Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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SUPERSTITION
IT IS BELIEVED IN EL SALVADOR THAT THE DEVIL TAKES THE FORM OF A
DOG OR A FOX AND WEARS A CAPE. HE LIVES IN OLD HOUSES, AND WARM
CHIMNEY CORNERS OR WHEREVER IT IS DARK. HE PESTERS PEOPLE, MOVES
THINGS, LOSES AND MISPLACES THINGS. HE IS INVISIBLE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMALS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Devil Demon |
Date learned: 02-04-1968
DEVIL WORKING
IF THE SUN COMES OUT WHILE IT IS RAINING, IT MEANS THE DEVIL IS
BEATING HIS WIFE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): PUNISHMENT
Date learned: 11-17-1969
BELIEF
IF YOU SPILL SALT, BE SURE TO PICK SOME OF IT UP BETWEEN THUMB
AND FIRST FINGER AND THROW IT ACROSS THE RIGHT SHOULDER. IT GOES
IN THE DEVIL'S EYES. HE WILL NOT TEMPT YOU TO DO ANYTHING WRONG.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; ROCHESTER
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Mineral |
Date learned: 03-11-1972
RIDDLE
Q: A TRAVELER IS WALKING DOWN A ROAD WHEN HE COMES TO A FORK. NOT
KNOWING WHICH ROUTE TO TAKE HE DECIDES TO ASK FOR DIRECTIONS.
THERE IS A MAN AT EACH PATH. ONE ALWAYS TELLS THE TRUTH WHILE THE
OTHER ALWAYS LIES. IF OUR TRAVELER CAN ASK ONLY ONE MAN ONLY ONE
QUESTION WHAT IS HIS QUESTION AND WHO WILL HE ASK?
A: IT DOES NOT MATTER WHO HE ASKS IF HE SAYS - IF I ASK THE OTHER
MAN WHICH WAY I SHOULD GO, WHAT WILL HE TELL ME?
LEARNED FROM HIS FATHER.
Where learned: DETROIT ; J L HUDSONS ; DEPARTMENT STORE
Keyword(s): ACTIONS (Q) ; AN ACTION (A) ; PARTICULAR AREA (Q) ; PERSONS (Q)
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: 10-02-1967
RIDDLE
Q: WHAT MUST BE DONE TO HAVE SOFT HANDS?
A: NOTHING.
Submitter comment: TRANSLATED FROM LITHUANIAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): AN ACTION (A) ; LITERAL ; PARTS OF THE BODY (Q) HANDS
James Callow Keyword(s): IRONY
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: 02-17-1971
RIDDLE
Q: WHAT HAS NEVER BEEN SEEN, FELT, OR HEARD, YET HAS A NAME?
A: NOTHING
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): AN ACTION (A) ; COMMUNICATIONS AND RELATED MATTER (Q)
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: 00-00-1965
Q: WHY ARE A COWARD AND A LEAKY FAUCET THE SAME?
A: THEY BOTH RUN.
Data entry tech comment: ANOTHER VARIANT IN U OF D FOLKLORE 5 X 8 CARD FILES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
Keyword(s): AN ACTION (A) ; HARDWARE (Q) ; METAPHORICAL NONOPPOSITIONAL
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
PRETENDED OBSCENE RIDDLE
Q: WHAT DOES A LADY DO SITTING DOWN, A MAN STANDING UP, AND A DOG ON
THREE LEGS?
A: SHAKE HANDS
Data entry tech comment: 2 MORE EXAMPLES ARE IN THE 5 X 8 CARD FILES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): AN ACTION (A) ; PART OF THE BODY (A) HANDS ; PERSONS (Q) AND DOG.
James Callow Keyword(s): URINATE, IS ONE'S FIRST THOUGHT
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: 09-00-1971
MIZSLE - LITHUANIAN RIDDLE
Q: KAS SALDESNIS US NEDIZ? - WHAT IS SWEETER THAN HONEY?
A: MIEGAS - SLEEP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): AN ACTION (A) ; COMMUNICATIONS AND ; EATABLE (HONEY) (Q)
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: 03-20-1968
PRETENDED OBSCENE RIDDLE
Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.
Q: WHAT IS A FOUR LETTER WORD FOR INTERCOURSE?
A: TALK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): AN ACTION (A) ; COMMUNICATION (Q) ; LITERAL NONOPPOSITIONAL
James Callow Keyword(s): SEX
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: 09-00-1971
THE UNSEEN CAT RIDDLE
Q: HOW WOULD YOU SEE A BLACK CAT IN A DARK ROOM WITH NO WINDOWS
AT MIDNIGHT?
A: YOU WOULD TURN ON THE LIGHT.
Submitter comment:
ANTITHETICAL OPPOSITIONAL
TOLD TO INFORMANT BY HER 3RD GRADE TEACHER, MRS. CLAPPER.
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): ACTIONS (A) ; ANIMAL (Q) ; CATCH QUESTION
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: 10-28-1968
RIDDLE
Q: WHAT ARE PEOPLE ALWAYS WILLING TO SHARE?
A: WORK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ACTIONS (A) ; CATCH ; LITERAL NONOPPOSITIONAL ; PERSONS (Q)
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: 09-20-1968
TRUE RIDDLE
Q: JOHN IS IN THE OTHER ROOM SLEEPING. MARY IS ON THE FLOOR DEAD.
THERE IS WATER ON THE FLOOR NEAR MARY. THERE IS ALSO BROKEN GLASS
ON THE FLOOR NEAR MARY. MARY DID NOT DIE OF ANY WOUNDS.
HOW DID MARY DIE?
A: JOHN IS A CAT. MARY IS A FISH. JOHN KNOCKED THE FISH BOWL OFF
THE STAND AND IT BROKE AND MARY DIED OF SUFFICATION (SUFFOCATION).
Submitter comment:
YES AND NO QUESTIONS ABOUT THE RIDDLE ARE ASKED OF THE RIDDLER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ACTIONS (Q) ; ANIMALS (A)
James Callow Keyword(s): HOUSEHOLD ITEM (Q) ; NAMES FOR
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Proper Name RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: 09-26-1969
MIZSLE - LITHUANIAN RIDDLE
Q: KAS JUODAS NEDAZYTAS? - WHAT IS BLACK AND UNPAINTED?
A: VARNA. - A CROW.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ANIMAL (A) ; LITERAL ; STATE OF BEING (Q) AND COLOR
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: 03-08-1968
RIDDLE
Q: IF YOU HAVE A DUCK BEFORE 2 DUCKS AND A DUCK BEHIND 2 DUCKS,
AND A DUCK IN THE MIDDLE , HOW MANY DUCKS DO YOU HAVE?
A: 3 DUCKS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
Keyword(s): ANIMAL (A) ; ANIMAL (Q) ; LITERAL NONOPPOSITIONAL ; PUZZLE
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
RIDDLE
Q: WHO ALWAYS GOES TO BED WITH HIS SHOES ON?
A: A HORSE
Data entry tech comment: ANOTHER EXAMPLE IN THE 5 X 8 CARD FILES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ANIMAL (A) ; LITERAL NONOPPOSITIONAL ; WEARABLE (Q) ; WISDOM
James Callow Keyword(s): HORSESHOES
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
RIDDLE
Q: WHAT IS IT THAT GOES AROUND ALL DAY GRUNTING WITHOUT BEING SICK,
AND IS ALWAYS LOOKING FOR SOMETHING WITHOUT HAVING LOST ANYTHING?
A: A PIG.
Submitter comment: DIRECTLY TRANSLATED FROM GERMAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ACTIONS (Q) ; ANIMAL (A) ; ANTITHETICAL OPPOSITIONAL ; WISDOM
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: 00-00-1965
RIDDLE
Q: IF YOU LIVED IN A HOUSE, ALL FOUR SIDES OF WHICH HAD A SOUTHERN
EXPOSURE. WHAT COLOR WOULD BE THE BEAR WHICH WALKED BY?
A: WHITE - HE WOULD BE A POLAR BEAR AT THE NORTH POLE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ANIMAL (A) ; ANIMAL AND BUILDING (Q) ; ANTITHETICAL OPPOSITONAL
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
Language: Rhyme
If wisdom's ways you'd willing seek
Five things observe with care;
Of whom you speak, to whom you speak,
And how, and when and where.
Submitter comment:
Found in autograph book from 1880's
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Keyword(s): Album ; AUTOGRAPH ; Language ; poem ; RHYME ; Signature ; Speak ; VERSE ; When ; Where ; Whom ; WISDOM
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
THOUGHT TEASER
Q: IF YOU ARE IN A ONE ROOM HOUSE WHICH HAS ONE WINDOW ON EACH
WALL AND EACH WINDOW HAS A SOUTHERN EXPOSURE. AS YOU LOOK OUT ONE
OF THE WINDOWS AND SEE A BEAR OUTSIDE, WHAT COLOR IS THE BEAR?
A: IT IS WHITE! IT'S A POLAR BEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BATTLE CREEK
Keyword(s): ANIMAL (Q)
James Callow Keyword(s): BUILDING (Q) ; HARD WARE (Q) ; POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: 00-00-1964