Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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VOCABULARY
WORKS- NAME APPLIED TO THE MEASURING SPOON, SYRING, MATCH AND HEROINE
Submitter comment: INFORMANT SAYS MANY HEROINE ADDICTS USE THESE TERMS.
Where learned: TOLD AT ; Y HOUSE
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Vocabulary of Special Group |
Date learned: 10-09-1970
NAMING THE ELDEST MALE CHILD
IF IT WORKS OUT THAT IN THREE SUCCESSIVE GENERATIONS OF LEBANESE
FAMILIES THE ELDEST CHILD IS A BOY, THE SON IN THE THIRD GENERATION
IS NAMED AFTER THE SON OF THE FIRST. IN OTHER WORDS, HE IS NAMED
AFTER HIS PATERNAL GRANDFATHER (FRANK WAS NAMED AFTER HIS GRAND-
FATHER).
Where learned: TOLD AT ; Y HOUSE
| Subject headings: | Person / Nickname |
Date learned: 01-00-1969
BELIEF
IF YOU HOLD A BIBLE, WHILE TAKING A TRIP BY AIRPLANE,
IT WILL KEEP YOU SAFE UNTIL YOU LAND.
Submitter comment:
SINCE MY GRANDMOTHER IS AFRAID OF AIR TRAVEL HERSELF
AND SEES MANY OF HER FAMILY DEPART ON AIRPLANE TRIPS.
SHE ALWAYS TELLS US THIS AND USUALLY BRINGS A BIBLE FOR US.
Where learned: HOME ; FARMINGTON ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration |
Date learned: 02-26-1970
THE PURPLE GORILLA
A MAN LIVES ON THE 30TH FLOOR OF AN APARTMENT BUILDING.
WHEN HE MOVED IN HE WAS TOLD THAT HE COULDN'T GO DOWN
INTO THE BASEMENT. AND, BEING THE CURIOUS FELLOW THAT
HE WAS, HE JUST HAD TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS IN THE BASE-
MENT. SO HE PLANNED AND SCHEMED ON HOW TO GET TO THE
BASEMENT WITHOUT BEING CAUGHT. AND ONE MORNING HE
DECIDED HE WOULD GO TO THE BASEMENT, SO HE DID. WHEN HE
GOT TO THE BASEMENT, IT WAS VERY DARK AND HE HAD MUCH
DIFFICULTY SEEING AROUND. AFTER LOOKING AROUND THE
BASEMENT, HE FOUND A CAGE IN THE CORNER. WHEN HE LOOKED
IN THE CAGE, HE SAW A PURPLE GORILLA. HE REACHED INTO
THE CAGE TO TOUCH THE GORILLA. AS SOON AS HE TOUCHED
THE GORILLA, THE ANIMAL JUMPED UP AND DOWN WITH RAGE
AND BROKE OUT OF HIS CAGE. HE CHASED THE MAN AROUND THE
ROOM. THE MAN RAN UP TO THE FIRST FLOOR. THE GORILLA
CHASED THE MAN AROUND THE FIRST FLOOR, SO THE MAN RAN UP
TO THE SECOND FLOOR (...ON UP TO THIRTY). THE GORILLA
CHASED THE MAN AROUND THE THIRTIETH FLOOR, THEN THE MAN
RAN BACK DOWN TO THE BASEMENT. THE STAIRWAY FELL DOWN
SO HE COULDN'T GET BACK UP. THE GORILLA CORNERED THE
THE MAN AND CHARGED AT HIM. HE TOUCHED THE MAN AND SAID
"YOU'RE IT!"
| Subject headings: | 6677 Formula Tale |
Date learned: 11-18-1970
THE KILLER
A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO, I WAS A WITNESS TO A KILLING.
SO I WENT TO COURT AND THE MURDERER WAS CONVICTED AND
SENTENCED TO DIE IN THE ELECTRIC CHAIR. WHEN THE KILLER
WAS LEAVING THE COURTROOM, HE TURNED TO ME AND SAID
"I'LL GET YOU LATER." I GHOUGHT THAT THIS WAS KIND OF
FUNNY, 'CAUSE THEY ALL SAY THE SAME THING. A FEW WEEKS
LATER, I SAW IN THE NEWSPAPER THAT HE HAD ESCAPED FROM
THE PRISON, BUT I WASN'T TOO WORRIED, BECAUSE I DIDN'T
THINK HE'D {ILLEGIBLE} FIND ME. ONE NIGHT THAT WEEK
I WAS WALKING HOME FROM A DATE WHEN A CAR PULLED UP
ALONG SIDE OF ME. IT WAS THE KILLER IN THE CAR AND HE
JUMPED OUT AND STARTED TO CHASE ME. I HAD NO WHERE TO GO,
BUT DOWN THIS DARK ALLEY. HE WAS RUNNING JUST BEHIND ME.
THE ALLEY ENDED IN A DEAD-END, SO I STARTED UP A FIRE
ESCAPE, BUT THE KILLER GRABBED ME FROM BEHIND AND PULLED
MY LEGS, JUST LIKE I'M PULLING YOURS!
| Subject headings: | 6677 Formula Tale |
Date learned: 11-18-1970
THE PURPLE GORILLA
A MAN LIVES ON THE 30TH FLOOR OF AN APARTMENT BUILDING.
WHEN HE MOVED IN HE WAS TOLD THAT HE COULDN'T GO DOWN
INTO THE BASEMENT. AND, BEING THE CURIOUS FELLOW THAT
HE WAS, HE JUST HAD TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS IN THE BASE-
MENT. SO HE PLANNED AND SCHEMED ON HOW TO GET TO THE
BASEMENT WITHOUT BEING CAUGHT. AND ONE MORNING HE
DECIDED HE WOULD GO TO THE BASEMENT, SO HE DID. WHEN HE
GOT TO THE BASEMENT, IT WAS VERY DARK AND HE HAD MUCH
DIFFICULTY SEEING AROUND. AFTER LOOKING AROUND THE
BASEMENT, HE FOUND A CAGE IN THE CORNER. WHEN HE LOOKED
IN THE CAGE, HE SAW A PURPLE GORILLA. HE REACHED INTO
THE CAGE TO TOUCH THE GORILLA. AS SOON AS HE TOUCHED
THE GORILLA, THE ANIMAL JUMPED UP AND DOWN WITH RAGE
AND BROKE OUT OF HIS CAGE. HE CHASED THE MAN AROUND THE
ROOM. THE MAN RAN UP TO THE FIRST FLOOR. THE GORILLA
CHASED THE MAN AROUND THE FIRST FLOOR, SO THE MAN RAN UP
TO THE SECOND FLOOR (...ON UP TO THIRTY). THE GORILLA
CHASED THE MAN AROUND THE THIRTIETH FLOOR, THEN THE MAN
RAN BACK DOWN TO THE BASEMENT. THE STAIRWAY FELL DOWN
SO HE COULDN'T GET BACK UP. THE GORILLA CORNERED THE
THE MAN AND CHARGED AT HIM. HE TOUCHED THE MAN AND SAID
"YOU'RE IT!"
| Subject headings: | 6677 Formula Tale |
Date learned: 11-18-1970
THE KILLER
A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO, I WAS A WITNESS TO A KILLING.
SO I WENT TO COURT AND THE MURDERER WAS CONVICTED AND
SENTENCED TO DIE IN THE ELECTRIC CHAIR. WHEN THE KILLER
WAS LEAVING THE COURTROOM, HE TURNED TO ME AND SAID
"I'LL GET YOU LATER." I GHOUGHT THAT THIS WAS KIND OF
FUNNY, 'CAUSE THEY ALL SAY THE SAME THING. A FEW WEEKS
LATER, I SAW IN THE NEWSPAPER THAT HE HAD ESCAPED FROM
THE PRISON, BUT I WASN'T TOO WORRIED, BECAUSE I DIDN'T
THINK HE'D {ILLEGIBLE} FIND ME. ONE NIGHT THAT WEEK
I WAS WALKING HOME FROM A DATE WHEN A CAR PULLED UP
ALONG SIDE OF ME. IT WAS THE KILLER IN THE CAR AND HE
JUMPED OUT AND STARTED TO CHASE ME. I HAD NO WHERE TO GO,
BUT DOWN THIS DARK ALLEY. HE WAS RUNNING JUST BEHIND ME.
THE ALLEY ENDED IN A DEAD-END, SO I STARTED UP A FIRE
ESCAPE, BUT THE KILLER GRABBED ME FROM BEHIND AND PULLED
MY LEGS, JUST LIKE I'M PULLING YOURS!
| Subject headings: | 6677 Formula Tale |
Date learned: 11-18-1970
THE SILVER KNIFE
MY GRANDMOTHER WAS ALWAYS AFRAID THAT
EVIL PEOPLE WOULD ENTER THE HOUSE
SO SHE KEPT A SILVER KNIFE OVER THE ENTRANCES
TO THE HOUSE.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration |
Date learned: 03-12-1970
BAD LUCK (COLLECTOR'S TITLE) ; BAD LUCK: OBJECTS (CLASSIFIER'S TITLE)
TRAVELING MUSICIANS ALWAYS PLAYED WHILE THEY TRAVELED EXCEPT
WHEN THEY PASSED OVER A BRIDGE BECAUSE TO PLAY MUSIC OVER A BRIDGE
WAS BAD LUCK.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.1 |
Date learned: 03-11-1970
CHRISTMAS BELIEF
GRANDPA USED TO SAY THAT IF YOU GO TO THE
BARN ON CHRISTMAS EVE AT MIDNIGHT
YOU WILL HEAR THE ANIMALS TALK.
BUT YOU WILL NEVER LIVE TO TELL ABOUT IT.
Submitter comment:
TOLD TO INFORMANT BY HER FATHER, INFORMANT
STATED THAT SHE REALLY BELIEVED IT.
Where learned: HOME ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below. |
Date learned: 03-08-1970
GREEN LIGHT
WHEN NUNS ARE DRIVING IN A CAR
AND WANT TO GET SOMEWHERE IN A HURRY,
THEY PRAY TO ST. PATRICK SO THAT
HE MIGHT BE ABLE TO CHANGE ALL THE
TRAFFIC LIGHTS GREEN.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS PRACTICED BY INFORMANTS DAUGHTER,
WHO IS A NUN, AND SHE SAID THAT THIS IS
A COMMON PRACTICE AMOUNG NUNS.
Where learned: HOME ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 04-05-1970
HARD HEAD
A HARD HEAD MAKES A SOFT TAIL
Submitter comment: A SAYING BY INFORMANTS PARENTS
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT
Keyword(s): ANTITHESIS
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 10-10-1969
A HEAD THAT DOES NOT THINK, BECOMES BALD
Keyword(s): METONYMY
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 11-11-1967
MONEY
WATCH THE PENNIES AND THE DOLLARS WILL TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT IS A FRIEND'S FATHER, AND HE REMEMBERS THIS FROM
AMONG THE PENNSYLVANIA DUTCH AS A BOY.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
JUMP ROPE CHANT
A, B, C, ETC. DOES HE LOVE YOU? WITH EACH JUMP THE GROUP
WOULD CHANT A LETTER OF THE ALPHABET UNTIL THE JUMPER STOPPED ON ONE
OF THE LETTERS. THEN THE JUMPER WOULD HAVE TO NAME A BOY WHOSE NAME
BEGAN WITH THAT LETTER. THE JUMPER WOULD THEN BEGIN TO JUMP AGAIN
AS THE GROUP CHANTS, DOES HE LOVE YOU? ETC.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; WARREN ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 02-22-1970
RIDDLE
WHAT SMELLS MOST IN A FLOWER SHOP?
-- YOUR NOSE.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT
Keyword(s): TRANSATIVE AND INTRANSATIVE VERB "TO SMELL."
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 10-10-1971
RIDDLE
WHAT IS THERE IN YOUR HOUSE THAT OUGHT TO BE LOOKED INTO?
-- A MIRROR!
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT
Keyword(s): INVESTIGATE
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 10-17-1968
RIDDLE
WHAT KIND OF GLASS CAN'T YOU DRINK OUT OF?
-- AN EYEGLASS.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT
Keyword(s): GLASSES SPECTACLES
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 10-10-1971
RIDDLE
WHAT HAS FOUR LEGS, A TAIL, AND EARS?
-- A DOG. WHO TOLD YOU?
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT
Keyword(s): ANIMAL CANINE
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 00-00-0000
WAGON
WHAT GOES TO THE WATER AND HAS A TONGUE,
BUT DOESN'T DRINK?
-- A WAGON
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED IN CHILDHOOD
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT
Keyword(s): PRIVATIONAL CONTRADICTIVE
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 03-06-1971