Dr. James T. Callow publications
Browse by
Questions or comments on this site? Please email davidsor@udmercy.edu.
The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for Bit returned 57 results.
Proverb
MAY YOUR LUCK BE AS LONG AS A RABBIT'S EARS, SORROW AS SHORT AS HIS TAIL.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated on 02-22-2011 by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): Aphorism ; Apothegm ; Ear ; EARS ; LUCK ; Maxim ; PROVERB ; Rabbit ; SORROW ; Tail ; VERSE
James Callow Keyword(s): WISH
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Prayer BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance P880.3 |
Date learned: 06-09-1944
SNAKES
IF YOU SEE A SNAKE OR DREAM ABOUT ONE, SOMEONE IS TALKING ABOUT YOU.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): POSSIBLE GOSSIP, BACKBITING
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Animal BELIEF -- Dreams Dreams about animals |
Date learned: 03-13-1975
WHISTLE IN YOUR EAR
IF YOU HEAR A WHISTLE IN YOUR EAR, SOMEONE IS TALKING ABOUT YOU.
IF YOU SAY THE ALPHABET UNTIL IT STOPS,
THE LETTER IT STOPS ON (WILL BE)
THE FIRST INITIAL OF THE NAME OF THE PERSON TALKING ABOUT YOU.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): POSSIBLE GOSSIP, BACKBITING
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Body part Senses |
Date learned: 03-13-1975
PROVERBIAL METAPHOR
CHILDREN AND FOOLS TELL THE TRUTH.
Submitter comment: (LEARNED FROM HER MOTHER.)
Where learned: INDIANA ; Hudson Lake
Keyword(s): ALLITERATION ; PARALLELISM
James Callow Keyword(s): INHIBITIONS ; OBSERVATION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 12-02-1967
BEFORE A FRESHMAN CAN STEP ON THE BIG M IN THE CENTRE OF THE
DIAG, HE MUST HAVE TAKEN HIS FIRST EXAM, OR HE WILL FLUNK OUT OF
SCHOOL WITHIN THE YEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
James Callow Keyword(s): SLANG--DIAG FOR DIAGONAL? ; WALKING PROHIBITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- School |
CUSTOM
THERE IS A TRADITION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN THAT IF
YOU STEP ON THE M OF THE DIAGONAL EMBLAZED IN THE CROSSWALK,
YOU WILL FLUNK YOUR NEXT EXAM.
Submitter comment:
WHEN A STUDENT AT U. OF M., THE INFORMANT TRIED THIS
TO DISPROVE THE TRADITION, BY STEPPING ON THE M AFTER STUDYING
FOR AN EXAM. SHE FAILED HER EXAM.
KEYPUNCHERS COMMENT, THERE IS ANOTHER LIKE THIS IN THE ARCHIVE.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): EDUCATION ; SYMBOL ; WALKING PROHIBITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- School |
Date learned: 12-00-1967
PROVERBIAL METAPHOR
NOTHING VENTURED NOTHING LOST
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
Keyword(s): ELLIPSIS
James Callow Keyword(s): AMBITION ; OBSERVATION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 11-15-1967
PROVERBIAL APOTHEGM
NOTHING VENTURE, (SIC) NOTHING GAINED
Submitter comment:
I HEARD THIS IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN
SOURCE NOT REMEMBERED
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
Keyword(s): ELLIPSIS
James Callow Keyword(s): AMBITION ; OBSERVATION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 10-18-1967
PROVERBIAL METAPHOR
OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF BABES SOMETIMES COME GEMS.
YOUNG CHILDREN WILL SAY TRUTHFUL THINGS WHERE OLDER PEOPLE
WILL AVOID IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): HONESTY ; INHIBITIONS ; OBSERVATION ; SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 11-07-1971
PROVERBIAL APOTHEGM
ITALIAN PROVERB
OUT OF THE MOUTH OF A DRUNKEN MAN YOU GET THE TRUTH
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): ALCOHOL ELIMINATES ONE'S INHIBITIONS ; ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 10-26-1969
DRINK
HE'S ALWAYS AT THE BOTTLE
Submitter comment: HE ALWAYS DRINKS.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; WRITTEN IN A LETTER
Keyword(s): METONYMY: CONTAINER FOR THE CONTAINED. ; PHRASE METAPHOR DRINKING HABITS
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase |
PROVERB
HITCH YOUR WAGON TO A STAR.
Submitter comment: FROM - UNCERTAIN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
Keyword(s): AMBITION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
MY FRIEND AS A CHILD, BIT HER NAILS
UNTIL HER FATHER TOLD HER THAT THE NAILS
WOULD MAKE BUMPS ON HER STOMACH THAT WOULD SHOW
FOR THE REST OF HER LIFE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; PONTIAC
Keyword(s): CONTAGIOUS MAGIC ; NAILBITING ; STOMACH AILMENTS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 00-00-1963
HOME REMEDIES
CONSTIPATION
GATHER THE ROOTS OF MAYAPPLE,
CUT OUT THE JOINTS, AND DRY THE MIDDLE OF THE ROOT.
PLACE IN A CLOTH AND BEAT TO A POWDER.
ADD A FEW DROPS OF CASTOR OIL AND ROLL INTO PILLS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
Keyword(s): BOWEL HABITS ; HERBAL REMEDIES
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Remedy |
Date learned: 04-01-1972
LITTLE RABBIT FOO-FOO
( SONG ) LITTLE RABBIT FOO-FOO RUNNIN' THROUGH THE FOREST
SCOOPIN' UP THE FIELD MICE AND HITTIN' THEM OVER THE HEAD.
( SPOKEN ) AND ALONG COME THE GOOD FAIRY...AND SHE SAID,
" LITTLE RABBIT FOO-FOO, I'LL GIVE YOU 3 CHANCES,
( SUNG ) I DON'T WANT TO SEE YOU RUNNIN' THROUGH THE FOREST, SCOOPIN'
UP THE FIELD MICE AND HITTIN' THEM OVER THE HEAD--AND--
IF YOU DON'T DO WHAT I TELL YOU, I'LL TURN YOU INTO A GOON " .
BUT THE NEXT DAY--
(SUNG) LITTLE RABBIT FOO-FOO WAS RUNNIN' THROUGH THE FOREST,
SCOOPIN' UP THE FIELD MICE AND HITTIN' THEM OVER THE HEAD.
( SPOKEN ) AND ALONG CAME THE GOOD FAIRY...AND SHE SAID,
" LITTLE RABBIT FOO-FOO, I'LL GIVE YOU 2 CHANCES, ETC.
BUT THE NEXT DAY--
( REPEATED, BUT NOW WITH ONLY 1 CHANCE )
( SPOKEN ) FOO-FOO BLEW HIS CHANCES, SO THE FAIRY TURNED HIM INTO A
GOON, AND
NARRATOR 1 " DO YOU KNOW WHAT THE MORAL IS?"
NARRATOR 2 " I SURE DO, "
( TOGETHER IN UNISON ) " HARE TODAY, GOON TOMORROW. "
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SANG THIS SONG FOR ME BY HERSELF, BUT IT ACTUALLY SHOULD
BE DONE WITH TWO PEOPLE, ONE ACTING AS NARRATOR AND THE OTHER AS
THE GOOD FAIRY. THE TUNE SHOULD BE SUNG TO THIS MELODY:
" G-G-G-A-B ( REST ) B ( REST ) - A-G-A-B-G-D
GGG-A-B-B-A-G-A-B-G " ( GUITAR NOTES )
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ANIMAL ; BRUNVAND C30 ; CANTE FABLE ; PUN ; SHAGGY DOG CANTE FABLE ; THE RABBIT THAT WAS CHANGED INTO A GOON
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children |
Date learned: 12-02-1971
GOOD, BETTER, BEST,
I WILL NEVER REST,
UNTIL THE GOOD IS BETTER,
AND THE BETTER, BEST.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS LEARNED BY THE INFORMANT WHEN SHE WAS IN FIFTH GRADE AT ST.
MICHAEL'S SCHOOL IN SOUTHFIELD, MICHIGAN. SHE RECITED IT, ALONG WIT
OTHER SAYINGS, EVERY DAY BEFORE HER MATH CLASS. THE TEACHER'S NAME
WAS SISTER CONRADIA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
James Callow Keyword(s): AMBITION ; ASSONANCE ; FINAL ITERATION ; RHYME:AABA
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School |
Date learned: 00-00-1970
PROVERB
IF THE GOAT WOULD NOT JUMP,
HE WOULD NOT BREAK HIS LEG. (TRANS)
Submitter comment:
ZEIBY KOZKU NIE SKAKOTO TOBY
NOSZKI NIE ZTOMALA
Where learned: HOME
James Callow Keyword(s): AMBITION DARING FOOLHARDINESS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mammal PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
PROVERB
MEHWE BKYCUW, CKOPWE IUKHEW. ( UKRAINIAN )
IF YOU BITE LESS OFF, YOU'LL SWALLOW IT FASTER. TRANSLATION.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT RECEIVED INFORMATION FROM RELATIVES IN UKRAINE.
THIS REFERS TO NOT ATTEMPTING MORE THAN YOU CAN ACCOMPLISH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): AMBITION ; EATING METAPHOR ; OBSERVATION
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb |
Date learned: 10-14-1967
RIDDLE
HOW CAN YOU HAVE A SET OF TEETH INSERTED FREE OF CHARGE?
TEASE A BULLDOG.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
Keyword(s): ANIMALS: DOGS ; RIDDLING QUESTION
James Callow Keyword(s): EUPHEMISM FOR DOG BITE
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 10-23-1968
Drunk man talk what he tink when he sober.
Submitter comment: A drunk person says what he's thinking when he's sober.
Where learned: VIRGIN ISLANDS ; Saint Thomas
Keyword(s): tink = think
James Callow Keyword(s): INHIBITIONS ; OBSERVATION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 02-00-1991