Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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THE VERGER
A CERTAIN MAN WAS A SEXTANT (JANITOR) IN A SYNAGOGUE.
THE SYNAGOGUE GOT A NEW RABBI AND, BECAUSE THE SEXTANT
COULDN'T READ OR WRITE, THE RABBI ASKED HIM TO LEAVE.
AS HE WALKED HOME DOWN A LONG STREET, HE HAD A
CRAVING TO BUY SOME TOBACCO, BUT HE WASN'T ABLE TO
FIND A TOBACCO SHOP. WELL, THIS MAN HAD A LITTLE
MONEY SAVED UP, SO HE OPENED UP A TOBACCO SHOP.
IT SO HAPPENED THAT EVERY TIME THIS MAN WENT DOWN
A LONG STREET HE OPENED UP ANOTHER TOBACCO SHOP.
AFTER BECOMING QUITE RICH, HE FINALLY DECIDED TO GO
TO THE BANK. WHEN HE ARRIVED AT THE BANK, HE FOUND
OUT HE HAD TO SIGN A FORM IN ORDER TO DEPOSIT HIS
MONEY. AFTER TELLING THE CASHIER THAT HE COULDN'T
READ OR WRITE, THE CASHIER SAID, "WHAT DO YOU MEAN,
YOU CAN'T READ OR WRITE? HOW COULD YOU HAVE MADE
ALL THAT MONEY? JUST IMAGINE WHAT YOU COULD HAVE
BENN IF YOU COULD READ OR WRITE!" "YES, I COULD
HAVE BEEN THE SEXTANT OF THE CHURCH!"
Submitter comment:
DAVE TOLD ME THAT THIS IS AN OLD JEWISH WIVES
WHICH DOESN'T HAVE ANY REAL MEANING IN IT, AS FAR
AS HE IS CONCERNED. HE SAID THAT MOST OF THESE
OLD WIVES TALES ARE CORNY AND MEANINGLESS.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; RENO HALL
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Stupid man or woman |
Date learned: 09-29-1968
WINKING OF THE EYE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; PARTY ; DORM
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Congratulations Appreciation Appreciation of female beauty |
Date learned: 02-15-1971
WHY A SHAMROCK HAS THREE LEAVES
ST. PATRICK WAS HAVING A HARD TIME CONVERTING THE PAGANS OF IRELAND
TO CATHOLICISM. NEXT HE WENT DIRECTLY TO THE KING, BUT HE FAILED
THERE TOO. ONE DAY HE WAS TELLING THEM ABOUT THE TRINITY BUT THE
PEOPLE COULDN'T CONCEIVE HOW THREE PERSONS COULD BE IN ONE. SO
ST. PATRICK TOOK A SHAMROCK AND POINTED OUT HOW THERE ARE THREE
LEAVES IN ONE ORGANISM. THE KING THOUGHT THIS A LOGICAL EXPLANATION
BECAUSE NO ONE COULD DENY IT. THUS HE WAS BAPTIZED AND HIS SUBJECTS
FOLLOWED HIM.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; RENO HALL
Keyword(s): THREE AS HOLY NUMBER
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 09-29-1968
HOLY SATURDAY
IS TO HAVE THORNS BLESSED WHICH ARE PUT ON THEIR CHIMNEYS IN ORDER
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; RENO HALL ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM ; SWIECZONKA
| Subject headings: | 663 Holy Saturday Favorites BELIEF -- Weather sign or control BELIEF -- Lightning Thunder BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 10-03-1968
DRINK
IN GERMANY AT CHRISTMAS THEY MAKE A SPECIAL HOT AND VERY SPICY
RED WINE, MADE WITH CLOVE AND CINNAMON, AND HERBS--FOR THE
HOLIDAY SEASON.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT ACTUALLY HAD THIS AT A PRIVATE HOME IN GERMANY.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; TV STUDIO ; TOLD AT
Keyword(s): CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; DRINK ; Germany ; holiday
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Single dishes |
JUMP ROPE RHYME
I USED TO JUMP INTO THE ROPE AND SAY,
CINDERELLA, DRESSED IN YELLA.
WENT UPSTRAIRS TO KISS A FELLA.
BY MISTAKE, SHE KISSED A SNAKE.
HOW MANY DOCTORS DID IT TAKE?
1, 2, 3, 4...STOP WHEN YOU MISS A JUMP.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 10-06-1972
VERSE
ITS RAINING, ITS POURING,
THE OLD MAN IS SNORING.
HE WENT TO BED AND BUMPED HIS HEAD,
AND DIDN'T WAKE UP TILL MORNING.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): FEMININE RHYME
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children |
Date learned: 10-06-1972
GAMES
WE USED TO HOLD HANDS IN A CIRCLE AND CHANT,
"MOTORBOAT, MOTORBOAT, GO SO SLOW, MOTORBOAT, MOTORBOAT,
GO SO FAST, MOTORBOAT, MOTORBOAT, STEP ON THE GAS!"
WHILE WE WALKED, RAN AND RAN SO FAST THAT WE FELL DOWN, THE
WORDS MATCHING OUR MOTIONS.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Singing Dancing Marching |
Date learned: 09-27-1972
VERSE
ROSES ARE RED, VIOLETS ARE BLUE,
IF IT WASN'T FOR CHRISTMAS,
WE'D ALL BE JEWS.
James Callow comment:
COLLECTOR ENTITLES THIS ITEM "VERSE" BUT GIVES IT C360, THE BOGGS NUMBER FOR SONG. I'VE ADDED THE
NUMBER FOR VERSE.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): IMPERFECT RHYME: BLUE-JEWS
| Subject headings: | 730 Lyrical Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children |
Date learned: 10-06-1972
JUMP ROPE RHYME
WE USED TO RUN INTO THE ROPE, JUMP AND SAY;
"A, MY NAME IS ALICE, MY HUSBAND'S NAME IS AL.
WE LIVE IN ARIZONA AND WE SELL APPLES."
"B, MY NAME IS BETTY, MY HUSBAND'S NAME IS BOB.
WE LIVE IN BOSTON AND WE SELL BONNETS."
C, MY NAME IS ... AND SO ON THROUGH THE WHOLE ALPHABET.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): CHAIN
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 09-17-1972
JUMP ROPE RHYMES
TEDDY BEAR, TEDDY BEAR, TURN AROUND
TEDDY BEAR, TEDDY BEAR, TOUCH THE GROUND.
TEDDY BEAR, TEDDY BEAR, GO UPSTAIRS.
TEDDY BEAR, TEDDY BEAR, SAY YOUR PRAYERS.
TEDDY BEAR, TEDDY BEAR, TURN OUT THE LIGHT.
TEDDY BEAR, TEDDY BEAR, SPELL GOODNIGHT, G-O-O-D-N-I-G-H-T
Submitter comment:
(A SKIP OF THE ROPE FOR EACH LETTER)
WE USED TO JUMP INTO THE ROPE AND DO ALL OF THE THINGS IN THE
LINES WHILE SAYING THEM.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 10-06-1972
ABOUT STUDYING
IF YOU STUDY LONG
YOU MIGHT STUDY WRONG.
Submitter comment:
SHE USED A PHILOSOPHICAL APPROACH IN EXPLAINING THIS ITEM.
THE INFORMANT SEEMS TO REMEMBER THIS ITEM FROM HER EARLY ADOLESCENT
YEARS IN HER NEIGHBORHOOD, WHERE SHE LIVED FOR 16 YEARS. SHE
WAS CUNNING IN THE WAY SHE TOLD THIS ITEM. HER ASSOCIATES IN THE
ROOM MAY HAVE PROMOTED THIS ACTION.
THIS OLD SAYING WAS TOLD TO HER FROM PEOPLE SHE KNEW IN SCHOOL
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb |
Date learned: 00001960S
SCHOOL
IN GRAMMAR SCHOOL WE USE TO ASK EACH OTHER FOR SOME STUFF
(COOKIES, CANDY, ETC.). THEY WOULD REPLY THAT SOME MAKE YOU
DUMB, AND YOU WILL NEVER GET NONE.
Submitter comment:
SHE TOLD THIS ITEM TO ME IN A SNAPPY MANNER. BECAUSE SHE DIDN'T HAVE
MUCH TO CONTRIBUTE AND I ASKED FOR TOO MUCH INFORMATION ABOUT HER.
I ASKED FOR THE ITEMS RIGHT BEFORE SHE WAS TO TAKE AN EXAM SO I
SUPPOSE THAT EXPLAINS HER ATTITUDE FOR NOT WANTING TO EXPLAIN THE
ITEM.
THIS ITEM IS A VERSE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Custom Festival C840.537 Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Speech Speech CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 00-00-1959
CAN'T THINK!
QUESTION: WHAT HAS A HEAD, CAN'T THINK, BUT CAN WRITE WHEN
FILLED?
ANSWER: A PEN, MY FRIEND.
Submitter comment:
I COLLECTED THIS ITEM IN A ROOM FULL OF GIRLS AND GUYS. I ASKED
THE INFORMANT FOR FOLKLORE ITEMS WHILE IN THE PRESENCE OF THE
OTHERS AND THE MEANING OF THE IDEA BEHIND THE PARTICULAR ITEMS.
SHE USED A PHILOSOPHICAL APPROACH IN EXPLAINING THIS ITEM.
THE INFORMANT SEEMS TO REMEMBER THIS ITEM FROM HER EARLY ADOLESCENT
YEARS IN HER NEIGHBORHOOD, WHERE SHE LIVED FOR 16 YEARS. SHE
WAS CUNNING IN THE WAY SHE ASKED THE QUESTION AND GAVE THE ANSWER
TO THIS ITEM. HER ASSOCIATES IN THE ROOM MAY HAVE PROMOTED THIS
ACTION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: 00001960S
GUESS
QUESTION: WHAT IS ROUND AS A BISCUIT, BUSY AS A BEE AND THE
PRETTIEST LITTLE THING YOU EVER DID SEE?
ANSWER: WATCH.
Submitter comment:
SHE TOLD THIS ITEM TO ME IN A SNAPPY MANNER, BECAUSE SHE DIDN'T HAVE
MUCH TO CONTRIBUTE AND I ASKED FOR TOO MUCH INFORMATION ABOUT HER.
I ASKED FOR THE ITEMS RIGHT BEFORE SHE WAS TO TAKE AN EXAM SO I
SUPPOSE THAT EXPLAINS HER ATTITUDE FOR NOT WANTING TO EXPLAIN THE
ITEM.
THIS ITEM IS A RIDDLE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Riddle True Riddle |
Date learned: 00-00-1959
IF YOU HIT YOUR FATHER YOUR ARM WILL STICK UP OUT OF YOUR GRAVE
MARYLOU'S INFORMANT WAS HER FATHER ROBERT LANNEN. HE IS 54
MARRIED, AND OF OF IRISH DESCENT
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 11-08-1972
DON'T SKIP A ROW IN PLANTING OR SOMEONE IN YOUR FAMILY WILL DIE.
MARYLOU'S INFORMANT WAS BEATRICE SAYAS 38 MARRIED BLACK AMERICAN,
LIVING IN DETROIT, ORIGINALLY FROM NEW ORLEANS.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant husbandry Farming BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 11-08-1972
IN ORDER TO GET THE FRUIT, YOU HAVE TO CLIMB THE TREE. (YOU HAVE
TO WORK FOR WHAT YOU GET). MARYLOU'S INFORMANT WAS HER GRANDMOTHER
BRIDGET O'CONNOR 81 WIDOWED, IRISH FROM LONDON, ONTARIO
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 11-08-1972
EVERY BIRD LIKES HIS OWN NEST BEST. (PEOPLE LIKE WHAT IS FAMILIAR TO
THEM). MARYLOU'S INFORMANT WAS HER GRANDMOTHER 81, WIDOWED FROM
LONDON, ONTARIO.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 11-08-1972
TELLING A LIE
IF YOUR TONGUE HURTS, YOU'VE TOLD A LIE. MARYLOU'S INFORMANT
WAS HER GRANDMOTHER BRIDGET O' CONNOR 81, WIDOWED FROM LONDON ONT.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Spirit / Mind / Body BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 11-08-1972