RE:SEARCH logo
University of Detroit Mercy Libraries / Instructional Design Studio
UDM HOME BLACKBOARD MY UDMERCY
RESEARCH HOME / FIND / SPECIAL COLLECTIONS / THE JAMES T. CALLOW FOLKLORE ARCHIVE /
James Callow Folklore Archive

Collection Home

About Dr. James T. Callow

Dr. James T. Callow publications

Collectors

Browse by

Subject heading

Keyword

Location

Questions or comments on this site? Please email davidsor@udmercy.edu.

The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

search for

Content filter is on

Your search for 599 returned 720 results.

prev | items
| next

ITALIAN GESTURE AGAINST EVIL

A GESTURE TO RETURN EVIL TO ANOTHER IS TO PLACE THE
THUMB BETWEEN THE FIRST AND SECOND FINGERS OF THE
SAME HAND.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; CUSTOM ; EVIL ; EVIL EYE ; Eye ; Fingers ; GESTURE ; Prevent ; SUPERSTITION ; Ward

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Curse

Date learned: 12-00-1969

View just this record

IN GERMANY INSTEAD OF CROSSING FINGERS FOR GOOD LUCK,
THE PEOPLE HOLD THEIR THUMBS.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

James Callow comment:

CLENCHING FIST OVER THE THUMB OF THAT HAND.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Cross ; Crossing ; CUSTOM ; Finger ; Fingers ; Germany ; GESTURE ; LUCK ; SUPERSTITION ; Thumbs

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications
BELIEF -- Good luck P881.22

Date learned: 10-10-1968

View just this record

A FALLING STAR MEANS THAT SOMEONE IS SELLING HIS SOUL
TO THE DEVIL. IF YOU WISH TO SAVE THE SOUL, MAKE
THE SIGN OF THE CROSS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications

Date learned: 01-22-1970

View just this record

A VARIATION OF THE GARTER DANCE

IN A TYPICAL WEDDING RECEPTION THERE IS A GARTER DANCE WHERE
THE GROOM TAKES THE GARTER OFF THE BRIDE AND THROWS IT OVER
HIS SHOULDER TO ALL THE SINGLE MEN. THE BRIDE THEN TAKES
HER BOUQUET OF FLOWERS AND THROWS IT OVER HER SHOULDER TO
ALL THE SINGLE WOMEN. IT THEN FOLLOWS THAT THE MAN WHO CAUGHT
THE GARTER PUTS IT ON THE LEG OF THE WOMAN WHO CAUGHT THE
BOUQUET. THE VARIATION ON THIS IS THAT WHICHEVER LEG
THE MAN PUTS THE GARTER ON, MIKE TELLS THEM IT'S THE WRONG LEG
AND THAT THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE TO DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN ON THE
RIGHT LEG.
MIKE NIXON IS THE MEMBER OF A WEDDING BAND AND THIS IDEA
CAME TO HIM WHEN SOMEONE ASKED HIM AT ANOTHER WEDDING
WHICH LEG IS THE GARTER SUPPOSED TO GO ON? MIKE TOOK
ADVANTAGE OF THIS OPPORTUNITY FOR A LITTLE LIGHT-HEARTED
FUN AND NOW USES THIS VARIATION AT EVERY WEDDING HE PERFORMS AT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN ; WEDDING

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Reception

View just this record

If you sleep restlessly or are awakened in the middle of the
night, a spirit is trying to take away your soul. To get rid
of the spirit, turn your bedroom light on and off three times
and you will sleep sound the rest of the night.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Haunting ; LIGHT ; REMEDY ; SPIRIT ; SUPERNATURAL ; SUPERSTITION

Subject headings: Favorites
BELIEF -- Devil Demon
BELIEF -- Measure of time Sleeping

View just this record

Proverb

Tell me who you go with and I'll tell you what you are.

Submitter comment:

Informant heard her father say this in the year 1928.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

Keyword(s): Aphorism ; Apothegm ; CHARACTER ; FRIENDS ; Maxim ; PROVERB ; VERSE

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim

View just this record

Entry filtered.

WHAT DO YOU SAY TO A HITCHHIKER WITH NO LEGS? YOU WOULD
SAY, "NEED A LIFT!"

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

James Callow Keyword(s): SICK JOKE

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Tale

Date learned: 10-00-1983

View just this record

Entry filtered.

WHAT DO YOU SAY TO A ONELEGGED HITCH
HIKER? YOU WOULD SAY, "HOP IN!"

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote

Date learned: 10-00-1983

View just this record

Entry filtered.

WHAT DO YOU SAY TO A QUADRAPLEGIC IN A SWIMMING POOL?
YOU WOULD SAY, "HELLO BOB!"

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

James Callow Keyword(s): SICK JOKE

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote

Date learned: 10-00-1983

View just this record

Entry filtered.

A FAMILY HAD A BOY WITH NO LEGS, WHAT DID THEY CALL HIM?
THEY CALLED HIM NEAL.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

James Callow Keyword(s): KNEEL ; PUN ; SICK JOKE

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote

Date learned: 10-00-1983

View just this record

Entry filtered.

A FAMILY HAD A BABY WITH ONLY ONE LEG. WHAT DID
THEY CALL HER. ILENE!

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

James Callow Keyword(s): I LEAN ; PUN ; SICK JOKE

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote

Date learned: 10-00-1983

View just this record

Entry filtered.

WHY DID THEY STOP THE LEPER  HOCKEY GAME IN THE SECOND
HALF? BECAUSE THERE WAS A FACE OFF IN THE CORNER!

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

James Callow Keyword(s): PUN ; SICK JOKE

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote

Date learned: 10-00-1983

View just this record

Entry filtered.

WHAT DOES A JEWISH WOMAN MAKE FOR DINNER? SHE MAKES
RESERVATIONS!

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

James Callow Keyword(s): THE SO-CALLED JEWISH-AMERICAN PRINCESS WOULD AVOID WORK,

Subject headings: JEWI

Date learned: 10-00-1983

View just this record

Entry filtered.

WHAT'S A JEWISH DILEMMA? FREE HAM!

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

James Callow Keyword(s): BARGAIN ; CHEAP ; EATING TABU: PORK

Subject headings: JEWI

Date learned: 10-00-1983

View just this record

Entry filtered.

HOW DO YOU SAY SCREW YOU IN JEWISH? TRUST ME!

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

Subject headings: JEWI
SPEECH -- Formula

Date learned: 10-00-1983

View just this record

Entry filtered.

Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.

WHAT'S THE JEWISH DEFINITION OF FOREPLAY? AN HOUR OF
BEGGING

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

James Callow Keyword(s): SEX

Subject headings: JEWI

Date learned: 10-00-1983

View just this record

Entry filtered.

WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A JEW AND A PIZZA? A
PIZZA DOESN'T SCREAM WHEN YOU PUT IT INTO THE OVEN!

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

James Callow Keyword(s): HOLOCAUST

Subject headings: JEWI

Date learned: 10-00-1983

View just this record

Entry filtered.

Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.

HOW DO YOU GET A ONE-ARMED POLLOCK OUT OF A TREE? YOU
WAVE TO HIM!

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

James Callow Keyword(s): GESTURE

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Poli
SPEECH -- Gesture

Date learned: 10-00-1983

View just this record

Entry filtered.

Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.

WHAT DO YOU GET IF YOU CROSS A RETARDED APE WITH A POLLOCK?
A RETARDED APE!

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Poli

Date learned: 10-00-1983

View just this record

Entry filtered.

Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.

WHY DO POLLOCKS HAVE SUCH BEAUTIFUL NOSES? BECAUSE
THEY ARE HAND PICKED!

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Poli

Date learned: 10-00-1983

View just this record

prev | items
| next

University of Detroit Mercy
4001 W. McNichols Detroit , MI , 48221-3038
This site is endorsed by the University of Detroit Mercy (UDM) and supports the views, values, and mission of UDM. The University of Detroit Mercy web site provides links to other web sites, both public and private, for informational purposes. The inclusion of these links on UDM's site does not imply endorsement by the University. Please contact the Associate Dean for Technical Services and Library Systems for any questions regarding this web site.