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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

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COLD HANDS, WARM HEART

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

James Callow Keyword(s): AFFECTION ; ALLITERATION FOR CONTRAST ; CONTRAST ; ELLIPSIS ; LOVE ; METONYMY ; TENDERNESS

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Body part Senses
PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

Date learned: 00001950S

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TEARS DO NOT MELT TROUBLES.

Submitter comment: SAID WHEN CRYING OVER SOMETHING THAT WILL NOT GO AWAY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

James Callow Keyword(s): ALLITERATION

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor
PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim

Date learned: 00001940S

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PROVERBIAL METAPHOR

WALK SOFTLY AND CARRY A BIG STICK.

Submitter comment: I WAS TOLD THIS WHEN GOING FOR AN INTERVIEW.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

Date learned: 00001970S

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WATER, ICE, SNOW

MOTOR BOAT, MOTOR BOAT, GO SO FAST
MOTOR BOAT, MOTOR BOAT, RUN OUT OF GAS.

Submitter comment: SAID WHILE RUNNING IN WATER IN A CIRCLE AND WHEN YOU GET TO THE
PART "RUN OUT OF GAS" EVERYONE FALLS DOWN

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Water Ice Snow
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse C750.580

Date learned: 00-00-1965

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FABLE? (DIRECTOR'S TITLE)

A MAN TRIED TO GET A JAR OF PICKLES OPENED. HE TRIED
AND TRIED. FINALLY, HE SAW THAT IT WAS A JAR OF
JELLY AND WAS JAMMED.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

Keyword(s): PUN

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote

Date learned: 09-24-1965

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RELIGIOUS JOKE

DID YOU EVER READ THE BIBLE FROM COVER TO COVER?
DON'T BOTHER, THE GOOD GUY GETS IT IN THE MIDDLE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote

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TWO BOYS WERE TALKING. THE FIRST BOY SAID, "MY DAD
CAN'T MAKE UP HIS MIND WHETHER TO BUY A COW OR A
TRACTOR." THE SECOND BOY SAID, "HE SURE WOULD
LOOK FUNNY TRYING TO RIDE A COW." THE FIRST BOY
SAID, "HE'D LOOK A LOT FUNNIER TRYING TO MILK A
TRACTOR."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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THIS TALE IS A MOCK ON HOW CLOSE THE IRISH FAMILIES
ARE.
ONE DAY AN ENGLISHMAN CAME WALKING DOWN THE MAIN
STREET OF DUBLIN. HE HAPPENED TO NOTICE A YOUNG
GIRL ALL DRESSED UP STANDING NEAR THE CURB WITH A
SUITCASE IN HER HAND. ON THE STEPS OF THE BUILDING
BEHIND HER WERE THREE MEN WITH THEIR ARMS AROUND EACH
OTHER, CRYING AND CARRYING ON SOMETHING AWFUL. THE
ENGLISHMAN STOPS, AND ASKS THE GIRL WHAT IS GOING ON. M "OH," SHE SAYS, "THERE HAS BEEN A WEDDING AND THAT IS M
MY NEW HUSBAND SAYING GOODBYE TO HIS FATHER AND
GRANDFATHER."

Submitter comment: JUDY HEARD THIS TALE FROM JIM CONWAY, AN IRISH
INTERN FROM DUBLIN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote

Date learned: 11-27-1965

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TALE

A MAN AND HIS WIFE WERE ON THE WAY HOME FROM A LONG
VACATION, PULLING A HUGE TRAILER BEHIND THEIR CAR.
THE HUSBAND HAD DRIVEN FOR MANY HOURS AND WAS TIRED.
HIS WIFE TOOK OVER THE WHEEL AND (HE) WENT TO LIE DOWN
IN THE TRAILER IN HIS SHORTS. HIS WIFE PUT ON THE
BRAKES VERY SUDDENLY, AFTER ALMOST MISSING A RED LIGHT.
THE MAN, FRIGHTENED BY THE SUDDEN STOP, RAN OUT OF THE
TRAILER (STILL IN HIS SHORTS) TO SEE WHAT WAS WRONG.
AT THE SAME TIME THE LIGHT CHANGED AND THE WIFE SPED
AWAY LEAVING HIM STRANDED. AT THIS VERY TIME, AN OLD
FRATERNITY BROTHER OF THIS MAN'S DROVE BY AND PICKED
HIM UP. HE ARRIVED HOME BEFORE HIS WIFE AND WAS
STANDING ON THE BACK PORCH (STILL IN HIS SHORTS) WHEN
SHE PULLED IN THE DRIVEWAY. SHE WAS SO STARTLED
THAT SHE FORGOT TO STOP THE CAR AND RAN RIGHT THROUGH
THE BACK OF THE GARAGE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Married couple

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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TALE

ONE MORNING A WOMAN WENT DOWN THE BASEMENT TO DO THE
LAUNDRY, WITH ONLY HER NIGHTGOWN ON. REALIZING THAT THIS
ALSO NEEDED WASHING, SHE TOOK IT OFF AND PUT IT IN WITH
THE LOAD OF CLOTHES. WHILE WORKING OVER THE MACHINE
IN HER "BIRTHDAY SUIT" A PIPE STARTED TO LEAK, SO SHE
PUT ON HER SON'S FOOTBALL HELMET WHICH WAS SITTING
RIGHT NEXT TO THE MACHINE. AT THAT MOMENT THE GAS-MAN
ENTERED THE HOUSE AND STARTED DOWN THE STEPS. THE
WOMAN, HEARING HIM, HID BEHIND THE FURNACE. AFTER HE
HAD LEFT, SHE FELT THE COAST WAS CLEAR AND CAME OUT,
ONLY TO HEAR FROM THE TOP OF THE STAIRS, "I HOPE
YOUR TEAM WINS, LADY."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Woman

Date learned: 00-00-1964

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THERE'S A FORD IN YOUR FUTURE

A PROFESSOR AT MIT (MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY)
WENT HOME FOR THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS. AFTER HE LEFT,
THREE OF HIS STUDENTS DISASSEMBLED A 1929 FORD COUPE AND
PATIENTLY REASSEMBLED THE CAR IN THE PROFESSOR'S VACANT
APARTMENT. AFTER THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY, THE PROFESSOR
RETURNED TO HIS APARTMENT AND FOUND THE CAR, FULLY
ASSEMBLED AND WITH THE MOTOR RUNNING, IN HIS LIVING ROOM.

Submitter comment: I FIRST HEARD THIS STORY FROM A FRIEND OF MY BROTHER'S
WHO WAS AT THE TIME A STUDENT AT MIT. A FEW YEARS LATER,
I HEARD THE SAME STORY (THE LOCATION WAS CALIFORNIA)
FROM A STUDENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN. HE SAID
THAT HE HAD READ IT IN A COLLEGE HUMOR MAGAZINE.

Data entry tech comment: THIS USED TO BE THE SLOGAN OF THE FORD MOTOR CO.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ordinary Tale

Date learned: 00-00-1956

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THE NEGRESS

A DETROIT COMPANY DECIDED TO HIRE A FEW NEGROES AS OFFICE
HELP. A VERY NEAT, WELL-DRESSED, COLORED GIRL CAME INTO
THE OFFICE AND FILLED OUT AN APPLICATION FOR WORK.
LATER, THE PERSONNEL DIRECTOR LOOKED OVER THE APPLICATION
AND FOUND MANY MISSPELLED WORDS, INCLUDING THE APPLICANT'S
STREET. WHEN HE CAME TO THE ITEM "SEX," THE GIRL HAD
WRITTEN, "FIVE OR SIX TIMES A WEEK.:"

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT IN THIS CASE APPARENTLY LEARNED THIS STORY
IN DETROIT AS IT WAS MAKING THE ROUNDS OF THE VARIOUS
PERSONNEL OFFICES. IT MIGHT BE SIGNIFICANT THAT
THE STORY WAS TOLD QUITE RECENTLY, PERHAPS IN THE WAKE
OF THE CIVIL-RIGHTS CONTROVERSY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote

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SUPERSTITION

ALWAYS TAKE A BIBLE, A BROOM, A SACK OF SALT, AND A SACK
OF FLOUR INTO A HOUSE FIRST BEFORE YOU MOVE INTO IT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Home

Date learned: 02-24-1968

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ILLNESS PREVENTING DRINK

GERMANS DRINK MAGENBITTER, FIGURING THAT ANYTHING
TASTING SO BAD MUST BE GOOD FOR YOU. THEY DO THIS
ESPECIALLY AFTER A NIGHT OF DRINKING, BEFORE THEY
GO TO BED.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Home
Food Drink -- Drink
BELIEF -- Custom

Date learned: 01-22-1968

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THE IRISH SAY THIS WHEN THEY ARE DRINKING:
IF THIS BE A GHOST THAT I SEE HERE IN MY HAND BEFORE
ME, I HOPE IT REAPPEARS SOON.

Submitter comment: THE GHOST REFERS TO THE DRINK.
JUDY LEARNED THIS FROM AN IRISH INTERN VISITING IN THE
UNITED STATES.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Formula

Date learned: 11-27-1965

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THAT'S THE WAY THE COOKIE CRUMBLES. MM
THAT'S THE WAY THE GINGER SNAPS. MM
THAT'S THE WAY THE BALL BOUNCES.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Formula

Date learned: 10-10-1965

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FIRST FOOTING

THE FIRST PERSON HOME ON NEW YEAR'S DAY PRESENTS A GIFT
TO THE REST OF THE PEOPLE IN THE HOUSE SO THEY WILL
HAVE GOOD BOUNTY.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS CUSTOM IN HIS NATIVE
SCOTLAND AS A CHILD, ABOUT 1899. HE WAS BORN NEAR
EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND. THE CUSTOM (AT LEAST THE
SAYING OF IT) IS STILL KNOWN IN HIS FAMILY IN THE
UNITED STATES. MR. MALLINSON LIVES IN GARY,
INDIANA.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's

Date learned: 12-25-1963

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IF YOU FALL ASLEEP WHILE SAYING THE ROSARY, YOUR
GUARDIAN ANGEL WILL FINISH IT FOR YOU.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Angel
BELIEF -- Measure of time Sleeping

Date learned: 10-23-1967

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EYES REVEAL THEIR OWNER'S THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS.

Submitter comment: FROM PAST FRIENDS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Body part Senses

Date learned: 11-10-1967

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IT IF RAINS BEFORE SEVEN IT WILL CLEAR BEFORE
ELEVEN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Weather sign or control
BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour

Date learned: 00-00-1966

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