Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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TRUE RIDDLE
Q: I WENT TO THE WOODS AND FOUND IT. I SAT ME DOWN TO LOOK FOR IT.
I BROUGHT IT HOME WITH ME BECAUSE I COULDN'T FIND IT. WHAT WAS IT?
A: A THORN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TRAVERSE CITY
Keyword(s): ACTIONS (Q) ; BUILDINGS (Q) ; NATURAL ; NATURAL PHENOMENA (Q)
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: 02-02-1970
If the pregnant woman is grouchy then she is going to have a
girl.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
James Callow Keyword(s): SEX DETERMINATION
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 00-00-1989
The lightning is the angels playing flashlight tag.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Racing Chasing Fighting BELIEF -- Angel BELIEF -- Lightning Thunder |
Date learned: 00-00-1974
The lightning is the angels flicking on and off the light.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Angel BELIEF -- Lightning Thunder |
Date learned: 00-00-1974
When it thunders the angels are bowling.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Angel BELIEF -- Lightning Thunder |
Date learned: 00-00-1974
When it rains it is the angels crying.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Angel BELIEF -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew |
Date learned: 00-00-1974
When it rains it is the angels taking a shower.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Angel BELIEF -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew |
Date learned: 00-00-1974
MEDIEVAL DOCTORS DEVELOPED A SPECIAL OUTFIT DESIGNED TO
PROTECT THEM FROM DIRECT CONTACT WITH SICK PEOPLE
DURING A PLAGUE. THE PHYSICIAN WAS COVERED FROM HEAD TO
FOOT WITH A BLACK GOWN, AND HE WORE LONG GLOVES TO PROTECT
HIS HANDS AND ARMS. A HOOD WAS DROPPED OVER HIS FACE.
PROTRUDING FROM THE HOOD WAS A LONG BEAK LOADED WITH
PROTECTIVE SPICES AND PERFUMES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Dress BELIEF -- Curer |
Date learned: 10-01-1988
A RECOMMENDED PRESCRIPTION FOR EPILEPSY IN THE MIDDLE AGES:
TAKE A NAIL OF A WRECKED SHIP, MAKE IT INTO A BRACELET,
AND SET THEREIN THE HEART OF A JUST-KILLED STAG, AND PUT
THE BRACELET ON THE PATIENT'S LEFT ARM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 10-01-1988
DURING THE RENAISSANCE, ALCHEMISTS CONCOCTED MEDICINES
CONSISTING OF THE SPOTTED SKINS OF LIZARDS FOR MALIGNANT
TUMORS AND OF WALNUT SHELLS FOR HEAD INJURIES.
Submitter comment: THE WALNUT SHELLS RESEMBLE THE BRAIN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
James Callow Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Remedy |
Date learned: 10-01-1988
MEDIEVAL THERAPY FOR INFERTILE WOMEN CONSISTED OF DRINKS
MADE FROM MISTLETOE.
Submitter comment:
THIS RESULTED INTO TODAY'S CUSTOM OF A KISS AT CHRISTMAS
UNDER THE MISTLETOE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Mistletoe and other greenery BELIEF -- Plant SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 10-01-1988
A UNIVERSAL POISON ANTIDOTE USED BY THE ROMANS CONSISTED
OF SOME 50 INGREDIENTS, INCLUDING VIPER'S FLESH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Remedy |
Date learned: 10-01-1988
THE ANCIENT GREEKS BELIEVED THAT THE WOMB HAD TWO POUCHES,
THE ONE ON THE RIGHT FOR MALE INFANTS AND THE ONE ON THE
LEFT FOR FEMALE INFANTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 10-01-1988
IN EAST AFRICA, A METHOD USED TO INDUCE FREE BLOOD FLOW IN
PRIMITIVE MAN INVOLVED SHOOTING SMALL ARROWS INTO THE
PATIENT'S FOREHEAD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 10-01-1988
IN ORDER TO MAKE MEDICINES DISTASTEFUL TO THE DEMONS
OCCUPYING A SICK PERSON'S BODY, ANCIENT EGYPTIAN
PHYSICIANS USED DUNG AND BLOOD AS INGREDIENTS OF THEIR
PRESCRIPTIONS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Animal |
Date learned: 10-01-1988
AS A PART OF PRIMITIVE MEDICINE, WOMEN WERE NOT PERMITTED
TO GO NEAR FLOWERING PLANTS DURING THEIR MENSTRUAL PERIOD
TO PROTECT THEIR HEALTH AND HYGIENE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 10-01-1988
A PRESCRIPTION FOR BALDNESS IN ANCIENT EGYPT CONSISTED OF
THE BACKBONE OF A RAVEN, THE BURNT HOOF OF AN ASS, AND
THE FAT OF A BLACK SNAKE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Animal |
RIDDLE
WHAT DO GHOSTS EAT AT BREAKFAST?
ANSWER: GHOST TOASTIES.
Data entry tech comment: PUN ON POST TOASTIES, A BREAKFAST CEREAL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 12-06-1965
RIDDLE
WHY DID JOHNNY THROW HIS PANTS OUT OF THE WINDOW?
ANSWER: BECAUSE HE HEARD A BOY YELLING FREEPRESS.
Data entry tech comment: THE "FREE PRESS" IS A NEWSPAPER IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 11-24-1967
RETORT
QUICK AS A FLASH
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: 09-20-1967