Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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AMBULANCE HOUSE
THERE IS A HOUSE WHOSE BACKYARD FACES THE STREET. THERE IS A BUILT-
IN SWIMMING POOL IN THE YARD, BUT IT IS FILLED WITH SAND. UNDERNEATH
ALL THE SAND ARE TWO CARS--AN AMBULANCE AND A HEARSE. THE STORY
GOES THAT A LONG TIME AGO, A LITTLE GIRL DROWNED IN THE POOL. AS THE
GIRL WAS BEING RUSHED TO THE HOSPITAL, THE LITTLE BOY, HER BROTHER,
FELL IN AND DROWNED. THE PARENTS WENT MAD AND BOUGHT THE AMBULANCE
AND THE HEARSE AND PUT THEM IN THE POOL AND FILLED IT WITH SAND.
THEY NOW LEAVE THE BACK PORCH LIGHT ON ALL THE TIME, PLUS THEY DO
NOT HAVE ANY CURTAINS ON THEIR BACK WINDOWS, SO THEY WILL BE ABLE TO
WATCH SO THE LITTLE GIRL AND BOY, WHO HAVE LONG SINCE DIED,
WON'T FALL IN THE POOL.
Where learned: CALIFORNIA ; PLACENTIA
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00-00-1970
BIG WHOOP
THE INDEX FINGER IS REVOLVED WHILE HOLDING THE HAND UPRIGHT. IT
MEANS "SO WHAT, DO I CARE?"
Where learned: CALIFORNIA ; PLACENTIA
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: CA00001970
GOOD GOING
THE HAND IS MADE INTO A FIST WITH THE THUMB STICKING UP. MOVE THE
THUMB UP AND DOWN. IT MEANS: GOOD GOING, EVERYTHING IS FINE.
Where learned: CALIFORNIA ; PLACENTIA
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: CA00001974
WHAT A BURN
THIS GESTURE IS MADE BY HOLDING THE HAND OUT STRAIGHT. NOW MOVE THE
PINKIE, RING, AND MIDDLE FINGERS JUST ENOUGH SO THE THUMB CAN TOUCH
THEM. THE INDEX FINGER IS LEFT LOOSE. THE HAND IS NOW VIGOROUSLY
SHAKEN SO THAT THE LIMP INDEX FINGER HITS THE OTHER FINGERS. IF
DONE RIGHT, IT PRODUCES A SNAPPING NOISE. THIS MEANS "WHAT A BURN,"
OR IN OTHER WORDS, "HA HA ON YOU"
Submitter comment: I HAVE ONLY SEEN THIS GESTURE TAKE PLACE IN CALIFORNIA.
Where learned: CALIFORNIA ; PLACENTIA
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: CA00001966
PROVERB
A FRIEND IN NEED IS A FRIEND INDEED, BUT A FRIEND WHO SENDS A
LETTER IS BETTER.
Where learned: CALIFORNIA ; PLACENTIA
James Callow Keyword(s): OBSERVATION
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb |
Date learned: 00-00-1973
MARCO POLO
THIS GAME IS PLAYED IN A SWIMMING POOL. ONE PERSON
IS IT. HE CLOSES HIS EYES AND COUNTS TO TEN WHILE EVERYONE SCATTERS IN
THE POOL. HE THEN TURNS AROUND, WITH HIS EYES STILL CLOSED, AND YELLS
MARCO. EVERYONE ANSWERS BACK POLO. AND HE TRIES TO FIND A PERSON BY
LISTENING TO WHERE THE POLO COMES FROM. OR HE CAN LISTEN TO THE WATER
MOVING WHEN A PERSON SWIMS AWAY. HE CAN SAY MARCO AS MANY TIMES AS HE
WANTS AND EVERYONE MUST ANSWER. NO ONE CAN GET OUTSIDE OF THE POOL.
THE FIRST PERSON HE TOUCHES IS IT, AND THE GAME STARTS ALL OVER
AGAIN.
Where learned: CALIFORNIA ; PLACENTIA
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Hiding Searching Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Water Ice Snow |
Date learned: 00-00-1966
GHOST IN THE ROAD
THERE IS A ROAD, NOT FAR FROM WHERE I USED TO LIVE, THAT MY FRIENDS
AND I ALWAYS USED TO GO TO. IT WAS WHERE THE GHOST IN THE ROAD WAS.
THE ROAD WAS STRAIGHT AND A LITTLE HILLY AND WAS DIMLY LIT WITH A
COUPLE OF STREET LIGHTS. WHEN COMING DOWN THE ROAD, AT A CERTAIN
SPOT, YOU COULD SEE THE GHOST, CLAD IN A LONG WHITE ROBE. SOME
PEOPLE SAID IT LOOKED LIKE A LADY IN A WHITE GOWN. OTHERS THOUGHT
IT LOOKED LIKE JESUS CHRIST. WHEN DRIVING CLOSER TO THE GHOST, IT
SEEMED TO BE WALKING TOWARDS YOU. THEN IT WOULD DISAPPEAR.
Submitter comment:
WHAT IT REALLY WAS, WAS AN OIL SLICK ON THE ROAD. THE LIGHT FROM THE
STREET LIGHT SHONE ON IT IN SUCH A WAY AS TO CREATE THE IMAGE OF A
PERSON. SINCE THEN, THOUGH, THE ROAD HAS BEEN RESURFACED AND THE
GHOST NO LONGER CAN BE SEEN.
Where learned: CALIFORNIA ; PLACENTIA
James Callow Keyword(s): DISBELIEF
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00-00-1970