Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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AMUSING SYNTAX
THROW THE HORSE OVER THE FENCE SOME HAY.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Syntax |
Date learned: CA00001968
JOKE (SENTENCE PUN)
A SMALL BOY WAS ASKED TO USE THE WORD "GEOMETRY" IN A SENTENCE. HIS
REPLY: "THE LITTLE ACORN GREW AND GREW, THEN ONE DAY IT WOKE UP AND
SAID, 'GEE, OM (I'M) A TREE}'"
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: CA00001973
JOKE (SENTENCE PUN)
A SMALL BOY WAS ASKED BY HIS TEACHER TO USE THE WORD "FASCINATE" IN
A SENTENCE. HIS REPLY: "MY OVERCOAT HAS NINE BUTTONS, BUT I CAN ONLY
FASTEN EIGHT."
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: CA00001969
JOKE (SENTENCE PUN)
A BOY WAS ASKED BY HIS TEACHER TO USE THE FOLLOWING WORDS IN A
SENTENCE: DEFEAT, DEDUCT, DEFENCE, AND DETAIL. HIS REPLY: "DE FEET
OF DE DUCK WENT OVER DE FENCE BEFORE DE TAIL."
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): DE USED FOR THE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale SPEECH -- Phonology Phonetics |
Date learned: CA00001966
SUPERSTITION
IF A SHOP OWNER DOES NOT PLEASE THE FIRST CUSTOMER HE HAS IN THE
MORNING, HE WILL HAVE BAD LUCK FOR THE REST OF THE DAY.
Submitter comment:
MY INFORMANT CLAIMS THAT THIS SUPERSTITION IS BELIEVED WIDELY AMONG
JEWISH PEOPLE. SHE TOLD ME THAT HER FATHER USED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF
SHOP OWNERS WHO BELIEVED IN THIS SUPERSTITION BY MAKING IT A POINT
TO BE THE FIRST CUSTOMER OF THE DAY AND HAGGLING OVER THE PRICE
OF SOME ITEM IN ORDER TO GET A GOOD BUY.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. Favorites BELIEF -- Work Commerce Business BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour BELIEF -- Bad luck |
PROSE ROUND ; FORMULA TALE
THE NARRATOR RELATES A STORY OF HIS OWN DEATH (BY WHATEVER CAUSE),
AND ADDS: THEY BURIED ME IN THE SAND, AND THE SAND TICKLED, AND I
LAUGHED} I LAUGHED SO HARD I THOUGHT I'D DIE. AND DIE I DID. THEY
BURIED ME IN THE SAND, AND THE SAND TICKLED, ETC.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: CA00001968
PROSE ROUND ; FORMULA TALE
IT WAS A DARK AND STORMY NIGHT. WE WERE ALL SITTING AROUND THE
CAMPFIRE WHEN SUDDENLY UNCLE JOE WALKED UP, AND SOMEONE CALLED OUT
"UNCLE JOE, TELL US A STORY}" AND HE BEGAN: "IT WAS A DARK AND STORMY
NIGHT. WE WERE ALL SITTING AROUND THE CAMPFIRE WHEN SUDDENLY UNCLE
GEORGE WALKED UP, AND SOMEONE CALLED OUT, "UNCLE GEORGE, TELL US A
STORY}" (THIS IS REPEATED, USING A DIFFERENT NAME EACH TIME.)
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): CHAIN INVOLVING NAMES ; INTERESTING COMBINATION OF ROUND AND CHAIN TALE
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: CA00001968
POLISH SWEET BREAD
INGREDIENTS:
3 PACKAGES ACTIVE DRY YEAST (ONE-QUARTER OUNCE EACH)
ONE-HALF CUP LUKEWARM WATER
ONE TEASPOON SUGAR
2 STICKS OF BUTTER (OR ONE STICK MARGARINE AND ONE BUTTER)
2 CUPS SCALDED MILK
2 CUPS SUGAR
2 CUPS FLOUR
2 TEASPOONS SALT
GRATED ORANGE RIND OF ONE ORANGE
ONE TEASPOON NUTMEG
2 TEASPOONS VANILLA
6 EGGS (SEPARATE YOLKS FROM WHITES)
5 CUPS FLOUR
DIRECTIONS:
WHILE THE MILK IS STILL HOT, ADD THE BUTTER AND LET IT MELT.
MIX THE YEAST, WATER, AND TEASPOON OF SUGAR; LET IT STAND AND RISE.
PUT THE TWO CUPS OF SUGAR, TWO CUPS OF FLOUR, AND SALT IN A LARGE
PAN.
MAKE A WELL IN IT; POUR IN THE COOLED MILK AND THE RAISED YEAST; BEAT
IT TOGETHER UNTIL IT'S MIXED GOOD.
BEAT THE EGG WHITES AND YOLKS (SEPARATELY); ADD THE YOLKS TO THE
MIXTURE AND THEN THE WHITES; THEN ADD THE VANILLA; MIX TOGETHER THE
FIVE CUPS OF FLOUR, THE ORANGE RIND, AND THE NUTMEG AND ADD IT TO
THE MIXTURE.
BEAT THE MIXTURE GOOD FOR FIFTEEN MINUTES AT LEAST.
LET IT RAISE IN A WARM PLACE UNTIL IT HAS DOUBLED IN SIZE (AT LEAST);
PUT DOUGH IN ANY SIZE OF PANS (BETTER IN SMALL PANS).
BAKE AT 325 DEGREES FOR 25 MINUTES.
OPTIONAL: SLICED APPLES OR RAISINS CAN BE ADDED TO THE BREAD; ANY OF
THE INGREDIENTS CAN BE INCREASED OR DECREASED IN QUANTITY ACCORDING
TO PERSONAL TASTE; EXPERIMENT WITH VARIOUS AMOUNTS.
Submitter comment:
MY GRANDMOTHER (THE INFORMANT) LEARNED HOW TO MAKE THIS BREAD BY
WATCHING HER MOTHER MAKE IT. HER MOTHER MEASURED ALL THE INGREDIENTS
WITH HER HANDS, SO THE RECIPE WAS SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT EACH TIME IT WAS
MADE. MY GRANDMOTHER IS THE FIRST PERSON TO ATTEMPT TO WRITE OUT THE
RECIPE AND SHE TOO CHANGES THE RECIPE SLIGHTLY EACH TIME SHE BAKES
THE BREAD.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Pastry Sweet Dessert |
CHURCH CUSTOM
ON THE FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY (JAN. 6), IT IS A CUSTOM AMONG ROMAN
CATHOLICS TO HAVE A PIECE OF CHALK BLESSED BY A PRIEST AND TO WRITE
OVER AN ENTRANCE TO THEIR HOUSE THE INITIALS OF THE THREE KINGS IN
THE FOLLOWING MANNER: FIRST, THE FIRST TWO NUMBERS OF THE YEAR ARE
WRITTEN, THEN A CROSS, THEN K (FOR KASPAR), CROSS, M (MELCHIOR),
CROSS, B (BALTAZAR), CROSS, THEN THE LAST TWO NUMBERS OF THE YEAR.
FOR EXAMPLE, FOR THE YEAR 1979: 19 + K + M + B + 79.
IF THIS IS DONE, IT WILL PROTECT YOUR HOME FROM BEING STRUCK BY
LIGHTNING IN THE COMING YEAR.
Submitter comment:
THE SPELLINGS OF THE NAMES OF THE KINGS ARE AS GIVEN TO ME BY MY
INFORMANT.
Where learned: DETROIT
Date learned: 02-17-1979
CURE FOR A SORE THROAT
TO CURE A SORE THROAT: TAKE A SOCK THAT YOU HAVE WORN (NOT A CLEAN
SOCK, A SWEATY, WELL-WORN ONE), WRAP IT AROUND YOUR NECK, AND LEAVE
IT THERE OVERNIGHT.
Submitter comment:
MY INFORMANT TELLS ME THAT THIS "CURE" WAS A FAMILY TRADITION WHICH
ORIGINATED IN EUROPE.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 02-17-1979
PRACTICAL JOKE
THE FOLLOWING WAS A POPULAR PRACTICAL JOKE IN ENGLAND IN THE EARLY
1920'S.
A PIECE OF FRESH COW OR HORSE MANURE WOULD BE PLACED ON THE THUMB
LATCH OF THE VICTIM'S DOOR (A THUMB LATCH IS A KIND OF DOOR HANDLE
WHICH IS GRASPED WITH THE FINGERS WHILE A LATCH IS PUSHED DOWN WITH
THE THUMB) AND A THORN FROM A NEARBY HEDGEROW WOULD BE STOOD UP IN
IT. THIS IS USUALLY DONE AT DUSK, SO THE VICTIM WHO WILL OPEN
THE DOOR WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SEE THE THUMB LATCH CLEARLY. WHEN THE
VICTIM PUSHES HIS THUMB INTO THE MANURE HE IS STABBED BY THE THORN,
AND HIS NATURAL REACTION TO THE PAIN IS TO PLACE HIS THUMB IN HIS
MOUTH AND SUCK ON IT.
Submitter comment: MY FATHER RECALLS THIS FROM THE TIME HE LIVED IN CORNWALL.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 02-17-1979
PREDICTION CUSTOM
ON A CHILD'S FIRST BIRTHDAY, THE FOLLOWING ITEMS ARE SET OUT ON A
TABLE: A PRAYER BOOK AND ROSARY, A KEY, A HALF-DOLLAR, AND A SHOT
GLASS. THE CHILD IS HELD UP TO THE TABLE AND ALLOWED TO PICK ONE OF
THE ITEMS; THE ITEM CHOSEN INDICATES THE FUTURE PROFESSION OF THE
CHILD. IF THE PRAYER BOOK AND ROSARY ARE CHOSEN, THE CHILD WILL
CHOOSE A RELIGIOUS VOCATION. IF THE KEY IS PICKED, IT MEANS THE CHILD
WILL BE A GOOD MANAGER OF HIS OR HER HOUSEHOLD. IF THE HALF-DOLLAR IS
PICKED, THE CHILD WILL BECOME WEALTHY. IF THE SHOT GLASS IS THE
CHOSEN ITEM, THE CHILD WILL GROW UP TO BE A DRUNKARD.
Submitter comment:
IN 1920 A FRIEND OF MY INFORMANT FOLLOWED THIS PROCEDURE WITH HER SON
AND RECEIVED A SURPRISE WHEN THE BOY PICKED UP THE HALF-DOLLAR AND
IMMEDIATELY DROPPED IT IN THE SHOT GLASS. THIS SEEMED TO INDICATE
THAT THE BOY WOULD BE WEALTHY BUT ALL OF HIS MONEY WOULD BE SPENT ON
DRINK.
APPARENTLY THE PEOPLE WHO OBSERVED THIS CUSTOM DID NOT REALLY BELIEVE
IN ITS ACCURACY, THEY SIMPLY ENJOYED THE CUSTOM FOR ITS OWN SAKE.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Private birthday or anniversary BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 02-17-1979
FOLK REMEDY
IN THE COUNTY OF CORNWALL, ENGLAND, THE FLOWERS OF THE ELDER PLANT
WERE DRIED IN THE SUN AND THE PETALS BREWED INTO A TEA AS A CURE FOR
COLDS AND OTHER AILMENTS.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 02-17-1979
IRISH CUSTOM
ON THE FEAST OF ST. BRIGID, FEBRUARY 1ST, COUNTRY PEOPLE CUT RUSHES
AND FORM THEM INTO A CROSS--CALLED ST. BRIGID'S CROSS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- February 1 BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications |
Date learned: 08-00-1964
ST. AGNES EVE, JAN. 20
ON THE EVE OF ST. AGNES' DAY, A GIRL SHOULD GET A HANDKERCHIEF FROM
HER BOYFRIEND. SHE SHOULD PUT IT UNDER HER PILLOW AND SHE WILL DREAM
IF SHE WILL MARRY HIM OR NOT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CONTAGIOUS MAGIC
| Subject headings: | Spirit / Mind / Body CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 20 BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 02-00-1968
THOSE WHO ARE PRONE TO TELL ALL THEY KNOW GENERALLY TELL
MORE THAN THEY KNOW.
Where learned: HOME ; WARREN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 03-07-1970
SIGN TO BE LEFT IN ANGER
THANKS FOR TAKING TWO PARKING SPACES. I HAD TO PARK
IN THE NEXT BLOCK, YOU SELFISH, IDIOTIC MORON!!
YOU HAVE VIOLATED SECTION 368 D.A.M.I.T.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ACRONYM ; ANGER ; Note ; PLAY ON WORDS ; PUN ; SIGN
James Callow Keyword(s): ABBREVIATION ; IRONY
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- To Be Seen |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN