Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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PROVERB
LET US NOT LOOK BACK IN ANGER, NOR FORWARD IN FEAR,
BUT AROUND IN AWARENESS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 08-04-1968
SALT SHAKER
IT SEEMS TO BE A CUSTOM FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS TO SIT
DOWN AT A TABLE FOR A MEAL AND, WHILE THEY'RE WAITING
FOR THEIR ORDERS TO COME, POUR SOME SALT CRYSTALS
ON THE TABLE AND THEN ATTEMPT TO BALANCE THE SALT
SHAKER ON THESE CRYSTALS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School |
Date learned: 00-00-1968
DRESS
THE MEN FROM THE MIDWEST, (OHIO, MICHIGAN, MISSOURI,
ILLINOIS, WISCONSIN, ETC.) WHEN DRESSING, LET THEIR
UNDERSHIRT HANG OUTSIDE OF THEIR UNDERSHORTS. MEN
FROM THE EAST (PENNSYLVANIA, NEW YORK, NEW JERSEY, ETC.)
TUCK THEIR UNDERSHIRTS INTO THEIR UNDERSHORTS. I FOUND
THESE HABITS EXISTED ALMOST UNIVERSALLY IN BOTH
SECTIONS AND EACH GROUP WOULD RIDICULE THE OTHER
FOR HIS MANNER OF DRESSING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Daily Life |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
THE STORY OF THE PHOO BIRD
ONCE THERE WAS A MISSIONARY WHO DECIDED HE WAS GOING
TO CONVERT SOME NATIVES ON A SOUTH SEAS ISLAND.
WHEN HE GOT THERE, THEY WERE VERY FRIENDLY TO HIM.
SUDDENLY, THEY BEGAN TO BOW AND SCRAPE IN THE SAND.
THEY WERE YELLING AND MOANING, "OH, MIGHTY PHOO BIRD,
HAVE MERCY ON US. YOU ARE OUR GOD." SURE ENOUGH,
THERE WAS A LARGE BIRD CIRCLING OVERHEAD. SUDDENLY,
THE BIRD SWOOPED DOWN AND SHIT ALL OVER THE MISSIONARY.
THE NATIVES BEGAN TO LAUGH AND CLAP. THEY TOLD HIM
THAT THE PHOO BIRD HAD GIVEN HIM THE SIGN OF FAVOR
AND THAT HE SHOULD WEAR IT ALWAYS WITH PRIDE. THE
MISSIONARY WAS MAD AND TOLD THEM THAT HE WAS GOING TO
THE BEACH TO WASH IT OFF. BUT THEY SAID, "NO, NO.
YOU CAN'T DO THAT. YOU WILL DIE IF YOU DO."
THE MISSIONARY DIDN'T LISTEN TO THE, BUT WENT RIGHT
DOWN TO THE BEACH AND INTO THE WATER. WHEN HE CAME
OUT OF THE WATER, HE DROPPED DEAD ON THE BEACH.
DO YOU KNOW WHAT THE MORAL OF THIS STORY IS?
IF THE PHOO SHITS, WEAR IT.
Submitter comment:
VICKIE LEARNED THIS FROM SOME HIGH SCHOOL FRIENDS
OF HERS IN DEARBORN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: 00-00-1967
A CANNIBAL STORY
A MAN DECIDED THAT HE WANTED TO GO ON A SAFARI
IN DEEPEST AFRICA. HE AND HIS ENTIRE PARTY WERE
CAPTURED BY CANNIBALS ON THE FIRST DAY OUT. SINCE
HE WAS THE ONLY WHITE MAN, THE NATIVES DECIDED TO COOK
HIM FIRST. THEY PUT HIM IN A LARGE POT OF WATER.
THE CHIEF CAME OVER WITH A BIG KNIFE AND CUT OFF HIS
EAR. THE MAN WAS NOT GOING TO LET THEM KNOW HE WAS
IN PAIN, SO HE DIDN'T MAKE A SOUND. THE CHIEF ATE THE
EAR AND WASHED IT DOWN WITH A VERNOR'S GINGERALE.
HE CAME BACK AND REMOVED AN ARM, THE NATIVES DEVOURED
IT AND, AGAIN, IT WAS WASHED DOWN WITH A VERNOR'S
GINGERALE.
WHEN THE CHIEF RETURNED A THIRD TIME, THE MAN FINALLY
SAID SOMETHING. "I SUPPOSE THIS TIME YOU'RE GOING
TO CUT OFF MY THING AND WASH IT DOWN WITH VERNOR'S."
THE CHIEF SAID, "UH-UH. EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT THINGS
GO BETTER WITH COKE."
Submitter comment:
LYNN HEARD THIS STORY FROM SOME FRIENDS AT
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN.
Data entry tech comment: ALLUSION TO TELEVISION COMMERCIAL FOR COCA-COLA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: 00-00-1967
JEWISH JOKE
THERE'S A JEW WALKING DOWN THE STREET WHEN ONE OF HIS
FRIENDS COMES UP TO HIM AND ASKS, "SAUL, WHY ARE YOU
SO FORESAKEN?" AND THE JEW ANSWERS, "AH, MY SON HAS
GONE AND BECOME A CATHOLIC." SO THE SECOND JEW SAYS,
"FUNNY YOU SHOULD MENTION. MINE HAS TOO, I WAS
ON MY WAY TO THE TEMPLE TO PRAY. COME." SO THEY LEAVE,
AND ON THE WAY MEET ANOTHER OF THEIR FRIENDS, ALSO
FORLORN. THEY ASK, "DAVID, WHY SO FORESAKEN?" HE
ANSWERS, "MY SON HAS GONE AND BECOME A CHRISTIAN.
I AM ON MY WAY TO THE TEMPLE TO PRAY." SO THEY SAY,
"FUNNY YOU SHOULD MENTION. OUR SONS HAVE DONE THE
SAME." THEY ALL GO TO THE TEMPLE AND START TO PRAY,
TELLING GOD THAT THEIR SONS HAVE GONE AND BECOME
CHRISTIANS. AND GOD LOOKS DOWN ON THEM AND SAYS,
"FUNNY YOU SHOULD MENTION."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Man |
Date learned: 00001967 FALL
IT SEEMS THAT ONE DAY MANY YEARS BACK, WHEN CUBA AND THE
UNITED STATES WERE ON SPEAKING TERMS, CUBAN PEASANTS
WOULD TRAVEL TO FLORIDA TO PURCHASE SOME OF THE THINGS
THAT WERE NOT READILY AVAILABLE IN CUBA. ONE SUCH DAY,
PEDRO LANDED IN MIAMI AND WHILE SHOPPING HE DECIDED THAT
HE WANTED A PAIR OF WOOL SOCKS. HE WENT INTO A STORE
BUT COULD NOT ASK FOR THE PRODUCT BECAUSE HE SPOKE NO
ENGLISH. HE TRIED TO ASK, BUT THE CLERK COULDN'T
UNDERSTAND. SO HE STARTED LOOKING AND WHEN HE CAME
UPON THE RACK WITH THE SOCKS HE SHOUTED, "ESO SI QUE
ES!" TO WHICH THE CLERK REPLIED, "IF YOU KNOW HOW TO
SPELL IT, WHY DIDN'T YOU SAY SO?"
Submitter comment:
TRANSLATION: "THIS IS IT."
INFORMANT HAS TRAVELED A GREAT DEAL IN SPANISH
SPEAKING COUNTRIES AND THIS IS WHERE HE PICKED UP
THE STORY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Man |
Date learned: 09-22-1967
GRAFFITI
GOD DIDN'T CREATE THE WORLD IN SEVEN DAYS.
HE GOOFED AROUND FOR SIX AND THEN
PULLED AN ALL-NIGHTER.
Data entry tech comment: A SIMILAR VERSE WAS USED IN THE MOVIE "OH GOD}"
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIBRARY ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; BASEMENT CARVEL 2
Keyword(s): BIBLICAL: GENESIS PARODY HUMOR TIME
| Subject headings: | 686 Seven / Sevenths / Several Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Art Craft Architecture Art, Craft, Architecture |
Date learned: 00-00-1972
A CRICKET IN A HOME BRINGS GOOD LUCK
Submitter comment: INFORMANT'S MOTHER STATED THIS IN 1925
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD IN
James Callow Keyword(s): PINOCCHIO
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Insect BELIEF -- Good luck P881.3 |
Date learned: 00-00-1929
GROSS JOKE
A WOMAN WENT TO THE DOCTOR AND ASKED HIM IF SHE COULD
GET FITTED WITH A PLATEGLASS DIAPHRAGM. THE DOCTOR ASKED
WHY SHE WANTED ONE. SHE SAID SHE WANTED A PICTURE
WINDOW FOR HER PLAYROOM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Stupid man or woman |
Date learned: 00001967 FALL
NEW YEAR'S CUSTOMS AND CELEBRATIONS
SEVERAL DAYS BEFORE THE NEW YEAR THE CHINESE WILL
PREPARE A PASTRY. THIS IS PREPARED BY THE METHOD OF
STEMMING. IF CHILDREN ASK IF THE PASTRY IS DONE
BEFORE IT IS FULLY COOKED, THE PEOPLE BELIEVE
THAT THE PASTRY WILL NEVER BE FULLY COOKED.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT LEARNED THIS IN TAIWAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; 4001 W MCNICHOLS ; LANGUAGE DEPARTMENT
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM ; SPEECH TABU ; STEAMING FOOD
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Winter Food Drink -- Pastry Sweet Dessert |
Date learned: 02-02-1971
Song
There was an old man named Michael Finnegan.
He grew fat and then grew thinnegan.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector are the same person.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ballad Epic |
IF YOU'RE TOO SWEET A MAN, EVERYBODY WILL LICK YOU.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): LOLLIPOP NAIVETE
James Callow Keyword(s): GENTLE DISPOSITIONS TEMPT PEOPLE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THEM ; OBSERVATION PREDICTION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 09-23-1971
IF YOU HAVEN'T PUT SOMETHING DOWN, DON'T LOOK FOR IT}
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): TAKING NOTES
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: NEGATIVE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 09-23-1971
IF YOU HAVEN'T SOWN, YOU WON'T HARVEST. TRANSLATION OF
NEPASEGAS, NEPJAUSI.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FARMING BIBLE QUOTATION?
James Callow Keyword(s): OBSERVATION PREDICTION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 09-23-1971
CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
INFORMANT TOLD ME THAT IN BOTH HER OWN CHILDHOOD AND THAT OF HER
FATHER, THEY WOULD PUT A PAIR OF SHOES OUTSIDE THE DOOR FOR SANTA
CLAUS TO FILL WITH GOODIES. HER FATHER WOULD, HOWEVER, LAY
HIS SHOES BESIDE HIS BED BECAUSE SINCE HE ONLY HAD ONE PAIR OF
SHOES, HE DID NOT WANT THEM TO BE FROZEN OVER ON CHRISTMAS
MORNING FROM BEING OUTSIDE ALL NIGHT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Stockings and shoes |
Date learned: 12-02-1971
CHRISTMAS TREES
THIS BELIEF IS THAT IF JUST BEFORE YOU THROW YOUR XMAS (CHRISTMAS)
TREE OUT, YOU BREAK OFF TWO TWIGS AND BURY THEM IN YOUR BACKYARD
IN THE FORM OF A CROSS AND THROW OATS OVER THEM, BY NEXT XMAS
(CHRISTMAS) YOU WILL HAVE A FULL-GROWN XMAS (CHRISTMAS) TREE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas tree |
Date learned: 01-28-1968
FRATERNITY LEGENDS
THE NEW MEMBERS OF EACH PLEDGE CLASS ARE BY TRADITION REQUIRED TO
BUILD A WORTHWHILE PROJECT THAT WILL BE OF SOME BENEFIT TO THE HOUSE
THIS TRADITION IS CARRIED ON BY THE MEMBERS AT PHI SIGMA DELTA
FRATERNITY AT MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY.
Submitter comment: FROM FRATERNITY BROTHERS
Data entry tech comment: THERE IS ONE MORE SIMILAR STORY IN 5X8 CARD FILE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School |
Date learned: 11-28-1967
MCGEE, THE BOGEYMAN
WHEN I WAS LITTLE THERE WAS A DOOR IN MY BEDROOM WHICH LED TO AN
ATTIC. I WAS ALWAYS AFRAID TO GO TO SLEEP BECAUSE I THOUGHT SOMEONE
WAS UPSTAIRS. AFTER I HAD BEEN IN BED QUITE A WHILE, AND I HAD NOT
FALLEN ASLEEP, MY FATHER WOULD COME INTO THE ROOM AND ASK WHY I
WAS NOT ASLEEP. I WOULD TELL HIM I COULDN'T SLEEP. HE WOULD THEN
TELL ME ABOUT A BOGEYMAN WHO WAS UP IN THE ATTIC. HE SAID IF I DID
NOT GO TO SLEEP, THIS LITTLE MAN, CALLED MCGEE, WOULD COME DOWN THE
STAIRS AND CARRY ME OFF. HE WAS DESCRIBED AS A MUSTACHED BLACK-
CAPED PERSON, MUCH LIKE THE VILLIANS OFTEN SEEN IN THE OLD TIME
MOVIES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
PROVERB
A LOUD COW GIVES LITTLE MILK.
GLOSZNA KROWA DAJE MALO MLEKA. (POLISH)
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 03-08-1970