Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for SKUNK returned 5 results.
THERE WAS A YOUNG MAN FROM THE CITY,
WHO MET WHAT HE THOUGHT WAS A KITTY.
HE GAVE IT A PAT
AND SAID, "NICE LITTLE CAT!"
THEY BURIED HIS CLOTHES OUT OF PITY.
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): FUNCTION AND GENRE: LIMERICK ; HUMOR ; NUTSHELL NARRATIVE ANTICLIMAX QUINTAIN ; RHYME: AABBA, FEMININE ; SKUNK ; SOUND: DACTYLIC TETRAMETER ; SUBJECT: ACCIDENTS, ANIMALS ; UNDERSTATEMENT IRONY
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
LIMERICK
THERE WAS A YOUNG MAN FROM THE CITY,
WHO SAW A NICE BLACK AND WHITE KITTY
SAYING, "MICE LITTLE CAT,"
HE GAVE IT A PAT.
THEY BURIED HIS CLOTHES OUT OF PITY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ANIMALS ; EUPHEMISM: CAT FOR SKUNK ; FEMININE RHYME ; HUMOR ; INDIRECTION ; RHYME: AABBA ; SMELLY CLOTHERS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR.
THIS IS A FAMILY LEGEND ABOUT HOW POLISH PEOPLE CAME TO BE
KNOWN AS POLECATS BY OUR SOUTHERN KIN. WHEN MY MOTHER ANNOUNCED
HER ENGAGEMENT TO HER POLISH FIANCE, MY GRANDFATHER AND OTHERS
THOUGHT OF HIM AS A NORTHERN "POLELOCK." MY YOUNG COUSIN HAD A
DIFFICULTY WITH THE CONCEPT. HE CAME UP WITH THE IDEA THAT HIS
"AUNT KAY IS GOING TO MARRY A POLECAT!" THE ADULTS IN THE FAMILY
SEIZED THE IDEA. IT IS STILL USED AT FAMILY GATHERINGS.
Submitter comment:
THE FIRST TIME I REMEMBER HEARING THE ORIGIN OF THE POLISH
POLECAT, I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT A POLECAT WAS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE
Keyword(s): SKUNK
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Riddle
What's black and white and red all over?
Variations of answers:
1) Newspaper
2) Skunk with a diaper rash
3) Penguin with a sunburn
4) Blushing zebra
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs Added by TRD
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
Keyword(s): Black ; Blush ; Brain Teaser ; COLOR ; Diaper Rash ; JOKE ; NEWSPAPER ; PLAY ON WORDS ; PUN ; Red ; RIDDLE ; SKUNK ; Sunburn ; White ; WORDPLAY ; Zebra
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |