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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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LADY
IN ANGLO-SAXON TIMES, THE PEOPLE WERE POOR, THE FAMILIES WERE VERY
LARGE, AND THE WORK LOAD WAS HEAVY, SO WHILE THE CHILDREN WERE
STILL IN THEIR PINAFORES, THEY WERE ALLOTTED VARIOUS CHORES. THE
BOYS, OF COURSE, WORKED IN THE FIELDS, PLOWING AND SEEDING AND
SEPARATING THE WHEAT FROM THE CHAFF, WHILE THE HOUSEWORK WAS LEFT
TO THE GIRLS. THEY WERE TAUGHT TO KNIT AND PURL. SOME DID THE
MILKING, OTHERS THE SPINNING, BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT TASK WAS LEFT
TO THE HOUSEWIFE HERSELF, THAT OF BAKING THE DAILY BREAD SO THAT
THE FAMILY COULD BE FED. SHE WAS CALLED THE BREAD KNEADER OR,
IN ANGLO-SAXON, THE LAE-DIGE. CENTURIES LATER, SHE WAS CALLED
"LADY."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROCHESTER
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Plant husbandry Farming PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name Food Drink -- Plant food Cereal BELIEF -- Home |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
MEDICAL SCHOOL LEGEND
THERE WAS THIS TEACHER AT JEFFERSON, HE MUST BE DEAD NOW, WHO WROTE
ON THE BLACKBOARD WITH BOTH HIS LEFT HAND AND HIS RIGHT HAND AT THE
SAME TIME. THE THINGS HE WROTE WOULD BE FROM TWO DIFFERENT TRAINS O
THOUGHT.
Submitter comment:
STORY TOLD TO ME BY MY FATHER FROM WHEN HE WENT TO THOMAS JEFFERSON
MEDICAL SCHOOL IN PHILADELPHIA. THIS STORY IS TOLD IN COMPLETE
SERIOUSNESS BUT I DON'T BELIEVE A WORD OF IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
James Callow Keyword(s): AMBIDEXTERITY
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- School |
Date learned: 00-00-1936 ; 09-00-1979
DORMITORY PRANK OR SPORT
ONE OF THE FAVORITE PASTIMES AT BURSLEY HALL OF THE UNIVERSITY OF
MICHIGAN WAS TO TRY TO FIGURE WAYS TO BORROW (STEAL) TRAYS FROM THE
CAFETERIA. YOU WERE NOT ALLOWED TO TAKE THINGS OUT OF THE CAFETERIA
PEOPLE SPENT MUCH TIME DEVISING MANY SNEAKY WAYS TO BORROW THE TRAYS
THE LEAST IMAGINATIVE AND MY FAVORITE WAS TO SIMPLY WALK OUT THE
EMERGENCY EXIT WITH A TRAY WHEN NOBODY WAS WATCHING. ONCE YOU HAD A
TRAY YOU USED IT TO SLED DOWN THE STEEP, SNOW-COVERED HILL BEHIND OU
DORMITORY.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS FROM MY FRESHMAN YEAR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN IN ANN
ARBOR DURING THE 1976 SCHOOL YEAR WHEN I LIVED IN BURSLEY HALL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
Date learned: 00-00-1976 ; 11-23-1979
DORMITORY PRANK
ON MY HALLWAY WHENEVER IT WAS SOMEBODY'S BIRTHDAY SIX OF US WOULD
GRAB HIM AND THROW HIM INTO THE SHOWER. ACTUALLY WE WOULD USE ANY
EXCUSE TO THROW SOMEONE IN THE SHOWER. IF A BUNCH OF US WERE SITTIN
IN THE HALLWAY AND THINGS GOT BORING WE WOULD SILENTLY AGREE ON WHOM
WAS MOST DESERVING AND BEFORE HE KNEW WHAT WAS HAPPENING HE WOULD BE
HELPLESS. OUR FAVORITE TARGET WAS THE RESIDENT ADVISER ERNIE. I
WOULD NEVER GET THROWN IN BECAUSE I WAS TOO QUICK AND BIG AND THE
BLACK KID WASN'T THROWN IN BECAUSE NO ONE WANTED TO START A RIOT.
EVERYONE ELSE WAS THROWN IN THE SHOWER AT LEAST ONCE. SOME GUYS
WOULD LEAVE THEIR ROOM IN THE MORNING AND NOT COME BACK ALL DAY ON
THEIR BIRTHDAY TO AVOID THIS.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS FROM MY FRESHMAN YEAR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN DURING
THE 1976 SCHOOL YEAR WHEN I LIVED ON FOURTH LEWIS FLOOR OF BURSLEY
HALL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Private birthday or anniversary CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 00-00-1976 ; 11-23-1979
DORMITORY PRANK
OUR FAVORITE PRANK AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN DORMITORIES IF WE
DIDN'T LIKE SOMEONE WAS TO PENNY HIM INTO HIS ROOM. THIS WAS
ACCOMPLISHED BY TAKING THREE OR FOUR OR FIVE PENNIES, DEPENDING ON
YOUR STRENGTH AND THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE APPLYING PRESSURE ON THE DOOR
AND JAM THEM INTO THE DOOR. NOW THE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN UNTIL THE
PERSON INSIDE SHAKES THE PENNIES LOOSE OR SOMEONE ELSE IN THE DORM
IS CALLED TO KNOCK THEM OUT FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE PENNYING IS DONE
LATE AT NIGHT WHILE EVERYBODY IS ASLEEP BECAUSE IT IS DANGEROUS TO
YOUR HEALTH IF THE PERSON OPENS HIS DOOR WHILE YOU ARE TRYING TO
PENNY HIM IN. SILENCE IS VERY IMPORTANT SO YOU WON'T WAKE ANYONE UP
PENNYING SOMEONE IN IS EVEN BETTER WHEN THE PERSON YOU TRY TO GET OR
HIS ROOM-MATE HAS A CLASS AT EIGHT THE NEXT MORNING. FOR ME AND
MY FRIENDS PENNYING PEOPLE IN BECAME A SCIENCE. WE WOULD USE
THREE SETS OF FIVE PENNIES EACH. STEVE WOULD WRAP ELECTRICAL TAPE
AROUND THE PENNIES SO THEY WOULD NOT FALL APART WHILE BEING PUT IN.
WE WOULD STOP THE ELEVATOR ON THE FLOOR OF THE ROOM WE WERE PENNYING
IN SO WE COULD MAKE A QUICK ESCAPE SHOULD WE HEAR THE SOUND OF
SOMEONE WAKING UP IN THE ROOM. STEVE WOULD PLACE A PIECE OF
ELECTRICAL TAPE ON THE DOOR EYEHOLE SO THE PERSON INSIDE OF THE ROOM
COULD NOT SNEAK UP AND IDENTIFY US THROUGH IT. WHILE ME, FRANK, AND
ROB APPLIED PRESSURE ON THE DOOR INWARD STEVE WOULD PLACE THE
PENNIES. ONE SET WOULD GO SIX INCHES ABOVE THE DOORKNOB, ANOTHER SI
INCHES BELOW THE DOORKNOB AND THE LAST SET WOULD GO UP HIGH. THIS I
ALL DONE IN COMPLETE SILENCE, ANY TALKING IS DONE IN THE ELEVATOR
LOBBY BEFOREHAND.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS FROM WHEN I LIVED IN BURSLEY HALL ON THE UNIVERSITY OF
MICHIGAN DURING THE 1976 SCHOOL YEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School |
Date learned: 00-00-1976 ; 11-23-1979
HOLY WEEK CUSTOM.
AN ITALIAN CUSTOM FOR HOLY WEEK IS THE RECITING OF THE STATIONS OF
THE CROSS, WHICH DEPICTS THE LORD'S CRUCIFIXION. THIS WOULD BE
DONE EACH DAY OF THE WEEK IN THE SAME CHURCH AND SERVES AS A FORM
OF PENANCE.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS MORE OF A CUSTOM THAN A RELIGIOUS BELIEF AND IS, FOR THE MOST
PART, NOT DONE BY ITALIANS IN AMERICA. SAYING IT IN THE SAME CHURCH
EVERY DAY IS SUPPOSED TO INCREASE THE PERSON'S CLOSENESS WITH GOD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Holy Week BELIEF -- Church |
Date learned: 02-25-1982
HOLY WEEK CUSTOM
AN ITALIAN CUSTOM FOR HOLY THURSDAY IS TO VISIT SEVEN CHURCHES.
A FAMILY WOULD SPEND A HALF-HOUR IN EACH CHURCH AND SAY PRAYERS AS A
FORM OF PENANCE.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS DONE IN ITALY BUT NOT IN THE UNITED STATES. THE FAMILY
WOULD WALK TO EACH CHURCH, SO THEY PICKED THOSE THAT WERE CLOSE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | 663 Holy Thursday 686 Seven / Sevenths / Several Favorites BELIEF -- Church BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 02-25-1982
EVIL EYE
THE MOLOQUE IS A HAND GESTURE THAT HAS THE FIRST AND FOURTH FINGER
POINTING STRAIGHT UP WITH THE OTHER TWO FINGERS AND THUMB CLENCHED
IN A FIST.
Submitter comment:
THE MOLOQUE IS USED BY A PERSON AGAINST SOMEONE WHO IS EITHER
ENVIOUS OF OR SAYING BAD THINGS ABOUT THAT PERSON. IT IS MOST OFTEN
FLASHED SOMEWHERE THE ENVIOUS PERSON CAN'T SEE IT (BEHIND A THIGH
OR IN A POCKET, FOR EXAMPLE). IT IS BELIEVED TO "REPULSE" WHATEVER
"SIGNALS" OR "VIBES" THE ENVIOUS PERSON IS SENDING OUT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Bird SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 02-25-1982
DREAM BELIEF
WHEN SOMEONE SPEAKS TO YOU IN YOUR DREAMS THEY WANT YOU TO PRAY FOR
THEM.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS AN OLD ITALIAN BELIEF FROM AGUSTA AND SICILY. ALTHOUGH
THIS IS FOR ALL DREAMS IN GENERAL, IT MORE SPECIFICALLY APPLIES
TO PEOPLE IN THE DREAMS WHO HAVE RECENTLY DIED. THE INFORMANT
STRONGLY BELIEVED THIS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Dreams Dreams about people BELIEF -- Dreams Requesting prayers |
Date learned: 02-25-1982
A WAY TO DETERMINE THE SEX OF AN UNBORN CHILD IS TO HOLD A SAUCER
OF WATER OVER THE MOTHER'S HEAD AND THEN PUT A DROP OF OIL IN THE
SAUCER. IF THE DROP SPREADS, THE UNBORN BABY WILL BE A GIRL; IF THE
DROP STAYS IN PLACE, THE BABY IS A BOY.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT MADE IT A CLEAR THAT SHE BELIEVES IN THIS OLD ITALIAN
BELIEF.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 02-25-1982
ONE WAY TO DETERMINE THE SEX OF AN UNBORN CHILD IS TO HOLD A RING
ON A STRING OVER THE EXPECTANT MOTHER'S STOMACH. IF THE RING SWAYS
TO THE RIGHT, THE CHILD WILL BE A GIRL; IF IT SWAYS TO THE LEFT,
IT'S A BOY.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT MADE IT CLEAR THAT SHE BELIEVES IN THIS OLD ITALIAN
BELIEF.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 02-25-1982
ITALIAN JOKE
AN ITALIAN PAWNBROKER DIED THE OTHER DAY, AND NOW HIS WIFE IS A
"LOAN" WIDOW.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
James Callow Keyword(s): PUN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote ITAL |
Date learned: 02-25-1982
ITALIAN JOKE
A MAN ASKED AN ITALIAN BOY: "WHAT WAGES ARE PAID AROUND HERE, BOY?"
"I DON'T KNOW," REPLIED THE BOY. "WELL," CONTINUED THE MAN, "WHAT
DOES YOUR FATHER GET ON A SATURDAY NIGHT?" "HE GETS DRUNK," REPLIED
THE BOY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Work Commerce Business ITAL |
Date learned: 02-25-1982
ITALIAN JOKE
TWO ITALIANS WHO WERE PRETTY WELL SOAKED WITH WINE GOT INTO THE
GUTTER. AFTER FLOUNDERING AROUND FOR AWHILE, ONE OF THEM SAID TO THE
OTHER: "HEY TONY, LET'S GO TO ANOTHER HOUSE; THIS ONE LEAKS."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote ITAL |
Date learned: 02-25-1982
RIDDLE
HOW MANY LETTERS IN THE ALPHABET?
ANSWER: 24, L&M WERE KICKED OUT FOR SMOKING.
Data entry tech comment: L&M IS A BRAND NAME OF A CIGARETTE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 00-00-1968
RIDDLE
WHAT IS THE DEFINITION OF A HIPPIE?
ANSWER: ACTS LIKE TARZAN, COOKS LIKE JANE, SMELLS
LIKE CHEETA.
Data entry tech comment: A HIPPIE WAS SOMEONE WHO REBELLED AGAINST THE ;
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 00-00-1968
KNOCK-KNOCK JOKE
KNOCK KNOCK
WHO'S THERE?
CAPTAIN
CAPTAIN WHO?
CAPTAIN CRUNCH (THEN STEP ON THE PERSON'S FOOT)
Data entry tech comment: CAPTAIN CRUNCH IS A BREAKFAST CEREAL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
James Callow Keyword(s): TRICK
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 03-24-1970
RIDDLE
WHY SHOULDN'T YOU USE BEATLE SOAP IN THE BATHTUB?
ANSWER: IT LEAVES A RING-O.
Submitter comment:
RINGO STARR IS ONE OF THE MALE SINGERS IN THE POPULAR
BEATLE GROUP. THIS WAS HEARD ON THE STEVE ALLEN SHOW.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 00-00-1964
BAD LUCK PREVENTION: (ITALIAN)-SALT
TO PREVENT BAD LUCK FROM ENTERING A HOUSE, PLACE SALT IN LITTLE
BAGS AND PUT THE BAGS IN THE CORNERS OF THE ROOMS WHERE NO ONE SEES
THEM. IT IS ESPECIALLY GOOD TO DO THIS WHEN A NEW BABY ARRIVES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
Keyword(s): CONVERSION ; HOME, DOMESTIC PURSUITS ; SUPERNATURAL: SALT AS LUCKY CHARM
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Conversions P883.17 |
Date learned: 12-00-1969
UP THE CREEK WITHOUT A PADDLE.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT HEARD THIS EXPRESSION IN THE U. S. ARMY IN 1947.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase |
Date learned: 09-25-1972