Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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THE GHOST OF KILLARNEY
TIM, DIRECTOR OF CAMP KILLARNEY, AND OTHERS TELL
A REMARKABLY SIMILAR STORY ABOUT A SO-CALLED
"KILLARNEY GHOST."
MANY YEARS AGO, AN OLD GUY'S WIFE IS KILLED BY
WOLVES AND HER HAIR RIPPED FROM HER SKULL. OLD
GUY GOES BERSERK, DROWNS HIMSELF IN LAKE KILLARNEY.
NOW HIS BERSERK GHOST, EVERY NIGHT AT 12 COMES
EERILY FROM THE LAKE, LOOKING FOR HER HAIR TO PASTE
IT BACK ON. BUT HE'LL EVEN TRY TO PULL ANYBODY'S
HAIR OUT AS THEY SLEEP. SINCE YOUNGER GHOSTS ARE
RELATIVELY POWERLESS, HE CAN SO FAR ONLY MUSS HAIR
UP. THE AMAZING PROOF FOR THE VERITABILITY OF
THIS STORY IS THE FACT THAT PEOPLE IN THE AREA DO,
INDEED, FIND THEIR HAIR DISARRANGED IN THE
MORNINGS!
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CAMBRIDGE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 07-00-1969
IF YOU HAVE ANY UNPAID BILLS, ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS PUT THE NAME
OF THE BILL DOWN ON A PIECE OF PAPER AND PUT IT IN THE FREEZER AND
THE BILL COLLECTER CAN NOT COLLECT ON IT.
Submitter comment: MY MOTHER SAW MY GRANDMOTHER DO THIS BEFORE 1956 IN INDIANA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; COLLECTED AT HOME
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color |
Date learned: 10-10-1971
RIDDLE
Q: WHAT HAS FOUR LEGS BUT CANNOT WALK?
A: A CHAIR.
Data entry tech comment: A DUPLICATE IN 5 X 8 CARD FILES
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ACTIONS (Q) ; FURNITURE (A) ; PARTS OF THE BODY (Q) ; PRIVATIONAL
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
Entry filtered.
RIDDLE
Q: THOUGH IT WAS MADE WELL IN THE BEGINNING AND THOUGH IT IS NEVER
BROKEN, IT STILL HAS TO BE REMADE EACH DAY.
A: BED.
Submitter comment: TRANSLATED FROM LITHUANIAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ACTIONS (Q) ; ANTITHETICAL OPPOSITIONAL ; FURNITURE (A) ; PUZZLE
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: 02-17-1971
RIDDLE
Q: WHAT HAS 4 LEGS AND CAN NOT WALK?
A: A BED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FURNITURE (A) ; PARTS OF THE BODY (Q) ; PRIVATIONAL OPPOSITIONAL
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
QUEER PARADE
ALL HOMOSEXUALS CONGREGATE IN DOWNTOWN DETROIT ON HALLOWEEN NIGHT
FOR A PARADE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- October 31 Halloween |
Date learned: NO DATE INDICATED.
RIDDLE
Q: IT HAS A HEAD, BUT IT CAN NOT THINK./ IT HAS FOUR FEET, BUT IT
CAN NOT WALK./ WHAT IS IT?
A: A BED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FURNITURE (A) ; PARTS OF THE BODY (Q) ; PRIVATIONAL OPPOSITIONAL
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
MIZSLE - LITHUANIAN RIDDLE
Q: BIRIOJ KIRSTAS, MIESTE PIRKTAS, ANT RANKELIZ VIRKIA.
Q: CUT IN THE MEADOW, BOUGHT IN THE CITY, IT CRIES IN YOUR HANDS.
A: SMUIKAS - VIOLIN
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): AN ACTION (Q) ; PART OF THE BODY (Q) PARTICULAR PLACE (Q)
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: 03-20-1968
TRUE RIDDLE
Q: THERE IS A MAN IN A DESERT, LYING FACE DOWN DEAD. HE HAS A PACK
ON HIS BACK. HE IS ALONE. HE DIDN'T DIE OF HUNGER OR THIRST OR OF ANY
INFLICTIONS BY ANOTHER HUMAN BEING. HOW DID HE DIE?
A: THE PACK ON HIS BACK IS A PARACHUTE AND IT DIDN'T OPEN WHEN HE
JUMPED OUT OF A PLANE.
Submitter comment: YES AND NO QUESTIONS ABOUT THE RIDDLE ARE ASKED OF THE RIDDLER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): PARTICULAR AREA (Q) ; PERSON (Q) ; STATE OF BEING (Q)
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: 09-26-1969
ARAB RIDDLE
Q: WHAT IS THE SIZE OF AN ELEPHANT BUT YOU CAN FOLD IT TO THE SIZE
OF A HANDKERCHIEF?
A: A MOSQUITO NET.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ANIMAL (Q) ; ENTERTAINMENT AND SPORT GOODS (A) ; WEARABLE (Q)
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
RIDDLE
Q: IT FLIES IN THE SKY. BUT IT DOES NOT HAVE WINGS. IT HAS A TAIL.
BUT IT DOES NOT HAVE LEGS. WHAT IS IT?
A: A KITE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ENTERTAINMENT AND SPORT ; ENTERTAINMENT AND SPORT GOODS (Q)
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
RIDDLE
Q: WHAT WHEEL GOES AROUND WITHOUT TOUCHING THE GROUND?
A: A FERRIS WHEEL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ENTERTAINMENT AND SPORT GOODS (A) ; TANSPORTATION (Q)
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
TRUE RIDDLE
Q: THERE IS A MAN LYING NEXT TO A TABLE DEAD. THERE IS A PISTOL NEXT
TO HIM THAT HAS JUST BEEN FIRED. HE DID NOT KILL HIMSELF. THERE ARE
ALSO 53 OTHER OBJECTS IN THE ROOM. WHY WAS HE KILLED?
A: THE 53 OTHER OBJECTS ARE CARDS AND THE MAN WAS SHOT FOR CHEATING.
Submitter comment: YES AND NO QUESTIONS ABOUT THE RIDDLE ARE ASKED OF THE RIDDLER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ACTIONS (Q) ; ENTERTAINMENT AND ; FURNITURE (Q) ; PERSONS (Q)
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: 09-26-1969
PROVERB
THE SMART CALF SUCKLES TWO COWS.
Submitter comment: THE MEANING OF THIS IS THAT YOU SHOULD GET EVERYTHING YOU CAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HUNTINGTON WOODS
| Subject headings: | 686 Seconds / Twice / Two PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 02-11-1979
Proverb
A job worth doing is worth doing well.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Duplicate
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON
Keyword(s): Aphorism ; Apothegm ; JOB ; Maxim ; PROVERB ; VERSE ; WORK
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
CURSE
INFORMANT WAS TOLD IN THE SECOND GRADE THAT
IF YOU RECEIVED HOLY COMMUNION WITH A MORTAL SIN
ON YOUR SOUL, YOUR FACE WOULD TURN BLACK AND YOUR
TONGUE WOULD TURN TO STONE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIBRARY ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration |
Date learned: 03-07-1970
MILITARY COURTESY
WHEN TWO OR MORE SOLDIERS ARE WALKING, THE SOLDIER WITH THE HIGHEST
RANK WILL WALK ON THE RIGHT. THE SOLDIER WITH THE NEXT HIGHEST
RANK WILL BE ON THE LEFT OF HIM, ETC.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; R.O.T.C.
Keyword(s): RANK COURTESY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Work Commerce Business |
Date learned: 09-00-1966
THANKSGIVING DAY FOOD TRADITION
ON THANKSGIVING DAY, THE ALLEN FAMILY EATS CREAMED ONIONS.
Submitter comment: THIS ITEM WAS LEARNED IN DETROIT
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; BOTSFORD GRADE SCHOOL ; WAYNE COUNTY
Date learned: CA00001930S
FORGETFULNESS TRADITION
IF YOU LEAVE THE HOUSE FORGETTING SOMETHING, YOU MUST SIT DOWN AND
COUNT TO TEN BEFORE LEAVING THE HOUSE AGAIN.
Submitter comment: THIS ITEM WAS LEARNED IN DETROIT
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; BOTSFORD GRADE SCHOOL ; WAYNE COUNTY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Number P686.3.10 |
Date learned: CA00001930S