Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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NERVOUS WRECK
THIS IS A CHILDREN'S GAME. THE CHILDREN FORM A CIRCLE.
THERE IS A CHILD IN THE MIDDLE WHO HAS A BALL.
EACH OF THE CHILDREN CROSSES HIS ARMS. THE PERSON
IN THE MIDDLE EITHER FAKES OR THROWS THE BALL TO ONE
OF THE CHILDREN IN THE CIRCLE. IF THE CHILD DOESN'T
CATCH THE BALL WHEN IT IS THROWN OR TRIES TO CATCH THE
BALL WHEN THE PERSON IN THE CENTER DOESN'T THROW IT,
THAT CHILD IS OUT.
Submitter comment:
SHE LEARNED IT FROM THE RECREATION DEPARTMENT IN
LINCOLN PARK, MICHIGAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; LINCOLN PARK
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 04-06-1967
500
THIS IS A BALL GAME PLAYED WITH ONE BATTER AND ANY
NUMBER OF FIELDERS. THE BATTER TOSSES THE BALL UP
AND HITS IT TO THE FIELDERS, WHO TRY TO CATCH IT.
THE MAN WHO CATCHES IT THEN THROWS THE BALL IN TO THE
BATTER WHO HAS LAID HIS BAT ON THE GROUND. IF THE BALL
HITS THE BAT, THE MAN WHO THROWS THE BALL IS THE NEXT
BATTER. THE FIELDERS ARE ALSO AWARDED POINTS FOR
CATCHING DIFFERENT KINDS OF HITS. A FLY BALL IS
WORTH 100 POINTS, AND A GROUNDER OR BOUNCER IS WORTH 50.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED IT FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD KIDS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
500
THIS IS A BALL GAME WHERE THE IDEA IS TO GET TO BAT.
TO GET TO BAT, YOU MUST ACCUMULATE 500 POINTS FROM
CATCHING BALLS. YOU GOT 100 FOR A FLY, 75 FOR ONE
BOUNCE, 50 FOR TWO BOUNCES, AND 25 FOR ANYTHING ELSE.
IF YOU DROPPED THE BALL, YOU HAD THE POINT VALUE OF
THAT ARTICULAR HIT SUBTRACTED FROM YOUR SCORE. IF
YOU GOT 500 POINTS, YOU WERE THE NEW BATTER.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED IT FROM HIS FRIENDS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
500
THIS IS A BALL GAME WHERE YOU TRIED TO GET TO BAT BY
AMASSING 500 POINTS FIELDING BALLS. YOU GOT 50
FOR A LINE DRIVE, 25 FOR A FLY, 10 FOR A BOUNCER OR
GROUNDER. IF YOU DROPPED THE BALL, YOU HAD THE
POINT VALUE OF THE HIT DEDUCTED FROM YOUR SCORE.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED IT FROM A FRIEND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
FIREBALL
THIS IS A BALL GAME PLAYED WITH A TENNIS BALL. EVERYONE
GETS A NUMBER; THE PERSON WHO IS IT THROWS THE BALL
UP AND CALLS A NUMBER. THE PERSON WHOSE NUMBER HE
CALLED MUST CATCH THE BALL, WHILE THE OTHERS RUN AWAY.
WHEN HE CATCHES IT, HE YELLS "FIRE" AND EVERYONE STOPS.
THEN HE TRIES TO HIS (HIT?) ONE OF THEM WITH THE BALL.
IF A PERSON IS HIT A CERTAIN NUMBER OF TIMES, HE IS
OUT OF THE GAME.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED IT FROM HIS FATHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
KICKBALL
THIS IS A BALL GAME PLAYED WITH A LARGE CIRCULAR,
HOLLOW BALL ON A BASEBALL-LIKE FIELD. THE RULES ARE
THE SAME AS BASEBALL, EXCEPT THAT THE PITCHER
ROLLS THE BALL ACROSS THE PLATE AND THAT YOU HIT
THE GUY WITH THE BALL TO GET HIM OUT.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED IT FROM HIS FRIENDS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
HOME RUN DERBY
THIS IS A BASEBALL GAME. THE OBJECT WAS TO HIT A
PITCHED BALL OVER A FENCE. EACH TIME YOU DID,
YOU GOT ONE POINT. IF YOU DIDN'T, YOU GOT AN OUT.
THREE OUTS AND YOU FIELDED TILL YOUR TURN CAME UP
AGAIN. THE GAME LASTS FOR NINE INNINGS. THE
WINNER IS THE MAN WITH THE MOST RUNS.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED IT FROM HIS FRIENDS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
BALL OVER THE GARAGE
THE CHILDREN ARE CIRCLED AROUND A GARAGE. THE CHILD
WITH THE BALL YELLS "NO" AND THROWS IT OVER THE
ROOF. THE CHILD ON THE OTHER SIDE WHO CATCHES
IT YELLS "NO" BACK AND THEN TOSSES IT OVER.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT USED TO PLAY THIS WITH HER BROTHERS AND
SISTERS IN NORTHWEST DETROIT, (MICHIGAN).
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
A GROUP OF PEOPLE FORM A CIRCLE AND PASS A BALL
AROUND WHILE SAYING THE VERSE:
THE WONDER BALL GOES ROUND AND ROUND
TO PASS IT QUICKLY YOU ARE BOUND
FOR IF YOU ARE THE ONE TO HOLD IT LAST
WELL, THEN THE GAME IS OVER AND YOU ARE OUT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 10-20-1970
BIRD PROVERB (SPANISH)
IN LAST YEAR'S NESTS THERE ARE NO BIRDS TODAY.
TRANSLATION OF
SPANISH TEXT NOT KEYPUNCHED. SEE ORIGINAL 5 X 8 INCH CARD.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Keyword(s): METAPHOR ; OBSERVATION
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb |
Date learned: 03-00-1968
IN ORDER TO GET THE FRUIT, YOU HAVE TO CLIMB THE TREE.
Submitter comment:
(YOU HAVE TO WORK HARD FOR WHAT YOU GET.) MARILOU'S INFORMANT WAS HE
GRANDMOTHER BRIDGET O'CONNOR, 81, WIDOWED, IRISH FROM LONDON,
ONTARIO.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Keyword(s): METAPHOR ; OBSERVATION ; PARALLELISM
James Callow Keyword(s): CANADA
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 11-08-1972
SKATEBOARDING
THE PERSON SKATEBOARDING STANDS ON A BOARD ABOUT A
FOOT AND A HALF LONG, WITH A PAIR OF WHEELS AT EITHER
END. HE THEN PUTS ONE SHOE ON THE BOARD AND
PUSHES HIMSELF WITH THE OTHER FOOT. ONE ATTAINING
A SPEED BETWEEN TROTTING AND RUNNING, HE PUTS HIS
OTHER FOOT ON THE BOARD AND COASTS. THE LEFT FOOT
IS PERPENDICULAR TO THE BOARD AND THE RIGHT IS
SQUARELY ON THE BOARD. TURNS CAN BE MADE BY SHIFTING
ONE'S WEIGHT FROM SIDE TO SIDE ON THE BOARD.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED IT FROM HIS NEIGHBOR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 00001967 FALL
HULA HOOP
THIS GAME IS PLAYED WITH A COLORED, PLASTIC HOOP
ABOUT 30 INCHES IN DIAMETER. IT IS PLACED AROUND THE
WAIST AND GIVEN A SPIN. THE HULA HOOP IS KEPT
SPINNING BY MOVING THE HIPS BACK AND FORTH
ACCORDING TO THE SPEED IT IS TURNING. IT CAN ALSO
BE SPUN FROM THE WAIST TO THE NECK, ARMS, LEGS, OR
KNEES.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED IT FROM HIS SISTER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 00001967 FALL
IN THE STOCK MARKET YOU WILL NEVER GO BROKE MAKING A PROFIT - AS
SMALL AS IT MAY BE.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM ONE OF HIS FRIENDS.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Keyword(s): MONEY ; OBSERVATION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 02-11-1971
BICYCLE GAME
THE INFORMANT'S FRIENDS WOULD GET ON THEIR BIKES AND RIDE
AROUND LOOKING FOR A LONE CYCLIST. WHEN THEY FOUND HIM,
THEY WOULD FOLLOW HIM IN A PACK AND WORRY HIM. AFTER
A WHILE THEY WOULD BREAK OFF AND LEAVE HIM ALONE.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED IT FROM HIS FRIENDS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
COUNTING-OUT RHYME
ACKA BACKA,
SOWED THE CROCKA,
ACKA BACKA BOO.
IN COMES UNCLE SAM,
AND OUT GOES Y*O*U}}
Submitter comment: INFORMANT IS FROM PENNSYLVANIA
Data entry tech comment:
IN THE LATE 1960'S
I LEARNED A VARIANT OF THIS COUNTING-OUT RHYME AS A CHILD IN DETROIT
ACKA BACKA SODA CRACKA
ACKA BACKA BOO
IF YOUR FATHER CHEWS TOBACKA
OUT GOES YOU.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Keyword(s): NONSENSE WORDS ; REPETITION ; RHYME: ABCB
James Callow Keyword(s): SODA CRACKER
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 11-00-1968
BICYCLE CHICKEN
TO PLAY THIS GAME, THE TWO PLAYERS WOULD GET ON BICYCLES
AND RIDE TOWARDS EACH OTHER FROM OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS.
THE FIRST ONE TO VEER AWAY FROM THE OTHER LOST AND
WAS CALLED "CHICKEN." IF NEITHER VEERED AND THEY
COLLIDED, NO ONE LOST.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED IT FROM HIS FRIENDS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
MAKING FORTS OUT OF REFRIGERATOR BOXES
WHEN HE WAS LITTLE, HE USED TO GET TOGETHER WITH THE
NEIGHBOHOOD KIDS AND SWIPE LARGE CARDBORARD BOXES *510630/BORBO
LIKE THE KINDS REFRIGERATORS COME IN AND MAKE FORTS
OUT OF THEM BY CUTTING SLITS TO SEE AND ENTER BY.
THEY WOULD MAKE THEM IN THE ALLEY SO THE GARBAGE MEN
WOULD PICK THEM UP FOR THEM.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED IT FROM HIS NEIGHBORHOOD BUDDIES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
THE INFORMANT USED TO COLLECT BASEBALL CARDS WHICH HE
GOT BY BUYING GUM OR TRADING WITH FRIENDS. THE CARDS
HAVE THE NAME, PICTURE AND STATISTICS OF THE PLAYER
ON THEM. THE IDEA WAS TO TRY TO COLLECT A WHOLE
SET OF THE HOME TEAM.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED IT FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD KIDS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): COLLECTING
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
THE FADE
IN THIS GAME, THE DRIVER OF THE CAR PULLS NEXT TO
SOMEONE ON A FOUR LANE HIGHWAY, PACING HIM AND THEN
PULLING AHEAD. AS HE DOES SO, HE GOES THROUGH THE
MOTIONS OF TURNING TOWARDS THE CAR NEXT TO HIM, AS IF
HE DOESN'T SEE HIM BY PASSING HIS HANDS OVER THE TOP
OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND LEANING SLIGHTLY TOWARDS
THE DRIVER OF THE OTHER CAR. THE CAR CONTINUES AHEAD
IN A STRAIGHT LINE, BUT GIVES THE FALSE CONCEPTION OF
TURNING. THE USUAL RESULT IS THE UNWARY DRIVER STOPPING
QUICKLY OR SWERVING IN ORDER TO
AVOID A NON-EXISTENT COLLECSION.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED IT FROM A FRIEND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 00001967 SUMMER