Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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BIG WHOOP
THE INDEX FINGER IS REVOLVED WHILE HOLDING THE HAND UPRIGHT. IT
MEANS "SO WHAT, DO I CARE?"
Where learned: CALIFORNIA ; PLACENTIA
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: CA00001970
GOOD GOING
THE HAND IS MADE INTO A FIST WITH THE THUMB STICKING UP. MOVE THE
THUMB UP AND DOWN. IT MEANS: GOOD GOING, EVERYTHING IS FINE.
Where learned: CALIFORNIA ; PLACENTIA
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: CA00001974
WHAT A BURN
THIS GESTURE IS MADE BY HOLDING THE HAND OUT STRAIGHT. NOW MOVE THE
PINKIE, RING, AND MIDDLE FINGERS JUST ENOUGH SO THE THUMB CAN TOUCH
THEM. THE INDEX FINGER IS LEFT LOOSE. THE HAND IS NOW VIGOROUSLY
SHAKEN SO THAT THE LIMP INDEX FINGER HITS THE OTHER FINGERS. IF
DONE RIGHT, IT PRODUCES A SNAPPING NOISE. THIS MEANS "WHAT A BURN,"
OR IN OTHER WORDS, "HA HA ON YOU"
Submitter comment: I HAVE ONLY SEEN THIS GESTURE TAKE PLACE IN CALIFORNIA.
Where learned: CALIFORNIA ; PLACENTIA
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: CA00001966
PROVERB
A FRIEND IN NEED IS A FRIEND INDEED, BUT A FRIEND WHO SENDS A
LETTER IS BETTER.
Where learned: CALIFORNIA ; PLACENTIA
James Callow Keyword(s): OBSERVATION
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb |
Date learned: 00-00-1973
MARCO POLO
THIS GAME IS PLAYED IN A SWIMMING POOL. ONE PERSON
IS IT. HE CLOSES HIS EYES AND COUNTS TO TEN WHILE EVERYONE SCATTERS IN
THE POOL. HE THEN TURNS AROUND, WITH HIS EYES STILL CLOSED, AND YELLS
MARCO. EVERYONE ANSWERS BACK POLO. AND HE TRIES TO FIND A PERSON BY
LISTENING TO WHERE THE POLO COMES FROM. OR HE CAN LISTEN TO THE WATER
MOVING WHEN A PERSON SWIMS AWAY. HE CAN SAY MARCO AS MANY TIMES AS HE
WANTS AND EVERYONE MUST ANSWER. NO ONE CAN GET OUTSIDE OF THE POOL.
THE FIRST PERSON HE TOUCHES IS IT, AND THE GAME STARTS ALL OVER
AGAIN.
Where learned: CALIFORNIA ; PLACENTIA
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Hiding Searching Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Water Ice Snow |
Date learned: 00-00-1966
GHOST IN THE ROAD
THERE IS A ROAD, NOT FAR FROM WHERE I USED TO LIVE, THAT MY FRIENDS
AND I ALWAYS USED TO GO TO. IT WAS WHERE THE GHOST IN THE ROAD WAS.
THE ROAD WAS STRAIGHT AND A LITTLE HILLY AND WAS DIMLY LIT WITH A
COUPLE OF STREET LIGHTS. WHEN COMING DOWN THE ROAD, AT A CERTAIN
SPOT, YOU COULD SEE THE GHOST, CLAD IN A LONG WHITE ROBE. SOME
PEOPLE SAID IT LOOKED LIKE A LADY IN A WHITE GOWN. OTHERS THOUGHT
IT LOOKED LIKE JESUS CHRIST. WHEN DRIVING CLOSER TO THE GHOST, IT
SEEMED TO BE WALKING TOWARDS YOU. THEN IT WOULD DISAPPEAR.
Submitter comment:
WHAT IT REALLY WAS, WAS AN OIL SLICK ON THE ROAD. THE LIGHT FROM THE
STREET LIGHT SHONE ON IT IN SUCH A WAY AS TO CREATE THE IMAGE OF A
PERSON. SINCE THEN, THOUGH, THE ROAD HAS BEEN RESURFACED AND THE
GHOST NO LONGER CAN BE SEEN.
Where learned: CALIFORNIA ; PLACENTIA
James Callow Keyword(s): DISBELIEF
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00-00-1970
AMBULANCE HOUSE
THERE IS A HOUSE WHOSE BACKYARD FACES THE STREET. THERE IS A BUILT-
IN SWIMMING POOL IN THE YARD, BUT IT IS FILLED WITH SAND. UNDERNEATH
ALL THE SAND ARE TWO CARS--AN AMBULANCE AND A HEARSE. THE STORY
GOES THAT A LONG TIME AGO, A LITTLE GIRL DROWNED IN THE POOL. AS THE
GIRL WAS BEING RUSHED TO THE HOSPITAL, THE LITTLE BOY, HER BROTHER,
FELL IN AND DROWNED. THE PARENTS WENT MAD AND BOUGHT THE AMBULANCE
AND THE HEARSE AND PUT THEM IN THE POOL AND FILLED IT WITH SAND.
THEY NOW LEAVE THE BACK PORCH LIGHT ON ALL THE TIME, PLUS THEY DO
NOT HAVE ANY CURTAINS ON THEIR BACK WINDOWS, SO THEY WILL BE ABLE TO
WATCH SO THE LITTLE GIRL AND BOY, WHO HAVE LONG SINCE DIED,
WON'T FALL IN THE POOL.
Where learned: CALIFORNIA ; PLACENTIA
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00-00-1970
TAUNT
A FAKE WAY TO FIND OUT IF YOUR FRIEND IS A GOOD CHILD IS
THIS ONE:
A GOOD CHILD, A GOOD CHILD,
AS I SUPPOSE YOU BE,
NEVER LAUGH OR SMILE,
WHILE I TICKLE YOUR KNEE.
Where learned: CALIFORNIA ; "STICKS AND STONES" ; San Francisco ; PORPOISE BOOKSHOP
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse C750.520 |
Date learned: 00-00-1960
Retort
Did you get my letter?
No.
Oh, I forgot to stamp it. (And you stamp on your friend's foot.)
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [C750] crossed out. Replaced with current classification.
From a book, so disqualified?
Where learned: CALIFORNIA ; Sticks and Stones ; The Porpoise Bookshop ; San Francisco
Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; Foot ; INSULT ; Letter ; PUN ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; STAMP ; Stomp ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
When cream sours and horses sweat at rest, there is a witch
present.
Submitter comment:
Grandpa told us as we sat around the fire, to always taste
the cream before using it and if the plow horses would not work
in the morning because they were full of sweat, it was time to
pray because there was probably a witch or warlock close by.
Where learned: CALIFORNIA ; LOS ANGELES
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Witch Shaman BELIEF -- Mammal |
Date learned: 00-00-1981
DON'T WEAR YELLOW ON THE OPENING NIGHT OF A BROADWAY
SHOW, THE PERFORMANCE WILL BE A FLOP!
Submitter comment: WIESEMANN, KATHLEEN 811332
Where learned: CALIFORNIA ; LOS ANGELES
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Color |
Date learned: 03-00-1984
DO NOT WHISTLE IN A DRESSING ROOM.
IF YOU DO, WALK OUT IN THE HALL, TURN AROUND
THREE TIMES, WALK BACK IN THE ROOM AND CURSE.
Submitter comment:
ON THE TONIGHT SHOW JOAN, AND HER GUEST, LILLIAN
GISH WERE TALKING ABOUT SUPERSTITIONS THAT MOVIE
STARS HAVE.
Where learned: CALIFORNIA ; LOS ANGELES
James Callow Keyword(s): DRAMA
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Circle and other round forms BELIEF -- Conversions |
Date learned: 02-00-1984
ENGAGEMENT RITUAL
THE NEWS OF AN ENGAGEMENT SUBJECTS TO AN IMMEDIATE DUNKING IN
SOME NEARBY BODY OF WATER OF THE PROSPECTIVE BRIDEGROOM.
Where learned: CALIFORNIA ; HARVEY MUDD COLLEGE ; CLAREMONT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage After engagement: fun with friends, etc. |
Date learned: 00-00-1968
WHEN PLAYING ANY DRINKING GAME, IT IS NOT ALLOWABLE TO
POINT AT A PERSON WHO HAS MADE A MISTAKE WITH ONE'S
FINGER. YOU MUST POINT ONLY WITH YOUR ELBOWS.
A PERSON CAUGHT POINTING WITH HIS FINGER MUST TAKE A
DRINK AS PUNISHMENT.
Where learned: CALIFORNIA ; SAN DIEGO ; MARINE BASE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Bodily Activity Song: Game, Pastime, Sport Food Drink -- Drink SPEECH -- Body parts involved S602.2 SPEECH -- Drinking |
Date learned: 09-00-1970
DREAM
IF YOU DREAM THE SAME DREAM THREE TIMES, IT WILL COME TRUE.
Where learned: CALIFORNIA ; LOS ANGELES
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple Spirit / Mind / Body |
Date learned: 06-00-1968
Retort
"I doubt it"
Submitter comment:
A phrase used by high school students in reply to any question asked of them, particularly when a yes or no answer was involved mostly favoring the affirmative.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
A large question mark is written next to the collector's comment
Where learned: CALIFORNIA ; LOS ANGELES
Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; Doubt ; INSULT ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
BLACK MEMBERS OF THE MARINE CORPS HAVE ADOPTED CERTAIN BLACK
MUSLIM HANDSHAKES AS A FORM OF GREETING. THEY ARE QUITE
COMPLICATED, AND INDIVIDUALS ARE FREE TO DEVELOP THEIR OWN
VARIATIONS. THE RIGHT HAND IS HELD IN A FIST AND THE TWO
PEOPLE STRIKE THEIR FISTS TOGETHER RAPIDLY IN COMBINATIONS
OF SIDE, FRONT, TOP, AND BOTTOM, AND USUALLY END BY OPENING
THEIR FISTS AND GRASPING ONE ANOTHER'S HANDS. SOME WEAR
LEATHER BRACELETS WITH FRINGE OR TASSELS HANGING FROM THEM,
AND THESE FLY ABOUT RHYTHMICALLY DURING THE HANDSHAKE.
WHEN THE GREETING IS BETWEEN A BOY AND A GIRL, SOME FORM OF
LIGHT KISS IS OFTEN INCLUDED IN THE HANDSHAKE.
Submitter comment:
I HAVE SEEN SITUATIONS MANY TIMES WHERE A BLACK PERSON
WOULD COME UP TO A TABLE OF AS MANY AS A DOZEN OTHER BLACK
PEOPLE AND GIVE SUCH A HANDSHAKE TO EACH ONE, A PROCESS
OF PERHAPS 5 MINUTES ALTOGETHER.
Where learned: CALIFORNIA ; SAN DIEGO
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | 602 Body Parts SPEECH -- Greetings Salutations |
Date learned: 09-00-1970
THE PRINCE OF WALES
THIS IS A BEER DRINKING GAME FOR APPROXIMATELY 5-8
DRINKERS SEATED AROUND THE TABLE. ONE PERSON BEGINS
BY SAYING: "THE PRINCE OF WALES LOST HIS TAILS, TAILS,
ON NO. (BLANK." THE NUMBER INSERTED CORRESPONDS
TO ONE OF THE OTHER DRINKERS, COUNTED CLOCKWISE AROUND
THE TABLE FROM THE ORIGINATOR. THE PERSON DESIGNATED
MUST IMMEDIATELY RESPOND BY SAYING "WHO? (BLANK? NO.
(BLANK)," INSERTING HIS OWN NUMBER IN THE FIRST BLANK
AND SOMEONE ELSE'S IN THE SECOND, THIS TIME COUNTED
CLOCKWISE FROM HIM. THIS CONTINUES UNTIL SOMEONE
FAILS TO RESPOND TO HIS NUMBER, RESPONDS TOO SLOWLY,
MAKES A PRONUNCIATION ERROR, OR MAKES SOME OTHER ERROR
WHICH THE GROUP CONSIDERS UNALLOWABLE. THE PERSON WHO
MAKES THE ERROR MUST THEN TAKE A GENEROUS DRINK OF
BEER AND BEGIN THE NEXT ROUND.
Where learned: CALIFORNIA ; MARINES ; SAN DIEGO
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Memory |
Date learned: 09-00-1970
REVERSE BUZZ
THIS IS A VARIATION ON THE FAMILIAR NUMBER GAME, BUZZ,
IN WHICH A GROUP OF PEOPLE TAKE TURNS COUNTING,
SAYING "BUZZ" IN PLACE OF EVERY NUMBER CONTAINING A
7 OR DIVISIBLE BY 7. THIS VARIATION IS USED AS A
DRINKING GAME, AND THE COUNTING GOES AROUND A TABLE
OF DRINKERS. HOWEVER, EACH TIME "BUZZ" IS SAID THE
DIRECTION OF COUNTING REVERSES ITSELF AND GOES BACK
AROUND THE TABLE IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. THIS
LEADS TO GREAT CONFUSION, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE PLAYERS
ARE A LITTLE HIGH, AND PARTICULARLY AT SPOTS LIKE 27-28,
WHERE TWO BUZZES OCCUR IN A ROW. THE FIRST PERSON
TO MAKE A MISTAKE MUST TAKE A GENEROUS DRINK OF BEER
AND BEGIN COUNTING AT ONE AGAIN.
Where learned: CALIFORNIA ; MARINES ; SAN DIEGO
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Memory |
Date learned: 09-00-1970
IF YOU WANT GOOD LUCK THROUGHOUT
THE YEAR, EAT BLACK EYED PEAS AND
HOG HEAD ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE YEAR.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT STATED THIS WAS A TRADITION
AROUND HER HOUSE.
Where learned: CALIFORNIA ; SAN DIEGO
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's |
Date learned: 00-00-1985