Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for Tricks returned 14 results.
CUSTOM FESTIVAL, MEMORIES OF HOMELAND GERMANY
HAREKIN IS A HOLIDAY THAT IS CELEBRATED EVERY YEAR ON NOVEMBER 11TH.
BEYOND BEING JUST A SINGLE DAY ACTIVITY, IT KIND OF BEGINS WHAT
THE GERMANS CALL A FIFTH SEASON NARREN WHICH MEANS CRAZY. THERE ARE
BIG PARADES AND FLOATS. UNUSUAL AS THIS MAY BE, THE DAY OFFICIALLY
BEGINS ON NOVEMBER 11TH, AT 11 MINUTES AFTER 11 O'CLOCK.
THE ORIGINATOR WAS COUNT TILL EULENSPEIGAL MANY YEARS AGO. THIS
IS DESCRIBED AS A CELEBRATION FOR CELEBRATION'S SAKE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): TRICKSTER
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F111 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Festival BELIEF -- Number |
Date learned: NO DATE INDICATED.
IT WAS ABOUT A MAN WHO WON A GOOSE AND HE WAS VERY SELFISH, BUT
SINCE IT WAS THANKSGIVING HE HAD ALL HIS FRIENDS OVER FOR
A GREAT BIG FEAST. HE HAD THEM ALL SITTING AROUND THE TABLE - AND HE
TOLD THEM (SHOWING THE GOOSE) WHOEVER ATE THE MOST POTATOES WOULD
EAT THE MOST GOOSE. SO EVERYBODY WAS HELPING THEMSELVES TO POTATOES
AND THEY ATE MORE AND MORE. FINALLY, WHEN THE GOOSE WAS BROUGHT OUT,
HE SAID "OK, WHO WANTS SOME GOOSE NOW?", AND THEY WERE ALL TOO FULL
FROM EATING THE POTATOES- SO HE GOT TO EAT THE GOOSE HIMSELF.
Submitter comment:
ELAINE SAID HER GRANDMA ALWAYS TOLD THIS STORY EVERY THANKSGIVING
AND IT WAS A TRADITIONAL CUSTOM AT HER HOUSE. SHE SAID ONCE SHE
HAS HER OWN FAMILY, SHE WILL CARRY IT ON.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
James Callow Keyword(s): TRICKSTER
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote BELIEF -- Custom |
Date learned: 00-00-1969
FOOL ME ONCE SHAME ON YOU, FOOL ME TWICE SHAME ON ME.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS WHEN SHE WAS YOUNG.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
James Callow Keyword(s): CONTRAST ; TRICKSTER
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. 686 Seconds / Twice / Two PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 01-00-1979
Entry filtered.
ITALIAN JOKE
AN ITALIAN PUT AN ADVERTISEMENT IN THE PAPERS THAT HE HAD DISCOVERED
A METHOD OF WRITING WITHOUT PEN AND INK, AND THAT HE WOULD GIVE THE
SECRET FOR A SMALL FEE. IN A FEW DAYS HE WAS FLOODED WITH REQUESTS
FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY, TO WHICH HE REPLIED: "WRITE WITH PENCIL."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
James Callow Keyword(s): TRICKSTER, ITALIAN
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote ITAL |
Date learned: 02-25-1982
LITTLE JAKE SELIGMAN
LITTLE JAKE SELIGMAN WAS FIVE FEET TALL, MAYBE LESS. HE WAS
A BANKER AND MERCHANT IN SAGINAW DURING THE 1880S. HE WOULD OFFER
LUMBERJACKS A BARGAIN. ONE OF THEM WOULD GET A FREE SUIT IF HE
COULD CATCH A VEST THAT LITTLE JAKE WOULD THROW INTO THE CROWD.
LITTLE JAKE WOULD THROW THE VEST AND THE LUMBERJACKS WOULD FIGHT
OVER THE VEST. THEY WOULD FIGHT SO MUCH THAT ALL THEIR CLOTHES
WOULD BE IN TATTERS. ONE GUY WOULD COME UP IN POSSESSION OF THE
VEST, THE OTHERS WOULD NEED NEW CLOTHES, WHICH THEY WOULD BUY
AT JAKE'S STORE.
Submitter comment: THIS WAS AN EXAMPLE OF WISE MERCHANDISING IF I EVER SAW ONE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): TRICKSTER
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 04-02-1982
Goblin Story
A few years ago, in the main plant of Valente's Men's Formal Wear, the general manager, Marty Rapp, and David Palm were cleaning out the drainage wells beside the 50 pound washers down in the laundry. These wells are about 3 feet in diameter and 6 feet deep. Marty, being general manager, directed, while Dave did the cleaning. All of a sudden, Dave found himself being pulled into the well. He was waist deep in the murky water before Marty pulled him out by the arm. Maybe it was well that Marty was there directing, far Max, a vile, loathsome creature that lives in the sewers under Valente's had tried to pull Dave down into his submarine lair. For what purpose, no one knows, but it is certain it wouldn't have been pleasant. From then on, people are cautioned not to walkalone in the laundry in the dark.
Submitter comment:
For us at Valente's, Max is something to blame accidents on. Dave didn't really get pulled into the well, Marty pushed him in. Though, if you ask anyone there about Dave falling into the well, you will probably get the version with Max in it, then the real one.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; VALENTES MENS FORMALWEAR
Keyword(s): FANTASY ; Goblin ; Lore ; Mischief ; OMEN ; SEWER ; Submarine ; SUPERNATURAL ; TRICKSTER ; WATER
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome |
Trick
Trick:
A trickster points at your tie or shirt and asks, "what's that?"
When you look down at your tie to see what's there he raises his finger and drags his finger up over your face.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): JOKE ; Prank ; Tease ; TRICK ; TRICKSTER
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Trick
Trick:
A tricky person will point at a button on your clothing and ask "Do you want that?" If you say "yes," then he rips it off and gives it to you. If you are unfortunate enough to say "no," he rips it off and throws it away.
Submitter comment:
Be careful who you pull this trick on. He should not be Dick the Bruiser.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): BULLY ; Button ; CLOTHING ; JOKE ; Prank ; Tease ; TRICK ; TRICKSTER
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Trick
Cooties:
You used to put an "X" on your hand or something. That was your cootie shot. One girl was designated as having cooties and if she touched you, you passed it on to somebody else. Or else if you didn't have the "X" you'd get it."
Submitter comment:
Informant recalls this as being practices often while attending grade school.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): GAME ; gender ; Prank ; SCHOOL ; Tease ; TRICK ; TRICKSTER
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School |
Superstition: Animals
If you have a snake in a can with you while a magician is doing his tricks, none of his tricks will work since the snake breaks the magician's spell.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ANIMAL ; CAN ; Expose ; MAGIC ; Magician ; Serpent ; Snake ; Tricks
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Animal BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Proverb
You can't teach an old dog new tricks.
Submitter comment:
You can't always teach an old person the enw way certain things are done.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Located in pile marked Duplicates and Other Rejects.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): AGE ; ANIMAL ; DOG ; METAPHOR ; New ; Old ; Tricks ; YOUTH
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Proverb
You can't teach an old dog new tricks.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): Adapt ; AGE ; Aphorism ; Apothegm ; Change ; DOG ; Maxim ; New ; Old ; PROVERB ; TRICK ; Tricks ; VERSE ; Young
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
"WOODS' KIDS"
WHEN CERTAIN UNFAVORABLE HAPPENINGS OCCUR WITHIN THE
ROSSER HOME, THE WOODS' KIDS ALWAYS TAKE THE BLAME. THESE
SMALL CREATURES INHABIT THE WOODS BEHIND THE HOUSE.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Keyword(s): Blame ; FAMILY ; Fanciful ; Invisible ; Legend ; Tale ; TRICKSTER
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Legend |
Date learned: 02-00-1972