Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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HOLDER PAINT
IN THE NAVY, THE PROPS OF PLANES ARE PAINTED THREE COLORS:
RED ON THE INSIDE, WHITE IN THE MIDDLE, AND BLUE ON THE
OUTSIDE. THE BLUE PAINT IS CALLED BLUE HOLDER PAINT,
BECAUSE IT IS ALWAYS PUT ON THE OUTSIDE TO "HOLD"
THE RED AND WHITE PAINT AND KEEP THE RED AND WHITE
FROM FLYING OFF WHILE THE PROPS ARE MOVING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALMA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Color |
Date learned: 03-09-1970
THERE IS A TRADITIONAL NAVY CUSTOM PLAYED ON ALL NEW CREW
MEMBERS. A CIRCLE OF SAILORS SURROUNDS A MEDIUM SIZE BOX
WITH A SMALL HOLE CUT IN THE TOP. WHEN THE UNSUSPECTING
VICTIM APPROACHES AND QUESTIONS THE PURPOSE OF THE BOX,
HE IS INFORMED THAT IT CONTAINS A SEA BAT, AND THAT HE
SHOULD PEER INTO THE HOLE TO SEE IT. UPON DOING THIS, HE IS
STRUCK FROM THE REAR RESOUNDINGLY WITH A HEAVY DECK BROOM.
WHEN HE SCREECHES IN PAIN, THE MEN INFORME HIM THAT HE HAS
JUST BEEN BIT BY A "SEA BAT."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALMA
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 03-09-1970
IT IS A TRADITIONAL CUSTOM IN THE NAVY WHILE ON BOARD SHIP
AND CROSSING THE EQUATOR THAT THE NEW CREW MEMBERS
CROSSING FOR THE FIRST TIME MUST "KISS KING NEPTUNE'S BELLY,"
THAT IS, THEY MUST FRENCH KISS THE NAVEL OF THE CAPTAIN OF
THE SHIP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALMA
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 03-09-1970
IT IS AN OLD NAVAL CUSTOM THAT ALL MEN CROSSING THE EQUATOR
FOR THE FIRST TIME MUST CRAWL THROUGH THE GARBAGE CHUTE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALMA
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 03-09-1970
ANOTHER FAVORITE PASTIME OF THE SEASONED PETTY OFFICERS IS
TO SEND THE YOUNG RECRUITS TO THE STORE ROOM FOR "DECK DRAIN
PULLERS" OR FOR "AIR HOOKS," BOTH OF WHICH SERVE THE SAME
NON-EXISTENT PURPOSE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALMA
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 03-09-1970
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
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
THERE IS A NAVAL TRADITION THAT ALL MEN CROSSING THE
EQUATOR FOR THE FIRST TIME (REFERRED TO AS POLYWOGS)
MUST RUN THE GAUNTLET, AFTER WHICH THEY ARE REFERRED
TO AS SHELLBACKS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALMA
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 03-09-1970
IT IS A TRADITION IN THE NAVY THAT ALL MEN CROSSING
THE EQUATOR FOR THE FIRST TIME MUST GET HOSED DOWN
WITH A HOSE BY THE OTHER CREW MEMBERS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALMA
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 03-09-1970
CROSSING THE EQUATOR
IT IS A CUSTOM IN THE NAVY THAT ALL MEN CROSSING
THE EQUATOR FOR THE FIRST TIME MUST WEAR ALL THEIR
CLOTHES BACKWARDS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALMA
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 03-09-1970
WING PANEL STRETCHER
WHEN NEW YOUNG RECRUITS ARE FIRST PUT TO WORK
UNDER SEASONED PETTY OFFICERS IN THE NAVY AIRBORNE,
THEY HAVE MANY TRADITIONAL PRANKS PLAYED UPON THEM.
ONE CONCERNS THE SENDING OF A YOUNG "BOOT"
TO THE STORE ROOM, WITH ORDERS TO RETURN WITH A
"WING PANEL STRETCHER," A DEVICE SUPPOSEDLY DESIGNED
TO STRETCH THE WIND (SING?) PANELS OF A PLANE.
OBVIOUSLY, NO SUCH CONTRAPTION EXISTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALMA
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 03-09-1970
MANNING THE RAILS IS AN OLD NAVAL TRADITION FOR HONORING
VISITING DIGNITARIES.
ALL THE CREW LINE UP AT THE RAILS OF THE SHIP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALMA
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Irregular |
Date learned: 03-09-1970
EVERY TIME YOU CROSS THE INTERNATIONAL DATE LINE WHILE
ON BOARD SHIP, YOU PUT A MESSAGE IN AN EMPTY WHISKEY BOTTLE,
SEAL IT TIGHTLY WITH WAX AND THROW IT IN THE WATER.
Submitter comment: NAVY CUSTOM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALMA
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Irregular |
Date learned: 03-09-1970
SMOKING LAMP
THERE IS A TRADITION CONCERNING THE SMOKING LAMP WHILE
ON SHIP IN THE NAVY. WHEN IT IS AFTER HOURS AND SMOKING
IS NOT PERMITTED, IT IS SAID THAT THE "SMOKING LAMP IS
OUT," AND WHEN SMOKING IS ALLOWED, IT IS SAID THAT "THE
SMOKING LAMP IS ON." NO SUCH LAMP EXISTS, BUT IT IS
UNDERSTOOD BY ALL AND CONSTANTLY REFERRED TO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALMA
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 03-09-1970
MESS HALLS
IT IS A TRADITION AMONG SAILORS TO REFER TO THE MESS
HALLS AS RESTAURANTS. CONNECTED WITH THIS, ARE THE
JOKES AMONG THE MEN AS TO WHO IS BUYING, FLIPS
TO SEE WHO WILL PICK UP THE TAB, AND MAKING SURE
ONE GETS ONE MEAL TICKET PUNCHED WHILE IN LINE IN
THE MESS HALLS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALMA
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Home |
Date learned: 03-09-1970
BLANKET PARTIES
WHEN MEN ARE OVERSEAS, CROWDED ABOARD A SHIP, IT IS
FREQUENTLY THE CASE THAT TEMPERS RUN RATHER SHORT, AND
FLARE UP OVER DAILY OCCURRENCES. ONE SUCH INSTANCE
INVOLVES THOSE SAILORS WHO LACK GOOD HYGIENE HABITS,
THERE BEING A SOURCE OF AGGRAVATION TO HIS FELLOW
COMPARTMENT MATES. THERE IS A REGULAR NAVY TRADITION
FOR THE HANDLING OF JUST SUCH A SITUATION. FIRST,
THE GUILTY INDIVIDUAL IS GIVEN VARIOUS HINTS THAT HIS
"FRIENDS" ARE NOT PLEASED WITH HIS CLEANLINESS (BARS OF
SOAP UNDER HIS PILLOW, WET WASHCLOTHS IN HIS BUNK, ETC.)
AND IF THIS DOES NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM, THEN A "BLANKET"
PARTY IS THE LAST RESORT. IN THIS, A BLANKET IS THROWN
OVER THE GUILTY INDIVIDUAL, AND HIS ROOM MATES BEAT HIM
FOR ABOUT FIVE MINUTES. THE NEXT MORNING, IT IS USUALLY
THE CASE THAT THIS INDIVIDUAL IS THE FIRST ONE IN THE
SHOWER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALMA
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Daily Life |
Date learned: 03-09-1970
OMENS OF SPRING
IF YOU SEE A RED CARDINAL BUILDING A NEST IN A TREE, THAT MEANS THAT
SPRING IS ONLY A MONTH AWAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALMA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Measure of time Winter BELIEF -- Weather sign or control |
Date learned: 03-09-1970