Dr. James T. Callow publications
Browse by
Questions or comments on this site? Please email davidsor@udmercy.edu.
The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for 34 returned 22195 results.
IN THE EVENING THE LAZY AWAKE.
Submitter comment: GERMAN PROVERB
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAZEL PARK
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
BALL-SMASHING
WHEN I WAS IN GRADE SCHOOL, IN THE EIGHTH GRADE, ONE VERY
COMMON PROBLEM ENCOUNTERED WAS WHAT TO DO WHEN THE STUDENTS
WERE NOT ALLOWED TO GO OUT ONTO THE PLAYGROUND AFTER LUNCH
BECAUSE OF RAIN. A FEW OF MY FRIENDS SOLVED THIS PROBLEM
BY INVENTING AN INDOOR GAME CALLED "BALL-SMASHING."
THE GAME WAS PLAYED BY A GROUP OF FIVE BOYS. THE OBJECT OF
THE GAME WAS TO SMASH AS MANY OF YOUR OPPONENTS IN THE TESTICLES
WITH ONLY THE HEEL OF YOUR FOOT. ANYONE WHO USED THE TOE WAS
DISQUALIFIED. THE LAST ONE WHO REMAINED ABLE TO PLAY WAS THE
WINNER.
Submitter comment:
I NEVER WAS ABLE TO PLAY THIS GAME. THE OTHER GUYS WHO SAW ME
WITH MY COMBAT BOOTS ON WHEN IT WAS MY TURN TO PLAY REFUSED TO LET
ME PARTICIPATE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAZEL PARK
Keyword(s): BALLS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Athletic sport and exercise Gymnastics |
Date learned: 00-00-1982
BOXING THE COMPASS
THE CHIEF QUARTERMASTER TELLS THE NEW SEAMAN "TO BOX
IN THE COMPASS." THE SEAMAN RUNS AROUND TRYING TO
FIND A BOX TO PUT AROUND THE COMPASS. "BOXING"
THE COMPASS MEANS ADJUSTING IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAZEL PARK
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
YOU CAN ALWAYS PREDICT THE SEX OF A CHILD BY TAKING A
GOOD LOOK AT THE MOTHER, AND THE WAY SHE IS CARRYING
THE BABY. IF SHE CARRIES THE BABY FAR BACK (THAT IS,
SHE GROWS VERY BROAD IN THE HIPS), THEN THE CHILD
WILL BE A BOY. HOWEVER, IF SHE MAINTAINS HER NORMAL
FIGURE, BUT GROWS AN EXTREMELY LARGE BELLY (THEREFORE
CARRYING THE BABY FAR TO THE FRONT), THEN THE CHILD
WILL BE A GIRL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Date learned: 03-17-1970
TO DETERMINE THE SEX OF A BABY BEFORE IT IS BORN, TELL
THE EXPECTANT MOTHER THAT THERE IS SOMETHING ON HER
HAND. IF SHE LOOKS AT THE TOP SIDE OF HER HAND,
SHE WILL HAVE A BOY BECAUSE THIS SIDE IS DRY AND
ROUGH. IF SHE LOOKS AT THE PALM SIDE, SHE WILL HAVE
A GIRL BECAUSE THIS SIDE IS SMOOTHER AND SOFTER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Date learned: 10-13-1971
DOCTORS ARE NEVER WRONG
THIS IS A SURE FIRE METHOD FOR A DOCTOR TO BE 100% CORRECT
IN DETERMINING THE SEX OF THE UNBORN CHILD: TELL THE
MOTHER ONE SEX VERBALLY AND WRITE THE OPPOSITE ONE DOWN
ON PAPER FOR FUTURE USE. WHEN THE BABY IS BORN, THE
DOCTOR SAYS DON'T YOU REMEMBER ME SAYING THAT, AND IF
SHE OBJECTS, THAT SHE KNOWS HE SAID THE OPPOSITE, HE
PULLS OUT THE PAPER AND PRESENTS THAT TO HER AS EVIDENCE
THAT HE SAID THAT SEX.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
EXPECTANT MOTHERS
FOR EXPECTANT MOTHERS: GIVE THEM A LOTTA PEA SOUP AND CRABS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Date learned: 02-04-1972
SIESTA
IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC ON A WORK DAY, EVERYBODY
GOES HOME FOR LUNCH FROM 12 TO 2. THIS TWO HOUR BREAK
IS CALLED A SIESTA. NO BODY WORKS DURING THIS PERIOD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Sleeping |
Date learned: 10-24-1968
AT A POLISH FUNERAL, THE HYMN "WITLAG KROLOVO" IS
ALWAYS SUNG INSTEAD OF THE TRADITIONAL CATHOLIC
"IN PARADISO" AS THE BODY IS BEING TAKEN OUT OF THE
CHURCH. THIS IS A SONG TO MARY. THE PEOPLE PETITION
MARY IN THE SONG TO MEET THE SOUL OF THE DECEASED IN
HEAVEN.
AT THE BURIAL, FLOWER PETALS ARE PLACED ON THE CASKET
BY ALL THE MOURNERS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 10-15-1971
ST. PATRICK DROVE ALL THE SNAKES OUT OF IRELAND; HE
DROVE THEM INTO THE SEA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Religious hero BELIEF -- Animal |
Date learned: 11-01-1971
WHENEVER YOU PASS A CATHOLIC CHURCH, YOU SHOULD BOW
YOUR HEAD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church |
Date learned: 01-20-1968
SALT SHAKER
IT SEEMS TO BE A CUSTOM FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS TO SIT
DOWN AT A TABLE FOR A MEAL AND, WHILE THEY'RE WAITING
FOR THEIR ORDERS TO COME, POUR SOME SALT CRYSTALS
ON THE TABLE AND THEN ATTEMPT TO BALANCE THE SALT
SHAKER ON THESE CRYSTALS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School |
Date learned: 00-00-1968
DRESS
THE MEN FROM THE MIDWEST, (OHIO, MICHIGAN, MISSOURI,
ILLINOIS, WISCONSIN, ETC.) WHEN DRESSING, LET THEIR
UNDERSHIRT HANG OUTSIDE OF THEIR UNDERSHORTS. MEN
FROM THE EAST (PENNSYLVANIA, NEW YORK, NEW JERSEY, ETC.)
TUCK THEIR UNDERSHIRTS INTO THEIR UNDERSHORTS. I FOUND
THESE HABITS EXISTED ALMOST UNIVERSALLY IN BOTH
SECTIONS AND EACH GROUP WOULD RIDICULE THE OTHER
FOR HIS MANNER OF DRESSING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Daily Life |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
THE STORY OF THE PHOO BIRD
ONCE THERE WAS A MISSIONARY WHO DECIDED HE WAS GOING
TO CONVERT SOME NATIVES ON A SOUTH SEAS ISLAND.
WHEN HE GOT THERE, THEY WERE VERY FRIENDLY TO HIM.
SUDDENLY, THEY BEGAN TO BOW AND SCRAPE IN THE SAND.
THEY WERE YELLING AND MOANING, "OH, MIGHTY PHOO BIRD,
HAVE MERCY ON US. YOU ARE OUR GOD." SURE ENOUGH,
THERE WAS A LARGE BIRD CIRCLING OVERHEAD. SUDDENLY,
THE BIRD SWOOPED DOWN AND SHIT ALL OVER THE MISSIONARY.
THE NATIVES BEGAN TO LAUGH AND CLAP. THEY TOLD HIM
THAT THE PHOO BIRD HAD GIVEN HIM THE SIGN OF FAVOR
AND THAT HE SHOULD WEAR IT ALWAYS WITH PRIDE. THE
MISSIONARY WAS MAD AND TOLD THEM THAT HE WAS GOING TO
THE BEACH TO WASH IT OFF. BUT THEY SAID, "NO, NO.
YOU CAN'T DO THAT. YOU WILL DIE IF YOU DO."
THE MISSIONARY DIDN'T LISTEN TO THE, BUT WENT RIGHT
DOWN TO THE BEACH AND INTO THE WATER. WHEN HE CAME
OUT OF THE WATER, HE DROPPED DEAD ON THE BEACH.
DO YOU KNOW WHAT THE MORAL OF THIS STORY IS?
IF THE PHOO SHITS, WEAR IT.
Submitter comment:
VICKIE LEARNED THIS FROM SOME HIGH SCHOOL FRIENDS
OF HERS IN DEARBORN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: 00-00-1967
A CANNIBAL STORY
A MAN DECIDED THAT HE WANTED TO GO ON A SAFARI
IN DEEPEST AFRICA. HE AND HIS ENTIRE PARTY WERE
CAPTURED BY CANNIBALS ON THE FIRST DAY OUT. SINCE
HE WAS THE ONLY WHITE MAN, THE NATIVES DECIDED TO COOK
HIM FIRST. THEY PUT HIM IN A LARGE POT OF WATER.
THE CHIEF CAME OVER WITH A BIG KNIFE AND CUT OFF HIS
EAR. THE MAN WAS NOT GOING TO LET THEM KNOW HE WAS
IN PAIN, SO HE DIDN'T MAKE A SOUND. THE CHIEF ATE THE
EAR AND WASHED IT DOWN WITH A VERNOR'S GINGERALE.
HE CAME BACK AND REMOVED AN ARM, THE NATIVES DEVOURED
IT AND, AGAIN, IT WAS WASHED DOWN WITH A VERNOR'S
GINGERALE.
WHEN THE CHIEF RETURNED A THIRD TIME, THE MAN FINALLY
SAID SOMETHING. "I SUPPOSE THIS TIME YOU'RE GOING
TO CUT OFF MY THING AND WASH IT DOWN WITH VERNOR'S."
THE CHIEF SAID, "UH-UH. EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT THINGS
GO BETTER WITH COKE."
Submitter comment:
LYNN HEARD THIS STORY FROM SOME FRIENDS AT
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN.
Data entry tech comment: ALLUSION TO TELEVISION COMMERCIAL FOR COCA-COLA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: 00-00-1967
JEWISH JOKE
THERE'S A JEW WALKING DOWN THE STREET WHEN ONE OF HIS
FRIENDS COMES UP TO HIM AND ASKS, "SAUL, WHY ARE YOU
SO FORESAKEN?" AND THE JEW ANSWERS, "AH, MY SON HAS
GONE AND BECOME A CATHOLIC." SO THE SECOND JEW SAYS,
"FUNNY YOU SHOULD MENTION. MINE HAS TOO, I WAS
ON MY WAY TO THE TEMPLE TO PRAY. COME." SO THEY LEAVE,
AND ON THE WAY MEET ANOTHER OF THEIR FRIENDS, ALSO
FORLORN. THEY ASK, "DAVID, WHY SO FORESAKEN?" HE
ANSWERS, "MY SON HAS GONE AND BECOME A CHRISTIAN.
I AM ON MY WAY TO THE TEMPLE TO PRAY." SO THEY SAY,
"FUNNY YOU SHOULD MENTION. OUR SONS HAVE DONE THE
SAME." THEY ALL GO TO THE TEMPLE AND START TO PRAY,
TELLING GOD THAT THEIR SONS HAVE GONE AND BECOME
CHRISTIANS. AND GOD LOOKS DOWN ON THEM AND SAYS,
"FUNNY YOU SHOULD MENTION."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Man |
Date learned: 00001967 FALL
IT SEEMS THAT ONE DAY MANY YEARS BACK, WHEN CUBA AND THE
UNITED STATES WERE ON SPEAKING TERMS, CUBAN PEASANTS
WOULD TRAVEL TO FLORIDA TO PURCHASE SOME OF THE THINGS
THAT WERE NOT READILY AVAILABLE IN CUBA. ONE SUCH DAY,
PEDRO LANDED IN MIAMI AND WHILE SHOPPING HE DECIDED THAT
HE WANTED A PAIR OF WOOL SOCKS. HE WENT INTO A STORE
BUT COULD NOT ASK FOR THE PRODUCT BECAUSE HE SPOKE NO
ENGLISH. HE TRIED TO ASK, BUT THE CLERK COULDN'T
UNDERSTAND. SO HE STARTED LOOKING AND WHEN HE CAME
UPON THE RACK WITH THE SOCKS HE SHOUTED, "ESO SI QUE
ES!" TO WHICH THE CLERK REPLIED, "IF YOU KNOW HOW TO
SPELL IT, WHY DIDN'T YOU SAY SO?"
Submitter comment:
TRANSLATION: "THIS IS IT."
INFORMANT HAS TRAVELED A GREAT DEAL IN SPANISH
SPEAKING COUNTRIES AND THIS IS WHERE HE PICKED UP
THE STORY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Man |
Date learned: 09-22-1967
GROSS JOKE
A WOMAN WENT TO THE DOCTOR AND ASKED HIM IF SHE COULD
GET FITTED WITH A PLATEGLASS DIAPHRAGM. THE DOCTOR ASKED
WHY SHE WANTED ONE. SHE SAID SHE WANTED A PICTURE
WINDOW FOR HER PLAYROOM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Stupid man or woman |
Date learned: 00001967 FALL
ROMANCE LORE
I'M GOING TO KISS YOU TONIGHT OR I'LL DIE IN THE ATTEMPT,
I TOLD MY GIRL.
WELL, DID YOU?
YOU DIDN'T SEE MY NAME IN THE OBITUARY COLUMN, DID YOU?
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FRANKLIN VILLAGE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 07-00-1982
WEDDING RHYME
USE A NAME OF A BOY AND A NAME OF A GIRL
E.G. JOE AND LULU SITTING IN A TREE K-I-S-S-I-N-G,
FIRST COMES LOVE, THEN COMES MARRIAGE,
HERE COMES JOE WITH A BABY CARRIAGE.
Submitter comment:
I HEARD THIS WHEN I WAS IN GRADE SCHOOL.
WAY BEFORE WE HAD SEX EDUCATION...
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FRANKLIN VILLAGE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1967