Dr. James T. Callow publications
Browse by
Questions or comments on this site? Please email davidsor@udmercy.edu.
The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for 6936 returned 282 results.
JOKE
"HOW FAR CAN A DOG RUN INTO THE WOODS?"
-- "HALF WAY, BECAUSE THE OTHER HALF HE'S RUNNING OUT
OF THE WOODS."
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT HEARD THIS FROM HIS OLDER BROTHER WHO IS A
SCHOOL TEACHER AND LEARNED IT WHEN HE WAS STILL STUDYING
EDUCATION.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT
Keyword(s): DISTANCE MEASURE
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 11-02-1971
RIDDLE
HOW MUCH DIRT IS THERE IN A WHOLE FIVE FEET DEEP?
-- NONE.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT
Keyword(s): MEASURMENT
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 09-30-1967
RIDDLE
IF A ROOSTER LAID AN EGG ON TOP OF A ROOF, WHICH WAY WOULD
IT FALL?
-- ROOSTERS DON'T LAY EGGS.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT
Keyword(s): ANIMAL ; LEFT RIGHT EAST WEST
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 02-23-1972
RIDDLE
"HOW LONG" IS A CHINAMAN'S NAME.
Submitter comment:
(THIS IS A DECLARATIVE SENTENCE STATING THE NAME OF
A PARTICULAR CHINAMAN. MOST PEOPLE INTERPRET IT AS
A QUESTION. THEY BECOME PUZZLED IN TRYING TO ANSWER IT.)
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT
Keyword(s): ORIENT NATIONALITY
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 02-25-1970
RIDDLE
WHY DID TWENTY-FIVE PEOPLE WALK OUT OF THE BEST
RESTURANT IN NEW YORK?
-- BECAUSE THEY WERE FINISHED EATING.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT
Keyword(s): FOOD
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 10-10-1971
RIDDLE
HOW CAN YOU TELL THE AGE OF A CHICKEN?
-- BY HIS TEETH. (CATCH - CHICKENS DO NOT HAVE TEETH).
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT
Keyword(s): ANIMAL
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 02-25-1970
RIDDLE
IF A PLANE CRASHES ON THE BORDER OF CANADA AND
THE UNITED STATES, WHERE WOULD YOU BURY THE
SURVIVORS?
-- YOU DON'T BURY "SURVIVORS".
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT
Keyword(s): FLYING
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 02-23-1972
RIDDLE
HOW DID THE BUCKWHEAT COME TO AMERICA?
-- IT CAME THREE-CORNERED. (THE GRAIN ITSELF)
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT
Keyword(s): FARMING AGRICULTURE
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 02-25-1970
BIRTH BELIEF
IF A NEW MOTHER LEAVES ANY DIAPERS AT A HOME SHE
IS VISITING, SOMEONE IN THAT HOME WILL SOON
BECOME PREGNANT.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 03-10-1970
PROVERB
HE WHO SELDOM RIDES FORGETS HIS SPURS.
Where learned: HOME ; DEARBORN ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
EPIPHANY CUSTOM
THE LETTERS KMB ARE WRITTEN ABOVE A DOORWAY IN THE HOUSE WITH BLESSED
CHALK RECIEVED ON THE FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY. THE THREE LETTERS ARE
THE INITALS OF THE THREE WISE MEN. DOING THIS WILL KEEP EVIL AWAY.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT DISPLAY THE LETTERS ABOVE HER BACK DOOR.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; WARREN ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany January 6 |
Date learned: 02-22-1970
OMEN FOR DEATH
IF A RED BIRD FLIES INTO A HOME THERE WILL BE A DEATH
IN THE FAMILY.
Where learned: HOME ; ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 03-27-1970
EASTER EGG TRADITION
THERE IS A CUSTOM WITH THE POLISH PEOPLE OF PASSING AROUND
THE DINNER TABLE ONE BLESSED, HARD-BOILED EASTER EGG. THE
OLDEST MALE MEMBER OF THE FAMILY BEGINS TO BREAK THE SLICES
OF THE EGG WITH OTHER MEMBER OF THE FAMILY. USUALLY A
WISH IS MADE BETWEEN THE TWO AND THEN SEALED WITH A KISS.
HOWEVER, IF THE EGG DROPS, ONE OF THE TWO WILL NOT LIVE
TO SEE THE NEXT EASTER.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | Observation CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter eggs |
Date learned: 03-27-1970
OMEN
IF YOUR EARS ARE BURNING, THIS IS AN INDICATION THAT SOMEONE
IS TALKING ABOUT YOU.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 03-27-1970
INDICATOR OF EMBARRASSMENT
IF YOU PUT YOUR UNDERWEAR ON INSIDE OUT, YOU WILL BE
EMBARRASSED SOME TIME DURING THAT DAY.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 03-27-1970
INDICATOR OF SURPRISE
IF YOU BUTTON SOMETHING WRONG AND IF YOU LEAVE IT THAT WAY,
YOU WILL HAVE A SURPRISE.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 03-27-1970
CHRISTMAS
DURING CHRISTMAS SEASON FOR EVERY SPECIAL THING THAT A MEMBER OF THE
FAMILY DID, THE PERSON PUT A PIECE OF STRAW IN THE CRIB AND THEY
TRIED TO SEE HOW MUCH STRAW THEY COULD PUT IN FOR CHRISTMAS.
Submitter comment: THIS WAS DONE BY THE INFORMANT, 1950-1968 IN DETROIT.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Manger scenes CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Straw |
Date learned: 11-23-1970
CHRISTMAS
ON CHRISTMAS EVE THE CRIB WAS PUT UP AND JESUS WOULD BE PUT IN IT.
AND CHRISTMAS HYMNS WOULD BE SUNG.
Submitter comment: THIS WAS DONE BY THE INFORMANT IN 1949-1950 TO 1968-1969.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Manger scenes CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Songs, caroling |
Date learned: 11-23-1970
GRACE, GRACE DRESSED IN LACE/ WENT UPSTAIRS TO POWER HER FACE/ HOW
MANY BOXES DID SHE USE? (COUNT)
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT
Keyword(s): CHARACTER ; ENDURANCE ; Jump
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 11-23-1970
ROPE JUMPING RHYME
WHEN YOU GET MARRIED AND YOUR HUSBAND GETS CROSS,
JUST PICK UP A STICK AND SHOW HIM WHO'S BOSS.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE ; TOLD AT
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE POSITIVE ; PETTICOAT GOVERNMENT ; SEXISM
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 02-22-1971