Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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CUSTOM
WHEN BORROWING A PIN OR ANYTHING SHARP, ALWAYS GIVE THE LENDER A
PENNY SO YOUR FRIENDSHIP IS NOT BROKEN.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT HEARD AND SAW THIS PRACTICED SINCE SHE WAS YOUNG (1915),
BUT DOES NOT PRACTICE IT HERSELF. HOWEVER, SHE KNOWS SOME WOMEN
WHO DO PRACTICE THIS TODAY.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 10-02-1971
NEW YEAR'S CUSTOM
EXCHANGE APRONS AS GIFTS WITH FRIENDS ON NEW YEAR'S DAY TO KEEP
THE FRIENDSHIPS.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT PRACTICES THIS CUSTOM.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 |
Date learned: 10-02-1971
"SHIT HOUSE" 111
WHILE BOWLING, IF THE SCORE 111 COMES UP IT IS DRAWN TO REPRESENT
AN OUTHOUSE AND IS REFERRED TO AS THE SHIT HOUSE. IF GOTTEN
IN THE SEVENTH FRAME IT IS CONSIDERED BAD LUCK; ANY OTHER FRAME IT IS
GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; ERIE
Date learned: 00-00-1965
DIMPLES
DIMPLES ARE WHERE THE ANGELS HAVE TOUCHED.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; ERIE
Date learned: 10-15-1968
ENGINE, ENGINE NUMBER NINE / RUNNING DOWN CHICAGO LINE,/ IF THE TRAIN
SHOULD JUMP THE TRACK/ DO YOU WANT YOUR MONEY BACK? YES, Y-E-S SPELLS
YES. (NO, N-O SPELLS NO) AND YOU ARE NOW OUT.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; ON A PLAYGROUND ; JOHNSTOWN ; WORKING
Keyword(s): ENDURANCE ; Jump ; PLAIN-JUMP
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 10-06-1967
THREE KNOCKS AT THE DOOR MEANS DEATH.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT HEARD HER MOTHER SAY THIS ONE TIME WHEN
SHE WAS TELLING GHOST STORIES WHICH WERE SUPPOSED
TO BE TRUE. SHE HAD ALSO HEARD HER MOTHER SAY
IT AT DIFFERENT TIMES AFTERWARDS.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 00001960S EARLY
FOOD NAME: SHIT ON A SHINGLE
INFORMANT HEARD THIS TERM USED IN THE ARMY(1969-1971) TO DESCRIBE
SOME INDESCRIBABLE CONCOCTION SERVED IN A MESS HALL. INFORMANT'S
BROTHER ALSO REMENBERS HEARING THIS TERM USED WHEN HE WAS IN THE
SERVICE FROM 1964 TO 1966.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Trade & commerce |
Date learned: 10-02-1971
SCHOOL BELIEF
IT IS BELIEVED THAT GETTING TOTALLY DRUNK THE NIGHT BEFORE A
PSYCHOLOGY TEST WILL BRING A PASSING GRADE.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT AND HIS ROOMMATE FOLLOWED THIS FOR THREE
TESTS AND RECEIVED PASSING GRADES OF B OR BETTER,
HOWEVER THE INFORMANT LATER DROPPED OUT DUE TO POOR GRADES.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; UNIVERSITY OF SCRANTON
James Callow Keyword(s): ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- School |
SOUR DOUGH
SISTER MEL SAID THAT IN MISSOURI, THE OLDER WOMEN KEEP THEIR BAKING
DOUGH IN STONE CROCKS. AS THEY USE THE DOUGH, THEY REPLENISH THE
CROCK WITH THE SAME AMOUNT. THEY BELIEVE THERE IS ALWAYS SOME OF THE
ORIGINAL DOUGH LEFT IN THE CROCK. THIS AGING OF THE DOUGH,
SUPPOSEDLY ENRICHES THE DOUGH, THEREFOR IMPROVING THE FLAVOR.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT BELIEVED IT TO BE A MAJOR CUSTOM OF THE PEOPLE AROUND
WHERE SHE LIVED.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; DALLAS
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Service Table furnishing and decoration Food container |
Date learned: 03-20-1972
This was an autograph in my mother's yearbook:
"Ashes to ashes,
Dust to dust,
Why wear a bra,
Without a bust?"
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA
James Callow Keyword(s): PARODY
| Subject headings: | 730 Lyrical Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse |
Date learned: 06001958 ca.
This was an autograph in my mother's yearbook:
"2-4-6-8, Don't make love by the garden gate,
Love is blind, but the neighbors ain't."
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA
James Callow Keyword(s): Assonantal rhyme
| Subject headings: | 730 Lyrical Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse |
Date learned: 06001958 ca.
This was an autograph in my mother's yearbook:
"Roses are red,
Violets are blue,
Flush the toilet,
When you are through."
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse |
WHEN MY INFORMANT'S LITTLE SISTER WAS BORN, THE NEIGHBORS
TOLD HER MOTHER THAT SHE WOULD BE ABLE TO TELL THE FUTURE
BECAUSE THE BABY WAS BORN WITH A VEIL OVER HER FACE. THIS
HAPPENED IN A MINING TOWN IN PENNSYLVANIA EARLY IN THE
TWENTIETH CENTURY.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
Keyword(s): CAUL
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Specific distinguishing characteristic Dimple, wart, mole, scar, freckle, birthmark, strawberry mark, bruise, spot (on any part of body) BELIEF -- Birth |
MY INFORMANT HAD AN UNCLE WHO WAS VERY FOND OF ONE OF HER
BROTHERS. HER BROTHER WAS ALSO VERY CLOSE TO HIS UNCLE.
ONE DAY WHILE THEY WERE AT HOME, A WHITE MOTH FLEW IN THE
ROOM AND LANDED ON JOE'S (THE BROTHER) SHOULDER. THE MOTH
JUST STAYED THERE FOR A LONG TIME. THEY FOUND OUT LATER
THAT THEIR UNCLE HAD DIED AT THIS EXACT TIME. JOE
IMMEDIATELY RECALLED THE PRESENCE OF THE MOTH AND BELIEVED
THAT THIS HAD BEEN A SIGN OF DEATH. THE FAMILY WAS LIVING
IN A MINING TOWN IN PENNSYLVANIA.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Insect BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color |
Date learned: 08-00-1968
EATING HABITS
IN BELGIUM, IT IS TAUGHT IN THE HOME TO EAT WITH THE
FOR IN THE LEFT HAND. THIS PERMITS EASY ACCESS TO
CUTTING THE FOOD WITH A KNIFE IN THE RIGHT HAND.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; BELGIUM ; PITTSBURGH
Keyword(s): MANNERS
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222. Food Drink -- Service Table furnishing and decoration Implement to handle food SPEECH -- Eating |
Date learned: 11-01-1970
IN BELGIUM, BOY SCOUTS WOULD WALK TO RECEIVE HOLY
COMMUNION IN CHURCH WITH THEIR ARMS CROSSED. THIS
WAS A DEFINITE WAY TO INDICATE THAT YOU WERE ONE OF
THIS GROUP. THIS TRADITION IS STILL IN EFFECT.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; BELGIUM ; PITTSBURGH
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications SPEECH -- Religious |
Date learned: 11-01-1970
IN BELGIUM, YOU ALWAYS SHAKE HANDS WHENEVER YOU MEET SOME-
ONE, EVEN IF IT IS NOT JUST THE FIRST TIME YOU HAVE SEEN
THE OTHER PERSON THAT DAY.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH
| Subject headings: | 602 Body Parts SPEECH -- Greetings Salutations |
Date learned: 11-01-1970
FU BIRD
THERE WERE THREE ADVENTURERS FROM A MAJOR BIRD CONSERVA-
TORY IN THE UNITED STATES WHO HAD READ INFORMATION
CONCERNING A "FU" BIRD WHICH EXISTED IN TROPICAL AFRICA.
THERE WAS NOT SUFFICIENT INFORMATION ON THE BIRD, AND NO
ONE HAD EVER TAKEN A PICTURE OF THE CREATURE. THEREFORE,
THEY DECIDED TO TAKE AN EXCURSION TO OBTAIN FIRST-HAND
KNOWLEDGE OF THE BIRD.
THEY ARRIVED IN AFRICA WITH LITTLE TROUBLE. THEY BEGAN
THEIR JOURNEY INTO THE WILD COUNTRY WITH THEIR CARAVAN
OF GEAR. THEY CAME TO THE APPROXIMATE LOCATION OF THE
HOME OF THE ANIMAL AND DECIDED TO SET UP CAMP. THE
ADVENTURERS WENT INTO A NEARBY VILLAGE TO GET SOME INFOR-
MATION FROM THE RESDIDENTS ON WHAT THE APPROACH OR THE
ACTUAL WHEREABOUTS OF THE FU BIRD WAS. TO THEIR AMAZEMENT
UPON MENTIONING THE NAME OF THE BIRD, THE VILLAGERS WERE
AT ONCE TERRIFIED. WHEN THEY HAD BEEN CALMED DOWN, THE
EXPLORERS WERE ABLE TO SEE THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO USE
EXTREME CAUTION WHEN DEALING WITH THIS ANIMAL. THE VILLAGERS
WERE AFRAID OF THE BIRD, BECAUSE IF IT WERE DISTRUBED, IT
WOULD SWOOP DOWN AND SHIT ON ITS ENEMY. THE PENALTY FOR
TRYING TO REMOVE IT WAS DEATH, AND IT WAS NOT KNOWN OF
ANYONE ESCAPING THIS FATE. THE ADVENTURERS COULD NOT
BE DETERRED, AND DECIDED TO GO LOOKING FOR THESE BIRDS
THE NEXT MORNING.
THEY STARTED AWAY FROM CAMP ALONE THE NEXT MORNING,
CARRYING THE NECESSARY FOOD, MAPS, AND PHOTOGRAPHIC
EQUIPMENT FOR A DAYS OUTING. ALL OF A SUDDEN, NOT TOO
LONG AFTER THEY HAD GONE, THEY SPOTTED ONE OF THESE FU
BIRDS SITTING IN A NEARBY TREE. THEY IMMEDIATELY BEGAN
TAKING PICTURES AND NOTES. HOWEVER, FOR SOME REASON, THE
BIRD DIDN'T LIKE THIS INVASION OF HIS PRIVACY AND QUICKLY
SWOOPED DOWN FROM HIS PERCH AIMED AT THE EXPLORERS. HE
TOOK PERFECT AIM, SHITTING DIRECTLY ON TOP OF EACH OF
THEIR HEADS.
THE MEN WERE SHOCKED TO SAY THE LEAST. ALMOST IMMEDIATELY,
THE FIRST MAN RAISED HIS HAND AND REMOVED THE MESS FROM
HIS HEAD. NO SOONER HAD HE DONE THIS, THAN HE FELL OVER
DEAD. THE OTHER TWO WERE HORRIFIED AT THIS OCCURRENCE,
DECIDING THEY HAD BETTER LEAVE THINGS AS THEY WERE. THEY
GATHERED UP THEIR EQUIPMENT AND HEADED BACK TO CAMP.
THERE, THEY COMPILED AS MUCH INFORMATION AS THEY COULD,
DECIDING THEY HAD ENOUGH FOR THEIR COLLEAGUES AT HOME.
SO, THEY BEGAN PACKING THEIR BELONGINGS SO THAT THEY COULD
LEAVE THE NEXT MORNING. HOWEVER, DURING THE NIGHT, THE
SECOND MAN COULDN'T STAND THE SMELL OF THE PILE ON HIS
HEAD, SO HE SWISHED IT OFF HIS HEAD. IMMEDIATELY, HE
FELL OVER DEAD.
THE THIRD AND ONLY REMAINING MEMBER OF THE GROUP RETURNED
WITH HIS INFORMATION, AND THE SAD TALE OF HIS COPANIONS
DEALINGS WITH THE FU BIRD. THE SOCIETY WAS GRATEFUL FOR
ALL THE TROUBLE THAT THE THREE HAD ENDURED.
SO, THE THIRD MAN CONTINUED TO LIVE IN THE UNITED STATES.
HOWEVER, THE AWFUL STENCH AND UGLY SIGHT OF THE FU SHIT ON
HIS HEAD COST THE MAN HIS REPUTATION, HIS FRIENDS, AND
FINALLY HIS WIFE. HE WAS SO REJECTED THAT ONE NIGHT HE
WIPED THE MESS FROM HIS HEAD, AND DROPPED DEAD.
THE MORAL OF THE STORY IS, IF THE FU SHITS, WEAR IT.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; PITTSBURGH
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: 11-07-1970
THE MYSTERY
NEAR PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, THERE WAS AN OLD STRIP MINE THAT
HAD BEEN BURIED OVER AND LEFT BY A MINING COMPANY. TWO LITTLE
KIDS WANDERED NEAR THIS OLD STRIP MINE AND DISAPPEARED. A SEARCH
PARTY SET OUT TO FIND THE TWO KIDS AND HEADED TOWARD THIS ONE
PARTICULAR STRIP MINE WHERE THE KIDS WERE LAST SEEN. NEAR THIS
OLD STRIP MINE WAS AN OLD BARN. WHEN THE SEARCH PARTY ARRIVED AT
THE MINE, THERE WAS NO TRACE OF THE TWO KIDS OR THE OLD BARN.
THEY ALL JUST DISAPPEARED.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 11-07-1968
THE BRIDGE TO NOWHERE
LATE IN THE 1950'S, CONSTRUCTION BEGAN ON A BRIDGE ACROSS THE
ALLEGHANY RIVER LINKING DOWNTOWN PITTSBURGH WITH THE CITY'S
NORTHSIDE. THE BRIDGE WAS BUILT AT GREAT EXPENSE, OR IT SHOULD
BE SAID THAT IT WAS ALMOST BUILT. ABOUT TWO YEARS AFTER CONSTRUC-
TION BEGAN, IT ENDED, SOME 40 FEET SHORT OF THE OPPOSITE BANK.
NOT ONLY WASN'T THERE ANY ROAD ON THE OTHER SIDE TO CONNECT THE
BRIDGE TO, BUT RIGHTS-OF-WAY HAD NOT YET EVEN BEEN PURCHASED.
THE BRIDGE REMAINED UNCOMPLETED FOR 14 YEARS, AND QUICKLY ASSUMED
THE NAME OF THE "BRIDGE TO NOWHERE." THE BRIDGE BECAME A SYMBOL
FOR INEFFICIENCY IN GOVERNMENT AND THE TARGET FOR NUMEROUS JOKES.
MANY STORIES ARE TOLD ABOUT PEOPLE DRIVING OFF THE END OF IT
(SOME ACTUALLY DOCUMENTED). THE BRIDGE WAS FINALLY COMPLETED IN
1970 AND OFFICIALLY NAMED THE FORT DUQUESNE BRIDGE, BUT PITTSBURGH
RESIDENTS CONTINUE TO REFER TO IT AS THE BRIDGE TO NOWHERE.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Plan, design, color, building material, and technic ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Bridge |
Date learned: 10-02-1971