Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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DIVORCE JOKE
MY WIFE'S COFFEE IS GROUNDS FOR DIVORCE.
Submitter comment:
I'VE HEARD THIS ON THE JOHNNY CARSON SHOW IN CALIFORNIA,
HEARD IT AT THE PLACE WHERE I WORK, AND PLACES WHERE
THERE ARE LOTS OF DIVORCES AND SEPARATIONS; IT'S SUPPOSED
TO BE FUNNY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FRANKLIN VILLAGE
James Callow Keyword(s): PUN ON COFFEE GROUNDS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 07-00-1983
WEDDING LORE
IF ONE CATCHES THE GARTER AFTER IT IS THROWN BY THE GROOM
BEHIND HIS BACK, THAT PERSON WILL SOON GET MARRIED.
IF ONE CATCHES THE BOUQUET FROM THE BRIDE AFTER SHE THROWS
IT BEHIND HER BACK, THAT WOMAN WILL GET MARRIED SOON.
THROW RICE AND MONEY AFTER A WEDDING ON THE COUPLE, AND
THIS WILL BRING GOOD LUCK AND ABUNDANT RICHES AND
HEALTH.
Submitter comment: THESE ARE TRADITIONAL CHALDEAN CUSTOMS IN CHALDEAN WEDDINGS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FRANKLIN VILLAGE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Marriage Rice BELIEF -- Marriage Bouquet toss BELIEF -- Marriage Garter toss BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 11-00-1982
BIRTH CONTROL METHOD
MAN GOES TO THE DOCTOR TO ASK FOR BIRTH CONTROL METHODS,
OTHER THAN THE PILL, VASECTOMY, DIAPHRAGM, ETC.
DOC: EAT AN APPLE
MAN: BEFORE SEX OR AFTER SEX?
DOC: INSTEAD OF IT...GET THE RYTHM?
Submitter comment: A PRIEST COULD TAKE THE PLACE OF THE DOCTOR IN THIS JOKE
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FRANKLIN VILLAGE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
FRIDAY THE 13TH SUPERSTITION
IF YOU EAT A POUND OF GARLIC IN FRONT OF A CRACKED
MIRROR ON FRIDAY THE 13TH, YOU'LL HAVE SEVEN YEARS
OF BAD BREATH!
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FRANKLIN VILLAGE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
HOSPITAL HUFF
NURSE: YOUR COUGH SOUNDS BETTER THIS MORNING.
PATIENT: IT SHOULD. I'VE BEEN PRACTICING ALL NIGHT.
Submitter comment: PICKED IT UP WHILE I WAS IN THE HOSPITAL FOR A WEEK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FRANKLIN VILLAGE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 07-00-1982
IF YOU'RE TOO SWEET A MAN, EVERYBODY WILL LICK YOU.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): LOLLIPOP NAIVETE
James Callow Keyword(s): GENTLE DISPOSITIONS TEMPT PEOPLE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THEM ; OBSERVATION PREDICTION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 09-23-1971
IF YOU HAVEN'T PUT SOMETHING DOWN, DON'T LOOK FOR IT}
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): TAKING NOTES
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: NEGATIVE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 09-23-1971
IF YOU HAVEN'T SOWN, YOU WON'T HARVEST. TRANSLATION OF
NEPASEGAS, NEPJAUSI.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FARMING BIBLE QUOTATION?
James Callow Keyword(s): OBSERVATION PREDICTION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 09-23-1971
DOCTOR'S LAUGH
JOE: DOC, I DON'T FEEL SO WELL!
DOC: THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH YOU JOE.
YOUR PULSE IS AS STEADY AS A CLOCK.
JOE: YOU'VE GOT YOUR HAND ON MY WRIST WATCH DOC!
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FRANKLIN VILLAGE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 07-00-1982
DOCTOR'S JOKE
A DOCTOR COMES OUT OF A WARD AFTER CHECKING A PATIENT
WITH A RECTAL THERMOMETER.
THE DOCTOR PASSES BY THE NURSE'S DESK.
THE NURSE INTERRUPTS THE DOCTOR.
DOCTOR! SHE EXCLAIMS, WHAT'S THAT ON YOUR EAR?
DOCTOR REPLIES, "DAMN IT, SOME ASSHOLE MUST HAVE MY PEN!"
Submitter comment:
I TELL THIS TO MY BROTHER WHO IS A DOCTOR AND HE GETS A
KICK OUT OF IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FRANKLIN VILLAGE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 06-00-1974
DINNER TIME RHYME
TAKE A TOOTHPICK
FRESH AND CLEAN
TO GET AROUND
AND IN BETWEEN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FRANKLIN VILLAGE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Verse without Music |
Date learned: 06-00-1968
HIGH SCHOOL FIGHT SONG
WE'RE FOR U 0F D HIGH SCHOOL
WE'RE FULL OF FIGHT
HERE'S TO OUR COLORS
OF MAROON AND WHITE
HERE'S TO ALL THE FELLOWS.
LOYAL WE'LL BE
SINGING THE BATTLE SONG OF U OF D!
Submitter comment:
THIS FIGHT SONG IS REPEATED WITH A VICTORY SIGN-V-SIGN OR CLAPPING
IN THE BACKGROUND. THE HIGHSCHOOL WAS UNIVERSITY OF
DETROIT HIGH SCHOOL, A JESUIT SCHOOL.
THE HYMN WAS SUNG AT BASKETBALL GAMES AND FOOTBALL
GAMES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FRANKLIN VILLAGE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Admiration Praise Adulation CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School |
Date learned: 09-00-1970
GRAFFITI
LOVE IS A FOUR-LETTER WORD.
Data entry tech comment:
INFORMANT ASSUMED TO BE THE COLLECTOR.
FOUR-LETTER WORDS WERE KNOWN AS SWEAR WORDS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; COLLECTED IN LAVATORY
Keyword(s): EUPHEMISM RETORT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Art Craft Architecture Art, Craft, Architecture |
Date learned: 00-00-1968
CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
INFORMANT TOLD ME THAT IN BOTH HER OWN CHILDHOOD AND THAT OF HER
FATHER, THEY WOULD PUT A PAIR OF SHOES OUTSIDE THE DOOR FOR SANTA
CLAUS TO FILL WITH GOODIES. HER FATHER WOULD, HOWEVER, LAY
HIS SHOES BESIDE HIS BED BECAUSE SINCE HE ONLY HAD ONE PAIR OF
SHOES, HE DID NOT WANT THEM TO BE FROZEN OVER ON CHRISTMAS
MORNING FROM BEING OUTSIDE ALL NIGHT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Stockings and shoes |
Date learned: 12-02-1971
CHRISTMAS TREES
THIS BELIEF IS THAT IF JUST BEFORE YOU THROW YOUR XMAS (CHRISTMAS)
TREE OUT, YOU BREAK OFF TWO TWIGS AND BURY THEM IN YOUR BACKYARD
IN THE FORM OF A CROSS AND THROW OATS OVER THEM, BY NEXT XMAS
(CHRISTMAS) YOU WILL HAVE A FULL-GROWN XMAS (CHRISTMAS) TREE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas tree |
Date learned: 01-28-1968
Sweet Sally
DOWN IN THE VALLEY WHERE THE GREEN GRASS GROWS,
THERE SAT SALLY AS SWEET AS A ROSE.
SHE SANG, SHE SANG, SHE SANG SO SWEET.
ALONG CAME JIMMY AND KISSED HER ON THE CHEEK.
HOW MANY KISSES DID SHE RECEIVE?
1, 2, 3, (UNTIL ONE MISSES)
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; informant's home
Keyword(s): ENDURANCE JUMP
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 07-00-1964
FRATERNITY LEGENDS
THE NEW MEMBERS OF EACH PLEDGE CLASS ARE BY TRADITION REQUIRED TO
BUILD A WORTHWHILE PROJECT THAT WILL BE OF SOME BENEFIT TO THE HOUSE
THIS TRADITION IS CARRIED ON BY THE MEMBERS AT PHI SIGMA DELTA
FRATERNITY AT MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY.
Submitter comment: FROM FRATERNITY BROTHERS
Data entry tech comment: THERE IS ONE MORE SIMILAR STORY IN 5X8 CARD FILE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School |
Date learned: 11-28-1967
MCGEE, THE BOGEYMAN
WHEN I WAS LITTLE THERE WAS A DOOR IN MY BEDROOM WHICH LED TO AN
ATTIC. I WAS ALWAYS AFRAID TO GO TO SLEEP BECAUSE I THOUGHT SOMEONE
WAS UPSTAIRS. AFTER I HAD BEEN IN BED QUITE A WHILE, AND I HAD NOT
FALLEN ASLEEP, MY FATHER WOULD COME INTO THE ROOM AND ASK WHY I
WAS NOT ASLEEP. I WOULD TELL HIM I COULDN'T SLEEP. HE WOULD THEN
TELL ME ABOUT A BOGEYMAN WHO WAS UP IN THE ATTIC. HE SAID IF I DID
NOT GO TO SLEEP, THIS LITTLE MAN, CALLED MCGEE, WOULD COME DOWN THE
STAIRS AND CARRY ME OFF. HE WAS DESCRIBED AS A MUSTACHED BLACK-
CAPED PERSON, MUCH LIKE THE VILLIANS OFTEN SEEN IN THE OLD TIME
MOVIES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
HOW TO KEEP A FRIENDSHIP
IF TWO PEOPLE ARE WALKING DOWN A STREET AND THEY COME UPON
ANY KIND OF OBSTRUCTION, IF ONE WALKS ON ONE SIDE OF THE POLE
AND THE OTHER ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE, THE FRIENDSHIP WILL BREAK
APART.
Submitter comment:
BOB TOLD ME THIS WALKING BACK FROM CLASS, AND I WALKED ON THE
OTHER SIDE OF THE POLE FROM HIM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 09-18-1969
NUMBER 13
MOST HOTELS DON'T HAVE A 13TH FLOOR. EVEN HOLDEN HALL HAS NO ROOM
THIRTEENTH ROOM IS THE STUDY ROOM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Specific number by specific number being described |
Date learned: 03-04-1968