RE:SEARCH logo
University of Detroit Mercy Libraries / Instructional Design Studio
UDM HOME BLACKBOARD MY UDMERCY
RESEARCH HOME / FIND / SPECIAL COLLECTIONS / THE JAMES T. CALLOW FOLKLORE ARCHIVE /
James Callow Folklore Archive

Collection Home

About Dr. James T. Callow

Dr. James T. Callow publications

Collectors

Browse by

Subject heading

Keyword

Location

Questions or comments on this site? Please email davidsor@udmercy.edu.

The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

search for

Content filter is on

Your search for J returned 1191 results.

prev | items
| next

BOA CONSTRICTOR

I@M BEING SWALLOWED BY A BOA CONSTRICTOR %REPEAT 3 TIMES<
AND I DON'T LIKE IT VERY MUCH.
OH NO, OH NO, HE SWALLOWED MY TOE, HE SWALLOWED MY TOE.
OH GEE, OH GEE, HE'S UP TO MY KNEE, HE'S UP TO MY KNEE.
OH FIDDLE, OH FIDDLE, HE'S REACHING MY MIDDLE, HE'S REACHED
MY MIDDLE.
OH HECK, OH HECK, HE'S UP TO MY NECK, HE'S UP TO MY NECK.
OH DREAD, OH DREAD, HE SWALLOWED MY ( SWOOP )

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): BOA CONSTRICTOR ; CHAIN TALE IN SONG - EATING OF OBJECTS

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children

Date learned: 03-00-1971

View just this record

I'M A LITTLE TEAPOT

I'M A LITTLE TEAPOT SHORT AND STOUT,
HERE'S MY HANDLE, HERE'S MY SPOUT
WHEN I GET ALL STEAMED UP I JUST SHOUT
TIP ME OVER AND POUR ME OUT

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): HOUSEHOLD OBJECT

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children

Date learned: 03-00-1968

View just this record

PEPSI COLA

PEPSI COLA HITS THE SPOT
THE MAN WHO MAKES IT SHOULD BE SHOT
TASTES LIKE VINEGAR
LOOKS LIKE INK
POUR IT DOWN THE KITCHEN SINK

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): PARODY OF ADVERTISING JINGLE ; SODA POP

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ill humor Ridicule Mockery
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children

View just this record

MAGIC

IN MEXICO IT IS POSSIBLE TO TALK WITH THE DEAD IF YOU USE A
OUIJA TABLE. IT IS EASIER FOR SOME PEOPLE TO DO THIS THAN OTHERS.
YOU PLACE YOUR HANDS ON THE TABLE AND THE SPIRITS OF THE DEAD WILL
COMMUNICATE WITH YOU, AND ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS, AND VERY OFTEN
TELL YOU OF FUTURE EVENTS. THEY DO THIS BY MOVING
YOUR HANDS ON THE TABLE IN SUCH A WAY THAT THE ANSWER OR INFORMATION
IS SPELLED OUT FOR YOU. PEOPLE WHO ARE LONELY USE THESE TABLES.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Haunt ; Ouija ; SPIRIT ; SUPERSTITION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter
BELIEF -- Word Letter

Date learned: 02-04-1968

View just this record

LEGEND

ST. PATRICK ORIGINALLY CAME FROM THE AREA OF LEBANON, THEN
KNOWN AS A WHOLE AS PHOENICIA. AFTER CONVERTING IRELAND, HE
STARTED HOME AGAIN. BUT A HUGE STORM BLEW UP AND THEY BECAME
LOST. WHEN THE STORM FINALLY SETTLED, THEY FOUND THEMSELVES OFF
THE COAST OF IRELAND AGAIN SO THEY DECIDED TO SETTLE THERE. AND SO
IRISHMEN ARE JUST DUMB LEBANESE WHO COULDN'T FIND THEIR WAY HOME.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): ETHNIC JOKE

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal

Date learned: 00-00-1967

View just this record

YEARLY GROWTH

WHILE ATTENDING A COUSIN'S BIRTHDAY PARTY, MY UNCLE JACK PLACED MY
COUSIN AGAINST THE DOOR JAM IN THE KITCHEN, TOOK OUT HIS KNIFE AND
NOTCHED MY COUSIN,S HEIGHT. LOOKING CLOSELY, I NOTICED THAT THE
HEIGHTS OF ALL THE FAMILY MEMBERS (6) WERE NOTCHED ON THE MOULDING
PIECE. ALSO, THEY WERE MARKED WITH THE APPROPRIATE BIRTHDATE. THUS
A RECORD OF GROWTH AND FINAL HEIGHT COULD BE MEASURED AND SAVED. I
HAVE ALSO NOTICED THIS CUSTOM IN OTHER HOMES SINCE THEN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Mount Clemens

Keyword(s): DOOR JAMB HEIGHT BIRTHDAY

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Maturity

View just this record

VERSE FROM MURDER

LIZZY BORDON TOOK AN AX/
AND GAVE HER MOTHER FORTY WHACKS/
WHEN SHE SAW WHAT SHE HAD DONE/
SHE GAVE HER FATHER FORTY-ONE.

Submitter comment: THE FOLLOWING VERSE CAME ABOUT AFTER A FAMOUS MURDER TOOK PLACE.
I AM NOT SURE OF THE SPELLING OF THE NAME.

Data entry tech comment: SPELLING CORRECTED BY KETPUNCHER

Where learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

Keyword(s): ANTICLIMAX ; NARRATIVE VERSE JUMP ROPE RHYME ; NONSEQUITUR ; RHYME: AABB ; SURPRISE ENDING

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse

Date learned: 11-22-1968

View just this record

DOWN BY THE RIVER

DOWN BY THE RIVER
DOWN BY THE SEA
JOHNNY BROKE A MILK BOTTLE
BLAMED IT ON ME.

I TOLD MA
MA TOLD PA
JOHNNY GOT A LICKIN,
SO HA, HA, HA

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW

Keyword(s): INITAL ITERATION ; JUMP ROPE RHYME ; RHYME: ABCB

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse

Date learned: 00-00-1957

View just this record

VERSE

MINNIE MINNIE HA HA, WENT TO SEE HER PAPA,
PAPA DIED, MINNIE CRIED. MINNIE HAD A BABY,
CALLED HIM TINY TIM, PUT HIM IN THE BATHTUB
TO TEACH HIM HOW TO SWIM.
DRANK A GALLON OF WATER, ATE A BAR OF SOAP,
MINNIE CALLED THE DOCTOR, MINNIE CALLED THE NURSE,
MINNIE CALLED THE LADY WITH THE ALLIGATOR PURSE.
OUT WENT THE DOCTOR, OUT WENT THE NURSE,
IN STAYED THE LADY WITH THE ALLIGATOR PURSE.

Data entry tech comment: THERE CAN ALSO BE ADDED ANOTHER VERSE BETWEEN LINES 9 AND 10.

Where learned: LIBRARY

Keyword(s): AMERICAN INDIAN ; BATHTUB VERSE MONOLOGUE ; JUMP ROPE RHYME

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse

Date learned: 00-00-1967

View just this record

Entry filtered.

JOKE

Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.

WHAT WAS THE POPE'S FIRST MAJOR CHANGE TO THE VATICAN?
HE HAD THE SISTINE CHAPEL WALLPAPERED.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK

James Callow Keyword(s): INTERIOR DECORATING ; TASTE OF THE FIRST POLISH POPE, JOHN PAUL II

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Poli

Date learned: 00-00-1978

View just this record

Joke

THIS STORY IS TOLD WITH THE INTENTION OF MAKING SOMEONE FEEL FOOLISH
OR UNCOMFORTABLE. THE STORY GOES: A MAN AND HIS DOG WALK INTO THIS
RESTAURANT AND SIT DOWN AT A TABLE. A WAITRESS WALKS UP AND ASKS
"WHAT'LL YOU HAVE?" AND THE MAN SAYS "I'LL HAVE A STEAK, WELL DONE,
SOME MASHED POTATOES, AND A SALAD. AND BRING ME A PIECE OF APPLE PIE
FOR MY DOG." THE WAITRESS REPLIES, "I'M SORRY SIR, WE DON'T HAVE ANY
APPLE PIE, WILL PEACH PIE DO?"
AT THIS POINT SEVERAL PEOPLE WHO ARE "IN" ON WHAT IS HAPPENING LAUGH
HYSTERICALLY. OF COURSE, THE OUTSIDER DOESN'T, AND PREFERABLY SOME
OF THE CONSPIRATORS DON'T EITHER. THE NARRATOR EXPRESSES DISBELIEF
THAT THE POINT OF THE STORY WAS MISSED, AND ASKS THAT SOMEONE ELSE
TELL IT("MAYBE I DIDN'T TELL IT WELL."). THE CONSPIRATORS TAKE TURNS
TELLING THE STORY AND EACH TIME ANOTHER PERSON JOINS IN THE LAUGHTER
("I GET IT NOW}"). FINALLY ONLY THE OUTSIDER IS LEFT CONFUSED OVER
THE MEANING OF THE STORY.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): ABSURD ; DOG ; JOKE ; Pie ; Pointless ; POTATO ; RIDDLE ; Waitress

James Callow Keyword(s): BRUNVAND ; SHAGGY DOG STORY

Subject headings: Favorites
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale

Date learned: CA00001970

View just this record

REMEDY

I REMEMBER MY GRANDMOTHER CURING A YOUNG CHILD OF A FEAR. IT'S A
RITUAL. WHEN A CHILD IS AFRAID OF SOMETHING, YOU GET SOME WHITE ROCK.
IT'S A SOFT ROCK, I DON'T KNOW THE NAME OF IT. THE ROCK IS PUT INTO A
SKILLET AND HEATED. AS IT HEATS, IT SOFTENS, AND IT WILL FORM INTO A
FIGURE OF WHAT THE CHILD IS AFRAID OF. THE FEAR IS REMOVED FROM THE
CHILD THIS WAY.

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): CONJURATION DIVINATION ; HOMEOPATHIC ; MEXICAN-AMERICAN CURE

Subject headings: Observation
Favorites
BELIEF -- Physically handicapped Deformed
BELIEF -- Mineral
BELIEF -- Method of Curing

Date learned: 03-00-1979

View just this record

MARY WORTH

STAND IN THE BATHROOM WITH THE DOOR CLOSED AND THE LIGHTS OFF,
LOOK DIRECTLY IN THE MIRROR AND REPEAT THREE TIMES
"I BELIEVE IN MARY WORTH"
THE FACE OF THE FAMOUS SALEM WITCH, MARY WORTH, IS SUPPOSED TO APPEAR
IN THE MIRROR.
IN THE MIRROR

Submitter comment: THERE WERE ALL SORTS OF STORIES ABOUT GIRLS THAT DID THIS AND
CAME OUT OF THE BATHROOM WITH BURNS AND SCRATCHES ON THEIR FACES

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; OAK PARK

James Callow Keyword(s): CONJURATION

Subject headings: Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration
686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple
Favorites
BELIEF -- Witch Shaman

Date learned: 00001970S

View just this record

FRANKENSTEIN

(NAME) IS A FRIEND OF MINE,
HE RESEMBLES FRANKENSTEIN.
WHEN HE DOES THE IRISH JIG,
HE LOOKS JUST LIKE PORKY PIG.

Where learned: DETROIT, ASSUMED ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED

Keyword(s): QUATRAIN INSULT DANCING-IRISH JIG ; RHYME: ABAB

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse

Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

View just this record

CHANT

KENNEDY'S IN THE WHITE HOUSE EATING PORK AND BEANS.
NIXON'S IN THE BATHTUB SINKING SUBMARINES.

Submitter comment: THIS WAS A CHANT USED BY THE CHILDREN AT MY GRADE SCHOOL.

Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

Keyword(s): PRESIDENTS JOHN F. KENNEDY AND RICHARD M. NIXON ; SATIRE

Subject headings: Favorites
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse

Date learned: 00-00-1959

View just this record

CHILDREN'S NAME RHYME

DICKY, DICKY DOUT,
YOUR SHIRT HANGS OUT,
FOUR YARDS IN AND FIVE YARDS OUT.

Where learned: ONTARIO ; CANADA, ASSUMED ; OAKVILLE

James Callow Keyword(s): JUVENILE CORRECTIVE

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Speech C870.582

Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

View just this record

KNOCK-KNOCK JOKE

KNOCK-KNOCK. WHO'S THERE?
JOHN.
JOHN WHO?
JOHN THE BAPTIST.

Submitter comment: THE PERSON WHO IS TELLING THE JOKE IS SUPPOSED TO PUT A LITTLE
WATER IN HIS HAND BEFORE TELLING IT AND WHEN HE GETS TO THE END OF
THE JOKE HE SPRINKLES THE WATER ON THE PERSON HE IS TELLING IT TO.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): HUMOR

James Callow Keyword(s): PRACTICAL JOKE

Subject headings: --

Date learned: 10-02-1967

View just this record

TELEPHONE PRANK

CALL SOMEONE.
ASK IF THEIR REFRIGERATOR IS RUNNING.
IF YES, TELL THEM, "YOU'D BETTER CATCH IT."

Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM MY CHILDHOOD

Where learned: SUN PRAIRIE ; WISCONSIN, ASSUMED

Keyword(s): HUMOR JOKE

Subject headings: --

Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR.

View just this record

TELEPHONE PRANK

CALL A BAR; ASK IF THEY HAVE POP IN BOTTLES. IF ANSWER IS YES, SAY
"YOU'D BETTER LET HIM OUT, MOM WANTS HIM AT HOME."

Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM MY CHILDHOOD

Where learned: SUN PRAIRIE ; WISCONSIN, ASSUMED

Keyword(s): HUMOR PRACTICAL JOKE METAPHOR SODA

Subject headings: --

Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

View just this record

Entry filtered.

ITALIAN RIDDLE

HOW MANY PALLBEARERS ARE AT AN ITALIAN FUNERAL?
2- GARBAGE PAILS HAVE ONLY TWO HANDLES}

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): ETHNIC JOKE HUMOR

Subject headings:

Date learned: 10-14-1968

View just this record

prev | items
| next

University of Detroit Mercy
4001 W. McNichols Detroit , MI , 48221-3038
This site is endorsed by the University of Detroit Mercy (UDM) and supports the views, values, and mission of UDM. The University of Detroit Mercy web site provides links to other web sites, both public and private, for informational purposes. The inclusion of these links on UDM's site does not imply endorsement by the University. Please contact the Associate Dean for Technical Services and Library Systems for any questions regarding this web site.