Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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PARODY
ROSES ARE RED/ VIOLETS ARE BLUEISH/ IF IT WEREN'T FOR CHRISTMAS/
WE WOULD ALL BE JEWISH
Submitter comment: INFORMANT USED TO SAY AS A CHILD UNTIL HER MOTHER HEARD HER SAY IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MADISON HEIGHTS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: 10-00-1973
TONGUE TWISTER
BETTY BOTTER BOUGHT A BIT OF BUTTER/ BUT SHE SAID THIS BUTTERS
BITTER/ IF I PUT IT IN MY BATTER/ IT WILL MAKE MY BATTER BITTER/
SO BETTY BOTTER BOUGHT A BIT OF BETTER BUTTER/ AND IT MADE HER BATTER
BETTER
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MADISON HEIGHTS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Speech Speech |
Date learned: 10-00-1973
REVERSING A BABY'S SLEEP CYCLE
IF YOU WANT TO REVERSE A BABY'S SLEEP CYCLE YOU TURN IT HEAD OVER
HEELS AND THE SLEEP CYCLE WILL REVERSE.
Submitter comment: SAID HE DIDN'T REALLY BELIEVE IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MADISON HEIGHTS
James Callow Keyword(s): DIRECTION POSITION ; HOMEOPATHIC MAGIC
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Remedy |
Date learned: 10-00-1973
TONGUE TWISTER
THE SKUNK STOOD ON THE STUMP/ THE STUMP THOUGHT THE SKUNK STUNK/
AND THE SKUNK THOUGHT THE STUMP STUNK
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MADISON HEIGHTS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Speech Speech |
Date learned: 10-00-1973
HOW TO DEWORM A DOG
IF A DOG HAS WORMS ONE SHOULD FEED IT GARLIC AND THE WORMS WILL
BE KILLED
Submitter comment: INFORMANT DID NOT BELIEVE IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MADISON HEIGHTS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 10-00-1973
CURE FOR CHAPPED HANDS
INFORMANT SAID HIS FATHER TOLD HIM THAT TO CURE CHAPPED HANDS ALL
HE HAD TO DO WAS TO URINATE ON THEM.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT FOUND THE IDEA REVOLTING BUT SAID HIS FATHER DID IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MADISON HEIGHTS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Remedy |
Date learned: 10-00-1973
JUMP ROPE RHYME
NOT LAST NIGHT/ BUT THE NIGHT BEFORE/ 25 ROBBERS CAME A KNOCKING
AT MY DOOR/ AS I WALKED OUT, THEY WALKED IN/ AND HIT ME ON THE
HEAD WITH A ROLLING PIN
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MADISON HEIGHTS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 10-00-1973
JUMP ROPE RHYME
SALLY OVER THE WATER/ SALLY OVER THE SEA/ SALLY BROKE A MILK BOTTLE/
AND BLAMED IT ON ME/ SALLY TOLD MA/ MA TOLD PA/ SALLY GOT A
SCOLDING/ HA, HA, HA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MADISON HEIGHTS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 10-00-1973
CRANBERRY SCOOP
CRANBERRY SCOOP PICTURES SEE SQ692406-3 TO SQ692406-7
Submitter comment:
THE CRANBERRY SCOOP WAS USED IN THE HARVESTING OF CRANBERRIES. THE
ONE PICTURED COMES FROM KINGSTON MASSACHUSETTS. AND IS ABOUT 35 YEARS
OLD. IT BELONGED TO MY GREAT UNCLE. THEY STOPPED USING THE SCOOP
FOR HARVESTING THE ENTIRE CRANBERRY BOG IN THE EARLY TO MIDDLE 1950S
WHEN A MECHANIZED PICKER WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE BUSINESS. IT WAS
STILL USED TO HARVEST ALONG THE SIDES OF THE BOG FOR THE
MECHANICAL PICKER COULDN'T HARVEST THERE.
THE OLD SCOOPS THAT ARE NO LONGER BEING USED IN THE BOG HAVE BEEN
USED IN THE HOME FOR NEWSPAPER RACKS AND MAGAZINE RACKS. IN SOME
CASES THE SCREEN WAS REMOVED AND A PIECE OF CREWEL WORK WAS PUT IN
ITS PLACE TO MAKE THE SCOOP MORE ATTRACTIVE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Massachusetts ; MADISON HEIGHTS ; KINGSTON
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTIONAL SHIFT
| Subject headings: | Favorites Favorites ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Occupation Fishing ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Household furniture and utensil |
Date learned: 00-00-1938
SKUNK MISTAKEN FOR CAT
MY GREAT-GRANDPARENTS OWNED A FARM IN MASSACHUSETTS . THEY HAD AN
OLD MAN WORKING FOR THEM WHO WAS ALSO RENTING AN OLD CABIN MY
GREAT-GRANDFATHER HAD ON HIS LAND. ONE NIGHT THE OLD MAN CAME HOME
LATE FROM THE BAR AND AT HIS STEPS WAS WHAT HE THOUGHT TO BE MY
GREAT-GRANDPARENTS' CAT. THE OLD MAN PICKED UP THE ANIMAL AND
STARTED TO PET IT. WHEN HE GOT INSIDE THE CABIN HE LIT A MATCH TO
LIGHT THE LAMP. WHEN HE LIT THE MATCH HE SCARED THE SKUNK WHO LET
THE OLD MAN HAVE IT RIGHT BETWEEN THE EYES. THE OLD MAN COULDN'T
SEE VERY WELL FOR ABOUT THREE DAYS AFTER IT HAPPENED
Submitter comment:
THIS IS TOLD AS A TRUE STORY IN OUR FAMILY. IT CAN BE HEARD
ANYTIME THE OLDER MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY GET TOGETHER AND START
TO TALK ABOUT THE GOOD OLD DAYS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MADISON HEIGHTS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Man |
Date learned: 10-00-1973
LIMERICK
THERE WAS A YOUNG LADY FROM YETTA/ WHO FANCIED HERSELF IN A SWETTA/
THREE REASONS SHE HAD/ TO KEEP WARM WAS NOT BAD/ BUT THE OTHER TWO
REASONS WERE BETTA
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MADISON HEIGHTS
James Callow Keyword(s): INDIRECTION FOR BREASTS ; SWEATER
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1969
BIRTH BELIEFS
BABIES ARE BORN BY THE OPENING OF THE MOTHER'S BREASTS, DEPENDING ON
WHICH BREAST IS OPEN IS WHAT DECIDES IF IT IS A BOY OR GIRL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MADISON HEIGHTS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 02-00-1977
OMEN
AN OWL IS A SIGN OF DEATH. IF YOU SEE AN OWL IN YOUR YARD,
THERE WILL BE A DEATH IN YOUR HOUSE.
Submitter comment:
HE LEARNED THIS FROM HIS MOTHER. IN FACT, SHE SAW AN OWL IN THE
YARD ONCE, AND THREE DAYS LATER HER HUSBAND DIED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MADISON HEIGHTS
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 12-01-1967
MACEDONIAN GREEK ORTHODOX FUNERAL
THE FUNERAL CEREMONY OF THE GREEK ORTHODOX IS MUCH LIKE ANY
OTHER RELIGION ITSELF, BUT MANY SYMBOLS ARE USED. THE PALLBEARERS
MUST WEAR WHITE GLOVES SO THEY DO NOT
STAIN THE SOUL OF THE DEAD PERSON
WHEN THE PROCESSION GETS TO THE CEMETERY EVERYONE IS GIVEN A CANDLE,
THE SYMBOL OF ETERNAL LIFE. THE PALLBEARERS ARE GIVEN THREE
REMEMBRANCES OF THE DECEASED LIKE A PAIR
OF SOCKS, A PITCHER, AND A TOWEL
ALSO AT THE CEMETERY THEY EAT BREAD AND
DRINK WINE. THE BROTHERS OF THE
DECEASED CAN NOT SHAVE FOR SIX WEEKS AFTER
THE DEATH BECAUSE THE SHAVINGS
WILL FALL IN THE EYES OF THE DEAD PERSON
AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SEE
THE GATES OF HEAVEN.
THE PALLBEARERS AND FAMILY MUST MEET AT THE
CEMETARY THREE, SIX, NINE, AND
TWELVE MONTHS AFTER THE DEATH OF THE PERSON.
AND THEN EACH YEAR AFTER
AS LONG AS THE MOTHER WANTS. AT EACH
MEETING THE PALLBEARERS ARE AGAIN GIVEN
SOME ARTICLES IN REMEMBRANCE AND BREAD AND WINE IS HAD. ALSO
EACH PERSON IS GIVEN A CANDLE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MADISON HEIGHTS
Date learned: 00-00-1979
MACEDONIAN GREEK ORTHODOX WEDDING
BEFORE THE WEDDING, THERE IS A GIFT GIVING
CEREMONY AT THE BRIDE'S HOUSE.
THE FATHER OF THE BRIDE SHARES BREAD AND
WINE WITH THE BRIDE BEFORE THE
GIFTS. THE BRIDE PUTS ON HER WEDDING
DRESS AND IS THEN PRESENTED WITH
GIFTS. THE FATHER IS FIRST TO GIVE A
GIFT, FOLLOWED BY HER FEMALE
RELATIVES. THE GIFTS ARE EITHER GIFTS OF
MONEY OR LINGERIE, EXCEPT FOR
THE FATHER'S GIFT.
WHILE THIS IS TAKING PLACE THE GROOM WAITS IN THE CHURCH. HE IS NOT
ALLOWED TO SEE THE BRIDE UNTIL THE CEREMONY. THE GROOM AT THIS TIME
SIGNS A CONTRACT WITNESSED BY TWO MEMBERS OF THE WEDDING PARTY, THE
"NUNCA" OR GODFATHER AND THE BEST MAN.
WHEN THE CEREMONY BEGINS, EACH MALE MEMBER OF THE WEDDING PARTY WAITS
AS HIS PARTNER WALKS DOWN THE AISLE FROM THE REAR OF THE CHURCH. HE
GREETS HER IN THE CENTER OF THE AISLE.
THEY WALK TO THE ALTAR, BOW THEIR
HEADS. THEY THEN DIVIDE AND STAND ON
OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE ALTAR, THE
MEN ON THE RIGHT AND THE WOMEN ON THE LEFT AS BEING LOOKED AT BY THE
CONGREGATION. SECOND TO LAST ARE THE NUNCAS
OR GODPARENTS OF THE BRIDE
AND GROOM. THE NUNCAS MUST BE A MARRIED COUPLE.
LASTLY THE BRIDE WALKS
DOWN THE AISLE WITH HER FATHER, THEY ARE GREETED
BY THE GROOM ABOUT A
QUARTER OF THE WAY UP THE AISLE WHERE THE FATHER GIVES AWAY THE
DAUGHTER. THE FATHER LIFTS THE VEIL
FROM THE FACE OF THE BRIDE , GIVES
HER A KISS, AND THEN SHAKES THE GROOMS HAND AND SITS DOWN. THE BRIDE
AND GROOM THEN WALK UP TO THE ALTAR WHERE THE NUNCAS AND PRIEST WAIT.
NEXT COMES THE ACTUAL CEREMONY. THE NUNCAS
STAND BEHIND THE BRIDE AND
GROOM, CARRYING CANDLES. ONE OF THE COUPLES IN THE WEDDING PARTY
STAND BESIDE THE BRIDE AND GROOM. THE RING CEREMONY IS FIRST. THE
GROOM PUTS ON THE BRIDE'S RING AND THE
BRIDE PUTS ON THE GROOM'S. THE
PRIEST EXCHANGES THE RINGS THREE TIMES,
A SYMBOL OF THE BLESSED TRINITY,
EACH TIME KISSING THE RING. THE GROOM
THEN SLIPS THE BRIDE'S RING ON HER
FINGER AS HE SAYS HIS VOWS. THEN THE
BRIDE DOES THE SAME. NEXT COMES
THE CEREMONY OF THE CROWNS. THE PRIEST
BRINGS OUT THE CROWNS AND MAKES
THE SIGN OF THE CROSS WITH THEM. NEXT THE BRIDE KISSES THE GROOM'S
CROWN AND THE GROOM DOES THE SAME TO THE BRIDE'S. THIS IS DONE THREE
TIMES. THE PRIEST THEN TOUCHES THE CROWNS
TO THEIR HEADS. HE THEN SWITCHES
THE CROWNS BACK AND FORTH THREE TIMES.
HE PLACES THE CROWNS ON TOP OF THEIR
HEADS. THE CROWNS ARE SYMBOLS OF BEING KING
AND QUEEN OF THE HOUSEHOLD.
THE CROWNS ARE HELD IN PLACE BY THE COUPLE
WHO STAND BESIDE THE BRIDE AND
GROOM. NOW THE NUNCAS GIVE THE BRIDE AND
GROOM THE CANDLES. THE PRIEST,
NUNCAS, BRIDE AND GROOM, AND COUPLE FROM
THE WEDDING PARTY WALK AROUND
THE ALTAR THREE TIMES. THEY ARE NOW MAN
AND WIFE. THEY LEAVE THE CHURCH
HOLDING THE CANDLES, WITH THE WEDDING PARTY
AND FORM A RECEPTION LINE IN
THE VESTIBULE. THE MALE MEMBERS OF
THE BRIDE'S RELATIVES NOW GIVE HER
GIFTS OF MONEY. NEXT IS THE RECEPTION.
AT THE RECEPTION THERE IS EATING
AND DRINKING FOLLOWED BY A TRADITIONAL DANCE.
THE DANCE IS AS FOLLOWS:
A LINE IS FORMED BY EACH PERSON PUTTING HIS
OR HER HAND ON THE OTHER
PERSON'S SHOULDER, ARMS OUTSTRETCHED.
THE FIRST PERSON IS CARRYING ALOAF
OF BREAD. IT LOOKS LIKE A CAKE. THE DANCE
IS DONE BY STEPPING RIGHT WITH THE RIGHT FOOT. NEXT CROSS THE LEFT
FOOT BEHIND THE RIGHT. NOW STEP
TO THE RIGHT AGAIN WITH THE RIGHT FOOT.
NEXT KICK YOUR LEFT LEG OUT IN
FRONT OF YOUR RIGHT THEN RETURN IT TO THE
POSITION IT WAS AT. NOW CROSS
YOUR RIGHT FOOT OVER YOUR LEFT THEN STEP
TO YOUR LEFT WITH YOUR LEFT FOOT.
NOW KICK YOUR RIGHT LEG OVER YOUR LEFT
AND RETURN IT TO ITS POSITION.
REPEAT THESE STEPS. TO GET THE FIRST POSITION
IN LINE YOU MUST WALK UP
AND PUT MONEY ON THE BREAD THEN TAKE IT
FROM THE PERSON. BE SURE NOT
TO DROP IT OR YOU WILL BRING BAD LUCK TO THE COUPLE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MADISON HEIGHTS
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Group CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage BELIEF -- Bad luck SPEECH -- Gesture |
SUPERSTITIOUS BELIEF
WHEN GIVING KNIVES AS A GIFT, IF YOU DON'T GIVE THE PERSON MONEY
ALONG WITH THE GIFT THEN THAT PERSON WILL BE CUT BY THE KNIVES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MADISON HEIGHTS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 10-00-1981
CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
YOU SHOULD GROW WHEAT IN YOUR HOME TO INSURE GOOD
LUCK.
Submitter comment: SHE HEARD THIS FROM HER MOTHER.
Data entry tech comment:
SHE APPARENTLY MEANS DISPLAY WHEAT--NOT GROW IT AT HOME.
CN[ JACOB, THOMAS W.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MADISON HEIGHTS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Beliefs BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 12-01-1967
AFTER THE WEDDING, EVERYONE GOES BACK TO THE BRIDE'S
HOUSE AND THE GROOM COLLECTS MONEY FOR THE FIRST
BABY.
Submitter comment:
SHE LEARNED THIS FROM HER MOTHER AND IT WAS PRACTICED
AT HER WEDDING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MADISON HEIGHTS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Reception |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
REMOVAL OF THE BRIDAL VEIL SIGNIFIES THAT THE BRIDE
IS NOW A MARRIED WOMAN.
Submitter comment: SHE LEARNED THIS FROM HER MOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MADISON HEIGHTS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Removing veil |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
ON NEW YEAR'S THE FIRST PERSON TO ENTER YOUR HOUSE MUST
BE A MALE IF YOU ARE TO HAVE GOOD LUCK.
Submitter comment: HE HEARD THIS FROM HIS PARENTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MADISON HEIGHTS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 12-01-1967