Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for SIN returned 152 results.
IT FLOATS
THERE WAS AN OLD MAN WHO KILLED ANOTHER MAN AND DUMPED
HIS BODY IN THE RIVER. THAT NIGHT WHILE HE WAS SLEEPING
HE HEARD A VOICE SAYING, "IT FLOATS, IT FLOATS." SO HE
JUMPED UP AND RAN DOWN TO THE RIVER, BUT HE COULDN'T
SEE THE BODY. THE NEXT NIGHT HE HEARD THE SAME VOICE
SAYING, "IT FLOATS, IT FLOATS." HE WENT BACK TO THE
RIVER, BUT HE COULDN'T FIND ANY BODY, SO HE WENT BACK
TO BED. THE NEXT NIGHT THE VOICE CAME AGAIN, SAYING
"IT FLOATS, IT FLOATS." HE WENT DOWN TO THE RIVER, BUT
HE COULDN'T FIND ANY FLOATING BODY. HE SAID "WHAT
FLOATS?" THE VOICE ANSWERED: "IVORY SOAP FLOATS."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ADVERTISING COMMERCIAL
| Subject headings: | 6677 Formula Tale |
Date learned: 10-30-1968
BEETHOVEN JOKE
TWO COLLEGE STUDENTS IN GERMANY READ THAT BEETHOVEN'S
GRAVE HAD BEEN LOCATED, FINALLY. THEY DECIDED TO SEE
IT. WHEN THEY GOT THERE, THEY DECIDED TO DIG UP THE
GRAVE AND SEE WHAT BEETHOVEN LOOKED LIKE. WHEN THEY
OPENED THE TOP OF THE COFFIN, THERE WAS BEETHOVEN,
FURIOUSLY WRITING ON A SLATE, AND ERASING, AND WRITING
SOME MORE, AND ERASING. HE CONTINUED IN THIS MANNER
UNTIL THEY INTERRUPTED HIM AND ASKED WHAT HE WAS
DOING. HE REPLIED, "I'M DECOMPOSING!"
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Keyword(s): COMPOSING
| Subject headings: | 6677 Formula Tale |
Date learned: 02-26-1971
IT FLOATS
THERE WAS AN OLD MAN WHO KILLED ANOTHER MAN AND DUMPED
HIS BODY IN THE RIVER. THAT NIGHT WHILE HE WAS SLEEPING
HE HEARD A VOICE SAYING, "IT FLOATS, IT FLOATS." SO HE
JUMPED UP AND RAN DOWN TO THE RIVER, BUT HE COULDN'T
SEE THE BODY. THE NEXT NIGHT HE HEARD THE SAME VOICE
SAYING, "IT FLOATS, IT FLOATS." HE WENT BACK TO THE
RIVER, BUT HE COULDN'T FIND ANY BODY, SO HE WENT BACK
TO BED. THE NEXT NIGHT THE VOICE CAME AGAIN, SAYING
"IT FLOATS, IT FLOATS." HE WENT DOWN TO THE RIVER, BUT
HE COULDN'T FIND ANY FLOATING BODY. HE SAID "WHAT
FLOATS?" THE VOICE ANSWERED: "IVORY SOAP FLOATS."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ADVERTISING COMMERCIAL
| Subject headings: | 6677 Formula Tale |
Date learned: 10-30-1968
TOM SWIFTY
"LET ME SLIP INTO SOMETHING MORE COMFORTABLE," SHE
SAID NEGLIGENTLY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIBRARY ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): PUN ON NEGLIGEE, A WOMAN'S LOOSE DRESSING GOWN
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Wellerism Quotation |
Date learned: 12-00-1967
PROVERB
THE MORNING HAS GOLD IN ITS MOUTH.
TRANSLATION OF:
MORGENSTUNDE HAT GOLD IN MUNDE.
Submitter comment:
LIKE ENGLISH PROVERB - THE EARLY BIRD GETS THE WORM.
INFORMANT HEARD THIS AS A CHILD WHILE LIVING IN REGENSBERG,
GERMANY.
I HEARD THE VARIANT IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN, AS A CHILD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GERMANY ; DETROIT ; FERNDALE ; REGENSBURG
James Callow Keyword(s): RISING
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb |
Date learned: 11-24-1967
Entry filtered.
VICE IS NICE, BUT SEX IS BEST.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS THE RESULT OF A STAG PARTY WE WENT TO
AND WERE ALL QUITE HIGH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): SIN
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 00-00-1967
PROVERBIAL METAPHOR
VICE KNOWS SHE IS UGLY, SO SHE PUTS ON HER MASK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): SIN DECEIT COSTUME
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 11-16-1967
DARK
WHAT YOU DO IN THE DARK WILL COME TO THE LIGHT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): SIN SIN SIN SIN SIN SIN
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 03-12-1972
WHY DID GEORGH WASHINGTON CROSS THE DELEWARE RIVER?
TO GET TO THE OTHER SIDE.
Where learned: IMMACULATE CONCEPTION SCHOOL
Keyword(s): CROSSINGS
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 00-00-1965
WHY DID THE DUCK CROSS THE STREET?
TO GET TO THE OTHER SIDE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CROSSINGS
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 09-30-1967
Play on Words
Sermon Using Names of Soaps and Detergents
Are you SOFT SOAPING God? DUZ you DRIFT along with the TIDE? VEL now is the time to CHEER up. If you want real JOY, the TREND is to BREEZE to church regularly on Sunday mornings. But too many WOODBURY their heads in a pillow and remain in bed or work in their yard to make it sparkle, forgetting that the Lord's Day is made for LESTOIL.
But where the Lord is given foremost consideration a DOVE will never have to send an S.O.S.. Don't trust LUX chances by neglecting our worship together.
Maybe we ought to DIAL you and remind you of those IVORY palaces up yonder. This is not just silly BAB-O. Worship is intended to add to your LIFEBOUY, so why not be faithful and WISK yourself out of bed early Sunday. Dress up SPIC'N'SPAN, DASH like a COMET to God's house of prayer. DRAISE to God, you'll get a wonderful KLENZER for your soul. PLEDGE yourself and PRIDE of conscience will be yours. Life will be full of ZEST.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [B644, B667] crossed out and replaced with S570.
Original title [STORY Using Names of Soaps and Detergents] is modified to read SERMON Using Names of Soaps and Detergents.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ADVERTISING ; Anecdote ; Cleanser ; Consumerism ; Domesticity ; HOME, DOMESTIC PURSUITS ; HOUSECLEANING ; PARODY ; Sermon ; Soap
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Business Abbreviations
A few business abbreviations no found many places:
S.A.P. = As Soon As Possible
S/B = Should Be
Prox. = Approximately
W/E = Week Ending
EST = Estimate
P.A. = Purchasing Agent
G.M. = Genreal Manager
P.C. = Production Control
Q.C. = Quality Control
A&S = Administration & Sales
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs and BN added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Submission Card located in pile labeled To Be Classified
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN ; Cadillac Production Inc
Keyword(s): ABBREVIATION ; BUSINESS ; TRANSLATION
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Translations, plays on words, symbol writing PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Custom
Chimney Sweep:
In Belgium, or Europe for that matter, each house usually had two or more chimneys. Since they needed cleaning periodically, chimney sweeps were common. Some of these were employed by the cities for the purpose. But, in each case, it was good practice to give the sweeper a good tip, for if you didn't he would play tricks on you. For instance, he might come back to clean your chimney at a future date, but not tell you. Then you would be unprepared and the soot would come into the house because you didn't close the soot door in time.
Submitter comment:
Recorded on Tape
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [M848] crossed out and replaced with F534
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH
Keyword(s): BUSINESS ; Chimney Sweep ; CUSTOM ; Gratuity ; OCCUPATIONS: CHIMNEY SWEEPING ; PRACTICAL JOKE ; TIPPING ; WORK
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Work Commerce Business |
Entry filtered.
Ethnic:Polish Superstition
If you sing at the table you'll marry a crazy husband.
Submitter comment:
I distinctly recall hearing this in a Polish Verse form but I can't find anyone else who recalls it.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [P800] crossed out and replaced with P88o. The numbers 880 are crossed out and replaced with 477.
Various grammatical correction symbols.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CUSTOM ; ETHNIC ; HUSBAND ; MANNERS ; Omen, Singing ; POLISH ; SUPERSTITION ; TABLE MANNERS
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Ethnic:Polish Superstition
IF A YOUNG GIRL SINGS AT THE TABLE, SHE WILL MARRY A CRAZY HUSBAND.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT IS A FRIEND OF MINE WHO REMEMBERS THIS FROM HER CHILDHOOD.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO
Keyword(s): CUSTOM ; ETHNIC ; HUSBAND ; MANNERS ; Omen, Singing ; POLISH ; SUPERSTITION ; TABLE MANNERS
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 02-00-1971
Ethnic:Polish Superstition
IF YOU SING AT THE TABLE, YOU WILL MARRY A CRAZY HUSBAND.
Submitter comment:
SHE HEARD THIS FROM HER MOTHER.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CUSTOM ; ETHNIC ; HUSBAND ; MANNERS ; Omen, Singing ; POLISH ; SUPERSTITION ; TABLE MANNERS
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
Entry filtered.
Ethnic: Ukraine
Wedding Custom:
Before setting out for the church wedding ceremony, the Ukranian couple approach the two sets of parents and ask them for the parent's blessing. They then kneel before the parents, on a specially embroidered cloth "rushyk." The parents make the sign of the cross over them with a holyicon, then with a loaf of bread- touch each on the forehead. They wish them luck, health and many happy and prosperous years.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN ; Myself
Keyword(s): BLESSING ; Cloth ; CUSTOMS ; ETHNIC ; FAMILY ; MARRIAGE ; Ukraine ; WEDDING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |