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 CAT returned 284 results.
MOON BELIEF
IF YOU SHOW YOUR MONEY TO A NEW MOON, YOU WILL RECEIVE MORE MONEY.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): MULTIPLICATION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Moon |
Date learned: 10-27-1970
LYDIE PINKHAM
LYDIE PINKHAM USED TO BE SOLD IN STORES. IT WAS A REMEDY FOR THOSE
PEOPLE WHO WERE NOT HAVING LUCK IN HAVING BABIES-IF
YOU TOOK IT YOU WOULD BE SURE TO HAVE A BABY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): LYDIA PINKHAM WAS A POPULAR NON-PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Birth |
CUSTOM
THERE IS A TRADITION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN THAT IF
YOU STEP ON THE M OF THE DIAGONAL EMBLAZED IN THE CROSSWALK,
YOU WILL FLUNK YOUR NEXT EXAM.
Submitter comment:
WHEN A STUDENT AT U. OF M., THE INFORMANT TRIED THIS
TO DISPROVE THE TRADITION, BY STEPPING ON THE M AFTER STUDYING
FOR AN EXAM. SHE FAILED HER EXAM.
KEYPUNCHERS COMMENT, THERE IS ANOTHER LIKE THIS IN THE ARCHIVE.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): EDUCATION ; SYMBOL ; WALKING PROHIBITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- School |
Date learned: 12-00-1967
PROVERB
EARTHQUAKE, THUNDER, FIRE AND FATHER.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LIVES IN JAPAN.
Data entry tech comment: OR, PERHAPS, FATHER IS LIKE THESE THREE CHARACTERISTICS.
James Callow comment:
I THINK THE MEANING IS THAT THESE THREE CATASTROPHIES
SEND YOU TO YOUR "MAKER."--F. M. PAULSEN
James Callow Keyword(s): ALLITERATION ; CATASTROPHE ; TRANSLATION?
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 07-28-1964
PROVERB
EVEN THE BREAD CRIES WHEN IT'S EATEN BY A LAZY MAN.
Submitter comment: TRANSLATED FROM LITHUANIAN.
Where learned: DETROIT
Keyword(s): FOOD
James Callow Keyword(s): PERSONIFICATION ; SYMBOL ; TRANSLATION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 02-17-1971
CHILDBIRTH
EVEN THE STONES IN THE ROAD KNOW THAT A WOMAN WHO DIES IN CHILD-
BIRTH IS DESTINED FOR GLORY.
Submitter comment:
FR. MALONY LEARNED THIS FROM HIS MOTHER AT HOME WHO IS OF IRISH
DESCENT.
Where learned: RECTORY ; HOLY NAME
Keyword(s): ANIMATED NATURE
James Callow Keyword(s): PERSONIFICATION ; SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 02-19-1967
WELLERISM
Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.
"EVERY LITTLE BIT HELPS," SAID THE OLD LADY AS SHE URINATED INTO
THE OCEAN.
Data entry tech comment:
GOOD GRIEF
Where learned: ONTARIO
Keyword(s): SCATOLOGICAL
James Callow Keyword(s): IRONY ; PARODY
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Wellerism Quotation |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
PROVERBIAL METAPHOR
NEVER SOIL YOUR OWN NEST
Submitter comment: FROM UNCERTAIN
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
Keyword(s): SCATOLOGICAL
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: NEGATIVE ; CLEANLINESS ; DEFICATION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Number Emptiness, nothingness, zero PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
PROVERBIAL METAPHOR
THE NIGHT HAS A THOUSAND EYES
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): COSMOS ; PERSONIFICATION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Number P686.1.1000 PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 11-07-1971
BLASON POPULAIRE
REGARDING THE COMELINESS OF THE COEDS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
IT IS COMMON BELIEF THAT NINE OUT OF TEN GIRLS ARE BEAUTIFUL
AND THE TENTH GOES TO MICHIGAN
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
James Callow Keyword(s): EDUCATION ; IRONY ; OBSERVATION ; OBSERVATION
| Subject headings: | 686 686.1 686 686.1.9 PROVERB -- Blason Populaire |
PROVERB
OLD CHINESE PROVERB IS THERE IS GOLD IN BOOKS
Submitter comment: TOLD DURING A LECTURE
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS, ASSUMED
James Callow Keyword(s): COLOR ; EDUCATION ; SYMBOL ; WEALTH
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 10-28-1971
PROVERBIAL APOTHEGM
ONE WHO IS AFRAID TO ASK QUESTIONS IS AFRAID TO LEARN
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: POSITIVE ; EDUCATION ; FUNCTION ; INQUISITIVENESS
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 09-25-1967
POT AND KETTLE EXPRESSION
THE POT CALLING THE KETTLE BLACK
IN A CASE WHERE ONE PERSON WHO CAN BE TERMED EQUALLY AS
CARELESS, STUBBORN, ETC. CALLS ANOTHER SUCH, IT CAN BE A CASE OF
THE POT CALLING THE KETTLE BLACK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FUNCTION--I WONDER?--F. M. PAULSEN ; PERSONIFICATION
James Callow Keyword(s): COLOR ; COOKING UTENSIL ; SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase |
Date learned: 11-00-1969
POVERTY AND DISGRACE
POVERTY ALWAYS WISHES IT WERE DEAD WHILE DISGRACE ALWAYS
URGES IT TO LIVE ON.
Where learned: WEST AFRICA
Keyword(s): PERSONIFICATION
James Callow Keyword(s): CONTRAST
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
PROVERB
PUPIL WHO TRIES TO PULL WOOL OVER TEACHERS EYES MAY FIND
THAT SHE IS NOT THE SHEEP THAT HE THINKS SHE IS.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: NEGATIVE ; ANIMAL ; DECEIT ; EDUCATION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
LITTLE BLACK SAMBO
ONE DAY A LONG WAY FROM HERE AND NOT YET OVER THERE, PEOPLE KNEW OF
A BOY NAMED SAMBO. NOW SAMBO WAS A LITTLE AND DARK ONE, SO THE
PEOPLE CALLED HIM LITTLE BLACK SAMBO. ONE DAY SAMBO'S MOTHER AND
FATHER WENT AWAY LEAVING SAMBO WITH NOTHING BUT A BREAD CRUST TO EAT
AND NO CLOTHING BUT HIS SUNDAY BEST; A NEW YELLOW COAT AND MATCHING
CAP, A BRIGHT RED SHIRT THAT ONLY HAD BEEN WORN BY A HANGER AND A
PAIR OF SHINEY SHOES. SAMBO WAS A LITTLE FELLA BUT HE WAS ALIVE AND
HAD TO EAT TOO, TO KEEP THE LITTLE WEIGHT HE HAD - PUT. SO SAMBO HAD
TO DIVIDE THAT LITTLE BIT OF BREAD FOR BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND DINNER
FOR TWO DAYS. "NOW I GOTTA DO SOMETHIN' 'BOUT MY EATIN' SITUATION",
SAMBO SAID ON THE THIRD DAY, HOLDING HIS BELLY, BUT ALL I GOT IS MY
NEW CLOTHES, NOBODY CAN WEAR 'EM BUT ME, NO HOW." SO SAMBO STARTED
OUT TO FIND A WAY TO FIND SOME FOOD. HE HAD TO CROSS THE RIVER THAT
WAS TOO DEEP TO CROSS, THE MOUNTAIN THAT WAS TOO HIGH TO CLIMB, THE
JUNGLE THAT WAS TOO THICK TO BREATHE IN AND THEN THE TOWN WHERE ALL
THE SHOPS WERE. LITTLE BLACK SAMBO CAME TO THE RIVER AND SWAM ACROSS,
STOPPING BUT ONCE TO ASK AN OLD FISHERMAN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RIVER,
"WOULD YOU GIVE SOME BREAD? MY MAMA AND PAPA WENT AWAY AND LEFT ME
NOTHING BUT MY OWN AND MY NEW CLOTHES." THE FISHERMAN SAID, "SORRY
LITTLE BLACK SAMBO, I'M HERE WITH NOTHING BUT MY OWN AND A FISHING
HOOK OR TWO BUT IF YOU GIVE ME THOSE SHINEY SHOES, MAYBE I CAN HELP
YOU. SO THE FISHERMAN GAVE LITTLE BLACK SAMBO A LINE AND A HOOK SO
THAT SAMBO COULD CATCH HIS OWN FOOD. AFTER WAITING TEN MINUTES SAMBO
DECIDED, "FISHING WAS TOO SLOW, I'L FIND SOME FOOD IN THE MOUNTAINS
I HOPE." SO HE STARTED FOR THE MOUNTAINS, BIDDING THE FISHERMAN WELL
AND LEAVING BEHIND HIS SHINEY SHOES. AS LITTLE BLACK SAMBO CAME TO
THE FOOT OF THE MOUNTAIN HE MET A MOOSE. "MR. MOOSE WILL YOU HELP ME
GET SOMETHING TO EAT, PLEASE? MY MAMA AND PAPA WENT AWAY AND DIDN'T
LEAVE ME NOTHING BUT MYSELF AND MY NEW CLOTHES," LITTLE BLACK SAMBO
SAID TO THE MOOSE. "GIVE ME THAT PRETTY YELLOW CAP AND I'LL SHOW
YOU HOW TO GET FOOD FOR YOURSELF," THE MOOSE SAID TO LITTLE BLACK
SAMBO. "OKAY, THAT SOUNDS FAIR ENOUGH, ALTHOUGH I WANT MY YELLOW
CAP," SAMBO SAID. WELL THE MOOSE STARTED WALKING AWAY WHEN SAMBO
SAID "BUT I DO WANT TO EAT TOO, OKAY."" "WELL, DO YOU LIKE BUSHES AND
TREE LEAVES", THE MOOSE ASKED LITTLE BLACK SAMBO. THE TRUTH MR
MOOSE IS I HAIN'T NEVER TRIED NO TREES AND LEAVES FOR SUPPA, BUT I
GOT NOTHING ELSE TO EAT. I'LL TRY EM:," LITTLE BLACK SAMBO SAID TO
THE MOOSE. LITTLE BLACK SAMBO FOLLOWED BEHIND THE MOOSE, PICKING OVER
THE BUSHES AND TREE LEAVES LIKE THE MOOSE UNTIL HE SAID, "THESE
TREES AND LEAVES FOR SUPPA AIN'T GONNA GET IT, MR. MOOSE" AND
CONTINUED TO THE JUNGLE WITHOUT ANYTHING IN HIS STOMACH AND WITHOUT
HIS LITTLE YELLOW CAP, SHINEY SHOES AND STILL NO MEANS OF FOOD. AS
LITTLE BLACK SAMBO CAME TO THE TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN THAT NOBODY COULD
CLIMB HE LOOKED OVER THE OTHER SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN AND SPOTTED A
TIGER. LITTLE BLACK SAMBO CALLED OUT, "MR. TIGER, WILL YOU HELP ME
GET SOMETHING TO EAT? MY MAMA AND PAPA WENT OFF AND LEFT ME AND MY
NEW CLOTHES ALONE." THE TIGER YELLED BACK, "IF YOU GIVE ME THAT
BRIGHT RED SHIRT I'LL TRY TO HELP YOU." LITTLE BLACK SAMBO FIGURED
HE DIDN'T HAVE MUCH TO LOSE, SO HE AGREED, "OKAY, YOU CAN HAVE MY
BRIGHT RED SHIRT." THE TIGER TOLD HIM TO DO AS HE DID,
KEEP BEHIND THE RABBIT AND DON'T LET THE RABBIT OUT OF SIGHT. WELL
LITTLE BLACK SAMBO TRIED AND TRIED BUT HE COULDN'T EVEN KEEP UP WITH
THE TIGER. SO HE SAID "I CAN'T KEEP UP WITH YOU, MR. TIGER, WILL YOU
PLEASE CATCH ME THE RABBIT AND I'LL GIVE YO ALL I HAVE - MY NEW
YELLOW PANTS AND COAT." THE TIGER SAID "AGREED, BUT FIRST, YOU GIVE
ME THE YELLOW PANTS AND COAT," INTENDING TO CATCH THE RABBIT AND KEEP
RUNNING WITH THE RABBIT AND CLOTHES. LITTLE BLACK SAMBO DID AS THE
TIGER TOLD HIM TO DO. THE TIGER WAS RUNNING, RUNNING, AND WAS
ABOUT TO CATCH THE RABBIT WHEN "BOOM!!!," A GUN SHOT KILLED THE TIGER
OVER. IT WAS LITTLE BLACK SAMBO'S MAMMA AND PAPA AND A TIGER FOR
SUPPA.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A LONG STORY; I THOUGHT SINCE MY INFORMANT'S BEEN HANDED DOWN
LONG NARRATIVE STORIES, HE MAY PASS THESE SAME STORIES ON IN A
SIMILAR FORM IF NOT THE SAME AS THEIR ORIGINAL VERSIONS.
THIS STORY PUSHES A BLACK IMAGE; THE MAIN CHARACTER, LITTLE BLACK
SAMBO, BREAKS AWAY FROM ALL OF HIS PROBLEMS IN THE END BY DOING FOR
HIMSELF.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): NEGRO MARALE? ; PERSONIFICATION
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal Tale |
Date learned: 00-00-1960
WHY DOGS AND CATS DON'T GET ALONG
NOW THE DOG, HE WAS A FREE MAN ALWAYS. HE MINED THE YARD. ONE DAY
THE DOG WAS GONNA GO FOR A WALK AND HE DRESSED, GOT HIS CANE AND ALL.
NOW HE HAD TO GO THROUGH HIS MASTER HOUSE TO GET TO THE FRONT, SO HE
HAD TO PASS THE CAT WHO WAS ALWAYS IN THE KITCHEN BY THE FIRE-IRON.
THE DOG SAY, "SISS CAT, HOW YOU FIND YO' HEALTH THESE HERE DAYS?"
SAY, "BR'ER, I AIN'T DOING SO WELL, THANK YOU FOE ASKING." I'M
GOING OUT FOR A WALK AND I WISH YOU BE SO KIND AS TO TAKE CHARGE OF
MY PAPER FOR ME, TEL I GET BACK. SISS CAT SAY, "SHOW, I SHOW WILL
BR'ER-DOG, WITH PLESURE. SO BR'ER-DOG HAND SISS-CAT HIS PAPER AND
WENT OUT FOR HIS WALK. SISS-CAT WAS TRYING TO STAY CAREFUL WITH
BR-ER-DOG'S PAPER BUT SHE REALLY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH IT OR
HOW TO DO IT. SO SHE KINDLY PUT IT ON THE FLOOR, MADE A MAT AND SOON
FELL TO SLEEP ON IT. WELL THE RAT STUCK HIS LITTLE HEAD OUT HIS HOLE
TO SEE WHAT THE NEWS WAS. WHEN HE SAW THE PAPER UNDER THE CAT HE
STARTED THANKING HOW HE WAS GONNA GET IT FROM HER. AND HE DECIDED
TO TAKE JUST A NIBBLE OFF A LITTLE PIECE, THAT WOULD'NT WAKE-UP THE
CAT BUT BEFORE HE GOT THE WHOLE PIECE IN HIS LITTLE MOUTH SIS' CAT
WOKE-UP, FORGOT ALL ABOUT BEING CAREFUL WITH BR'ER-DOG'S PAPER AND
JUMPED AFTER THE RAT, AS HE MADE HIS GET-A-AWAY THROUGH HIS HOLE WITH
A LITTLE PIECE OF BR'ER DOG'S PAPER IN HIS MOUTH. SO SIS' CAT CAME
BACK OUT OF BREATH AND SHE HAD TO LOOK FOR THE PAPER BECAUSE THE
WIND HAD BLOWN IT ABOUT. SHE LOOKED, LOOKED AND LOOKED, AIN'T FOUND
NO TRACE OF THE PAPER, YET. AND WHEN BR'ER DOG CAME BACK HE ASKED,
"WHERE MY PAPER I LAID WITH YOU?" SIS' CAT SAYS, "WHO TOLD YOU TO
LAY YO' PAPER WITH ME I WANT TO KNOW:" I GO TO COMBAT THAT HOUSE-RAT
I CANN'T LOOK OUT FOR YO' PAPER TOO, SOMEBODY MUST HAVE PLAYED
THIEF WHEN I TURNED FOR A MINUTE." BR'ER DOG SAY, "YOU NO GOOD FOE
NOTHING THANG YO. WHAT IS CATS FOE ANYWAY - THAT I WANT TO KNOW;
I AIN'T GOT NO USE FOR THEM. BOW-WOW-WOW:" SIS' CAT ANSWERED,
"SP-T-Z-Z" AND THEY STOPPED SPEAKING AND TODAY THEY AIN'T SPEAKING.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A NEW STORY TO ME. I FOUND SOME WORDS IN THE STORY, SUCH AS
BR'ER FOR MY BROTHER AND SIS FOR SISTER, TO BE COMMON LANGUAGE AMONG
BLACKS MAINLY IN THE SOUTH.
Data entry tech comment:
A-T 200 THE DOG'S CERTIFICATE
MT[ A2281.1 CAT LOSES DOG'S CERTIFICATE: ; A2281.1 (CONT'D) ENMITY BETWEEN CATS AND DOGS
****************** NEW D FILE 2 ******************
Where learned: ALABAMA
James Callow Keyword(s): PERSONIFICATION
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal |
Date learned: 00-00-1920
SUPERSTITION
IF SOMEONE IS SICK AND THERE IS NO WAY THEY'RE GOING TO PULL OUT,
MEXICANS PRAY TO THE VIRGIN OF GUADALOUPE, WHO IS THE PATRON SAINT
OF MEXICO. WHEN YOU PRAY, YOU SAY THAT YOU WILL WALK TO THE ALTAR
OF ONE OF TWO CHURCHES-ONE IS IN MEXICO CITY AND ONE IS IN
GUANAGUATO-FROM A CERTAIN POINT OUTSIDE THE CHURCH ON YOUR KNEES.
I DON'T KNOW IF I BELIEVE THIS. I THINK I DO. MY MOTHER TRIED THIS
WITH MY BROTHER AND SISTER A FEW TIMES AND IT WORKED.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT SEEMED SKEPTICAL, BUT IN THE END HE SEEMED TO BELIEVE
THE IDEA. HE WAS VERY EARNEST ABOUT THE STORY AND MADE SURE I GOT
ALL THE FACTS RIGHT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
James Callow Keyword(s): SUPPLICATION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church BELIEF -- Religious hero BELIEF -- Prayer SPEECH -- Gesture |
FEAST OF ST. JOHN (EVE OF JUNE 24)
ON THE EVE OF THE FEAST OF JOHN THE BAPTIST (JUNE) THE YOUNG PEOPLE
GET TOGETHER AND BUILD A LARGE BONFIRE. THERE IS MUCH SINGING AND
DANCING. THEN THE BOYS TAKE TURNS JUMPING OVER THE FIRE. THIS IS
SUPPOSED TO CLEANSE THEM FROM ALL EVIL. (UKRAINIAN)
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
Keyword(s): PURIFICATION THROUGH FIRE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- June 23 |
Date learned: 10-00-1970
BLACK CAT
NEVER CROSS A STREET IF A BLACK CAT CROSSES BEFORE YOU.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; ERIE
Keyword(s): STREET BLACK CAT
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Mammal |
Date learned: 00001920S