Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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A GESTURE FORMED BY EXTENDING THE LITTLE FINGER AND
THE FOREFINGER. IT MEANS LITERALLY "BULLSHIT" BUT
IT SIGNIFIES DISBELIEF IN SOMETHING.
Where learned: GROSSE POINTE WOODS ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Derision Scorn |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
ROSES ARE RED, VIOLETS ARE BLUE,
I LOVE YOU LIKE A BOTTLE OF GLUE.
Where learned: HARPER WOODS ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Roses are red and other such associations |
Date learned: 00-00-1957
KNOCK-KNOCK STREET
THE STREET O'CONNER, WHICH IS LOCATED IN ST. CLAIR SHORES,
MICHIGAN, IS SAID TO BE HAUNTED BY THE GHOST OF AN 8-YEAR-OLD
GIRL WHO WAS DRAGGED TO HER DEATH ON THE BUMPER OF A CAR.
THE DRIVER OF THE CAR HEARD A KNOCKING ON THE BACK OF THE
VEHICLE BUT WAS UNAWARE AT THE TIME WHAT IT WAS. THE GIRL'S
MOTHER CURSED THE STREET SO THAT EVERY TIME A CAR WENT PAST
THE STREET, THE PASSENGERS WOULD HEAR THE KNOCKING.
Where learned: GROSSE POINTE WOODS ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Date learned: 00-00-1964
FORD'S CURVE; DEAD MAN'S CURVE
ON LAKESHORE ROAD, BETWEEN 8 AND 9 MILE ROADS IN GROSSE POINTE
SHORES, MICHIGAN, THERE IS A CURVE IN THE ROAD KNOWN AS "FORD'S
CURVE." THERE HAVE BEEN REPORTED MANY ACCIDENTS FROM KIDS
DRAG RACING ON THIS STREET. BRIAN, AT 19, RECEIVED A 1966
CORVETTE STING RAY FOR HIS BIRTHDAY. ONE DAY, DRIVING DOWN
LAKESHORE, ANOTHER CORVETTE APPROACHED HIM; THEY DECIDED TO
"DRAG." THE BOY IN THE OTHER CAR DIDN'T MAKE IT AFTER REACHING
THE CURVE--HE DIED 3 HOURS LATER. BRIAN ALSO ENDED UP IN
CRITICAL CONDITION FOR SEVERAL WEEKS. AFTER THIS FATAL ACCIDENT
THE CURVE WAS NAMED "DEAD MAN'S CURVE."
Where learned: GROSSE POINTE WOODS ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Vehicle propelled by mechanical or other force on land |
Date learned: 00-00-1966
GRANDMA HAS A HABIT OF CHEWING IN HER SLEEP
SHE CHEWS ON GRANDPA'S WISKERS
AND THINKS IT'S SHREDDED WHEAT.
Where learned: GROSSE POINTE WOODS ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
James Callow Keyword(s): CEREAL
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Wisecracks, gags, silly stories, insults |
Date learned: 06-00-1965
ROSES ARE RED, VIOLETS ARE BLUE,
I LOVE STEW, BETTER THAN YOU.
Where learned: HARPER WOODS ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Roses are red and other such associations |
Date learned: 00-00-1958
ROSES ARE RED, VIOLETS ARE BLUE,
I'D LIKE TO PLAY PATTY CAKE WITH YOU.
Where learned: HARPER WOODS ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Roses are red and other such associations |
Date learned: 00-00-1957
ROSES ARE RED, STEMS ARE GREEN,
YOUR MOUTH GOES LIKE A SEWING MACHINE.
Where learned: HARPER WOODS ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Roses are red and other such associations |
Date learned: 00-00-1958
A MAN WHO HAD JUST BOUGHT A NEW CAR WENT INTO A
DRUGSTORE. HE CAME OUT ONLY TO REALIZE HE HAD LEFT
THE CAR LOCKED WITH THE KEYS INSIDE IT. HE WENT TO
A PHONE BOOTH AND CALLED THE DEALER. HE TOLD HIM
TO HURRY AND BRING A SPARE KEY, BECAUSE THE TOP
WAS DOWN AND IT LOOKED LIKE RAIN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; DEARBORN HEIGHTS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Stupid man or woman |
Date learned: 03-13-1970
WHEN YOU DIE IN TENNESSEE,
I'LL SHIP YOUR BODY C.O.D.
Where learned: GROSSE POINTE WOODS ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Wisecracks, gags, silly stories, insults |
Date learned: 06-00-1965
HOP SCOTCH
TO PLAY THE GAME ON THE DIAGRAM BELOW, (ON 5 X 8 CARD)
THEY TOOK SOMETHING HEAVY, LIKE A ROCK OR A METAL
WASHER, AND THREW IT ON THE NUMBERS IN SEQUENCE.
YOU HAD TO HOP TO YOUR NUMBER AND LAND ON IT, PICK UP
THE OBJECT AND THEN HOP BACK. THEN YOU THREW IT
ON THE NEXT NUMBER IN SEQUENCE UNTIL THERE WERE NO
MORE. WHEN YOU DID THIS WITHOUT DROPPING YOUR MARKER
OR HOPPING ON A LINE, YOU WON. IF YOU HOPPED ON A
LINE OR DROPPED THE MARKER, YOU LOST YOUR TURN.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS ANOTHER DIAGRAM OF THE SAME GAME WITH THE
SAME RULES. THE INFORMANT LEARNED IT FROM THE
NEIGHBORHOOD KIDS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; LIVONIA
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
ON CHRISTMAS EVE, THE FAMILY GOES TO CHURCH AROUND 11
O'CLOCK FOR SERVICES AND THEN RETURNS AROUND MIDNIGHT TO
EAT SUPPER.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED IT FROM HER PARENTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; LIVONIA
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Church |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
I HAD A LITTLE MONKEY
I SENT HIM TO THE FARM
ALONG CAME A COPPER
AND SHOT HIM IN THE ARM.
Where learned: GROSSE POINTE WOODS ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Wisecracks, gags, silly stories, insults |
Date learned: 06-00-1965
NO TITLE SUPPLIED
DAD: I SURE WISH YOU'D STOP REACHING FOR
THINGS. DON'T YOU HAVE A TONGUE.
SON: YES, BUT MY ARM IS LONGER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; DEARBORN HEIGHTS
Keyword(s): ABSURD ; CHILDREN ; DIOLOGUE ; EATING ; HUMOR ; PARENTS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 10-00-1968
WINTER, SPRING, SUMMER AND FALL,
YOU LOOK LIKE A WALKING BASKETBALL.
Where learned: GROSSE POINTE WOODS ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Wisecracks, gags, silly stories, insults |
Date learned: 06-00-1965
ROSES ARE RED, AND LILIES ARE WHITE,
I LIKE YOU, MORNING, NOON, AND NIGHT.
Where learned: HARPER WOODS ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Roses are red and other such associations |
Date learned: 10-08-1967
ROSES ARE PURPLE, VIOLETS ARE RED,
IF YOU BELIEVE THIS, YOU'RE SICK IN THE HEAD!
Where learned: HARPER WOODS ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Roses are red and other such associations |
Date learned: 06-00-1961
PA MOSES SHOT A SKUNK
MA MOSES FRIED A CHUNK
BABY MOSES ATE A HUNK
HOLY MOSES, HOW THEY STUNK.
Where learned: GROSSE POINTE WOODS ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Wisecracks, gags, silly stories, insults |
Date learned: 06-00-1965
ROSES ARE BLUE, VIOLETS ARE RED,
IF YOU BELIEVE THAT, YOU'RE OUT OF YOUR HEAD.
Where learned: HARPER WOODS ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Roses are red and other such associations |
Date learned: 10-08-1967
TWO IN A HAMMOCK
READY TO KISS
ALL OF A SUDDEN
IT WENT LIKE THIS.
James Callow comment: BOTTOM LINE WRITTEN UPSIDE DOWN
Where learned: HARPER WOODS ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Reading or writing backwards, upside down |
Date learned: 10-08-1967