Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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IF ANYBODY PUT A GARMENT ON HIND-SIDE TO,
INSIDE OUT, WRONG HAND, WRONG FOOT OR ARM,
IT MUST NOT BE REMOVED UNTIL ONE HAS THOUGHT
CLEARLY FOR TEN SECONDS AND MADE A WISH.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT SAID , " BELIEVE IT OR NOT TRADITION
IS SO STRONG, I STILL DO IT". TRADITION WAS FIRST
LEARNED IN ARCOLA, ILLINOIS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; BEAUTY SHOP ; TOLD IN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 02-00-1971
LENTEN CUSTOM -- FASENACHT
FASENACHT OR KAVENEVAL IS A HOLIDAY CELEBRATED EVERY TUESDAY
BEFORE ASH WEDNESDAY. THIS CELEBRATION RESEMBLES MARDI GRAS
CELEBRATIONS, BUT ALSO HAS POLITICAL IMPLICATIONS. THE DAY BEGINS
WITH A PARADE. MANY PEOPLE HAVE MASKS AND COSTUMES ON AND PARADE
DOWN MAIN STREET. THE MAYOR AND THE PRESIDENT GIVE THE KEY TO THE
CITY TO A PRINCE AND PRINCESS WHO ARE CHOSEN IN A MANNER SIMILAR
TO OUR BEAUTY CONTESTS. AT NIGHT, FESTIVITIES INCLUDE SPEECHES,
PROGRAMS, DANCING, AND EATING. THE MEAL INCLUDES SAUERKRAUT AND
SALTED PORK CHOPS (RIPPCHEN). THE PROGRAM INCLUDES POLITICAL
MIMICKERY OF OFFICIALS, THEIR MISTAKES, AND THEIR BLUNDERINGS.
OTHER PROGRAMS CENTER AROUND SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS --MARRAIGES,
FOR INSTANCE -- THAT ARE OF SPECIAL INTEREST. A TYPICAL TOPIC,
OF THESE PROGRAMS, FOR INSTANCE, IS THE MARRAIGE OF ARI AND JACKIE
THE MAYOR GIVES A SPEECH, SPECIAL SONGS OF THE TIMES ARE SUNG,
AND AFTER THIS PROGRAM, THE PRINCE AND PRINCESS PRESENT MEDALS
FOR THE BEST ACT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; BEAUTY SHOP ; TOLD IN
Keyword(s): RELIGIOUS CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | 663 Mardi Gras CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F6 3 F6 3.1 |
Date learned: UNKNOWN
GERMAN CHRISTMAS CUSTOMS
CHRISTMAS IN GERMANY IS CELEBRATED ON TWO DAYS IN A SOMEWHAT
DIFFERENT FASHION FROM AMERICANS. ON DECEMBER 24TH THE FIRST PART OF
THE CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION TAKES PLACE. IT IS CELEBRATED ON THIS DAY
BECAUSE THIS IS THE DAY THAT CHRIST WAS BORN AND NOT REALLY ON THE
25TH. THEY DO NOT PUT A TREE UP WEEKS BEFORE CHRISTMAS. INSTEAD THE
TREE IS SET UP LATE ON THE 23RD AND THE ROOM IS LOCKED WITH TREE AND
PRESENTS INSIDE. THEN IN THE AFTERNOON THE CHILDREN SEE THE TREE
AND PRESENTS FOR THE FIRST TIME.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT REMEMBERS THIS FROM HER HOMELAND, GERMANY
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; BEAUTY SHOP
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F122 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas tree CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Gifts, gift giving at Christmas |
Date learned: NOT RECORDED BY THE COLLECTOR
LUCK WITH 13
TO VILLAGERS IN A PROVINCE NEAR ROME, ITALY
THE NUMBER 13 IS A GOOD LUCK SIGN.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS SUCH AN OPPOSITE USE OF 13 FROM THE USUAL
THAT I THOUGHT THIS WORTH RECORDING.
THE INFORMANT, WHEN SHE WAS YOUNG, RECEIVED A GOOD LUCK
MEDAL WITH THE NUMBER 13 ON IT FROM HER
ITALIAN GRANDMOTHER WHO SAID 13 WAS A LUCKY NUMBER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; TOLD IN ; CLASS
| Subject headings: | 686 Specific number by specific number being described |
Date learned: 04-01-1970
MARINE CORPS
A GRUNT--HE IS THE COMMON FOOT SOLDIER, HAD ITS ORIGINS IN
THE SOUND HE WOULD MAKE BENDING OVER A LOG TO TAKE A CRAP ON
FIELD. IN POLITER WORDS, THE BATTLEFIELD BOWEL MOVEMENT.
WIDESPREAD USE WITHIN THE MARINE CORPS, BUT NOT ON THE
OUTSIDE.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Trade & commerce |
Date learned: 09-26-1972
MARINE CORPS
BLOUSE:MEANING "SHIRT". A CANDY-ASS TERM, BUT WIDELY USED.
"CANDY-ASS": PRIM AND PROPER. USUALLY USED IN REFERRING TO
OFFICERS.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Trade & commerce |
Date learned: 09-26-1972
MARINE CORPS
GUNG HO:HAS COME TO MEAN SOMEONE WHO IS COMPLETELY DEDICATED
TO EVERYTHING IN THE MARINE CORPS - A COMPANY MAN. HE WOULD
BELIEVE EVERYTHING THAT WAS SPOONFED TO HIM. HE IS SOMEONE
YOU WOULD WANT TO AVOID BECAUSE HE WOULD WANT TO WORK YOUR ASS
OFF. NOT MEANT TO BE OVERTLY DEROGATORY.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Trade & commerce |
Date learned: 09-26-1972
MARINE CORPS
SLOP CHUTE: THE UNIVERSAL TERM FOR THE BASE ENLISTED MAN'S BEER
Submitter comment:
SAME HALL. THE COMMISSIONED OFFICERS AND THE NONCOMS BOTH HAVE
THEIR PLUSH CLUBS. THE ENLISTED MAN'S IS APPROPRIATELY FOUR WALLS
WITH A BAR. INFORMANT WAS DRILL INSTRUCTOR IN MARINE CORPS.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Trade & commerce |
Date learned: 09-26-1972
LET THE DEPARTMENT OF REDUNDANCY DEPARTMENT HANDLE THAT.
Submitter comment: USED TO DESCRIBE SOMEONE WHO REPEATS HIMSELF
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 09-26-1972
FORMULA QUESTION
AFTER THE MAIN COURSE OF A MEAL TO SAY, "WHAT'S BEHIND THE
DOOR?" MEANING: WHAT'S FOR DESERT?
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SAYS THIS QUESTION HAS BEEN IN USE IN HIS FAMILY
FOR GENERATIONS AND IS STILL IN USE TODAY.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 09-15-1972
JESUITS
THE YOUNGEST JESUIT IN A HOUSE IS CALLED THE BENJAMIN OF THE
HOUSE. IT IS HIS DUTY (PRIVILEGE) TO DELIVER A SERMON TO THE
COMMUNITY ON THE FEAST OF THE JESUIT SAINT, STANISLAUS KOSTKA.
ST STANISLAUS WAS ONLY A NOVICE WHEN HE DIED, AND SO IN HONOR
OF HIS YOUTH AND SANCTITY, THE PRACTICE OF HONORING THE
YOUNGEST MEMBER OF A COMMUNITY WAS BEGUN. THE CUSTOM HAS
SPECIAL SIGNIFICANCE IN HOUSES OF FORMATION WHERE THERE IS A
NOVICE COMMUNITY. THE FEAST IS ON NOVEMBER 13TH. THE INFOR-
MANT IS CURRENTLY THE BENJAMIN OF THE LANSING REILLY COMMUNITY
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- B439 |
Date learned: 09-20-1972
NAME
DEROGATORY NAME FOR A FRENCH - CANADIAN FROG IS A DEROGATORY
NAME USED IN MODERN TIMES FOR A FRENCH - CANADIAN. HE IS A
CANADIAN SO THIS NAME IS COMMON TO HIM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; COLLECTED ON A CHORUS TRIP
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- FamilyGroup |
Date learned: 03-00-1967
{THE FATAL HAIRDO}
THERE WAS A WOMAN WHO WENT TO THE BEAUTY PARLOR TO GET A "BEE HIVE"
HAIRDO. THE HAIR IS RATTED AND PLACED ON A WAXED PAPER CONE AND
BUILT INTO A HIVE SHAPE. THERE WERE COCKROACH EGGS ON THE PAPER
AND THE WOMAN DIDN'T BOTHER TO WASH HER HAIR FOR A FEW WEEKS,
THE EGGS HATCHED. THE WOMAN AT FIRST THOUGHT THE ITCHING WAS DUE
TO HER NOT HAVING WASHED HER HAIR FOR SUCH A LONG TIME. IN FACT,
THE COCKROACHES ATE THROUGH TO HER BRAIN AND SHE DIED. PEOPLE
DISCOVERED THE COCKROACHES AFTER SHE HAD DIED.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT HEARD THIS STORY WHILE LIVING IN A SMALL TOWN IN
WESTERN OHIO, BELLEVUE, AROUND 1959.
Where learned: OHIO ; DETROIT ; BELLEVUE
James Callow Keyword(s): DEVASTATING COCKROACHES, NOT SPIDERS
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Body part Senses |
Date learned: 09-20-1972
IN THE 1920'S MY UNCLES , ALONG WITH SOME FRIENDS OF THEIR'S, WENT
OUT TO PLAY PRANKS ON HALLOWEEN AND WOULD TIP OVER PEOPLES OUTHOUSES.
THERE WAS ONE THAT SAT AT THE TOP OF A SMALL RISE IN THE LAND.
THIS ONE THEY TURNED OVER LIKE SOME OTHERS THEY HAD DONE EARLIER AND
WERE SURPRISED TO HEAR YELLS COMING OUT OF THE OUTHOUSE AS IT ROLLED
OVER DOWN THE HILL. THE OLD MAN WHO HAD BEEN INSIDE AT THE TIME,
DID NOT GET PHYSICALLY HURT, BUT HE DID RECOGNIZE THE VOICE OF ONE
OF MY UNCLES.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- October 31 Halloween CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 09-20-1972
A MAN BUILDS A HOUSE THAT HAS WINDOWS ON ALL SIDES AND EACH SIDE HAS
A SOUTHERN EXPOSURE. A BEAR COMES WANDERING BY. WHAT COLOR IS THE
BEAR?
ANSWER: IF THE HOUSE HAS SOUTHERN EXPOSURES ON ALL SIDES IT
WOULD HAVE TO BE AT THE NORTH POLE. THE BEAR WOULD THEN HAVE
TO BE A POLAR BEAR AND WOULD BE WHITE IN COLOR.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 09-20-1972
A DINING ROOM IN A JESUIT RESIDENCE IS NEVER CALLED A DINING ROOM,
BUT ALWAYS IS CALLED A REFECTORY. THIS MIGHT BE A HOLDOVER FROM
DAYS WHEN ONLY LATIN WAS SPOKEN IN JESUIT HOUSES.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Trade & commerce |
Date learned: 09-20-1972
FIRST VOWS IN THE JESUITS
IT IS SAID THAT THE TRADITIONAL BREAKFAST ON THE DAY THAT NOVICES
ARE TO PRONOUNCE FIRST VOWS IS CORNED BEEF HASH AND POACHED EGGS.
Submitter comment:
DUE TO PERHAPS A SIMILARITY BETWEEN VOWING PERPETUAL CHASTITY AND
THE VISUAL APPEARANCE OF POACHED EGGS.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church |
Date learned: 09-20-1972
FATHER, SON, AND HOLY GHOST; THE ONE THAT EATS THE FASTEST GETS
THE MOST. THIS WOULD BE USED AT MEALS AFTER THE REGULAR GRACE HAD
BEEN SAID, COMPARABLE TO "DIG IN".
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 09-20-1972
GOD HELPS THOSE THAT HELP THEMSELVES, AND TO HELL WITH THOSE WHO
DON'T. MEANING: DO IT YOURSELF, DON'T WAIT FOR SOMEONE TO DO IT
FOR YOU. WOULD SOMETIMES BE USED AT MEALS TO INDICATE USE "BOARDER'S
REACH" OR HELP YOURSELF--INFORMAL DINING.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 09-20-1972
NAME
THE NAME CANUCK COMES FROM FRENCH - CANADIAN FUR TRAPPERS WHO
PADDLED THE BOAT OF THE SAME NAME TO TRAP BEAVER ETC. IN
CANADA'S NORTHERN LAKES AROUND THE 17TH CENTURY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; COLLECTED ON A CHORUS TRIP
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- FamilyGroup |
Date learned: 03-00-1967