Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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IF YOU CROSS YOUR FINGERS ON BOTH HANDS, THE WISH
YOU'RE MAKING WILL NOT COME TRUE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 602 Body Parts BELIEF -- Prayer BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications SPEECH -- Wishes Wants Desires Predictions |
Date learned: 11-05-1967
WITH YOUR FINGER MAKING A FEW CIRCLES ALMOST AGAINST
YOUR HEAD AND THEN POINTING TO A PERSON: THIS MEANS THAT
THE PERSON IS CRAZY.
Submitter comment: SHE PROBABLY LEARNED IT FROM SCHOOL FRIENDS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Foolishness Stupidity Insanity |
Date learned: 02-08-1967
SNEEZE BELIEF
IF A GIRL SNEEZES MORE THAN TWICE AT A TIME, THEN SHE IS PREGNANT.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; PREGNANCY ; SNEEZE ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 03-30-1971
POINT INDEX FINGER IN AIR AND TWIRL IT. WRIST CAN
ALSO BE TURNED AT THE SAME TIME.
INFORMANT SAID THIS MEANS "KEEP THE CARNIVAL GOING."
ALSO SAID THAT HE LEARNED ABOUT IT IN A BOOK.
Data entry tech comment: ALSO MEANS "WHOOPEE" IN A MOST UNENTHUSIASTIC WAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CHEMISTRY BUILDING
Keyword(s): SARCASM
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Mock sympathy and mock enthusiasm |
Date learned: 10-27-1970
RUSSIAN OR ROMAN
THIS IS A PUN ON:
RUSHING=RUSSIAN. ROAMING=ROMAN.
AND IS USUALLY MENTIONED ABOUT SOMEONE WHO CLAIMS
TO HAVE HAD A GOOD TIME WITH A DATE. OR COULD
REFER TO SEX FIEND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): ELLIPSIS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage SPEECH -- Derision Scorn |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
WAVING THE SMALL FINGER--BITCH, BITCH, BITCH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Derision Scorn |
Date learned: 03-11-1971
READ IN BETWEEN THE LINES.
Data entry tech comment: DIAGRAM OF HAND WITH MIDDLE THREE FINGERS RAISED AND
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Derision Scorn |
Date learned: 03-11-1971
Entry filtered.
GESTURE INDICATING TASTE APPEAL
PUTTING THE INDEX FINGER TO THE CHEEK AND TURNING
THE FINGER BACK AND FORTH WHILE TOUCHING THE CHEEK
INDICATES SOMETHING DELICIOUS. IT IS A SICILIAN
GESTURE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 602 Body Parts SPEECH -- Body parts involved S602.1 SPEECH -- Congratulations Appreciation SPEECH -- Eating |
Date learned: 10-03-1969
IT IS A LEBANESE CUSTOM, THAT FOR RESPECT, A MAN OR
WOMAN MUST KISS ELDERS OR MEMBERS OF HIGH STATE ON
THE CHEEK EVERYTIME THEY SEE THEM IN GREETING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank SPEECH -- Body parts involved S602.1 SPEECH -- Respect |
Date learned: 03-22-1971
ITALIAN GESTURE
ITALIANS CUPPING HAND UPWARDS MEANS GOODBYE.
CUPPING THE HAND DOWNWARD AS THOUGH TO
GRAB SOMETHING BECKONS TO SOMEONE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 602 Body Parts SPEECH -- Greetings Salutations SPEECH -- Instructions Directions |
Date learned: 01-29-1968
METHOD OF CURING
CHIMNEY SOOT AND FLOUR APPLIED TO A BURN WILL SOOTHE
AND HEAL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 02-26-1970
I HAVE TO BE IN WHEN THE STREET LIGHTS GO ON.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SAID THIS AS A JOKING MOCK OF PARENTAL RULES
ON WHEN TO BE IN AT NIGHT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): COMEBACK
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
WHEN SOMEONE SAYS SOMETHING WITH WHICH YOU DON'T AGREE, THEN
A COMMON RESPONSE IS FOR THE HEARER TO SAY "BULLSHIT..." AND
THEN AFTER A PAUSE ADD "MAKES THE GRASS GROW GREEN."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): COMEBACK
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 10-21-1971
FR. SCHUETT, A PHILOSOPHY TEACHER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
HAS THE FOLLOWING ADVICE FOR HIS STUDENTS: "DON'T GET THE
'BEAVER SYNDROME' - SITTING AROUND ALL DAY DAMNING THINGS."
HE ALSO SAYS, THERE IS THE 'OSTRICH SYNDROME' - THE MORE
YOU STICK YOUR HEAD IN THE SAND, THE MORE YOUR ASS STICKS OUT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): PROVERB
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 03-27-1971
WHEN SOMEONE SAYS, "HEY" OR "HEY YOU", ANSWER, "STRAW'S CHEAPER,
GRASS IS FREE; IF YOU LIVE ON A FARM YOU GET ALL THREE."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): COMEBACK
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 03-06-1971
WHEN SOMEONE SAYS "WELL...", ANSWER, "THAT'S A DEEP SUBJECT
FOR SUCH A SHALLOW MIND."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): COMEBACK
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 03-06-1971
LAUGH AT THE DINNER TABLE, CRY BEFORE YOU GO TO BED.
Submitter comment: MY MOTHER ALWAYS TOLD US THIS WHEN WE WERE CHILDREN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 03-00-1971
YOU MAKE A BETTER DOOR THAN WINDOW.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS SAID WHEN SOMEONE IS BLOCKING YOUR WAY ESPECIALLY IN
FRONT OF THE T.V. SET.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): COMEBACK
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 03-00-1971
TAKE ONLY THE FIRST THREE LETTERS AND THE LAST OF A
WORD AS A MEANS OF SHORTHAND.
EXAMPLE: DISTINGUISH=DISTINH. (BECAUSE THE DIS PREFIX
IS NECESSARY, BUT WOULDN'T TELL YOU THE WORD.
CIGARETTE=CIGE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- MNEM |
Date learned: 11-02-1970