Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for 6958 returned 102 results.
GAME
TWO OR MORE PEOPLE PLAY DREDEL. THE DREDLE IS SHAPED LIKE A TOP BUT
WITH FIVE SIDES. EACH SIDE A HEBREW LETTER ON IT, EACH LETTER MEANS A
GOOD OR BAD PRIZE. ONE PERSON SPINS AND WHATEVER HE LANDS
ON THAT'S
WHAT HE WINS. EACH PERSON ONLY SPINS ONCE.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 06-00-1972
TALL TALE: JOHN MUSKOVICH (PRONOUNCED MUS-KOH'-VICH)
DID I EVER TELL YOU THE STORY OF THE GREATEST AMERICAN--JOHN
MUSKOVICH? ONE DAY JOHN WAS SITTING AT THE LOCAL BAR IN MINOOKA,
PENNSYLVANIA WHEN THE GOVERNOR OF PENNSYLVANIA, MILTON SCHAPP, WAS
ON TELEVISION. JOHN TURNED TO HIS BUDDY AND SAYS, "HEY, THERE'S
MY BUDDY MILTY; ME AND MILT HAVE BEEN FRIENDS FOR A LONG TIME."
HIS BUDDY RESPONDS, "ARE YOU TELLING ME YOU ARE FRIENDS WITH THE
GOVERNOR OF OUR ILLUSTRIOUS STATE?" TO WHICH JOHN REPLIES,
"YEAH." HIS BUDDY SAYS, "WELL, I'LL BET YOU TEN DOLLARS THAT YOU
DON'T REALLY KNOW THE GOVERNOR." SO THAT AFTERNOON THE TWO GUYS
GOT INTO THE CAR AND WENT OFF TO HARRISBURG. SOON AFTER THEY
WALKED INTO THE CAPITAL BUILDING, NONE OTHER THAN MILTON SCHAPP
CAME WALKING DOWN THE HALL. AS SOON AS SCHAPP SAW JOHN HE SAYS,
"JOHN MUSKOVICH, HOW YA DOIN'. LONG TIME . . . ." SO JOHN WON
THE TEN DOLLARS.
THE NEXT DAY JOHN AND HIS BUDDY WRE BACK IN MINOOKA WATCHING THE
TELEVISION WHEN PRESIDENT NIXON CAME ON. JOHN IMMEDIATELY SAYS,
"HEY, THERE'S MY BUDDY TRICKY DICK." HIS BUDDY SAYS, "WAIT A
MINUTE. YESTERDAY YOU SAID YOU KNEW THE GOVERNOR, NOW YOU SAY
YOU KNOW THE PRESIDENT. I'LL BET YOU $100 THAT YOU DON'T KNOW
THE PRESIDENT." AND THE NEXT MORNING THE TWO WERE OFF TO WASHING-
TON, D.C. THEY WERE WALKING OUTSIDE OF THE WHITE HOUSE AND PAT
NIXON JUST HAPPENED TO BE OUT ON THE LAWNS AND SHE IMMEDIATELY
SPOTS JOHN AND SAYS, "JOHN MUSKOVICH! HOW ARE YOU? IT'S BEEN A
LONG TIME. DICK WILL BE SO HAPPY TO SEE YOU." AND JOHN WON THE
$100.
ABOUT A WEEK LATER BACK AT THE MINOOKA BAR, THE TWO MEN WERE TALK-
ING AND JOHN'S BUDDY SAID, "LAST WEEK YOU SAID YOU KNEW THE GOVER-
NOR AND THEN THE PRESIDENT; I BET THE NEXT THING YOU'LL SAY IS
THAT YOU KNOW THE POPE!" TO WHICH JOHN REPLIES, "HEY, ME AND PAUL
BEEN FRIENDS FOR A LONG TIME." HIS BUDDY SAYS, "OKAY, I'LL BET
YOU $1,000 YOU DON'T KNOW THE POPE." AND THE NEXT DAY THE TWO ARE
ON A PLANE HEADED FOR THE VATICAN. WHEN THEY GET THERE IT JUST
HAPPENED THAT THE POPE WAS HAVING AN AUDIENCE WITH THE PUBLIC THAT
AFTERNOON. JOHN DECIDED TO LEAVE HIS BUDDY IN THE CROWD AND
HEADED IN TO SEE THE POPE HIMSELF. JUST AFTER JOHN WALKS OUT ON
THE BALCONY WITH THE POPE, THERE'S A BIG COMMOTION IN THE CROWD AND
JOHN SEES THAT HIS BUDDY HAD PASSED OUT. JOHN COMES RUNNING DOWN
AND GETS OVER TO HIS BUDDY AND SAYS, "HEY, WHAT HAPPENED?" HIS
BUDDY REPLIES,"THERE WERE THESE TWO NUNS NEXT TO ME AND ONE SAID
TO THE OTHER, 'WHO'S THAT UP THERE WITH JOHN MUSKOVICH?'"
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale |
Date learned: 00-00-1970
BACKWARDNESS
A COUPLE OF MY FRIENDS WERE IN THE NAVY. AFTER COMING HOME, WHEN
THEY SEE EACH OTHER ON THE STREET, THEY BOTH TURN AROUND AND WALK
BY EACH OTHER BACK TO BACK. THEY DO THIS TO SHOW THEIR MUTUAL
FEELING THAT EVERYTHING IS DONE BACKWARDS IN THE NAVY.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA, ASSUMED ; SCRANTON
Keyword(s): MILITARY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535 SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 04-00-1967
SCHOOL BELIEF
IT IS BELIEVED THAT GETTING TOTALLY DRUNK THE NIGHT BEFORE A
PSYCHOLOGY TEST WILL BRING A PASSING GRADE ON THE TEST.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT AND HIS ROOMMATE FOLLOWED THIS FOR THREE
TESTS AND RECEIVED THREE PASSING GRADES OF B OR BETTER,
HOWEVER THE INFORMANT LATER DROPPED OUT OF SCHOOL DUE TO POOR GRADES.
Data entry tech comment:
Told at the University of Scranton 1969-1970.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; UNIVERSITY OF SCRANTON ; SCRANTON
James Callow Keyword(s): ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- School |
Date learned: 00001969-00001970
RELIGIOUS CUSTOM
THE JEWISH PEOPLE LIGHT CANDLES ON FRIDAY NIGHT.
Submitter comment: THIS WELCOMES THE SABBATH
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Week Day Hour |
Date learned: 00-00-1950
RELIGIOUS CUSTOM
THE HEAD OF A JEWISH HOUSEHOLD HIDES A PIECE OF MATZOH
THE FIRST TWO DAYS OF PASSOVER.
Submitter comment: WHOEVER FINDS THE MATZOH RECEIVES A GIFT.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Hiding Searching CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting |
Date learned: 00-00-1950
GAME RED LIGHT GREEN LIGHT
ONE PERS.ON IS IT. HE HAS HIS BACK TURNED TO THE REST OF THE PLAYERS
HE SAYS GREEN LIGHT. AND EVERYONE RUNS. HE THEN ABRUPTLY SAY RED LIGH
SAYS RED LIGHT.
EVERYONE MUST STOP, ANYONE WHO MOVES GOES BACK TO THE BEGINNING. TO
WIN THE PLAYER MUST GET ALL THE WAY UP TO IT FIRST.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Bodily Activity |
Date learned: 00-00-1950
CUSTOM CANDLE
EVERY YEAR AT CAMP AKIBA IN THE POCONO MOUNTAINS OF PENNSYLVANIA EACH
BUNK WRITES ALL THEIR NAMES ON A PLAQUE. A CANDLE IS PUT ON THE
PLAQUE AND FLOATED DOWN THE LAKE. IF IT REACHES THE OTHER SIDE
GIRLS IN THAT BUNK WILL RETURN.
Submitter comment: THIS WAS DONE ON THE LAST NIGHT OF CAMP
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 00-00-1950
RELIGIOUS CUSTOM
ALL JEWISH PEOPLE MUST EAT SOME HONEY ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE NEW
YEAR.
Submitter comment: THIS PRACTICE INSURES A SWEET YEAR.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
James Callow Keyword(s): ROSH HASHANAH
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Autumn Fall Harvest Thanksgiving BELIEF -- Measure of time Year |
Date learned: 00-00-1950
LEGEND
THERE IS A MAN BURIED IN THE NICHOLSON BRIDGE IN NICHOLSON, /A.
Submitter comment:
THE MAN WAS BURIED DURING AN ACCIDENT WHILE THE BRIDGE WAS BEING
BUILT.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00-00-1950
RELIGIOUS CUSTOM
THE JEWISH PEOPLE LEAVE A GLASS OF WATER OUTSIDE WHEN GOING TO A
FUNERAL. THEY WASH THEIR HANDS WITH IT WHEN THEY RETURN FROM THE
CEMETARY.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
James Callow Keyword(s): CEMETERY ; PURIFICATION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 00-00-1950
TELEPHONE ANSWER
JOE'S BAKERY. WHICH CRUMB DO YOU WANT TO SPEAK TO?
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 00-00-1950
RELIGIOUS CUSTOM
THE JEWISH PEOPLE FAST ON THE HOLIDAY YOM KIPPUR.
Submitter comment:
YOM KIPPUR OR THE DAY OF ATONEMENT IS THE HOLIEST DAY OF THE YEAR.
GOD DECIDES ON THIS DAY WHO SHALL LIVE AND WHO SHALL DIE.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
James Callow Keyword(s): FASTING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Autumn Fall Harvest Thanksgiving BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 00-00-1950
WEATHER PREDICTION RAIN
WHEN THE COWS ARE LYING DOWN IN THE FIELD IT WILL RAIN.
Submitter comment:
HIS BELIEF WAS HANDED DOWN FROM HIS FATHER AND HE FIRMLY BELIEVES
IT TO BE TRUE.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
Date learned: 00-00-1958
NEW YEAR'S CUSTOM
THE IRISH AT NEW YEAR'S ALWAYS HAVE PORK FOR DINNER AND
LEAVE MONEY ON THE OUTSIDE OF A WINDOW AND TAKE IT ON
NEW YEAR'S DAY. SIGNIFICANCE IS THEY NEVER WILL BE BROKE
FOR THE YEAR.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
Keyword(s): GIFTGIVING
Date learned: 04-01-1972
ON ASH WEDNESDAY YOU WOULD KNOCK ON PEOPLES DOORS AND WHEN THEY
WOULD COME OUT, YOU WOULD THROW ASHES ON THEM.
Submitter comment: INFORMANTS MOTHER PRACTICED THIS CUSTOM WHEN SHE WAS IN POLAND.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
Keyword(s): RELIGIOUS CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | 663 Ash Wednesday CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Monday |
Date learned: 03-05-1972
CHRISTMAS EVE CUSTOM
ON CHRISTMAS EVE AT SUPPER WE TAKE BLESSED WAFERS (IN
LITHUANIAN THEY ARE CALLED "PLACALUE") AND DISTRIBUTE THEM
TO EVERYONE PRESENT. EACH PERSON BREAKS A PIECE OFF HIS OWN
AND THEN ALL OF THEM ARE PASSED AROUND, WITH EACH PERSON TAKING
A PIECE. WHILE THIS IS GOING ON, WE WISH EACH OTHER A MERRY
CHRISTMAS.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM ; FOOD CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82 |
Date learned: EARLY 00001950'S
"WEGILIJA"
EVERY YEAR THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS AT SUPPER, A WAFER IS
BROKEN AND DISTRIBUTED. THE WAFER IS CALLED "OPLATEK." THE
DINNER STARTS AFTER THE FIRST STAR SHINES. YOU HAVE TO HAVE
AN ODD NUMBER OF PEOPLE AT THE TABLE WITH AN EMPTY SEAT.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT STILL HOLDS TO THIS CUSTOM AND GETS THE OPLATEK
FROM POLAND EVERY YEAR FOR THIS CUSTOM.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82 |
Date learned: 03-05-1972
WHEN CALLED A NAME BY SOMEONE, A WELL KNOW REPLY IN MY
NEIGHBORHOOD WAS: "STICKS AND STONES MAY BREAK MY BONES,
BUT NAMS WILL NEVER HURT ME."
Submitter comment: INFORMANT SAID THIS IN HER CHILDHOOD.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; TOLD IN ; SCRANTON
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 03-01-1972
CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
THE FIRST CHRISTMAS CARD YOU RECEIVE WITH A PICTURE OF THE
THREE KINGS, YOU TACK UP ABOVE YOUR FRONT DOORWAY INSIDE THE HOUSE,
TO ENSURE THE BLESSINGS OF THE THREE KINGS ON YOUR HOUSE FOR THE
COMING YEAR. YOU LEAVE IT UP UNTIL THE FOLLOWING YEAR, WHEN THE
CUSTOM IS REPEATED.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; TOLD IN ; SCRANTON
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Greetings, wishes, prayers, cards BELIEF -- Number |