Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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ALBERT EINSTEIN
ONE TIME EINSTEIN WAS MAKING A JOURNEY BY TRAIN.
WHEN THE CONDUCTOR CAME TO COLLECT THE TICKETS, HE
SEARCHED THROUGH HIS POCKETS, BUT COULDN'T FIND HIS
TICKET. THE CONDUCTOR RECOGNIZED HIM AND TOLD HIM
TO FORGET ABOUT IT. EINSTEIN REPLIED THAT HE HAD
TO FIND THE TICKET, BECAUSE HE COULDN'T REMEMBER
WHERE HE WAS GOING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): MEMORY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero |
Date learned: 01-00-1968
NAVY CUSTOM
THE DAY BEFORE THE GUY LEFT FOR HOME, HE WAS SPRAYED WITH SHAVING
CREAM, MUSTARD AND KETCHUP AND MADE TO ROLL IN THE DUST OR DIRT.
THIS IS A NAVY CUSTOM, I DO NOT KNOW IF ANYONE ELSE DOES IT.
Where learned: DETROIT
Keyword(s): SEVERANCE RITUAL
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing BELIEF -- Number |
GREEK GHOSTS
BECAUSE OF THE NUMBER OF GRAVES THAT ARE IN GREECE,
ESPECIALY THOSE OF SOLDIERS, THE GREEKS BELIEVE
THAT THEY CAN HEAR THE CRYING OF THE SOLDIERS IN THE
WIND AT NIGHT.
Submitter comment: JAMES LEARNED THIS FROM HIS GRANDFATHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): GHOSTLY NOISES
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- P535 |
Date learned: 10-10-1967
BAD LUCK OMEN
WHEN AT A BRIDAL SHOWER, HOWEVER MANY BOWS THE BRIDE-TO-BE BREAKS,
THATHS HOW MANY CHILDREN SHE WILL HAVE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Breaking of BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Number Counting beliefs |
Date learned: 00-00-1947
Entry filtered.
GOOD LUCK FOR HOCKEY
FOR GOOD LUCK, IN THE HOCKEY GAME, THE GUYS TAPE THEIR
STICKS FROM THE TIP OF THE BLADE UP TO THE SHAFT. IT
MUST BE DONE IN THAT ORDER. START FROM THE TIP AND
WORK UP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 03-16-1971
GOOD LUCK FOR HOCKEY
HOCKEY PLAYERS ARE OFTEN SUPERSTITIOUS. FOR BEFORE
EVERY GAME, EACH PLAYER ALWAYS DRESSES THE SAME WAY
HE DID THE GAME BEFORE. EACH ITEM SHOULD BE PUT ON
IN THE SAME ORDER. IF HE CHANGED HIS DRESS HABITS
HIS LUCK WILL CHANGE, GOOD OR BAD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 03-16-1971
ONE CAN NOTE EITHER THE CATCHER OR PITCHER "RUBBING
UP" A NEW BASEBALL BEFORE USING IT. THERE USED TO BE
A PURPOSE FOR THIS--A RESIN ON THE BALL'S EXTERIOR
MADE IT TOUGH TO HANDLE. BUT NOW IT'S EITHER
HABITUAL OR SUPERSTITIOUS, AS THE RESIN USE HAS BEEN
DISCONTINUED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 12-00-1971
DURING A FOX HUNT, IF YOU ARE THE LAST PERSON TO GO
THROUGH A GATE, YOU MUST CLOSE THE GATE. IF YOU DO NOT,
YOU WILL NOT BE ASKED TO HUNT AGAIN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 03-16-1971
SCHIFF RESERVATION
THE SCHIFF RESERVATION, NOW A BOY SCOUT CAMP, HAS
A STRANGE LEGEND BEHIND IT. IN 1920, THERE WAS A
DAM BEING BUILT, AND A MAN WHO WAS WORKING ON THE
DAM SUPPOSEDLY FELL INTO THE NEWLY POURED CONCRETE
AND WAS BURIED ALIVE. IT IS RUMORED THAT YOU CAN
HEAR HIM SCREAMING FOR HELP ON WINDY NIGHTS.
Submitter comment:
LEE LEARNED THIS ON A BOY SCOUT TRIP IN THE
RESERVATION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): GHOSTLY NOISES
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 09-25-1967 ; 00001920S
THE STIRRUP CUP
BEFORE A FOX HUNT STARTS, DRINKS ARE PASSED AROUND TO
THE MEMBERS OF THE HUNT. THIS IS CALLED THE STIRRUP CUP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 03-16-1971
PAPER CUBES
AS A DIVERSION IN MATH CLASS, I USED TO MAKE CUBES OUT
OF PAPER THAT WOULD BE FOLDED IN SUCH A WAY AS THE FOUR
SIDES WOULD BE FLEXIBLE, REMOVABLE, AND THAT COULD BE
LIFTED UP TO REVEAL MORE SIDES. ON THE DIFFERENT SIDES
OF THE CUBE, MY FRIENDS AND I WOULD WRITE SUCH TERMS OF
ENDEARMENT AS "YOU STINK," AND "YOU ARE SECRETLY IN
LOVE WITH SO-AND-SO." (A FELLOW CLASSMATE) THEN WE
WOULD ENCOURAGE SOMEONE TO PICK A NUMBER, AND WE WOULD
COUNT IT OFF UNTIL THE PERSON LANDED ON THE SQUARE
MARKED, FOR INSTANCE, "YOU STINK." I HAVE FORGOTTEN
HOW TO MAKE THESE CUBES AND HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO FIND
SOMEONE WHO KNOWS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 00-00-1959
PARADES ON OUR BLOCK
I CAN REMEMBER THE TIMES ON MY BLOCK WHEN ALL US KIDS
WOULD GET TOGETHER AND PLAN A PARADE. WE WOULD USUALLY
HAVE THEM IN THE SUMMER WHEN WE DIDN'T GO TO SCHOOL.
THE GIRLS WOULD DRESS UP IN COSTUMES (PRINCESS ,
MOTHER, COWGIRL) AND THE BOYS USED TO MAKE FLOATS ON
THEIR WAGONS. WHEN EVERYTHING WAS ASSEMBLED, WE WOULD
MARCH AROUND THE BLOCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
A HONEY MOON MISHAP
INFORMANT TOLD ME OF HOW HIS BROTHER AND A FEW FRIENDS
PLAYED A JOKE ON A NEWLYWED COUPLE WHO WERE ON THEIR
HONEYMOON. THIS COUPLE LIVED IN A HOUSE TRAILER, SO
WHILE THEY WERE ENJOYING THEIR VACATION, THESE MEN BROKE
INTO THE TRAILER AND RIGGED IT WITH ALL KINDS OF
INTRIGUING DEVICES. FOR INSTANCE, THEY TURNED ALL THE
FURNITURE UPSIDE DOWN AND NAILED IT TO THE FLOOR, THEN
THEY TOOK THE BED APART, AND REASSEMBLED IT SO THAT THE
SPRINGS WERE ON TOP OF THE MATRESS, INSTEAD OF THE
MATTRESS BEING ON TOP OF THE SPRINGS. THEN THEY
SPRINKLED CRACKER CRUMBS UNDER THE COVERS, AND TURNED OFF
THE HEAT. WHEN THE HAPPY COUPLE CAME BACK, THE MEN
WAITED UNTIL NIGHT HAD FALLEN AND, WHEN BOTH MAN AND
WIFE WERE ASLEEP, SHOVED A WEATHER BALLOON INTO THE
KITCHEN, AND RIPPED THE CORD. NEEDLESS TO SAY, THE
COUPLE STILL ISN'T SPEAKING TO ANY OF THE MEN WHO
WERE INVOLVED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Hand clapping rhyme played by African-American children
Zing Zing Zing like a washing machine.
Where gonna rock in the tree top all night long
Rocking and a bobbing and singing this song
All the little birdies on Jaybird street
Love to hear the robin go tweet tweet tweet
Rocking Robin, tweet tweet tweet
Rocking Robing tweet tweet tweet
Mama is in the kitchen stirring that rice,
Daddy is on the corner shooting that dice.
Brother is in jail, ringing that bell,
Sister is on the corner saying fruit cocktail.
Down by the river
Down by the sea
Johnny broke a bottle and blamed it on me
I told mama, mama told papa,
Johnny got a whipping so ha ha ha.
Rocking Robin tweet tweet tweet
Rocking Robin tweet tweet tweet.
Submitter comment:
This rhyme has elaborate hand claps that
accompany the rhyme.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; children in the community
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1989
NEAR CURTIS, OHIO THERE IS A LEGEND OF A WOMAN AND
HER GARDENER LOVER WHO PLOTTED AND KILLED THIS WOMAN'S
HUSBAND. A FEW YEARS AFTER THE MURDER, THE GARDENER
DIED AND THE WOMAN BECAME A VIRTUAL HERMIT. THIS IS
BECAUSE, AS THE LEGEND GOES, HER HUSBAND'S GHOST
SWORE THAT IF SHE EVER LEFT THE HOUSE OR PREMISES,
HE WOULD KILL HER.
Submitter comment: BRIAN LEARNED THIS WHILE ON VACATION NEAR CURTIS, OHIO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; OHIO ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CURTIS
Keyword(s): FAITHLESSNESS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 10-15-1967
Hand clapping rhyme played by African-American children
Zing Zing Zing like a washing machine
We're gonna rock in the tree top all night long
Rocking and a bobbing and a singing this song
All the little birdies on Jaybird street
love to hear the robin say eat my feet.
Mama is in the kitchen stirring that rice
Daddy is so nice like sugar and spice
Brother is in college trying to be cool
Sister is in school because she's no fool
Rocking Robin tweet tweet tweet
Rocking Robin tweet tweet tweet
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; children in the community
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1960
KNOCK-KNOCK STREET
ON A DARK, FOGGY NIGHT SOME YEARS AGO ON A STREET NEAR MY HOME
(I CAN'T REMEMBER THE NAME ANYMORE), A BOY WAS RUN OVER BY A CAR
AND KILLED. THE HIT AND RUN DRIVER WAS NEVER FOUND. FROM THAT
TIME ON, ANYTIME MY FRIENDS AND I WERE RIDING DOWN THE STREET,
STRANGE NOISES CAME FROM BENEATH THE CAR. WE BELIEVED THAT THIS
BOY WHO WAS KILLED WAS BOTHERING PEOPLE BECAUSE THE KILLER WAS
NEVER FOUND. THE NOISE WAS NOT THE FAULT OF A DEFECTIVE CAR,
SINCE THIS NOISE WOULD ONLY OCCUR ON THIS PARTICULAR STREET.
THE NICKNAME FOR THIS STREET WAS KNOCK-KNOCK STREET.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 03-31-1970
ON NEW YEAR'S DAY YOU ARE SUPPOSE TO COOK IN ALL YOUR POTS IN
YOUR HOUSE FOR GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 02-27-1979
Hand clapping game played by African-American Children
There was a farmer who had a dog and BINGO was his name-o
B-i-n-g-o, B-i-n-g-o, B-i-n-g-o, and Bingo was his
name-o. There was a farmer who had a dog and BINGO was his
name-o (clap) i-n-g-o (clap) i-n-g-o (clap) i-n-g-o and BINGO
was his name-o. There was a farmer who had a dog and BINGO
was his name-o. (clap, clap) n-g-o (clap, clap) n-g-o (clap
clap) n-g-o and BINGO was his name-o. There was a farmer who
had a dog and BINGO was his name-o (clap,clap,clap) g-o (clap
clap,clap) g-o (clap,clap,clap) g-o and BINGO was his name-o.
There was a farmer who had a dog and BINGO was his name-o
(clap,clap,clap,clap) o (clap,clap,clap,clap) o (clap,clap
clap,clap) o and BINGO was his name-o. There was a farmer
who had a dog and BINGO was his name-o (clap,clap,clap,clap
(clap) (clap,clap,clap,clap,clap) (clap,clap,clap,clap,clap)
and BINGO was his name-o.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; children in the community
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse C750.52 |
Date learned: 00-00-1961