Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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KICK THE RICKET
THIS GAME IS PLAYED LIKE BASEBALL, BUT INSTEAD OF A BAT
AND BALL, YOU USE PART OF AN OLD BICYCLE TIRE AND A
FEW BRICKS. YOU SET THE PIECE OF TIRE BETWEEN THE
BRICKS AND KICK IT. THE OBJECT IS TO TRY TO SCORE
RUNS AS IN BASEBALL.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT CLAIMS TO HAVE PLAYED THIS GAME AS A BOY IN
PENNSYLVANIA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 00001971 SPRING
A STRING OF NYLONS ARE TIED AROUND A PLAYER'S WAIST
WITH A CARROT HANGING FROM ONE END, WHICH IS MOVED
TO THE BACK OF THE PLAYER AND HANGS DIRECTLY BEHIND
HER. THE OBJECT OF THE GAME IS TO TRY TO GET THE
CARROT INTO A MILK BOTTLE BY BENDING UP AND DOWN
WITHOUT TOUCHING THE NYLONS TIED AROUND THE WAIST NOR
THE CARROT. THIS IS A GAME PLAYED AT MIXED PARTIES,
AND TO SEE IT IN MOTION IT LOOKS QUITE NASTY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 11-18-1971
DUCK ON THE ROCK
ANY NUMBER CAN PLAY THIS GAME. EVERYONE HAS AN EMPTY
TIN CAN AND PLAYERS FORM A CIRCLE. ONE PERSON IS IT,
AND HE HAS TO STAND IN THE MIDDLE AND PLACE HIS CAN
ON TOP OF A ROCK. THE PLAYERS IN THE CIRCLE HAVE TO
THROW THEIR CANS AT THE CAN ON THE ROCK AND TRY TO
KNOCK IT OVER. IF A PLAYER THROWS HIS CAN AND MISSES
HE MUST RETRIEVE IT BEFORE HE IS TAGGED BY THE PLAYER
IN THE MIDDLE. WHEN SOMEONE IS TAGGED, HE REPLACES
THE PLAYER IN THE MIDDLE.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT IS A FRIEND'S FATHER, AND HE CLAIMED THAT
HE USED TO PLAY THIS GAME WHEN HE WAS A SMALL BOY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 00001971 SPRING
A GROUP OF WOMEN, USUALLY AT A WEDDING SHOWER, GATHER
AROUND IN A CIRCLE. ONE WOMAN STARTS EVERYTHING OFF
BY INTRODUCING HERSELF TO THE CROWD AND THE PERSON
SITTING NEXT TO HER INTRODUCES THE WOMAN WHO HAS
PREVIOUSLY INTRODUCED HERSELF, ALONG WITH HERSELF AND
CONTINUES UNTIL SOMEONE FORGETS THE NAME OF A PERSON
WHO HAS BEEN INTRODUCED.
THIS IS A MEMORY GAME AND THE LAST PERSON TO REMEMBER
ALL NAMES WILL WIN THE GAME AND THE DOOR PRIZE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Memory |
Date learned: 11-18-1971
DIAPER TAG
IF YOU STEP IN A SQUARE WITH A LETTER WRITTEN ON IT,
YOU HAVE A DIAPER.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT IS A FRIEND'S YOUNGEST SISTER, AND SHE IS
ABOUT EIGHT YEARS OLD. THIS IS A GAME THEY PLAY
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
Keyword(s): SIDEWALK SQUARE?
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Racing Chasing Fighting |
Date learned: 00001971 SPRING
CEREAL TAG
PLAYED LIKE REGULAR TAG, BUT IF YOU ARE ABOUT TO BE
TAGGED, YOU HAVE TO STOOP DOWN AND NAME A CEREAL.
IF YOU FAIL TO DO THIS AND ARE TAGGED, THEN YOU ARE
IT.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT IS A FRIEND'S YOUNGEST SISTER, AND SHE IS
ABOUT EIGHT YEARS OLD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Racing Chasing Fighting |
Date learned: 00001971 SPRING
CUSTOM-SHOFAR
ON THE EVE OF THE JEWISH NEW YEAR, THEY WELCOME
THE NEW YEAR IN BY BLOWING A HORN CALLED A SHOFAR.
IT BEINGS A TEN DAY PERIOD OF REVERENCE, AND EXAMINATION
OF CONSCIENCE. IT IS BLOWN AGAIN AT THE END OF THE
TEN DAYS, AND THIS BLOWING STARTS ONE DAY OF PENANCE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Fixed DateFor specific dates, use the following system: |
Date learned: 09-26-1965
DURING THE JEWISH PASSOVER A GLASS OF WINE IS LEFT
ON THE TABLE FOR A DISCIPLE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Fixed DateFor specific dates, use the following system: |
Date learned: 12-01-1971
OPWATEK (BREAKING OF UNLEAVENED BREAD AT CHRISTMAS,
AT THE MAIN MEAL ON CHRISTMAS DAY, A LARGE, SQUARE-SHAPED
PIECE OF WHITE, UNLEAVENED BREAD, BEARING AN IMPRESSION
OF THE NATIVITY SCENE, IS PLACED IN THE CENTER OF THE
TABLE. EACH PERSON BREAKS OFF A SMALL PIECE, AND GOES
AROUND TO EVERYONE ELSE AT THE MEAL, BREAKING THE BREAD
WITH THEM SO THAT EACH PERSON GETS A PART OF THE OTHER
PERSON'S BREAD. THIS BREAD-BREAKING IS USUALLY ACCOMPANIED
WITH A KISS AND A SINCERE EXPRESSION OF WELL WISHING.
THIS CUSTOM IS TO DEMONSTRATE CHRISTIAN UNITY AND FILIAL
LOVE.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A CUSTOM WHICH HAS BEEN WELL-KNOWN AMONG THE POLISH
FOR MANY YEARS. MY GRANDMOTHER HAD LEARNED THIS FROM
HER FAMILY AS A CHILD. SHE HAS BEEN IN THIS COUNTRY
FOR OVER FIFTY YEARS, BUT SHE STILL FAITHFULLY OBSERVES
THIS CUSTOM, AND HAS INFLUENCED HER CHILDREN AND THEIR
CHILDREN TO DO THE SAME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Oplatki CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 |
Date learned: 00-00-1915
CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS MUST BE TAKEN DOWN AND PUT AWAY
BEFORE MIDNIGHT NEW YEAR'S EVE, OR YOUR HOUSE WILL BURN
DOWN DURING THE NEW YEAR.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT'S HOUSE CAUGHT A FIRE IN THE FURNACE ROOM
WHILE HER BROTHER WAS BURNING ALL OF THE XMAS
WRAPPINGS NEW YEAR'S DAY, BECAUSE THEY HAD NOT TAKEN
DOWN THEIR TREE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve BELIEF -- Use of Object BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 12-07-1971
A NEW YEAR'S MEAL CONSISTING OF GREENS, MEANS THAT YOU
WILL INHERIT SOME MONEY, BLACKEYE PEAS MEANS THAT YOU'LL
HAVE GOOD LUCK, SOMETHING RED MEANS THAT THERE WILL NOT
BE VERY MUCH ILLNESS IN THE FAMILY AND CHITTERLINGS
MEANS THAT GOD WILL TAKE CARE OF YOU IN A VERY SPECIAL
WAY.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT'S NEW YEAR'S MEAL HAVE INCLUDED THOSE THINGS
(FOODS) FOR THE LAST THIRTY YEARS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals BELIEF -- Color BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 12-07-1971 ; 00001940S
ON NEW YEAR'S DAY YOU EAT HOG JOWLS AND BLACK EYED PEAS TO
BRING GOOD LUCK DURING THE COMING YEAR.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT IS A FRIEND'S MOTHER, AND SHE CLAIMED THAT THEY
DID THIS IN ALABAMA WHEN SHE WAS A CHILD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALABAMA ; FERNDALE
Date learned: 00001971 SPRING
THE NUMBER OF RIBBONS THAT THE BRIDE-TO-BE BREAKS WHILE
OPENING BRIDAL SHOWER GIFTS INDICATES THE NUMBER OF
CHILDREN SHE WILL HAVE.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A WIDELY ACCEPTED IDEA FOR FUN, MAKING AT
BRIDAL SHOWERS I'VE ATTENDED IN DETROIT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Breaking of |
Date learned: 10-17-1967
When the New Year arrives put a spider in your purse, and you
will have money all year long.
Submitter comment:
The informant can't remember when she learned this superstition,
but she has been doing it for about 20 years.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
Keyword(s): bugs
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's BELIEF -- Insect BELIEF -- Measure of time Year |
Date learned: 00001950S
It was one of the gang called little Robert Ford
Who shot Jesse James on the sly.
It was Robert Ford, that dirty coward,
I wonder how he does feel.
He ate Jesse's bread and slept in Jesse's bed
And he put Jesse James in his grave.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ballad Epic |
This is a cure my sister was telling me her doctor did to her.
When you have ringworm you take off your wedding band, it has
to be gold, and have someone press it firmly down in the
infected area where the ringworm shows up. Within a few days
it will clear up.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
James Callow Keyword(s): homeopathic (ring for ringworm)
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mineral |
Date learned: 00-00-1990
If you eat raw cookie dough then you will get worms.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 00-00-1975
If you eat the seeds of a watermelon then you will grow a
watermelon plant in your belly and it will kill you.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Plant food Fruit BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 00-00-1975
If you name your child after a witch then that child will be
a witch.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | Person / Nickname BELIEF -- Witch Shaman |
Date learned: 00-00-1990
If the baby's heartbeat is strong while it is still inside
the mother that it is going to be a boy.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
James Callow Keyword(s): SEX DETERMINATION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 00-00-1989