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 6649 returned 19 results.
THE HOLES IN THE FLOORS OF THE DORMS AT AMHERST COLLEGE MADE
BY THE RADIATOR PIPES ENABLE THE OCCUPANTS OF A ROOM ON A HIGHER
FLOOR TO POUR WATER DOWN INTO THE ROOM BELOW. ONCE THIS ALMOST
RESULTED IN A TELEVISION SET EXPLODING IN A LOWER ROOM.
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS COLLECTED BY THE INFORMANT IN THE
FRESHMAN DORMS OF AMHERST COLLEGE IN AMHERST,
MASSACHUSETTS; IT WAS COLLECTED BY ME IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN.
Where learned: Massachusetts ; AMHERST
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Foundation Floor |
Date learned: 00001979-80 ; 03-00-1980
PRACTICAL JOKE
BECAUSE THE DOORS AT AMHERST COLLEGE OPEN INWARD, A COMMON
PRANK IS TO TIE A ROPE ON THE DOORKNOBS OF TWO DOORS ACROSS THE
HALL FROM EACH OTHER, SHUTTING IN THE OCCUPANTS OF BOTH ROOMS.
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS COLLECTED BY THE INFORMANT IN THE
FRESHMAN DORMS OF AMHERST COLLEGE IN AMHERST,
MASSACHUSETTS; IT WAS COLLECTED BY ME IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN.
Where learned: Massachusetts ; AMHERST
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Wall Partition Door Window |
Date learned: 00001979-80 ; 03-00-1980
PRACTICAL JOKE
TOOTHPASTE IS PLACED IN THE KEYHOLE OF A DOOR, HARDENING AND
MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO UNLOCK THE DOOR.
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS COLLECTED BY THE INFORMANT IN THE
FRESHMAN DORMS OF AMHERST COLLEGE IN AMHERST,
MASSACHUSETTS; IT WAS COLLECTED BY ME IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN.
Where learned: Massachusetts ; AMHERST
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Wall Partition Door Window |
Date learned: 00001979-80 ; 03-00-1980
PRACTICAL JOKE
A COMMON PRANK IS TO SET FIRE TO POSTERS HANGING ON THE OUTSIDE
OF DORM DOORS.
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS COLLECTED BY THE INFORMANT IN THE
FRESHMAN DORMS OF AMHERST COLLEGE IN AMHERST,
MASSACHUSETTS; IT WAS COLLECTED BY ME IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN.
Where learned: Massachusetts ; AMHERST
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 00001979-80 ; 03-00-1980
PRACTICAL JOKE
A COMMON PRANK IS TO TURN OFF THE HOT WATER WHILE SOMEONE SHOWERS.
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS COLLECTED BY THE INFORMANT IN THE
FRESHMEN DORMS OF AMHERST COLLEGE IN AMHERST,
MASSACHUSETTS; IT WAS COLLECTED BY ME IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN.
Where learned: Massachusetts ; AMHERST
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 00001979-80 ; 03-00-1980
PRACTICAL JOKE
ONE PRANK IS TO SIMPLY STAND QUIETLY IN A PERSON'S CLOSET,
GIVING HIM A FRIGHT WHEN HE OPENS THE CLOSET DOOR.
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS COLLECTED BY THE INFORMANT IN THE
FRESHMEN DORMS OF AMHERST COLLEGE IN AMHERST,
MASSACHUSETTS; IT WAS COLLECTED BY ME IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN.
Where learned: Massachusetts ; AMHERST
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 00001979-80 ; 03-00-1980
PRACTICAL JOKE
BECAUSE THE DOORS AT AMHERST COLLEGE OPEN INWARD, ANOTHER
DESTRUCTIVE PRANK IS TO LEAN A BUCKET OF WATER AGAINST THE
OUTSIDE OF A CLOSED DOOR. OPENING THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE
CAUSES THE WATER TO SPILL INTO THE ROOM. THIS HAS BEEN DONE
WITH A FULL FIFTY-FIVE GALLON DRUM.
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS COLLECTED BY THE INFORMANT IN THE
FRESHMEN DORMS OF AMHERST COLLEGE IN AMHERST,
MASSACHUSETTS; IT WAS COLLECTED BY ME IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN.
Where learned: Massachusetts ; AMHERST
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Wall Partition Door Window |
Date learned: 00001979-80 ; 03-00-1980
BARN STORM PROTECTION BELIEF
IT IS AN OLD BELIEF AMONG FARMERS THAT IT IS BENEFICIAL
TO LET BARN SWALLOWS BUILD NESTS IN YOUR BARN,
BECAUSE LIGHTNING WILL NEVER STRIKE A BARN WHERE BARN SWALLOWS
LIVE.
Where learned: OHIO ; AMHERST ; collector's home
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Lightning Thunder BELIEF -- Weather sign or control P890.7 |
Date learned: 07-00-1962
BARN STORM PROTECTION BELIEF
IT IS AN OLD BELIEF AMONG FARMERS THAT IT IS BENEFICIAL
TO ALLOW BARN SWALLOWS TO BUILD NESTS IN YOUR BARN.
BECAUSE LIGHTNING WILL NEVER STRIKE A BARN WHERE BARN SWALLOWS
LIVE.
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Weather sign or control P890.7 |
Date learned: 07-00-1962
IT IS AN OLD BELIEF AMONG FARMERS THAT IT IS BENEFICIAL TO LET
BARN-SWALLOWS BUILD NESTS IN YOUR BARN, BECAUSE LIGHTNING WILL
NEVER STRIKE A BARN WHERE BARN-SWALLOWS LIVE.
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Lightning Thunder |
PRACTICAL JOKE
PUSHING PENNIES INTO THE KEYHOLE OF A DOOR WILL BLOCK THE
TUMBLERS AND LOCK A PERSON IN HIS ROOM.
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS COLLECTED BY THE INFORMANT IN THE
FRESHMEN DORMS OF AMHERST COLLEGE IN AMHERST,
MASSACHUSETTS; IT WAS COLLECTED BY ME IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN.
Where learned: Massachusetts ; AMHERST
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 00001979-80 ; 03-00-1980
PRACTICAL JOKE
ONE PRANK IS TO FILL A PERSON'S ROOM WITH SMOKE BY PLACING THE
STEM OF A LIT PIPE THROUGH THE KEYHOLE, AND BLOWING INTO THE BOWL.
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS COLLECTED BY THE INFORMANT IN THE
FRESHMEN DORMS OF AMHERST COLLEGE IN AMHERST,
MASSACHUSETTS; IT WAS COLLECTED BY ME IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN.
Where learned: Massachusetts ; AMHERST
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 00001979-80 ; 03-00-1980
PRACTICAL JOKE
ONE DESTRUCTIVE PRANK IS TO GAIN ENTRANCE TO A PERSON'S ROOM
WHILE HE IS OUT AND TO SPREAD VASELINE ON HIS BEDSHEETS.
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS COLLECTED BY THE INFORMANT IN THE
FRESHMEN DORMS OF AMHERST COLLEGE IN AMHERST,
MASSACHUSETTS; IT WAS COLLECTED BY ME IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN.
Where learned: Massachusetts ; AMHERST
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 00001979-80 ; 03-00-1980
PRACTICAL JOKE
TELEPHONES IN THE DORMS OF AMHERST COLLEGE HAVE REMOVABLE CORDS
BETWEEN THE RECEIVER AND THE REST OF THE PHONE; REMOVAL OF THE
CORD STILL ALLOWS THE PHONE TO RING. A COMMON PRANK IS TO
REMOVE THE CORD, THEN MAKE A CALL TO THAT PHONE.
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS COLLECTED BY THE INFORMANT IN THE
FRESHMEN DORMS OF AMHERST COLLEGE IN AMHERST,
MASSACHUSETTS; IT WAS COLLECTED BY ME IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN.
Where learned: Massachusetts ; AMHERST
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 00001979-80 ; 03-00-1980
PRACTICAL JOKE
ONE PRANK INVOLVES A GROUP OF PEOPLE GAINING ENTRY TO A PERSON'S
ROOM WHILE THE PERSON IS THERE, AND REMOVING THE CONTENTS OF
THE ROOM, DESPITE THE OCCUPANT'S PROTESTS.
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS COLLECTED BY THE INFORMANT IN THE
FRESHMEN DORMS OF AMHERST COLLEGE IN AMHERST,
MASSACHUSETTS; IT WAS COLLECTED BY ME IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN.
Where learned: Massachusetts ; AMHERST
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 00001979-80 ; 03-00-1980
PRACTICAL JOKE
A COMMON PRANK INVOLVES GETTING A PERSON OUT OF HIS ROOM,
LOCKING HIM OUT, AND HIDING HIS KEYS SO HE CAN'T RE-ENTER.
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS COLLECTED BY THE INFORMANT IN THE
FRESHMEN DORMS OF AMHERST COLLEGE IN AMHERST,
MASSACHUSETTS; IT WAS COLLECTED BY ME IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN.
Where learned: Massachusetts ; AMHERST
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 00001979-80 ; 03-00-1980
PRACTICAL JOKE
ONE PRANK IS TO BLOW BABY POWDER INTO SOMEONE'S ROOM UNDER THE
DOOR, USING A HAND-HELD HAIR DRYER.
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS COLLECTED BY THE INFORMANT IN THE
FRESHMEN DORMS OF AMHERST COLLEGE IN AMHERST,
MASSACHUSETTS; IT WAS COLLECTED BY ME IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN.
Where learned: Massachusetts ; AMHERST
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 00001979-80 ; 03-00-1980
PRACTICAL JOKE
THE DORMS AT AMHERST COLLEGE HAVE INDIVIDUAL POWER BOXES; A
FAVORITE PRANK IS TO SHUT OFF A PERSON'S POWER AT NIGHT, THEREBY
STOPPING HIS ALARM CLOCK AND MAKING HIM LATE FOR CLASS.
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS COLLECTED BY THE INFORMANT IN THE
FRESHMEN DORMS OF AMHERST COLLEGE IN AMHERST,
MASSACHUSETTS; IT WAS COLLECTED BY ME IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN.
Where learned: Massachusetts ; AMHERST
Date learned: 00001979-80 ; 03-00-1980
PRACTICAL JOKE
ONE NASTY JOKE IS EMPTYING AN UNSUSPECTING PARTY'S TOOTHPASTE
TUBE AND REFILLING IT WITH URINE.
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS COLLECTED BY THE INFORMANT IN THE
FRESHMEN DORMS OF AMHERST COLLEGE IN AMHERST,
MASSACHUSETTS; IT WAS COLLECTED BY ME IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN.
Where learned: Massachusetts ; AMHERST
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 03-00-1980