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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

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MOON BELIEF

WHEN THE FULL MOON APPEARS, PEOPLE GET LOONEY.

Where learned: HIGH SCHOOL

James Callow Keyword(s): LOONEY COMES FROM WORD FOR MOON IN LATIN= LUNA ; MADNESS

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Physically handicapped Deformed
BELIEF -- Moon
BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness

Date learned: 00-00-1965

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FULL MOON

WHEN THE FULL MOON APPEARS PEOPLE GET LOONEY.

James Callow comment:

LOONEY COMES FROM WORD FOR MOON IN LATIN=LUNA; MADNESS

Where learned: HIGH SCHOOL

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Physically handicapped Deformed
BELIEF -- Moon
BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness

Date learned: 00-00-1965

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GRADUATION TRADITION

BEFORE GRADUATION THE STUDENT WILL WEAR THE TOSSEL
ON HIS LEFT SIDE OF THE CAP AND AFTER GRADUATION
THE STUDENT WILL WEAR THE TOSSEL ON THE RIGHT SIDE.

Where learned: HIGH SCHOOL

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School

Date learned: 00-00-1963

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IF YOU WISH IN ONE HAND AND SPIT IN THE OTHER...
SEE WHICH ONE GETS FILLED FIRST.

Where learned: HIGH SCHOOL

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

Date learned: 00-00-1940

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SNIPE HUNT

YOU TAKE THE PLEDGES OUT AT NIGHT, WAY OUT INTO A WOODED
AREA. YOU GIVE THEM A FLASHLIGHT AND TELL THEM TO
CATCH A SNIPE BY SHINING THE FLASHLIGHT IN THE FACE
OF THE ANIMAL (WHICH PARALYZES IT) AND SCOOP IT UP IN A
BURLAP SACK. MEANWHILE, THE MEMBERS OF THE GROUP LOSE
THEMSELVES IN THE WOODS, SNEAK UP ON THE PLEDGES AND
SCARE THE WITS OUT OF THEM!

Where learned: OHIO ; HIGH SCHOOL ; HISTORY CLASS ; HISTORY TEACHER ; LORAIN

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing

Date learned: 03-00-1969

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SWAT ON THE RUMP

IT IS ACCEPTED IN FOOTBALL THAT THE REWARDS OF A GOOD
PLAY OR A NICE TRY IS A SWAT ON THE RUMP WITH THE OPEN
PALM.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HIGH SCHOOL ; DETROIT ; FOOTBALL

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion
SPEECH -- Body parts involved S602.3
SPEECH -- Congratulations Appreciation

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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THE PUTTING TOGETHER OF THE HANDS AND SLIGHTLY BOWING
FROM THE WAIST--MEANING, "PRAY PLEASE SHUT UP. I'D
LIKE TO SPEAK."

Where learned: BUFFALO ; HIGH SCHOOL ; NEW YORK

Subject headings: 602 Body Parts
SPEECH -- Instructions Directions Silence

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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OVER THE BOTTLES

TWO LINES OF MILK BOTTLES, SPACED ABOUT TWO FEET
APART, ARE PLACED ON THE FLOOR SO THAT THE PERSON
STANDS WITH LEGS WIDE APART AND HIS FEET CAN TOUCH
THE MILK BOTTLES. THE PERSON IS THEN BLINDFOLDED AND
TOLD TO STRADDLE THE BOTTLES. THE PERSON BLINDFOLDED
IS A GIRL. THE BOTTLES ARE THEN QUIETLY REMOVED,
WITHOUT HER KNOWLEDGE, AND SHE PROCEEDS TO STRADDLE
THEM ANYWAY. WHEN SHE HAS COME TO THE END OF THE LINE
OF MILK BOTTLES THAT SHOULD BE THERE, A BOY LIES
DOWN ON THE FLOOR WHERE THE MILK BOTTLES WERE, IN THE
MIDDLE OF THE PATH, FACE UP, HOLDING A LIGHTED FLASHLIGHT
IN HIS HAND, SHINING UP. THE BLINDFOLD IS THEN REMOVED
AND THE GIRL TURNS AROUND TO SEE HOW SHE MANAGED TO
GO THROUGH THE LINE WITHOUT KNOCKING ANY BOTTLES
OVER, AND SHE SEES THIS BOY LYING THERE WITH THE
FLASHLIGHT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HIGH SCHOOL ; SAGINAW

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Bodily Activity Song: Game, Pastime, Sport

Date learned: 00-00-1964

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I AM NO POET,
I HAVE NO FAME,
BUT JUST THE SAME,
I'LL SIGN MY NAME.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HIGH SCHOOL ; DETROIT ; SAINT CYRIL

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Announcing a signature

Date learned: 00-00-1962

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SOMETIMES I'M NAUGHTY,
SOMETIMES I'M NICE,
BUT JUST TO BE NAUGHTY,
I'LL SIGN MY NAME TWICE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HIGH SCHOOL ; DETROIT ; SAINT CYRIL

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Announcing a signature

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ELEPHANT JOKE

WHERE DO YOU FIND ELEPHANTS?
IT DEPENDS WHERE YOU LOST THEM.

Where learned: HIGH SCHOOL ; DUNDEE COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL

Subject headings: RIDDLE -- Riddle Question

Date learned: 00-00-1964

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Entry filtered.

IN HIGH SCHOOL IN BIRMINGHAM, MICHIGAN, WE BELIEVED
SOMEONE "QUEER" (HOMOSEXUAL) IF HE CROSSED HIS
LEGS AT THE KNEE (LEAVING NO GAP BETWEEN HIS LEGS
IN HIS LAP), OR IF HIS LITTLE FINGER WAS HELD RIGID WHILE
HOLDING ONTO A CUP OF COFFEE, TEA, ETC.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HIGH SCHOOL ; BIRMINGHAM

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School
BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications
SPEECH -- Homosexuality

Date learned: 12-00-1971

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ELEPHANT JOKE

WHY DO DUCKS HAVE FLAT FEET?
TO STAMP OUT FOREST FIRES.
WHY DO ELEPHANTS HAVE FLAT FEET?
TO STAMP OUT FLAMING DUCKS.

Where learned: HIGH SCHOOL ; DUNDEE COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL

Keyword(s): CHAIN OF RIDDLES

Subject headings: RIDDLE -- Riddle Question

Date learned: 00-00-1964

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ELEPHANT JOKE

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN ELEPHANT AND A GRAPE?
AN ELEPHANT IS GRAY AND A GRAPE IS PURPLE.
WHAT DID TARZAN SAY WHEN HE SAW THE ELEPHANTS COMING OVER THE HILL?
HERE COME THE ELEPHANTS OVER THE HILL.
WHAT DID JANE SAY WHEN SHE SWW THE ELEPHANTS COMING OVER THE HILL?
HERE COME THE GRAPES. SHE WAS COLOR-BLIND.

Where learned: HIGH SCHOOL ; DUNDEE COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL

Keyword(s): CHAIN OF RIDDLES

Subject headings: RIDDLE -- Riddle Question

Date learned: 00-00-1964

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WE HAD A CUSTOM IN HIGH SCHOOL THAT BY PINCHING A PATTERN
INTO A DRINKING STRAW (FROM TOP TO BOTTOM) AND ALTERNATING
SAYING "HE LOVES ME, HE LOVES ME NOT," ONE COULD FIND
OUT THE TRUE STATE OF THEIR LOVE LIFE.

Where learned: ALABAMA ; HIGH SCHOOL ; BIRMINGHAM

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Marriage
BELIEF -- Use of Object
SPEECH -- Formula

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NUMBER RHYME TAUNT

IT WAS A TRADITION AT ALL CATHOLIC CENTRAL HIGH
SCHOOL'S ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES TO SAY:
AND THE SCORE GOES UP ANOTHER NOTCH C. C.,
ANOTHER NOTCH, C. C.
AFTER ALL POINTS SCORED FOR OUR TEAMS.
THIS INDICATED TO THE OPPOSITION THAT WE
WERE SCORING WHILE THEY WEREN'T AT THAT TIME.

James Callow comment: WHO SAID IT? COLLECTOR SAYS: AUDIENCE

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HIGH SCHOOL ; DETROIT ; CATHOLIC CENTRAL

James Callow Keyword(s): CHEER

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Custom Festival Custom Festival
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School

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A WET BIRD NEVER FLIES AT NIGHT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HIGH SCHOOL ; DETROIT ; CATHOLIC CENTRAL

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

Date learned: 10-17-1968

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WHAT ONE DOESN'T HAVE IN HIS HEAD, ONE HAS TO HAVE IN HIS LEGS.

Submitter comment: GERMAN: WAS MAN NICHT IM KOPFE HAT, MUSS MAN IN DEN BEINER HABEN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HIGH SCHOOL ; DETROIT ; CATHOLIC CENTRAL

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

Date learned: 10-01-1968

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A TRIBE IN SOUTH AFRICA KNOCKS OUT OR PULLS OUT THE FRONT
TEETH OF BOYS AND GIRLS WHEN THEY REACH PUBERTY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HIGH SCHOOL ; DETROIT ; CATHOLIC CENTRAL

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Maturity

Date learned: 10-17-1968

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POLISH CUSTOM

ON THE MORNING OF HER WEDDING, THE BRIDE IS SERANADED BY A
BAND THAT WAS SENT BY THE GROOM.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HIGH SCHOOL ; DETROIT ; CATHOLIC CENTRAL

Keyword(s): MUSIC

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Band, orchestra play at bride's house

Date learned: 10-01-1968

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