Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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COLORED EGGS
AT LEAST THREE PLAYERS ARE NEEDED, BUT THE MORE THE BETTER. ONE KID
PLAYS THE WOLF, ONE PLAYS THE MOTHER, AND THE REST ARE EGGS. BEFORE
THE GAME STARTS, THE WOLF GOES AWAY WHERE HE CANNOT HEAR, WHILE THE
MOTHER ASSIGNS EACH OF THE EGGS A COLOR. AT THE GAME'S START, THE
WOLF KNOCKS AT AN IMAGINARY DOOR AND THE MOTHER ANSWERS. HE ASKS HER
IF SHE HAS ANY COLORED EGGS. SHE REPLIES "NO." BUT AT THAT MOMENT
ALL THE EGGS IN THE BACKGROUND GO "PEEP-PEEP-PEEP." HE PUSHES THE
MOTHER ASIDE, AND GOES INTO THE "HOUSE." HE THEN NAMES OFF COLORS
UNTIL HE GUESSES THE COLOR OF ONE OF THE EGGS. THAT EGG MUST THEN
RUN AROUND A DESIGNATED AREA, SUCH AS THE BACK YARD. IF THE WOLF
CATCHES HIM, THAT EGG BECOMES THE WOLF, AND THE GAME STARTS ALL OVER
AGAIN, WITH THE ORIGINAL WOLF NOW BECOMING AN EGG, AND THE REST OF
THE EGGS GETTING NEW COLORS. (THE ROLE OF MOTHER MAY OR MAY NOT
ROTATE.) IF THE EGG IS NOT CAUGHT, HE GOES BACK TO THE HOUSE AND THE
WOLF GUESSES OTHER EGGS' COLORS. (IN MY WORDS)
Submitter comment:
THIS GAME IS ESPECIALLY POPULAR WITH BOYS AND GIRLS UNDER AGE TEN.
AFTER THAT AGE, IT IS PLAYED ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY BY GIRLS. A POSSIBLE
EXPLANATION FOR THIS COULD BE THAT THE BOY DOES NOT LIKE HAVING TO
OCCASIONALLY TAKE THE ROLE OF THE MOTHER.
Where learned: OHIO ; MASSILLON
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Racing Chasing Fighting Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Guessing |
Date learned: 09-00-1973
OLD WITCH, WHAT TIME IS IT?
ANY NUMBER CAN PLAY, THE MORE THE BETTER. ONE PERSON PLAYS THE
PART OF THE WITCH, AND SHE STANDS FAR AWAY FROM THE REST OF THE
PLAYERS, WITH HER BACK TURNED AWAY FROM THEM. THE FIRST PLAYER SAYS
TO THE WITCH, "OLD WITCH, WHAT TIME IS IT?" THE WITCH RESPONDS WITH
A TIME ON THE HOUR, SUCH AS 1, 2, OR ANYWHERE TO 12 O'CLOCK, AND THE
PERSON TAKES THAT MANY STEPS. EACH PLAYER DOES THIS IN TURN, AND
THEY KEEP REPEATING UNTIL A POINT WHERE THE WITCH BELIEVES ONE OF
THEM IS CLOSE TO HER. WHEN THAT PERSON AGAIN ASKS HER "OLD WITCH,
WHAT TIME IS IT," SHE SAYS (OR USUALLY YELLS) "TWELVE O'CLOCK MID-
NIGHT" AND TURNS AROUND RUNNING, TRYING TO CATCH THE PERSON. IF SHE
SUCCEEDS BEFORE THE PERSON REACHES THE STARTING POINT WHICH SERVES
AS BASE, THAT PERSON BECOMES THE WITCH FOR THE NEXT GAME. IF SHE
FAILS TO CATCH THE PERSON, SHE REMAINS THE WITCH. IN ADDITION, IF
THE PLAYER GETS CLOSE ENOUGH TO THE WITCH TO TOUCH HER WHEN SHE IS
STILL TURNED AROUND, HE MAY DO SO, AND SHE WILL STAY THE WITCH FOR
THE NEXT GAME. (IN MY WORDS)
Submitter comment:
THE GAME DESCRIBED ABOVE IS THE "CORE" GAME, BUT THERE ARE MANY
VARIATIONS. IN ONE THE WITCH MAY SAY SOMETHING SUCH AS "13 O'CLOCK"
OR EVEN "100 O'CLOCK." ALSO, THE GAME MAY INCLUDE DIRECTIONS ON WHAT
TYPE OF STEPS TO TAKE: AFTER THE WITCH GIVES THE TIME, SHE TELLS YOU
TO TAKE REGULAR, GIANT, BABY, OR SARSAPARILLA STEPS. THE SARSAPA-
RILLA STEP IS MADE BY TURNING COMPLETE CIRCULAR REVOLUTIONS WHILE AT
THE SAME TIME ADVANCING.
BEFORE A GAME YOU USUALLY STATE WHICH VARIANTS YOU WILL BE USING,
UNLESS IT IS UNDERSTOOD THAT IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD, YOU USE THE SAME
VARIANTS ALL THE TIME.
WHEN YOU PLAY WITHOUT THE VARIANT WHICH DICTATES THE STEP SIZE
TO TAKE, STRATEGY CAN BE EMPLOYED. A PERSON MAY TAKE HUGE STEPS,
TRYING TO GET UP TO THE WITCH SOON SO THAT HE CAN TAP HER ON THE
BACK. OR HE MAY TAKE TINY STEPS SO THAT HE NEVER GETS TOO FAR AWAY
FROM THE BASE, THEREFORE AVOIDING BEING CAUGHT.
THE WITCH CAN USE STRATEGY ALSO, BY OCCASIONALLY SAYING "12
O'CLOCK NOONTIME," TRYING TO FOOL THE PERSON INTO THINKING SHE SAID
"12 O'CLOCK MIDNIGHT:" IF THE PERSON RUNS BEFORE HE REALIZES THIS,
HE IS AUTOMATICALLY MADE THE WITCH. THIS MAY WORK IN REVERSE AT
TIMES, BECAUSE THE PLAYER MAY THINK FOR A MOMENT THAT THE WITCH HAS
SAID "12 O'CLOCK NOONTIME" WHEN ACTUALLY SHE HAS SAID "12 O'CLOCK
MIDNIGHT" AND HE MIGHT STAND STILL FOR THAT MOMENT, GIVING THE WITCH
EXTRA TIME TO CATCH HIM.
Where learned: OHIO ; MASSILLON
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Racing Chasing Fighting |
Date learned: 09-00-1973
JUMP-ROPE RHYME
I'M A LITTLE DUTCH GIRL DRESSED IN BLUE
HERE ARE THE THINGS I LIKE TO DO
WHISTLE TO THE CAPTAIN,
CURTSY TO THE QUEEN,
TURN MY BACK ON A SUBMARINE
I CAN TO THE HOOTCHIE-COO
I CAN DO THE FLIP
I CAN DO THEM JUST LIKE THIS
Submitter comment:
WHEN THE JUMPER SAYS "JUST LIKE THIS," SHE JUMPS OUT.
A VARIANT OF THE FIRST TWO LINES IS:
I'M A LITTLE DUTCH GIRL DRESSED IN GREEN
HERE ARE THE THINGS I THINK ARE KEEN
Where learned: OHIO ; MASSILLON
James Callow Keyword(s): INITIAL ITERATION
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 09-00-1973
JUMP-ROPE RHYME
JOHNNY OVER THE OCEAN
JOHNNY OVER THE SEA
JOHNNY BROKE A MILK-BOTTLE
AND BLAMED IT ON ME
I TOLD MA
MA TOLD PA
JOHNNY GOT A LICKIN'
HA, HA, HA
HOW MANY LICKINS DID HE GET?
Submitter comment:
THE ROPE IS TWIRLED AT NORMAL RATE UNTIL THE CLOSE OF THE LAST LINE,
WHEN THE SPEED OF THE ROPE IS INCREASED. (KNOWN AS HOT PEPPERS.)
THEN THE JUMPER COUNTS A NUMBER FOR EACH SUCCESSIVE JUMP, EACH
REPRESENTING ONE LICKING.
AS SOON AS THE JUMPER MISSES, HER TURN IS OVER.
Where learned: OHIO ; MASSILLON
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 09-00-1973
JUMP-ROPE RHYME
I WENT DOWNTOWN
TO SEE MISS BROWN.
SHE GAVE ME A NICKEL
TO BUY A PICKLE.
THE PICKLE WAS SOUR
SHE GAVE ME A DOLLAR
TO BUY A FLOWER.
ON THE FLOWER WAS A BEE
THE BEE STUNG ME.
HOW MANY STINGS DID I GET?
Submitter comment:
THE ROPE IS TWIRLED AT NORMAL RATE UNTIL THE CLOSE OF THE LAST LINE,
WHEN THE SPEED OF THE ROPE IS INCREASED. (KNOWN AS HOT PEPPERS.)
THEN THE JUMPER COUNTS A NUMBER FOR EACH SUCCESSIVE JUMP, EACH
REPRESENTING A BEE'S
STING. AS SOON AS THE JUMPER MISSES, HER TURN IS
OVER.
Where learned: OHIO ; MASSILLON
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 09-00-1973
I ONCE KNEW AN OLD MAN WHO DROVE HIS OLD MODEL A
INTO TOWN EVERYDAY TO BUY THE PAPER. ON HIS WAY,
HE OFTEN HAD TO STOP FOR A TRAFFIC LIGHT JUST
PAST A HIGH SCHOOL. A CERTAIN FRESH KID MADE A
HABIT OF PULLING ALONGSIDE, HOLLERING "WANNA
DRAG, POPS?" THEN AS THE LIGHT CHANGED, BLAST
OFF, LEAVING POPS IN A CLOUD OF SMOKE AND DUST.
WELL, POPS GOT TIRED OF THIS, SO ONE DAY HE WENT
DOWN TO JOE'S GARAGE AND SAYS TO JOE, "I WANT YOU
TO PUT IN THE BIGGEST ENGINE YOU CAN FIT UNDER THE
HOOD AND AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION."
JOE WAS RATHER SKEPTICAL, BUT AGREED TO DO IT.
SEVERAL DAYS LATER, POPS PICKED UP THE CAR AND
LEFT THE GARAGE WITHOUT SEEING JOE.
THAT AFTERNOON, POPS WAS SITTING AT THE LIGHT,
WAITING. THE OLD MODEL SHAKING AND QUIVERING,
WHEN THE KID PULLED UP. POP HOLLERS, "DO YOU
WANNA DRAG?" NATURALLY, THE KID SAYS YES. THE
LIGHT CHANGES AND OFF THEY GO.
JOE, THE MECHANIC, PICKS UP HIS PHONE. IT'S POPS
"WHAT IS THE MATTER, POPS?" "COME SEE," SAYS POPS.
WHEN HE GETS THERE, JOE SEES PARTS STREWN ALL
ALONG THE ROAD. "WHAT THE HELL?" SAYS JOE.
WELL, I WAS DRAGGING THIS KID; I HAD IT IN "L"
FOR "LEAP OFF," REALLY GOT THE DROP ON HIM. THEN
I PUT IT IN "D" FOR "DRAG," AND WAS BEATING THE
HELL OUT OF HIM. TO REALLY WHIP HIM GOOD, I PUT
IT IN "R" FOR "RACING" AND SOMETHING HAPPENED.
Submitter comment: PICKED UP AROUND MASSILLON, OHIO, 1958.
Where learned: OHIO ; MASSILLON
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Stupid man or woman |
Date learned: 00-00-1958
THE DUMB MECHANIC
A COMMON STORY TOLD AMONG TRUCKS AND MECHANICS:
BACK ABOUT 1930 WHEN I WAS HAULIN' COAL OUT OF
CADIZ (SOUTHEAST OHIO), I BOUGHT ME ONE OF THEM
NEW WHITES WITH A DIESEL ENGINE. ONE DAY, THAT BIG
BASTARD JUST WOULDN'T RUN FER SHIT, SO'S I STOPPED
AT HANK'S (SOME TRUCK STOP) AND SAYS, "HEY, HANK,
TAKE A LOOK-SEE AT WHAT AILS THIS RIG." "WELL,
HANK PROPS UP THE HOOD WITH A 4 X 4 AND STARTS
MONKEYING AROUND. SHORTLY, HE JUMPS DOWN SAYING,
'WHY, HELL MAN, IT'S A WONDER THIS THING RUNS AT ALL.
IT AIN'T GOT NO SPARK PLUGS.'"
Submitter comment:
TOLD TO ME ABOUT 1957 BY A PROFESSIONAL MECHANIC
WHO DROVE SCHOOL BUS AS PART-TIME JOB. HE WAS
ABOUT 60 AND TOLD IT IN THE FIRST PERSON. HAVE
HEARD THE SAME STORY TOLD IN THIRD PERSON BY A
HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR WHO USED DIFFERENT
LOCALITY (HUNTINGTON, W. VA.), DIFFERENT KIND
OF TRUCK AND OTTO'S TRUCK STOP.
Where learned: OHIO ; MASSILLON
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Stupid man or woman |
WHENEVER A TURKEY IS CONSUMED, IT IS CUSTOMARY TO
SAVE THE "WISHBONE" (DIAGRAM ON CARD) AND LET IT DRY
TIL BRITTLE. THEN TWO PEOPLE EACH MAKE A WISH. EACH
THEN GRASPS ONE LEG OF THE WISHBONE AND PULLS.
WHOEVER GETS THE BIGGER PIECE WHEN THE BONE BREAKS
WILL HAVE HIS WISH COME TRUE.
Submitter comment:
SINCE THE BELIEF THAT ONE WISH WILL COME TRUE IS NO
LONGER HELD TO ANY EXTENT, THE CUSTOM IS CONTINUED
MOSTLY JUST FOR THE FUN INVOLVED.
CUSTOM HAS BEEN IN FAMILY FOR AT LEAST 80 YEARS,
ACCORDING TO MY MOTHER AND WAS PRESENT IN MY FATHER'S
FAMILY AS WELL. MOTHER IS SECOND GENERATION AMERICAN
FROM ENGLAND.
Where learned: OHIO ; MASSILLON
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Home |
Date learned: 00-00-1968
HELL WEEKEND IS THE LAST WEEKEND OF THE 6-8 WEEK PLEDGE
PERIOD (PERIOD OF PROBATION DURING WHICH ONE IS JOINING A
FRATERNITY OR SORORITY). MOST HELL WEEKENDS BEGIN WITH A
"PARTY" FRIDAY NIGHT, DURING WHICH MEMBERS MAKE PLEDGES DO
EXTENSIVE PHYSICAL EXERCISE. THE PLEDGES ARE THEN GIVEN A
LIST OF ITEMS (MANHOLE COVERS, BLACK LACE BRAS, G STRINGS,
USED SANITARY NAPKINS, STREET SIGNS, ETC.) WHICH THEY HAVE
TO GET DURING WHAT IS CALLED THE SCAVENGER HUNT. BY ABOUT
9:00 A.M. SATURDAY THE PLEDGES MUST HAVE A FIRE GOING AT
SOME SPECIFIED PLACE SUCH AS A STATE PARK. THE MEMBERS
ARRIVE AND GIVE THE PLEDGES "HELL" I.E., THE PLEDGES ARE
MADE TO DO MORE EXTENSIVE PHYSICAL EXERCISE ACCOMPANIED
BY MENTAL HAZING AND PHYSICAL DEGRADATION SUCH AS GETTING
EGGS, MOLASSES, AND CORN FLAKES POURED INSIDE THEIR
CLOTHES. THROUGHOUT THE DAY THE PLEDGES ARE ALSO FORCED TO
EAT VARIOUS KINDS OF HOT AND/OR DISTASTEFUL THINGS, SUCH AS
GARLIC PEPPER, GOLDFISH, TOBASCO SAUCE, ONIONS, ETC.
FINALLY ABOUT 4:00 SATURDAY AFTERNOON THE MEMBERS LEAVE AND
THE PLEDGES GO HOME TO BED. IF NONE OF THE PLEDGES HAVE
QUIT OR DONE ANYTHING TO GET A MEMBER MAD, THEY ARE INITIATED
INTO THE FRATERNITY SUNDAY NIGHT.
Submitter comment:
HELL WEEKEND, AS DESCRIBED BY OMICRON TAU PLEDGE CLASS,
VERIFIED AS TYPICAL BY TAU (UPSILON?) THETA, TAU KAPPA
EPSILON, PHI KAPPA THETA, UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT, 1968.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; OHIO ; DETROIT ; MASSILLON
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 00-00-1968
WITHIN A YEAR OF THEIR INTRODUCTION, THE BELIEF
AROSE THAT, OTHER THINGS BEING REMOTELY EQUAL,
AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WOULD NEVER BE ABLE
TO BEAT A MANUAL SHIFT TRANSMISSION/CLUTCH IN A
DRAG RACE
Submitter comment:
HOWEVER, LIKE MANY FOLK THEORIES IN SCIENCE, THIS
HAS BEEN DISPROVEN AS OF 1962.
Where learned: OHIO ; MASSILLON
James Callow Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00-00-1968
Entry filtered.
TAUNT
YOU ARE AS STUPID AS A SCREEN ON A SUBMARINE.
Where learned: OHIO, ASSUMED ; CINCINNATI
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 10-01-1968
LITHUANIAN GAME
TWO PEOPLE GET SAME NUMBER OF EGGS. EACH TAKES HOLD
OF ONE EGG AND CHARGES AT EACH OTHER, HITTING THE
EGGS TOGETHER. THE PERSON WHOSE EGG CRACKS GETS
A NEW EGG. THE ONE LEFT WITH THE MOST EGGS WINS.
Where learned: OHIO ; NORTH OLMSTED
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 02-00-1970
ON EASTER, IF THE FIRST WORD YOU SAY IS RABBIT, THE REST
OF THE YEAR WILL BE GOOD.
Where learned: OHIO ; NORTH OLMSTED
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. |
Date learned: 03-30-1971
GOOD FRIDAY BELIEF
IT EITHER RAINS OR THE SKY DARKENS BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 12 NOON AND
3 P.M. GOOD FRIDAY AFTERNOON.
Data entry tech comment:
THE ORIGIN OF THIS BELIEF IS FOUND IN THE BIBLE IN 3 PLACES--MATTHEW
27:45, MARK 15:33, AND LUKE 23:44. THESE PASSAGES REFER TO THE
DARKNESS. A STORM IS ALSO REFERRED TO IN THE BIBLE AS OCCURING
DURING THE THREE HOURS.
Where learned: OHIO ; NORTH OLMSTED
| Subject headings: | 663 Good Friday BELIEF -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Entry filtered.
Entry filtered.
WHENEVER YOU ARE SITTING NEAR SOMEONE WHO IS TASTING
A NEW AND DIFFERENT FOOD, THAT THEY HAVE NEVER
TASTED BEFORE, HIT HIM ON THE HEAD WITH A FORK.
THIS WILL BRING THE PERSON THAT IS HIT GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: OHIO ; NORTH OLMSTED
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Good luck Eating utensils BELIEF -- Good luck Food and drink |
Date learned: 02-00-1970
IF YOU PUT A PENNY IN YOUR SHOE, YOU'LL HAVE GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: OHIO ; NORTH OLMSTED
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Good luck Money BELIEF -- Good luck Clothing (dress, hat, shoes, suit, etc.) |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
IF YOU FIND A PENNY, IT MEANS YOU'LL HAVE GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: OHIO ; NORTH OLMSTED
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Good luck Money |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN