Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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When a new employee was hired at Ford Motor Co., it was
common for the older workers to leave a message on the new
person's desk which said, "Call Hank at (phone no.)" When
they did so they were embarrassed to find out that it was
Henry Ford II's office that they were calling.
Submitter comment:
This joke was played on Terry when he first started work
at the Body Engineering Division in 1974.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
Keyword(s): Prank, initiation, hazing
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Work Commerce Business CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
To get rid of hiccups, Rosemary holds a spoon sideways
in her mouth and drinks water. I can say myself that
this method for getting rid of hiccups really works
because I have tried it.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 01-00-1974
Giving knives is bad luck unless you include
some money, usually a small amount.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth BELIEF -- Bad luck Gifts BELIEF -- Bad luck Sharp objects BELIEF -- Conversions |
Date learned: 00001960S
At my old job I use to always hear the guys say that preppy
girls like to be wined and dined while loose girls like to lay and
play.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief |
Date learned: 00-00-1990
It has been a superstition in my family, that if you give
someone a gift that is sharp they should give to you a penny. You
also are expected to give the bearer of a sharp gift to you a
penny. Examples of sharp gifts are scissors, knife, or cookie
cutter. The meaning behind this superstition is that the sharp
gift could sever the friendship between the two people if the penny
is not given in return.
James Callow comment: See Hand, North Carolina I, no. 3577.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth |
Date learned: 03-00-1974
The other morning when we went out for breakfast, a priest
walked up to us and told us a joke: "Where do good people go when
they die? To heaven. Where do bad people go when they die? To
hell. Where do prostitutes go when they die? To the Virgin
Islands to be recycled."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 02-12-1992
My sister and I were at my Grandparents' home when my
Grandfather had passed away. We smelt something burning, it was
coming from the basement. As we went down there we could smell
incense coming from our Grandmother's prayer room; neither of us
had lit any, so we were puzzled. Later, our grandmother told that
our Grandfather told her that when he died he would let her know
that he had made it to the other side by lighting incense for her.
When we compared the times of the events they occurred
simultaneously.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 00-00-1982
Representations
I wonder how many people know that the colors of Africa (black,
red and green) are representations of the people of the land, the
blood shed for the land and the land.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Color |
Date learned: 00-00-1980
IRISH CUSTOM
WHEN A MEMBER OF THE FAMILY DIES IN IRELAND, ALL THE
CLOCKS IN THE HOUSE ARE STOPPED FOR THREE DAYS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 11-00-1970
IRISH CUSTOM
AT IRISH WAKES CLAY PIPES ARE PROVIDED FOR ALL VISITORS
TO SMOKE.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT RECALLS THIS ACTUALLY BEING DONE AT HER
GRANDMOTHER'S WAKE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 11-00-1970
CARNIVAL--AFTER CHRISTMAS
THE PERIOD OF TIME FROM CHRISTMAS TO ASH WEDNESDAY IS
KNOWN IN POLAND AS "KARNAWAT," OR CARNIVAL. IT IS
A TIME OF DANCES, BALLS AND FESTIVE OCCASIONS. FOR
THE WOMAN OF THE HOUSE, IT IS THE TIME TO MAKE SUCH
PASTRIES AS "PONCZKI," POLISH JELLY DONUTS, AND
"CHRUSCIKI," POLISH ANGEL WINGS. THIS CUSTOM IS
KNOWN FROM PRACTICE TILL THIS DAY IN MY FAMILY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN ; POLAND
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Dance CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Winter Food Drink -- Food |
Date learned: 10-28-1967
IT WAS CUSTOMARY AND ACCEPTABLE IN NORTH CAROLINA
FOR A WHITE MAN TO POSSESS NEGRO QUADRUN WIVES (1/4
WIVES) BEFORE HE MARRIED A WHITE WOMAN. UPON MARRIAGE
TO A WHITE WOMAN, HE USUALLY GAVE UP THESE WIVES, SET THEM
UP IN A SMALL HOUSE, FREED THEM, AND GAVE THEM ENOUGH
TO LIVE ON FOR SOME TIME. SOME MEN, HOWEVER, KEPT A
FEW AFTER MARRIAGE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN ; NORTH CAROLINA
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Date learned: 10-00-1968
LEGEND OF STUD SERVICE AT UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
SINCE IT WAS BELIEVED IN THE SOUTH THAT THE BEST SLAVES
WERE HALF WHITE AND HALF BLACK, THERE WAS CONSIDERABLE
PROFIT IN SELLING THIS KIND OF SLAVE. IT IS SAID EVEN
TODAY THAT THERE IS ON RECORD THE NAMES OF MEN WHO GAVE
OUT THEIR SERVICES AS STUDS TO SEED BLACK WOMEN AT
THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN ; UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Date learned: 10-00-1968
JEWISH WEDDING CUSTOM
IT IS A CUSTOM FOR THE JEWISH TO HOLD THEIR WEDDINGS
UNDER A CANOPY OR TENT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Ceremony |
Date learned: 10-00-1968
JEWISH WEDDING CUSTOM
AT JEWISH WEDDINGS IT IS A CUSTOM FOR THE BRIDE AND
GROOM TO DRINK OUT OF A FINE WINE GLASS, THEN PLACE
THIS GLASS ON THE FLOOR TO BE CRUSHED BY THE GROOM.
HOWEVER, TODAY, USUALLY A GLASS OF LESS QUALITY IS
PLACED ON THE FLOOR IN THE STEAD OF THE FINE WINE
GLASS USED TO DRINK OUT OF.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Stepping on wine glass |
Date learned: 11-00-1968
THROWING RICE AT THE BRIDE AND GROOM AFTER THE
CHURCH CEREMONY.
Submitter comment: LEARNED AT COUSIN'S WEDDING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Rice |
Date learned: 06-00-1968
KEEP TOP PART OF A WEDDING CAKE FOR FIRST YEAR
ANNIVERSARY; IT BRINGS GOOD LUCK TO MARRIAGE.
Submitter comment: HE AND HIS WIFE DID THIS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Wedding cake |
Date learned: 09-28-1970
WHEN ERECTING A NEW BUILDING IN GERMANY, THEY PLACE A SPRIG
OF PINE OR SPRUCE, OR FIR TREE AT THE TOP OF THE POLE
AND IT STAYS THERE FOR ONE YEAR AFTER COMPLETION. THIS
IS FOR GOOD LUCK.
Submitter comment: HE ACTUALLY SAW THIS IN GERMANY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; GERMANY ; DETROIT ; DEARBORN ; TV STUDIO
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Foundation rite Laying of cornerstone BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 09-28-1970
A GIRL IS REALLY NOT A COED UNTIL SHE HAS BEEN KISSED UNDER
BOEMONTE TOWER AT 12:00 MIDNIGHT. PLEASE NOTE THAT
CURFEW IS AT 11:00 O'CLOCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 10-00-1968
Trick
ON MY FIRST DAY OF WORK AT MALING SHOES I WAS TOLD BY
MR. NEWMAN TO GO DOWN THE STREET TO A RIVAL SHOESTORE AND
ASK FOR A "WALL STRETCHER." BEING NAIVE, I WENT AND
MADE A FOOL OUT OF MYSELF. BUT MR. NEWMAN HAD A GOOD
LAUGH OUT OF IT.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 00001967-1968