Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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MOTHER MAY I
ONE PERSON IS CHOSEN THE "MOTHER." HE THEN TELLS THE OTHER
PEOPLE WHAT KIND AND HOW MANY STEPS THEY MAY TAKE E.G. THREE
GIANT OR BABY STEPS. THE PERSON MUST ASK "MOTHER MAY I"
BEFORE HE CAN MOVE. IF HE FORGETS, HE CANNOT TAKE THE STEPS
AND
MUST GO BACK TO THE BEGINNING. THE WINNER IS THE ONE WHO
REACHES MOTHER FIRST.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES
James Callow Keyword(s): POLITENESS TEST
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Memory |
Date learned: 00001950S
WORMS
NOBODY LIKES ME EVERYBODY HATES ME GUESS I'LL GO EAT WORMS,
BIG, FAT, JUICY ONES, LITTLE BITTY SCRAWNY ONES, SEE HOW THEY
WRIGGLE AND SQUIRM. BITE THEIR HEADS OFF SUCK THEIR JUICES
THROW THE SKINS AWAY. NOBODY KNOWS HOW MAN CAN THRIVE ON
WORMS
THREE TIMES A DAY.
Submitter comment: THIS IS SAID IN A POUTY, SING-SONG FASHION.
James Callow comment:
PUNCTUATION ADDED
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): GORE: WORMS AS FOOD
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: 11-00-1972
PETE AND REPEAT
PETE AND REPEAT WERE WALKING ON A BRIDGE, AND PETE FELL IN,
SO WHO WAS LEFT? REPEAT. PETE AND REPEAT WERE WALKING ON A
BRIDGE, AND PETE FELL IN SO WHO WAS LEFT? REPEAT. PETE AND REPEAT.
Submitter comment:
THE PERSON TO WHOM THE JOKE IS BEING TOLD ANSWERS THE QUESTION
WHO IS LEFT? WHICH TRIGGERS THE PUNCHLINE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES
James Callow Keyword(s): PROSE ROUND
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
DEPARTMENT STORE LEGEND
THERE IS A STORY GOING AROUND KMART 4177 OF A SHIPMENT OF
CLOTHES FROM OVERSEAS THAT, WHEN OPENED, SNAKES WERE FOUND
INSIDE, MIXED IN WITH THE CLOTHES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES
James Callow Keyword(s): K-MART OR K MART DEPARTMENT STORE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 11-00-1972
HAUNTED STREET
A STREET NEAR OUR HOUSE, ROBERTJOHN, IS REPORTED TO HAVE A
"THUMPING" WHENEVER A CAR PASSES OVER A CERTAIN PORTION OF IT.
THIS IS SAID TO HAVE RESULTED FROM AN ACCIDENT WHERE A PERSON
WAS RUN OVER, AND THEN STUFFED INTO THE TRUNK OF THE CAR;
HOWEVER, ONE ARM DIDN'T QUITE MAKE IT IN AND AS THE CAR DROVE
AWAY, THE ARM KEPT HITTING THE STREET, CAUSING THE THUMPING,
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES
James Callow Keyword(s): KNOCK-KNOCK STREET
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00001960S
GRANDPA REMEMBERS WHEN HIS MOTHER DIDN'T HAVE SUPPER ON TIME
USUALLY THE EXCUSE WAS THE BUTCHER GAVE HER A TOUGH PIECE OF
MEAT. OF COURSE, THE OVER THE FENCE GOSSIPING WITH NEIGHBORS
ALL AFTERNOON HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH IT.
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SATIRE OF WOMEN SEXISM
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222. |
Date learned: 10-07-1972
GRANDPA REMEMBERS WHEN HIS MOTHER USED TO CUT PAPER SQUARES,
ABOUT 8 INCHES BY 8 INCHES EXACT. THIS WAS AFTER THE SUNDAY
PAPERS HAD BEEEN READ. AFTER JUDGING THE PILE SHE SAID, "SON
ATTACH THIS PILE TO THE PEG IN THE OUTHOUSE."
Submitter comment: THESE PAPERS WERE USED AS TOILET PAPER.
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTIONAL SHIFT: NEWSPAPERS CONVERTED INTO TOILET PAPER
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Home |
Date learned: 10-07-1972
JOSE
JOSE LIVED IN A SMALL MEXICAN VILLAGE AND WON A CONTEST TO SEE
FOR FREE A MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL GAME. THE VILLAGE BEING SMALL,
GOT HIM DRESSED AND PREPARED AND SENT HIM OFF WITH A BRASS BAND
ON HIS RETURN, THE CITIZENS GAVE HIM A HERO'S WELCOME. THEY WENT
TO THE SCHOOL SO HE COULD TELL THEM OF HIS VISIT AND EXPERIENCES
IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY. HE MOST REMEMBERED WHEN 53,333 PEOPLE STOOD
UP BEFORE THE GAME AND SANG "JOSE CAN YOU SEE?".
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): STAR-SPANGLED BANNER
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 10-07-1972
GRANDPA TELLS WHEN HE WENT TO SCHOOL. HE WENT TO CHURCH EVERY
SUNDAY WITH HIS MOTHER, AFTER BOTH CAME HOME HE WOULD GET A SMACK
IN THE HEAD. HE WONDERED FOR A LONG TIME WHAT FOR. BUT AS HE GOT
OLDER HE KNEW THE NUNS AND MOTHER USED TO STAND TOGETHER AFTER
CHURCH AND WHAT WAS SPILLED BETWEEN THE TWO HE NEVER COULD FIND
OUT.
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): PUNISHMENT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church |
Date learned: 10-07-1972
GRANDMA'S DAYS, WAYBACK
SHE USED TO SEND THE SON TO THE BUTCHER SHOP AND TELL HIM TO BE
SURE AND GET A DOG BONE. THIS WAS USUALLY FOR FREE AND BEFORE THE
DAYS WHEN SAUSAGE WAS $2.00 A POUND. SO GRANDMA USED THE DOG BONE
TO FEED THE FAMILY FIRST WITH A GOOD SOUP OR STEW AND THE DOG
STILL HAD ENOUGH TO EAT AFTER TWO MEALS.
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): RISE IN PRICES
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Food |
Date learned: 10-07-1972
MOTHER MAY I
WHEN I WAS A CHILD THE GROUP I PLAYED WITH PLAYED " MOTHER MAY I."
IN THIS GAME, ONE PERSON BECAME "MOTHER". THE OBJECT WAS TO GET
FROM ONE LINE TO ANOTHER. YOU DID THIS BY DOING WHAT MOTHER SAID.
MOTHER WOULD TELL YOU TO TAKE A GIANT STEP, PINCH STEP, SIDE STEP,
HOP, SKIP, JUMP OR ANYTHING ELSE. BEFORE THE PERSON COULD DO IT HE
MUST ASK "MOTHER MAY I?" AND SHE WOULD ANSWER "YES, YOU MAY" OR NO
"YOU MAY NOT". SNEAKING STEPS WERE SOMETIMES ALLOWED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): POLITENESS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Bodily Activity |
Date learned: 10-07-1972
EASTER BASKETS ARE HIDDEN FROM THE CHILDREN ON THE NIGHT BEFORE.
IN THE MORNING THE CHILDREN FIND THE BASKETS WITH THEIR NAME ON IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): GIFTS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Palm Sunday CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Season CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter baskets |
Date learned: 10-07-1972
WHEN WE VISITED SOMEONE FOR THE FIRST TIME AT THE FIRST OF THE
YEAR WE HAD TO TAKE THEM SOMETHING. IF THE FAMILY WAS NOT
TAKEN SOMETHING THEY WOULD BE IN NEED FOR THE REST OF THE
YEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN
James Callow Keyword(s): GIFT-GIVING AT NEW YEAR'S SEASON
Date learned: 10-20-1972
WHEN A PERSON HAS TRENCH MOUTH CALL THE PREACHER. HE BLOWS INTO
THE PERSON'S MOUTH AND THE TRENCH MOUTH IS CURED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN
James Callow Keyword(s): CONTAGIOUS MAGIC ; VINCENT'S ANGINA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Curer |
Date learned: 10-05-1972
WARTS
WHEN A PERSON HAS WARTS COUNT THE NUMBER OFWARTS AND GO TO THE
DRAIN-SPOUT WHERE THE RAIN WATER RUNS OUT AND PICK UP THESAME
NUMBER OF SMALL PEBBLES. PUT THE PEBBLES INA PRETTY
HANDKERCHIEF AND TIE THEM IN A KNOT INSIDE IT. TAKE THE
HANDKERCHIEF WITH THE PEBBLES INSIDE IT TO A FORK IN THE ROAD
DROP IT, THE FIRST PERSON TO PICK IT UP WILL GET YOUR WARTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN
James Callow Keyword(s): TRANSFER
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Number Counting beliefs BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 10-05-1972
PERSON KNOCKED OUT
HALF CUP OF VINEGAR
TWO TABLESPOONS OF SODA
TAKE THE VINEGAR AND SODA AND DISSOLVE THEM TOGETHER, THIS
MIXTURE WILL WAKE THE PERSON UP QUICKLY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; JACKSON
James Callow Keyword(s): UNCONSCIOUS INSENSIBLE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Remedy |
Date learned: 11-01-1972
HAY FEVER
BUY A BOTTLE OF LYCERINE. PUT IT UP YOUR NOSE WITH A GLASS
TUBE. QUICKLY CLEARS YOUR HAY FEVER FOR SEVERAL HOURS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; JACKSON
James Callow Keyword(s): LISTERINE? GLYCERINE?
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Remedy |
Date learned: 11-01-1972
BOWEL TREATMENT
FOUR GLASSES OF WATER, IF THIS FAILS TO WORK TAKE SIX OUNCES OF
COTTON SEED OIL FOLLOWED BY A GLASS OF MILK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; JACKSON
James Callow Keyword(s): CONSTIPATION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Remedy |
Date learned: 11-02-1972
WHEN TAKING A SHOT OF WHISKY DRINK A GLASS OF WATER.} / THIS WILL
KEEP YOU FROM GETTING ULCERS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; JACKSON
James Callow Keyword(s): WHISKEY
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 10-01-1972