Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for ACTION returned 310 results.
ONE WHITE FOOT, BUY IT.
TWO WHITE FEET, TRY IT.
THREE WHITE FEET, SEE HOW IT GOES,
FOUR WHITE FEET, AND WHITE NOSE,
CUT OFF ITS FEET AND THROW IT TO THE CROWS.
Submitter comment: THIS APPLIES TO BUYING A HORSE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
Keyword(s): ADVICE ; ANIMAL NUMBERS ; HUMOR EUPHEMISM SYMBOL OVERSTATEMENT ; INCREMENTAL REPETITION, SURPRISE ENDING CONTRAST QUINTET ; INTERACTION INITIAL INCREMENTAL REPETITION ; METER: DACTYL RHYME: FEMININE TRIPLE ; RHYME AABBB
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Verse without Music |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
I WAS TOLD TO URINATE ON YOUR HANDS AND WASH YOUR FACE WITH IT.
THEN KISS YOUR GIRLFRIEND AND THIS WILL MAKE YOUR MATE LOVE YOU.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): APHRODISIACAL ACTIONS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Marriage SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 10-00-1974
BURY A LOCK OF SOMEONE'S HAIR THAT YOU WANT TO BE YOUR MATE. THIS
WILL MAKE THEM BE YOUR MATE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): APHRODISIACAL ACTIONS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 10-00-1974
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
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: IT IS NOT A SHIRT, YET IT IS SEWED;
IT IS NOT A TREE, YET IT IS FULL OF LEAVES;
IT IS NOT A PERSON, YET IT TALKS SENSIBLE.
A: A BOOK.
Submitter comment: ORIGIN: HARVEY GOLDMAN, 12YR. OLD CAMPER AT LAKE GEORGE, NEW YORK (9)
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ACTIONS (Q) ; NATURAL PHENOMENON (Q) ; WEARABLE (Q)
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: 07-25-1964
RIDDLE
Q: WHAT CAN YOU HOLD WITHOUT TOUCHING IT?
A: CONVERSATION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ACTIONS (Q) ; COMMUNICATIONS AND RELATED MATTER (A)
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
RIDDLE
Q: WHAT HAPPENS ONCE IN A MINUTE, TWICE IN A MOMENT,
BUT NOT ONCE IN A THOUSAND YEARS?
A: THE LETTER M
Where learned: NOT GIVEN BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): AN ACTION (Q) ; COMMUNICATIONS AND RELATED MATTER (A)
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: 10-10-1967
RIDDLE
Q: WHAT IS IT THAT YOU MUST KEEP AFTER YOU GIVE IT TO SOMEONE ELSE?
A: YOUR WORD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ACTION (Q) ; CAUSAL ; COMMUNICATIONS AND RELATED MATTER (A)
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: 11-08-1967
RIDDLE
Q: WHAT IS ALWAYS BROKEN BEFORE IT IS USED?
A: AN EGG.
Data entry tech comment: ANOTHER VARIANT IN U OF D FOLKLORE 5 X 8 CARD FILES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ACTION (Q) ; CAUSAL OPPOSITIONAL ; EATABLES AND DRINKS (A)
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
EGG JOKE (SIC)
Q: WHAT IS HARD ON THE OUT SIDE, SOFT ON THE INSIDE, AND IMPOSSIBLE
TO GET INTO WITHOUT BREAKING IT ?
A: AN EGG.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
Keyword(s): ACTION (Q) ; EATABLES AND DRINKS (A) ; STATE OF BEING (Q)
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: 11-10-1969