Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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ANOTHER TRICK USED BY THE PETTY OFFICERS ON BOARD SHIP
TO HARASS YOUNG RECRUITS WAS TO PERIODICALLY SEND THESE
YOUNG MEN TO THE CAPTAIN OF THE DAY TO REQUEST THE
KEYS FOR JET 27, FOR EXAMPLE. THERE ARE NO KEYS TO
JET ENGINES, AND THIS IS DONE TRADITIONALLY TO RIDE
THESE YOUNG KIDS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALMA
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 03-09-1970
IT IS A TRADITIONAL PRACTICE FOR A SEASONED OFFICER
TO TELL A "BOOT" THAT HE HAS BEEN PICKED FOR "MAIL BUOY
WATCH" FOR A CERTAIN EVENING. THE OFFICER THEN GIVES
HIM A LIFE JACKET, A PAIR OF BINOCULARS, A FLASHLIGHT,
AND A LARGE WHISTLE. HE IS THEN SENT TO THE "CROW'S
NEXT" WHERE HE MUST STAY UNTIL 6:00 THE FOLLOWING
MORNING, OR UNTIL HE SPOTS THE "MAIL BUOY." HE IS TOLD
TO LOOK FOR A SUBMARINE, WHICH WILL SURFACE HALFWAYS
AND SEND UP A MAIL BUOY. HE IS TO BLOW THE WHISTLE
AS SOON AS HE SIGHTS THIS. OBVIOUSLY, NOTHING LIKE
THIS EXISTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALMA
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 03-09-1970
WHEN NEW "BOOTS" WERE SENT ON BOARD SHIP, IT WAS A
REGULAR CUSTOM AMONG THE PETTY OFFICERS TO HARASS
THEM. ONE TRADITIONAL SOURCE OF AGGRAVATION AROSE
WHEN THE "BOOTS" WERE SENT TO THE STORE ROOM FOR
"AFTER-BURNER FLINT," TO START THE JET ENGINES.
OBVIOUSLY, NO FLINTS ARE NECESSARY TO START JET
ENGINES, BUT INVARIABLY THESE YOUNG "BOOTCAMPS"
WOULD FALL FOR THIS TRICK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALMA
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 03-09-1970
NEW WORKERS ARE FREQUENTLY SENT BACK TO THE SUPPLY
ROOMS FOR NEW TOOLS AFTER BEING INFORMED BY FOREMEN
OR OTHER JOKERS THAT THEY HAVE BEEN SUPPLIED WITH
"LEFT HANDED HAMMERS, SCREW DRIVERS, ETC.) (FROM
FACTORY OF DETROITER MOBILE HOMES, ST. LOUIS, MICHIGAN).
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALMA
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 03-09-1970
TWO CUPS - ONE POUND,
THE WORLD AROUND.
Submitter comment: COLLECTOR DOES NOT KNOW MEANING. --J.T.CALLOW
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; STUDENT UNION
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb |
Date learned: 09-22-1968
WHEN WE GO GOLFING AND ONE OF THE GOLFERS IN OUR GROUP
HITS A SHOT IN THE WATER, HE MUST SHOOT HIS NEXT SHOT
WITH HIS PANTS DOWN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Wishing
When eating Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner, cut out the
wishbone carefully without breaking it. Let the bone dry
overnight so it will snap easily. When the bone is dry, two
people take ahold of opposite ends of the wishbone. Then you
count to three, "one, two, three, go..." and each person pulls on
the bone at the same time until the bone breaks. Whoever gets the
larger segment of the bone has their wish granted. To cheat place
your thumb on the bone which connects the two bones together and
you push forward while they pull. This snaps the bone below the
connecting piece, making the other person's bone shorter.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Frankenmuth
Date learned: 00-00-1976
PICTURE MAGIC
IF THE PERSON YOU LIKE IS STRAYING AWAY TAKE HIS PICTURE AND PUT IT
IN SOME WATER FACE DOWN. THIS WILL MAKE HIM STAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color |
Date learned: 09-00-1172
SWEATS, SWEATING
IF YOU SWEAT AT NIGHT, PAT VINEGAR ON THE SURFACE OF YOUR BODY
WITH THE PALM OF YOUR HAND
AND YOU WILL PREVENT NIGHT SWEATS.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): PREVENTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 03-10-1971
AN OLD IRISH BLESSING
GOD GRANT YOU THE SERENITY TO ACCEPT WHAT YOU
CAN NOT CHANGE, THE COURAGE TO CHANGE WHAT YOU CAN,
AND THE WISDOM TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Expression of Fixed Form |
POLISH PROVERB
THAT KIND OF CHICKEN, THAT KIND OF SKIN (LITERALLY),
OR : ONCE A THIEF, ALWAYS A THIEF.
JAKA KURA TAKA SKORA (SKOORA)
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): TRANSLATED BY MRS. K. J. UNIECHOWSKI
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb C880.700 |
Date learned: 10-01-1967
PLANT CUREALLS
FOR CONTINUED WELL BEING ALWAYS EAT PLENTY OF LEAFY SALADS
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): PREVENTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 03-13-1971
WHAT WEIGHS FOUR THOUSAND POUNDS AND SINGS?
HARRY ELEFONTE. (PUN ON SINGER, HARRY BELEFONTE).
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 11-20-1967
PROVERB
ONE MAN'S POISON IS ANOTHER MAN'S MEAT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
James Callow Keyword(s): CONTRAST
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 00001964 (SUMMER)
ANOTHER HARASSING TECHNIQUE USED WITHIN THE NAVY IS THE
ONE IN WHICH THE UNSUSPECTING "BOOT" IS SENT FOR
A GALLON OF "PROP WASH," SOMETHING WHICH DOES NOT
EXIST.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALMA
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 03-09-1970
DON'T UPSET THE APPLE CART.
TO PREVENT SOMEONE FROM CHANGING PRESENT OR FAVORABLE
CONDITIONS, THE ABOVE CAN BE SAID.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT RECALLS THIS FROM CHILDHOOD DAYS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROUTE 1 ; SHELBY
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase |
Date learned: 10-17-1970
FROGS CAUSE WARTS.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT RECALLS THIS FROM CHILDHOOD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SHELBY
Date learned: 10-17-1970
DURING A BRIDAL SHOWER, IF THE FUTURE BRIDE BREAKS ANY
RIBBONS, THE PERSON WHO BOUGHT THE PRESENT WILL HAVE
A BABY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SHELBY
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 11-07-1970
IF YOU HAVE A TOOTHACHE THAT WILL NOT GO AWAY YOU
SHOULD CHEW ON A WET TEA BAG AND IT WILL SOOTHE
THE PAIN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 03-20-1990
SEWING: PRICKING FINGER
IF YOU PRICK YOUR FINGER WHILE SEWING, YOU WILL GET A KISS
WHILE WEARING THAT GARMENT.
Submitter comment: TOLD WITHOUT EVER REMEMBERING IT EVER HAPPENING THAT WAY.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; JACKSON ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 10-25-1970