Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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WHEN ANSWERING THE PHONE FOR MY COUSIN'S HOUSEHOLD GOODS MOVING
COMPANY IN CLEVELAND, OHIO ABOUT 1966, THE PERSON ON THE LINE SAID:
"HELLO. DO YOU MOVE EVERYTHING?" I ANSWERED YES, AND THE PERSON
SAID, "GOOD, WELL HOW ABOUT MOVING MY BOWELS."
Where learned: OHIO ; DETROIT ; CLEVELAND
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 09-26-1972
WHEN YOU CAN HANG A POWDER HORN ON THE HOOK OF THE MOON YOU'LL HAVE
FROST.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT WAS TOLD THIS AS A CHILD
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Sign or prediction through Observation of galactic or celestial bodies BELIEF -- Sign or prediction through Natural atmospheric phenomenon |
Date learned: 09-20-1972
FIRST VOWS IN THE SOCIETY
THERE IS A STORY TOLD FREQUENTLY IN THE JESUITS ABOUT A NOVICE WHO
WAS PRONOUNCING FIRST VOWS ALONG WITH 8 OR 10 OTHER NOVICES. INSTEAD
OF PLEDGING PERPETUAL POVERTY, CHASTITY AND OBEDIENCE; HE WAS HEARD
TO SAY, "I VOW PERPETUAL POVERTY, CHARITY, AND OBEDIENCE." WHILE
IT DOES SOUND SIMILAR, THE MEANINGS ARE COMPLETELY DIFFERENT. HE
WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN FOUND OUT AND MADE TO REPEAT THE CORRECT
FORMULA BY HIMSELF.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- B439 |
Date learned: 09-20-1972
JESUITS
AMONG JESUIT NOVICES, CERTAIN NAMES WERE TRADITIONAL FOR JOBS THAT
THEY HAD TO PERFORM. THEY ARE AS FOLLOWS:
MANUDUCTOR-ASSIGNS ALL OTHER JOBS AND IS THE BOSS
DUX-IN CHARGE OF CLEANUP AFTER MEALS IN THE KITCHEN
SLAVES-THOSE ON DINNER CLEANUP AND UNDER THE DUX'S CONTROL
VERRATOR-IN CHARGE OF CLEANING HALLS, STAIRS, ALL ROOMS IN THE HOUSE
PROBATIONER-IN CHARGE OF PUTTING FOOD AWAY AFTER MEALS
BALNEATOR-RESPONSIBLE FOR CLEANING THE SHOWERS
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Trade & commerce |
Date learned: 09-20-1972
LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR
DURING THE 1930'S IN CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A HOUSE OF THE LITTLE SISTERS
RAN OUT OF COAL FOR THEIR FURNACE AND COULD NOT GET ANY MORE FROM THE
COAL COMPANY BECAUSE OF PAST BILLS THAT WERE STILL OWED. SO ONE OF
THE SISTERS PLACED A STATUE OF ST. JOSEPH IN THE COAL BIN AND THE
WHOLE COMMUNITY PRAYED FOR ST. JOSEPH TO HELP THEM. THE NEXT DAY,
WHILE A COAL TRUCK WAS MAKING A DELIVERY TO THE BUILDING NEXT TO THE
LITTLE SISTERS, THE DRIVER BY MISTAKE EMPTIED THE COAL INTO THEIR
BASEMENT, BURYING THE STATUE OF ST. JOSEPH.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT WAS TOLD THIS STORY BY ONE OF THE LITTLE SISTERS AT
THEIR TOLEDO, OHIO HOME.
Where learned: OHIO ; TOLEDO ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- B439 BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color |
Date learned: 09-20-1972
LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR
WHEN THE LITTLE SISTERS IN TOLEDO, OHIO WANTED TO HAVE THEIR
PARKING LOT AND DRIVEWAYS RECONDITIONED AT GREAT COST, THEY WENT
AHEAD WITH THE WORK AND EXPENSE EVEN THOUGH THEIR BOOKS WERE FAR
IN THE RED WITH NO SURETY OF FUNDS IN THE NEAR FUTURE. THE REASONING
BEHIND THIS WAS, "WE'LL JUST PRAY TO ST. JOSEPH, HAVE IT DONE ANYWAYS,
AND HE'LL COME THROUGH; HE ALWAYS DOES." IT SEEMS THAT MOST OF THEIR
CREDITORS BELIEVE THAT THE SISTERS HAVE JUST FORGOTTEN TO PAY THEM FOR
ONE OR TWO MONTHS, WHILE IN REALITY THE SISTERS PRAY FOR MONEY AND THEN
APPLY IT TO THE MOST OUTSTANDING OF THEIR BILLS AS THE MONEY COMES IN.
Submitter comment:
TOLEDO, OHIO
INFORMANT KNOWS THIS TO BE TRUE AS HE WAS WORKING FOR THE LITTLE
SISTERS IN TOLEDO AT THE TIME OF THE ABOVE'S HAPPENING
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- B439 |
Date learned: 09-20-1972
JESUITS
WHEN THE NOVITIATE AT MILFORD, OHIO WAS BEING BUILT, THE PLANS WERE
DRAWN UP AND SENT TO ROME FOR APPROVAL. THE PLANS WERE COMPLETE
EXCEPT FOR LAVATORIES AND SHOWERS. WHEN THE PLANS WERE SENT BACK
THEY HAD BEEN APPROVED EXCEPTING THE COMMENT WRITTEN IN LATIN:
"SUNTNE ANGELIX" OR IN ENGLISH, "ARE THEY ANGELS?"
THE PLANS WERE AMENDED BY ERECTING TWO TOWERS CONTAINING THE TOILETS
AND SHOWERS AND URINALS, ONE AT EITHER END OF THE BUILDING.
FROM THIS THE NOVICES WHOSE JOBS IT WAS TO KEEP THE LAVATORIES
CLEAN COINED THE FOLLOWING JOB DESCRIPTIONS: THE LAVATORIES WERE THE
"CASTLES", THE "KEEPER OF THE KEYS" WAS IN CHARGE OF SUPPLIES, THE
"REX" WAS CLEANER OF THE TOILETS AND URINALS WHICH WERE THE THRONES,
THE REX'S HELPER WAS THE "PRINCE".
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- B439 |
Date learned: 09-20-1972
MARINE CORPS
"BLEED NOW RATHER THAN IN WAR."
"THE BEST LIFE INSURANCE IN COMBAT IS TO KILL HIM BEFORE HE KILLS
YOU."
"THE QUICK AND THE DEAD" THE ONLY TWO KINDS OF MARINES.
THESE WERE USED IN BASIC TRAINING AND WERE PERSONALIZED IN THAT WE
WERE TRAINING FOR COMBAT IN VIET NAM. SO IT WAS BETTER TO "BLEED"
OR GET INJURED IN TRAINING THAN HAVE IT HAPPEN ON THE BATTLE FIELD;
IT WAS EITHER KILL OR BE KILLED; AND EITHER YOU WERE QUICK WITH
GOOD REFLEXES OR YOU WERE DEAD.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT TAUGHT BASIC TRAINING AT BOOT CAMP
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 09-26-1972
MARINE CORPS
HUMP IT- MEANS YOU CARRY YOUR OWN GEAR, "YOU HUMP IT". WAS ALSO
USED TO MEAN THAT YOU HAD TO WALK SOMEWHERE. MOST FREQUENTLY THAT
SOMETHING HAD TO BE CARRIED, "HUMP A MORTAR", "HUMP A RADIO".
OPPOSED TO THIS WAS, "THE GUN WILL RIDE", OR "THAT GUY WILL RIDE".
USUALLY IF ANYTHING WAS GOING TO GET THERE, YOURSELF INCLUDED, THEN
IT HAD TO BE HUMPED.
PROBABLY HAD ITS ORIGINS IN THAT YOU HAD TO HUNCH OVER TO CARRY
WHATEVER IT WAS ON YOUR BACK.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Folk etymology |
Date learned: 09-26-1972
MARINE CORPS
MICKEY MOUSE-ANYTHING THAT HAD TO DO WITH "SPIT AND POLISH", YOUR
PERSONAL GEAR, PERSONAL APPEARANCE. A COMMON WIDELY APPLIED TERM
REFERRING TO THE POSTER BOARD SOLDIER; NEAT, PROPER AND TRIM.
READY TO PASS INSPECTION, A REAL PAIN IN THE ASS, LOT OF HOGWASH,
SOMETHING WITH NO PRACTICAL APPLICATION IN THE FIELD. ANY UNNECES-
SARY WORK, GIVEN TO KEEP BUSY. NEVER USED IN REGARDS TO CLEANING
YOUR RIFLE BECAUSE YOUR LIFE DEPENDED ON THAT OUT IN THE FIELD.
James Callow comment:
BY 1978 "MICKEY MOUSE" WAS BEING USED ON CAMPUS
AND ELSEWHERE TO CHARACTERIZE THINGS AS CHEAP,
LOW-GRADE.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites SPEECH -- Trade & commerce |
Date learned: 09-26-1972
MARINE CORPS
SHITTING EAGLE-A COLONEL IN THE MARINES. THERE ARE VERY FEW HIGH
RANKING OFFICERS IN THE MARINE CORPS IN COMPARISON WITH THE OTHER
SERVICES, SO A COLONEL IS REALLY BIG GUNS - HE IS GOD. WITH THE
BLINK OF AN EYE HE CAN SHIT ALL OVER YOU(PROBABLE ORIGIN), NOT THAT
HE WOULD, BUT MORE THAT HE COULD.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Trade & commerce |
Date learned: 09-26-1972
"IF YOU PUT YOUR SHOES ON A TABLE IT IS BAD LUCK, BECAUSE IT MEANS
YOUR SHOES WILL OUTLIVE YOU."
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.1 |
Date learned: 10-29-1972
Christmas
IF YOU ARE A BAD CHILD, THEN AT CHRISTMAS, SANTA CLAUS WILL PUT
COAL IN YOUR STOCKING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Santa Claus |
Date learned: 11-05-1972
"EVERY DAY WE WOULD WALK DOWNTOWN TO TIEDKIES(IN TOLEDO, OHIO)
AND MEET
DAD WHERE WE'D BUY THE GROCERIES, LOOK AT THE ORGAN IN THE STORE, GO
THROUGH THE COFFEE DEPARTMENT AND SMELL ALL THE DIFFERENT SMELLS, AND
WATCH THE MAN PLAY THAT OLD ORGAN. PEOPLE WOULD NEVER THINK OF
WALKING THAT FAR NOW."
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SINCE BURNED DOWN. ; TIEDKIES WAS A DEPARTMENT & GROCERY STORE. IT HAS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 11-05-1972
"WE USED TO HAVE LONG TALKS AFTER WE WERE THROUGH WITH DINNER.
SOMETIMES WE WOULD TALK FOR 2 HOURS, AND THE DISHES WOULD WAIT."
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Home CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222. |
Date learned: 11-05-1972
"I REMEMBER ONE THING, WE ALWAYS USED TO GET DOWN ON OUR KNEES
TOGETHER
AND SAY OUR PRAYERS AT NIGHT. THE WHOLE FAMILY. IF SOMEONE WAS
GOING OUT OR SOMETHING, WE WOULD ALL DO IT EARLY BEFORE HE LEFT."
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Home |
Date learned: 11-05-1972
COAL PILE BASEBALL GAMES
"WHEN I WAS SMALL...WE USED TO GET UP AND GO EARLY AND MEET ALL OF
THE KIDS WHO COULDN'T AFFORD TO BUY TICKETS, AND WE USED TO ALL GO
DOWN TO THE FIELD WHERE THE MUD HENS (TOLEDO) WERE PLAYING, AND WE
WOULD SIT ON TOP OF THESE GREAT BIG COAL PILES AROUND THE FIELD AND
WATCH."
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 11-05-1972
HOUSE PARTIES
"WE WERE ALWAYS HAVING HOUSE PARTIES FOR ALL THE NEIGHBOR'S SPECIAL
OCCASIONS.AND EVEN MY FATHER WOULD STAY AND HELP WITH ALL THE
DECORATIONS AND THE COOKING."
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 11-05-1972
"KNOCK ON WOOD."
Submitter comment:
MRS. REESE ALWAYS ACCOMPANYS THIS SAYING WITH THE ACTION OF
KNOCKING ON THE NEAREST WOOD STRUCTURE.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 11-05-1972
WHEN YOU WANT COMPANY TO LEAVE, WHO HAVE OVERSTAYED
THEIR WELCOME
YOU PUT A PINEAPPLE ON THE BEDPOST.
Submitter comment: APPARENTLY A WHOLE PINEAPPLE
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 11-01-1972