Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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AUTOGRAPH BOOK VERSE
DON!T GO TO LONDON,
DON!T GO TO FRANCE,
STAY IN MICHIGAN,
AND GIVE THE BOYS A CHANCE.
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE POPULARITY
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1969
Entry filtered.
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THE WHIFFENPOOF
THE 800-POUND WHIFFENPOOF WAS CAPABLE OF RUNNING BACKWARD. IT WAS
CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACE OF AN ELK, ANTLERS, SHARP HOOVES AND
HIND QUARTERS THAT SLOPED ABRUPTLY LIKE THOSE OF A GIRAFFE. THE
BULL WHIFFENPOOFS WERE EQUIPPED WITH TWO ADAM'S APPLES WHICH
CLICKED TOGETHER LIKE A PAIR OF DICE, AND PROVIDED A MEANS OF
CONVERSATION. THE COWS SCREAMED LIKE A SOPRANO SINGING WITH A
SORE THROAT.
THE WHIFFENPOOF UNDERWENT PHYSICAL IMPROVEMENTS WITH MODERNITY,
AND IN ITS MOST RECENT FORM, BORE RED AND GREEN LIGHTS AT THE
STERN. WHEN THE WHIFFENPOOF RAN FORWARD, IT SWITCHED ON ITS GREEN
LIGHT; AND WHEN IT RAN BACKWARD IT FLASHED THE RED LIGHT.
THEIR ENEMY WAS THE TIMBER WOLF.
THE WHIFFS AND THE TIMBER WOLVES WERE IN A CONTINUAL STATE OF WAR-
FARE. THE WHIFFS USUALLY OUTSMARTED THE WOLVES. THEY GOT THE
WOLVES TO CHASE THEM, AND THEN SUDDENLY RAN BACKWARD, TRAMPLING
THEIR ENEMIES INTO THE EARTH.
THE WARFARE BECAME VERY BITTER. WOLVES MOVED DOWN FROM MICHIGAN TO
EXTERMINATE THE WHIFFENPOOF AND THE BATTLE WAS TERRIFIC. THE
EARTH SHOOK FROM THE THUNDER OF THE WHIFFENPOOF HOOVES, AND
KNOCKED PICTURES FROM THE WALLS OF THE PIONEERS' HOMES. THE
WHIFFS HAD THEIR GREEN LIGHTS ON, AND THE NIGHT BECAME SO BRIGHT
THAT SCHOOL CHILDREN COULD READ THEIR PRIMERS WITHOUT THE AID
OF TALLOW DIP CANDLES.
THEY CHASED THE MICHIGAN WOLVES INTO LAKE ERIE; BUT A BIG DISPLAY
OF NORTHERN LIGHTS, OR AURORA BOREALIS, WAS ON, AND THE WHIFFS
BECAME CONFUSED. THEY THOUGHT THEIR COMRADES WERE FLASHING ON THE
GREEN LIGHTS FOR GUIDANCE, AND SWAM AROUND IN CIRCLES UNTIL THEY
WERE SO EXHAUSTED THAT THEY DROWNED. ONE WHIFFENPOOF SURVIVED.
HE SWAN TO A LAKE ERIE ISLAND OFF THE OHIO COAST AND LIVED THERE
FOR YEARS. HE WAS KNOWN AS "OLD OTTO."
BUT ONE DAY "OLD OTTO" ATE A PAIR OF OVERALLS FROM A FARMER'S
CLOTHESLINE, AND THE OVERALLS CLOGGED HIS THROAT. HIS TWO
ADAM'S APPLES WOULDN'T CLICK TOGETHER, AND HE WAS UNABLE TO TALK
TO HIMSELF. SO HE DIED OF LONELINESS.
Submitter comment:
THE WHIFFENPOOF WAS CREATED BY THE HESSIAN MERCENARIES WHO FOUGHT
FOR ENGLAND DURING THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. AFTER THE WAR MANY
OF THEM SETTLED IN PENNSYLVANIA AND CONTRIBUTED TO THE PEOPLE
KNOWN AS THE PENNSYLVANIA DUTCH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIBRARY ; DETROIT ; DETROIT PUBLIC LIBRARY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
TRADITION
A NEW BORN MALAYSIAN WILL RECEIVE RED EGGS AND SMALL GOLD
NECKLACES DURING ITS BIRTHDAY DINNER CELEBRATION FOR GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
Date learned: 04-00-1979
I CAN'T WRITE FOR BEAUTY
I CAN'T WRITE FOR FAME
I CAN'T WRITE FOR HEALTH
SO, I'LL JUST SIGN MY NAME
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Announcing a signature |
Date learned: 10-17-1967
NEVER KILL A SPIDER OR IT WILL SOON RAIN. AS A CHILD,
I TRIED THIS, AND IT ALWAYS SEEMED TO HOLD TRUE.
Submitter comment:
THIS BELIEF WAS COMMUNICATED BY STEVE'S GRANDMOTHER WHEN HE
WAS A CHILD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Animal BELIEF -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew |
Date learned: 10-18-1984
A TURTLE NEVER DIES UNTIL THE SUN GOES DOWN. IF YOU CATCH A
TURTLE AND CUT IT UP FOR SOUP, THE PARTS KEEP SQUIRMING IN THE
SOUP UNTIL THE SUN GOES DOWN.
Submitter comment:
THIS STORY WAS TOLD TO STEVE WHEN HE WAS A CHILD BY HIS
GRANDMOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Animal BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour |
JESUIT NOVITIATE LEGENDS
DURING THE JESUIT NOVITIATE IN THE 1960'S, THE STATUE
OF ST. JOSEPH WAS MYSTERIOUSLY BEING TURNED AROUND. ONE
DAY THE SUPERIOR FOUND ST. JOE TURNED AROUND WITH AN AXE
IN HIS BACK. THE DISTRAUGHT SUPERIOR CALLED IN A
PSYCHIATRIST WHO SUGGESTED MORE DIVERSITY IN THE LIVING
ARRANGEMENT. THE PSYCHIATRIST THOUGHT MORE DIVERSITY
WOULD LEAD TO A BETTER PSYCHOLOGICAL ATMOSPHERE. THE
SUPERIOR TOOK THE ADVICE OF THE PSYCHIATRIST, AND ADDED
NEW AND DIFFERENT COLOR INK BLOTTERS TO EACH ROOM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): HUMOR
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church |
Date learned: 09-20-1984
WHEN I AM DEAD AND IN MY GRAVE,
AND ALL MY BONES ARE ROTTEN,
THIS BOOK OF FAME WILL TELL MY NAME
WHEN I AM FORGOTTEN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Announcing a signature |
Date learned: 10-17-1967
ROBERT JOHN STREET IN GROSSE POINTE IS HAUNTED.
THE HANDS OF A LITTLE GIRL, WHO WAS STRUCK AND
KILLED ON THAT STREET, KNOCK AND POUND ON PASSING
CARS.
Submitter comment:
QUITE A FEW PEOPLE I'VE TALKED TO EITHER HEARD
OF THE TALE OR HEARD THE KNOCKING THEMSELVES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal P477.13 |
Date learned: 09-20-1971
JESUIT NOVITIATE LEGENDS
DURING THE JESUIT NOVITIATE IN THE 1960'S, THERE WAS
THE STORY OF THE "MAD-CRAPPER". AN UNKNOWN NOVICE REPORTEDLY
WAS HAVING BOWEL MOVEMENTS THROUGHOUT THE NOVITIATE.
THEY NEVER FOUND THE CULPRIT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 09-20-1984
JESUIT NOVITIATE LEGENDS
DURING THE JESUIT NOVITIATE IN THE 1960'S, THERE WAS THE
STORY OF THE JESUIT NOVICE HAVING A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN
DURING MASS. HE BEGAN TO GROAN LOUDLY, AND WAS TAKEN
MYSTERIOUSLY FROM THE NOVITIATE NEVER TO BE SEEN AGAIN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church |
Date learned: 09-20-1984
SLEEPING BEAR POINT
A MOTHER BEAR AND TWO CUBS, SEEKING LUSCIOUS BERRIES ON THE
OPPOSITE SHORE, ATTEMPTED THE LONG SWIM ACROSS THE LAKE.
AS THE MAINLAND CAME INTO VIEW, THE CUBS BECAME EXHAUSTED. THEIR
MOTHER COULD NOT HELP THEM AND THEY SANK. UPON THE LEELANAU
SHORE CRAWLED THE MOTHER BEAR, THERE TO WAIT FOR THE CUBS TO
REAPPEAR. THEY DID NOT RETURN AS SUCH, BUT THE GREAT SPIRIT,
TO REWARD HER FOR HER VIGIL, CAUSED THE CUBS TO COME OUT OF THE
DEEP IN THE FORM OF TWO BEAUTIFUL ISLANDS, AFTERWARD NAMED SOUTH
AND NORTH MANITOU. ON THE MAINLAND, WHITE SANDS COVERED THE
MOTHER BEAR AND A GREAT DUNE GREW WHERE SHE HAD WAITED.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS AN INDIAN LEGEND THAT EXPLAINS HOW SLEEPING BEAR POINT
IN LEELANAU COUNTY, MICHIGAN CAME INTO EXISTENCE. THE POINT
WAS NAMED FOR THIS LEGEND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIBRARY ; DETROIT ; DETROIT PUBLIC LIBRARY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
THE WHIFFENPOOF
THE 800-POUND WHIFFENPOOF WAS CAPABLE OF RUNNING BACKWARD. IT WAS
CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACE OF AN ELK, ANTLERS, SHARP HOOVES AND
HIND QUARTERS THAT SLOPED ABRUPTLY LIKE THOSE OF A GIRAFFE. THE
BULL WHIFFENPOOFS WERE EQUIPPED WITH TWO ADAM'S APPLES WHICH
CLICKED TOGETHER LIKE A PAIR OF DICE, AND PROVIDED A MEANS OF
CONVERSATION. THE COWS SCREAMED LIKE A SOPRANO SINGING WITH A
SORE THROAT.
THE WHIFFENPOOF UNDERWENT PHYSICAL IMPROVEMENTS WITH MODERNITY,
AND IN ITS MOST RECENT FORM, BORE RED AND GREEN LIGHTS AT THE
STERN. WHEN THE WHIFFENPOOF RAN FORWARD, IT SWITCHED ON ITS GREEN
LIGHT; AND WHEN IT RAN BACKWARD IT FLASHED THE RED LIGHT.
THEIR ENEMY WAS THE TIMBER WOLF.
THE WHIFFS AND THE TIMBER WOLVES WERE IN A CONTINUAL STATE OF WAR-
FARE. THE WHIFFS USUALLY OUTSMARTED THE WOLVES. THEY GOT THE
WOLVES TO CHASE THEM, AND THEN SUDDENLY RAN BACKWARD, TRAMPLING
THEIR ENEMIES INTO THE EARTH.
THE WARFARE BECAME VERY BITTER. WOLVES MOVED DOWN FROM MICHIGAN TO
EXTERMINATE THE WHIFFENPOOF AND THE BATTLE WAS TERRIFIC. THE
EARTH SHOOK FROM THE THUNDER OF THE WHIFFENPOOF HOOVES, AND
KNOCKED PICTURES FROM THE WALLS OF THE PIONEERS' HOMES. THE
WHIFFS HAD THEIR GREEN LIGHTS ON, AND THE NIGHT BECAME SO BRIGHT
THAT SCHOOL CHILDREN COULD READ THEIR PRIMERS WITHOUT THE AID
OF TALLOW DIP CANDLES.
THEY CHASED THE MICHIGAN WOLVES INTO LAKE ERIE; BUT A BIG DISPLAY
OF NORTHERN LIGHTS, OR AURORA BOREALIS, WAS ON, AND THE WHIFFS
BECAME CONFUSED. THEY THOUGHT THEIR COMRADES WERE FLASHING ON THE
GREEN LIGHTS FOR GUIDANCE, AND SWAM AROUND IN CIRCLES UNTIL THEY
WERE SO EXHAUSTED THAT THEY DROWNED. ONE WHIFFENPOOF SURVIVED.
HE SWAN TO A LAKE ERIE ISLAND OFF THE OHIO COAST AND LIVED THERE
FOR YEARS. HE WAS KNOWN AS "OLD OTTO."
BUT ONE DAY "OLD OTTO" ATE A PAIR OF OVERALLS FROM A FARMER'S
CLOTHESLINE, AND THE OVERALLS CLOGGED HIS THROAT. HIS TWO
ADAM'S APPLES WOULDN'T CLICK TOGETHER, AND HE WAS UNABLE TO TALK
TO HIMSELF. SO HE DIED OF LONELINESS.
Submitter comment:
THE WHIFFENPOOF WAS CREATED BY THE HESSIAN MERCENARIES WHO FOUGHT
FOR ENGLAND DURING THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. AFTER THE WAR MANY
OF THEM SETTLED IN PENNSYLVANIA AND CONTRIBUTED TO THE PEOPLE
KNOWN AS THE PENNSYLVANIA DUTCH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIBRARY ; DETROIT ; DETROIT PUBLIC LIBRARY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
JESUIT NOVITIATE LEGENDS
DURING THE JESUIT NOVITIATE IN THE 1960'S, FR. ED SCHMIDT
TAUGHT LATIN CLASSES. BECAUSE THE NOVITIATE WAS SILENT
AND POPULAR MUSIC WAS BANNED, FR. SCHMIDT SECRETLY PLACED
INTERLUDES OF "BEATLES" IN THE LANGUAGE LAB TAPES. THE
TAPES BECAME POPULAR, AND AS THE SEMESTER PROGRESSED, THE
INTERLUDES OF MUSIC INCREASED AS THE LATIN DECREASED.
James Callow comment: THE BEATLES WERE A POPULAR GROUP OF MUSICIANS FROM ENGLAND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church |
Date learned: 09-20-1984
JESUIT NOVITIATE CUSTOMS
DURING THE JESUIT NOVITIATE PRIOR TO THE SECOND VATICAN
COUNCIL, NOVICES WERE DISCOURAGED FROM FORMING "PARTICULAR
FRIENDSHIPS". TO DISCOURAGE CLOSE FRIENDSHIPS, NOVICES
HAD TO GO ON WALKS WITH AT LEAST TWO OTHER NOVICES, AND
NOVICES WERE ASSIGNED PARTNERS TO WALK WITH.
Submitter comment: THIS POLICY IS NO LONGER PRACTICED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 09-20-1984
JESUIT NOVITIATE LEGENDS
DURING THE JESUIT NOVITIATE IN THE 1960'S, A NOVICE WAS
ON HIS HANDS AND KNEES KISSING COMMUNITY MEMBERS' FEET
DURING THE EVENING MEAL AS A SIGN OF PENANCE AND HUMILITY
WHEN THE SERVERS ACCIDENTLY DUMPED THE SOUP TRAY ON TOP
OF HIM. HE WAS PERFORMING A "CULPA" WHEN THIS OCCURRED.
Submitter comment:
CULPAS WERE PUBLIC CONFESSIONS DURING DINNER PRACTICED IN
THE JESUIT NOVITIATE PRIOR TO THE SECOND VATICAN COUNCIL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222. SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 09-20-1984
JESUIT NOVITIATE PRACTICES
DURING THE JESUIT NOVITIATE PRIOR TO THE SECOND VATICAN
COUNCIL, "CULPAS" WERE OFTEN PERFORMED DURING THE EVENING
MEAL. CULPA IS A LATIN WORD MEANING "FAULTS". CULPAS
WERE PUBLIC CONFESSIONS MADE DURING DINNER IN FRONT OF
THE COMMUNITY. OFTEN THE CONFESSOR WOULD KISS THE FEET
OF CERTAIN COMMUNITY MEMBERS UPON FINISHING HIS CONFESSION
AS A SIGN OF PENANCE AND HUMILITY.
Submitter comment: THIS PRACTICE IS NO LONGER ENCOURAGED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222. SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 09-20-1984
FOLKART-CONVERSION OF ARTICLES TO NEW USES.
CANDLEHOLDER MADE FROM BABYFOOD JARS.
Submitter comment:
TO MAKE THIS ITEM, YOU TAKE THREE BABY FOOD JARS AND GLUE THEM
TOGETHER, KEEP THE LIDS ON. WHEN GLUE IS SETTLED (ABOUT ONE NIGHT)
TAKE A COVER FROM ANOTHER JAR, ABOUT 2-3 INCHES WIDE AND PLACE ON
TOP OF THE JARS. THEN TAKE VARNISH AND WOOD PAINT AND APPLY
TO THE JARS AND LID. LET THAT SETTLE OVERNIGHT THEN DECORATE THE
INSIDE OF THE LID WITH TINY PLASTIC FLOWERS AND PLACE CANDLE IN THE
MIDDLE.
FUNCTIONAL SHIFT
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Household furniture and utensil |
Date learned: 10-00-1977