Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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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
RURAL AREAS STILL CARRY ON THE CUSTOM WHEREBY EXPECTANT
PARENTS SOMETIMES BORROWED A BABY TO KEEP IN THEIR HOME
UNTIL THEIR OWN CHILD WAS BORN.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT LEARNED OF THE ABOVE WHILE LIVING AT HER
FATHER'S ANCESTRAL HOME IN OKAYAMA PREFECTURE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Date learned: 08-01-1964
EXPECTANT PARENTS ARE SOMETIMES PRESENTED WITH BABY STORKS
OF RICE DOUGH, ONE WHITE AND ONE RED, EMBLEMS OF CONGRAT-
ULATIONS. ALSO, WITH A THIN WHITE COTTON SASH, WITH THE
ENDS DIPPED IN ROUGE. THIS IS USED AT A CEREMONY AT
WHICH ONLY THE TWO SPOUSES, WOMEN MEMBERS OF BOTH
FAMILIES ARE PRESENT. THE SASH IS PASSED THROUGH THE
GARMENT SLEEVES OF THE FATHER-TO-BE, FROM LEFT TO RIGHT.
THEN IT IS ADJUSTED AROUND THE MOTHER-TO-BE (SEATED NEXT TO
HIM) WHO IS HENCEFORTH REGARDED AS A "LADY OF RETIREMENT."
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT LEARNED THE ABOVE FROM A MEMBER OF HER FAMILY
WHO WENT THROUGH SUCH A CEREMONY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Date learned: 08-01-1964
RUSSIAN BELIEF - FORECASTING BIRTH OF BABY
THE BABY WILL BE BORM 4 AND ONE-HALF MONTHS FROM THE
DAY THE EXPECTANT MOTHER FEELS THE FIRST KICK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Date learned: 10-08-1968
FORECASTING SEX OF UNBORN CHILD
IF THE EXPECTANT MOTHER'S NAILS ARE BLUE, SHE WILL
GIVE BIRTH TO A BOY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Date learned: 10-08-1968
CEMETERY BIRD
WHEN MR. LEHR WAS A KID, THEY BELIEVED THAT IF A
CEMETERY BIRD LANDED ON ANYTHING WHICH BELONGED
TO SOMEONE, THEN THAT SOMEONE WAS SUPPOSED TO DIE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 01-24-1967
INDIAN SWEETTOOTHS
MR. LEHR REPORTS THAT HE OFTEN HUNTS IN THE EASTERN
PART OF THE UPPER PENINSULA OF MICHIGAN. HE SAYS
THAT THE INDIANS WILL BEG FOR EVERYTHING UP THERE
AND THAT THEY WOULD RATHER HAVE CANDY BARS THAN
STEAK. HE SAYS THAT HE HAS OFTEN WALKED INTO A
BAR AND FOUND AN INDIAN DRINKING PEPSI (SOFT
DRINK). WHEN SOMEONE ELSE BUYS THAT SAME INDIAN
HAS BEER. THEN WHEN HE HAS TO BUY HIS OWN DRINK
HE ONCE AGAIN HAS PEPSI.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- P439 |
PREGNANCY CAUSE
DON'T LEAVE YOUR BABY'S WET DIAPER ON MY BED, OR
I'LL GET PREGNANT AGAIN.
Submitter comment:
TOLD TO ME BY MRS. VORNDAM LAST CHRISTMAS, WHEN I
WAS VISITING HER HOME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 12-25-1966
MY MOTHER HAD THREE OF THEM, BUT THE WHEELS FELL OFF.
ON THE OTHER HAND, SHE HAD WARTS.
Submitter comment:
IF YOU BRAG THAT YOU HAVE THIS AND THAT, INFORMANT WILL
COUNTER WITH THIS FORMULA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 02-22-1970
IF TWO PEOPLE SAY THE SAME THING AT THE SAME TIME, THEY
ARE SUPPOSED TO COUNT TO TEN AND THE FIRST ONE
FINISHED SAYS, "OWE ME A COKE."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
James Callow Keyword(s): COLA-COLA (SODA POP)
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 01-00-1968
WHEN YOU RECEIVE HOLY COMMUNION, THE FIRST THING YOU
SHOULD EAT AFTER THAT IS A PIECE OF BREAD.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT PRACTICES THIS. SHE COULDN'T VOCALIZE
ANY REASON FOR DOING IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church |
Date learned: 02-22-1970
BLOCK ROSARY
FORMERLY ALL THE MOTHERS ON THE BLOCK WHO BELONGED TO
THE CHRISTIAN MOTHERS SOCIETY WOULD HAVE A ROSARY
SAID ONCE A WEEK AT THE HOUSE OF ONE OF THEIR
MEMBERS HOMES, USUALLY ON A WEDNESDAY, THIS WOULD
BE DECIDED BY THE GROUP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN