Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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Retort
I don't know where Mom is, but we've got Pop on ice!
Submitter comment:
My father used to say this to me when I was small and would ask him where my mother was!
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [C532] crossed out. Replaced with current classification.
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; Ice ; INSULT ; Mom ; POP ; PUN ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; SLANG ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Retort
You're about as funny as a cigarette in a Cancer ward.
Submitter comment:
From his brother, Joe. From his friend, Brian Battersby.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): Cancer ; Cigarette ; COMEBACK ; HOSPITAL ; INSULT ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Retort
You look like you have to study to qualify as a dropout.
Submitter comment:
From his brother, Joe.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; Dropout ; Graduate ; INSULT ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; SCHOOL ; Study ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Retort
What's wrong? Does your face hurt? It's killing me.
Submitter comment:
From his brother, Joe.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; FACE ; Hurt ; INSULT ; Kill ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Retort
You're so skinny, you can dodge raindrops.
Submitter comment:
From his brother, Joe.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; INSULT ; Raindrops ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; SIZE ; Skinny ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Retort
You're so fat, you need a periscope to see the ground.
Submitter comment:
from his brother, Joe.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; INSULT ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Retort
You're so skinny, if you turn sideways and stick out your tongue, You'll look like a zipper.
Submitter comment:
From his brother, Joe.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
[To What?] is written next to the title.
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; INSULT ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; SIZE ; Skinny ; Wisecrack ; Zipper
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Retort
That's your opinion.
Submitter comment:
Source not remembered.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
[To What?] is written next to the title.
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; INSULT ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Retort
Big Deal!
Submitter comment:
Source not remembered
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Retort to what??
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; INSULT ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Retort
"A tee-hee's egg in a ha-ha's nest."
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BNs [S200, S500, S560, V700, V600] crossed out. Replaced with current classification.
"Polite" taunt? A kidding remark?
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; TRAVERSE CITY
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Retort
"Quit horning in front of our house, our fodder don't like it."
Submitter comment:
Finnish speech to have a person stop blowing the automobile horn in front of house.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [S400] crossed out. Replaced with current classification.
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): Car ; COMEBACK ; ETHNIC ; Father ; Finnish ; Horn ; House ; INSULT ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Retort
Do you have a shikkonwheye?
What's a shikkonwheye?
Oh, about two or three pounds.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Catch. Prank.
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; HUMOR ; INSULT ; JOKE ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Proverb
He who laughs last, laughs best.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Duplicate
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES
Keyword(s): Aphorism ; Apothegm ; Maxim ; PROVERB ; VERSE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Retort
One good turn deserves another
Submitter comment:
When someone does something good for you - it is nice to do something nice for them.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Duplicate
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): Aphorism ; Apothegm ; Maxim ; PROVERB ; VERSE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Proverb
Think before you speak.
Submitter comment:
Don't say anything you will be sorry for later
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Duplicate
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): Aphorism ; Apothegm ; Forethought ; Maxim ; PROVERB ; VERSE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Proverb
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Submitter comment:
If you like someone, you will think they are beautiful where others may not.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Duplicate
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): Aphorism ; Apothegm ; BEAUTY ; Maxim ; PROVERB ; VERSE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Proverb
Step on a crack. Break your mother's back.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: HOME ; ILLINOIS ; SKOKIE
Keyword(s): Aphorism ; Apothegm ; Back ; Crack ; Maxim ; MOTHER ; PROVERB ; VERSE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Proverb
Beauty is only skin deep
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): Aphorism ; Apothegm ; BEAUTY ; Maxim ; PROVERB ; SKIN ; Superficial ; VERSE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Proverb
A fool and his money are soon parted.
Submitter comment:
People who get money suddenly usually spend it fast and foolishly and end up with nothing.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): Aphorism ; Apothegm ; Fool ; Maxim ; MONEY ; PROVERB ; VERSE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Proverb
Proverbial Phrase:
A fool and his money are soon parted.
Submitter comment:
Used as advice to small children or to other people ignorant of the proper use of money. Informant used this when spealing to his children and learned it from his own parents. It can be used as a retort.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [V600] crossed out. Replaced with current classification.
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): Aothegm ; Aphorism ; Fool ; Frugal ; Maxim ; MONEY ; PROVERB ; VERSE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |