Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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SOCK TRADITION
JOE HOFFMAN'S FATHER ALWAYS HAD A SPECIAL WAY OF PUTTING ON HIS
SOCKS. JOE FOLLOWED THE FAMILY PATTERN BY FOLDING IN THE HEEL, THEN
FOLDING THE SOCK IN HALF, STEPPING ON IT AND UNFOLDING IT.
Submitter comment:
ITEM WAS LEARNED IN ORCHARD LAKE, MICHIGAN ALTHOUGH IT WAS COLLECTED
IN DETROIT
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; BOTSFORD GRADE SCHOOL ; CLARENCEVILLE DISTRICT
James Callow Keyword(s): DRESSING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Routine activity SPEECH -- Body parts involved S602.31 |
Date learned: 11-00-1982
Entry filtered.
WHEN OUR BABIES ARE INFANTS, WE PUT THEIR UNDERSHIRTS
ON INSIDE-OUT TO CONFUSE THE EVIL EYE AND KEEP IT AWAY
FROM THE BABY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): DRESSING ; POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Dress Overall body coverUpper body and arms BELIEF -- Curse |
Date learned: 00-00-1950
ENGINE #9 TAG RHYME
ENGINE, ENGINE, NUMBER NINE,
GOING DOWN CHICAGO LINE.
IF THE TRAIN FALL OFF THE TRACK,
DO YOU WANT YOUR MONEY BACK?
YES, NO, MAYBE SO?
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS ANOTHER RHYME TO DETERMINE WHO WOULD BE IT IN A
GAME OF TAG. WHATEVER THE CHOICE WAS (YES, NO, MAYBE SO),
WAS SPELLED OUT. WHOEVER THE KING SAYER WAS POINTING
TO ON THE LAST LETTER WOULD NOT BE IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; REDFORD
James Callow Keyword(s): NAME FOR PERSON CHOOSING "IT" IN A GAME: KING SAYER
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse C750.500 SQ[ 84 SPEECH -- Game Pastime Sport |
Date learned: 00-00-1977
SODA-POP RHYME
COCA-COLA WENT TO TOWN,
PEPSI-COLA SHOT HIM DOWN.
7-UP PICKED HIM UP,
AND DOCTOR PEPPER FIXED HIM UP.
Submitter comment: THIS RHYME USES NAMES OF POPULAR BRANDS OF SODA POP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; REDFORD
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVERTISING
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Food Drink C855.400 |
Date learned: 00-00-1976
AT PARTIES, ESPECIALLY THE ONES THAT HAVE ALCOHOLIC
BEVERAGES SERVED, I NOTICED THAT WHEN A PERSON GETS
SLIGHTLY TIPSY, HE WILL PICK UP A CAT (IF THERE IS ONE
AROUND), AND START SWINGING IT BY THE TAIL. MOST OF
THE TIMES, THE PERSON SWINGING THE CAT WILL HOP UP ON
A PIECE OF FURNITURE, SUCH AS A TABLE, CHAIR, OR COUCH,
JUST TO SHOW OFF WHAT HE IS DOING.
Submitter comment:
AT A GRADUATION PARTY, MY FRIEND BEGAN SWINGING HIS
CAT BY THE TAIL, AND A FEW SECONDS LATER WAS HOLDING
ONLY THE TAIL. I TOLD THIS EVENT TO SEVERAL PEOPLE
AND FOUND OUT THE ABOVE ITEM. NEEDLESS TO SAY, MY
FRIEND'S CAT STILL DOESN'T LIKE HIM, AND PROBABLY
NEVER WILL.
ONE THING THAT I NOTICED DIFFERENT BETWEEN THIS
INCIDENT AND THE ITEM WAS THAT MOST OF THE TIME WHEN OTHER
PEOPLE WERE SWINGING THEIR CATS BY THE TAILS, THE CATS STAYED
ATTACHED TO THEIR TAILS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE ; DETROIT ; ROSEVILLE
Keyword(s): ANIMAL TORTURE ; EXPRESSING HAPPINESS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
IN LATIN COUNTRIES IT IS CUSTOMARY FOR A MAN TO SERENADE
THE WOMAN HE LOVES. IN ANGONE, A TOWN IN THE REGION OF
MOLISE, ITALY, A MAN WILL GATHER SOME OF HIS FRIENDS AND/OR
HIRE SOME MUSICIANS AND SERENADE HIS FIANCE THE NIGHT
BEFORE THE WEDDING. THIS TAKES PLACE AT APPROXIMATELY
9:00 P.M. WHEN THE MEN COME TO SERENADE, THEY BRING A
LADDER,WHEN THEY ARE FINISHED SINGING, THE PARENTS OF
THE BRIDE INVITE THE GROOM AND HIS PARTY TO COME IN FOR REFRESHMENTS. THEY MUST THEN CLIMB THE LADDER IN TO THE
GIRLS BEDROOM. THIS IS A CUSTOM OF WELCOMING THE GROOM TO
THE FAMILY. IN METROPOLITAN AREAS WHERE THE BRIDE MAY LIVE
IN A HIGH RISE APARTMENT, SOME GROOMS HAVE BORROWED FIRE
TRUCKS WITH LADDERS TO CLIMB INTO THE GIRL'S ROOM.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT LEARNED OF THIS CUSTOM WHEN VISITING ITALY.
Where learned: ITALY ; AGNONE ; MOLISE
Keyword(s): SERENADING ; SINGING ; WEDDING CUSTOMS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Serenade Charivari CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Date learned: 00001980S
There were so many roaches in the house that they took over
the basement and you had to pay a toll to wash your clothes.
Submitter comment:
My mother told me that times were hard coming up; therefore
they just made fun of the problems they had. She really didn't
have any stories to tell that may have been passed down to her
mother because both her parents worked and didn't have time to
tell them. So the kids would make up jokes to help them laugh
about the conditions they lived in.
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): housing conditions
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale BELIEF -- Insect |
Date learned: 00001960S
There was one rat that was so big that the family had to adopt
him because he could not be killed. They had four cats that all
ran away because the rat would beat them up. Every time they got
a new cat the following morning there would be a big outline of a
cat through the window where the cat had ran out running for his
life.
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): housing conditions
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale BELIEF -- Mammal |
Date learned: 00001960S
Why we say "His name is Mud"
The doctor who treated John Wilkes Booth was Dr. Mud. This is
where the saying "his name is Mud" originated. This saying is
widespread and frequently used. An ancestor of Dr. Mud is currently
trying to clear the family name.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GRAND BLANC
James Callow Keyword(s): Lincoln assassination
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate SPEECH -- FamilyGroup |
Date learned: 01-00-1991
DUCK, DUCK, DUCK, GOOSE
ALL PLAYERS SIT IN A CIRCLE. ONE PERSON IS "IT"
AND GOES AROUND TO EACH PLAYER, TAPPING HIM ON THE
HEAD AND SAYING "DUCK." CHOOSING ONE PLAYER,
THE PERSON WHO IS IT WILL TAP HIM ON THE HEAD
AND SAY "GOOSE," AND THIS PERSON MUST CHASE "IT"
AROUND THE CIRCLE AND TRY TO CATCH HIM BEFORE HE CAN
REACH THE "GOOSE'S" PLACE AND SIT DOWN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
James Callow Keyword(s): CHASING GAME
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Racing Chasing Fighting |
Date learned: 11-00-1969
To find water that is hidden below ground, hold two willow
branches (or two coat hangers which have been straightened
and then bent into an "L" shape) loosely in your hands. As
you pass over water, the sticks/wires will cross over one
another. When you move past the water, the sticks/wires will
uncross.
Submitter comment:
Elaine swears that her father has been able to discover
water by this method many times. She herself, being skeptical,
tried it and the procedure worked. Elaine has so much faith
in her father's ability, that she plans to have him locate a
new spot to drill a second well on her northern Michigan
property, since the well she has now is sluggish.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
Keyword(s): DIVINATION ; dowsing ; PREDICTION ; WATER WITCHING
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Water BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 00001972CA
POLISH
ON A BABY'S FIRST BIRTHDAY, PLACE A WINE GLASS, A
PRAYER BOOK, AND SOME COINS. WHATEVER HE REACHES
FOR FIRST WILL INDICATE THE TYPE OF CAREER HE
CHOOSES. THE INW GLASS INDICATES THAT HE WILL
BE A DRUNK; THE PRAYER BOOK, A PRIEST; AND THE
COINS, A BUSINESSMAN.
Submitter comment:
WE TRIED THIS AT THE FIRST BIRTHDAY OF MY CURRENTLY
SEVEN YEAR OLD COUSIN. ONLY TROUBLE WAS THAT HE
KNOCKED ALL THREE OBJECTS OFF THE HIGH CHAIR
TRAY AT ONCE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): IN A HIGH CHAIR. ; SEVEN MONTH OLD COUSIN I HOPE, SINCE HE STILL IS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Use of object for determining future of young |
Date learned: 00-00-1962
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
IF A FEMALE LETS A PREGNANT WOMAN FIX HER HAIR, SHE WILL
BECOME BALD HEADED.
Where learned: SOUTH CAROLINA ; GEORGETOWN
James Callow Keyword(s): HAIRDRESSING.
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
CROWHEART BUTTE
THERE IS A BUTTE IN WYOMING CALLED CROWHEART BUTTE
WHICH HAS A HISTORICAL STORY ATTACHED TO ITS NAME, BUT
THE LOCAL PEOPLE PREFER THIS ONE. TWO INDIAN CHIEFS,
ONE OF THEM A CROW, WERE FEUDING, AND, RATHER
THAN RISK LOSING SO MANY BRAVES IN OPEN BATTLE,
DECIDED THAT IT WOULD BE SETTLED ON TOP OF CROWHEART
BUTTE AND BETWEEN THE TWO OF THEM ONLY. THEY
MET ON THE TOP THAT DAY (NO ONE HAS EXPLAINED HOW
THEY GOT UP THE STEEP SIDES) AND FOUGHT TO THE DEATH.
THE CROW CHIEF WAS KILLED, SO, ACCORDING TO TRADITION,
THE OTHER CHIEF CUT OUT HIS HEART AND ATE IT
WHILE THE BODY WAS STILL WARM TO SIGNIFY VICTORY.
Where learned: NASHVILLE ; TENNESSEE, ASSUMED
James Callow Keyword(s): CANNIBALISM ; SINGLE COMBAT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 00-00-1964
IF IN HEAVEN WE DON'T MEET,
HAND IN HAND WE'LL STAND THE HEAT.
IF IT GETS TOO AWFUL HOT,
PEPSI COLA HITS THE SPOT!
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; CHATTANOOGA
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVERTISING SLOGAN
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1972
PROVERBIAL METAPHOR
LET'S GET DOWN TO WHERE THE WATER HITS THE WHEEL.
Submitter comment: LET'S GET DOWN TO BUSINESS!
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
Keyword(s): BUSINESS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Work Commerce Business PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
IF A TREE OF ANY KIND IS SPLIT AND A WEAKLY CHILD IS
DRAWN THROUGH IT, WHEN THE TREE IS BOUND TOGETHER AGAIN,
THE CHILD WILL ACQUIRE STRENGTH.
Where learned: ALABAMA ; GADSDEN
James Callow Keyword(s): PASSING THROUGH
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 10-01-1973
BEETHOVEN JOKE
TWO COLLEGE STUDENTS IN GERMANY READ THAT BEETHOVEN'S
GRAVE HAD BEEN LOCATED, FINALLY. THEY DECIDED TO SEE
IT. WHEN THEY GOT THERE, THEY DECIDED TO DIG UP THE
GRAVE AND SEE WHAT BEETHOVEN LOOKED LIKE. WHEN THEY
OPENED THE TOP OF THE COFFIN, THERE WAS BEETHOVEN,
FURIOUSLY WRITING ON A SLATE, AND ERASING, AND WRITING
SOME MORE, AND ERASING. HE CONTINUED IN THIS MANNER
UNTIL THEY INTERRUPTED HIM AND ASKED WHAT HE WAS
DOING. HE REPLIED, "I'M DECOMPOSING!"
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Keyword(s): COMPOSING
| Subject headings: | 6677 Formula Tale |
Date learned: 02-26-1971