Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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TRUE RIDDLE
Q: THE MORE YOU PUT INTO IT, THE SMALLER IT GETS. THE MORE YOU TAKE
AWAY FROM IT, THE BIGGER IT GETS. WHAT IS IT?
A: A HOLE IN THE GROUND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ACTIONS (Q) ; CAUSAL OPPOSITIONAL ; PARTICULAR AREAS (A)
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: 02-25-1970
IF YOU STEP ON THE "M" ON CENTRAL CAMPUS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF
MICHIGAN BEFORE YOUR FIRST EXAM, YOU WILL FAIL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: CA00001979
COUGH
MOTHER WOULD MAKE COUGH MEDICINE OUT OF TURPENTINE MIXED WITH
HONEY OR WILD CHERRY BARK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALLEN PARK
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Remedy |
Date learned: 02-07-1972
THE STORY OF BLOOD ROAD
OUT IN THE HILLS NEAR ORTONVILLE, MICHIGAN THERE IS A ROAD THAT
PEOPLE NOW CALL BLOOD ROAD. THE ROAD IS VERY SECLUDED WAY OUT IN
THE COUNTRY AND LINED WITH HUGE TREES. ONE NIGHT A YOUNG COUPLE
WHO HAD BEEN OUT TO A PARTY WERE GOING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN THEIR
CAR BROKE DOWN. THE YOUNG MAN TRIED TO START IT AGIAN BUT NOTHING
HAPPENED SO HE DECIDED TO WALK 15 OR SO MILES BACK TO THE NEAREST
HOUSE AND CALL FOR HELP. THE GIRL DIDN'T WANT TO BE LEFT ALONE
BECAUSE EARLIER THEY HAD HEARD A NEWS BULLETIN ON THE RADIO ABOUT
AN ESCAPED LUNATIC BELIEVED TO BE HEADED IN THAT DIRECTION. HER
BOYFRIEND FINALLY CONVINCED HER THAT SHE WOULD BE ALRIGHT IF SHE
LOCKED HERSELF IN. HE SET OFF WALKING AND SHE LOCKED THE CAR AND
GOT A BLANKET OUT OF THE BACK TO KEEP WARM WITH. AN HOUR OR SO
PASSED AND THE GIRL FELL ASLEEP. SHE AWOKE TO HEAR A TAPPING AT
THE WINDOW. SHE COULDN'T SEE WHAT WAS CAUSING IT BECAUSE IT WAS
SO DARK SO SHE LAID THERE UNDER THE BLANKET WAITING. EVENTUALLY
SHE SAW THE LIGHTS OF A CAR. TIRED OF WAITING AND VERY FRIGHTENED
SHE DECIDED TO FLAG IT DOWN THINKING IT WAS EITHER HER BOYFRIEND
OR SOMEONE WHO COULD HELP. SHE GETS OUT OF THE CAR AND AS SHE
TURNS TOWARDS THE APPROACHING CAR SHE SEES WHAT WAS CAUSING THE
TAPPING NOISE. HER BOYFRIEND WAS HANGING FROM A TREE BY HIS FEET.
HIS THROAT HAD BEEN CUT AND HIS ARM WAS HANGING DOWN NEAR THE CAR,
THE NOISE HAD BEEN HIS CLASS RING TAPPING AGAINST THE CAR WINDOW
AS HIS BODY SWONG IN THE WIND. THAT IS WHY THE ROAD IS CALLED
BLOOD ROAD.
Submitter comment: BRUNVANDS THE BOYFRIEND'S DEATH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 02-20-1984
RIDDLE
Q: WHAT GETS BIGGER AS YOU TAKE MORE AWAY FROM IT?
A: A HOLE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ACTIONS (Q) ; CAUSAL OPPOSITIONAL ; PARTICULAR AREAS (A)
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: 10-00-1971
RIDDLE
Q: WHAT KIND OF A FARM IS IT WHERE ONLY WOODEN BOXES ARE PLANTED,
AND ONLY MARBLE STONES GROW UP?
A: A CEMETERY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): NATURAL PHENOMENA (Q) ; PARTICULAR ; PARTICULAR AREAS (Q)
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: 10-00-1967
DIAMONDS (RIDDLE)
Q: WHERE DO THEY KEEP THE LARGEST DIAMONDS IN DETROIT?
A: ON THE BASEBALL FIELDS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CLOTHES (Q) ; NATURAL PHENOMENA (Q) ; PARTICULAR AREAS (Q)
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
THE CLOCK OF LIFE IS WOUND BUT ONCE,
AND NO MAN HAS THE POWER
TO TELL JUST WHERE THE HANDS WILL STOP,
AT LATE OR EARLY HOUR.
TO LOSE ONE'S WEALTH, IS SAD INDEED,
TO LOSE ONE'S HEALTH IS MORE;
TO LOSE ONE'S SOUL IS SUCH A LOSS,
AS NO MAN CAN RESTORE.
THE PRESENT ONLY IS OUR OWN,
LIVE, LOVE, TOIL WITH A WILL--
PLACE NO FAITH IN "TOMORROW" FOR
THE CLOCK MAY THEN BE STILL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ADVICE, PREPARATION FOR DEATH ; FIRST PERSON NARRATIVE ; METER: IAMBIC ; RHYME: MASCULINE, ABCA ; SYMBOL METONYMY RELIGION TIME
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
I WAS ALWAYS TOLD NEVER TO LET YOUR ARM HANG OVER THE
SIDE OF THE BED OR A MONSTER WILL EAT YOUR FINGERS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Abnormal in size BELIEF -- Body part Senses |
Date learned: 02-01-1971
IF YOU SING WHILE AT THE DINNER TABLE YOU WILL MARRY A
CRAZY MAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Physically handicapped Deformed BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222. |
Date learned: 02-01-1990
HOPAK (UKRAINIAN)
THIS IS A FESTIVAL DANCE, INVOLVING MANY STEPS. IT
IS FAST AND INVOLVES SQUATTING AND DANCING AT CERTAIN
TIMES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Festival |
WHEN GREEKS DANCE, THEY JOIN HANDS WITH THEIR HANDKERCHIEFS,
TO SHOW THAT EVERYONE IS FRIENDS AND WELCOME IN EACH
OTHER'S HOMES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Function Purpose Theme |
RIDDLE
Q: ROUND AS AN APPLE, THIN AS A KNIFE;/ ANSWER THIS RIDDLE AND I'LL
BE YOUR WIFE.
A: A DIME.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT HEARD FROM FRIEND IN DETROIT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALLEN PARK
Keyword(s): EATABLE (Q) ; MONETARY ITEMS (A) ; PERSON (Q) ; UTENSIL (Q)
James Callow Keyword(s): MARRIAGE PROPOSAL
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Custom Festival C840.545 Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Riddle True Riddle CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Proposal |
Date learned: 11-25-1967
TECHNIQUE FOR PASSING OUT.
INHALE DEEPLY AND THEN RAPIDLY PUSH THE AIR IN AND OUT
TEN TIMES. ON THE TENTH TIME HOLD THE BREATH AND YOU WILL PASS OUT.
Submitter comment: THIS HAPPENED TO MY BROTHER WHEN WE WERE IN GRADE SCHOOL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; KALAMAZOO
Keyword(s): CAUSE ; FAINTING ; NUMBERS
| Subject headings: | 686 First / Once / One / Newness Favorites BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 11-12-1971
MIZSLE - LITHUANIAN RIDDLE
Q: DUJLIKA BROLIUZ VIENA JUOSTA JUOSI. - TWELVE BROTHERS ARE
WEARING ONE BELT.
A: METAI - A YEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CLOTHES (Q) ; NUMBERS AND MEASUREMENTS (A) ; PERSONS (Q)
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: 03-20-1968
RIDDLE
Q: HOW MANY GROOVES ARE IN A RECORD?
A: TWO - ONE ON EACH SIDE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ENTERTAINMENT (Q) ; LITERAL ; NUMBERS AND MEASUREMENTS (A)
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: 11-22-1968
RIDDLE
Q: IF THERE ARE TWO DUCKS BEFORE ONE DUCK, TWO DUCKS AFTER ONE
DUCK, AND ONE DUCK IN BETWEEN, HOW MANY DUCKS ARE THERE?
A: THREE.
Data entry tech comment: ANOTHER EXAMPLE IS IN THE 5 X 8 CARD FILES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ANIMALS (Q) ; NUMBERS ; NUMBERS AND MEASUREMENTS (Q)
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
RUSSIAN DANCE
IT IS A COMMON RUSSIAN DANCE WHERE A PERSON DANCES IN THE
MIDDLE OF A CIRCLE COMPOSED OF CLAPPING RUSSIANS WHO ARE
SINGING TO MUSIC. WHEN THE PEOPLE STOP CLAPPING, THE MAN
IN THE MIDDLE MUST DRINK A GLASS OF VODKA.
Submitter comment:
THIS DANCE WAS RELATED TO THE INFORMANT BY HIS FATHER,
WHO IS RUSSIAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Form Grouping Movement |
WHEN YOU DRIVE OVER RAILROAD TRACKS YOU MUST LIFT YOUR
FEET SO YOU DON'T LOSE YOUR BOYFRIEND OR GIRLFRIEND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 01-01-1990
THE POLISH FOLK DANCE HAS DEVELOPED RHYTHMS AND ARRANGEMENTS
ALL ITS OWN. THE BEST KNOWN POLISH FOLK DANCES ARE THE
KNAKOWIAK, OBEREK, MAZEU, AND THE ZBOJNICKI (DANCE OF THE
HIGHLANDER BRIGANDS). ALL OF THEM COMBINE SENTIMENT WITH
SWASHBUCKLING VERVE, CHIVALRY WITH MERRIMENT, AND FANTASY
WITH VIGOR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Dance |