Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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PROVERB
MAKE HAY WHILE THE SUN IS SHINING
Submitter comment:
I HEARD THIS SAYING MANY TIMES FROM MY MOTHER WIHLE I WAS GROWING UP
IT MEANS TO ACT NOW WHILE YOU HAVE THE CHANCE. REFERENCE IS TO
FARMERS WHO MUST WORK IN THE FIELDS WHILE THE SUN IS STILL UP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 03-00-1982
GAME
THIS GAME IS AN ADAPTATION OF THE GAME OF FOOTBALL, PLAYED ON A
TABLE OR DESK WITH A PIECE OF PAPER FOLDED SEVERAL TIMES TO MAKE A
RIGHT TRIANGLE SHAPE, WITH THE SIDES ABOUT TWO INCHES LONG. THE
'FOOTBALL' IS PUSHED ALONG THE SURFACE OF THE TABLE BY HITTING IT
WITH THE PLAYER'S HAND, EACH PLAYER HITTING IT ONCE AT A TIME IN
ROTATION. A TOUCHDOWN IS SCORED BY HAVING THE FOOLTBALL HANG OVER
THE OPPOSITE EDGE WITHOUT FALLING OFF. A FIELD GOAL MAY BE ATTEMPTED
AFTER AN OPPONENT KNOCKS THE BALL OFF THE TABLE THREE TIMES WITHOUT
EITHER PLAYER SCORING. FIELD GOALS OR EXTRA POINTS ARE MADE BY
KNOCKING THE BALL THROUGH THE UP-RAISED HANDS OF THE OPPONENT. I
LEARNED THIS GAME WHILE I WAS IN GRADE SCHOOL AND HAVE FOUND PEOPLE
WHO ARE FAMILIAR WITH IT AT PLACES I'VE WORKED AND AT THE UNIVERSITY
OF DETROIT CAMPUS. I HAVE PLAYED IT DURING LUNCH PERIOD AND STUDY
HALL IN HIGH SCHOOL, DURING LUNCH BREAK AT WORK, AND AT THE U-D
RATHSKELLAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: CA00001973
HORSE
HORSE IS A GAME PLAYED WITH A BASKETBALL AND HOOP BY TWO OR MORE
PERSONS. EACH PERSON TAKES A SHOT IN ROTATION FROM ANYWHERE ON THE
COURT. IF A PERSON MAKES HIS SHOT, EACH SUCCEEDING PLAYER MUST MAKE
THE SAME TYPE OF SHOT FROM THE SAME POSITION UNTIL SOMEONE MISSES OR
THE ROTATION COMES BACK TO THE ORIGINAL SHOTMAKER. IF A PLAYER
MISSES A FOLLOWUP SHOT, HE IS ASSIGNED A LETTER FROM THE WORD HORSE,
FIRST AN 'H', THEN AN 'O', ETC., UNTIL THE PLAYER MISSES FIVE SHOTS
TO SPELL OUT THE WORD HORSE, WHEREUPON HE IS OUT OF THE GAME. THE
LAST REMAINING PLAYER WINS THE GAME. THIS WAS A POPULAR GAME I
LEARNED WHILE I WAS GROWING UP, AND WAS PLAYED IN BACKYARDS, AND
SCHOOL GYMS, AND ON PLAYGROUNDS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: CA00001967
DETERMINING SEX OF UNBORN CHILD.
IF PREGNANT WOMAN SLEEPS ON HER LEFT SIDE, SHE WILL
HAVE A BOY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Date learned: 00-00-1965
TELEPHONE CATCHES
I ONCE HEARD OF A COUPLE OF KIDS WHO WOULD CALL THEIR
LOCAL GROCERY STORE AND CARRY ON THE FOLLOWING
CONVERSATION:
THEY WOULD FIRST SAY, "I'D LIKE TO REGISTER A COMPLAINT
ON ONE OF YOUR PRODUCTS I BOUGHT THE OTHER DAY."
WHEN THE STORE MANAGER OR WHOEVER ANSWERED THE PHONE
ASKED WHICH PRODUCT THEY WERE COMPLAINING ABOUT, THEY
WOULD ANSWER, "YOUR CHICKEN ASSEMBLY KIT," AND HANG
UP THE PHONE LAUGHING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 03-27-1971
THE LIGHT BULB
THE FOREMAN WALKS INTO HIS SHOP TO SUPERVISE HIS MEN.
HE SPOTS A MAN HANGING UPSIDE DOWN FROM ONE OF THE
CEILING BEAMS. HE SAYS, "HEY, WHAT ARE YOU DOING UP
THERE WHEN YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE WORKING?" THE REPLY:
"I'M A LIGHT BULB!" FOREMAN: "YOU'RE FIRED!"
THE MAN LEAVES AND THEN THE FOREMAN SEES ANOTHER
WORKER, THE ONE WHO WORKED BESIDE THE ONE CLAIMING TO
BE A LIGHT BULB, AND SAYS: "WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU'RE
GOING?" REPLY: "IF YOU THINK I'M WORKING IN THE DARK,
YOU'RE CRAZY!"
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Stupid man or woman |
Date learned: 11-00-1968
HOLE IN BREAD
IF THERE IS A HOLE IN FRESHLY BAKED, HOME-MADE BREAD, IT IS A
SIGN THAT SOMEONE IS GOING TO DIE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 00-00-1954
THE WAY YOU ACT ON YOUR BIRTHDAY IS THE WAY
YOU WILL BEHAVE FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
Keyword(s): FUNTION
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. Observation CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Private birthday or anniversary BELIEF -- Measure of time Year |
SUPERSTITION OR OMEN
IF YOU DROP A FORK, YOU WILL HAVE A MAN VISITOR. IF YOU DROP A SPOON
YOU WILL HAVE A WOMAN VISITOR. IF YOU
DROP A KNIFE, A STRANGER WILL COME
TO YOUR DOOR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 12-00-1969
SUPERSTITION
SEE A CROW IN THE MORNING, MOURN BEFORE NIGHT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 12-00-1969
GOOD FRIDAY
FROM 12 NOON UNTIL 3 P.M. ON GOOD FRIDAY, ONE MAY NOT TALK OR
AMUSE ONESELF. RATHER, IN MEMORY OF THE CRUCIFICTION ( CRUCIFIXION )
ONE MUST ENGAGE IN SILENT MEDITATION AND PENANCE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
| Subject headings: | 663 Good Friday |
Date learned: 00-00-1970
12001969
PALEFACE '(S) BARE FEET SHOULD NEVER TOUCH GROUND.
Submitter comment: A CANADIAN INDIAN PROVERB TOLD TO INFORMANT WHEN SHE WAS A CHILD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: NEGATIVE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Feet, toes, toenails PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
IF YOU FORGET WHAT DAY IT IS, YOU WILL LOSE A FRIEND.
IF YOU ADD A DAY, YOU WILL GAIN A FRIEND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Measure of time |
Date learned: 02-14-1970
IF YOUR NOSE ITCHES, YOU ARE GOING TO KISS A FOOL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Sensations and involuntary actions Itching nose |
Date learned: 00-00-1955
IF YOU DROP A DISH RAG, SOMEONE IS COMING WHO IS
DIRTIER THAN YOU.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 02-14-1970
JUMP-ROPE RHYMES
MABEL, MABEL,
SET THE TABLE
DON'T FORGET THE SALT AND PEPPER.
Submitter comment:
THE ONES HOLDING ONTO THE ENDS OF THE ROPE START TWIRLING IT AS FAST AS POSSIBLE.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector are the same person.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: NOT RECORDED
TELEPHONE CATCHES
MY GIRLFRIEND AND I USED TO PLAY TRICKS ON PEOPLE AND
CALL UP ON THE PHONE AND ASK, "IS YOUR REFRIGERATOR
RUNNING?" WHEN SOMEONE WOULD ANSWER OR GRUNT, WE'D
THEN ADD, "YOU'D BETTER CATCH IT!"
Where learned: MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; SAGINAW
James Callow Keyword(s): FORMULA SPEECH
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 03-27-1971
DOWN BY THE RIVER
DOWN BY THE RIVER
DOWN BY THE SEA
JOHNNY BROKE A MILK BOTTLE
BLAMED IT ON ME.
I TOLD MA
MA TOLD PA
JOHNNY GOT A LICKIN,
SO HA, HA, HA
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
Keyword(s): INITAL ITERATION ; JUMP ROPE RHYME ; RHYME: ABCB
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1957
Proverb
You can't see the forest for the trees.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Located in pile marked Duplicates and Other Rejects
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
Keyword(s): BLIND ; Forest ; Outlook ; Proximity ; TREES
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase |
THE WORMS CRAWL IN
YOU SHOULD NEVER LAUGH AS THE HEARSE GOES BY
'CAUSE YOU MIGHT BE THE NEXT TO DIE.
THEY'LL PUT YOU IN A WOODEN BOX
AND COVER YOU UP WITH DIRT AND ROCKS.
ALL GOES FINE FOR ABOUT ONE WEEK
AND THEN THE COFFIN BEGINS TO LEAK.
THE WORMS CRAWL IN, THE WORMS CRAWL OUT,
THE WORMS PLAY PEANUCKLE ON YOUR SNOUT.
YOUR INSIDES TURN A SLIMY GREEN
AND PUSS FLOWS OUT JUST LIKE WHIPPED CREAM.
THE WORMS CRAWL IN, THE WORMS CRAWL OUT,
THE WORMS PLAY PEANUCKLE ON YOUR SNOUT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GRADE SCHOOL ; SAGINAW
Keyword(s): DECAY OF BODY AFTER DEATH ; GORE, GOTHIC HORROR ; PINOCHLE, A CARD GAME
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Death Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children BELIEF -- Insect |
Date learned: 00-00-1958