RE:SEARCH logo
University of Detroit Mercy Libraries / Instructional Design Studio
UDM HOME BLACKBOARD MY UDMERCY
RESEARCH HOME / FIND / SPECIAL COLLECTIONS / THE JAMES T. CALLOW FOLKLORE ARCHIVE /
James Callow Folklore Archive

Collection Home

About Dr. James T. Callow

Dr. James T. Callow publications

Collectors

Browse by

Subject heading

Keyword

Location

Questions or comments on this site? Please email davidsor@udmercy.edu.

The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

search for

Content filter is on

Your search for 1945 returned 578 results.

prev | items
| next

RIDDLE

Q: WHAT HAS LEGS BUT CANNOT WALK?
A: A TABLE.

Data entry tech comment: A DUPLICATE IN 5 X 8 CARD FILES

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

Keyword(s): ACTIONS (Q) ; FURNITURE (A) ; PARTS OF THE BODY (Q) ; PRIVATIONAL

Subject headings: RIDDLE -- True Riddle

Date learned: 09-25-1965

View just this record

RIDDLE

Q: WHAT HAS ARMS BUT CANNOT REACH?
A: AN ARMCHAIR.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

Keyword(s): FURNITURE (A) ; PARTS OF THE BODY (Q) ; PRIVATIONAL OPPOSITIONAL

Subject headings: RIDDLE -- True Riddle

View just this record

RIDDLE

Q: WHAT IS THE SKINNIEST VEGETABLE IN THE WORLD?
A: A POTATOE CHIP

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

Keyword(s): EATABLES AND DRINKS (A) ; EATABLES AND DRINKS (Q) ; LITERAL

Subject headings: RIDDLE -- True Riddle

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

View just this record

CROUP

TO CURE THE CROUP, DRINK MELTED GOOSE GREASE AND SUGAR

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Method of Curing

Date learned: 02-24-1968

View just this record

Toast

An Old Irish Toast:

May your joys be as deep as the ocean, and your sorrows as light as its foam.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

Keyword(s): DRINKING ; ETHNIC ; Foam ; Irish ; Ocean ; Salute ; TOAST

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Speech Speech
SPEECH -- Formula

View just this record

CANDLE CEREMONY

IN OUR SORORITY, WE GATHER AROUND IN A CIRCLE IN A DARK
ROOM AND PASS AROUND A WHITE CANDLE FROM ONE GIRL TO THE NEXT
WHILE SINGING OUR SORORITY SONGS. WHOEVER BLOWS IT OUT THE FIRST
TIME WHILE IT IS BEING PASSED IS RINGED; THE SECOND IS PINNED; AND
THE THIRD ENGAGED.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Engagement

Date learned: 04-03-1971

View just this record

STRING BELIEF

TIE A STRING AROUND YOUR FINGER TO REMEMBER SOMETHING.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

Keyword(s): Finger ; Remember ; String ; Tool

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal

Date learned: 03-17-1971

View just this record

NEVER TICKEL A BABY BECAUSE IF
YOU DO IT WILL STUDDER.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT BELIEVES THIS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

Keyword(s): STUTTER ; TICKLE

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness

View just this record

MAGIC OF HOLY WATER

OCCASIONALLY SPRINKLE THE ROOMS OF YOUR HOME
TO RID THEM OF THE TEMPTATIONS OF THE DEVIL.

Submitter comment: A BELIEF PRACTICED BY ONE OF THE SISTERS I HAD IN GRADE SCHOOL.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color

Date learned: 01-29-1968

View just this record

IF YOU SPILL ASHES ON THE CARPET, RUB IT IN
AND IT WILL KEEP THE MOTHS AWAY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Insect

Date learned: 00-00-1967

View just this record

SUPERSTITION

IF YOU LIGHT TWO MATCHES PERPINDICULAR AND THEY STAY PERPINDICULAR
WHEN LIT, YOU ARE SEXUALLY SATISFIED.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

Subject headings: Observation

Date learned: 03-24-1971

View just this record

PROVERB

AN OLD DOG WILL LEARN NO NEW TRICKS

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim

Date learned: 11-10-1967

View just this record

PROVERB

ONE BIRD IN HAND IS WORTH TWO IN THE BUSH

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

Keyword(s): NUMBERS

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

Date learned: 11-15-1967

View just this record

WEATHER SIGN

IF SMOKE RISES FAST IN THIN CURLS THERE WILL BE SNOW.

Where learned: ALABAMA ; BIRMINGHAM

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color

Date learned: 05-05-1972

View just this record

ALABAMA WEDDING CUSTOM

"TO HER WEDDING, A BRIDE SHOULD WEAR SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW,
SOMETHING BORROWED, AND SOMETHING BLUE TO INSURE A LONG, HAPPY,
AND PROSPEROUS MARRIAGE".

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS ITEM AS A YOUNG MAN IN DETROIT,
CIRCA 1930, FROM HIS MOTHER, WHO LEARNED IT FROM HER MOTHER
IN ALABAMA, CIRCA 1900.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALABAMA ; DETROIT ; BIRMINGHAM

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage

Date learned: 11-22-1980 ; 00-00-1928 ; 00-00-1900

View just this record

ALABAMA WEDDING CUSTOM

"A BRIDE SHOULD HAVE A COIN IN HER SHOE ON HER WEDDING DAY,
TO BRING HER A PROSPEROUS MARRIAGE".

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALABAMA ; DETROIT ; BIRMINGHAM

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Penny in shoe

Date learned: 11-22-1980 ; 00-00-1928 ; 00-00-1900

View just this record

ALABAMA SUPERSTITION

"IF YOU SPILL SALT, YOU SHOULD THROW SOME OVER YOUR LEFT SHOULDER
TO BRING GOOD LUCK".

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS ITEM AS A CHILD IN BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA
FROM HIS MOTHER, CIRCA 1928. SHE FIRST LEARNED IT FROM HER MOTHER
IN ALABAMA CIRCA 1900.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALABAMA ; DETROIT ; BIRMINGHAM

James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Mineral
BELIEF -- Conversions

Date learned: 11-22-1980 ; 00-00-1928 ; 00-00-1900

View just this record

ALABAMA SUPERSTITION

"THE ONLY WAY TO CATCH A BIRD WAS TO PUT SALT ON ITS TAIL,
AND IF YOU CAUGHT A BIRD, IT WOULD BRING YOU GOOD LUCK FOR A YEAR".

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS ITEM AS A CHILD IN BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA
FROM HIS MOTHER, CIRCA 1928. SHE LEARNED IT FROM HER MOTHER
IN ALABAMA CIRCA 1900.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALABAMA ; DETROIT ; BIRMINGHAM

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Bird
BELIEF -- Mineral
BELIEF -- Measure of time Year
BELIEF -- Good luck

Date learned: 11-22-1980 ; 00-00-1928 ; 00-00-1900

View just this record

ALABAMA SUPERSTITION

"A CARDINAL SINGING IN THE YARD IS A SIGN OF GOOD LUCK".

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS ITEM AS A CHILD IN BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA
FROM HIS MOTHER, CIRCA 1928. SHE LEARNED IT FROM HER MOTHER
IN ALABAMA CIRCA 1900.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALABAMA ; DETROIT ; BIRMINGHAM

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Bird
BELIEF -- Good luck

Date learned: 11-22-1980 ; 00-00-1928 ; 00-00-1900

View just this record

ALABAMA CHRISTMAS EVE CUSTOM

"IT WAS GOOD LUCK TO HAVE THE FAMILY CHRISTMAS TREE UP BY
CHRISTMAS EVE".

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS ITEM AS A CHILD IN BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA
FROM HIS MOTHER, CIRCA 1928. SHE LEARNED IT FROM HER MOTHER
IN ALABAMA CIRCA 1900.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALABAMA ; DETROIT ; BIRMINGHAM

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas tree
BELIEF -- Good luck

Date learned: 11-22-1980 ; 00-00-1928 ; 00-00-1900

View just this record

prev | items
| next

University of Detroit Mercy
4001 W. McNichols Detroit , MI , 48221-3038
This site is endorsed by the University of Detroit Mercy (UDM) and supports the views, values, and mission of UDM. The University of Detroit Mercy web site provides links to other web sites, both public and private, for informational purposes. The inclusion of these links on UDM's site does not imply endorsement by the University. Please contact the Associate Dean for Technical Services and Library Systems for any questions regarding this web site.