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.
EARLY IN THE MORNING, IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT
TWO DEAD BOYS GOT UP TO FIGHT
BACK TO BACK, THEY FACED EACH OTHER
DREW THEIR SWORDS AND SHOT EACH OTHER
A DEAF POLICEMAN HEARD THE NOISE
AND CAME TO KILL THOSE TWO DEAD BOYS
AND IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE THIS LIE IS TRUE
ASK THE BLIND MAN, HE SAW IT, TOO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: 00-00-1974
RAIN ON THE ROOF
THIS IS A SIMPLE GAME OF PHYSICAL SKILL FOR
CHILDREN. ALL THAT IS NEEDED FOR THIS GAME IS A BALL, AN
ALLEY, AND A GARAGE ROOF. IN THIS GAME EVERY CHILD IS GIVEN
A NUMBER. THE PERSON WHO HAS THE BALL THROWS IT ON THE ROOF AND
CALLS OFF ONE OF THE NUMBERS. THE PERSON WHOSE NUMBER IS
CALLED MUST CATCH THE BALL BEFORE IT HITS THE GROUND OR HE IS
OUT OF THE GAME. IF HE CATCHES THE BALL, HE THROWS IT AND
CALLS OUT ANOTHER NUMBER. THE GAME CONTINIUES LIKE THIS UNTIL
THERE IS ONLY ONE PERSON LEFT, AND THIS IS THE WINNER.
Submitter comment:
THERE IS ONE INTERESTING THING THAT I NOTICED WHILE I WAS
COLLECTING THIS. NOT ONLY DID MY MOTHER PLAY THIS GAME WHEN
SHE WAS YOUNG, BUT A FREIND OF MINE PLAYED THIS GAME MUCH
MORE RECENTLY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 01-00-1983
RIDDLE
WHAT DID TARZAN SAY WHEN HE LANDED ON BUTTER?
ANSWER: O-LEO.
Data entry tech comment: OLEO IS A BUTTER SUBSTITUTE AND DRAWN OUT IT ; SOUNDS LIKE THE
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 00-00-1970
VOCABULARY
YOU'VE MADE YOUR BED SO SLEEP IN IT.
Submitter comment: THIS IS WHAT A GERMAN FATHER SAYS TO HIS DAUGHTER ON HER WEDDING DAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 09-19-1969
VOCABULARY
PLEASE?
Submitter comment:
THIS IS SAID WHEN ONE NEEDS SOMETHING REPEATED, AND IT
IS FOUND IN OHIO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 09-19-1969
TWO DRUNKS WERE SITTING IN A PUB WHEN ONE SAID TO
THE OTHER, "WHAT IS THE QUICKEST AND CHEAPEST WAY TO
GET TO THE OTHER SIDE OF IRELAND?" "SWIM," MUMBLED
THE OTHER.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SAID THAT HE HEARD THIS RECENTLY FROM AN
OLD FRIEND WHO JUST RETURNED FROM IRELAND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Stupid man or woman |
Date learned: 11-15-1971
TWO STONE DEAF DRUNKS WERE SITTING IN A PUB WHEN ONE
ASKED, "WHERE ARE WE?" "WIMBLY," THE OTHER ANSWERED.
"LORDY BE! I THOUGHT IT WAS THURSDAY! LET'S HAVE
ANOTHER DRINK!"
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SAID HE HEARD THIS STORY FROM AN OLD
IRISHMAN VISITING AMERICA AROUND 1925. INFORMANT
CONSIDERS THIS ONE OF HIS FAVORITE STORIES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Stupid man or woman |
Date learned: 11-15-1971
THERE WAS ONCE A DRUNK WHO WAS GIVEN A JOB AS A
POLICEMAN IN A SMALL INDIANA TOWN. AFTER A TRAINING
PROGRAM, HE WAS ALLOWED TO GO ON HIS BEAT, WHICH ONLY
SPANNED TWO BLOCKS. TO BOOST HIS COURAGE, HE TOOK
A "NIP OR TWO." AFTER A FEW DAYS HE DISAPPEARED.
MOST PEOPLE THOUGHT HE WENT ON A BINGE. A FEW DAYS
LATER, HOWEVER, HE SUDDENLY APPEARED HAGGERED AND
TATTERED AT THE POLICE STATION.
"WHAT HAPPENED?" SHOUTED THE OTHER POLICEMEN.
"WELL, I WAS COMIN' OUT OF O'TOOLE'S BAR AND I SAW
THIS TRUCK GOIN' THROUGH A STOP SIGN. SO I DECIDED
TO HOP ON THE BACK OF THE BUS AND GIVE EM A TICKET.
HOW DID I KNOW HE WAS GOIN' TO PITTSBURG?"
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT HEARD THIS STORY IN A SPEAKEASY DURING
PROHIBITION. HE DOES NOT REALLY BELIEVE IT
HAPPENED BUT CALLED IT A "GEM."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Stupid man or woman |
Date learned: 11-15-1971
THERE ONCE WAS TWO DRUNKS AT THE WAKE OF THEIR BEST
FRIEND. AFTER SEVERAL HOURS, THEY COULD NO LONGER
STAND TO BE SOBER, AND DECIDED TO HAVE A DRINK. THE
ONLY PROBLEM WAS THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE ANY LEFT.
SO THEY DECIDED TO GO TO THE CORNER BAR. THEY DID
NOT WANT TO LEAVE THEIR "DEPARTED FRIEND," SO THEY
TOOK HIM WITH THEM. WHEN THEY GOT TO THE BAR, THEY
ORDERED THREE DRINKS INSTEAD OF TWO. ROUND AFTER
ROUND THEY FOLLOWED THE SAME ROUTINE, EACH TAKING
TURNS DRINKING THE CORPSE'S DRINK.
AFTER A WHILE THE TWO DRUNKS BECAME HUNGRY SO THEY
DRAGGED THE CORPSE OVER TO THE TABLE WHILE THEY
WENT TO EAT IN ANOTHER ROOM. MEANWHILE, THE
BARTENDER WENT OVER TO THE TABLE WHERE THE CORPSE
WAS SLUMPED OVER AND DEMANDED PAYMENT FOR THE DRINKS.
AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO WAKE HIM, HE THREATENED
TO KILL HIM IF HE DID NOT RESPOND. THE BARTENDER,
SEEING THAT HE WOULD NOT GET A RESPONSE, TOOK THE BODY
AND THREW IT AGAINST THE WALL. AT THAT MOMENT THE TWO
DRUNKS RETURNED, SCREAMING FOR THE POLICE.
"YOU'VE KILLED OUR FRIEND!"
"IT WAS HIS FAULT! HE PULLED A KNIFE!"
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT FIRMLY STATED THAT THIS ACTUALLY OCCURRED AND
THAT HE PERSONALLY KNEW ALL THOSE INVOLVED. INFORMANT
SAID THAT IT OCCURRED AROUND 1917 BUT HAS SINCE BECOME A
FAVORITE STORY OF OLDER DETROIT IRISHMEN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Stupid man or woman |
Date learned: 11-15-1971
AN IRISHMAN BY THE NAME OF CORBETT CAME TO AMERICA
BECAUSE HE HEARD IT WAS THE LAND OF GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY.
LIKE MANY IMMIGRANTS HE WENT TO WORK IN A FACTORY.
HIS JOB WAS WORKING A MACHINE THAT MADE ROUND DISKS FOR
MACHINE PARTS. BUT CORBETT HAD HEARD AMERICA'S
"STREETS WERE PAVED WITH GOLD" AND MONEY COULD BE FOUND
EVERYWHERE. SO HE ASSUMED THAT THE DISKS HE WAS MAKING
WERE VALUABLE TREASURES. SOMEHOW THE "TREASURES" THAT
WERE NOT USED WERE NEVER PICKED UP, SO HE TOOK IT
UPON HIMSELF TO BE THE COLLECTOR.
ONE DAY AFTER WORK HE WENT TO CLANCEY'S BAR. AFTER
SEVERAL GLASSES OF BEER CORBETT DECIDED TO PAY FOR
THEM. FROM HIS POCKET HE DREW ONE OF THOSE LARGE
DISKS AND LEFT FOR THE DOOR. CORBETT WAS JUST ABOUT
TO LEAVE WHEN CLANCEY SHOUTED AND TOLD HIM TO COME
BACK AND PAY HIM. CORBETT STAGGERED BACK TO THE BAR
AND CAREFULLY LOOKED AT THE TOKEN.
"LORDY BE! YOU MEAN I LEFT YOU THAT?"
HE QUICKLY TOOK A SMALLER TOKEN OUT OF HIS POCKET
AND STAGGERED TO THE DOOR. CLANCEY WAS STRICKEN
WITH AMAZEMENT.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SAID THAT THIS INCIDENT ACTUALLY HAPPENED
ALTHOUGH HE HAS HEARD MANY VERSIONS OF THE STORY
HIMSELF. INFORMANT SAID THIS HAPPENED IN THE LATE
1920S.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Stupid man or woman |
Date learned: 11-15-1971
Plant potatoes on Good Friday.
Submitter comment: My father's parents did this every year.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Oakley
| Subject headings: | 663 Good Friday CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535 |
Date learned: 00-00-1945
My father's family would eat bean soup every
Saturday.
Submitter comment:
My father doesn't know the reason why other than
maybe it was because he had 12 brothers and sisters
and they couldn't afford to eat a lot.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Oakley
Date learned: 00-00-1945
A LADY WENT TO A PRIEST TO COMPLAIN ABOUT HER
HUSBAND'S TERRIBLE DRINKING. SHE PLEADED WITH THE
FATHER TO TALK TO HER HUSBAND TO END HIS "EVIL WAYS."
SO THE FATHER REQUESTED THAT THE HUSBAND COME IN TO
TALK. THE HUSBAND RELUCTANTLY AGREED TO GO.
"SON, I HAVE HEARD THAT YOU ARE PLAYING WITH THE
'DEVIL'S BREW.' BUT I AM NOT GOING TO TELL YOU TO
STOP SIPPING THE 'DEVIL'S NECTAR.' INSTEAD, I AM
GOING TO TELL YOU ABOUT A MAN WHO DRANK SO MUCH THAT
WHEN HE WENT TO BLOW OUT A CANDLE HIS BREATH MADE IT
IGNITE MORE AND HE CAUGHT ON FIRE. NOW SON, I
WANT YOU TO GO HOME AND THINK ABOUT THAT."
THE MAN WENT HOME AND THOUGHT ABOUT IT. HE RETURNED
TO THE PRIEST TWO WEEKS LATER. "WELL, SON, HAVE YOU
THOUGHT ABOUT IT?" "INDEED, I HAVE FATHER! I WON'T
GIVE UP DRINKING BUT I PROMISE YOU I WILL NEVER BLOW OUT
A CANDLE."
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT REMEMBERED THIS STORY BEING TOLD AT A WAKE
IN THE EARLY 1920S. INFORMANT ADDED THAT THIS STORY
HAS BECOME A CLASSIC AMONG HIS CIRCLE OF FRIENDS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Stupid man or woman |
Date learned: 11-15-1971
A SIP OF WATER
ALWAYS TAKE A SIP OF WATER WHEN YOU COME HOME FROM CHURCH ON SUNDAY
MORNING TO BE SURE YOU WASH DOWN ALL THE PARTICLES OF THE HOST
BEFORE EATING BREAKFAST
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON
James Callow Keyword(s): EUCHARIST
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church |
Date learned: CA02001980
A CURE FOR A SORE FOOT
A MAN IN NORTHERN MICHIGAN TIMBER LAND HAD A SORE TOE,
HE COULD NOT GET IT HEALED SO HE TOOK AN AX AND CUT OFF HIS TOE
SO IT WOULDN'T HURT ANY MORE
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Stupid man or woman |
Date learned: CA02001980
IRISH KITCHEN CUSTOM
COVERING THE TEA POT WITH A SPECIAL "TEA COZY", USUALLY KNITTED OUT
OF HEAVY YARN TO RETAIN THE HEAT IN THE TEA POT.
USUALLY MADE TO FIT VERY TIGHT AND "COZY" AROUND THE POT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON
Keyword(s): DRINK
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Manner of preparation Kind of heatCooking equipment |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR.
PREDICTIONS
IF YOU DROP A FORK WHILE SETTING THE TABLE, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE
COMPANY FOR DINNER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 11-02-1969
ELEPHANT JOKE
WHY DO ELEPHANTS WEAR RED SLIPPERS?
SO THEY CAN HIDE IN THE CHERRY TREES
Submitter comment: THERE ARE SEVERAL INTERESTING VARIATIONS OF THIS SAME JOKE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; OAKLAND UNIVERSITY
Keyword(s): FRUIT COLOR
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 09-00-1971
THERE IS A CEMETERY ON GRAND RIVER AVE. IN FARMINGTON,
MICHIGAN WHERE YOUR CAR WILL ROLL UP A HILL. YOU GO
IN THE ENTRANCE AND DRIVE ALONG THE ROAD UNTIL YOU
DRIVE DOWN A HILL. AT THE BOTTOM, PUT YOUR CAR IN
NEUTRAL AND LOOK IN YOUR REAR-VIEW MIRROR. YOUR CAR IS
ROLLING UP THE HILL YOU JUST CAME DOWN.
Submitter comment: IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE ME TRY IT YOURSELF.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime |
HALLOWEEN TRICK
PUT DOG MANURE INTO A PAPER BAG; THROW IT ONTO SOMEONE'S PORCH,
THEN LIGHT THE BAG AND KNOCK ON THE DOOR. RUN BEHIND SOME BUSHES AND
WAIT FOR SOME LAUGHS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
Keyword(s): PRANKS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- October 31 Halloween CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: CHILDHOOD