Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for BIRMINGHAM returned 584 results.
PROBERB
WOMEN ARE WON WHEN THEY BEGIN TO THREATEN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 03-28-1971
THE THING THAT GOES THE FARTHEST,
THE THING THAT'S MOST WORTHWHILE,
THE THING THAT COSTS THE LEAST AND DOES THE MOST,
IS JUST A PLEASANT SMILE.
(SIGNED) RICKY HOFFMAN
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM ; GRADE SCHOOL ; HOLY NAME
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Chimney corner wisdom, advice, humorous fortune |
Date learned: 06-00-1961
WHEN YOU GET OLDER AND OUT OF SHAPE,
REMEMBER GIRDLES ARE $2.98.
Submitter comment: FROM MY SISTER
Where learned: BIRMINGHAM ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Wisecracks, gags, silly stories, insults |
Date learned: 00-00-1967
2 Y'S U R
2 Y'S U B
I C U R
2 Y'S 4 ME.
TOO WISE YOU ARE
TOO WISE YOU BE
I SEE YOU ARE
TOO WISE FOR ME!
Where learned: BIRMINGHAM ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Translations, plays on words, symbol writing |
Date learned: 00-00-1967
Entry filtered.
RIDDLE
Q: WHAT HAS LEGS BUT CANNOT WALK?
A: A TABLE.
Data entry tech comment: A DUPLICATE IN 5 X 8 CARD FILES
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
Keyword(s): ACTIONS (Q) ; FURNITURE (A) ; PARTS OF THE BODY (Q) ; PRIVATIONAL
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: 09-25-1965
RIDDLE
Q: WHAT HAS ARMS BUT CANNOT REACH?
A: AN ARMCHAIR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
Keyword(s): FURNITURE (A) ; PARTS OF THE BODY (Q) ; PRIVATIONAL OPPOSITIONAL
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
RIDDLE
Q: WHAT IS THE SKINNIEST VEGETABLE IN THE WORLD?
A: A POTATOE CHIP
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
Keyword(s): EATABLES AND DRINKS (A) ; EATABLES AND DRINKS (Q) ; LITERAL
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
CROUP
TO CURE THE CROUP, DRINK MELTED GOOSE GREASE AND SUGAR
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 02-24-1968
Toast
An Old Irish Toast:
May your joys be as deep as the ocean, and your sorrows as light as its foam.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
Keyword(s): DRINKING ; ETHNIC ; Foam ; Irish ; Ocean ; Salute ; TOAST
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Speech Speech SPEECH -- Formula |
CANDLE CEREMONY
IN OUR SORORITY, WE GATHER AROUND IN A CIRCLE IN A DARK
ROOM AND PASS AROUND A WHITE CANDLE FROM ONE GIRL TO THE NEXT
WHILE SINGING OUR SORORITY SONGS. WHOEVER BLOWS IT OUT THE FIRST
TIME WHILE IT IS BEING PASSED IS RINGED; THE SECOND IS PINNED; AND
THE THIRD ENGAGED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Engagement |
Date learned: 04-03-1971
STRING BELIEF
TIE A STRING AROUND YOUR FINGER TO REMEMBER SOMETHING.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
Keyword(s): Finger ; Remember ; String ; Tool
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 03-17-1971
NEVER TICKEL A BABY BECAUSE IF
YOU DO IT WILL STUDDER.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT BELIEVES THIS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
MAGIC OF HOLY WATER
OCCASIONALLY SPRINKLE THE ROOMS OF YOUR HOME
TO RID THEM OF THE TEMPTATIONS OF THE DEVIL.
Submitter comment: A BELIEF PRACTICED BY ONE OF THE SISTERS I HAD IN GRADE SCHOOL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color |
Date learned: 01-29-1968
IF YOU SPILL ASHES ON THE CARPET, RUB IT IN
AND IT WILL KEEP THE MOTHS AWAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Insect |
Date learned: 00-00-1967
SUPERSTITION
IF YOU LIGHT TWO MATCHES PERPINDICULAR AND THEY STAY PERPINDICULAR
WHEN LIT, YOU ARE SEXUALLY SATISFIED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 03-24-1971
PROVERB
AN OLD DOG WILL LEARN NO NEW TRICKS
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 11-10-1967
PROVERB
ONE BIRD IN HAND IS WORTH TWO IN THE BUSH
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
Keyword(s): NUMBERS
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 11-15-1967
WEATHER SIGN
IF SMOKE RISES FAST IN THIN CURLS THERE WILL BE SNOW.
Where learned: ALABAMA ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color |
Date learned: 05-05-1972
ALABAMA WEDDING CUSTOM
"TO HER WEDDING, A BRIDE SHOULD WEAR SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW,
SOMETHING BORROWED, AND SOMETHING BLUE TO INSURE A LONG, HAPPY,
AND PROSPEROUS MARRIAGE".
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS ITEM AS A YOUNG MAN IN DETROIT,
CIRCA 1930, FROM HIS MOTHER, WHO LEARNED IT FROM HER MOTHER
IN ALABAMA, CIRCA 1900.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALABAMA ; DETROIT ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Date learned: 11-22-1980 ; 00-00-1928 ; 00-00-1900