Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for GIFT returned 122 results.
Never give an empty purse or wallet for a gift; fill it with
coins and dollars so it will never be empty.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): GIFT
Date learned: 00001980S
No Nuthin
This was a little game my grandmother played with me, and with
my children. When a special day was coming, and she had purchased
the gift for your special day, she would pose this question to you.
Would you like to know what I bought for you? Of course a young
child does, so the response was, "Yea!" Then she would smile and
hug you and say, "A no nuthin with a whistle on the end." A very
confused child then would respond, "What is that?" Grandma would
reply, "I guess you'll have to wait to find out. But, do you want
to know what color it is?" Of course a child will respond, "Yes!"
Grandma would very seriously say, "Well, it's sky-blue pink."
Submitter comment:
It has been many years since my grandmother was alive, but this
little ditty is still repeated by me and my children, and I'm sure
it will continue with my own grandchildren.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): GIFT GIVING
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 00001950S
Custom
Pounding a preacher is a Methodist custom of welcoming a new preacher by having a fellowship supper and at the end surprising him with the homemade gifts each person has brought.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Keyword(s): Covered ; CUSTOM ; Dish ; Fellowship ; FOOD ; Gathering ; GIFTS ; Homemade ; Potluck ; Pounding ; Preacher ; RITUAL ; Supper ; SURPRISE ; tradition
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church |
ONE MUST NEVER ACCEPT A PUPPY OR KITTEN WITHOUT PAYING
SOMETHING FOR IT, EVEN A PENNY. IT IS BELIEVED THAT
THE ANIMAL WILL NOT BRING JOY TO ITS NEW OWNER UNLESS
THERE IS A FINANCIAL TRANSACTION OF SOME KIND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
James Callow Keyword(s): GIFT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth |
Date learned: 00-00-1966
IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE BAD LUCK TO GIVE ANYONE A SHARP OBJECT,
SUCH AS A KNIFE, A PAIR OF SCISSORS--FOR A PRESENT. IT WILL
CUT YOUR LOVE. THE PERSON RECEIVING THE OBJECT SHOULD GIVE
THE OTHER PERSON A PENNY OR SOMETHING.
Where learned: KENTUCKY ; HERNDON
James Callow Keyword(s): GIFT ; HOMEOPATHIC MAGIC
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Good luck Sharp objects BELIEF -- Conversions |
Date learned: 08-03-1968
THE HATCHET MAN
IN SEPTEMBER, 1969, I STARTED AT U. OF D. AS A MATH MAJOR
AND THE PROF FOR MY FIRST MATH CLASS MATH 141 WAS MR.
TRAVIS. ONE DAY HE PROMISED TO TELL US WHY HIS STUDENTS
SUPPOSEDLY CALLED HIM "THE HATCHET MAN." (I HADN'T
HEARD THE NAME APPLIED TO HIM BEFORE THIS TIME, BUT MAYBE
IT WAS BECAUSE I WAS JUST A FIRST TERM FRESHMAN.) HE SAID
THAT HE HAD HAD ONE STUDENT WHO WAS BOUND AND DETERMINED
TO PASS ONE MATH COURSE HE WAS TEACHING, EVEN THOUGH IT
WAS ABOUT THE THIRD OR FOURTH TIME AROUND FOR THE STUDENT.
THE REASON THE STUDENT WAS SO DETERMINED WAS THAT HE
NEEDED THE COURSE TO GRADUATE. FINALLY, HE SUCCEEDED
IN PASSING AND AFTER GRADUATION, HE GAVE TRAVIS A TOKEN
OF HIS APPRECIATION, A GOLD (PAINTED) HATCHET WHICH
TRAVIS SHOWED OUR MATH 141 CLASS.
DURING TERM II 70-71, I FOUND MYSELF ONCE AGAIN SHARING
THREE HOURS A WEEK IN ONE OF THE MATH CLASSES (MATH 431)
TAUGHT BY TRAVIS. HE EVIDENTLY STILL HAD THE HATCHET
SINCE HE TOLD US THE SAME STORY I HAD HEARD IN 1969.
ONCE AGAIN, HE SHOWED US THAT SAME GOLD HATCHET.
Submitter comment:
IN MATH 141 HE GAVE ME A B; IN MATH 431 HE GAVE ME
AN A, SO HE CAN'T BE THAT BAD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): UNUSUAL GIFTS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 10-30-1971
THE HATCHET MAN
IN SEPTEMBER, 1969, I STARTED AT U. OF D. AS A MATH MAJOR
AND THE PROF FOR MY FIRST MATH CLASS MATH 141 WAS MR.
TRAVIS. ONE DAY HE PROMISED TO TELL US WHY HIS STUDENTS
SUPPOSEDLY CALLED HIM "THE HATCHET MAN." (I HADN'T
HEARD THE NAME APPLIED TO HIM BEFORE THIS TIME, BUT MAYBE
IT WAS BECAUSE I WAS JUST A FIRST TERM FRESHMAN.) HE SAID
THAT HE HAD HAD ONE STUDENT WHO WAS BOUND AND DETERMINED
TO PASS ONE MATH COURSE HE WAS TEACHING, EVEN THOUGH IT
WAS ABOUT THE THIRD OR FOURTH TIME AROUND FOR THE STUDENT.
THE REASON THE STUDENT WAS SO DETERMINED WAS THAT HE
NEEDED THE COURSE TO GRADUATE. FINALLY, HE SUCCEEDED
IN PASSING AND AFTER GRADUATION, HE GAVE TRAVIS A TOKEN
OF HIS APPRECIATION, A GOLD (PAINTED) HATCHET WHICH
TRAVIS SHOWED OUR MATH 141 CLASS.
DURING TERM II 70-71, I FOUND MYSELF ONCE AGAIN SHARING
THREE HOURS A WEEK IN ONE OF THE MATH CLASSES (MATH 431)
TAUGHT BY TRAVIS. HE EVIDENTLY STILL HAD THE HATCHET
SINCE HE TOLD US THE SAME STORY I HAD HEARD IN 1969.
ONCE AGAIN, HE SHOWED US THAT SAME GOLD HATCHET.
Submitter comment:
IN MATH 141 HE GAVE ME A B; IN MATH 431 HE GAVE ME
AN A, SO HE CAN'T BE THAT BAD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): UNUSUAL GIFTS ACADEMIC JOKES
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 10-30-1971 ; 00001969-1971
WHEN ST. NICHOLAS WAS A YOUNG BOY, HIS PARENTS DIED.
THEY WERE QUITE RICH AND HE INHERITED THIS WEALTH.
ALSO AT THIS TIME, A DOWRY WAS NECESSARY IN ORDER FOR A
GIRL TO MARRY. ONE NIGHT, WHILE HE WAS WALKING HOME,
HE HEARD A GIRL CRYING BECAUSE SHE HAD NO DOWRY.
THE FATHER OF THIS GIRL HAD TWO OTHER DAUGHTERS. A
FEW NIGHTS LATER, NICHOLAS LEFT A SACK OF GOLD ON THE
FAMILY'S DOORSTEP. HE DID THIS FOR TWO MORE NIGHTS.
THUS, THERE WAS A DOWRY FOR EACH OF THE DAUGHTERS.
ON THE THIRD NIGHT, THE GIRLS' FATHER WAS AWAKE AND
SAW NICHOLAS LEAVE THE SACKS. UPON QUESTIONING,
NICHOLAS SAID THAT HE HAD NO USE FOR THE GOLD. NICHOLAS
WANTED THE WHOLE THING KEPT A SECRET, BUT WORD SPREAD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FATHER CHRISTMAS ANONYMOUS GIFTS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 03-14-1972
THE TWO INFORMANTS, WHO LIVE ON EITHER SIDE OF US, BOTH ON
SEPARATE OCCASIONS RELATED THIS SUPERSTITION:
ONE MUST NEVER SAY "THANK YOU" WHEN ACCEPTING A GIFT OF A
PLANT OR THE PLANT WILL WITHER AND DIE OR THE TRANSPLANT
WILL NOT TAKE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): GIFT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 00-00-1966
Entry filtered.
Custom
Relations Between Friends:
When presenting a knife or cutting implement to a friend for a gift, you should include a penny, to guarantee that your friendship won't be severed.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: Myself
Keyword(s): COIN MONEY ; CUSTOMS ; FRIENDSHIP ; GIFT ; GIFT PENNY FRIENDSHIP ; MONEY ; Penny ; SOCIAL RELATIONS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Custom
RELATIONS BETWEEN FRIENDS:
WHEN ONE GIVES ANOTHER A SHARP OBJECT, THE GIVER MUST GIVE A PENNY ALONG WITH THE OBJECT. THIS MUST BE TO KEEP THE FRIENDSHIP ALIVE.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Keyword(s): COIN ; COIN MONEY ; CUSTOM ; FRIENDSHIP ; GIFT ; GIFT FRIENDSHIP PENNY ; Penny ; SOCIAL RELATIONS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 11-02-1970
Custom
Wedding Custom:
When a woman in her family is engaged to be married, the aunts on her fahter's side give a shower gift to her which is a pure white negligee. This is a sign that the perspective groom has been accepted as a member of the family.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: HOME ; NEW YORK ; ROCHESTER
Keyword(s): Engagement ; FAMILY ; GIFT ; Shower ; WEDDING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Proverb
Don't look a gift horse in the mouth.
Submitter comment:
Informant heard this in Detroit, MI
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
The question [Proves what?] is written next to the collector comment.
Original BN [S570] crossed out. Replaced with current classifications.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
Keyword(s): Appreciation ; COMEBACK ; Generous ; GIFT ; Grateful ; Greedy ; HORSE ; Mouth ; PROVERB ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; TEETH ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Proverb
It is better to give than receive.
Submitter comment:
My mother would always tell me this, especially during gift-giving holidays.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Keyword(s): Aphorism ; Apothegm ; Generosity ; GIFT ; Give ; Maxim ; PROVERB ; Receive ; VERSE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
GIVE FRIENDS "EASTER BREAD" (CAKE LOAF) TO INSURE
GOOD LUCK.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
Keyword(s): BREAD ; Easter ; FOOD ; GIFT ; GOOD LUCK ; holiday ; LUCK ; Share ; SYMBOL ; tradition
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Typical Elements of a Festive Pattern |
Date learned: 04-00-1972
CHRISTMAS LEGEND
ON DECEMBER 6, ST. NICHOLAS VISITS THE HOMES OF THE PEOPLE
AND LEAVES GOODIES FOR GOOD LITTLE CHILDREN, AND SOOT IN THE
SHOES OF BAD ONES.
Submitter comment:
RONNIE LEARNED THIS ITALIAN LEGEND FROM HER FATHER WHO IS
FROM ITALY.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CHRISTMAS ; GIFTS ; holiday ; Presents ; Saint Nicholas
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F120 BELIEF -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 12-04-1967
SANTA CLAUS
ONE OF THE MOST WIDESPREAD LEGENDS I CAN THINK OF IS THAT
OF SANTA CLAUS. NOT ONLY IN THE UNITED STATES, BUT IN MANY
COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD IT IS BELIEVED THAT THERE IS SOME
JOLLY, KIND OLD MAN WHO BRINGS TOYS AND PRESENTS TO ALL GOOD
LITTLE BOYS AND GIRLS AT CHRISTMAS TIME.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO
Keyword(s): GIFTS ; holiday ; Legend ; Present ; Saint Nick ; SANTA CLAUS ; Toys
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Secular hero |
Date learned: 00-00-1955
PILLOW WREATHS
WHEN THE WITCHES WEAVE A WREATH IN YOUR PILLOW (THEY ARE
ACTUALLY PERFECTLY FORMED LITTLE WREATHS. THE INFORMANT HAS
SEEN THEM) IF THE WREATH GETS COMPLETED, THE PERSON DIES.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT BELIEVES IN THIS.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): GIFT ; Legend ; OMEN ; Pillow ; WITCHES ; Wreath
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Witch Shaman |
Date learned: 09-21-1968
CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
PEOPLE MAKE SPECIAL CAKES AND PLUM PUDDINGS IN MALTA AT CHRISTMAS
TIME. THEY GIVE THESE AWAY AS GIFTS SINCE THEIR CHRISTMAS IS NOT AS
COMMERCIAL AS IN THE U.S.A.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): Cake ; CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; FOOD ; GIFTS ; Malta ; Pudding ; tradition
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Pastry CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Gifts, gift giving at Christmas |
Date learned: 03-08-1970