Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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EASTER CUSTOMS
BASKETS FULL OF CANDY ARE PREPARE(D) THE DAY BEFORE EASTER AND ARE
TAKEN TO THE CHURCH TO BE BLESSED. A LITTLE PIECE OF EVERYTHING MUST
BE EATEN THAT DAY. ALSO, A LITTLE HORSERADISH MUST BE EATEN ON
EASTER.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM ; SWIECZONKA
| Subject headings: | 663 Holy Saturday CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday |
Date learned: 11-00-1968
"BREAKING THE OPIATKEJ"
DURING THE HOLIDAYS OF CHRISTMAS AND EASTER, AN EMBOSSED PIECE OF
UNLEAVENED BREAD IS PASSED AROUND THE DINNER TABLE. EACH MEMBER,
STARTING WITH THE HEAD OF THE FAMILY, BREAKS OFF A PARTICLE AND
PARTAKES OF IT. THE OPIATKEJ IS SUPPOSED TO BRING GOOD LUCK AND
WELL-BEING TO THE FAMILY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FAMILY UNITY ; FOOD CUSTOM ; HEALTH ; LUCK
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday |
POLISH EASTER CUSTOM
A HARD-BOILED EGG OR EGGS IS PASSED FROM PERSON TO PERSON AND EACH
ONE TAKES A PIECE. THIS IS A POLISH EASTER CUSTOM.
Submitter comment: THIS IS A POLISH CUSTOM AND A FAMILY TRADITION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FAMILY UNITY ; FOOD CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter eggs CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday |
GRAFFITI
LOVE IS A FOUR-LETTER WORD.
Data entry tech comment:
INFORMANT ASSUMED TO BE THE COLLECTOR.
FOUR-LETTER WORDS WERE KNOWN AS SWEAR WORDS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; COLLECTED IN LAVATORY
Keyword(s): EUPHEMISM RETORT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Art Craft Architecture Art, Craft, Architecture |
Date learned: 00-00-1968
AN EASTER CUSTOM
ON EASTER MONDAY THE BOYS OF THE TOWN WOULD GO AROUND AND THROW
WATER ON THE HEADS OF THE YOUNG GIRLS OF THE TOWN AS A SIGN OF
FERTILITY.
Submitter comment:
HEARD FROM HER FATHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; STUDENT UNION
Keyword(s): DYNGUS DAY ; WATER
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus |
Date learned: 04-04-1967
POLISH CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
THE DINNER CONSISTS OF THIRTEEN COURSES, ALL OF WHICH ARE MEATLESS.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
James Callow comment:
Christmas Day?
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; STUDENT UNION BUILDING
Keyword(s): ABSTINENCE FROM MEAT ; CHRISTMAS ; Course ; CUSTOM ; Dinner ; FOOD CUSTOM ; holiday ; Ingredients ; Meal ; Vegetarian
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Menus |
Date learned: 11-25-1969
POLISH EASTER MONDAY CUSTOM
EVERYONE GIVES FOOD TO EVERYONE ELSE FOR FERTILITY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; STUDENT UNION BUILDING ; told at work
Keyword(s): EASTER GIFTS ; FOOD CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus |
Date learned: 11-25-1969
BAD LUCK BELIEF
WHEN YOU STUMBLE, IT IS A WARNING OF MISFORTUNE TO COME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 03-29-1971
MISTLETOE HANGS IN THE ROOM WHEREUPON SOME MEMBERS OF
THE GROUP COMES AND KISSES SOMEBODY STANDING UNDER
THE MISTLETOE.
Submitter comment:
SHE SAID THAT SHE LEARNED IT "PROBABLY AT A
CHRISTMAS PARTY OF SOME RELATIVES WHEN (SHE) WAS VERY
SMALL."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; COLLECTED AT UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Mistletoe and other greenery |
Date learned: 02-08-1967
MISTLETOE HANGS IN THE ROOM WHEREUPON SOME MEMBERS OF
THE GROUP COMES AND KISSES SOMEBODY STANDING UNDER
THE MISTLETOE.
Submitter comment:
SHE SAID THAT SHE LEARNED IT "PROBABLY AT A
CHRISTMAS PARTY OF SOME RELATIVES WHEN (SHE) WAS VERY
SMALL."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; COLLECTED AT UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Mistletoe and other greenery |
Date learned: 02-08-1967
A BED HAS TO BE FACING NORTH AND SOUTH
THE BED HAS TO BE FACING NORTH AND SOUTH IN ORDER FOR
THE SPIRITS TO CIRCULATE PROPERLY
AROUND THE SLEEPING PERSON.
Submitter comment:
SHE LEARNED IT FROM HER GREAT-AUNT WHOSE NAME
IS JOSEPHINE SWITZER AND WHO IS EIGHTY-THREE YEARS OLD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; COLLECTED AT UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
CHARLIE CHAPLIN WENT TO FRANCE,/ TO TEACH THE LADIES HOW TO DANCE,/
WITH A HEEL AND A TOE, AROUND WE GO./ SALUTE TO THE CAPTAIN,/ BOW TO
THE QUEEN,/ TOUCH THE BOTTOM OF THE DIRTY SUBMARINE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ;
Keyword(s): ACTION-RHYME ; CHARACTER
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 11-00-1968
OMEN
IF THE PALM OF YOUR HAND IS ITCHY, IT IS A
SIGN THAT YOU ARE GOING TO RECEIVE SOME MONEY.
Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM HER MOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ;
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 12-01-1967
ROPE JUMPING RIME
MY MOTHE SENT ME TO THE STORE
AND TOLD ME WHAT TO BUY
(CAN'T REMEMBER THE INTERVAL)
I GAVE HIM BACK HIS PEACHES, I GAVE HIM BACK HIS PEARS,
I GAVE HIM BACK HIS FIFTY CENTS
AND KICKED HIM DOWN THE STAIRS.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT LEARNED THIS IN HAMMOND, INDIANA GRADE SCHOOL)
(ED. NOTE: THIS IS AN EXTREMELY SWEETENED STORY VERY SIMILAR TO ONE
FOUND IN DEEP DOWN IN THE JUNGLE.)
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; FOLEY HALL
Keyword(s): CHARACTER ; PLAIN-JUMP
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 03-30-1967
COMIC QUESTION--GRAFFITTI
WHY DO BLONDS HAVE MORE FUN?
YOU CAN FIND THEM IN THE DARK.
Submitter comment: IN MEN'S JOHN, U. OF D.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; STUDENT UNION
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 02-08-1967
PROM NIGHT
IT WAS THE NIGHT OF THE SENIOR PROM AND THE BOY WENT TO
PICK UP HIS DATE. HE WAS SITTING IN THE LIVING ROOM
TALKING TO THE PARENTS WHILE SHE WAS UPSTAIRS MAKING
THE FINAL TOUCHES. THEN SHE PROCEEDED TO COME DOWN
THE STAIRS. SHE HAD A STRAPLESS DRESS ON, AND AS SHE
WAS COMING DOWN SOMETHING SNAPPED AND THE FRONT OF
HER DRESS FELL, EXPOSING ONE OF HER BREASTS. THE GIRL
WAS EMBARRASSED TO TEARS AND THE BOY, NOT WANTING TO
ADD TO THE EMBARRASSMENT, TRIED TO AVOID HER PARENTS
FROM SEEING IT, SO, IN ORDER TO DIVERT THEIR
ATTENTION, HE SCREECHED "LOOK AT THAT" POINTING TO THE
FRONT LAWN AND NOT KNOWING-OR HAVING ANY IDEA WHATEVER-
THAT ANYTHING WAS THERE. THERE WERE TWO DOGS MATING
ON THE LAWN.
Submitter comment:
JOHN TOLD US THAT IT ACTUALLY HAPPENED TO ONE OF HIS
FELLOW GRADUATES AT A HIGH SCHOOL IN NEW JERSEY.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; STUDENT UNION
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Tale |
Date learned: 10-00-1963
THE POLISH FOLK DANCE HAS DEVELOPED RHYTHMS AND ARRANGEMENTS
ALL ITS OWN. THE BEST KNOWN POLISH FOLK DANCES ARE THE
KNAKOWIAK, OBEREK, MAZEU, AND THE ZBOJNICKI (DANCE OF THE
HIGHLANDER BRIGANDS). ALL OF THEM COMBINE SENTIMENT WITH
SWASHBUCKLING VERVE, CHIVALRY WITH MERRIMENT, AND FANTASY
WITH VIGOR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Dance |
OBJECT BELIEF
IF SOMEONE DROPS A KNIFE IT MEANS SOMEONE IS COMING TO DINNER.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 03-11-1972
PREDICTION
IF TWO PEOPLE USED THE SAME TOWEL AT THE SAME TIME TO WIPE THEIR
HANDS, IT WAS AN INDICATION THAT THEY WERE GOING TO HAVE A FIGHT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 09-22-1969
ZIPPED-UP
IT WAS A FORMAL TYPE DINNER AND ONE OF THE GUYS GOT UP
TO GO TO THE JOHN. AFTER HE RETURNED TO THE TABLE,
HE DISCOVERED THAT HE HADN'T ZIPPED UP HIS FLY. HE
LOOKED THE OTHER WAY AND VERY NONCHALANTLY ZIPPED
IT UP. EVERYTHING WAS OK UNTIL HE GOT UP TO LEAVE.
WHEN HE GOT UP AND STARTED TO WALK AWAY, THE TABLE
CLOTH WENT WITH HIM AND THE WHOLE TABLE WAS UPSET
ON THE FLOOR. HE HAD ZIPPED THE TABLE CLOTH INTO
HIS FLY.
Submitter comment:
JOHN TELLS THIS ONE AS ACTUALLY HAVING HAPPENED.
HIS FRIEND WAS THERE AT THE DINNER. IT HAPPENED IN
THE SUMMER OF 1959.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; STUDENT UNION
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Tale |
Date learned: 00-00-1963