Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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IF YOU GO INTO A DARK ROOM WITH A MIRROR ON HALLOWEEN, AND IF YOU
LOOK HARD ENOUGH INTO THE MIRROR AND LONG ENOUGH, YOU WILL SEE THE
ONE YOU WILL MARRY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- October 31 Halloween BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 11-00-1970
HALLOWEEN CUSTOM
IN POLAND, ON HALLOWEEN NIGHT THE PEOPLE GO OUT TO THE GRAVEYARD
AND PLACE LIGHTED CANDLES ON THE GRAVES OF LOVED ONES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- October 31 Halloween CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 09-30-1968
ADVENT CUSTOM
THE ADVENT WREATH. THERE ARE FIVE CANDLES: THREE PURPLE, ONE PINK
AND ONE WHITE. EACH CANDLE DENOTES (EXCEPT THE CENTRAL WHITE ONE)
1000 YEARS. THE CIRCLE FORM DENOTES THE ETERNITY OF GOD, WITHOUT
BEGINNING OR END; THE GREEN SPEAKS OF GROWTH; THE FOUR CANDLES
ARE THE AGES "SITTING IN DARKNESS AND IN THE SHADOW OF DEATH".
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GARDEN CITY
| Subject headings: | 645 September 23 Equinox to December 20 BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Circle and other round forms BELIEF -- Number P686.1.1000 |
Date learned: 00-00-1959
MNEMONIC DEVICE
F-A-C-E.
Submitter comment:
I LEARNED THIS IN MY MUSIC CLASS TO HELP REMEMBER THE NOTES
CORRESPONDING TO THE SPACES ON THE STAFF.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GARDEN CITY
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- MNEM |
Date learned: 00-00-1970
2 YOUNG
2 GO
4 BOYS
James Callow comment: WRITTEN AS AN ADDITION PROBLEM
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Translations, plays on words, symbol writing |
Date learned: 00-00-1963
MNEMONIC DEVICE
AM, IS, ARE, DO, DID, CAN, COULD.
WAS, WERE, BE, WILL, WOULD, SHALL, SHOULD.
HAS BEEN, HAVE BEEN, MAY, MIGHT, MUST.
Submitter comment: MY BROTHER LEARNED THIS LITTLE RHYME TO REMEMBER HIS HELPING VERBS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GARDEN CITY
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Verse without Music |
Date learned: 00-00-1968
2 YS U R
2 YS U B
I C U R
2 YS 4 ME
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Translations, plays on words, symbol writing |
Date learned: 03-00-1971
FATTY, FATTY, TWO BY FOUR,
CAN'T GET THROUGH THE KITCHEN DOOR.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS ONE OF THE MOCKERY RHYMES THAT MY GRANDMOTHER CAN
REMEMBER THAT WAS THE MOST PREVALENT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
HI HO, HI, HO,
IT'S OFF TO SCHOOL WE GO,
TO STUDY JUNK,
THEN TO FLUNK,
HI HO, HI HO, HI HO.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT HEARD IN SCHOOL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON
Keyword(s): PARODY ON SONG FROM "SNOW WHITE." ; TUNE OF "HI HO, HI HO, IT'S OFF TO WORK WE GO"
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
AUTOGRAPH BOOK MATERIAL.
YOU'RE JUST LIKE A PICTURE---------------- FIT TO BE HUNG}
Submitter comment:
ENTRY MADE ON MAY 4, 1962 IN PEGGY TRINGALI'S AUTOGRAPH BOOK
KEPT IN DETROIT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): INSULT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Wisecracks, gags, silly stories, insults |
Date learned: 05-04-1962
LEGEND
WHILE ON MY WAY TO DANCE CLASS ONE EVENING, I NOTICED A DOLL IN THE
PICTURE WINDOW OF A HOUSE. NOT THINKING ANYTHING OF IT, IMENTIONED
IT TO MY GIRLFRIEND. SHE WAS AMAZED THAT I HAD NEVER HEARD THE STORY
ABOUT THE LITTLE GIRL THAT ONCE LIVED IN THE HOUSE. IT IS BELIEVED
THAT ONE EVENING THE GIRL WAS PLAYING IN THE DRIVEWAY AND THAT NOT
SEEING HER, THE FATHER RAN OVER HER AND KILLED HER. THE MOTHER OF
THE CHILD WENT CRAZY AND NOW BELIEVES THE DOLL TO BE HER DAUGHTER.
SHE TAKES CARE OF THE DOLL IN WAYS THAT A MOTHER WOULD TAKE CARE
OF A CHILD. SHE EVEN GOES SO FAR AS TO DRESS THE DOLLUP FOR
SPECIAL OCCASIONS SUCH AS CHRISTMAS AND HALLOWEEN.
Submitter comment: THE HOUSE IS ON OUTER DRIVE IN DEARBORN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GARDEN CITY
James Callow Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
WORMS
BREAK THE BUDS OFF SOME GARLIC AND TAKE A NEEDLE AND THREAD
AND THREAD THE NEEDLE THROUGH THE BUDS.
THEN STRING IT AROUND YOUR NECK.
THIS WILL KEEP ANY WORMS IN YOUR STOMACH
FROM CRAWLING UP YOUR THROAT AND STRANGLING YOU.
Submitter comment: HIS MOTHER BELIEVES THIS TO BE THE GOSPEL TRUTH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; J L HUDSONS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 11-30-1967
IF SOMEONE TALKS BEHIND YOUR BACK, SPIT IN
FOUR CORNERS OF A ROOM.
Submitter comment:
HEARD FROM A FRIEND.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; J L HUDSONS COMPANY
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Corners ; CUSTOM ; GOSSIP ; Response ; SPIT ; SUPERSTITION ; TALK
James Callow Keyword(s): DIRECTION ; POSITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Conversions P883.22 |
Date learned: 11-25-1967
THE BODY IS BATHED BEFORE BURIAL AND WRAPPED IN WHITE
SHEETS. OLD TRADITION BECAUSE THE BODY, FACE, AND
HANDS CAME INTO THE WORLD CLEAN AND SHOULD LEAVE
IN THE SAME MANNER.
Submitter comment: OLD COUNTRY TRADITION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; J L HUDSONS COMPANY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 12-01-1967
KENTUCKY BEAR
THERE WAS A MOTHER AND FATHER IN KENTUCKY WHOSE THREE-YEAR-OLD
DAUGHTER CAME UP MISSING ONE DAY. SHE WAS SEARCHED FOR FOR FOUR DAYS
AND NOT FOUND. ON THE FOURTH DAY A MAN CAME TO HER HOUSE AND TOLD HER
PARENTS THAT HE WOULD SHOW THEM WHERE THEIR DAUGHTER WAS IF THEY
WOULD GIVE HIM A MEAL. THEY FED HIM AND AFTERWARD HE LED THEM INTO
THE WOODS. THE GIRL WAS FOUND NEAR A LOG WHERE A BEAR WAS BRINGING
HER FOOD. THE GIRL SAID THAT THE BEAR HAD BEEN TAKING CARE OF HER AND
FEEDING HER. NOT KNOWING ANY BETTER THE GIRL THOUGHT THE BEAR WAS A
DOG.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ;
Keyword(s): DAUGHTER ; MISTAKEN IDENITY (BEAR THOUGHT TO BE A DOG) ; TO GIVE IS TO RECEIVE--STRANGER GIVEN MEAL FOR SHOWING PLACE OF LOST
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 11-20-1968
SEWING SUPERSITION (COLLECTOR,S TITLE) ; CONVERSION: SEWING (CLASSIFIER,S TITLE)
"IF YOU SEW ANYTHING AND THE CLOTHING IS STILL ON YOU WHILE YOU ARE
SEWING, YOU HAVE TO HOLD PART OF THAT CLOTHING IN YOUR MOUTH.
IF YOU DON,T IT,S CONSIDERED BAD LUCK".
Submitter comment: INFORMANT WAS TOLD THIS BY HIS PENNSYLVANIA MOTHER IN HIS CHILDHOOD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; RENO HALL ; DETROIT ;
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Conversions P883.21 |
HI HO, HI HO,
I KICKED MY TEACHER'S TOE,
SHE KICKED ME BACK,
O, WHAT A CAT,
HI HO, HI HO.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT HEARD IN SCHOOL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON
Keyword(s): PARODY ON SONG FROM "SNOW WHITE." ; TUNE OF "HI HO, HI HO, IT'S OFF TO WORK WE GO"
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
LEGENDS, EVENTS AND BELIEFS ABOUT ELVES.
IT IS KNOWN THAT ELVES ARE ABLE TO BE FOUND MORE READILY IN LATE
MAY OR EARLY JUNE, THAN ANY OTHER TIME OF THE YEAR.
IT IS KNOWN THAT CERTAIN ELVES, WOOD ELVES, ARE GENERALLY FOUND
IN THE WOODS AND VALLEYS.
WOOD ELVES ARE MORE EASILY SEEN IN THE EVENING HOURS AS THE
STARS JUST BEGIN TO EMERGE IN THEIR SPLENDOR.
IT HAS BEEN FOUND THAT ELVES STAY VERY HIDDEN AND ARE VIRTUALLY
SOUNDLESS IN THEIR MOVEMENTS AND SPEECH WHILE OUT OF DOORS.
IT HAS BEEN FOUND THAT ELVES WOULD PREFER TO SING BALLADS, EVENTS OR
LEGENDS RATHER THAN JUST SINGING AS A FORM OF COMMUNICATION.
IT HAS LONG BEEN KNOWN THAT ELVES ARE NOT ALL THE SAME AS A GROUP.
IN FACT SOME ELVES, SEA ELVES, PREFER TO STAY IN SAILING SHIPS
AND OTHER LARGE VESSELS WHILE PATROLLING THE SEA RATHER THAN WALK
AROUND ON LAND.
SOME ELVES WILL ONLY LIVE ON ISLANDS WHILE OTHER GROUPS WILL ONLY
DWELL IN THE MAIN LANDS.
ELVES AS A GENERAL GROUP OR CLASS OF CREATURES HAVE DIFFERENT
LEVELS OF CLASSIFICATIONS.
THERE ARE KNOWN FOR EXAMPLE TO BE HIGH ELVES AND LOW ELVES.
A UNIQUE AND KNOWN FACT ABOUT ELVES IS THAT THEY HAVE AN UNCANNY
ABILITY TO WALK VERY GENTLY AND LIGHT FOOTEDLY THROUGH THE LAND.
IN FACT SOME PEOPLE HAVE FOUND THAT ELVES HAVE WALKED IN LARGE GROUPS
RIGHT PAST THEM IN THE FALL WHEN LEAVES ARE EVERYWHERE,
WITHOUT A SOUND OF THEIR PRESENCE EVEN KNOWN.
OTHER ELVES HAVE BEEN REPORTED TO WALK ON TOP OF SNOW WITH-
OUT LEAVING A TRACE OF THIN FOOTSTEPS.
ELVES OF COURSE ALWAYS WALK BARE FOOTED.
ELVES HAVE A DEFINITE SPIRITUAL SIDE TO THEIR GENDER.
IT IS KNOWN THAT ELVES CANNOT REALLY DIE, BUT RATHER PASS ON TO
ANOTHER AND FAR GREATER LAND OF EXISTENCE.
ALONG THESE SAME LINES, ELVES HAVE THE DEFINITE ABILITY TO
PICK UP INFORMATION CONCERNING PRESENT AS WELL AS PAST EVENTS.
ELVES PICK UP THIS INFORMATION FROM SUCH OBJECTS AS TREES, SMALL
FURRY ANIMALS, ROCKS, STREAMS, THE OCEANS AND OTHER THINGS.
THE ELVES SPEAK A CERTAIN ELVIN LANGUAGE TO THESE OBJECTS, THAT
ONLY THE OBJECTS AND THE ELVES KNOW HOW TO SPEAK.
Submitter comment:
MY INFORMANT SEEMS TO BE BELIEVABLE.
HE SEEMS TO KNOW MUCH MORE THAN HE WILL TELL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- May CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- June BELIEF -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome BELIEF -- Star |
Date learned: 12-03-1982
THE ITALIAN WEDDING DANCE
AT A TRADITIONAL ITALIAN WEDDING IT IS CUSTOMARY FOR EVERYONE TO
DANCE THE TARANTELA, AN ITALIAN FOLK DANCE.
THE GROUP GATHERS TOGETHER IN
THE MIDDLE OF A DANCE FLOOR AND DANCES TO A FAST BEAT.
Submitter comment:
THE TARANTELA IS FAST MUSIC, BUT I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT DIFFERENT
ITALIAN FAMILIES HAVE THIER OWN STYLE OF DANCE TO THIS MUSIC.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Group Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Crucial moment of life Life cycle Crucial Moment in Life |
Date learned: 10-24-1982
BELIEF CONCERNING DEVIL
IN THE UKRAINE, TO SEE IF HER
BABY IS BEWITCHED, THE MOTHER LICKS
IT'S FOREHEAD AND IF SHE DETECTS
A SALTY TASTE, THE BABY IS UNDER THE
INFLUENCE OF THE DEVIL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ;
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Curse |
Date learned: 03-08-1971