Dr. James T. Callow publications
Browse by
Questions or comments on this site? Please email davidsor@udmercy.edu.
The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for 5876 returned 5 results.
TRICK OF THE TRADE
AT A & P, WE SPRINKLE WATER ON THE FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES
FOR A TWOFOLD PURPOSE. THE WATER MAKES THE FRUIT AND
VEGETABLES LOOK FRESHER AS WELL AS ADDING WEIGHT TO THEM.
WHEN THE CASHIER WEIGHS THEM THE WEIGHT IS BLOATED BY THE WATER.
THE EFFECT IS AN INCREASE IN PRICE FOR THE CONSUMER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; A&P FOOD STORE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Work Commerce Business Food Drink -- Plant food |
Date learned: 00-00-1977
SHOPPER MYTH
MANY TIMES WHILE AT WORK I NOTICE THAT SHOPPERS WITH FEW ITEMS
WILL ALMOST ALWAYS STAND IN THE EIGHT ITEMS OR LESS LANE.
MANY TIMES THIS LANE IS MUCH LONGER THAN SOME OF THE OTHER
CHECK OUT LANES. I HAVE TO DIRECT THEM TO THE LESSER SOMETIMES
EMPTY LANES.
WHEN I ASK THEM WHY THEY WERE WAITING IN THE LONG LINES THEIR
REPLY IS THAT THEY THOUGHT IT WAS MANDATORY FOR THEM TO STAND
IN THE SPEEDY CHECK OUT LANE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; A&P FOOD STORE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Work Commerce Business |
Date learned: 00-00-1977
KING KAHMAI MAI
IN HAWAII, ON THE ISLAND OF PAUI, THERE IS AN UPSIDE DOWN WATERFALL,
AND THIS IS CAUSED BY THE TRADEWINDS, WHICH PUSH THE FALLING WATERS
UPWARD. THE LEGEND BEHIND THIS DEALS WITH KING KAHMAI MAI, WHO WAS
KING OF THE ISLAND MANY YEARS AGO. IT IS SAID THAT HE DROVE ALL THE
PAGANS OFF THE ISLAND, AND THOSE THAT DID NOT LEAVE WERE SACRIFICED
TO THE GODS BY BEING PUSHED OFF THIS WATERFALL. WHEN ALL OF THE
PAGANS HAD LEFT THE ISLAND, THE KING VOWED THAT NO OTHER MAN WOULD
BE ABLE TO DIE BY JUMPING OFF THIS WATERFALL. UP TO THIS DAY THERE
HAS BEEN NOBODY KILLED FROM JUMPING OFF THE WATERFALL BECAUSE OF THE
STRONG TRADEWINDS, AND THEY SAY THAT THE TRADEWIND IS ACTUALLY
KING KAHMAI MAI FULFILLING HIS PROMISE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; A&P FOOD STORE
Keyword(s): DEAD KING RETURNS AS WIND TO PREVENT SUICIDE FROM WATERFALL.
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Running water |
Date learned: 04-03-1970
NAME
"BELGIANS ARE BUFFALO." THE REASON WHY THEY CALL BELGIAN PEO-
PLE BUFFALOS IS THAT DURING THE GREAT DEPRESSION, THE BELGIAN
PEOPLE MIGRATED TO BUFFALO NEW YORK FOR BETTER JOB OPPORTUNITIES.
AFTER THE DEPRESSION, THE BELGIANS MOVED BACK TO THEIR ORIGINAL
HOMES. SINCE, THEY WERE STUCK WITH THE NAME BUFFALO.
THIS WAS TOLD TO THE INFORMANT BY A BELGIAN MEAT TRUCK DRIVER,
WHOSE NAME WAS GEORGE, ABOUT A YEAR AGO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; A&P FOOD STORE
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- FamilyGroup |
Date learned: 04-00-1970
RED RIBBON
A RED RIBBON PLACED ON THE BOTTOM OF A BABY
MATTRESS WILL WARD OFF THE EVIL EYE
OF A WOMAN WHO HAS NEVER HAD CHILDREN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; A&P FOOD STORE
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration |
Date learned: 04-03-1970