Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE MAN WHO WAS SO LAZY THAT HE MARRIED A
PREGNANT LADY}
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
THERE WAS A MAN WHO WAS SO SLOW THAT HE MADE RIP VAN WINKLE
LOOK LIKE A HYPER ACTIVE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 11-28-1980
THE DEAD CHINAMAN
WHY DID THEY BURY THE CHINAMAN ON THE SIDE OF THE HILL?
BECAUSE HE WAS DEAD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
James Callow Keyword(s): CATCH
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- CHIN RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
BASEBALL JOKE
WHY DOES IT TAKE LONGER TO RUN FROM SECOND BASE TO THIRD BASE
THAN IT DOES TO RUN FROM FIRST BASE TO SECOND BASE?
BECAUSE THERE IS A SHORT-STOP IN THE MIDDLE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
FRENCH NATIVITY
WHY WASN'T CHRIST BORN SOMEWHERE IN FRANCE?
BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T FIND THREE WISE MEN AND A VIRGIN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- FREN |
Date learned: 00-00-1975
"500"
THIS GAME INCLUDES FROM THREE PLAYERS AND UP, ONE PLAYER IS
DESIGNATED AS THE THROWER, AND THE REST OF THE PLAYERS GROUP THEM-
SELVES THIRTY TO FIFTY YARDS AWAY. THE THROWER THEN HURLS A
SMALL BALL (USUALLY A TENNIS BALL) IN THE DIRECTION OF THE
GROUP OF PLAYERS. THE OBJECT OF THE GAME IS TO CATCH THE BALL
IN THE AIR, OR AT LEAST BEFORE IT BOUNCES THREE TIMES. IT IS
IN THIS WAY THAT POINTS ARE SCORED. POINTS ARE DISTRIBUTED IN
THIS MANNER: IF YOU CATCH THE BALL IN THE AIR--100 POINTS;
ON ONE BOUNCE--75 POINTS; ON TWO BOUNCES--50 POINTS; ON THREE
BOUNCES--25 POINTS. IF THE BALL BOUNCES MORE THAN THREE TIMES
IT IS DECLARED DEAD. ALL PLAYERS ARE ELIGIBLE TO CATCH THE BALL
ON ANY GIVEN TOSS. WHEN ONE PLAYER REACHES 500 POINTS, THE GAME
IS ENDED, AND THE PLAYER WHO ACCUMULATED 500 POINTS BECOMES THE
NEW THROWER. POINTS DO NOT CARRY OVER FROM GAME TO GAME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 00-00-1972
"PURDIDDLE"
THIS GAME IS ALMOST ALWAYS PLAYED WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT. THE
OBJECT OF THE GAME IS TO FIND CARS WITH ONE HEADLIGHT
INOPERABLE. WHENEVER ONE OF THE PLAYERS NOTICES A CAR WITH
ONE HEADLIGHT OUT, HE OR SHE SAYS "PURDIDDLE" AND POINTS TO THE CAR.
IF A BOY SAYS PURDIDDLE THEN ALL THE BOYS IN THE CAR OWE HIM A
BEER AND ALL THE GIRLS OWE HIM A KISS. IF A GIRL SAYS PURDIDDLE,
THEN ALL THE BOYS IN THE CAR OWE HER A KISS AND ALL THE GIRLS OWE
HER A BEER OR A MIXED DRINK (WHICHEVER SHE PREFERS).
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
James Callow Keyword(s): PERDIDDLE
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime |
Date learned: 00-00-1977
NEW YEAR'S DREAMS
IN POLAND, IT IS A BELIEF THAT IF YOU DREAM ABOUT MARRYING A
PERSON THREE DAYS IN A ROW; ON NEW YEAR'S EVE, NEW YEAR'S DAY,
AND THE DAY AFTER, YOU WILL MARRY THAT PERSON BEFORE THE NEXT
YEAR COMES.
Submitter comment:
THERE IS ONE POINT TO BE MENTIONED IN REGARDS TO NEW YEAR'S EVE.
IT IS BELIEVED THAT SPIRITS ARE RESTLESS ON NEW YEAR'S EVE AND
THEY WANDER IN AND OUT OF HOUSES. THEREFORE, ON THAT DAY,
POLES ARE CAREFUL NOT TO WAVE SHARP OBJECTS IN THE AIR SUCH AS;
KNIVES, SCISSORS, AND PENCILS, SO AS NOT TO INJURE A SPIRIT AND
GIVE HIM CAUSE TO BE ANGRY WITH THEIR HOUSEHOLD. ALSO, THE POLES
WOULD LEAVE PLATES OF FOOD NEXT TO EMPTY CHAIRS IN CERTAIN PARTS OF
THE HOUSE. IF THEY WOULD DO THESE THINGS, THEY THOUGHT THE SPIRITS
WOULD THEN FEEL FREE TO BLESS THEIR HOUSEHOLD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
Date learned: 00-00-1978
NEW YEAR'S CRYING
IT IS A POLISH BELIEF THAT IF YOU CRY ON NEW YEAR'S DAY YOU WILL
CRY EVERYDAY FOR THE NEXT YEAR.
Submitter comment:
NOTE THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE FIRST DAY OF THE YEAR SETTING A
PATTERN FOR THE WHOLE YEAR. THE SAME HOLDS TRUE FOR MANY POLISH
NEW YEAR'S BELIEFS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Measure of time Year |
Date learned: 00-00-1971
HOW MANY CALIFORNIANS DOES IT TAKE TO CHANGE A LIGHT BULB?
FOUR; ONE TO CHANGE IT, AND THREE TO EXPERIENCE IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote PROVERB -- Blason Populaire |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
HOW MANY PSYCHIATRISTS DOES IT TAKE TO CHANGE A LIGHT BULB.
ONE, BUT THE LIGHT BULB REALLY HAS TO WANT TO CHANGE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
James Callow Keyword(s): SATIRE ON PSYCHIATRY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
THERE WAS A LADY WHO WAS SO UGLY, THAT SHE HAD TO SNEAK UP
ON A GLASS OF WATER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 00-00-1976
"TOM SWIFTIES"
THAT WAS AN EARTHQUAKE, TOM SAID SHAKILY.
I HOPE I DON'T BLOW THIS GRADE, SAID TOM EXPLOSIVELY.
Submitter comment:
I MUST ADMIT THAT I MANUFACTURED THE SECOND SWIFTY BUT, IN CONCLUD-
ING THIS PROJECT I FELT A NEED FOR A GENERALIZED RESIGNATION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Wellerism Quotation |
Date learned: 11-05-1980
THEN THERE WAS THE STORY ABOUT THE TWO PRACTICAL JOKING
ROOMMATES AT JOHN CARROLL U. THE ONE ROOMMATE TOOK
ALL OF HIS ROOMMATES CLOTHES AND BROUGHT THEM TO
CIFFERENT LAUNDRY AND DRY CLEANERS ALL OVER TOWN AND
THEN TORE UP THE SLIPS. THE OTHER ROOMMATE, IN
RETALIATION, WENT TO THE REGISTRAR, POSING AS
HIS ROOMMATE WITH HIS ROOMMATE'S I.D.'S
WHILE HE WAS SLEEPING, AND WITHDREW FROM ALL HIS
CLASSES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Man |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
ARMY TALE OF BOXING CLASS
WE HAD TO DO BOXING IN THE ARMY, AND I MEAN IT WAS BAD.
THEY HAD THE MEANEST MAN I EVER KNEW TEACHING THAT
COURSE. HE WAS SO MEAN, THAT HE WOULD PERSONALLY
POUND EACH ONE OF US, BUT ONE DAY I GOT SO MAD AFTER
HE STARTED ON ME, THAT I JUST STARTED BLINDLY SWINGING
BACK. I THREW A WILD UPPERCUT, AND IT CAUGHT HIM ON THE
DOG TAG, SWUNG UP AND KNOCKED HIM OUT. HE NEVER DID
BOTHER ME AGAIN. WE WERE GOOD FRIENDS AFTER THAT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Man |
Date learned: 10-30-1968
PUERTO RICO SINNER AND PRIEST TALE
THERE WAS A MAN ONCE IN PUERTO RICO WHO ALWAYS THROUGHT
HE'D LIKE TO ENGAGE IN SEXUAL RELATIONS WITH A PIG.
ONE DAY, HE WAS PASSING A PIG FARM WHEN THE TEMPTATION
BECAME JUST TOO GREAT. HE RAN AS FAST AS HE COULD TO
THE FENCE OF THE PEN AND DOVE IN. BUT THE SPACE WAS
TOO SMALL AND HE GOT CAUGHT. THE FARMER ROUGHLY
THREW HIM OFF HIS LAND. WELL, A LITTLE LATER, HE
BEGAN TO FEEL GUILTY, AND SO HE DECIDED TO GO TO
CHURCH. HE GOT INTO THE CONFESSIONAL AT THE CATHOLIC
CHURCH AND ASKED THE PRIEST IF HE THOUGHT HE HAD
COMMITTED A SIN, SINCE HE DID NOT ACTUALLY HAVE
RELATIONS WITH THE PIGS. THE PRIEST SAID, WHY YES,
THERE WAS A SIN INVOLVED. SO THE SINNER REACHED IN
HIS POCKET A PULLED OUT A LARGE COIN AND SAID TO THE
PRIEST THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO GIVE IT TO THE CHURCH
FOR PENANCE. "LET ME SLIP IT THROUGH THE
CONFESSIONAL SCREEN, AND GIVE IT TO YOU FATHER,"
HE SAID. BUT THE COIN JUST BARELY DID NOT FIT.
THE PRIEST SAID FOR THE MAN TO COME AROUND AND GIVE
IT TO HIM. BUT THE SINNER QUICKLY SAID, "OH, BUT
FATHER, THE INTENT WAS THERE JUST AS YOU A WHILE AGO
SAID TO ME. THEREFORE, IT'S JUST AS THOUGH I GAVE IT
TO YOU."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Man |
Date learned: 10-00-1968
THE HOBBY
A TEACHER WAS HAVING TROUBLE WITH A YOUNG BOY IN HER
CLASS. SHE FELT THAT HE NEEDED PSYCHIATRIC HELP
BECAUSE HE WAS APPARENTLY A MISFIT AMONG HIS
CLASSMATES. SHE DECIDED TO WORK WITH HIM HERSELF,
AND TRIED DIFFERENT WAYS TO AROUSE HIS INTEREST IN
SOME HOBBY. BUT THIS WAS QUITE A CHALLENGE BECAUSE
HE WASN'T VERY RESPONSIVE TO HER IDEAS.
ONE DAY SHE NOTICED HIM OBSERVING A FLY WITH
CONSIDERABLE FASCINATION. SHE ASKED HIM IF HE THOUGHT
HE MIGHT LIKE TO LOOK INTO THE STUDY OF INSECTS
AND MAKE A PRESENTATION TO THE CLASS IN THREE WEEKS.
THE BOY THOUGHT THAT WAS PRETTY GOOD, SO HE WENT TO
THE LIBRARY TO READ UP ON THE ART OF COLLECTING
INSECTS AS A HOBBY.
AT THE END OF THE FIRST WEEK, THE TEACHER ASKED HIM HOW
HE WAS GETTING ALONG WITH HIS READING AND HIS HOBBY.
HE SAID HE WAS HAVING A VERY HARD TIME UNDERSTANDING
ONE OF THE BOOKS HE HAD TAKEN OUT OF THE LIBRARY.
BUT THE TEACHER ENCOURAGED HIM TO CONTINUE READING
AND SAID HE WOULD PROBABLY FIND IT MORE INTERESTING
AS HE WENT ALONG.
THE SECOND WEEK THE BOY STILL COULDN'T GET IT.
BUT THE TEACHER REMINDED HIM THAT HE STILL HAD A WEEK
BEFORE HE HAD TO PRESENT HIS TALK.
WELL, THE THIRD WEEK AND THE DAY OF THE PRESENTATION
APPROACHED, THE BOY CONFESSED THAT HE STILL HADN'T
FINISHED THE BOOK, SO THE TEACHER TOLD HIM TO BRING
IT IN SO SHE COULD SEE IT.
HE BROUGHT IN THE BOOK AND THE TEACHER READ THE
TITLE: ADVICE FOR EXPECTANT MOTH-ERS.
Submitter comment:
MY SISTER TOLD US THIS STORY WHEN MY HUSBAND AND I
HAD DINNER AT MY PARENTS' HOME IN DEARBORN, MICHIGAN,
SHE HAD HEARD IT FROM SISTER MARTIN, OF THE UNIVERSITY
OF DETROIT FACULTY, ABOUT TWO WEEKS BEFORE--ABOUT
APRIL 1.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Tale |
A POLISH JUMP STORY
IN A BLACK, BLACK TOWN, THERE WAS A BLACK, BLACK
STREET. ON THIS BLACK, BLACK STREET, THERE WAS A BLACK,
BLACK HOUSE. IN THIS BLACK, BLACK HOUSE, THERE WAS A
BLACK, BLACK TABLE. ON THE BLACK, BLACK TABLE, THERE
WAS A BLACK, BLACK HAND. AND THIS BLACK, BLACK
HAND WAS A ......CORPSE!!
Submitter comment:
THIS STORY IS TOLD VERY SLOWLY FOR BEST EFFECTS.
THE WORD USED IN POLISH IS "BLACK" BUT THE
IMPLICATION IS "DARK."
MY MOTHER KNOWS THIS STORY FROM HER CHILDHOOD
IN POLAND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Tale |
Date learned: 11-27-1967
A TALE OF TALKING ANIMALS
IN POLAND, IT IS BELIEVED THAT FARM ANIMALS WILL TALK
ON CHRISTMAS EVE. A FARMER ONCE SNUCK INTO HIS
BARN TO HEAR THEM. HE OVERHEARD HIS COW SAYING THAT
THE FOLLOWING MORNING ALL THE ANIMALS WILL BE IN A
FUNERAL PROCESSION FOR THEIR OWNER. THE FARMER GOT SO
SCARED WHEN HE HEARD THIS, HE DROPPED DEAD. THIS
IS A POPULAR BELIEF IN POLAND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Man |
Date learned: 10-22-1967
I AM A MEMBER OF THE S.B.E.B.S.Q.S.A.,INC., A BARBERSHOP
QUARTET SOCIETY. THE INFORMANT TOLD THIS STORY TO A
GROUP OF BARBERSHOPPERS.
IT SEEMS THAT ONE OF OUR MEMBERS HAD BEEN DEVOTING MUCH
OF HIS TIME TO THE SOCIETY. IN FACT, HIS LIFE REVOLVED
AROUND ALL THE FUNCTIONS THAT OUR SOCIETY PERFORMS. HE
BELONGED TO A REGISTERED QUARTET, DIRECTED A CHORUS, WAS
THE LOCAL PRESIDENT AND PROGRAM CHAIRMAN.
ONE NIGHT, HE WAS OUT ESPECIALLY LATE WORKING ON A NEW
ARRANGEMENT. HE LEFT THE PRACTICE HALL AND ON THE WAY
TO HIS CAR, HE WAS ACCOSTED BY THREE MEN. THEY BEAT
HIM VICIOUSLY, KICKING HIM TIME AND TIME AGAIN. AFTER
HE WAS UNCONSCIOUS, THEY ROBBED HIM OF FIFTY DOLLARS.
HE WOKE UP ABOUT AN HOUR LATER, BLOODY, DISORIENTED, AND
SORE. HE MANAGED TO REACH INTO HIS POCKET AND PULLED
OUT HIS PITCHPIPE AND BLEW A "B FLAT" AND YELLED "HELP."
(RIGHT ON KEY).
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale |
Date learned: 02-20-1967