Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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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
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
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 |
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
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
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 |
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
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
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
Entry filtered.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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
Entry filtered.