Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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LEGEND OF THE WALHALLA MONSTER WHO ABDUCTED AN INDIAN
MAIDEN LONG AGO AND WAS BELIEVED BY INDIANS IN THE
AREA TO HAVE LIVED IN THE LAKE.
Submitter comment:
THIS STORY IS TOLD EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT AS THE VACATIONERS
AT THIS RESORT END THEIR STAY. THE GROUP ASSEMBLES AROUND
A BONFIRE AND, ON CUE, THE OWNER, DRESSED AS THE MONSTER,
COMES OUT OF THE LAKE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WALHALLA
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Supernatural Being BELIEF -- Still water Small body. |
Date learned: 10-00-1983
WHAT'S THE MATTER? YOU WRITING A BOOK OR SOMETHING?
WELL, LEAVE THIS CHAPTER OUT!!
Submitter comment:
THIS RETORT COMES IN HANDY WHEN YOU WANT TO DISCOURAGE SOMEONE
FROM BEING TOO INQUISITIVE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; VALENTES MENS FORMALWEAR
Keyword(s): COMEBACK
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 07-00-1970
UP AND DOWN THE RIVER (DRINKING GAME)
UP AND DOWN THE RIVER. THIS IS PLAYED WITH AN UNLIMITED AMOUNT OF
PLAYERS AND A DECK OF CARDS. FOUR CARDS ARE DEALT FACE UP TO
EVERYONE.
THE DEALER FLIPS OVER THE TOP CARD AND IF YOU HAVE THAT CARD
YOU DRINK ONCE. THE DEALER FLIPS OVER THE SECOND CARD AND IF YOU
HAVE THAT CARD, PLUS THE FIRST CARD, YOU DRINK TWICE. THIS GOES ON
TO FIVE. THAT'S GOING UP THE RIVER, NOW GOING DOWN THE RIVER,
YOU GIVE YOUR DRINKS AWAY. FOR EXAMPLE, IF THE DEALER FLIPS A CARD
AND YOU HAVE IT, YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO DRINK 5 TIMES, BUT NOW YOU GIVE
YOUR DRINKS AWAY TO SOMEONE ELSE WHO HAS THE SAME CARD. THE OBJECT?
TO GET DRUNK AND HAVE A GOOD TIME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN HEIGHTS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 00-01-979
NUMBER RHYME TAUNT
IT WAS A TRADITION AT ALL CATHOLIC CENTRAL HIGH
SCHOOL'S ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES TO SAY:
AND THE SCORE GOES UP ANOTHER NOTCH C. C.,
ANOTHER NOTCH, C. C.
AFTER ALL POINTS SCORED FOR OUR TEAMS.
THIS INDICATED TO THE OPPOSITION THAT WE
WERE SCORING WHILE THEY WEREN'T AT THAT TIME.
James Callow comment: WHO SAID IT? COLLECTOR SAYS: AUDIENCE
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HIGH SCHOOL ; DETROIT ; CATHOLIC CENTRAL
James Callow Keyword(s): CHEER
Entry filtered.
Entry filtered.
AFTER RECEIVING A PIECE OF BRIDE'S CAKE AT A
WEDDING, PUT IT UNDER YOUR PILLOW AND THE PERSON
YOU DREAM ABOUT WILL BE THE ONE YOU WILL MARRY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
| Subject headings: | 862 Use of object for determining future spouse |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
WEAR GARLIC AROUND YOUR NECK TO KEEP EVIL SPIRITS
AWAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
James Callow Keyword(s): AMULET
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Plant food Vegetable BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 09-12-1969
A POLISH SONG: STEEL TIPPED DANCE SHOES, FLASH AND SPARKLE
STEEL_TIPPED DANCE SHOES, FLASH AND SPARKLE
FOR THIS GIRL'S A WORTHY PARTNER
BE SHE WORTHY OR NOT WORTHY
STEEL_TIPPED DANCE SHOES FLASH AND SPARKLE.
POLISH TEXT AND MUSIC NOT KEYPUNCHED.
Submitter comment:
THE FIRST VERSE IS TRANSLATED BY HARRIET PAWLAWSKA AND MUSIC IS
TRANSCRIBED BY GRACE ENGEL. FOR THE SECOND VERSE I HAVE NO MUSIC
TRANSCRIBED SO I JUST PRESENT THE WORDS AS I KNOW THEM.
Data entry tech comment:
THE INFORMANT STATES THAT THERE IS A SECOND VERSE BUT IT IS NOT
LOCATED ON THE FILE CARD.
Updated by TRD
Scanning of music card in progress
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
Keyword(s): DANCE ; ETHNIC ; Lyrics ; MUSIC ; POLAND ; POLISH ; RHYME ; SONG ; VERSE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Joy Happiness |
Date learned: 00-00-1967
SUPERSTITION
SNEEZING, WHILE EATING, IS BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS SEEN AS BAD LUCK BECAUSE IT WAS LOOKED UPON AS THE
RELEASE OF GERMS THAT WOULD CAUSE ILLNESS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; LUNCHROOM
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222. BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 02-14-1979
POLISH ( ITALIAN ) EASTER CUSTOM
ON EASTER, WHEN ITALIAN PEOPLE GO VISITING, THEY EACH TAKE A
HARD-BOILED EGG AND TRY TO CRACK THE SHELL OF EACH OTHER'S EGG. THE
PERSON WHO CRACKED THE SHELL OF ANOTHER PERSON'S EGG FIRST IS THE
WINNER, AND THE PERSON WHOSE SHELL IS CRACKED FIRST IS THE LOSER.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A NORTHERN ITALIAN CUSTOM WHICH SHE LEARNED WHEN SHE WAS
A CHILD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CARPOOL ; EAST SIDE
Keyword(s): GAME
MY GRANDMOTHER WOULD NEVER ALLOW YELLOW CATS INTO THE
HOUSE. THEY WERE TO REMAIN IN THE BARN. TIGER CATS,
BLACK CATS, WHITE CATS, THESE ALL HAD THE HOPE OF BEING
HOUSEHOLD PETS. STRICT APARTHEID WITH YELLOW CATS--TO
THE BARN! IT HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE BELIEF THAT THEY
WOULD BRING MISFORTUNE ON THE HOUSEHOLD. ON THE OTHER
HAND, MY FAMILY ONCE LIVED NEXT DOOR TO A FAMILY ORIGINALLY
FROM THE VERY RURAL PARTS OF KENTUCKY. MRS. PATTON COLLECTED
EVERY YELLOW CAT SHE COULD FIND AND CLAIMED THEY PURRED
LOUDER THAN OTHER CATS AND BROUGHT MORE CHEER TO A HOUSE.
WE OFTEN HEARD HER CRY, "YELLER CAT, HERE YELLER CAT"
FROM HER FRONT PORCH, AND WE WERE GLAD THAT MY GRANDMOTHER
AND MRS. PATTON NEVER LIVED NEAR EACH OTHER.
Submitter comment: TOLD TO ME BY MY NEIGHBOR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Color BELIEF -- Use of Object Animals BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.31 |
Date learned: 00001940-1950
SUPERSTITION
TO STUMP YOUR FOOT IS TO PRODUCE BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT REMEMBERS FIRST HEARING THIS BELIEF FROM A
FRIEND WHO SAID THAT MAN'S FEET IS HIS FOUNDATION, AND TO
STUMP YOUR LEFT TOE IS TO STUMP OR SHAKE YOUR VERY
FOUNDATION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; LUNCHROOM
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Bad luck |
IF SOMEONE SWEEPS OVER YOUR FEET WITH A BROOM,
YOU WON'T GET MARRIED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Marriage Dating Courtship |
Date learned: 09-15-1969
SHOPPER MYTH
MANY TIMES WHILE AT WORK I NOTICE THAT SHOPPERS WITH FEW ITEMS
WILL ALMOST ALWAYS STAND IN THE EIGHT ITEMS OR LESS LANE.
MANY TIMES THIS LANE IS MUCH LONGER THAN SOME OF THE OTHER
CHECK OUT LANES. I HAVE TO DIRECT THEM TO THE LESSER SOMETIMES
EMPTY LANES.
WHEN I ASK THEM WHY THEY WERE WAITING IN THE LONG LINES THEIR
REPLY IS THAT THEY THOUGHT IT WAS MANDATORY FOR THEM TO STAND
IN THE SPEEDY CHECK OUT LANE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; A&P FOOD STORE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Work Commerce Business |
Date learned: 00-00-1977
TRICK OF THE TRADE
AT A & P, WE SPRINKLE WATER ON THE FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES
FOR A TWOFOLD PURPOSE. THE WATER MAKES THE FRUIT AND
VEGETABLES LOOK FRESHER AS WELL AS ADDING WEIGHT TO THEM.
WHEN THE CASHIER WEIGHS THEM THE WEIGHT IS BLOATED BY THE WATER.
THE EFFECT IS AN INCREASE IN PRICE FOR THE CONSUMER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; A&P FOOD STORE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Work Commerce Business Food Drink -- Plant food |
Date learned: 00-00-1977
BEILEF
MANY PEOPLE THINK THAT IF ONE PUTS A PIECE OF CLOTHING ON INSIDE
OUT, HE WILL SOON RECEIVE A GIFT.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 02-20-1970
WART CURE--GO TO A HOUSE WHERE THE WOMAN IS FRYING BACON. WHEN
SHE ISN'T LOOKING, STEAL A PIECE OF BACON AND WHEN YOU GO
OUTSIDE, THROW IT AWAY.
Submitter comment: TOLD TO ME BY MY NEIGHBOR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Remedy |
Date learned: 00001940-1950
ROMANIAN
TUESDAY-BAD LUCK ALL DAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour |
Date learned: 09-17-1969
CANNOT SEW ON SUNDAY, IT'S BAD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.4 |
Date learned: 10-06-1969