Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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IF A PERSON HANDLES TOADS HE WILL GET WARTS AND TO GET RID
OF THEM YOU RUB A FRESHLY CUT POTATO ON THEM.
Submitter comment: LEARNED IT FROM HIS FAMILY TRADITION.
Where learned: ONTARIO ; TOP HAT SUPPER CLUB ; WINDSOR ; CANADA, ASSUMED
James Callow Keyword(s): TRANSFER
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
You can't play any form of cards because the devil is hidden
in cards.
Submitter comment:
This is a superstition her grandfather told her and he was a
strict Christian of the Trinity College. Her other
grandfather who was not of the strict Christian background
taught them to play everything from solitaire to poker.
Where learned: CANADA ; ONTARIO
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 00-00-1929
Prior to 1951, at weddings they used fruitcake for a wedding
cake and wrapped pieces in cellophane, then wrapped in a
a doily. The couple then visited each individual guest and
gave them a piece of cake with a note that said thank you for
sharing in this joyous occasion or something to that effect.
Submitter comment:
The informant did not know if this was still practiced, but at
the last wedding she attended they did not do this.
Where learned: CANADA ; ONTARIO
Keyword(s): GIFT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Date learned: 00-00-1951
Whatever door you enter from that is the same door you must
exit through so you don't leave any bad luck behind.
Where learned: CANADA ; ONTARIO
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Home BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 00-00-1929
Don't begin anything on a Friday because it will never be
finished.
Where learned: CANADA ; ONTARIO
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour |
Date learned: 00-00-1929
Never say goodbye, it is too final.
Where learned: CANADA ; ONTARIO
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 00-00-1929
Dorothy's mom taught her how to crochet Christmas ornaments.
First, they crochet the ornaments and then put them into sugar
water to hold a desired shape. Then they put a ribbon on
the top of the ornament and hang it on the Christmas Tree.
The process of crocheting take hours to complete a beautiful
ornament.
Submitter comment: The material that is crocheted is thin yarn.
Where learned: CANADA ; ONTARIO
Dorothy's mom taught her how to make Ukrainian Easter
Eggs many years ago. First, they put a hole on each
end of the egg and blow the contents out. They then
put beeswax on the egg carving out only the areas
they want to be dyed a certain color. They continue
this process until the egg has been dipped into every
color they want until the egg is completed.
Where learned: CANADA ; ONTARIO
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter eggs |
COUNTING OUT
IP, DIP, DIP,
MY LITTLE SHIP,
SAILING ON THE WATER
LIKE A CUP AND SAUCER,
BUT YOU ARE NOT ON IT.
THE PERSON WHOSE FOOT IS CHOSEN IS NOT IT. THE LAST
PERSON LEFT IS IT.
Where learned: CANADA ; ONTARIO ; OAKVILLE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
I HAD AN AUNT NELLIE
WHO HAD A WOODEN BELLIE
AND WHEN SHE TOUCHED IT,
OUT POPPED JELLY.
Where learned: CANADA ; ONTARIO ; OAKVILLE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Body part Senses Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse BELIEF -- Body part Senses |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
CHILDREN'S VERSE
STARE, STARE, LIKE A BEAR,
CALL YOUR MOTHER "GINGER HAIR,"
CHASE YOUR FATHER ROUND A CHAIR,
LIKE A SAUSAGE IN THE AIR.
Where learned: CANADA ; ONTARIO ; OAKVILLE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
POLICEMAN, POLICEMAN, DON'T CATCH ME,
CATCH THAT BOY BEHIND THAT TREE.
HE STOLE SUGAR AND I STOLE TEA.
POLICEMAN, POLICEMAN, DON'T CATCH ME.
Where learned: CANADA ; ONTARIO ; OAKVILLE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
CHILDREN'S RHYME
MOTHER, MOTHER, NELLY, NELLY,
MAKE A CAKE TO FILL MY BELLY.
Where learned: CANADA ; ONTARIO ; OAKVILLE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
SCHOOL RHYME
LATIN IS A SUBJECT
THAT NO ONE ENJOYS;
IT KILLED THE ANCIENT ROMANS,
AND NOW IT'S KILLING BOYS.
Where learned: CANADA ; ONTARIO ; OAKVILLE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
SCHOOL RHYME
DETENTION, DETENTION, DETENTION,
I'VE FORGOTTEN MY LATIN DECLENSION.
THE SECOND OR THE FIRST?
THE THIRD IS THE WORST.
DETENTION, DETENTION, DETENTION.
Where learned: CANADA ; ONTARIO ; OAKVILLE
Keyword(s): PUNISHMENT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
PASTIME-GAME-CUSTOM
IN THE LATTER PART OF THE 19TH CENTURY, A UNIQUE FORM
OF ENTERTAINMENT WAS STAGED BY THE PEOPLE OF PT. BRUCE,
ONTARIO, A SMALL FISHING VILLAGE ON THE NORTH SHORE OF
LAKE ERIE. AT THAT TIME, LARGE FRESH WATER STURGEON WERE
CAUGHT IN THE GREAT LAKES. THESE FISH OFTEN EXCEEDED
100 LBS. IN WEIGHT AND ONE RECORD FISH WEIGHING 192 LBS.
WAS CAUGHT. THIS FISH WAS SUPPOSEDLY THE LARGEST EVER
CAUGHT.
PRIOR TO MARKETING, THESE FISH WOULD BE CONFINED IN A
BAY ON THE RIVERSIDE NEAR THE MOUTH OF THE HARBOR.
THE WATER IN THIS BAY AREA WAS ABOUT THREE FEET DEEP AND
THE FISH WERE HELD BY A COMMON LIVESTOCK FENCE
STRETCHED ACROSS THE SHALLOW WATER.
IT WAS THE CUSTOM ON NATIONAL HOLIDAYS TO HAVE A FISH
WRESTLE, THIS SPORT COMPARED TO "CATCHING THE GREASED
PIG" AMUSEMENTS IN OTHER PIONEER SETTLEMENTS. THE
PURPOSE OF THIS GAME WAS TO SEE WHICH OF THE STALWART
YOUNG MEN OF THE VILLAGE COULD THROW ONE OF THESE
FISH OUT OF THE WATER. SINCE THE FISH WAS SLIPPERY
AND IN ITS OWN ELEMENT, THIS FEAT WAS RARELY ACHIEVED.
THE STURGEON DOES NOT BITE, BUT IT DOES SHOW ANGER AND
WOULD BUTT AND KNOCK THE MEN OFF THEIR FEET.
THIS GAME SEEMED TO BE UNIQUE TO PORT BRUCE AND
OCCURRED IN THE BAY AREA ON THE RIVER DIRECTLY ACROSS
FROM THE OLD HOTEL--LATER NAMED THE ROCABONE INN (?).
THE FISH WERE SUPPLIED BY THE FISHERY OF LEVI YOUNG
OR THE SMALE BROTHERS.
Data entry tech comment: PHOTOGRAPH OF SITE OF FISH-WRESTLE ON 5 X 8 CARD.
Where learned: CANADA ; ONTARIO ; PORT BRUCE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 11-07-1968
RIDDLE {SICK HUMOR}
QUESTION: WHY DO THEY BOIL WATER WHEN SOMEBODY HAS A BABY?
ANSWER: SO IF IT DIES, THEY CAN MAKE SOUP.
Where learned: CANADA ; ONTARIO ; TORONTO
James Callow Keyword(s): CANNIBALISM
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 00001971 (SUMMER)
SPIDER IS A SIGN OF BAD OMEN AMONG THE YORUBA'S TRIBE.
IF A PERSON IS SLEEPING, AND THERE IS A SPIDER BY THE BEDSIDE OF THE
FELLOW, HE WILL HAVE A NIGHTMARE.THUS, PEOPLE MAKE SURE THAT THERE
IS NO SPIDER AROUND BEFORE THEY SLEEP.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT LOOKED SERIOUS WHEN NARRATING THE ITEM.
Where learned: ONTARIO ; GUELPH
| Subject headings: | Spirit / Mind / Body BELIEF -- Insect BELIEF -- Measure of time Sleeping |
Date learned: 00-00-1983
PROVERB
ANYONE WHO HAS IVY GROWING IN THEIR HOMES, HARBORS THE EVIL SPIRIT.
Submitter comment: THIS IS AN OLD IRISH SAYING.
Where learned: ONTARIO ; TORONTO
Keyword(s): PLANT ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Devil Demon PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN