Dr. James T. Callow publications
Browse by
Questions or comments on this site? Please email davidsor@udmercy.edu.
The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for 34 returned 22195 results.
ZOOM, SCHWARTZ, BIFIGLIA
ZOOM, SCHWARTZ, BIFIGLIA IS A COMPLICATED DRINKING GAME I LEARNED
(NOT REALLY, I WAS ALWAYS DRUNK) THAT INVOLVES A CADENCE OF THE TITLE
MENTIONED, THE ONE WHO BREAKS THE CADENCE HAS TO DRINK A SHOT.
Submitter comment:
THIS DRINKING GAME WAS PICKED UP AT A FRAT PARTY AT U OF D. AGAIN
THE NAME IS HARD TO FORGET.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime |
Date learned: 00-00-1977
WHEN YOU HEAR A SIREN, SAY A PRAYER FOR THE PERSON INSIDE.
Submitter comment: I HAVE HEARD THIS BEFORE, I BELIEVE IT IS CATHOLIC IN ORIGIN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): THAT IS, INSIDE THE AMBULANCE.
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 00-00-1980 ; 00-00-1950
IT IS BELIEVED THAT IT IS UNLUCKY TO STACK YOUR MONEY OR
CHIPS WHEN YOU ARE PLAYING POKER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Retort
"A tee-hee's egg in a ha-ha's nest."
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BNs [S200, S500, S560, V700, V600] crossed out. Replaced with current classification.
"Polite" taunt? A kidding remark?
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; TRAVERSE CITY
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
HOLES IN SKULLS
MR. LEHR READ SOMEWHERE THAT EXPLORERS FOUND SOME SKULLS WHICH
WERE BELIEVED TO BE ABOUT 1000 YEARS OLD. THESE SKULLS WERE
FOUND IN SOUTH AMERICA. EACH SKULL HAD A PERFECTLY ROUND HOLE
IN IT.
THIS RELATES TO A PIECE IN "THE WORLD BOOK" ABOUT A TREPHINING.
THIS IS A INSTRUMENT WHICH CUTS A PERFECTLY ROUND HOLE IN A
SKULL. IT HAS EXISTED FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS AND IS BELIEVED
TO HAVE BEEN USED TO LET OUT THE EVIL SPIRITS IN A PERSON.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Custom |
UGLY IN THE CRADLE, PRETTY AT THE TABLE.
Submitter comment: THIS SAYING PROBABLY IS A NOTE OF OPTIMISM WHEN A BABY IS TRULY UGLY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): CONTRAST ; ELLIPSIS ; SLANT RHYME
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 00-00-1980 ; 00-00-1950
FOLKLORE OF GOOD LUCK
IN JAPAN MANY PEOPLE WEAR A TURTLE PIN TO INSURE GOOD LUCK AND
A LONG LIFE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: CA00001935
CUSTOM
IN MALAWI, BEFORE YOU CAN ASK A STRANGER FOR DIRECTIONS, YOU MUST
FIRST BECOME FRIENDS WITH HIM. THIS IS DONE THROUGH A SERIES OF
STANDARDIZED GREETINGS AND GESTURES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
A RED SUN AT NIGHT MEANS THE NEXT DAY WILL BE VERY HOT.
Submitter comment: THIS IS A WEATHER BELIEF.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Sun BELIEF -- Weather sign or control |
Date learned: 00-00-1950 ; 00-00-1980
WHEN YOU GIVE SOMEONE A SHARP OBJECT, THEY SHOULD GIVE YOU A PENNY
Submitter comment: THIS SAYING IS A VARIATION FROM ONE WE TALKED ABOUT IN CLASS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): GIFTGIVING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 00-00-1950 ; 00-00-1980
FIRST PERSON: I HAVE THREE DONUTS FOR A QUARTER AND ONE DONUT
FOR A DOLLAR. SECOND PERSON: WELL, I'M NOT TOO HUNGRY, I'LL
ONLY TAKE ONE.
Submitter comment: THIS RIDDLE REQUIRES THE ACTING OUT BY TWO PEOPLE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; EAST TOWN THEATRE
Keyword(s): FOOD
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 10-10-1971
RELIGIOUS LEGEND
LONG AGO, THERE WAS THIS LITTLE GIRL WHO ALWAYS WORE HER SCAPULAR.
THIS ONE DAY, SHE WAS WALKING HOME FROM SCHOOL; BUT, INSTEAD OF
RETURNING HOME SHE STOPPED TO PLAY WITH HER FRIENDS. ALL THE
OTHER CHILDREN WERE HIDING, WHILE SHE WAS CLIMBING UP THIS
VERY TALL TREE. SUDDENLY, SHE SLIPPED AND LOST HER BALANCE.
HOWEVER, SHE WAS SAVED BECAUSE HER SCAPULAR REMAINED FIXED AROUND
THE BRANCH OF THE TREE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): AMULET
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 09-20-1969
RELIGIOUS CUSTOM
INFORMANT STATED THAT, WHILE HE WAS A SEMINARIAN, HIS SPIRITUAL
DIRECTORS USED TO BELIEVE IN WHAT WAS CALLED A "CIRCLE OF PURITY,"
AND THEY ACTUALLY MADE THE SEMINARIANS UNDER THEIR DIRECTION ADHERE
TO THIS CUSTOM. THE CIRCLE OF PURITY MEANT TO STAY AN ARM'S LENGTH
AWAY FROM A MAN ON EVERY SIDE AND TWO ARMS' LENGTHS AWAY FROM WOMEN
ON EVERY SIDE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
ITALIAN PROVERB
THE WOLF LOSES ITS HAIR, BUT NOT ITS HABITS.
IL LUPO PERDE IL PELO, MA NO IL VIZZIO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
Comic Book Title
Tracks in the Sand by Peter Dragon
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRCH RUN
Keyword(s): HUMOR
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 00-00-1975
Comic Book Title
Yellow River by I. P. Daily
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRCH RUN
Keyword(s): HUMOR
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 00-00-1975
TO GET RID OF THE HICCUPS YOU SHOULD SWALLOW THREE SPOONFULS
OF SUGAR FOLLOWED BY THREE GLASSES OF WATER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Mineral |
One night my little brother Mike, had the hick-ups.
Mike was only 8 years old at the time, so I liked
to pick on him. Knowing that he would do just
about anything, I told him that I could cure his
hick-ups as long as he did exactly what I said.
Mike agreed. First I told Mike to stand up. Then
I said to raise his left hand, then to raise his
right foot, then to place his right hand pinky
finger on his left nostril, then to close his
right eye, and then finally to jump up and down.
I was just making things up for him to do. It was
funny watching him. But to my whole family's
surprise, Mike's hick-ups were gone.
Since that day I have cured about 15 people with
hick-ups. It works almost always except when
the person is drunk. Then the success rate drops
below 50%.
Submitter comment:
I think the reason the cure works is because
the person has to concentrate so hard to keep
from falling down, that the hick-ups go away.
Where learned: MICHIGAN
Keyword(s): Accidental Cure
James Callow Keyword(s): HICCUPS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 00-00-1984
When my family and friends are sitting around the
house watching television, we have a saying when
you get up to go to the bathroom or get something
from the refrigerator. The saying is "Place back."
Saying "Place back" means that when you come back
you get your seat back. If you don't say "Place
back," anyone can take your seat from you. When
you come back and see that your seat is gone,
the person sitting in your chair must say,
"Move your meat, lose your seat" before you say
"Place back."
Submitter comment:
The game came about from not having enough
comfortable seats in the house. We were always
arguing who got to sit in the best chair.
Where learned: MICHIGAN
James Callow Keyword(s): Reservation formula
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Speech Speech SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 00-00-1978
SOLOMON SLICK
THERE WAS A MAN IN TOWN
WHOSE NAME WAS SOLOMON SLICK
WE OWNED A MULE WITH DRAINY EYES,
OH, HOW THAT MULE WOULD KICK.
HE KICKED,
HE KICKED
HE KICKED
HE KICKED THE TRAIN OFF THE TRACKS.
HE KICKED THE STREAM BOAT OUT OF SIGHT.
Submitter comment:
NOTE: ON TAPE #2.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ALLITERATION ; MUSIC ; PARODY ; RHYME ; SONG ; Tune ; VERSE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Good humor Jest |
Date learned: 02-12-1972