Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for 6128 returned 67 results.
ZIPPER GESTURE
GOING UP TO SOMEONE AND SAYING "XYZ," IS TELLING THEM
TO "XAMINE YOUR ZIPPER."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; JACKSON
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
GOLF
YOU DRIVE FOR SHOW, AND PUTT FOR DOUGH.
Submitter comment:
MEANING THE FINAL, AND MOST IMPORTANT MOMENT IN A GAME
OF GOLF IS THE PUTTING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; JACKSON
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief C860.300 Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief C860.536 |
Date learned: 10-25-1970
RIDDLE
WHAT IS GREEN AND BUMPY AND LEAPS BUILDINGS IN A
SINGLE BOUND?
ANSWER: SUPERPICKLE
Data entry tech comment: SUPERMAN, A CARTOON CHARACTER, HAD THE POWER TO FLY, ; AND IN
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; JACKSON
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 00-00-1970
A jar of pennies in the kitchen brings good luck.
Submitter comment: Her mom has always had one there.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; JACKSON
James Callow Keyword(s): COINS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 00001970S
Turn a piece of silver in your pocket upon seeing
a full moon & your wish will come true.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; JACKSON
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Dress Lower body and legs BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth BELIEF -- Prayer BELIEF -- P753 |
Date learned: 00001980S
When it is exactly midnight, on New Year's Eve, someone
has to be outside, and they must go in by the back door
and out through the front door, and round, and in again
by the back.
Submitter comment: Her family has done that as far back as she can remember.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; JACKSON
Keyword(s): tradition
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Wall Partition Door Window BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 00001970S
Mock Wedding
It is a tradition in Marcie's Polish family to have a
mock wedding, the day after an actual wedding ceremony
takes place in the family. All the guests assume positions
in the wedding, and act out another wedding and reception.
They sometimes dress in strange outfits, and invent humorous
themes for the various positions in the wedding party.
Examples: a jilted lover, bride dresses like a whore, the
groom is too drunk to stand up straight, etc.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; JACKSON
Keyword(s): pretend
James Callow Keyword(s): HUMOR
| Subject headings: | Favorites DRAMA -- Secular CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Date learned: 00001970S
DRINKING GAME
THE PLAYERS MUST RESPOND WHEN POINTED TO. IF THE
PERSON POINTING YELLS "FIGLIANO," HE MUST POINT TO
SOMEONE ELSE AND SAY "SCHARTZ," AND VICE VERSA.
HOWEVER, IF SOMEONE YELLS "ZOOM" THE TURN GOES TO
THE PERSON BEFORE HIM, NO MATTER WHO HE MAY POINT TO.
OF COURSE, THE PENALTY FOR VIOLATING ANY OF THE RULES
IS THAT HE MUST DRINK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; JACKSON
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Bodily Activity Song: Game, Pastime, Sport |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
PENNSYLVANIA DUTCH
THIS IS AN ACTING GAME. THE PLAYERS DIVIDE UP INTO
TWO SIDES AND DETERMINE WHICH SIDE WILL GO FIRST.
THAT SIDE DECIDES ON SOME PANTOMIME THAT THEY WILL
PERFORM. THEY THEN GO OVER TO THE OTHER SIDE AND
RECITE THIS RHYME:
(SIDE ONE IS THE ACTING SIDE):
1. HERE WE COME.
2. WHERE FROM?
1: PENNSYLVANIA DUTCH.
2. WHAT'S YOUR TRADE?
1. LEMONADE.
2. SHOW US SOME.
SIDE ONE THEN ACTS OUT ITS PANTOMIME. AS SOON AS
SOMEONE ON SIDE TWO KNOWS WHAT SIDE ONE IS DOING,
HE SHOUTS IT OUT. IF IT IS RIGHT, SIDE TWO CHASES SIDE
ONE BACK TO ITS GOAL. EVERY PERSON IT CATCHES GOES
OVER TO SIDE TWO. THEN IT IS SIDE TWO'S TURN. IF
THEY DON'T CATCH ANYONE, SIDE ONE TAKES ANOTHER TURN.
THIS CONTINUES UNTIL THERE IS ONLY ONE SIDE LEFT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; JACKSON
James Callow Keyword(s): DIALOGUE ; DRINK: LEMONADE ; RHYME: AABCCA
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
UNDER THE SHEETS
A PERSON IS ASKED TO NAME HIS FAVORITE SONGS, BUT
TO ADD TO THEM THE PHRASE "UNDER THE SHEETS,"
THUS CREATING A DIFFERENT MEANING TO THE TITLE,
AND THEREFORE PROVIDING HUMOR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; JACKSON
James Callow Keyword(s): NAMING GAME ; TITLES
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Mental Activity |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
DON'T EVER WALK A HALF MILE WITH A STRANGER
WITHOUT FINDING OUT HIS NAME. IF YOU DO, BAD LUCK
WILL SET UPON YOU FOR THE REST OF THE DAY.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT, WHO IS THE AUNT OF THE COLLECTOR,
LEARNED THIS AS A GIRL IN JACKSON, MICHIGAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; JACKSON
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Bad luck Activities |
IF YOU SEW ON SUNDAY, AFTER YOU DIE YOU WILL HAVE TO
RIP OUT ALL YOUR SUNDAY STITCHES WITH YOUR NOSE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; JACKSON
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour |
Date learned: 10-25-1970
THREE TIMES A BRIDESMAID, NEVER A BRIDE.
Submitter comment:
SHE HAS HEARD MANY PEOPLE SAY THAT THIS ACTUALLY
WORKS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; JACKSON
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple BELIEF -- Marriage Dating Courtship |
Date learned: 10-25-1970
IF YOU TAKE THE LAST PIECE OF FOOD ON THE PLATE, YOU'LL
BE AN OLD MAID.
Submitter comment:
TOLD TO HER BY HER GRANDMOTHER. NEVER SAID IN REFERENCE
TO MEN BEING BACHELORS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; JACKSON
Keyword(s): SPINSTER
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Marriage Dating Courtship BELIEF -- Number Emptiness, nothingness, zero |
Date learned: 10-25-1970
IF YOU FIND AN OLD TIRE, THROW IT IN THE RIVER AND
YOU WILL FIND SOME MONEY.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT THOUGHT THAT HE ORIGINATED THIS SUPERSTITION
BECAUSE WHEN HE WAS A YOUNG LAD IN JACKSON, MICHIGAN,
HE CARRIED OUT THIS PRACTICE THREE TIMES AND FOUND
MONEY EACH TIME. HE HAD NEVER HEARD OF IT, PREVIOUSLY.
HE HAS NOT DONE IT SINCE THEN, BECAUSE HE FEARS
IT WILL NOT WORK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; JACKSON
James Callow Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth BELIEF -- Use of Object Manufactured objects, homemade, machined BELIEF -- Use of Object Human beings and their activities |
Date learned: 04-18-1965
PONDLILLY LOOKOUT POINT
PONDLILLY LOOKOUT POINT IS LOCATED IN WATERLOO
RECREATION AREA NEAR JACKSON, MICHIGAN. THERE USED TO
BE A FORT LOCATED ON THIS POINT; IT WAS SITUATED ON
A VERY STEEP, ALMOST UNSCALABLE RIDGE. IN THE MIDDLE
OF A HUGE BLIZZARD ONE DAY, INDIANS SCALED THE RIDGE
AND MASSACRED ALL THOSE IN THE FORT.
TO THIS DAY, ONE CAN SUPPOSEDLY HEAR THE SOUND OF
INDIANS RUNNING ALONG THE RIDGE DURING ANY SNOW STORM.
Submitter comment:
MIKE SAYS THAT THERE IS ANOTHER VERSION WHICH SAYS
YOU CAN HEAR A HORSEMAN RIDING ALONG THE RIDGE DURING
A BLIZZARD. HE IS SAID TO BE RACING TO WARN THOSE IN
THE FORT OF THE ATTACK.
MIKE SAYS THAT THERE IS JUST SUCH A SOUND DURING A
SNOWSTORM, BUT BEING MORE LOGICALLY-MINDED,
ATTRIBUTES IT TO THE SNOW FALLING INTO THE THICK
GROWTH OF MAPLE TREES WHICH CHOKE THE SLOPE BELOW
THE RIDGE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; JACKSON
Keyword(s): GHOSTLY NOISES
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 11-10-1968
(THE MICROBES)
THERE WERE THESE TWO GERM CELLS IN THE BLOODSTREAM OF A
HORSE, ONE ALWAYS IN THE VEINS AND ONE ALWAYS IN THE
ARTERIES. ONE DAY THEY MET, BY CHANCE, IN THE HORSE'S
HEART. THEY GOT TO DISCUSSING THEIR BORING EXISTENCE
UNTIL THEY HAPPENED ON THE IDEA OF EXCHANGING ROUTES.
SO THEY DID AND SOON THE HORSE DIED.
THIS ONLY GOES TO SHOW THAT YOU CAN'T CHANGE STREAMS IN
THE MIDDLE OF A HORSE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; JACKSON
| Subject headings: | 6677 Formula Tale |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
PONDLILLY LOOKOUT POINT
PONDLILLY LOOKOUT POINT IS LOCATED IN WATERLOO
RECREATION AREA NEAR JACKSON, MICHIGAN. THERE USED TO
BE A FORT LOCATED ON THIS POINT; IT WAS SITUATED ON
A VERY STEEP, ALMOST UNSCALABLE RIDGE. IN THE MIDDLE
OF A HUGE BLIZZARD ONE DAY, INDIANS SCALED THE RIDGE
AND MASSACRED ALL THOSE IN THE FORT.
TO THIS DAY, ONE CAN SUPPOSEDLY HEAR THE SOUND OF
INDIANS RUNNING ALONG THE RIDGE DURING ANY SNOW STORM.
Submitter comment:
MIKE SAYS THAT THERE IS ANOTHER VERSION WHICH SAYS
YOU CAN HEAR A HORSEMAN RIDING ALONG THE RIDGE DURING
A BLIZZARD. HE IS SAID TO BE RACING TO WARN THOSE IN
THE FORT OF THE ATTACK.
MIKE SAYS THAT THERE IS JUST SUCH A SOUND DURING A
SNOWSTORM, BUT BEING MORE LOGICALLY-MINDED,
ATTRIBUTES IT TO THE SNOW FALLING INTO THE THICK
GROWTH OF MAPLE TREES WHICH CHOKE THE SLOPE BELOW
THE RIDGE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; JACKSON
Keyword(s): GHOSTLY NOISES
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 11-10-1968
(THE MICROBES)
THERE WERE THESE TWO GERM CELLS IN THE BLOODSTREAM OF A
HORSE, ONE ALWAYS IN THE VEINS AND ONE ALWAYS IN THE
ARTERIES. ONE DAY THEY MET, BY CHANCE, IN THE HORSE'S
HEART. THEY GOT TO DISCUSSING THEIR BORING EXISTENCE
UNTIL THEY HAPPENED ON THE IDEA OF EXCHANGING ROUTES.
SO THEY DID AND SOON THE HORSE DIED.
THIS ONLY GOES TO SHOW THAT YOU CAN'T CHANGE STREAMS IN
THE MIDDLE OF A HORSE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; JACKSON
| Subject headings: | 6677 Formula Tale |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
AGING
THERE MAY BE SNOW ON THE ROOF, BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN THE
FIRE'S OUT.
Submitter comment:
THE SNOW REFERS TO GREY OR WHITE HAIR AND THE FIRE
REFERS TO A YOUTHFUL HEART.
TOLD AS A QUIP.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; JACKSON ; TOLD IN
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 10-25-1970