Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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NO WIFE FOR REPLACEMENT
A MAN'S CAR CAUGHT FIRE AND WAS DESTROYED. IT BEING INSURED,
HE WENT AT ONCE TO THE INSURANCE OFFICE AND DEMANDED HIS MONEY.
HE WAS GIVEN A FORM TO FILL OUT, AND WAS TOLD THAT HE COULD
NOT GET THE MONEY, BUT THE CAR WOULD BE REPLACED.
"OH," SAID HE, "IF THAT'S THE WAY YOU DO BUSINESS, I WANT
TO CANCEL MY WIFE'S LIFE INSURANCE POLICY IMMEDIATELY."
Data entry tech comment: ITEM PUNCHED AS IT APPEARED ON CARD
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): HUMOR ; INSURANCE ; MARRIAGE ; NONSENSE ; PREPARATION FOR DEATH ; SURPRISE ENDING
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 00-00-1964
WHEN A BABY HAS HICCOUGHS, IT MEANS THAT HE IS
GROWING.
Where learned: DETROIT ; PASTEUR SCHOOL ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | Spirit / Mind / Body Observation |
Date learned: 01-29-1968
BURP A BABY OVER YOUR SHOULDER AND HE'LL GROW UP
TO BE TALL.
Where learned: DETROIT ; PASTEUR SCHOOL ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color |
Date learned: 01-29-1968
IF YOU PIERCE YOUR EARS AND THEN PUT EARRINGS
IN RIGHT AWAY, YOUR EYES WILL TURN GREEN.
Where learned: DETROIT ; PASTEUR SCHOOL ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Color |
Date learned: 01-29-1968
IT IS BAD LUCK TO COUNT TOWELS IN THE BATHROOM.
Where learned: DETROIT ; PASTEUR SCHOOL ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Number Counting beliefs BELIEF -- Bad luck Activities |
Date learned: 01-29-1968
FESTIVAL
EGG NOG IS THE USUAL XMAS (CHRISTMAS) DRINK KEPT ON HAND FOR GUESTS.
Submitter comment:
CHILDHOOD
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; DEARBORN, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; DRINK ; holiday
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Single dishes |
Date learned: NOT RECORDED
MOON BABIES
IT IS KNOWN THAT MOST BABIES ARE BORN WHEN THERE IS A FULL MOON
OUT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; MONROE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Moon BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 03-00-1972
DEAD CHILD LEGEND {PREMATURE BURIAL}
IN JACKSON {MICHIGAN}, AT ONE OF OUR CEMETERIES, THERE
IS A SMALL TOMBSTONE MARKED LITTLE MARY, AND THE BIRTH
AND DEATH DATES. IT PASSED AMONG THE HIGH SCHOOL
STUDENTS THE STORY OF MARY'S SAD DEATH.
IT SEEMS THAT WHEN SHE WAS BURIED, SHE WAS NOT REALLY
DEAD, DUE TO THE FACT THAT SHE WAS IN A DISEASE-INDUCED
COMA. SINCE THIS WAS BEFORE THIS DISEASE WAS KNOWN, THEY
BURIED HER, THINKING HER DEAD.
THIS MUST HAVE BEEN A MISTAKE OF SOME KIND, BECAUSE
THEY SHORTLY DUG HER UP AGAIN.
THIS TIME SHE WAS REALLY DEAD, BUT SHE HAD EVIDENTLY
COME OUT OF THE COMA AND TRIED TO SCRATCH HER WAY OUT
OF THE COFFIN, BECAUSE THERE WERE SCRATCH MARKS ON THE
WOOD AND THE SHROUD WAS ALL ASKEW. MARY WAS TURNED
OVER, FACE DOWN IN THE COFFIN AND DEAD FROM SUFFOCATION
OR SHOCK, NO ONE KNOWS WHICH.
THIS STORY IS MOST OFTEN TOLD TO SOME UNSUSPECTING SOUL
WHO FINDS HIMSELF TAKEN TO A GRAVEYARD AND TOLD THE STORY
WHILE LOOKING AT LITTLE MARY'S TOMBSTONE. OFTEN TIMES
OTHER GUYS ARE HIDDEN NEARBY TO SCREAM JUST AS THE
FIRST GROUP IS LEAVING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; JACKSON
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
CHRISTMAS EVE CUSTOM
ON CHRISTMAS EVE, THEY PLACE AN AX UNDER THE TABLE, AND EVERY
MEMBER OF THE FAMILY MUST HAVE ONE FOOT ON IT.
Submitter comment:
JO'S BOYFRIEND IS SLAVIK (SLAVIC) AND (THEY PRACTICE THIS CUSTOM) IN
THEIR HOME.
Data entry tech comment:
ITEM REWORDED TO FIT FORMAT.
Updated by TRD
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; DORM ROOM ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; holiday ; Slavic ; Table Setting ; tradition
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Christmas |
Date learned: 10-02-1969
IF ALL THE BOYS LIVED ACROSS THE SEA,
WHAT A GOOD SWIMMER YOU WOULD BE.
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS WRITTEN IN THE AUTOGRAPH BOOK OF
COLETTE BY A SCHOOLMATE.
Where learned: HARPER WOODS ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Chimney corner wisdom, advice, humorous fortune |
Date learned: 10-08-1967
WHEN YOU GO FISHING, TAKE A LINE.
WHEN YOU GO KISSING, TAKE YOUR TIME.
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS WRITTEN IN THE AUTOGRAPH BOOK OF
COLETTE BY A SCHOOLMATE.
Where learned: HARPER WOODS ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Chimney corner wisdom, advice, humorous fortune |
Date learned: 10-08-1967
HEADACHE
IF YOU LET A STRAND OF HAIR FLY OUT THE CAR WINDOW THE PERSON TO WHOM
THE HAIR BELONGS WILL GET A HEADACHE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE ; CAUSE
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
SOME WRITE FOR PLEASURE
SOME WRITE FOR FAME
BUT I ONLY WRITE
TO SIGN MY NAME
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS WRITTEN IN THE AUTOGRAPH BOOK OF COLETTE BY
A SCHOOLMATE.
Where learned: HARPER WOODS ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Announcing a signature |
Date learned: 10-08-1967
THE NUMBER OF TIMES YOU CAN CRACK YOUR KNUCKLES IS
SUPPOSEDLY THE NUMBER OF GIRLFRIENDS A PERSON HAS.
Where learned: ROYAL OAK ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Number Counting beliefs SPEECH -- Magical |
Date learned: 11-11-1969
WHEN YOU GET MARRIED
AND YOUR HUSBAND GETS CROSS
JUST PICK UP A BROOM AND SAY
"I'M BOSS."
Where learned: GROSSE POINTE WOODS ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Matrimony |
Date learned: 06-00-1965
ONE HAND HELD HORIZONTALLY FLAT, WITH FINGERS CLOSE
TOGETHER AND OTHER HAND HELD VERTICAL AND PERPENDICULARLY
UNDER THE OTHER HAND FORMING A "T" SIGNAL FOR "TIME OUT."
Submitter comment: FROM FIRST PARTICIPATION IN SPORTS IN ABOUT 4TH GRADE.
Where learned: BIRMINGHAM ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion SPEECH -- Instructions Directions |
Date learned: 10-04-1967
Entry filtered.
O.K. GESTURE--TIP OF THUMB AND TIP OF INDEX FINGER OF
SAME HAND TOUCHING, FORMING A CIRCLE.
Where learned: BIRMINGHAM ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Circle and other round forms SPEECH -- All right O.K. |
Date learned: 10-06-1967