Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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TRUE STORY
AT ONE TIME, MARIA WAS TEACHING A RELIGION CLASS
OF LITTLE CHILDREN AND SHE ASKED A LITTLE BOY,
"WHAT'S ANOTHER NAME FOR GOD?" AND THE LITTLE
CHILD REPLIED "HAROLD." MARIA EXCLAIMED, "HAROLD?
WHERE DID YOU HEAR THAT?" THE LITTLE CHILD REPLIED
"IN THE LORD'S PRAYER, BECAUSE WE SAY 'OUR FATHER
WHO ARE IN HEAVEN, HAROLD BE THY NAME."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): ABSURD MISUNDERSTANDING ON PART OF A CHILD.
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
WANT TO HEAR A DIRTY JOKE?
A DOG FELL IN A MUD PUDDLE.
Submitter comment: OVERHEARD AT A PARTY
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 10-07-1967
AN IMPORTANT YOUNG MAN IN QUEBEC
HAD TO WELCOME THE DUCHESS OF TECK.
SO HE BOUGHT FOR A DOLLAR
A VERY HIGH COLLAR
TO SAVE HIMSELF WASHING HIS NECK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): LIMERICK MONEY HUMOR ; METER: IAMBIC ; PLACE NAMES ; RHYME: AABBA ; RHYME: FEMININE, IMPERFECT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
IT IS A CUSTOM OF THE AMISH TO HAVE BARN GET-TOGETHERS
TWICE A YEAR; ONE AT HARVEST TIME AND ONE AT PLANTING
TIME. THEY SING SONGS AND PLAY GAMES, BUT THERE IS NO
DANCING PERMITTED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; BOOK BUILDING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
BEFORE GOING TO THEIR SENIOR PROM, FRIENDS OF MINE
WERE TOLD BY THE NUNS TO BRING A TELEPHONE BOOK
ALONG, IN CASE THEIR DATES ASKED THEM TO SIT ON THEIR
LAPS. ALSO, THEY WERE CAUTIONED TO TAKE THEIR
GLOVES OFF CAREFULLY, BECAUSE IT MIGHT AROUSE THEIR
DATES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- B439 BELIEF -- P439 |
Date learned: 12-06-1967
DEAN OF WOMEN TALE
FRIENDS OF MINE IN OTHER GIRLS' HIGH SCHOOLS WERE
TOLD BY THE NUNS NOT TO WEAR PATENT LEATHER
SHOES OR PEARLS, BECAUSE BOTH REFLECT.
Data entry tech comment: ONE CAN SEE THE REFLECTION OF UNDERWEAR IN PATENT
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- B439 BELIEF -- P439 |
Date learned: 12-06-1967
GENERAL DE GAULLE WAS BUYING CEMETERY PLOTS.
THE GUY SAID IT COST $2,000. DE GAULLE SAID, "ISN'T
THAT QUITE A BIT--I ONLY PLAN ON STAYING THREE DAYS."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): FRENCH ; RESURRECTION IMMORTALITY
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Man |
Date learned: 11-30-1967
THIS IS A WESTERN CUSTOM, ORIGINATING IN HORSE AND BUGGY STAGE,
WHEN A MAN WOULD WALK ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE LADY SO IF ANY DIRT WAS SPLASHED ON THEM,
HE WOULD GET IT INSTEAD OF THE LADY.
Where learned: DETROIT
Keyword(s): STREET ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT'S STUDENT UNION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 04-01-1971
INITIATION
A SORORITY AND FRATERNITY DECIDED TO HOLD THEIR
INITIATION PARTY TOGETHER SO THEY HANDCUFFED THEIR
PROSPECTIVE MEMBERS TO ONE ANOTHER--A GUY TO A GAL--
AND LEFT THEM IN A PICNIC AREA FOR THE AFTERNOON.
THEY EVEN PROVIDED THE PICNIC BASKETS--IN WHICH ALL THE
FOOD HAD BEEN LIBERALLY SPIKED WITH A VERY STRONG
LAXATIVE. MIDWAY THROUGH THE AFTERNOON, THE PROSPEC-
TIVE MEMBERS BEGAN TO FEEL THE EFFECTS OF THE CONTENTS
OF THE PICNIC BASKETS AND TRIED TO HANDLE THE
SITUATION AS DIPLOMATICALLY AND POLITELY AS POSSIBLE--
HANDCUFFED ARMS STRETCHED OVER BUSHES AND AROUND TREES
AS NECESSITY PREVAILED. ONE COED, HOWEVER, NOT HAVING
EATEN MUCH, COULD NOT UNDERSTAND THE FIGITINGS OF HER
PARTNER, AND HE, UNAWARE THAT SHE KNEW NOTHING OF HIS
PLIGHT, BEGAN TO PULL DOWN HIS TROUSERS. SHE IMMEDIATELY
SUSPECTED THE WORST AND STARTED TO RUN, TRIPPING THE
POOR BOY AND DRAGGING HIM BEHIND HERSELF.
Submitter comment:
I PRESUME THAT THIS WAS A UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN {ANN
ARBOR, MICHIGAN} INITIATION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 10-24-1967
CURVAVASFIADABA (BLOODY WEDDING)
A YOUNG PEASANT BOY AND GIRL FELL IN LOVE IN GREECE
DURING THE OCCUPATION OF THAT COUNTRY BY THE TURKS.
THE GIRL WAS BEAUTIFUL AND THE COUPLE WANTED TO
GET MARRIED, BUT HAD TO GET THE TURKISH OVERSEER'S
PERMISSION FIRST. THE TURKISH OFFICIAL ASKED THE
COUPLE TO COME FOR AN INTERVIEW AT HIS VILLA. WHEN
THE OFFICIAL SAW THE GIRL'S BEAUTY, HE WANTED HER
FOR HIMSELF BUT HIS ADVANCES ON THE GIRL WERE REFUSED
AND THIS INFURIATED THE TURK. THE COUPLE BEGGED
FOR HIS PERMISSION BUT HE REFUSED THEM IN A ROUND-
ABOUT WAY. THE COUPLE DECIDED TO GET MARRIED ANYWAY
AND THE VILLAGE READIED ITSELF FOR THE BIG FEAST.
AFTER THE WEDDING AND AT FEAST, EVERYONE WAS HAPPY.
THE TURK CAME AND THE PEOPLE HOPED THAT HE WOULD GIVE
THE COUPLE HIS BLESSING. WHEN THE TURK CONFRONTED
THE BRIDEGROOM, HE SHOT HIM DEAD AND TRIED TO STEAL
THE BRIDE AWAY. SHE STRUGGLED AND WHILE STRUGGLING
SHE HERSELF WAS KILLED.
THE FATHER OF THE BRIDE STABBED THE OFFICIAL, AND
HIS TROOPS OPEN FIRE ON THE VILLAGERS. THE
REMAINING TROOPS CARRY THE LORD'S BODY AWAY
TO THE VILLAGE FOR HIDING. LATER ON THE TURK IS
BROUGHT BACK TO HIS VILLA AND THE VILLA IS ATTACKED
BY THE PITCHFORK-LADEN PEASANTS AND THEY OBTAIN
VICTORY.
Submitter comment: JAMES LEARNED THIS FROM HIS RELATIVES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 10-10-1967
TOLD AS A TRUE STORY TO MY INFORMANT:
A YOUNG FELLOW WAS IN A DRIVE-IN IN THAT NEIGHBOR-
HOOD AND WAS TRYING TO SHOW HIS BRAVERY TO HIS GIRL
AND ANOTHER COUPLE IN HIS CAR. HE TOOK A REVOLVER
WITH ONE BULLET IN IT AND HELD IT TO HIS HEAD.
UNFORTUNATELY, IT WAS THE CHAMBER WITH THE LIVE
CARTRIDGE AND HE KILLED HIMSELF.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; COLORADO ; DETROIT ; CORTEZ
James Callow Keyword(s): RISK
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 08-00-1967
ROSEMARY
ONCE A GIRL IN PITTSBURGH NAMED ROSEMARY WAS KILLED WHILE BEING
ASSAULTED. HER PARENTS BUILT A STONE MONUMENT WITH HER IMAGE IN
STONE ON IT. IT IS NOW A PLACE OF TEENAGE VENERATION. ANYONE
WHO TOUCHES THE STONE AND THEIR HAND BLEEDS IS NOT A VIRGIN, OR
ANYONE WHO SEES ROSEMARY THERE IS NOT A VIRGIN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 11-00-1968
ROSEMARY
ONCE A GIRL IN PITTSBURGH NAMED ROSEMARY WAS KILLED WHILE BEING
ASSAULTED. HER PARENTS BUILT A STONE MONUMENT WITH HER IMAGE IN
STONE ON IT. IT IS NOW A PLACE OF TEENAGE VENERATION. ANYONE
WHO TOUCHES THE STONE AND THEIR HAND BLEEDS IS NOT A VIRGIN, OR
ANYONE WHO SEES ROSEMARY THERE IS NOT A VIRGIN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 11-00-1968
TO SPLIT A FRIENDSHIP
"WHEN YOU MAKE SOMEONE A GIFT OF A KNIFE OR ANYTHING SHARP,
YOU SHOULD GIVE THEM A COIN WITH IT. IF YOU DO NOT, SOME PEOPLE
BELIEVE IT WILL SPLIT YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THIS PERSON."
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
A GIRL RETURNING FROM A PARTY WAS OFFERED A RIDE BY
TWO FELLOWS DRIVING HOME FROM THE SAME PARTY. SHE
ACCEPTED, AND WHEN SHE LEFT THE CAR, THE BOYS SAID
THEY WOULD WAIT FOR A LIGHT TO APPEAR IN THE DARK
HOUSE, TO BE CERTAIN SHE WAS SAFE. SHE TOLD THEM
NOT TO BOTHER.
IGNORING THE LAST COMMENT, THEY WAITED QUITE A WHILE,
AND STILL NO LIGHT APPEARED. SO THEY WENT TO THE
DOOR AND KNOCKED. AN OLDER COUPLE APPEARED, APPARENTLY
AWAKENED FROM THEIR SLEEP. AFTER BEING TOLD THE
SITUATION, THEY EXPLAINED THAT THEIR DAUGHTER HAD
DIED TEN YEARS AGO, THAT DAY, IN A CAR ACCIDENT,
RETURNING FROM A PARTY. THEY FELT THAT THIS WAS HER
REMINDER TO THEM TO PRAY THE PRAYERS THEY HAD PLEDGED
FOR HER, TO GET HER SOUL OUT OF PURGATORY.
Submitter comment: I HEARD THIS STORY FROM THE NUNS IN HIGH SCHOOL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): VANISHING HITCHHIKER
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 12-06-1967
A NUN DIED RATHER SUDDENLY, BEFORE SHE EVER HAD THE TIME
TO RETURN THE MONEY SHE HAD RECEIVED AS A GIFT TO THE
CONVENT'S COMMUNITY FUND. SINCE THE VOW OF POVERTY
IS CONSIDERED IMPORTANT TO NUNS, IT APPEARED THAT HER
SOUL COUNT NOT REST.
OTHER NUNS PASSING HER ROOM COULD HEAR MOANS AND CHAINS
RATTLING, UNTIL ONE WAS BRAVE ENOUGH TO INVESTIGATE.
SHE RETURNED THE MONEY, AND THE MOANS SUBSIDED.
Submitter comment: I HEARD THIS ONE FROM THE NUNS IN HIGH SCHOOL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 12-06-1967
TWO SISTERS WERE HOME ALONE FOR THE NIGHT AND HAD
RETIRED TO BED. THEY HEARD A STRANGE NOISE DOWNSTAIRS
AND THE BRAVE ONE DECIDED TO INVESTIGATE. SHE
RETURNED SHORTLY, AND GOT INTO BED. WHEN HER SISTER
QUESTIONED HER, SHE MADE NO SOUNDS THE OTHER SISTER
GOT OUT OF BED TO SEE WHAT WAS THE MATTER WITH HER
AND FOUND HER SISTER LYING IN BED, HAIR TURNED WHITE
AND BODY COLD AS ICE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): HAIR TURNED WHITE FROM FRIGHT.
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 12-06-1967
MORAL
THERE WAS ONCE A MAN WHO HAD A BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTER
WHO REFUSED TO MARRY ANY OF THE YOUNG MEN WHO LIVED
NEARBY. SO, A DEVIL LIVING IN A FAR OFF TOWN HEARD
ABOUT HER AND DECIDED TO MARRY HER. SO HE BORROWED
THINGS FROM HIS FRIENDS, E.G., EYES, A NOSE, TEETH,
ETC. DRESSED UP IN ALL THIS, HE LOOKED VERY HANDSOME,
AND THE YOUNG GIRL FELL IN LOVE WITH HIM. AFTER THE
WEDDING AS HE WAS RETURNING HOME, HE RETURNED ONE BY
ONE, THE THINGS HE HAD BORROWED. WHEN THEY FINALLY
REACHED HIS HOME, ALL HE HAD LEFT WAS AN EYE IN THE
MIDDLE OF HIS HEAD, ONE FUNNY ARM, AND ONE LEFT LEG.
MORAL: NEVER JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
A GIRL WAS WALKING ALONE, WHEN A STRANGE MAN OFFERED
HER A RIDE. SHE ACCEPTED, BUT BEFORE THEY HAD
DRIVEN VERY FAR, SHE LOOKED OVER AT HIM AND NOTICED
THAT HIS HANDS AND FEET WERE CLOVEN IN HOOFS.
Submitter comment: I HEARD THIS FROM THE NUNS IN HIGH SCHOOL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): DEVIL SATAN
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon |
Date learned: 12-06-1967
AS A CHILD, WHENEVER I LOST A TOOTH I WOULD PLACE
IT UNDER MY PILLOW OVERNIGHT. THE NEXT DAY I WOULD
FIND SOME MONEY IN ITS PLACE, WHICH MY FAIRY
GODMOTHER WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE LEFT FOR ME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN