Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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RIDDLE
Q: THERE IS A WORD OF FIVE SYLLABLES; TAKE AWAY THE FIRST AND NO
SYLLABLE WILL REMAIN.
A: MONOSYLLABLE.
Submitter comment:
(FROM) "NEW ENGLAND FOLKLORE"; B. A. BOTKIN, ED.
(CROWN PUBLISHERS).
Where learned: NEW YORK ; MILFORD
Keyword(s): COMMUNICATIONS ; COMMUNICATIONS AND RELATED MATTER (Q)
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: 09-00-1967
FISHING SUPERSTITION
IT'S MORE EFFECTIVE TO GO FISHING BY THE DARK OF THE MOON BECAUSE
THEN THE FISH CAN'T SEE IF YOUR BAIT IS FAKE OR NOT.
Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM A CANADIAN FISHERMAN ABOUT 1945.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; YONKERS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Moon BELIEF -- Entertainment Diversion |
FIRST GRADE BABIES,
SECOND GRADE TOTS,
THIRD GRADE ANGELS,
FOURTH GRADE SNOTS,
FIFTH GRADE PEACHES,
SIXTH GRADE PLUMS,
AND ALL THE REST ARE GREAT BIG BUMS.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; HAMBURG ; ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Wisecracks, gags, silly stories, insults |
Date learned: 11-26-1967
WHAT TIME IS IT?
SAME TIME IT WAS YESTERDAY ONLY A DAY LATER.
Where learned: NEW YORK
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 00001950S LATE
WHAT TIME IS IT?
LOOK AT YOUR WRIST AND REPLY, "HALF PAST A FRECKLE."
Where learned: NEW YORK
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 00001950S LATE
I WISH YOU WERE ON THE RADIO, THEN I COULD TURN YOU
OFF. (BAD VOICE).
Where learned: NEW YORK
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 00001950S LATE
STICKS AND STONES WILL BREAK MY BONES, BUT NAMES
WILL NEVER HURT ME.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A RETORT USED BY MANY CHILDREN WHEN THEY ARE
CALLED AN UNPLEASANT NAME. THE INFORMANT'S MOTHER
TAUGHT IT TO HER.
Where learned: NEW YORK
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 00001950S LATE
YOU COULDN'T PUNCH YOUR WAY OUT OF A PAPER BAG.
Submitter comment: THIS WAS A TAUNT FOR A WEAKLING
Where learned: NEW YORK
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 00001950S LATE
YOU COULDN'T HIT THE BROAD SIDE OF A BARN.
Submitter comment:
AS CHILDREN WE SAID THIS TO COMMENT ON A PERSON'S
BAD AIM WITH A BB GUN OR A BOW AND ARROW.
Where learned: NEW YORK
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 00001950S LATE
CAN YOU SING, "FAR, FAR AWAY?" WELL, I WISH YOU WOULD.
Submitter comment: A PLAY ON WORDS, SAID IF SOMEONE HAS A BAD VOICE.
Where learned: NEW YORK
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 00001950S LATE
COURTSHIP CUSTOM
WHEN A GUY GIVES A FRATERNITY PIN THIS MEANS THAT THEY ARE
ENGAGED TO BE MARRIED WITHIN ABOUT ONE YEAR.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; PORT CHESTER
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Symbols of engagement |
Date learned: 12-00-1970
Ethnic: Italian
IT IS AN OLD ITALIAN CUSTOM THAT DURING LENT NOTHING MADE FROM EGGS
ARE ( IS ) EATEN UNTIL HOLY SATURDAY AFTERNOON.
Submitter comment:
THIS CUSTOM WAS PASSED TO THE INFORMANT FROM HER MOTHER AND
ORIGINALLY CAME FROM SOUTHERN ITALY.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated / 02-24-2011 / TRD
Where learned: NEW YORK ; PORT CHESTER
Keyword(s): ABSTINENCE ; CUSTOM ; Eggs ; ETHNIC ; FOOD ; holiday ; Italian ; Lent ; RELIGIOUS ; SELF-SACRIFICE
| Subject headings: | 663 Holy Saturday CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Christian Chronology |
Date learned: 11-28-1970
PRODUCT OR ACTIVITY OF MAN
DON'T CROSS YOUR EYES OR THEY WILL STAY THAT WAY
Submitter comment: SHE WOULD TELL MY BROTHERS AND I THIS TO DISCOURAGE US FROM DOING IT.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; BROOKLYN ; GRANDMOTHERS HOME
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 07-00-1965
PRODUCT OR ACTIVITY OF MAN
DON'T WALK OVER SOMEONE OR THEY WON'T GROW
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A STUPID BELIEF. WE WOULD HAVE TO WALK BACK OVER THAT PERSOM.
THIS WAY THE PERSON WOULD STILL BE ABLE TO GROW.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; BROOKLYN ; GRANDMOTHERS HOME
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Proverb
Only the ignorant man becomes angry. The wise man understands.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Located in pile marked Duplicates and Other Rejects
Where learned: NEW YORK ; Springs of Indian Wisdom ; Herder Book Center
Keyword(s): ANGER ; Fool ; IGNORANCE ; TEMPER ; Understand ; WISDOM ; Wise
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Proverb
The smile that you sent out returns to you.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [V600] crossed out. Replaced with current classification
Located in pile marked Duplicates and Other Rejects
Where learned: NEW YORK ; Springs of Indian Wisdom ; Herder Book Center
Keyword(s): ATTITUDE ; Karma ; Return ; SMILE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
SAINT LUCIA BUNS
TWO STRIPS OF BREAD-LIKE DOUGH SHAPED INTO A CROSS WITH CHERRIES
AND NUTS.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT'S FATHER MAKES THEM EVERY YEAR FOR CHRISTMAS BREAKFAST.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector share the same surname.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; Wappingers Falls
Date learned: 00001960S
HOLIDAY CUSTOM
IT IS AN ITALIAN CUSTOM NEVER TO EAT MEAT ON CHRISTMAS EVE, BUT
TO EAT MANY VARIETIES OF FISH AND THIN SPIGETTI (SPAGHETTI) WITH
OLIVE OIL AND FISH SAUCE.
Submitter comment:
THIS CUSTOM GOES BACK TO SOUTHERN ITALY WHERE THE INFORMANT'S
PARENTS CAME FROM AND WAS TOLD TO THE INFORMANT BY HER MOTHER.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: NEW YORK ; PORT CHESTER
Keyword(s): ABSTINENCE FROM MEAT ; CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; FOOD ; holiday ; Italian ; tradition
| Subject headings: | 122 Christmas |
Date learned: 11-28-1970
HOLIDAY-FOOD CUSTOM
AN OLD ITALIAN CUSTOM AROUND CHRISTMAS TIME IS THAT ON CHRISTMAS
EVE AFTER THE MEAL IS OVER, BREAD FROM THE MEAL IS LEFT ON THE
TABLE AND IS BELIEVED TO NEVER GO GREENMOLD FOR YEARS.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS SEEN BY INFORMANT IN 1946.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: NEW YORK ; PORT CHESTER
Keyword(s): CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; FOOD ; holiday ; Mold
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.4 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Christmas |
Date learned: 11-28-1970
OBSERVATION
IF A FORK IS DROPPED, THIS MEANS THAT COMPANY IS COMING FOR
DINNER.
Submitter comment:
ON A FEW OCCASIONS THIS STATEMENT ACTUALLY DID COME TRUE, BUT I
STILL DO NOT ACTUALLY BELIEVE THIS STATEMENT.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; POUGHKEEPSIE
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 00-00-1972