Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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IF LOST
IF A PERSON IS LOST AND IS NOT SURE WHAT DIRECTION TO TAKE, HE
SHOULD SPIT IN THE PALM OF ONE HAND, AND SLAP THE SPIT WITH THE
FIRST TWO FINGERS OF THE OTHER HAND. THEN MERELY TRAVEL IN THE
DIRECTION THAT THE SPIT FLEW. THIS METHOD WILL PUT THE PERSON IN
THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; PORT HURON
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION LOCATION
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails |
Date learned: 10-30-1972
MORTUARY SLOGANS
I, AT ONE TIME DELIVERED FLOWERS FOR A FLORIST
AS A PART-TIME JOB,
DURING WHICH TIME I RAN ACROSS A NUMBER OF MORTUARY SLOGANS. "YOU
STAB 'EM, WE SLAB 'EM."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; PORT HURON
James Callow Keyword(s): FINAL ITERATION
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Custom Festival C840.537 Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb C880.400 PROVERB -- Blason Populaire |
Date learned: 10-30-1972
MORTUARY SLOGANS
I, AT ONE TIME DELIVERED FLOWERS FOR A FLORIST AS A
PART-TIME JOB,
DURING WHICH TIME I RAN ACROSS A NUMBER OF MORTUARY SLOGANS.
"BETTER BODIES BY K AND S." THE FUNERAL HOME WHERE I GOT THIS
SLOGAN IS THE KARRER-SIMPSON FUNERAL HOME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; PORT HURON
James Callow Keyword(s): ALLITERATION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School PROVERB -- Blason Populaire |
Date learned: 10-30-1972
MORTUARY SLOGANS
THE INFORMANT AT ONE TIME DELIVERED FLOWERS FOR A }
FLORIST AS A PART-TIME
JOB, DURING WHICH TIME HE RAN ACROSS A NUMBER OF
MORTUARY SLOGANS. "YOU KILL 'EM, WE CHILL 'EM."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; PORT HURON
James Callow Keyword(s): FINAL ITERATION
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Custom Festival C840.537 Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb C880.400 PROVERB -- Blason Populaire |
Date learned: 10-30-1972
LOCK THE DOOR AND THROW AWAY THE KEY
THE INFORMANT WITNESSED THE FOLLOWING IN A KINDERGARTEN CLASS. THE
GESTURE WAS MADE BY THE TEACHER. THE MEANING WAS FOR THE CHILDREN TO
BE QUIET. IN GESTURE FORM THE TEACHER MADE BELIEVE HER MOUTH WAS A
LOCK AND IN HER HAND A KEY. SHE PUT HER HAND UP IN FRONT OF HER
MOUTH AND MADE BELIEVE SHE WAS LOCKING THE DOOR. SHE THEN THROWS THE
MAKE BELIEVE KEY AWAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; PORT HURON
James Callow Keyword(s): PANTOMIME
| Subject headings: | Shadow / Pantomime SPEECH -- Gesture SPEECH -- To Be Seen |
Date learned: 10-30-1972
SPOOKY LEGEND
THE STORY CONCERNS A BLIND GIRL AND HER DOG. THE GIRL WAS HOME ALONE
ONE NIGHT WITH HER DOG. IT WAS ABOUT 10 P.M. AND OUTSIDE THE WIND WAS
BLOWING FIERCELY. THUNDER COULD BE HEARD IN THE DISTANCE. THE GIRL
IS LISTENING TO HER RADIO WHEN SUDDENLY A NEWS BULLETIN INTERRUPTS
THE PROGRAM. THE ANNOUNCER TELLS OF A STRANGE MONSTER SIGHTED IN THE
AREA. HE WARNS THE LISTENERS TO BE PARTICULARY CAUTIOUS. SUDDENLY
THE GIRL HEARS HER DOG BARKING FEROCIOUSLY COMING FROM THE DIRECTION
OF THE BATHROOM. HE STOPS BARKING AS INSTANTLY AS HE STARTED. THE
GIRL MAKES HER WAY TO THE BATHROOM, WHERE FOR SOME UNEXPLAINABLE
REASON, SHE STICKS HER HANDS INTO THE BATHROOM SINK. THERE SHE FEELS
THE DOG'S HEAD LAYING AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SINK.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector are the same person.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; PORT HURON ; 2930 Palmer Court
James Callow Keyword(s): GORE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Abnormal in size PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lightning Thunder PROSE NARRATIVE -- Tale |
Date learned: 10-30-1972
WHAT DO YOU WANT?
THIS IS SAID IN A JOKING MANNER TO SOMEONE WHO IS BEING A NUISANCE.
WHAT DO YOU WANT, SIX MONTHS IN A HOSPITAL (SHAKE LEFT FIST AT
PERSON), OR SUDDEN DEATH (SHAKE RIGHT FIST AT PERSON)?
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; PORT HURON
James Callow Keyword(s): THREAT CHOICE
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 09-18-1972
IF SOMEONE IS SUSPECTED OF LYING
THIS WAS COMMONLY SAID BY INFORMER AS A RETORT TO SOMEONE SUSPECTED
OF LYING.OH, YOU'VE GOT A PIMPLE ON YOUR TONGUE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; PORT HURON
James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 09-18-1972
AWHATZIT
ACCORDING TO INFORMANT, WHEN THE NAME OF A TOOL OR SOME OTHER PIECE
OF EQUIPMENT IS NOT KNOWN, THEN IT IS REFERRED TO AS AWHATZIT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; PORT HURON
James Callow Keyword(s): INDEFINITE NOUN
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Common Word |
Date learned: 09-18-1972
THINGAMAJIG
ACCORDING TO INFORMANT, WHEN THE NAME OF A TOOL OR SOME OTHER PIECE
OF EQUIPMENT IS NOT KNOWN, THEN IT IS REFERRED TO AS A THINGAMAJIG.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; PORT HURON
James Callow Keyword(s): INDEFINITE NOUN
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Common Word |
Date learned: 09-18-1972
SHE'S SO UGLY
SHE'S SO UGLY, SHE LOOKS LIKE SHE'S BEEN KISSING AN AIR HAMMER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; PORT HURON
James Callow Keyword(s): INSULT
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 09-30-1972
SHE'S SO UGLY
SHE'S SO UGLY, SHE LOOKS LIKE A GOALIE FOR A DART TEAM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; PORT HURON
James Callow Keyword(s): INSULT
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 09-30-1972
SHE'S SO UGLY
SHE IS SO UGLY, SHE LOOKS LIKE SHE WAS IN A BRICK FIGHT AND SHE WAS
THE ONLY ONE WHO DIDN'T HAVE A BRICK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; PORT HURON
James Callow Keyword(s): INSULT
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 09-30-1972
SHE'S SO UGLY
SHE'S SO UGLY, SHE LOOKS LIKE SHE WALKED INTO AN UGLY FOREST AND
RAN INTO EVERY TREE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; PORT HURON
James Callow Keyword(s): INSULT
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 09-30-1972
SHE'S SO UGLY
SHE'S SO UGLY, SHE LOOKS LIKE SHE GOT BEAT WITH AN UGLY STICK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; PORT HURON
James Callow Keyword(s): INSULT
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 09-30-1972
SHE'S SO UGLY
SHE'S SO UGLY, IN A POLAROID PICTURE, SHE'S THE PART YOU TEAR OFF
AND THROW AWAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; PORT HURON
James Callow Keyword(s): INSULT ; PHOTOGRAPHIC
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 09-30-1972
SHE'S SO UGLY
SHE'S SO UGLY, WHY SHE PUT THE LETTER "U" IN THE WORD UGLY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; PORT HURON
James Callow Keyword(s): INSULT
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 09-30-1972
PLANTING CUSTOM
IT IS A CUSTOM IN ITALY FOR GARDENERS WANTING TALL, LEAFY VEGETABLES
TO PLANT THEM AT NIGHT WHEN THE MOON IS FULL. IF WISHING ROOTED
VEGETABLES, YOU PLANT THEM AT HALF MOON.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM AN ITALIAN FRIEND WHO STILL CARRIES ON
THIS CUSTOM TODAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
James Callow Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F476 BELIEF -- Moon |
Date learned: 09-25-1972
DETERMINING SEX
WHEN A WOMAN IS PREGNANT YOU HAVE HER SIT ON THE FLOOR AND WHATEVER
HAND SHE LEANS ON WILL DETERMINE THE SEX OF THE CHILD. RIGHT HAND IS
A BOY AND LEFT HAND IS A GIRL.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM HER MOTHER AND INFORMANT DOES NOT HOLD
IT TO BE TRUE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
James Callow Keyword(s): RIGHT-HANDEDNESS SEXISM
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 09-25-1972