Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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I LOVE COFFEE
I LOVE COFFEE/ I LOVE TEA/ I LOVE THE BOYS/ AND THE BOYS LOVE ME.
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): QUATRAIN FIRST PERSON ; RHYME: ABCB
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse C730.322 |
Date learned: 11-18-1968
LIMERICK
THERE WAS AN OLD LADY FOM WOOSTER/WHO WAS OFTEN ANNOYED BY A ROOSTER.
SHE CUT OFF HIS HEAD/ UNTIL HE WAS DEAD/ AND NOW HE CAN'T CROW LIKE
HE USETER.
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): FEMININE RHYME ; IMPERFECT RHYME ; NONSENSE ANTICLIMAX ; RHYME: AABBA ; SLANG
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
Date learned: 11-18-1968
SOLEMN PYATHEEK--WHICH IS LEBANESE FOR "GOD BLESS
YOUR HANDS," IS USED AS AN EXPRESSION OF YOUR APPRECIATION
FOR SOMETHING THAT YOU HAVE ACCOMPLISHED.
Data entry tech comment: AGREEMENT OF PRONOUNS?
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 11-13-1969
RABBITS' FEET ( CLASSIFIER'S TITLE )
A RABBIT'S FOOT CARRIED ON ON THE PERSON BRING GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Good luck P881.16 |
LUCK (COLLECTOR,S TITLE) ; CONVERSION: CHANGING BEHAVIOR (CLASSIFIER,S TITLE)
GAMBLERS ONCE THEY HAVE ACQUIRED A "GOOD" ROLL THEY SHOULD NEVER
CHANGE ANY BEHAVIOR (E.G. IF NOT SMOKING, DO NOT LIGHT UP CIGARETTE
OR IF CIGARETTE GOES OUT, DO NOT RELIGHT IT); OTHERWISE LUCK WILL
CHANGE.
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Conversions P883.2 |
UNDO A BAD LUCK (COLLECTOR,S TITLE) ; CONVERSION: ACTION REPEATED (CLASSIFIER,S TITLE)
SINCE IT IS BAD LUCK TO TRIP OVER SOMETHING, TO UNDUE THE BAD LUCK GO
BACK AND PASS BY IT AGAIN WITHOUT STUMBLING.
Submitter comment: (FROM MOTHER)
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Conversions P883.2 |
Date learned: 11-05-1967
BAD LUCK OMEN
ACCORDING TO THIS INFORMANT, IT IS AN
OLD POLISH SUPERSTITION THAT IF A PAIR OF
SHOES IS LEFT ON A DINING TABLE, IT MEANS
THAT A DEATH IN THE FAMILY IS NEAR.
Where learned: HOME ; BUFFALO ; NEW YORK
| Subject headings: | Observation |
FESTIVAL
THERE ARE MANY CHURCHES IN MALTA. EACH CHURCH TRIES TO OUTDO
THE OTHERS, COMMEMORATING ITS PATRON SAINT'S FEAST DAY WITH
FIREWORKS, BANDS, AND COLORFUL PROCESSIONS.
Submitter comment:
From grandmother.
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Typical Elements of a Festive Pattern CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Fixed DateFor specific dates, use the following system: |
Date learned: 11-11-1967
PERUSE AND LAMENT
PERUSE AND LAMENT, USED BY CRAP SHOOTERS, IT'S SIMILAR TO
READ 'EM AND WEEP.
Where learned: HOME ; DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): GAMBLING ; SEMANTICS
James Callow Keyword(s): DICE ; ELLIPSIS
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
SUPERSTITION
IF A GIRL IS SLOPPY IN WASHING THE DISHES, THEN SHE WILL
MARRY A DRUNKARD.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 10-25-1969
RECIPE
RECIPE FOR SOUR CREAM YEAST DOUGH FOR KOLACH
2 CUPS DAIRY SOUR CREAM
2 PKG DRY YEAST (FLEASCHMANN'S)
1/2 CUP WARM WATER (105-115)
1/4 CUP MARGARINE
1/3 CUP SUGAR
2 TSP. SALT
2 EGGS
ABOUT 6 CUPS OF FLOUR
HEAT SOUR CREAM OVER LOW HEAT UNTIL LUKEWARM. DISSOLVE YEAST
IN WATER IN LARGE MIXING BOWL. ADD WARM SOUR CREAM, MARGARINE,
SUGAR, SALT, EGGS, AND 2 CUPS OF THE FLOUR, BEAT UNTIL SMOOTH.
STIR IN REMAINING FLOUR UNTIL DOUGH CLEANS SIDE OF THE BOWL.
KNEAD DOUGH ON WELL FLOURED BOARD UNTIL SMOOTH, ABOUT 10 MIN.
PLACE IN GREASED BOWL, TURNING ONCE TO BRING GREASED SIDE UP.
COVER, LET RISE IN WARM PLACE (85) ABOUT 1 HOUR, OR UNTIL DOUGH
IS DOUBLE. PUNCH DOWN DOUGH, DIVIDE INTO 3 PARTS ROLL INTO
RECTANGLE 14 BY 9 INCHES, SPREAD WITH BUTTER, ADD WALNUT
FILLING (ALSO CANNED MILK) (SEE RECIPE) ROLL, PUT INTO GREASED
CAKE PAN, BRUSH WITH BEATEN EGG,
LET RISE, BAKE 350-375 DEGREES FOR
ABOUT 20 MINUTES.
Submitter comment:
I PERSONALLY KNOW THAT THIS RECIPE HAS BEEN HANDED DOWN FOR
FOUR GENERATIONS AND PERHAPS MORE THAN THAT. IT ORIGINATED IN
YUGOSLAVIA WHERE MY GRANDMOTHER WAS BORN. THIS IS ONLY MADE
AT CHRISTMAS TIME.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; Dough ; FOOD ; holiday ; RECIPE ; Yugoslavia
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Pastry |
Date learned: 11-14-1971
IF LIGHTNING OCCURS DURING THE WINTER, THE REST OF THE
WINTER WILL BE VERY HARSH.
Where learned: HOME ; NEW YORK ; LE ROY
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Lightning Thunder |
Date learned: 03-00-1971
CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
LOOK FOR THE FIRST STAR ON CHRISTMAS EVE SO THE TREE CAN BE LIT.
CHRIST CHILD IS BORN.
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Lights and candles CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas tree |
Date learned: 11-18-1967
HUNTS (HANS) MUFF-CHRISTMAS STORY AND BELIEF
MY FIRST RECOLLECTION OF CHRISTMAS WAS THAT AT LEAST A MONTH BEFORE
CHRISTMAS MY PARENTS WOULD SAY IF YOU AREN'T A GOOD GIRL "HUNTS MUFF
WILL GET YOU." THEY WOULD TELL US CHILDREN IF WE WOULD PRAY, HUNTS
MUFF MIGHT NOT COME. SO LONG BEFORE I KNEW ANY PRAYERS I WOULD SAY
"NA MA, NA MA." THIS WAS MY WAY OF SAYING SOME GERMAN WORD WHICH I
NEVER DID KNOW WHAT IT MEANT. BUT EVEN THO' WE PRAYED CONSTANTLY
EVERY NIGHT FOR A MONTH ABOUT A WEEK BEFORE CHRISTMAS, HUNTS MUFF
WOULD START TO COME AROUND. ONE TIME MY BROTHER CAME BURSTING INTO
THE HOUSE WITH HIS SHIRT TORN HALF OFF HIS BACK AND HUNTS MUFF RIGHT
BEHIND HIM. HE QUICKLY CLOSED THE DOOR AND HAD ALL THE REST OF US
HOLD THE DOOR AND EVEN THEN HUNTS MUFF MANAGED TO PUSH THE DOOR OPEN
A LITTLE WAYS AND WE ALL SCREAMED AND CRIED AND PUSHED ON THE DOOR
AND FINALLY HUNTS MUFF LEFT. ONE TIME WE HAD THE DOOR LOCKED AND HE
REACHED RIGHT IN AND TOOK THE KEY. ANOTHER TIME WE COULD SEE HIM
COMING ACROSS THE FIELDS, AT LEAST A MILE AWAY AND THE NEXT INSTANT
HE WAS ON THE ROOF RATTLING HIS CHAINS. WE WERE TOLD IF HUNTS MUFF
EVER GOT US, HE WOULD PUT HIS CHAIN AROUND OUR NECK AND DRAG US DOWN
THE ROAD UNTIL HE CAME TO A LAKE WHERE HE WOULD TIE A STONE ONTO THE
CHAIN AND THROW THE CHAIN AND ONE OF US INTO THE LAKE AND WE'D SINK
TO THE BOTTOM OF THE LAKE. HUNTS MUFF NEVER CAME DURING THE DAY
BUT ALWAYS AT NIGHT JUST ABOUT CHORE TIME WHICH WAS ABOUT SEVEN
O'CLOCK. I WAS TEN YEARS OLD BEFORE I KNEW THIS HUNTS MUFF WAS A
FAKE. I DON'T KNOW WHETHER WE CHILDREN JUST HAD A VIVID IMAGINATION
OR WHETHER IT WAS JUST A WELL PLANNED HOAX. THIS HUNTS MUFF COULD
GROW RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOUR EYES. EVEN WHEN I WAS TOLD THE TRUE
FACTS ABOUT HUNTS MUFF I COULDN'T BELIEVE IT BECAUSE I HAD BEEN SO
FRIGHTENED FOR SO LONG THAT THE SCAR REMAINED. THIS HUNTS MUFF WAS
EITHER A NEIGHBOR OR ONE OF MY BROTHERS WITH A BOARD ACROSS THE TOP
OF HIS HEAD AND A STOVE PIPE ON TOP OF THAT TO GIVE HEIGHT. HE
CARRIED A BIG CHAIN AND WHEN HE COULDN'T GET TO THE ROOF HE WOULD
THROW COAL UP TO MAKE IT SOUND AS THOUGH HE WAS WALKING AROUND UP
THERE. SOMETIMES IT TOOK TWO OR THREE OF MY BROTHERS TO CARRY OUT
THE HOAX. AS EACH ONE GREW UP AND KNEW WHAT WAS GOING ON THEY WOULD
PROGRESS TO HELPING IN THE HOAX. CHRISTMAS DAY MADE THE HORRORS
OF THE PAST MONTH FADE AWAY ALMOST.
Submitter comment:
MRS. DIAMOND WAS THE YOUNGEST CHILD OF THIRTEEN CHILDREN. AS SHE
TOLD THIS STORY SHE USED MUCH EMPHASIS AND GESTICULATION AND IT WOULD
SEEM THAT SHE STILL BELIEVES THE FOLLOWING TALE.
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Lights and candles |
Date learned: 04-02-1968
CUSTOM FESTIVAL
MISTLETOE USED TO GET A KISS.
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Mistletoe and other greenery |
Date learned: 10-07-1968
CHRISTMAS:
ON CHRISTMAS MORNING ALL THE CHILDREN LINED UP ACCORDING TO AGE
BEGINNING WITH THE YOUNGEST TO GO IN AND SEE THE DECORATED TREE.
Submitter comment: (A CUSTOM AT HOME)
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas tree |
SANTA CLAUS' MILK AND COOKIES
IT IS COMMON AMONG CHILDREN
IN MANY COUNTRIES TO LEAVE A
GLASS OF MILK AND A FEW COOKIES
FOR SANTA CLAUS - THANKING HIM FOR
HIS PRESENTS.
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Santa Claus |
Date learned: 01-31-1968
NIGHT TIME CHANT
MY GRANDMOTHER USED TO SIT ON HER FRONT PORCH ON
SUMMER NIGHTS AND CHANT:
STAR LIGHT, STAR BRIGHT,
FIRST STAR I SEE TONIGHT,
I WISH I MAY, I WISH I MIGHT,
HAVE THE WISH I WISH TONIGHT.
Submitter comment:
FOR A WHILE SHE CHANGED THE LAST LINE TO "I WISH WE'D
GET A PIANO TONIGHT." HER FATHER GOT SO SICK OF HEARING
THAT EVERY DAY AND NIGHT, THAT ONE DAY HE FINALLY WENT
OUT AND BOUGHT THEM A PIANO. THEN THE WISH OF MY
GRANDMOTHER AND HER BROTHERS AND SISTERS CAME TRUE.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief |
Date learned: 03-31-1971
ON XMAS EVE, A DISH CALLED "KUTYA" IS SERVED TO MEMBERS OF THE
FAMILY. THE HEAD OF THE FAMILY TAKES A SPOONFUL AND TOSSES IT OVER
HIS BACK TOWARDS THE CEILING AND IF IT STICKS, GOOD LUCK RESULTS.
Submitter comment: THIS IS A UKRAINIAN CUSTOM
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM ; PREDICTION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Predictions CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Single dishes |
Date learned: 10-00-1968
CUSTOM
ON XMAS (CHRISTMAS) EVE, A PLATE IS SET UP FOR EACH DECEASED
MEMBER OF THE FAMILY AT THE TRADITIONAL FAMILY DINNER.
Submitter comment:
(UKRAINIAN)
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; holiday ; Table Settings ; tradition
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Christmas |
Date learned: 10-00-1968