Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for Pen returned 119 results.
PRACTICAL JOKE (PIMP)
TO PENNY A DOOR, YOU FIX IT SO THAT THE PERSON INSIDE CANNOT GET OUT.
TO DO THIS, YOU NEED ONE PERSON TO LEAN ON THE CLOSED DOOR AND AN-
OTHER PERSON TO STICK AS MANY PENNIES AS NEEDED, ONE ON TOP OF THE
OTHER, TO FILL THE GAP BETWEEN THE DOOR AND DOORWAY. WHAT IT DOES,
IS CREATES PRESSURE ON THE DOOR LATCH, SO THE DOORKNOB CANNOT BE
TURNED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY ; EAST LANSING
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTIONAL SHIFT: NOUN AS VERB: TO PENNY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 00-00-1973
Entry filtered.
JEST, ANECDOTE
ON THE HOLYDAY OF THE HOLY GHOST A PRIEST SAID TO A MAN,
" WHEN I
SING HOLY GHOST SHOW YOURSELF, LET THE PIGEON OUT FROM
UNDERNEATH YOUR COAT. " THE CHURCH WAS CROWDED THAT
HOLYDAY AND THE PEOPLE BEING SO CLOSE TOGETHER, CHOKED THE BIRD
TO DEATH. THEN LATER WHEN THE PRIEST SANG OUT, " HOLY
GHOST SHOW YOURSELF " , THE MAN SANG BACK, " HE
ISN'T HERE, HE ISN'T HERE; HE CHOKED HIMSELF."
Submitter comment:
THIS IS FUNNY BECAUSE GOD ISN T SUPPOSED TO DIE. THIS WAS LEARNED
IN RUSSIA. THIS ITEM IS TRANSLATED FROM THE RUSSIAN LANGUAGE.
James Callow comment:
ANTHROPOMORPHISM ; ANIMAL
DNC[ 1,419
******************** C FILE 1 ********************
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; RUSSIA ; Sterling Heights
James Callow Keyword(s): ANTICLERICAL ; PENTECOST
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote BELIEF -- Creator |
Date learned: 11-00-1973
Entry filtered.
NO BUILDING CAN BE BUILT HIGHER THAN WILLIAM PENN'S HAT ON
TOP OF CITY HALL.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PHILADELPHIA
James Callow Keyword(s): HEIGHT OF BUILDING ; STATUE OF WILLIAM PENN
| Subject headings: | Favorites ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Architecture BELIEF -- Secular hero |
Date learned: 11-30-1972
Entry filtered.
MYSTERY SPOT-WATER
THIS IS AT ST. IGNACE, MICHIGAN, IN THE U.P. AT THIS PARK WATER
RUNS UPHILL BECAUSE A GHOST HAUNTS THE WHOLE PARK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): UPPER PENINSULA=U.P.
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Earth BELIEF -- Water |
Date learned: 03-08-1970
MYSTERY SPOT-GRAVITY
THIS IS A SPOT AT ST. IGNACE MICHIGAN IN THE U.P. WHERE BECAUSE
OF A GHOST HAUNTING THE PARK, THE GRAVITY IS EXTRA-STRONG, AND
YOU CAN STAND ON THE WALL OF A CABIN AND NOT FALL BECAUSE OF THIS
GRAVITY ABNORMAL FORCE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): ANTI-GRAVITY ; UPPER PENINSULA=U.P.
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Creation and Order of Universe BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Earth |
Date learned: 03-08-1970
GHOST PROVERB
EVEN THE GHOST WILL LISTEN IF YOU BEG.
Submitter comment:
HERE THE GHOST REPRESENTS THE KING OF HADES, WHO IS SUPPOSED TO
SIT ON HIS THRONE OF JUDGMENT WITH A STERN FACE. WHEN THE DEAD ARE
BROUGHT INTO HIS PRESENCE ONE BY ONE, HE WEIGHS THE LOAD OF THEIR
SINS ON A BALANCE AND LOOKS AT THE SCENE OF THEIR DEEDS REFLECTED
IN A MIRROR, AND THEN HE SENDS THEM TO HELL OR HEAVEN, TO PURGATORY
OR BACK TO LIFE. IF THE SINNER IN TEARS OF REPENTANCE BEGS FOR
PARDON, HE WILL BE LENIENT. A MAN IS MORE LIKELY TO FORGIVE IF YOU
BEG HIS PARDON FOR WHAT YOU HAVE DONE WRONG.
Data entry tech comment: ETHNIC ORIGIN
Keyword(s): SUPERNATURAL
James Callow Keyword(s): REPENTANCE ; TRANSLATION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
PROVERB
"EVERYONE TO HIS TASTE," SAID THE FARMER AS HE KISSED HIS COW.
Where learned: DETROIT
Keyword(s): ANIMAL
James Callow Keyword(s): INDEPENDENCE ; IRONY
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Wellerism Quotation |
Date learned: 10-24-1968
CUSTOM
WHENEVER SOMEONE GIVES A SHARP OBJECT AS A GIFT IN HER FAMILY,
THE PERSON WHO RECEIVES THE SHARP OBJECT AS A GIFT GIVES THE GIVER
A PENNY TO SYMBOLIZE THAT THEIR FRIENDSHIP WILL NOT BREAK UP AS A
RESULT OF THE GIFT. THE SUPERSTITION, THAT GIVING A SHARP OBJECT
AS A GIFT WILL RESULT IN THE LOSS OF FRIENDSHIP, IS COUNTERACTED
BY THE PENNY.
Where learned: TOLD AT INFORMANTS HOME ; SAINT CLAIR
Keyword(s): GIFT FRIENDSHIP PENNY
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 02-27-1971
BELIEF
IF YOU GIVE SOMEBODY A PIN (A PIECE OF JEWELRY) FOR A GIFT, ALSO
GIVE A PENNY OR YOU'LL BREAK UP THE FRIENDSHIP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
Keyword(s): GIFT PENNY FRIENDSHIP
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 02-07-1972
Entry filtered.
PA. DUTCH BELIEF
A MAMMY IS CALLED IN FOR SICKNESS-- ESPECIALLY BLEEDING OF
ANY SORT.
FOR AN ADULT: THE "POW-WOWER" OR MAMMY RECITES BIBLE
PHRASES TO HERSELF WHILE HOLDING THE SICK PERSON, AND IT CURES HIM.
FOR A CHILD: THE "POW-WOWER" PASSES THE CHILD AROUND A TABLE LEG
WHILE RECITING BIBLE PHRASES, AND THE CHILD WILL BE CURED.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS CALLED "POW-WOWING" AND IT AFFECTS THE WHOLE PA. DUTCH
AREA. IT IS NECESSARY TO BELIEVE IN IT TO HAVE IT WORK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
Keyword(s): PENNSYLVANIA DUTCH (GERMAN) ; POWWOWING
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Expression of Fixed Form BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 02-24-1968
STYE CURE
TO GET RID OF A STYE, YOU URINATE AT THE SIDE OF THE ROAD.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT IS A FRIEND'S FATHER, AND THIS WAS A BELIEF AMONG
THE PENNSYLVANIA DUTCH WHERE HE GREW UP.
Data entry tech comment: THERE ARE 2 OTHER REFERENCES IN THIS SECTION OF THE ARCHIVE.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
Keyword(s): PENNSYLVANIA DUTCH (GERMAN)
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Remedy |
Date learned: 00-00-1971
Entry filtered.
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PROVERB GOOD FIREWOOD IS NOT WITHOUT ANTS. THE AMERICAN
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): COMPENSATION
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 09-15-1971
LOCAL LEGEND - GREEN MAN
A MAN LIVES IN A NEARBY CITY (LIBRARY) WHO WAS INVOLVED IN AN
ELECTRICAL ACCIDENT. A HIGH VOLTAGE WIRE FELL ACROSS HIS FACE
CAUSING A YELLOW SCAR ACROSS HIS FACE AND THE REST OF HIS FACE TO
TURN GREEN. HE WILL GO OUT IN LOVERS' LANES., AND ROCK THE
CAR FROM SIDE TO SIDE.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; BETHEL PARK
Keyword(s): LIBRARY, PENNSYLVANIA
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
Date learned: 00-00-1959