Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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TRUTH AND THE MORNING BECOME LIGHT WITH TIME.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 09-15-1971
THE FACE
HIS FACE LOOKS LIKE THE SOUTH END (SIDE) OF A HORSE GOING NORTH.
Submitter comment:
YOU CAN USE THIS RETORT ANYTIME SOMEONE IS BRAGGING OR PUTTING
SOMEONE ELSE DOWN AND YOU WANT HIM TO KNOW HE HAS NOTHING TO TALK
ABOUT.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMAL COMPARISON ; EUPHEMISM FOR RUMP OF HORSE ; INSULT UGLINESS
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 02-25-1971
RETORT
THAT IS ABOUT AS FUNNY AS SCREENS ON A SUBMARINE.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
Keyword(s): REACTION TO SUPPOSED JOKE
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 02-02-1971
RETORT
THAT IS AS FUNNY AS A BRING 'EM BACK ALIVE STICKER ON A HEARSE.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
Keyword(s): REACTION TO SUPPOSED JOKE
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 03-03-1971
TRAVELING VIGIL LIGHT OF MT. OLIVET CEMETRY.
SEVERAL YEARS AGO ONE OF THE GRAVES OF MT. OLIVET CEMETRY
WAS DUG UP AND THE BODY MOVED TO ANOTHER SPOT IN THE CEMETRY.
THE MOTHER OF THE DEAD PERSON LOOKED AND LOOKED FOR THE GRAVE
OF HER BELOVED BUT COULD NEVER FIND IT. IT HAS BEEN SAID THAT THE
VIGIL LIGHT WHICH THE MOTHER KEPT BURNING ON THE GRAVE NOW
ROAMS THE CEMETRY SEARCHING FOR THE GRAVE OF THE BODY THAT
WAS MOVED. MANY PEOPLE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO
SEE THE LIGHT MOVING ABOUT THE CEMETRY. ONE NIGHT WHEN AT A
GIRL FRIEND'S HOUSE THE INFORMANT WAS ASKED IF SHE WANTED TO GO TO
THE CEMETRY WITH A GROUP OF GIRLS TO LOOK FOR THE LIGHT. THE GIRL
FRIEND LIVED RIGHT NEXT TO THE CEMETRY AND KNEW THE SCHEDULE OF
THE WATCHMEN WHO WORKED IN THE CEMETRY. THE GIRLS CLIMBED THE FENCE
AND AFTER THEY HAD GONE A SHORT WAY INTO THE CEMETRY, THEY SAW THE
VIGIL LIGHT NOT MANY FEET IN FRONT OF THEM, MOVING ABOUT. THEY
RAN BACK TO THE HOUSE IN FEAR.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT WAS SURPRISED THAT MY BROTHER AND I WHO LIVE IN
THE IMMEDIATE NEIGHBORHOOD HAD NEVER HEARD OF THE TRAVELING
VIGIL LIGHT OF MT. OLIVET CEMETERY.
Data entry tech comment: THE WORD CEMETRY IS AS SPELLED BY THE COLLECTOR.
Where learned: HOME ; DETROIT, ASSUMED ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): GHOST
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 03-31-1967
FORMULA SPEECH FOR CLEANING UP PLATE
"THE BIRDS COULD HAVE A PICNIC WITH WHAT YOU'VE LEFT ON YOUR PLATE."
Submitter comment:
COLLECTOR HEARD THIS OFTEN IN HIS CHILDHOOD IF HE HAD LEFT FOOD ON
HIS PLATE AT THE COMPLETION OF A MEAL.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 11-23-1970
FORMULA SPEECH FOR CLEANING UP PLATE
"TWO-THIRDS OF THE WORLD IS STARVING."
Submitter comment:
COLLECTOR HEARD THIS OFTEN IN HIS CHILDHOOD IF HE HAD LEFT FOOD
ON HIS PLATE AT THE COMPLETION OF A MEAL.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS
James Callow Keyword(s): PARENTAL REBUKE
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 11-23-1970
FORMULA SPEECH
"ARE YOU GOING TO BUY ONE OR BE ONE?"
Submitter comment:
THIS IS SAID FREQUENTLY BY INFORMANT WHEN IT COMES TIME FOR ANOTHER
ROUND OF WHATEVER DRINK IS BEING CONSUMED.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 11-20-1970
WINDOW CLEANER
KEROSINE OIL AND NEWS PAPER MAKES A BRIGHT WINDOW. USED BY PEOPLE IN THE DEEP SOUTH WITH OIL LAMPS.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Work Commerce Business |
Date learned: 10-07-1968
SPELLING RHYME
CHICKEN IN A CAR,
CAR WON'T GO,
THAT'S THE WAY YOU SPELL CHICAGO}
Submitter comment: INFORMANT SAID THIS WHEN YOUNG IN THE 1920,S
Where learned: HOME ; PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH
Keyword(s): RHYME: AA
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Verse without Music |
Date learned: 10-02-1971
STICKS IN THE BUNDLE ARE UNBREAKABLE.
{OR} THE AMERICAN VERSION: UNITED WE STAND;
DIVIDED WE FALL.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 09-15-1971
LOOKING IN CORNERS
WHEN SOME PERSON YOU KNOW IS CONSTANTLY SNOOPING AROUND YOU CAN SAY
"ONLY MONKEYS LOOK IN CORNERS."
WHEN YOU WRITE A LETTER OR A NOTE YOU CAN WRITE "ONLY MONKEYS LOOK
IN CORNERS."
Submitter comment:
THESE TWO GO TOGETHER BECAUSE OFTEN PEOPLE LOOK FOR MISTAKES IN
LETTERS THEY RECEIVE AND BY PUTTING THE PHRASE IN ONE OF THE CORNERS
YOU ARE SAYING THAT THE PERSON SHOULD ENJOY THE LETTER AND NOT LOOK
FOR MISTAKES. THIS IS A COMMON PRACTICE FOR THE INFORMANT.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
Keyword(s): ANIMAL COMPARISON
James Callow Keyword(s): PARA-RIME: BUY BE ; TREATING TO DRINKS
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 01-24-1971
HEAD OF FAMILY
SERVE THE HEAD OF THE FAMILY FIRST OR THE FAMILY WILL NO LONGER
HAVE A PROVIDER.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222. BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: CA1963-1975
CLOTHES
NEVER HANG CLOTHES BACKWARDS OR SOMETHING WILL HAPPEN TO THEM.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Custom |
Date learned: CA1963-1975
SALT
NEVER WIPE SALT OFF THE TABLE, BLOWIT OFF,
OR YOU WILL HAVE BAD LUCK.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
James Callow Keyword(s): SPILLED SALT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.17 BELIEF -- Conversions P883.17 BELIEF -- Conversions P883.22 |
Date learned: CA1963-1975
GOOD LUCK
THROW SALT OVER YOUR SHOULDER FOR GOOD LUCK OR TO ERASE SOME
EVIL EFFECTS OF A MISTAKE SUCH AS WALKING UNDER A LADDER.
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): CONVERSION
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Conversions |
Date learned: NONE GIVEN
RIDDLE
IF YOU PUT THREE DUCKS INTO A BOX, WHAT WILL YOU HAVE?
A BOX OF QUACKERS.
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): CONUNDRUM ; FOWL: DUCKS ; NUMBERS: THREE
James Callow Keyword(s): PUN ON CRACKERS
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 11-11-1967
RIDDLE
WHY DID THE LITTLE RED HOUSE CALL FOR A DOCTOR?
BECAUSE IT HAD A WINDOW PANE.
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): CONUNDRUM
James Callow Keyword(s): PUN ON PAIN
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 11-05-1967
RIDDLE
WHY IS BOWLING A QUIET GAME?
YOU CAN HEAR A PIN DROP.
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): GAMES: BOWLING ; RIDDLING QUESTION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 09-30-1967
RIDDLE
WHAT DID BEN FRANKLIN SAY WHEN HE DISCOVERED ELECTRICITY?
HOW SHOCKING}
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): CONUNDRUM ; FRANKLIN, BENJAMIN ; HISTORICAL ; RIDDLING QUESTION
James Callow Keyword(s): PUN
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 11-27-1967