Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for COMEBACK returned 160 results.
Retort
I don't know where Mom is, but we've got Pop on ice!
Submitter comment:
My father used to say this to me when I was small and would ask him where my mother was!
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [C532] crossed out. Replaced with current classification.
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; Ice ; INSULT ; Mom ; POP ; PUN ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; SLANG ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Retort
When someone asks the time, reply:
"Half past kissing time, time to kiss again."
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Small grammatical correction on card.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; DATING ; KISS ; KISSING ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; TIME ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Retort
When someone burps, reply to him:
"Excuse the hog, the pig just left."
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): Burp ; COMEBACK ; Hog ; INSULT ; MANNERS ; Pig ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Retort
That'll be a cold day in hell.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
The word retort is circled, and the question [To What?] is written next to it.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): Cold ; COMEBACK ; HELL ; INSULT ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; TEMPERATURE ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Retort
Sock it to me.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
The word Retort is circled, with the question [To What?] written next to it.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; INSULT ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Retort
In the Marines, when you are asked your weight, you say:
"I'm (insert weight) pounds of hell, death and destruction."
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
The original Title [Expression of Fixed Form] has been crossed out. Replaced with Retort.
Original BN [P640] has been crosssed out. Replaced with current classification.
Where learned: OHIO ; NORTH OLMSTED
Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; Fighter ; INSULT ; Marines ; MILITARY ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; Soldier ; WEIGHT ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Retort
I wouldn't touch that line with a ten foot pole.
Submitter comment:
Paul is famous for saying this - If somebody would slip and say something innapropriate to the time and location or if a double meaning could be attached to something said whereby he wants people to take it the wrong way.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
A large questionmark is written next to the Collector's comment.
The word [Retort??] is written above the word Untouchable in the Title section.
The original BN [C329] crossed out. Replaced wtih current classification.
Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; DISTANCE ; INSULT ; Pole ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Retort
If six turned out to be nine, then I don't mind.
Submitter comment:
Said in reply to ridiculous questions.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
The question [When Said?] is written next to the collector's comment.
Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; Nine ; NUMBERS ; RETORT ; RHYME ; SARCASM ; Six ; Wisecrack ; Wit
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Retort
You can't be two-faced. If you were two-faced, you certainly wouldn't be wearing the one you've got on.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
The question [To What?] is written next to the title.
Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; Duplicitous ; INSULT ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Retort
Ridicule:
You said it, Cabbage, you've got the head for it.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
[A Retort? To What? ] is written across the top of the card.
Original BN [B662] crossed out. Replaced with current classification.
Keyword(s): Cabbage ; COMEBACK ; HEAD ; INSULT ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Retort
Did your mother have any children that lived?
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
[To What?] is written next tot he title.
Keyword(s): CHILDREN ; COMEBACK ; INSULT ; MOTHER ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Retort
You're about as funny as a cigarette in a Cancer ward.
Submitter comment:
From his brother, Joe. From his friend, Brian Battersby.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): Cancer ; Cigarette ; COMEBACK ; HOSPITAL ; INSULT ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Retort
You look like you have to study to qualify as a dropout.
Submitter comment:
From his brother, Joe.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; Dropout ; Graduate ; INSULT ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; SCHOOL ; Study ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Retort
What's wrong? Does your face hurt? It's killing me.
Submitter comment:
From his brother, Joe.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; FACE ; Hurt ; INSULT ; Kill ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Retort
You're so skinny, you can dodge raindrops.
Submitter comment:
From his brother, Joe.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; INSULT ; Raindrops ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; SIZE ; Skinny ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Retort
You're so fat, you need a periscope to see the ground.
Submitter comment:
from his brother, Joe.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; INSULT ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Retort
You're so skinny, if you turn sideways and stick out your tongue, You'll look like a zipper.
Submitter comment:
From his brother, Joe.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
[To What?] is written next to the title.
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; INSULT ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; SIZE ; Skinny ; Wisecrack ; Zipper
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Retort
Aw, go tell yourself your mother's calling you!
Submitter comment:
I heard this from two arguing children in SW Detroit.
The number 200.01 is written underneath the BN.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; INSULT ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Retort
I know you are, but what am I?
Submitter comment:
This retort was used by a child whenever another child called him a name e.g. brat, or pimple face. It can be used over and over again for any name at all. I learned this retort years ago from neighborhood children in SW Detroit.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; INSULT ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; TAUNT ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Entry filtered.