUMAN CREATION
James Callow Keyword(s): OBSERVATION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 10-05-1971
PROVERB
CHILDREN LIKE WATCHES MUST NOT BE CONSTANTLY WOUND UP- YOU
MUST LET THEM RUN.
Where learned: GARDEN CITY
Keyword(s): FUNCTION (EXPLICIT)
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: NEGATIVE ; ADVICE: POSITIVE ; OBSERVATION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 11-25-1971
ITALIAN SAYING
(ITALIAN)
COMANDA E FATTELLE.
(TRANSLATION)
IF YOU WANT A THING DONE WELL, DO IT YOURSELF.
Submitter comment: LEARNED AS A YOUNG WOMAN LIVING IN ITALY.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; YONKERS
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: POSITIVE ; FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 12-27-1963
WEATHER BELIEF
AS A YOUNG BOY IN CANADA, I WAS ALWAYS TOLD BY MY MOTHER,
THAT I SHOULD NEVER KILL A SPIDER. SHE SAID THAT IF I DID
IT WOULD RAIN ALL DAY, AND SPOIL MY FUN.
Submitter comment:
I GUESS SHE JUST DIDN:T LIKE ME TO KILL SPIDERS.
Where learned: CANADA ; MONTREAL
James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMAL ; FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Insect BELIEF -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew BELIEF -- Weather sign or control P890.7 |
Date learned: MANY YEARS AGO
WHEN PARENTS WANT TO MAKE THEIR SONS EAT VEGETABLES, THEY TELL
THEM IT WILL PUT HAIR ON THEIR CHEST,
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Plant food Vegetable Food Drink -- Special Form and PurposeObject of Bodily Consumption BELIEF -- Body part Senses Upper body, arms, neck BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 11-22-1968
THORN BUSHES
THEY BECOME MORE INVITING.
THE REASON THAT THERE ARE SO MANY THORN BUSHES IN HAWAII, IS WHEN
THE MISSIONARIES FIRST CAME TO HAWAII, THE NATIVES WORE NO
CLOTHING. IN ORDER TO GET THEM TO WEAR CLOTHES, THE MISSIONARIES
PLANTED THORN BUSHES SO THAT THE NATIVES WOULD CUT
THEMSELVES ON THEM,
AND THUS REALIZE THE NEED TO WEAR CLOTHES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Dress BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 04-03-1970
BREAD BELIEF
EATING THE CRUST OF BREAD MAKES YOUR HAIR CURLY.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Plant food Cereal Food Drink -- Special Form and PurposeObject of Bodily Consumption BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hair, on head, mustache, widow's peak BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 11-22-1968
CARROT BELIEF
WHEN A PERSON EATS LOTS OF CARROTS, IT IS SAID THAT HE WILL HAVE
GOOD EYES.
Submitter comment:
WHOEVER SAW A RABBIT WITH GLASSES?
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Eyes, evil eye BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 00-00-1955
FOOD BELIEF
IF YOU EAT SPINACH, YOU WILL HAVE LONG HAIR AND ROSY CHEEKS.
Where learned: BUFFALO ; NEW YORK
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: POSITIVE ; ADVICE: POSITIVE ; FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Plant food Vegetable Food Drink -- Special Form and PurposeObject of Bodily Consumption BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: CHILDHOOD
SPINACH BELIEF
IF YOU EAT SPINACH YOU WILL HAVE ROSY CHEEKS AND CURLY HAIR.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT'S MOTHER OFTEN TOLD THE FAMILY THIS TO GET THEM
TO EAT THIS DISTASTEFUL VEGETABLE.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Plant food Vegetable Food Drink -- Special Form and PurposeObject of Bodily Consumption BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 10-12-1971
KITCHEN BELIEF
PUT UTENSILS IN A WARM OVEN FOR A FEW MINUTES AFTER YOU
HAVE WASHED AND DRIED;, THIS KEEPS THEM FROM RUSTING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE PARK
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: POSITIVE ; FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Home |
BELIEF
PUT NAIL POLISH IN THE ICEBOX, IT KEEPS THE POLISH FROM GETTING
THICK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: POSITIVE ; FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Home |
Date learned: 01-20-1971
BELIEF
A WAD OF COTTON ON THE FRONT DOOR WILL KEEP FLIES AWAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Insect BELIEF -- Home |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
HOME BELIEF
A LEMON CUT OPEN IN AN ICEBOX IS SUPPOSED TO KEEP IT SMELLING
FRESH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: POSITIVE ; FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Plant food Fruit BELIEF -- Home |
Date learned: 04-00-1971
BED BELIEF
LEAVE YOUR BEDS UNCOVERED IN THE MORNING FOR A WHILE
TO LEAVE THE IMPURE ELEMENTS THAT LEFT YOUR BODY DURING THE
NIGHT OUT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: POSITIVE ; FUNCTION ; SANITATION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Home |
Date learned: 04-00-1968
IF YOU RAISE YOUR HANDS TO YOUR PARENTS, WHEN YOU DIE YOUR
HANDS WILL COME OUT OF THE GROUND AND EVERYONE WILL STEP ON
THEM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION ; PARENTAL RESPECT ; RETRIBUTION
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 01-00-1968
BELIEF
THERE ARE CUFFS ON PANTS BECAUSE ENGLISH GENTLEMAN FARMERS USED
TO ROLL UP THEIR TROUSERS WHEN THEY WENT TO WORK IN THE FIELDS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Dress Lower body and legs |
Date learned: 11-05-1968
PROVERB
EAST IS LEAST;
WEST IS BEST.
Submitter comment:
WHEN A PILOT HEARS THIS, HE KNOWS THAT HE MUST FOLLOW THE LAWS OF
THE SKY AND WHEN FLYING TO THE EAST, FLY AT AN ODD THOUSAND PLUS 500
FEET - TO THE WEST TAKE THE EVEN THOUSAND PLUS 500 FEET.
ALTITUDE RULE. ODD IS LEAST BECAUSE THE RULE APPLIES AT AND ABOVE
3000 FEET. 3000 FEET IS THE LEAST OF ALL THE OTHER ALTITUDES WHERE
THIS RULE APPLIES.
Where learned: DETROIT
Keyword(s): FUNCTION
James Callow Keyword(s): AVIATION AIRPLANE ; DIRECTION ; OBSERVATION
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb |
Date learned: 11-00-1971
PROVERBIAL APOTHEGM
ONE WHO IS AFRAID TO ASK QUESTIONS IS AFRAID TO LEARN
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: POSITIVE ; EDUCATION ; FUNCTION ; INQUISITIVENESS
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 09-25-1967