Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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FOLK CURE AND REMEDY
DRY A CERTAIN PLANT THAT HAS BLUE FLOWERS. MAKE A TEA OUT OF
IT AND DRINK IT TO CURE DIABETES.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT FIRST HEARD OF THIS FOLK REMEDY AROUND 1910 IN
POLAND. THE INFORMANT DID NOT KNOW THE NAME OF THE BLUE FLOWERED
PLANT, BUT CLAIMED THAT IT HELPED MANY FRIENDS WITH DIABETES. TEAS
ARE COMMONLY USED WITH FOLK CURES. PERHAPS IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE
PLANT TO HAVE SOME TRUE MEDICINAL POWERS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: CA00001910
FOLK CURE AND REMEDY
MIX DRY MUSTARD AND FAT TOGETHER. PUT IT ON A CLOTH. PUT THE
CLOTH ON YOUR CHEST TO CURE PNEUMONIA OF NEW KIDNEYS.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT FIRST LEARNED OF THIS FOLK REMEDY AROUND 1910 IN
POLAND. THIS SEEMS TO HAVE BOTH NEW AND OLD ELEMENTS.
PNEUMONIA HAS BEEN AROUND FOR AGES, BUT NEW KIDNEYS ARE A RELATIVELY
NEW DEVELOPMENT. THE CLOTH IS PUT CLOSE TO THE AREA INVOLVED.
THIS MIGHT INDICATE THAT THE MIXTURE "SEEPS" IN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 10-00-1980 ; CA00001910
YULE CAKE
ON CHRISTMAS EVE, THEY ALL PARTAKE OF A YULE CAKE WHICH IS SPECIALLY
MADE FOR THE OCCASION. THEY BELIEVE THAT THIS WILL BRING THEM
GOOD LUCK FOR THE COMING YEAR.
Submitter comment:
TONY TELLS ME OF A TRADITION PRACTICED BY THE FAMILY OF ONE OF HIS
FRIENDS IN PITTSBURG.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): Cake ; CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; FOOD ; holiday ; LUCK ; tradition ; Yule
| Subject headings: | 122 Christmas CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.4 |
Date learned: 11-19-1968
FOLK CURE AND REMEDY
MIX SPIDER WEBS WITH SOFT BREAD AND PUT IT ON A SORE TO HELP IT
HEAL FASTER.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT FIRST HEARD OF THIS FOLK REMEDY AROUND 1910 IN
POLAND. SCIENCE DOES NOT SEEM TO BE INVOLVED WITH THIS, SUGGESTING
THAT IT WILL SURVIVE LONGER. THE COLLECTOR CAN FIND NO REASON WHY
A SPIDER WEB WOULD PROMOTE HEALING OTHER THAN THE ASSOCIATION THAT
SPIDERS KILL UNWANTED THINGS (FLIES AND BUGS, ETC.)
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Insect BELIEF -- Animal BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 10-00-1980 ; CA00001910
PIANO MOUNTAIN, SHRUB OAK, NEW YORK
THE STORY BEHIND THE NAMING OF PIANO MOUNTAIN GOES SOMETHING LIKE
THIS: ONCE THERE WAS A MAN WHO OWNED A MOUNTAIN AND BESIDES
OWNING THIS MOUNTAIN, HE ALSO HAD A DAUGHTER WHO WANTED TO OWN
A PIANO. SINCE THE MAN HAD NO PIANO, HE HAD TO FIND SOMEONE WHO
DID. THE ONLY PERSON THAT HAD A PIANO WAS A FARMER. SO FOR THE
PIANO, THE MAN TRADED THE MOUNTAIN, AND SO TODAY IT IS KNOWN AS
PIANO MOUNTAIN.
Submitter comment: PATRICK LEARNED THIS WHILE LIVING AT SHRUB OAK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 10-12-1967
PIANO MOUNTAIN, SHRUB OAK, NEW YORK
THE STORY BEHIND THE NAMING OF PIANO MOUNTAIN GOES SOMETHING LIKE
THIS: ONCE THERE WAS A MAN WHO OWNED A MOUNTAIN AND BESIDES
OWNING THIS MOUNTAIN, HE ALSO HAD A DAUGHTER WHO WANTED TO OWN
A PIANO. SINCE THE MAN HAD NO PIANO, HE HAD TO FIND SOMEONE WHO
DID. THE ONLY PERSON THAT HAD A PIANO WAS A FARMER. SO FOR THE
PIANO, THE MAN TRADED THE MOUNTAIN, AND SO TODAY IT IS KNOWN AS
PIANO MOUNTAIN.
Submitter comment: PATRICK LEARNED THIS WHILE LIVING AT SHRUB OAK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 10-12-1967
WHEN YOU'RE TELLING A LIE, YOU SHOULD ALWAYS CROSS
YOUR FINGERS OR YOUR FEET.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; SAINT RITAS CONVENT
Date learned: 03-01-1970
PROVERB: WHEN THE MOON IS HIGH
WHEN THERE WILL BE A FULL MOON ON A CERTAIN NIGHT, PEOPLE ARE
AFFECTED, IRRITABLE.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT IS NOT CERTAIN WHERE SHE OBTAINED THIS INFORMATION, BUT
SHE ACTUALLY BELIEVES IT TO BE TRUE.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; SAINT JOSEPH
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
TRAVEL PROVERB
WHEREVER YOU GO,
THERE YOU ARE!
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; SARAH FISHER HOME
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 06-00-1969
COLLETE CHEER
TODAY IS HOWARD'S BIRTHDAY AND A LISTENER TO WJR-RADIO CALLED
IN WHILE J. P. MCCARTHY WAS HOSTING THE SHOW. J. P. ASKED
THE CALLER WHAT WAS A CHEER HE HAD USED WHILE ATTENDING
HARVARD UNIVERSITY. THE CALLER ANSWERED: "PREVAIL,
MAGNIFICENT CRIMSON." INFORMANT ACTUALLY WENT TO HARVARD
UNIVERSITY. BUT NOW LIVES IN DETROIT ABOUT 10 YEARS AFTER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; PHONE CONVERSATION
Keyword(s): COLLEGE
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 10-28-1971
ON TOP OF OLD SMOKEY ALL COVERED WITH BLOOD;
I SHOT MY POOR TEACHER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HEAD;
I WENT TO HER FUNERAL, I WENT TO HER GRAVE;
PEOPLE THREW FLOWERS AND I THREW HAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALLEN PARK
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ill humor Ridicule Mockery Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children |
Song: Parody
FOUND A PEANUT
FOUND A PEANUT
FOUND A PEANUT JUST NOW
JUST NOW I FOUND A PEANUT
FOUND A PEANUT JUST NOW.
CRACKED IT OPEN
CRACKED IT OPEN
CRACKED IT OPEN JUST NOW
JUST NOW CRACKED IT OPEN
CRACKED IT OPEN JUST NOW.
FOUND IT ROTTEN
FOUND IT ROTTEN
FOUND IT ROTTEN JUST NOW
JUST NOW FOUND IT ROTTEN
FOUND IT ROTTEN JUST NOW.
ATE IT ANYWAY
ATE IT ANYWAY
ATE IT ANYWAY JUST NOW
JUST NOW I ATE IT ANYWAY
ATE IT ANYWAY JUST NOW
GOT SICK
GOT SICK
GOT SICK JUST NOW
JUST NOW I GOT SICK
GOT SICK JUST NOW.
CALLED A DOCTOR
CALLED A DOCTOR
CALLED A DOCTOR JUST NOW
JUST NOW I CALLED A DOCTOR
CALLED A DOCTOR JUST NOW.
SAID I WOULDN'T DIE
SAID I WOULDN'T DIE
SAID I WOULD'T DIE JUST NOW
JUST NOW HE SAID I WOULDN'T DIE
SAID I WOULDN'T DIE JUST NOW.
DIED ANYWAY
DIED ANYWAY
DIED ANYWAY JUST NOW
JUST NOW I DIED
DIED ANYWAY JUST NOW.
WENT TO HEAVEN
WENT TO HEAVEN
WENT TO HEAVEN JUST NOW
JUST NOW I WENT TO HEAVEN
WENT TO HEAVEN JUST NOW.
PLAYED THE HARP
PLAYED THE HARP
PLAYED THE HARP JUST NOW
JUST NOW I PLAYED THE HARP
PLAYED THE HARP JUST NOW.
BROKE A STRING
BROKE A STRING
BROKE A STRING JUST NOW
JUST NOW I BROKE A STRING
BROKE A STRING JUST NOW.
WENT DOWN
WENT DOWN
WENT DOWN JUST NOW
JUST NOW I WENT DOWN
WENT DOWN JUST NOW
SHOVELED COAL
SHOVELED COAL
SHOVELED COAL JUST NOW
JUST NOW I SHOVELED COAL
SHOVELED COAL JUST NOW.
BURNT MY FINGER
BURNT MY FINGER
BURNT MY FINGER JUST NOW
JUST NOW I BURNT MY FINGER
BURNT MY FINGER JUST NOW.
THE END
Data entry tech comment:
PROBABLY TO THE TUNE OF " MY DARLING CLEMENTINE "
Updated / 02-24-2011 / TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; STERLING
Keyword(s): CHIASMUS ; COAL ; DEATH ; Doctors ; FOOD ; HARP ; HEAVEN ; HELL ; MUSIC ; NUT ; Peanut ; REPETITION ; SATIRE ; SHOVELING
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ill humor Ridicule Mockery Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR.
PLACE
AMONG THE STUDENTS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, A NICKNAME
FOR ANN ARBOR, WHERE THE SCHOOL IS SITUATED, IS "A" RAISED
TO THE POWER OF 2 (ESPECIALLY USED ON LETTERS).
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Place |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN BY COLLECTOR
PLACE
AMONG THE STUDENTS AT WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY, A NICK-
NAME FOR THE CITY IN WHICH THE TOWN IS SITUATED (KALAMAZOO)
IS KAZOO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Place |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN BY COLLECTOR
TOM SWIFTY
'BOY, I WISH I HADN'T TAKEN THOSE PEP PILLS,' SAID TOM ENERGETICALLY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Wellerism Quotation |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
RIDDLE
Q: IF YOU HAVE A DUCK BEFORE 2 DUCKS AND A DUCK BEHIND 2 DUCKS,
AND A DUCK IN THE MIDDLE , HOW MANY DUCKS DO YOU HAVE?
A: 3 DUCKS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
Keyword(s): ANIMAL (A) ; ANIMAL (Q) ; LITERAL NONOPPOSITIONAL ; PUZZLE
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
COURTSHIP CUSTOM
THE OLDEST DAUGHTER PUTS THE DOG OUTSIDE. HER FUTURE BOYFRIEND
WILL COME FROM THE DIRECTION THE DOG RUNS.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT FIRST HEARD THIS IN POLAND AROUND 1910. THIS IS A
COURTSHIP CUSTOM AND SUPERSTITION WITH ELEMENTS OF PREDICTION
INVOLVED. IT SEEMS TO IMPLY THAT THE DOG HAS SOME TYPE OF POWER
SINCE HE IS THE INSTRUMENT USED TO FORETELL THE FUTURE.
THIS IS A POSITION DIRECTION INDICATOR OF THE FUTURE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 10-00-1980 ; CA00001910
CUSTOM FOR BRIDE AND GROOM TO OBEY.
BRIDE AND GROOM ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO SEE EACH OTHER FROM SIX O'CLOCK
THE EVENING BEFORE THE WEDDING UP UNTIL THE CEREMONY. WIVES TALE-- TO
HAVE A LONG AND PROSPEROUS MARRIAGE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Separation before wedding |
Date learned: 11-00-1982
ONE DOLLAR DANCE
MALE MEMBERS OF THE BRIDE AND GROOM PAY ONE DOLLAR IN A HAT TO
DANCE WITH BRIDE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of quality Monetary system Money Wealth |
Date learned: 11-00-1982
EVERY YEAR ON THE FIRST OF THE NEW YEAR, WE GIVE PRESENTS
TO EACH MEMBER OF MY FAMILY. THIS IS DONE BECAUSE IN GREECE, IT
IS SAINT BASIL'S DAY. SAINT BASIL IS THE GREEK SAINT OF
CHILDREN. HE BRINGS PRESENTS TO THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN GOOD THE
PREVIOUS YEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights ; WHERE I LEARNED THIS
James Callow Keyword(s): GIFT-GIVING
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's BELIEF -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 01-00-1972