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 6954 returned 311 results.
ELEPHANT JOKE
QUESTION: HOW DO YOU TELL A ELEPHANT IS IN A DARK ROOM? ANSWER:
SMELL THE PEANUTS ON HIS BREATH.
Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD IN
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 10-23-1972
YOU HAVE AS MUCH GRACE AS A WOUNDED BUFFALO.
Submitter comment: USED TO DESCRIBE SOMEONE AS BEING A KLUTZ {CLUMSY}.
Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD IN
James Callow Keyword(s): SLANG
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: 00001960S LATE
QUESTION: WHAT'S YELLOW AND WEARS A MASK?
ANSWER: A LONE LEMON.
Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD IN
James Callow Keyword(s): THE LONE RANGER
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 10-23-1972
QUESTION: HOW DO YOU HIDE A ELEPHANT IN A CHERRY TREE? ANSWER:
PAINT HIS TOE NAILS RED.
Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD IN
James Callow Keyword(s): SIZE HUMOR
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 10-23-1972
QUESTION: WHAT'S GREEN AND DANGEROUS? ANSWER: A FROG WITH A
GRENADE.
Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD IN
James Callow Keyword(s): SIZE HUMOR
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 10-23-1972
QUESTION: WHAT IS A FIEF? ANSWER: A FIEF IS A THIEF WITH A
SPEECH IMPEDIMENT.
Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD IN
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 10-11-1972
ELEPHANT JOKE
QUESTION: WHAT TIME IS IT WHEN AN ELEPHANT SITS ON A FENCE?
ANSWER: TIME TO BUT {BUY} / A NEW FENCE.
Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD IN
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 10-23-1972
IF YOUR NOSE ITCHES, SOMEONE IS COMING WITH HOLES IN THEIR
BRITCHES.
Submitter comment:
MRS. HAMPTON CAN'T REMEMBER WHERE SHE GOT IT FROM BUT SHE'S
KNOWN IT A LONG TIME. JUST SOMETHING SAID WHEN YOUR NOSE ITCHES.
Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD IN
James Callow Keyword(s): RHYME
| Subject headings: | Spirit / Mind / Body BELIEF -- Body part Senses SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 10-07-1972
NOSE BLEED
PUT A SMALL PIECE OF PAPER BAG UNDER THE TOP LIP.
Submitter comment:
THIS REMEDY WAS HANDED DOWN TO MRS. SULLIVAN BY HER GRANDMOTHER
WHO WAS FULL BLOODED CHEROKEE.
Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD IN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 10-11-1972
IF YOU DROP CANDY OR ANYTHING THAT IS GOOD ON THE GROUND, IF YOU
HOLD IT UP TO THE SKY (TO GOD) AND KISS IT, THEN THE GERMS WILL
BE GONE.
Submitter comment:
KEITH HEARD THIS (AND DID IT IN PENNSYLVANIA) AND I HEARD AND DID
THE SAME THING IN MY CHILDHOOD IN DETROIT.
Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD IN
James Callow Keyword(s): DISINFECT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 09-21-1972
IT IS A CUSTOM AT A WEDDING RECEPTION FOR THE GROOM TO REMOVE A
BLUE GARTER FROM THE BRIDES' LEG AND THROW IT OVER HIS RIGHT
SHOULDER TO THE BACHELORS. THE LUCKY ONE WHO CATCHES IT WILL BE
THE NEXT ONE TO GET MARRIED.
Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD IN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Garter toss BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 09-06-1972
FOR GOODLUCK FOR A YEAR, ON NEW YEAR'S DAY, EAT SOUL FOOD,
ESPECIALLY BLACKEYED PEAS.
Submitter comment: MRS. LOCKHART'S FAMILY HAS PRACTICED THIS FOR GENERATIONS.
Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD IN
Date learned: 01-01-1972
FOR GOOD LUCK FOR A YEAR, A GOOD LUCKING PERSON, MAN OR WOMAN
1MUST RING THE DOORBELL ON NEW YEARS EVE OR DAY.
Submitter comment: I KNOW OF MANY FAMILIES BESIDES THE LOCKHARTS WHO BELIEVE IN THIS
Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD IN
James Callow Keyword(s): GOOD LOOKING? HANDSOME?
Date learned: 01-01-1972
WHATS SAUCE FOR THE GOOSE IS SAUCE FOR THE GANDER.
Submitter comment:
TOLD ORIGINALLY FROM MRS. SULLIVAN'S GRANDMOTHER. IN OTHER WORDS
WHAT'S GOOD ENOUGH FOR ME IS GOOD ENOUGH FOR YOU.
Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD IN
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 10-11-1972
A WHISTLING GIRL AND A CACKLING HEN COMES TO NO GOOD END.
Submitter comment:
MRS. SULLIVAN'S GRANDMOTHER TOLD HER THAT IN CHILDHOOD WHENEVER
SHE HEARD HER WHISTLE, AND IS STILL SAID TODAY.
Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD IN
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Speech Speech BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 10-11-1972
Entry filtered.
JESUS WEPT, MOSES CREPT, PETER FELL DOWN THE FRONT STEP.
Submitter comment:
A SIMPLE SAYING USED AT TIMES AS A MOCK PRAYER, OR JUST SAID AT
TIMES TO BE FUNNY.
Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD IN
James Callow Keyword(s): BIBLICAL
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief |
Date learned: 10-15-1972
PUT A LIVE SNAKE IN A BARREL OF CIDER AND IT WILL KEEP THE
CIDER FROM SPOILING AND KEEPS IT SWEET.
Submitter comment:
ORIGINALLY TOLD BY MRS. HAMPTON'S MOTHER WHO I THINK REALLY
BELIEVED THIS.
Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD IN
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Non-alcoholic fruit beverage BELIEF -- Animal |
Date learned: 10-11-1972
TO CURE CHICKEN POX, AFTER DARK GO TO THE CHICKEN HOUSE, LAY DOWN
AND LET A BLACK HEN FLY OVER YOU.
Submitter comment:
MRS. HAMPTON WAS TOLD THIS SEVERAL YEARS AGO BUT DID NOT BELIEVE
IT.
Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD IN
James Callow Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 10-11-1972