Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for IRONY returned 93 results.
LOOK FOR THE FASTBALL, AND YOU'LL HIT THE CURVE. LOOK FOR THE CURVE,
AND YOU WON'T HIT THE FASTBALL.
I HAD STRUCK OUT TWICE ON CURVE BALLS IN MY FIRST GAME IN THE PONY
LEAGUE. MISTER QUINN NOTICED MY FAULT AND CORRECTED ME. LOOK FOR THE
FASTBALL, AND YOU'LL HIT THE CURVE. LOOK FOR THE CURVE, AND YOU
WON'T HIT THE FASTBALL.
Where learned: BOSTON ; Massachusetts
Keyword(s): BASEBALL
James Callow Keyword(s): CHIASMUS ; IRONY
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase |
Date learned: 00-00-1955
CAMP SONG
THE DONUTS AT THIS CAMP THEY SAY ARE MIGHTY FINE,
ONE ROLLED OFF THE TABLE AND KILLED A FRIEND OF MINE
OH I DON,T WANT NO MORE OF CAMPING LIFE, PLEASE MA LET ME COME HOME.
THE COUNSELORS AT THIS CAMP THEY SAY ARE MIGHTY FINE,
THEY WHIP YA IN THE MORNING AND THEN AGAIN AT NIGHT
OH I DON,T WANT NO MORE OF CAMPING LIFE, PLEASE MA LET ME COME HOME.
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): IRONY ; SATIRE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Good humor Jest Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children |
Date learned: 00-00-1975
RHYME
SLO--SCHOOL ZONE
DON'T KILL A CHILD
WAIT FOR A TEACHER.
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): IRONY
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Art Craft Architecture Art, Craft, Architecture |
Date learned: 00-00-1981
TAUNTING SONG
I'M GOING TO SEND MY BOY TO BONA,
ACROSS THE DIRTY RAILROAD TRACKS.
I'M GOING TO SEND MY BOY TO BONA,
AND HOPE TO HELL HE DON'T COME BACK, HE DON'T COME BACK. MM
I'M GOING TO SEND MY BOY TO BONA,
WHERE THEY WILL EDUCATE HIM WELL, LIKE HELL.
I'M GOING TO SEND MY BOY TO BONA,
OH YES I AM, LIKE HELL.
HERE'S TO DEAR OLD BONA-A! WUMPHF!
THIS SONG IS SUNG MANY TIMES AT EACH CANISIUS COLLEGE-
ST. BONAVENTURE UNIVERSITY BASKETBALL GAME BY THE CANISIUS
FANS. THERE EXISTS A FIERCE RIVALRY BETWEEN THE TWO.
Submitter comment:
"BONA" IS PRONOUNCED LIKE THE FIRST TWO SYLLABLES OF
BONAVENTURE.
Data entry tech comment:
Keypunched by R.J.Miller 11/82
Updated by TRD 01/12
Where learned: BUFFALO ; NEW YORK
Keyword(s): EDUCATION ; HUMOR ; IRONY ; Lyrics ; RHYME ; SONG
James Callow Keyword(s): EDUCATION ; IRONY ; SATIRE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ill humor Ridicule Mockery CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School |
Date learned: 11-00-1966
PENCIL TEST
THIS TEST IS TO DETERMINE HOW MANY CHILDREN A WOMAN WILL
BEAR, AND WHAT SEX THEY WILL BE. HOLD A PENCIL WITH A NEEDLE IN
THE ERASER, SUSPENDED BY A THREAD, OVER HER LEFT ARM. THE
ARM IS HELD WITH THE PALM UP, THE HAND IN A FIST. THE PENCIL
WILL CIRCLE OVER THE WOMAN'S ARM BETWEEN CHILDREN, SWING VER-
TICALLY TO INDICATE A GIRL, AND HORIZONTALLY TO INDICATE A BOY.
A DIAGONAL SWING INDICATES TWINS. A STRONG SWING INDICATES A
HEALTHY CHILD WITH A STRONG PERSONALITY.
Submitter comment:
THIS TEST HAS BEEN USED ON ALL THE WOMEN ON MY FATHER'S SIDE
OF THE FAMILY AND HAS WORKED WITH 90 PERCENT ACCURACY. CK[ IRONY
Where learned: IOWA ; ESTHERVILLE
Keyword(s): PREDICTION
James Callow Keyword(s): IRONY
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Use of Object Domestic object, wax, needle, dishware BELIEF -- Use of object for determining number of children or sex of unborn |
Date learned: 07-00-1983 ; 00001900CA
"One day two brothers were fighting and beating each
other up, almost killing each other. The neighbor saw
it and moved in to try and stop the fight. The brothers
stopped fighting and beat up the neighbor, then they went
back to fighting. Lesson: Mind your own business and
keep out of family fights."
Submitter comment:
This is a verbatim account from Maryann Leisner which
retells a story her father learned from old (Italian)
relatives.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; SKOKIE
Keyword(s): Fable, function, cautionary tale, warning
James Callow Keyword(s): Dramatic Irony ; Peacemaker
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 00001930S
PROVERBIAL COMPARISON
CLEAR AS MUD.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
Keyword(s): IRONY
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
PROVERBIAL COMPARISON
AS CLEAR AS MUD.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; COLUMBIA
Keyword(s): IRONY
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: 06-16-1970
PROVERB
DRIVING TO THE POOR HOUSE IN A CADILLAC.
Where learned: NASHVILLE ; TENNESSEE, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): IRONY
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase |
Date learned: 06-00-1972
HUMOR
HAVEN'T SEEN ANYTHING SO FUNNY SINCE THE HOGS ATE MY LITTLE
BROTHER.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
Keyword(s): IRONY
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: 05-01-1969
NOT GIVEN
I LIKE HIM LIKE A HAIR ON A BISCUIT.
Where learned: ALABAMA ; HUNTSVILLE
Keyword(s): IRONY DISLIKE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: 06-27-1973
NOT GIVEN
I NEED THAT LIKE I NEED ANOTHER HOLE IN MY HEAD.
Submitter comment:
AN EXPRESSION OFTEN USED. MEANING OF COURSE THAT YOU
ABSOLUTELY DON'T NEED WHATEVER IS TALKED ABOUT.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
Keyword(s): IRONY
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
WELLERISM CONCERNING UNDERSTANDING
"I SEE," SAID THE BLIND MAN.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
Keyword(s): IRONY
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Wellerism Quotation |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
PROVERB
"I SEE," SAID THE BLIND MAN, AS HE PICKED UP HIS HAMMER
AND SAW.
Submitter comment:
THERE IS AN INTERNAL CONTRADICTION HERE. A BLIND MAN CANNOT
SEE. SO THE PERSON WHO UTTERS THIS STATEMENT MEANS THAT HE
DOESN'T SEE OR UNDERSTAND SOMETHING.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
Keyword(s): IRONY WORDPLAY
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Wellerism Quotation |
Date learned: 02-13-1972
WELLERISM
"I SEE," SAID THE BLIND MAN TO HIS DEAF WIFE.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT'S FAVORITE SAYING.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
Keyword(s): IRONY CONTRADICTION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Wellerism Quotation |
Date learned: 04-01-1969
NOT GIVEN
OFF WE GO LIKE A WILD HERD OF TURTLES.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
Keyword(s): IRONY
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: 07-20-1968
HUMOR
THAT WENT OVER LIKE A LEAD BALLOON.
Where learned: KANSAS ; WICHITA
Keyword(s): IRONY
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
SAYING
YOU TELL THEM, CABBAGE, YOU'VE GOT THE HEAD.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
Keyword(s): IRONY
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 04-02-1972
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
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): HUMOR IRONY BLASON POPULAIRE: COBBLERS ARE FEARLESS.
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 11-22-1967