Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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NOT GIVEN
WHEN I WAS ABOUT SIX YEARS OLD AND WE LIVED NEAR THE COUNTRY,
I WOULD OFTEN GO OUT TO PLAY ALL DAY. SO I USED TO GO TO THE
LAVATORY OUTSIDE. MY MOTHER WOULD ALWAYS TELL ME THAT I SHOULD
COME HOME TO GO TO THE BATHROOM, BECAUSE WHEN THE DEVIL CAUGHT
LITTLE BOYS GOING TO THE BATHROOM OUTSIDE HE WOULD BITE OFF
THEIR PENIS.
Where learned: MARYLAND
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION ; URINATION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
If you are wearing your belt twisted, you are in love.
Submitter comment:
My mom used to say that to me when I was young to
tease me.
Where learned: MARYLAND ; Laurel
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Dress BELIEF -- Measure of space: distance, height, depth |
Date learned: 00001970S
Entry filtered.
TALKING PET
A MAN WHO WANTED A PET PARROT SAW A SIGN SAYING "BANKRUPTCY SALE"
IN THE WINDOW OF A PET SHOP. HE WENT INSIDE AND BEGAN BIDDING FOR
A BEAUTIFUL PARROT HE SAW. HE BID HIGHER AND HIGHER UNTIL THE BIRD
WAS FINALLY HIS. HE THEN ASKED THE AUCTIONEER IF THE BIRD COULD
TALK. "WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK WAS BIDDING AGAINST YOU ALL THE
TIME?" SAID THE PARROT.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector share the same surname.
Where learned: MARYLAND ; BALTIMORE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Bird PROSE NARRATIVE -- Tale PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal Tale PROSE NARRATIVE -- Man |
Date learned: 00-00-1972
A CHILD'S BLESSING
GOD BLESS THE FATHER OF THIS HOUSE AND ITS MOTHER TOO/
AND ALL THE LITTLE CHILDREN THAT ROUND THE TABLE GO/ AND ALL YOUR
RELATIVES THAT LIVE FAR AND NEAR/ WISH THEM A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A
HAPPY NEW YEAR.
Where learned: MARYLAND ; TOLD IN ; TURNERS STATION
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Custom Festival C840.642 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Greetings, wishes, prayers, cards BELIEF -- Prayer |
BAD THINGS HAPPEN IN THREES.
Submitter comment: SOURCE UNKNOWN
Where learned: MARYLAND ; BETHESDA
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
POPULAR SAYING
GOOD THINGS COME IN SMALL PACKAGES.
Where learned: MARYLAND ; BETHESDA
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
SAYING
THE GOOD DIE YOUNG.
Where learned: MARYLAND ; BETHESDA
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim PROVERB -- Blason Populaire |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
PROVERB
COLD HANDS; WARM HEART.
Where learned: MARYLAND ; BETHESDA
Keyword(s): ELLIPSIS
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
BELIEF-FOLK CURE
THE BEST CURE FOR A BEE STING OR INSECT BITE IS THE APPLICATION
OF A WET TOBACCO LEAF.
Where learned: MARYLAND ; BALTIMORE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
RECIPE FOR COUGH SYRUP
BOIL A LEMON TEN MINUTES. EXTRACT THE JUICE. TO THIS ADD ONE
OUNCE GLYCERIN AND ONE CUP HONEY. STIR BEFORE TAKING ONE
TEASPOON THREE TIMES A DAY.
Where learned: MARYLAND ; BALTIMORE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- P254 |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
CUSTOM AND BELIEF
IN SOME SECTS OF THE JEWISH RELIGION, MILK AND MEAT ARE NOT
PREPARED OR EATEN TOGETHER. THIS STEMS FROM THE BELIEF THAT
ONE SHOULD AVOID THE POSSIBILITIES OF COOKING A CALF IN ITS
MOTHER'S MILK.
Where learned: MARYLAND ; BALTIMORE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Common law |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
BELIEF
IF YOU SEE LIGHTNING, BUT DON'T HEAR THUNDER IT MEANS YOU ARE
GOING TO DIE.
Where learned: MARYLAND ; BALTIMORE
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Lightning Thunder |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
When you are at a bar with a group of people and
someone burps, the last one to put their thumb on
their forehead gets biffed on the head.
Submitter comment:
The fun part of the game is getting people that
have no idea what is going on. People usually
catch on after getting hit two or three times.
Biffed means to get slapped on the forehead.
Where learned: MARYLAND ; BALTIMORE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime |
SOUTHERNERS USED BAKING SODA AS TOOTHPASTE AND AS AN
UNDERARM DEODORANT.
Where learned: MARYLAND ; BALTIMORE
James Callow Keyword(s): HYGIENE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Daily Life BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 10-14-1984 ; 00001960S
IF YOU LIGHT THREE CIGARETTES ON ONE MATCH, IT'S BAD LUCK.
Where learned: MARYLAND ; BETHESDA
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple BELIEF -- Bad luck Games Pastimes Sports |
Date learned: 00-00-1967
THERE WAS A HOUSE, BUILT IN 1756, WHICH HAD SECRET
STAIRWAYS AND PATHWAYS IN IT. MR. STABLER OWNED
AND LOVED THIS HOUSE MORE THAN ANYTHING. AFTER HE
DIED HIS GHOST COULD BE SEEN AFTER DARK WALKING
FROM THE BARN INTO THE HOUSE. NONE OF THE
COLORED PEOPLE WOULD COME TO THIS HOUSE AFTER DARK.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT LIVED IN THIS HOUSE, RENTING IT FROM
MRS. STABLER AND HAS SEEN THE GHOST. THIS IS IN
MARYLAND. SHE LIVED THERE IN 1953.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MARYLAND ; ROCHESTER HILLS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal Product or Activity of Man or Animal BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal P477.13 |
Date learned: 00-00-1953
THERE WAS THIS STONE HOUSE IN A POOR COLORED
SECTION OF MARYLAND. TWO BROTHERS LIVED IN THIS
HOUSE, AND THEY WERE ALWAYS FIGHTING. ONE DAY,
ONE BROTHER WENT OUT, AND WHEN HE CAME BACK, HE
FOUND HIS BROTHER AT THE TOP OF THE STAIRS AND
HE SHOT AND KILLED HIM. FROM THAT TIME ON,
THE GHOST OF THE BROTHER CAN BE SEEN AT THE TOP
OF THE STAIRS AT MIDNIGHT.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT LIVED ABOUT A MILE AWAY FROM THIS HOUSE
AND ONCE MET THE LIVING BROTHER BEFORE THIS
HAPPENED. THIS HAPPENED IN MARYLAND IN
1954-1955.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MARYLAND ; ROCHESTER HILLS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal P477.13 |
AFTER A NEWBORN BABY IS ABOUT TO LOSE THE CORD FROM HIS
NAVEL YOU SHOULD TAPE A HALF-DOLLAR OVER THE NAVEL.
THIS WILL KEEP THE NAVEL FROM RUPTURING.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT IS COLLECTOR'S SISTER-IN-LAW.
Where learned: MARYLAND ; HAVRE DE GRACE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Date learned: 04-02-1970
Proverb
If you lay down with dogs, you'll get up with fleas.
Submitter comment:
The informant warns many female teens to be careful about freely engaging in sex because they may wind up "caught" (pregnant). She says this all the time.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [V300] crossed out, Replaced with current classification.
Where learned: MARYLAND ; BALTIMORE
Keyword(s): Aphorism ; Apothegm ; Company ; Dogs ; Fleas ; Maxim ; PROVERB ; Relationships ; VERSE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |