Dr. James T. Callow publications
Browse by
Questions or comments on this site? Please email davidsor@udmercy.edu.
The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for 579 returned 217 results.
IT IS THE CUSTOM AT FUNERALS TO SAY THAT THE PEOPLE
WHO ARE SHEDDING HYPOCRITICAL TEARS ARE CRYING
"CROCODILE TEARS."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 01-30-1971
ARMY CUSTOM
IN VIETNAM IT IS CUSTOM AND GOOD LUCK FOR THE SOLDIERS
TO WRITE THE NAME OF AT LEAST ONE GIRL HE KNEW ON
HIS HELMET. THEY ALSO BELIEVED THAT YOU WOULD
NEVER MARRY THIS GIRL. WRITING THIS NAME WAS GOOD
LUCK AS FAR AS SURVIVING WENT, BUT BAD LUCK AS
FAR AS RELATIONSHIP WITH HER.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT REALLY BELIEVES IN THIS AS THE TWO GUYS THAT
DIED IN HIS OUTFIT DIDN'T HAVE NAMES ON THEIR HELMETS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- War |
Date learned: 11-22-1971
CINDERELLA DRESSED IN YELLOW
WENT UP STAIRS TO GET HER FELLOW.
ALL OF A SUDDEN HER GIRDLE BUSTED
HOW MANY PEOPLE WERE DISGUSTED?
Submitter comment: JUMP ROPE RHYME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 11-00-1969
DING DONG DITCH
MY SON AND HIS FRIENDS PLAY THIS VARIATION ON RINGING
DOORBELLS AND HIDING ON DEVIL'S NIGHT. THEY ONLY BOTHER
PEOPLE WITH LARGE SHRUBS IN FRONT OF THEIR HOMES SO
THEY CAN JUMP DOWN AND HIDE AFTER THE DISTURBANCE.
Submitter comment: THE BOYS ARE FROM NINE TO ELEVEN YEARS OLD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F103 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 00-00-1983
CURB BASEBALL
WHEN I WAS YOUNGER MY BEST FRIEND'S BROTHER TAUGHT US
A NEW AND EXCITING WAY TO PLAY BASEBALL. FIRST, IT
REQUIRED A STREET AND A FENCE PARALLEL TO THE STREET AND
A RUBBER BALL. THERE ARE ONLY TWO PLAYERS IN THE GAME,
THE BATTER STANDS IN THE STREET AND THROWS THE BALL AT THE
CURB IN FRONT OF HIM. IF THE BALL MISSES THE CURB IT IS A STRIKE,
IF IT HITS THE CURB AND BOUNCES BACK THE PLAYER MUST CATCH
THE BALL IN THE AIR TO GET THE OUT. TO SCORE IN THIS GAME,
THE BATTER MUST BOUNCE THE BALL OFF THE CURB AND HAVE IT
GO OVER THE FENCE. THIS GAME DOES NOT HAVE INNINGS OR A TIME
LIMIT; YOU JUST PLAY UNTIL YOU GET BORED.
Submitter comment:
SINCE THEN I HAVE TAUGHT SEVERAL YOUNGER CHILDREN
HOW TO PLAY CURB BASEBALL.
THE FENCE IS BEHIND THE PLAYER IN THE STREET.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 07-00-1976
GARAGE BASEBALL
MY FRIEND AND I WERE SOON BORED WITH CURB BASEBALL, SO
WE DECIDED TO COME UP WITH A NEW GAME CALLED GARAGEBALL.
THIS GAME WAS ALSO PLAYED WITH ONLY TWO PEOPLE, EXCEPT THIS
TIME THE FIELDER PITCHED THE BALL AT THE GARAGE.
WHAT WAS SO UNUSUAL ABOUT THE GAME WAS THAT THE BATTER
FACED THE GARAGE INSTEAD OF THE PITCHER. TO CLARIFY THINGS UP,
THE FIELDER THROWS THE BALL AT THE GARAGE, IT BOUNCES OFF
THE GARAGE AND THE BATTER TRIES TO HIT IT. IF HE MISSES IT IS
A STRIKE, THE BATTER MUST HIT THE BALL BACK AGAINST THE
GARAGE AND THE FIELDER MUST CATCH IT OFF THE BOUNCE
IN ORDER TO GET THE BATTER OUT; IF HE MISSES IT IS A BASE
HIT. SIDES ARE SWITCHED WHEN THREE OUTS HAVE BEEN COMMITTED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
Keyword(s): GAMES
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 07-00-1976
I HEARD THAT IF YOU CRACK YOUR KNUCKLES YOU WILL
HAVE ARTHRITIS WHEN YOU GET OLDER.
Submitter comment: SEE SQ830861-22 FOR A DIFFERENT VERSION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 00001979CA
MY FATHER BROUGHT BACK A QUITE UNUSUAL GIFT FROM HIS
BUSINESS TRIP-- AN OSTRICH'S TOENAIL KEY CHAIN. THIS
KEYCHAIN IS POLISHED QUITE NICELY, IT IS SAID TO BRING
GOOD LUCK TO THOSE WHO HAVE IT.
Submitter comment:
THEY SAY THAT AN OSTRICH'S TOENAIL CAN KILL SOMEONE
IF THEY ARE STUCK BY THE OSTRICH'S FOOT.
PURCHASED AT BUSH GARDENS, FLORIDA
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
Keyword(s): ART ; GOOD LUCK CHARM ; SUPERSTITION
James Callow Keyword(s): AMULET
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 02-00-1978
"I CAN'T MOVE"
I CAN'T MOVE, CRIED BILLY TO HIS BROTHER,
PERHAPS WE HAD BETTER CALL MOTHER.
SAID WILLY TO BILLY,
YOU'RE REALLY QUITE SILLY,
YOU'VE GOT YOUR SHOELACES TIED TO EACH OTHER.
Submitter comment:
HEARD THIS WHEN I WAS YOUNGER AND IT STILL REMAINS
MY FAVORITE LIMERICK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
Keyword(s): LIMERICKS
James Callow Keyword(s): HUMOR
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1974
THE TURTLE CLUB
THE TURTLE CLUB IS A PRIVATE CLUB WHICH THE NIXON FAMILY
ALL ARE MEMBERS OF. THEY WAY TO BECOME A MEMBER IS WHEN YOU
ARE ASKED "ARE YOU A TURTLE?" YOU REPLY "YOU BET YOUR SWEET
ASS I'M A TURTLE." THE WAY TO STAY A MEMBER IS TO SAY THE
REPLY ANYTIME THE QUESTION IS ASKED.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A LITTLE GAME THE NIXONS PLAY AMONG THEMSELVES IN WHICH
THEY ASK EACH OTHER THE QUESTION AT MOST INOPPORTUNE OR
EMBARRASSING MOMENTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Mental Activity |
Date learned: 00001975CA
THE TWELVE APOSTLES
B BARTHOLOMEW
A ANDREW
P PETER, PHILLIP
T THOMAS
I JAMES, JOHN, JAMES, JUDE, JUDAS
S SIMON
M MATTHEW
Submitter comment:
USED TO MEMORIZE THE TWELVE APOSTLES FOR FIFTH GRADE
STUDENTS. THE "I" IN BAPTISM TURNS INTO A "J".
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- MNEM |
THE GIRLS AT THE OUR LADY STAR OF THE SEA GRADE SCHOOL
WOULD PUT THE INITIALS J, M, AND J ON ALL THE CORNERS
OF THEIR TEST PAPERS FOR GOOD LUCK. J, M, AND J STANDS FOR:
J JESUS
M MARY
J JOSEPH
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- School BELIEF -- Word Letter BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 00-00-1974
Red Light, Green Light
This is a children's game in which one child is designated as
the Light. He stands at one end of the yard with his back to
the other players, who are lined up at the other end of the
yard. He yells "Green Light!" and everyone sneaks up toward
him. At any time he may spin around to face the runners, so
long as he yells "Red Light" first. Anyone he sees moving
must go back to start. Whoever touches the Light's back first
takes his place.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
James Callow Keyword(s): COLOR
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Racing Chasing Fighting |
Date learned: 00001975CA
JEWISH BURIAL
A JEWISH BURIAL TAKES PLACE ON THE SAME DAY THAT THE
PERSON DIED; UNLESS HE DIES AFTER SUN-DOWN, IN WHICH
CASE HE WILL BE BURIED BEFORE SUN-DOWN THE FOLLOWING
DAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 01-31-1968
NEVER LIE ABOUT ILLNESS OR DEATH, IT MAY COME TRUE.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT BELIEVES VERY STRONGLY IN THIS. SHE SAID
THAT THE ONE TIME SHE USED ILLNESS AS AN EXCUSE INSTEAD
OF THE TRUTH, SHE BECAME SICK THE FOLLOWING WEEK. THE
INFORMANT IS VERY QUICK TO CORRECT SOMEONE WHEN THEY
TRY TO USE ILLNESS OR DEATH AS AN EXCUSE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 02-13-1971
POLISH CUSTOM
A PIECE OF SILVER SHOULD BE PUT INTO THE COFFIN SO THAT
THE DEAD PERSON MAY PAY HIS WAY TO HEAVEN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 02-23-1971
WHENEVER DRIVING OR WALKING PAST A CEMETERY, HOLD YOUR
BREATH, SINCE IT IS NOT POLITE TO BREATHE IN FRONT
OF THE DEAD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 02-15-1971
ON A BABY'S FIRST BIRTHDAY HE IS ALLOWED TO PUT HIS
HANDS ON THE TOP OF THE BIRTHDAY CAKE SO THAT THEY
LEAVE A HAND PRINT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Private birthday or anniversary |
Date learned: 03-03-1971
IT IS THE CUSTOM TO THROW RICE OR CONFETTI ON THE
NEWLY MARRIED COUPLE. THE SYMBOLISM BEHIND THIS
IS THAT YOU ARE SHOWERING THEM WITH THE HOPES OF
BLISS AND FERTILITY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Rice |
Date learned: 01-30-1971
AT POLISH WEDDINGS, PERIODICALLY THROUGHOUT THE
RECEPTION THE GUESTS WILL BEGIN TO TAP THEIR SPOONS
AGAINST THEIR GLASSES. THIS IS A SIGN FOR THE NEWLY
MARRIED COUPLE TO KISS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Glassware tapping |
Date learned: 02-21-1971