Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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A MOTHER RECEIVED THIS TELEGRAM ABOUT HER SON. SHE HAD A LITTLE
DIFFICULTY UNDERSTANDING IT. CAN YOU?
BRUISES HURT
ERASED AFFORD
ERECTED
ANALYSIS SICK
INFECTIOUS DEAD.
Submitter comment:
ALTHOUGH THIS ITEM IS REALLY MUCH THE SAME TYPE OF THING AS THE
PREVIOUS ITEM: IT IS MUCH EASIER TO CATCH ON TO BECAUSE WE ARE MORE
ACCUSTOMED TO READING WORDS. NATURALLY, ONCE ONE HAS BEEN TOLD WHAT
ONE OF THESE ITEMS MEANS IT IS MUCH SIMPLER TO FIGURE OUT WHAT ANY
SIMILAR ITEM WOULD MEAN ALSO.
Where learned: OHIO ; CINCINNATI
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 00001960S
OH! I WISH I WERE A BUNNY,
WITH A TAIL OF FLUFF,
FOR I'D SIT UPON YOUR DRESSER,
AND BE YOUR POWDER PUFF.
Where learned: OHIO ; CINCINNATI
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Wisecracks, gags, silly stories, insults |
Date learned: 00-00-1959
ROSES ARE RED, VIOLETS ARE BLUE,
WHEN YOU GET OLDER, YOUR DREAMS WILL COME TRUE.
P. S. MAYBE.
Where learned: OHIO ; CINCINNATI
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Roses are red and other such associations |
Date learned: 00-00-1959
West Virginia hillbillies are called "hoopies" by people
living along the West Virginia border of eastern Ohio. In this
area the word "hoopie" is not only synonymous with, but has
actually replaced the word "hillbilly." The term comes from barrel
making which was a common occupation in the Wheeling, West
Virginia area. Those who made the metal hoops for the barrels were
called "hoopies". Eventually the term "hoopie" became synonymous
with hillbilly.
James Callow comment:
The earliest passage equating hoopie with hillbilly is
dated 1940. See F. G. Cassidy, DARE, s.v. "hoopy."
Where learned: OHIO ; WEST VIRGINIA
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Proper Name |
Date learned: 00-00-1960
VAMPIRE BELIEF
VAMPIRES CAN BE KEPT AWAY BY HANGING GARLIC AROUND YOUR
DOORS AND WINDOWS
GARLIC HUNG AROUND THE NECK ALSO SERVES THE PURPOSE
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Keyword(s): Garlic ; SUPERNATURAL ; SUPERSTITION ; Undead ; Vampire
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Plant food Vegetable BELIEF -- Werewolf Vampire BELIEF -- Body part Senses Upper body, arms, neck |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
THERE IS A HOUSE ON CATAWBA ISLAND DATED 1859 THAT WAS
INHABITED BY BETSY MOJOHN, AN ALCOHOLIC INDIAN MARRIED
TO A WHITE MAN. SHE GOT HER NAME FROM THE MANNER IN
WHICH SHE ASKED HER HUSBAND JOHN FOR MORE LIQUOR.
Where learned: OHIO ; CATAWBA ISLAND
James Callow Keyword(s): MORE, JOHN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 10-00-1983
Entry filtered.
Proverb
Children should be seen and not heard.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [F533] crossed out. Replaced with current classification.
Keyword(s): Aphorism ; Apothegm ; CHILD ; CHILDREN ; Hear ; Heard ; Maxim ; Parent ; Parenting ; PROVERB ; Rearing ; See ; Sight ; VERSE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Retort
I wouldn't touch that line with a ten foot pole.
Submitter comment:
Paul is famous for saying this - If somebody would slip and say something innapropriate to the time and location or if a double meaning could be attached to something said whereby he wants people to take it the wrong way.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
A large questionmark is written next to the Collector's comment.
The word [Retort??] is written above the word Untouchable in the Title section.
The original BN [C329] crossed out. Replaced wtih current classification.
Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; DISTANCE ; INSULT ; Pole ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
FLORIDA SUPERSTITION
"IF A BLACK CAT CROSSES YOUR PATH, YOU SHOULD WALK THE OTHER WAY
TO PREVENT BAD LUCK".
Where learned: OHIO ; FLORIDA ; ALLIANCE ; EUSTIS
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Color BELIEF -- Conversions |
Date learned: 11-13-1980 ; 00001920S
FLORIDA WEATHER BELIEF
"DADDY USED TO TELL US THAT THE SUNSHINE IN FLORIDA WAS SO HEALTHY,
NO ONE EVER DIED, AND THAT'S WHY THE POOREST MEN
IN FLORIDA WERE THOSE WHO SELL CEMETERY PLOTS".
Where learned: OHIO ; FLORIDA ; ALLIANCE ; EUSTIS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote BELIEF -- Sun BELIEF -- Air Weather Fire BELIEF -- Weather sign or control |
Date learned: 11-13-1980 ; 00001920S
GEORGIA WEDDING SUPERSTITION
"YOU SHOULD NEVER SAY THE NAME OF AN OLD BOYFRIEND
ON YOUR WEDDING DAY, BECAUSE IT WOULD BRING BAD LUCK
TO THE FIRST YEAR OF YOUR MARRIAGE".
Where learned: OHIO ; FLORIDA ; ALLIANCE ; EUSTIS
| Subject headings: | Person / Nickname 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage BELIEF -- Measure of time Year BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 11-13-1980 ; 00001920S
REMEMBER THE GIRL FROM THE CITY,
REMEMBER THE GIRL FROM THE TOWN,
REMEMBER THE GIRL THAT SPOILED YOUR BOOK,
BY WRITING UPSIDE DOWN
Submitter comment: THIS WAS WRITTEN IN MY BOOK UP-SIDE-DOWN.
Where learned: OHIO ; CINCINNATI
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Reading or writing backwards, upside down |
Date learned: 00-00-1959
MY MOTHER WOULD TELL OF A NEW MOTHER IN THEIR TOWN IN AUSTRIA-
HUNGARY WHOSE NEW-BORN BABY CRIED CONTINUOUSLY AND WOULD NEVER BE
QUIET. THE NEW MOTHER WAS BECOMING VERY UPSET AND NERVOUS BY ALL
THE SCREAMING AND CRYING AND CRYING AND CARRYING-ON. AN OLD GYPSY
HEARD THE SCREAMING ONE DAY AND CAME UP TO THE HOUSE TO ASK IF THE
MOTHER WANTED THE BABY TO BE QUIET AND CRY ONLY WHEN HUNGRY OR WET,
AND THAT THE OLD GYPSY COULD STOP THE GENERAL CRYING. THE MOTHER
SAID YES AND WAS TOLD THAT SHE WOULD HAVE TO LEAVE THE OLD WOMAN
ALONE WITH THE BABY FOR A WHILE. THE MOTHER LEFT THE OLD WOMAN WITH
THE BABY IN THE HOUSE AND WENT OUTSIDE TO WAIT. A WHILE LATER THE
OLD GYPSY WOMAN CAME OUT WITH THE BABY AND THE BABY WAS QUIET AND
CONTENTED. THE MOTHER ASKED WHAT SHE HAD DONE WITH THE BABY, AND
THE GYPSY REPLIED THAT SHE HAD TAKEN SPIT AND RUBBED IT ON THE
BABY'S EYES WHILE SAYING SOME WORDS AND THAT THE BABY WOULD NOW BE
FINE. IT WAS JUST AS SHE SAID AND AFTER THAT THE BABY ONLY CRIED
WHEN IT WAS HUNGRY OR NEEDED TO BE CHANGED.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: OHIO ; HUNGARY ; AUSTRIA ; CLEVELAND
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- B439 BELIEF -- Curer |
Date learned: 09-10-1972
WHEN YOU GROW OLDER AND LIVE IN A HUT,
SEND ME A PICTURE OF YOUR FIRST LITTLE NUT.
Where learned: OHIO ; CINCINNATI
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Matrimony |
Date learned: 00-00-1959
"HANGMAN"
HANGMAN, HANGMAN SLACK YOUR ROPE.
HANGMAN, HANGMAN SLACK YOUR ROPE.
SLACK IT FOR A K-K-K-K- ( SOUND AS IF CHOKING).
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: OHIO ; TROTWOOD
Keyword(s): Children's Song ; Hangman ; RHYME ; Rope ; SONG
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children |
Date learned: 04-00-1972
"I'M A NUT"
LITTLE ACORN FAT AND ROUND
LAYING ON THE COLD, COLD GROUND
EVERYBODY STEPS ON ME
THAT'S WHY I'M CRACKED YOU SEE!
I'M A NUT (CLAP, CLAP)
I'M A NUT (CLAP, CLAP)
I'M A GREAT (CLAP, CLAP)
BIG NUT (CLAP, CLAP).
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: OHIO ; TROTWOOD
Keyword(s): Acorn ; Children's Song ; NUT ; RHYME
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children |
Date learned: 04-00-1972
JUST PLANT A WATERMELON ON MY GRAVE
AND LET THE JUICE SLIP THROUGH.
JUST PLANT A WATERMELON ON MY GRAVE
THAT'S ALL I ASK OF YOU!
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: OHIO ; TROTWOOD
Keyword(s): CHILDREN ; Children's Song ; Grave ; Juice ; RHYME ; Watermelon
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children |
Date learned: 04-00-1972
Forever Young
If a Chinese girl with green eyes marries any man that man
will remain forever young. It is very hard to find a
Chinese girl with this type of eye color so luck is also
a great factor.
Submitter comment:
I personally have never seen a Chinese girl with green eyes
but my informant has and he spoke with her, that's how he
gave me this story.
Where learned: OHIO
Keyword(s): Eternal youthfulness
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Color BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 00-00-1991