Dr. James T. Callow publications
Browse by
Questions or comments on this site? Please email davidsor@udmercy.edu.
The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for returned 13057 results.
THE STORY OF THE TRIDS
ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE MIDDLE OF THE OCEAN THERE WAS AN ISLAND
CALLED TRIDIA. ON THIS ISLAND LIVED THE TRIDS. NOW, THE TRIDS WERE A
LITTLE STRANGE IN THAT INSTEAD OF KEEPING ALL THEIR
SUPPLIES RIGHT NEAR THEM THEY STORED THEM UP ON TOP OF THIS
MOUNTAIN THAT WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ISLAND. THEY DID THIS IN CASE
THEY WERE EVER ATTACKED FROM THE SEA, BECAUSE THE MOUNTAIN WAS MORE
EASILY DEFENDED. THE FACT THAT THEY HAD NEVER BEEN ATTACKED FROM
THE SEA DIDN'T INFLUENCE THEM TOO MUCH. ANYWAY, ONE DAY THIS BIG
GIANT CAME WALKING ACROSS THE OCEAN AND SAT DOWN RIGHT ON TOP OF
THE MOUNTAIN, AND WHENEVER ANY OF THE TRIDS WOULD TRY TO GET TO THE
SUPPLIES HE WOULD KICK THEM OFF. WELL, NEEDLESS TO SAY , THIS WAS
A BAD SITUATION FOR THE TRIDS, SINCE THEY COULDN'T GET AT ANY OF
THEIR FOOD, AND THEY SENT ARMIES TO TRY AND DRIVE THE GIANT AWAY
BUT THE GIANT WAS IMPERVIOUS TO THE WEAPONS THEY HAD, AND THEY
SENT LEADERS TO TRY AND REASON WITH HIM, BUT THE RESULT WAS ALWAYS
THE SAME, ALL OF THE TRIDS WOULD GET KICKED OFF THE MOUNTAIN. WELL,
ONE OF THE TRIDS HAD A FRIEND VISITING HIM FROM ANOTHER COUNTRY WHO
WAS A RABBI, AND THE RABBI SAID, LET ME GO TALK TO THE GIANT, MAYBE
HE'LL UNDERSTAND ME, MAYBE HE SPEAKS YIDDISH OR SOMETHING. SEEING
AS HOW THE SITUATION WAS GETTING DESPERATE THE TRIDS DECIDED TO LET
THE RABBI TRY IT, SO THE NEXT DAY HE LED A DELEGATION OF TRIDS UP
THE MOUNTAIN. WHEN THEY GOT NEAR THE TOP, THE GIANT CAME RUNNING
DOWN THE MOUNTAIN AND KICKED ALL THE TRIDS OFF BUT LEFT THE RABBI
STANDING THERE. THE RABBI LOOKED UP AT THE GIANT, AND SAID, GIANT
WHY DID YOU KICK ALL THE TRIDS OFF AND NOT ME? THE GIANT LOOKED
DOWN AT THE RABBI AND SAID, SILLY RABBI, KICKS ARE FOR TRIDS.
Submitter comment:
THIS STORY REFERS TO A TV COMMERCIAL FOR A CEREAL CALLED TRIX, IN
WHICH A RABBIT IS ALWAYS TRYING TO GET SOME OF THE CEREAL AND IS
CAUGHT EACH TIME AND TOLD TRIX ARE FOR KIDS.
BELONGS IN BRUNVAND'S SHAGGY DOG TALE INDEX UNDER C1400-C1599, PUNCH
LINE FROM ADVERTISING
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): PUN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: 11-00-1973
EASTER BREAKFAST CUSTOM
ON HOLY SATURDAY YOU WOULD PREPARE A BASKET LINED WITH LINEN NAPKINS
AND COVERED WITH THEM TOO. IN THE BASKET YOU WOULD PUT LITTLE ROUND
LOAVES OF BREAD, COLORED BOILED EGGS, LAMB SHAPED WHIPPED BUTTER,
SALT AND PEPPER, HORSERADISH, KIELBASA AND HAM. YOU WOULD TAKE THIS
TO THE PARISH TO BE BLESSED AND ON EASTER MORNING IT WOULD BE YOUR
BREAKFAST. ANYTHING YOU DIDN'T EAT WOULD HAVE TO BE BURNED OR BURIED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): LEFTOVERS
Date learned: 11-00-1973
THE VIPER STORY
A COUPLE HAD JUST GOTTEN MARRIED AND THEY LOOKED FOR AN APARTMENT
TO LIVE IN. THEY FOUND ONE ON THE SEVENTH FLOOR OF AN APARTMENT
BUILDING AND TWO DAYS LATER THEY MOVED IN. THE FIRST NIGHT THEY
WERE THERE THEY WERE SITTING IN THE LIVING ROOM WHEN THEY HEARD A
STRANGE SOUND FROM THE FIRST FLOOR. THERE WAS THIS VOICE CALLING
VERY MOURNFULLY, I'M THE VIPER. THEY GOT A LITTLE WORRIED BUT DIDN'T
THINK MUCH OF IT TIL THEY REALIZED THAT THE VOICE WAS COMING CLOSER.
THEY HEARD IT ON THE SECOND FLOOR SAYING, I'M THE VIPER. SOON THEY
HEARD IT EVEN CLOSER, ON THE THIRD FLOOR SAYING, I'M THE VIPER. BY
NOW THEY WERE PRETTY SCARED AND THE HUSBAND VENTURED OUT INTO THE
HALL WHERE HE COULD HEAR FOOTSTEPS COMING UP THE STAIRS FROM BELOW
AND HE STAYED THERE TIL HE HEARD I'M THE VIPER COMING FROM THE
FOURTH FLOOR. THEN HE RAN BACK INTO THE ROOM. BY THIS TIME THE
FOOTSTEPS WERE AUDIBLE EVEN INSIDE THE APARTMENT AND THEY LISTENED
WHILE IT CLIMBED TO THE FIFTH FLOOR, AND IT SAID I'M THE VIPER.
THEN IT SLOWLY CLIMBED THE STAIRS TO THE SIXTH FLOOR AND SAID I'M
THE VIPER. NOW IT WAS GETTING VERY CLOSE AND THEY HEARD EACH STEP
AS IT CLIMBED TO THEIR FLOOR. THEY COULD HEAR IT STOP OUTSIDE THEIR
DOOR AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE DOOR FLEW OPEN AND A LITTLE MAN
CAME IN AND SAID, I'M THE VINDOW VIPER, VANT YOUR VINDOWS VIPED?
Submitter comment:
THIS STORY IS TOLD VERY OMINOUSLY WITH THE I'M THE VIPERS BEING
A LITTLE LOUDER AND MORE HAUNTING EACH TIME. IT ALSO HELPS TO THROW
IN THE SOUND OF STAIRS BEING CLIMBED AT APPROPRIATE TIMES.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; WESTCHESTER
James Callow Keyword(s): PUN WIPER ; VIPER=SNAKE ANIMAL
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: 00001960S
Entry filtered.
MARY AND THE LIVER
MARY'S MOTHER SENT HER TO THE STORE TO BUY SOME LIVER, BUT MARY
STOPPED AND PLAYED ALONG THE WAY AND LOST THE MONEY. AS SHE WAS
GOING HOME MARY SAW A DOG SO SHE HIT IT IN THE HEAD WITH A BRICK
AND KILLED IT. SHE CUT OUT ITS LIVER AND BROUGHT IT HOME. MARY'S
MOTHER COOKED THE LIVER NOT KNOWING THAT IT WAS THE LIVER OF A DOG.
BUT MARY KNEW. THE NEXT MORNING WHEN MARY'S MOTHER WENT TO WAKE HER
UP' MARY WAS GONE AND THERE WAS A DOG IN MARY'S BED.
Submitter comment:
THIS STORY IS SOMETIMES TOLD AS A JUMP STORY. MARY GETS THE LIVER
FROM A BODY IN THE GRAVEYARD AND THE OWNER OF THE LIVER HAUNTS MARY
UNTIL HE FINALLY SAYS, "I HAVE GOT YOU:"
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans
James Callow Keyword(s): GORE
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: 11-05-1973
GAME VERSE
HAMBONE, HAMBONE HAVE YOU HEARD
PAPA IS GONNA BUY ME A MOCKING BIRD.
IF THAT MOCKING BIRD DON'T SING
PAPA IS GONNA BUY ME A DIAMOND RING.
IF THAT RING DON'T SHINE
PAPA IS GONNA BUY ME A BOTTLE OF WINE.
IF THAT BOTTLE OF WINE DON'T TASTE,
PAPA IS GONNA TAKE ME TO THE LAKE.
IF THE WATER SPLASH ON ME
PAPA IS GONNA WHIP MY B-U-T
Submitter comment:
THIS RHYME WAS USED AS A HAND CLAPPING GAME BETWEEN TWO OR MORE
PERSONS.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans
James Callow Keyword(s): EUPHEMISM SPELLING
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 11-05-1973
CURSE TO KEEP PEOPLE AWAKE
FIRST WRITE A LETTER TO A DEAD PERSON TELLING HIM ABOUT THIS PERSON
YOU WANT TO KEEP AWAKE AT NIGHT TO THINK ABOUT HIS WRONG DOINGS. YOU
THEN SEAL THE LETTER AND PLACE IT UNDER YOUR BED. YOU ALSO PUT A
GLASS OF WATER ON TOP OF THE LETTER. WHEN THE WATER EVAPORATES THE
SPELL IS WORKING.
Submitter comment:
THIS CURSE WAS USED ON A MALE FRIEND OF THE INFORMANT AND IT WAS
SUCCESSFUL. IT WAS USED IN FLORIDA.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; FLORIDA ; New Orleans
James Callow Keyword(s): INSOMNIA ; SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Measure of time Sleeping BELIEF -- Curse SPEECH -- To Be Seen |
Date learned: CA11001973
CHAIN LETTERS
WHEN YOU RECEIVE A CHAIN LETTER YOU SHOULD PUT IT BACK INTO THE
ENVELOPE, BURN IT ON ALL FOUR CORNERS, AND RETURN IT TO THE SENDER.
Submitter comment: I USED BOTH OF THESE METHODS AND NO BAD LUCK CAME TO ME.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Word Letter |
Date learned: CA11001973
POINTING
YOU SHOULD NEVER POINT AN ACCUSING FINGER AT A PERSON BECAUSE IF
YOU LOOK AT YOUR HAND, THREE OF YOUR FINGERS ARE POINTING AT YOU.
Submitter comment: TOLD TO BREAK CHILDREN OUT OF HABIT OF POINTING AT PEOPLE.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: CA11001973
POINTING
IF YOU POINT AT THE SKY YOU SHOULD BITE YOUR FINGER BECAUSE YOU
ARE POINTING AT GOD.
Submitter comment: THIS SAYING WAS TOLD TO STOP CHILDREN FROM POINTING.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Creator BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Conversions P883.22 SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: CA11001973
DEATH
NEVER HAVE TWO CLOCKS IN THE SAME ROOM KEEPING TIME BECAUSE IN A
TWO CAR ACCIDENT MEMBERS IN BOTH CARS WILL DIE.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans
James Callow Keyword(s): SIMULTANEITY
| Subject headings: | 686 Seconds / Twice / Two BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: CA11001973
LUCK
IF YOU LIE A BUMP WILL GROW ON YOUR TONGUE OR YOU WILL ACCIDENTALLY
BITE YOUR TONGUE.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans
James Callow Keyword(s): LYING ; SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Mouth, teeth, lips, tongue BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: CA11001973
NEVER WEAR CLOTHES ON THE WRONG SIDE ESPECIALLY UNDERGARMENTS BECAUSE
PEOPLE WILL LIE TO YOU.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans
James Callow Keyword(s): LYING ; POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Dress BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: CA11001973
DEATH
NEVER WALK BACKWARDS OR IT WILL CAUSE YOUR MOTHER TO DIE.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: CA11001973
CHAIR
NEVER WALK A CHAIR IN THE HOUSE. IT CAUSES A CHILD TO BE
BORN CRIPPLE.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans
James Callow Keyword(s): CARRY
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Physically handicapped Deformed BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: CA11001973
LUCK
NEVER SIT A BABY ON THE EDGE OF A TABLE TO FEED HIM BECAUSE IT
WILL CAUSE HIM TO TEETH HARD.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222. BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: CA11001973
NUMBERS
A SEVENTH SON OF A SEVENTH SON HAS SPECIAL POWERS.
James Callow comment:
P820 AND P720 ARE MY ADDITIONS--J. T. CALLOW
CN[ MERCIER, CYNTHIA 731458
C1[ 9333 STROLEITZ
C2[ NEW ORLEANS, LOUISANA
DNC[ 1,526
******************** C FILE 1 ********************
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; UNICE
James Callow Keyword(s): MAGICIAN PROPHET HEALER
| Subject headings: | 686 Seven / Sevenths / Several |
Date learned: CA11001973
LUCK
SEVEN PEOPLE TURN A CLASS RING TO INSURE GOOD LUCK FOR THE OWNER
OF THE RING IN THE FUTURE.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; UNICE
James Callow Keyword(s): JEWELRY
| Subject headings: | 686 Seven / Sevenths / Several Prophet / Seer / Soothsayer BELIEF -- Good luck P881.2 |
Date learned: CA11001973
LUCK
LEFT HANDED PEOPLE HAVE A TENDENCY TO BE CRAZY BECAUSE THEY DO
THINGS BACKWARDS.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; UNICE
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Physically handicapped Deformed BELIEF -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
Date learned: CA11001973
LUCK
IF YOU GET OUT OF THE BED ON THE LEFT SIDE YOU WILL BE CRABBY ALL
DAY.
Submitter comment:
WOMEN USUALLY SLEEP ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE BED WHICH CAUSES THEM
TO BE MORE CRABBY THAN MEN.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; UNICE
James Callow Keyword(s): SEXISM
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Measure of time Sleeping |
Date learned: CA11001973