Dr. James T. Callow publications
Browse by
Questions or comments on this site? Please email davidsor@udmercy.edu.
The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for 5909 returned 113 results.
HIGH SCHOOL CUSTOM
ALTHOUGH NOT SERIOUSLY BELIEVED, IT WAS HELD AT ST.
PATRICK'S HIGH SCHOOL IN WYANDOTTE (MICHIGAN)
AND MANY OTHER SCHOOLS AROUND THE COUNTRY, THAT
A STUDENT WHO WORE GREEN AND YELLOW IN COMBINATION
WAS HOMOSEXUAL. IF HE WORE THIS ON A THURSDAY, IT
WAS TWICE AS BAD; FOR THURSDAYS WERE UNOFFICIALLY
LABELLED "QUEER'S DAY."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- School BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour |
Date learned: 00-00-1958
SCHOOL FAD
BLUE SILK JACKETS ARE VERY POPULAR IN THE PUBLIC
SCHOOLS, ESPECIALLY JR. HIGH AND HIGH SCHOOLS OF
WYANDOTE. BOYS AND GIRLS ALIKE WEAR THEM, ALMOST AS
A UNIFORM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School |
Date learned: 10-23-1969
HIGH SCHOOL TABOOS
THE "CIRCLE PIN" IS A SMALL GOLD PIN IN THE SHAPE OF
A CIRCLE, WITH THE CENTER HOLLOW. IT IS SUPPOSED
TO MEAN, IF WORN, THAT THE GIRL WHO WEARS IT IS A
VIRGIN. IF THE PIN HAS ANY IDENTATIONS IN IT, THEN
THE WEARER IS NOT A VIRGIN. THEREFORE, CIRCLE PINS
WITH NITCHES OR INDENTATIONS IN THEM ARE NOT WORN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School |
Date learned: 10-03-1969
JOKE TOLD AS TRUE
A MAN COULDN'T FIND A CLEAN JUG, SO HE TOOK HIS WIFE'S
BEST VASE DOWN TO THE WINE CELLAR. AS HE HIT THE SECOND
STAIR, HE SLIPPED AND TUMBLED ALL THE REST OF THE WAY
DOWN. HIS WIFE HEARD ALL THIS COMMOTION AND CAME TO THE
HEAD OF THE STAIRS. APPARENTLY UNCONCERNED ABOUT HER
HUSBAND, SHE SHOUTED, "DID YOU BREAK MY VASE?"
INFURIATED, THE HUSBAND REPLIED, "NO, BUT BY GOD, I WILL."
Submitter comment:
THIS JOKE APPEARS ON P. 225 OF AMERICAN FOLK TALES AND SONGS
BY RICHARD CHASE. THE AUTHOR REPORTS THAT HE HEARD IT
"FROM HIS GRANDMOTHER, WHO READ IT IN A BOOK OF RHYMES."
MY MOTHER, HOWEVER, INSISTS THAT THIS ACTUALLY HAPPENED
IN THE 1880S TO CHARLES ESTERBROOK OF THE ESTERBROOK
PEN COMPANY FAMILY. MRS. ESTERBROOK WAS THE AUNT OF MY
MOTHER'S FIRST COUSIN, BEN ELLIS, OF PADUCAH, KENTUCKY.
THE INCIDENT IS SUPPOSED TO HAVE TAKEN PLACE AT THE
ESTERBROOK HOME IN MILAN, MICHIGAN, ON A DAY WHEN MRS.
ESTERBROOK WAS ENTERTAINING THE METHODIST LADIES' SEWING
CIRCLE. MY MOTHER ADDS THAT THE ITEM WAS LATER PRINTED
IN THE DETROIT JOURNAL BY IRVING S. COBB, A COLUMNIST.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Married couple |
Date learned: 10-00-1963
JOKE TOLD AS TRUE
MY FATHER WAS SENT TO REPRESENT OUR FAMILY AT THE WAKE
FOR SIMON "SHINNY" CURRAN WHEN HE DIED IN 1932.
THREE OF SHINNY'S FRIENDS--ANGELO AND NICK PATRICK AND
MORRIS RILEY--BROUGHT SOME OF THEIR HOME BREW AND
OFFERED IT TO THE CORPSE. WHEN, OF COURSE, THE BODY
DID NOT RESPOND, THEY SAID, "SHINNY MUST REALLY BE
DEAD, IF HE WON'T TAKE OUR LIQUOR!"
Submitter comment:
I HAVE HEARD THIS STORY AS A JOKE. MY AUNT, THE
INFORMANT, TOLD IT AS ACTUALLY HAVING HAPPENED IN HER
HOME TOWN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Stupid man or woman |
Date learned: 10-00-1963
JOKE TOLD AS TRUE
SEVERAL YEARS AGO, ON THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL AT ST.
MICHAELS'S PARISH IN GREENVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA, MRS. MOROVEY
ASKED EACH OF HER PUPILS TO GIVE HIS NAME. ONE BOY
ANNOUNCED THAT HIS NAME WAS D. JONES.
"AND WHAT DOES THE D STAND FOR?"
"IT STANDS FOR DAMMIT."
AFTER MRS. MOROVEY HAD RECOVERED FROM THE SHOCK OF THE
BOY'S NAME, SHE RESUMED HER CLASS. LATER THAT DAY,
FATHER KEATING, THE PASTOR, VISITED THE CLASSROOM.
ANXIOUS TO MAKE AN IMPRESSION, MRS. MOROVEY CALLED
ON SEVERAL OF HER BRIGHTEST PUPILS TO RECITE. FINALLY,
SHE CALLED ON THE JONES BOY, WHO STAMMERED FOR A FEW
SECONDS AND THEN GAVE THE WRONG ANSWER. "NOW,
DAMMIT, THAT'S SIMPLE. DON'T YOU KNOW THE ANSWER?"
"HELL, MRS. MOROVEY," GROWLED FATHER KEATING, "GIVE
HIM A CHANCE."
Submitter comment:
THIS STORY EXISTS IN THE FORM OF A JOKE, HOWEVER, MY
AUNT CLAIMS THAT IT ACTUALLY OCCURRED IN HER PARISH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 10-00-1963
RHYME
KAREN ANNIE, SAT ON HER FANNY,
ATE A BANNANIE,
AND PLAYED THE PIANIE.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS A LITTLE REMARK THAT MY FATHER ALWAYS SAID TO MY SISTER
WHEN SHE WAS YOUNG.
Data entry tech comment:
BY PROFESSOR CALLOW
WHEN ASKED IF INFORMANT'S SISTER'S MIDDLE NAME WAS ANNIE,
COLLECTOR SAID YES
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE
James Callow Keyword(s): SLANG FOR BANANA, PIANI, BUTTOCKS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Speech C870.582 |
Date learned: 10-21-1969
PREDICTION DIVINATION
IF YOU WHISTLE THROUGH A KEY HOLE, A DEVIL WILL COME.
IF YOU PEEK THROUGH A KEY HOLE, YOU WILL SEE A DEVIL.
IN ORDER TO WARD OFF NIGHTMARES, LEAVE A KEY IN THE KEYHOLE.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS COLLECTED 04121967 FROM MY SISTER. SHE HEARD IT
FROM HER CLASSMATES; SHE IS IN JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Devil Demon |
Date learned: 04-12-1967
I SEE SAID THE BLIND MAN, AS HE PICKED UP THE HAMMER AND SAW
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE
James Callow Keyword(s): PUN
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Wellerism Quotation |
Date learned: 01-00-1979
BAD LUCK
DON'T BUY BROOMS IN AUGUST. IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment: I THINK THAT THIS IS A VERY CRAZY BELIEF.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- August BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 00-00-1978
CURE
CURE FOR HICCUPS: SWALLOW A TEASPOON OF SUGAR, FOLLOWED BY SOME
WATER AND THEY WILL GO AWAY.
Submitter comment:
I THINK THAT THIS IS A VERY VALID CURE, BECAUSE WHEN I WAS YOUNGER
MY MOTHER USED TO GIVE THIS TO ME AND IT WORKED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Remedy BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 00001960'S
CURE
PUT RAW BACON ON A SPLINTER, TO TAKE OUT INFECTION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Remedy |
METHOD OF CURING WITH GOOSE GREASE
TAKE THE GREASE FROM A COOKED GOOSE AND RUB IT ON YOUR CHEST TO CURE A COLD
I DO NOT KWOW IF THIS WORKS, BUT I HAVE HEARD IT FROM A LOT OF
PEOPLE.
Submitter comment:
NONE
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Animal |
Date learned: 00-00-1974
PRAYER, VERSE CRUCIAL MOMENT OF LIFE.
THANK THE LORD FOR A GIRL SO FINE,
YOU GAVE TO ME TO CALL HER MINE,.
NOW SHE'S GONE, SHE'S NEAR HER THRONE,
AND SHE'LL WAIT TILL I COME HOME.
CHORUS: LORD I LOVE HER, LORD I CRY,
LORD I MISS HER, TILL THE DAY I DIE.
ON THIS EARTH I'LL WORK AND PRAY
TILL GOD COMES AND TAKES ME AWAY,
UP TO HEAVEN HIGH IN THE SKY,
THE PLACE THAT YOU RESERVE FOR YOU AND I } }
CHORUS: LORD I LOVE HER, LORD I CRY,
LORD I MISS HER, TILL THE DAY I DIE.
Submitter comment:
THIS HAS TO DO WITH MANY CRUCIAL MOMENTS OF LIFE FROM BIRTH TO DEATH
I FEEL THAT THIS IS A VERY MOVING AND BEATIFUL VERSE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE
James Callow Keyword(s): RYME PROMPTS WRONG CASE: FOR YOU AND I
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Custom Festival C840.546 Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 04-00-1979
BELIEF ABOUT A BODY PART
IF YOUR RIGHT HAND ITCHES, YOU ARE GOING TO SHAKE HANDS WITH A
STRANGER. IF YOUR LEFT HAND ITCHES, YUO WILL RECEIVE MONEY.
Submitter comment: I DO NOT KNOW HOW TRUE THIS IS BUT A LOT OF MY FRIENDS BELIEVE IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Sensations and involuntary actions Itching hands and feet |
Date learned: 04-00-1979
NEW YEAR'S DAY
HOLDING A SILVER DOLLAR IN YOUR HAND AND EATING A HERRING TO WELCOME
IN THE NEW YEAR, MEANS THAT YOU WILL NEVER BE BROKE OR HUNGRY.
Submitter comment: IF YOU DO NOT LIKE HERRING, THEN YOU ARE OUT OF LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE
James Callow Keyword(s): COIN MONEY ; HOMEOPATHIC
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals BELIEF -- Mineral |
Date learned: 00-00-1978
NEW YEAR'S DAY
PUT SILVER IN THE SINKS, AND COPPER ON ALL THE WINDOW SILLS, FOR
GOOD LUCK ON NEW YEAR'S EVE, SO THAT YOU WILL NEVER BE BROKE.
Submitter comment: THIS IS A VERY INTERESTING BELIEF, AND IT IS DONE BY MANY RACES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE
James Callow Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve BELIEF -- Mineral |
NEW YEAR'S DAY
ON NEW YEAR'S DAY THE FIRST PERSON TO STEP INTO THE HOUSE IS CALLED
THE "FIRST FOOTER, AND THEY BRING A PIECE OF COAL WITH THEM TO
BRING GOOD LUCK TO THE HOUSEHOLD.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS VERY SIMILAR TO THE ITEM ABOVE, THEY ARE BOTH FROM SCOTLAND
AND, I BELIEVE THAT ONE HAS ITS ROOTS IN THE OTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 03-00-1979
NEW YEAR'S DAY
ON NEW YEAR'S DAY IN SCOTLAND THE FIRST FOOT TO CROSS THE DOOR
USUALLY BRINGS A PIECE OF COAL, A PIECE OF BREAD, AND A BOTTLE OF
WHISKEY. THE COAL SYMBOLIZES WARMTH, THE BREAD SYMBOLIZES HAVING
FOOD IN THE HOUSE, AND THE WHISKEY SYMBOLIZES HAVING GOOD CHEER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's |
Date learned: 00-00-1978
HOLY THURSDAY, HOLY WEEK CUSTOMS
PILGRIMAGE TO THE CHURCHES: ON HOLY THURSDAY IN THE EVENING EVERYBODY
WALKS TO EACH OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCHES IN THE AREA, THE CHURCHES ARE
DECORATED FOR THE COMING OF CHRIST. PRAYERS AND/OR A ROSARY ARE SAID
AT EACH CHURCH.
Submitter comment:
THEIR FAMILY HAS DONE THIS FOR MANY YEARS IN WYANDOTTE, SOUTHGATE,
AND DETROIT, MICHIGAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE
| Subject headings: | 663 Holy Thursday |
Date learned: 04-00-1979