Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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WHY DOGS HAVE WET NOSES
THE DOG HAS A WET NOSE BECAUSE HE WAS LATE BOARDING THE ARK AND
NOAH HAD NO PLACE TO KEEP HIM. THUS, FOR FORTY DAYS AND NIGHTS HE
HAD TO STAND ON DECK IN THE RAIN.
Where learned: DETROIT, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Characteristics of Animals BELIEF -- Number P686.1.40 |
Date learned: NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
HOW THE GIRAFFE GOT A LONG NECK
THE GIRAFFE USED TO HAVE A SHORT NECK LIKE A HORSE. GIRAFFES
STARTED EATING THE LEAVES OFF TREES AND AS THE LOWER LEAVES WERE
EATEN AWAY THEY HAD TO STRETCH TO REACH MORE. THIS MADE THEIR
NECKS LONGER UNTIL THEY REACHED THEIR PRESENT LENGTH.
Submitter comment: THIS, INTERESTINGLY, IS SIMILAR TO THE LAMARCHIAN THEORY OF EVOLUTIO
Where learned: DETROIT, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Characteristics of Animals |
Date learned: NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
LEGEND
ACCORDING TO AN INDIAN LEGEND, BECAUSE THE OWL KEPT HIS EYES OPEN
DURING A CREATION CEREMONY WHEN HE SHOULD HAVE KEPT THEM CLOSED
HE WAS TOLD THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO KEEP THEM CLOSED EXCEPT AT NIGHT
AND THAT HE COULD NO LONGER SEE HIS ANIMAL AND BIRD BROTHERS
DURING THE DAYTIME.
Where learned: DETROIT, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Creation and Order of Animal Life |
Date learned: NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
THE PERSON GREETS HIS FRIEND, THEN PUTS HIS HAND ON
THE PERSON'S BACK, SAYING: GUESS WHO'S BACK!
Where learned: HOME ; DETROIT, ASSUMED ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 00-00-1967
THE PERSON HOLDS HIS FRIEND BY THE ELBOW AND SAYS:
IS THIS JOINT OPEN?
Where learned: HOME ; DETROIT, ASSUMED ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 00-00-1967
RING
I RECEIVED A GOOD LUCK CHARM FROM MY MOTHER WHO
RECEIVED IT FROM HER MOTHER. IT'S A RING.
IT HAS A GOLD COLORED BAND WITH A SORT OF TREASURE
BOX ON TOP. INSIDE THE BOX IS A RUBY.
THIS CHARM DOES NOT BRING ME LUCK IN GAMES, RAFFLES
OR ANYTHING OF THAT SORT. BUT IT DOES MAKE ME HAPPY
AND LETS ME THINK OF CERTAIN THINGS. WHENEVER I WEAR
THIS RING, IT MAKES ME HAPPY AND I HAVE GAY MOODS.
I CALL IT A GOOD LUCK CHARM BECAUSE I AM LUCKY TO
HAVE IT AFTER ALL THESE YEARS.
Where learned: DETROIT, ASSUMED ; SAINT HYACINTH SCHOOL
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 02-16-1972
AFRICAN SUPERSTITIONS
IN AFRICA WHEN A PERSON DID SOMETHING WRONG, THEY
WOULD HAVE A CURSE PUT ON THEM.
THE TRIBE WOULD EITHER KILL OR BURN
THE PERSON AND THEIR HOUSE DOWN TO KILL THE CURSE.
Where learned: DETROIT, ASSUMED ; SAINT HYACINTH SCHOOL
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Curse |
INDIAN CORN SOUP
IN ORDER TO MAKE INDIAN CORN SOUP, ONE MUST FIRST
OBTAIN SOME INDIAN CORN STALKS. TAKE THE STALKS
AND PLACE THEM IN A PAN OVER A FIRE. THE HEAT
WILL CAUSE THE CORN KERNELS TO POP. TAKE THE POPPED
KERNELS AND WASH THEM FIRST IN ASHES AND THEN
IN LYE. REPEAT THIS PROCEDURE TWICE. AFTER COMPLETING
THE KERNEL WASHING, PLACE THE CORN IN A POT FILLED
WITH WATER, ADD SALT AND BRING THE MIXTURE TO A BOIL.
LET THE WATER BOIL FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES. THEN THE SOUP
SHOULD BE DONE.
Where learned: DETROIT, ASSUMED ; WORK ; J L HUDSONS ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Mixed preparation in liquid |
Date learned: 10-13-1969
KNOCK KNOCK JOKE
KNOCK KNOCK
WHO'S THERE?
DUKE
DUKE WHO?
DUKE THE BELLS A RINGING FOR HOLLY
Where learned: DETROIT, ASSUMED ; KEATING SCHOOL
Keyword(s): DECK THE HALLS WITH BOUGHS OF HOLLY (?) ; NAME
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 11-28-1967
FRIDAY THE THIRTEENTH IS A DAY WHEN EVERYTHING GOES WRONG.
Where learned: DETROIT, ASSUMED ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | 686 Specific number by specific number being described |
Date learned: 09-00-1968
PROVERB
IDLENESS IS THE MOTHER OF ALL VICES. TRANSLATION OF
L'OISIVETE EST LA MERE DE TOUS LES VICES.
EST LA MERE DE TOUS LES VICES.
Where learned: SCHOOL ; DETROIT, ASSUMED ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT, ASSUMED ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
FRANKENSTEIN
(NAME) IS A FRIEND OF MINE,
HE RESEMBLES FRANKENSTEIN.
WHEN HE DOES THE IRISH JIG,
HE LOOKS JUST LIKE PORKY PIG.
Where learned: DETROIT, ASSUMED ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): QUATRAIN INSULT DANCING-IRISH JIG ; RHYME: ABAB
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
POLISH CUSTOM
IT IS A CUSTOM, THAT A WEEK AFTER NEW YEAR'S DAY, THE INITIALS OF THE
THREE BIBLICAL KINGS ARE SCRAWLED IN CHALK ON THE DOORS. THE HOMES
THAT ARE MARKED ARE SUPPOSED TO BE PROTECTED AGAINST MISFORTUNE FOR A
YEAR.
Where learned: DETROIT, ASSUMED ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): EPIPHANY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany January 6 |
Date learned: 12-01-1967
CURES
MRS. BOLCEN TOLD ME OF THE HOME MADE CURES HER MOTHER HAD.
SHE TOLD ME OF THE TIME THAT SHE CURED SCARLET FEVER BY MAKING THE
CHILDREN SOAK IN HOT WATER AND MUSTARD.
SHE ALSO CURED BOILS BY PUTTING BREAD AND MILK POULTICES ON THEM.
TO CURE BURNS SHE PUT COLD TEA ON THEM.
Submitter comment: SHE LEARNED THIS FROM HER MOTHER WHEN SHE WAS A CHILD.
Data entry tech comment: COLLECTOR'S SPELLING CORRECTED BY KEYPUNCHER.
Where learned: DETROIT, ASSUMED ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; BRASS RAIL CHOP HOUSE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
HOLLANDER JOKE
HEAR ABOUT THE MAN IN FLORIDA WHO WANTED FLAMINGOES
IN FRONT OF HIS HOTEL?
HE PAINTED SOME HOLLANDERS PINK AND PLANTED
THEM IN HIS FRONT YARD.
Where learned: DETROIT, ASSUMED ; RATHSKELLER
Keyword(s): BIRDS ; DUTCH ; ETHNIC
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Blason Populaire RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 10-10-1967
Entry filtered.
Entry filtered.
HOPE DEFERRED MAKETH THE HEART SAD.
Where learned: DETROIT, ASSUMED ; MACKENZIE HIGH SCHOOL
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 10-12-1965
MIRACLE IN ROME
IN A CATHEDRAL IN ROME THERE WAS A PRIEST, WHO WAS NOT A FIRM
BELIEVER SAYING MASS. WHEN HE SPLIT THE HOST SOME BLOOD SPILLED
FROM IT ON TO THE CORPOREAL ON THE ALTAR. EVERY YEAR ON GOOD FRIDAY
THE BLOOD LIQUIFIES.
Where learned: HOME ; DETROIT, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | 663 Good Friday Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero BELIEF -- Body part Senses |
Date learned: 11-23-1968
KNOWLEDGE BUMP
AS THE BARBER WAS CUTTING MY HAIR HE NOTICED THAT I HAVE
A NATURAL BUMP ON THE LOWER BACK PART OF MY SKULL.
WHEN HE NOTICED THIS HE COMMENTED THAT I HAVE A "KNOWLEDGE BUMP".
Where learned: DETROIT, ASSUMED ; BARBER SHOP ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Head, physiognomy, face |
Date learned: 09-18-1969