Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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RIDDLE
Q: WHAT HAS FIVE LETTERS BUT WHEN YOU TAKE TWO AWAY HAS ONE?
A: THE WORD STONE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): COMMUNICATIONS AND RELATED ; NUMBERS AND MEASUREMENTS (Q)
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: 12-02-1967
A CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
ON CHRISTMAS EVE, WHEN THE TABLE IS SET FOR DINNER, AN EXTRA
PLACE AT THE TABLE IS SET. THE IDEA BEHIND THIS HABIT GOES AS
FOLLOWS: ALTHOUGH THE LORD IS NOT PHYSICALLY SITTING AT THE TABLE
SHARING A MEAL WITH US, HE IS THERE SPIRITUALLY AND THIS IS INDICATED
BY SETTING A PLACE FOR HIM.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; holiday ; Table Setting ; tradition
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Christmas |
Date learned: NOT RECORDED
BELIEF
IF A PERSON ENTERS ONE DOOR, HE SHOULD LEAVE BY THE SAME TO
AVOID BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
THIS INFORMANTS GRANDMOTHER ALWAYS MADE SURE THIS WAS DONE IN
HER HOUSE.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Door ; Entrance ; Exit ; Huse ; LUCK ; SUPERSTITION
James Callow Keyword(s): DIRECTION ; POSITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 09-22-1970
TALE: CLEVER ALICE
THERE WAS A YOUNG GIRL NAMED ALICE WHO WAS GETTING MARRIED. SHE
WENT DOWN TO THE CELLAR TO GET SOME WINE AND WAS GONE FOR A VERY
LONG TIME. FINALLY HER FATHER SENT THE MAID DOWN TO FIND OUT
WHAT WAS WRONG. THE MAID SAW ALICE SITTING THE THE CELLAR CRYING
AND ASKED HER WHAT WAS THE MATTER. ALICE SAID, "SEE THAT AXE
STUCK IN THE BEAM IN THE CEILING? ONE DAY OUR SON WILL COME DOWN
HERE, THE AXE WILL FALL DOWN AND CHOP HIS HEAD OFF." THE MAID
SAID, "TRULY YOU ARE CLEVER, ALICE," AND SHE TOO SAT DOWN AND
STARTED CRYING. WELL, PRETTY SOON THE BUTLER WENT DOWN TO FIND
OUT ABOUT THE MAID, THEN THE MOTHER, FATHER, AND FINALLY THE
BRIDEGROOM. THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO ALL OF THEM. THE BRIDE-
GROOM SAID, "TRULY YOU ARE CLEVER, ALICE. LET'S GO UP AND GET
MARRIED RIGHT NOW."
THEY GOT MARRIED AND ALICE TURNED OUT TO BE THE TYPE THAT SAID TO
HERSELF, "SHALL I BAKE OR DUST? I DON'T KNOW, SO I'LL SLEEP FOR
A WHILE." SO SHE WOULD FALL ASLEEP ALL DAY AND NEVER HAVE ANY
WORK DONE WHEN HER HUSBAND CAME HOME. ONE DAY HER HUSBAND TOLD
HER TO GO ROUND UP THE GEESE. WHEN SHE GOT OUTSIDE SHE SAID TO
HERSELF, "SHALL I ROUND UP THE GEESE OR FIX MY HAIR?" SHE SAT
DOWN TO THINK IT OVER AND FELL ASLEEP IN THE HAYLOFT. HER HUSBAND
GOT WORRIED AND WENT TO FIND HER. WHEN HE FOUND HER SLEEPING IN
THE HAYLOFT HE PUT A HAIR NET WITH BELLS ON HER HEAD. WHEN SHE
WOKE UP AND HEARD THE BELLS SHE WENT BACK TO THE HOUSE. SHE
KNOCKED AND ASKED FOR CLEVER ALICE. THE HUSBAND SAID, "YES,
SHE'S ASLEEP IN HER BED." THEN ALICE SAID, "WELL THEN, WHO AM
I?" THE HUSBAND SAID HE DIDN'T KNOW. SO ALICE USED TO GO FROM
DOOR TO DOOR ASKING WHO SHE WAS, AND SHE HAS NEVER BEEN HEARD OF
SINCE.
Submitter comment:
MISS DAMIN HEARD THIS TALE FROM HER HUNGARIAN GRANDMOTHER, MRS.
JOSEPHNE (JOSEPHINE?) DAMIN, WHEN SHE WAS A CHILD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HUNGARY ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ordinary Tale PROSE NARRATIVE -- Stupid man or woman CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Daily Life BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 01-00-1964
JUMP-ROPE RHYME
ASK YOUR MOTHER FOR FIFTY CENTS TO SEE THE MONKEY JUMP THE FENCE,
HE JUMPED SO HIGH HE TOUCHED THE SKY AND NEVER CAME DOWN TILL
FOURTH OF JULY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; informant's home
Keyword(s): CHARACTER ; PLAIN-JUMP
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 03-06-1971
JUMP ROPE RHYME
HELP, MURDER, POLICE
MY MOTHER FELL IN THE GREASE
I LAUGHED SO HARD, I FELL IN THE LARD
HELP MURDER POLICE
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector share the same surname and place of residence.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALPENA ; informant's home
Keyword(s): CHARACTER ; PLAIN-JUMP
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 10-04-1970
PROVERBIAL METAPHOR
WHY LOCK THE BARN AFTER THE HORSE IS STOLEN?
Submitter comment:
MEANING: IT IS TOO LATE TO SECURE SOMETHING ONCE IT HAS BEEN
STOLEN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 11-07-1971
CAR ACCIDENT
AFTER I, THE COLLECTOR, MENTIONED THE STORY THAT YOU CAN HEAR A
THUMPING SOUND WHENEVER YOU RIDE DOWN THE STREET ON THE EAST
SIDE OF DETROIT WHERE A GIRL WAS KILLED BY A CAR, THE FOLLOWING WAS
TOLD: THE SOUND OF THE THUMPING IS HER KNOCKING ON THE CAR
FOR THE PEOPLE TO STOP AS SHE WAS DRAGGED SO FAR ON THE AXLE OF
THE CAR.
Submitter comment:
SHE COULDN'T REMEMBER WHERE SHE HEARD THIS, BUT IT WAS PART OF THE
STORY AS I FIRST MENTIONED IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): GHOST
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 05-10-1965
Proverb
All is not gold that glitters.
Submitter comment:
From - Uncertain
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
Keyword(s): Aphorism ; Apothegm ; Glitter ; Gold ; Maxim ; Prose ; PROVERB ; Superficial ; VERSE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
CHRISTMAS
THERE IS A POLISH CUSTOM THAT THE MEAL EATEN ON CHRISTMAS EVE DAY IS
TO BE A MEATLESS MEAL. THIS MEAL IS CALLED "VIGELIA" BY THE POLES.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ABSTINENCE FROM MEAT ; CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; FOOD ; holiday ; POLISH ; tradition ; Vegetarian
| Subject headings: | 122 Christmas |
Date learned: 03-19-1970
TALE
A BOY AND HIS SISTER ARE WALKING THROUGH A FOREST AND THEY CAME TO
A STREAM. THE BOY BENDS OVER TO TAKE A DRINK BUT THE GIRL TELLS
HIM NOT TO BECAUSE IT'S ENCHANTED. HE DIDN'T LISTEN TO HER AND HE
TURNED INTO A DEER. SHE TOOK A LITTLE BELL AND PUT IT AROUND HIS
NECK AND THEY WENT TO LIVE IN A COTTAGE BY THE EDGE OF THE FOREST.
FOR A LONG TIME EVERYBODY TRIES TO KILL THE DEER BECAUSE IT IS
SUCH A BEAUTY. ONE DAY THE OLD KING DIED AND HIS YOUNG SON BECAME
KING. HE DECIDED HE WAS GOING TO CAPTURE THE DEER AND HAVE HIM
FOR A BANQUET. SO HE SENT OUT SPIES TO FIND OUT WHERE IT WAS THAT
THE DEER ALWAYS DISAPPEARED TO. THE SPIES SAID THAT THE DEER
ALWAYS WENT INTO A COTTAGE BY THE EDGE OF THE FOREST.
ONE DAY THE GIRL HAD GONE OUT TO GET SOME FOOD. WHEN SHE CAME
BACK SHE SAW THAT THERE HAD BEEN A STRUGGLE IN THE COTTAGE AND THE
LITTLE BELL WAS LYING ON THE FLOOR. SHE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO
BUT A BIRD TOLD HER THAT THE DEER HAD BEEN TAKEN TO THE CASTLE FOR
A BANQUET. SHE HURRIED TO THE KING, FORCED HER WAY PAST ALL THE
GUARDS, AND TOLD THE YOUNG KING THE WHOLE STORY. HE SAID, "HOW
CAN YOU PROVE IT?" SO SHE ASKED HIM TO TAKE HER TO THE DEER.
WHEN THE DEER SAW HER HE RUSHED RIGHT UP AND STARTED LICKING HER.
HE HAD BEEN MEAN TO EVERYONE ELSE SO THE KING KNEW SHE WAS TELLING
THE TRUTH. THE KING SENT OUT HIS SPIES TO CATCH THE OLD WITCH WHO
HAD ENCHANTED THE FOREST. THEY CAUGHT HER AND JUST BEFORE THEY
KILLED HER, HER IRON NOSE FELL OFF. AS SOON AS IT DID THE DEER
WAS CHANGED INTO A BOY AGAIN. THE KING DECIDED TO MARRY THE GIRL
AND THAT'S THE END OF THE STORY.
Submitter comment:
MISS DAMIN'S HUNGARIAN GRANDMOTHER TOLD HER THIS TALE WHEN SHE
WAS A YOUNG GIRL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HUNGARY ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Witch Shaman PROSE NARRATIVE -- Magic PROSE NARRATIVE -- Man BELIEF -- Mammal |
Date learned: 01-00-1964
ROSEMARY
ONCE A GIRL IN PITTSBURGH NAMED ROSEMARY WAS KILLED WHILE BEING
ASSAULTED. HER PARENTS BUILT A STONE MONUMENT WITH HER IMAGE IN
STONE ON IT. IT IS NOW A PLACE OF TEENAGE VENERATION. ANYONE
WHO TOUCHES THE STONE AND THEIR HAND BLEEDS IS NOT A VIRGIN, OR
ANYONE WHO SEES ROSEMARY THERE IS NOT A VIRGIN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 11-00-1968
ROSEMARY
ONCE A GIRL IN PITTSBURGH NAMED ROSEMARY WAS KILLED WHILE BEING
ASSAULTED. HER PARENTS BUILT A STONE MONUMENT WITH HER IMAGE IN
STONE ON IT. IT IS NOW A PLACE OF TEENAGE VENERATION. ANYONE
WHO TOUCHES THE STONE AND THEIR HAND BLEEDS IS NOT A VIRGIN, OR
ANYONE WHO SEES ROSEMARY THERE IS NOT A VIRGIN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 11-00-1968
Entry filtered.
THERE IS A CERTAIN PRAYER THAT IF IT IS SAID
FAITHFULLY EVERY DAY OF YOUR LIFE,
WILL ALLOW YOU TO KNOW THE VERY HOUR
OF YOUR DEATH. THREE DAYS BEFORE YOU DIE
YOU WILL HEAR THREE KNOCKS ON YOUR DOOR AND THIS SAINT
WILL TELL YOU TO PREPARE FOR YOUR DEATH
AT A CERTAIN HOUR.
Submitter comment:
MY MOTHER CLAIMS THAT SHE KNOWS OF AT LEAST THREE OLDER
WOMEN WHO FORETOLD THE VERY HOUR OF THEIR
DEATH THIS WAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; COLLECTED AT HOME
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 10-26-1969
PRETENDED OBSCENE RIDDLE
Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.
Q: WHAT IS A FOUR LETTER WORD FOR INTERCOURSE?
A: TALK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): AN ACTION (A) ; COMMUNICATION (Q) ; LITERAL NONOPPOSITIONAL
James Callow Keyword(s): SEX
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: 09-00-1971
IF YOU HAVE AN ITCHY NOSE YOU'RE
GOING TO KISS A FOOL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; UNION
| Subject headings: | Spirit / Mind / Body BELIEF -- Physically handicapped Deformed BELIEF -- Body part Senses SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 10181967 ASSUMED
ROSEMARY
ONCE A GIRL IN PITTSBURGH NAMED ROSEMARY WAS KILLED WHILE BEING
ASSAULTED. HER PARENTS BUILT A STONE MONUMENT WITH HER IMAGE IN
STONE ON IT. IT IS NOW A PLACE OF TEENAGE VENERATION. ANYONE
WHO TOUCHES THE STONE AND THEIR HAND BLEEDS IS NOT A VIRGIN, OR
ANYONE WHO SEES ROSEMARY THERE IS NOT A VIRGIN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 11-00-1968
CURSE
IF AN ORIENTAL GIVES YOU A GIFT AND YOU DON'T ACCEPT IT YOU ARE
CURSING THEIR RELATIVES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 11-25-1969
MONEY IN A NEW PURSE
MY MOTHER ALWAYS INSERTS A SMALL AMOUNT OF MONEY WHENEVER SHE
GIVES A NEW PURSE OR WALLET AS A GIFT. SHE SAYS NEVER TO GIVE A
NEW PURSE OR WALLET AS A GIFT WITHOUT SOME MONEY IN IT. REASON:
GOOD LUCK, POSSIBLY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): GIFT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: NOT INCLUDED