Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for 1945 returned 578 results.
HELEN KELLER JOKE
HOW DID HELEN KELLER BURN HER FINGERS?
TRYING TO READ THE WAFFLE IRON.
Submitter comment: HE LEARNED THIS FROM FRIENDS AT SCHOOL
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
Keyword(s): BRAILLE
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 10-11-1967
RIDDLE
WHAT'S BLACK AND WHITE AND RED ALL OVER?
A NEWSPAPER
Submitter comment: I LEARNED THIS FROM MY FATHER
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 12-03-1967
DYING
HE'S WALKING SLOW, BUT HE'S GOING FAST.
Submitter comment:
WHEN A MAN IS IN THE HOSPITAL IS FAILING AND DYING FAST THE IRISH
SAY THIS.
JUDY LEARNED THIS FROM THE IRISH INTERNS WHEN SHE WAS WORKING AT
MOUNT CARMEL HOSPITAL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
Keyword(s): HEALTH ; METAPHOR PROVERBIAL PHRASE DEATH OBSERVATION
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase |
PROVERB
HE WHO DOESN'T WORK DOESN'T EAT.
CHI NON FATICA, NON MANGIA.
Submitter comment: ON THE WALL IN THE INFORMANT'S GRANDFATHER'S HOUSE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
Keyword(s): PARALLELISM ; WORK
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 11-09-1972
MEDICINE
ONE SHOULD CARRY A POTATOE IN HIS POCKET TO CURE ARTHRITIS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 09-26-1965
PA. DUTCH BELIEF
A MAMMY IS CALLED IN FOR SICKNESS-- ESPECIALLY BLEEDING OF
ANY SORT.
FOR AN ADULT: THE "POW-WOWER" OR MAMMY RECITES BIBLE
PHRASES TO HERSELF WHILE HOLDING THE SICK PERSON, AND IT CURES HIM.
FOR A CHILD: THE "POW-WOWER" PASSES THE CHILD AROUND A TABLE LEG
WHILE RECITING BIBLE PHRASES, AND THE CHILD WILL BE CURED.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS CALLED "POW-WOWING" AND IT AFFECTS THE WHOLE PA. DUTCH
AREA. IT IS NECESSARY TO BELIEVE IN IT TO HAVE IT WORK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
Keyword(s): PENNSYLVANIA DUTCH (GERMAN) ; POWWOWING
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Expression of Fixed Form BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 02-24-1968
BELIEF
IF YOUR RIGHT HAND ITCHES YOU WILL SPEND SOME MONEY.
IF YOUR LEFT HAND ITCHES YOU WILL SAVE SOME MONEY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails |
Date learned: 11-00-1968
NUMBER SUPERSTITION
IN VIETNAM, #9 IS THE LUCKIEST NUMBER.
THE NUMBER IN THE "HOUSE" IN THE GOVERNMENT IS 117 (1+1+7=9).
THERE WERE 9 ON THE BALLOT IN THE RECENT ELECTION BECAUSE
OF THIS BELIEF.
VIET SOLDIERS FELT SAFE IF THEY WERE ATTACHED TO AN OUTFIT WITH
WITH #9 IN
IT, OR MULTIPLES OF 9, OR NUMBERS ADDING UP TO 9.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | 686 Ninths / Nine BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 02-24-1968
SUPERSTITION (COLLECTOR'S TITLE)
NEVER SIT 13 AT TABLE.
THE LAST ONE TO SIT DOWN WILL NOT LIVE TO MEET AGAIN
WITH ALL THE PEOPLE PRESENT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | 686 Specific number by specific number being described BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 02-24-1968
RIME
MOTHER MAY I GO OUT TO SWIM?
YES, MY DARLING DAUGHTER.
HANG YOUR CLOTHES ON A HICKORY LIMB
BUT DON'T GO NEAR THE WATER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
Keyword(s): COMMAND ; DIALOGUE ; FAMILY ; FEMININE RHYME ; RHYME: ABAB
| Subject headings: | 730 Lyrical Verse |
CROUP
DRINK KEROSENE AND SUGAR FOR THE CROUP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Remedy |
Date learned: 02-24-1968
THE WISE COP
A COP NAMED DOOLY ARRESTED A GUY AND WAS HOLDNG HIM UNTIL THE
PIE-WAGON ARRIVED. THE GUY TOOK OFF HIS HAT AND TOSSED IT A FEW
YARDS AWAY, SAYING "LEMME GET MY HAT." BUT DOOLY SAID, "OH NO YA
DON'T, I AIN'T THAT DUMB. YOU STAY RIGHT WHERE YOU ARE,
I'LL GET IT MYSELF."
DOOLEY LET THE GUY GO AND THE GUY PROMPTLY TOOK OFF, LAUGHING.
Submitter comment:
JOHN L. CONROY LEARNED THIS STORY IN WATERBURY, CONN. AROUND 1916.
HE SAID THAT DOOLY WAS MENTIONED IN MANY STORIES AROUND WATERBURY,
BUT THIS WAS THE ONLY ONE HE COULD RECALL.
Data entry tech comment: THERE IS ONE MORE SIMILAR STORY IN THE 5X8 FILE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
AUTOGRAPH VERSE
THE ROSES ARE RED,/THE VIOLETS ARE DEAD,/THE SUGAR BOWL IS EMPTY,/
AND SO IS YOUR HEAD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
Keyword(s): INSULT ; RHYME:AABA
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1961
LEGEND AT ST. MARY'S COLLEGE
IT IS CLAIMED BY THE OLD NUNS AT ST. MARY'S COLLEGE, NOTRE DAME,
IND., THAT GENERAL GRANT SENT HIS WIFE AND DAUGHTERS THERE FOR
SAFETY'S SAKE DURING THE CIVIL WAR. ONE OF THE DAUGHTERS IS BURIED
THERE ON THE GROUNDS, BUT NOBODY SEEMS TO KNOW WHERE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
Keyword(s): PRESERVATION
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
CHRISTMAS
AUSTRIAN CHILDREN PUT THEIR SHOES IN FRONT OF THE FIREPLACE ON
CHRISTMAS EVE. THE MOST PRECIOUS GIFT TO FIND IN THEM ON
CHRISTMAS IS A PIECE OF CITRUS FRUIT, SINCE IT IS EXTREMELY
DIFFICULT TO FIND IN THIS COUNTRY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Stockings and shoes |
Date learned: 03-00-1970
THE NEW MOON
LOOK AT A NEW MOON OVER YOUR LEFT SHOULDER,
AND YOU WILL HAVE GOOD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT, MRS. CONROY, LEARNED THIS BELIEF FROM HER MOTHER,
AS A CHILD, IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN (CIRCA 1920)
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 12-30-1963
THE PENNY AND THE MOON
NEVER LOOK AT A NEW MOON WITHOUT MONEY IN YOUR HAND.
THE INFORMANT, MRS. STOKES, LEARNED THIS FROM HER MOTHER,
Submitter comment: MRS. HARRIET MALLINSON, AS A CHILD, IN GARY, INDIANA. (CIRCA 1925)
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 12-25-1963
SUPERSTITION
IF YOU MOVE ON FRIDAY, YOU WILL MOVE AGAIN BEFORE THE YEAR IS OUT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | Prediction / Divination Observation |
Date learned: 02-07-1968
PROVERBIAL COMPARISON
GOD'S HELP IS AS NEAR AS THE DOOR.
Submitter comment: JUDY LEARNED THIS FROM AN IRISH INTERN AT MOUNT CARMEL HOSPITAL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 11-27-1965
CUSTOM
IN ENGLAND, ONE FINDS MANY STATUES OF FAMOUS MEN RIDING ON HORSES.
IF THE HORSE IS STANDING ON ALL FOUR FEET, THE MAN WAS SUPPOSED TO
HAVE DIED A NATURAL DEATH. IF THE HORSE HAS ONE FOOT UP IN THE AIR,
THE MAN DIED IN COMBAT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- To Be Seen |
