Dr. James T. Callow publications
Browse by
Questions or comments on this site? Please email davidsor@udmercy.edu.
The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for FARMINGTON returned 182 results.
THE WIGGLE
I WIGGLE MY FINGERS; I WIGGLE MY TOES,
I WIGGLE MY NOSE. SO NOW NO MORE WIGGLES
ARE LEFT IN ME. SO I WILL BE AS STILL AS
STILL AS CAN BE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children |
RUSSIAN CHRISTMAS CUSTOMS
WHEN I WAS STILL IN SCHOOL WE HAD TWO WEEKS VACATION
FOR CHRISTMAS. GOVERNMENT OFFICES CLOSED FOR A WHOLE
WEEK. ON THE FIRST DAY OF CHRISTMAS ALL THE CHILDREN
AND GRANDCHILDREN VISITED THEIR GRANDPARENTS' HOUSE.
MOST OF THE PEOPLE DIDN'T MOVE MUCH. MANY OF THEM WERE
BORN, LIVED AND DIED IN THE SAME VILLAGE OR CITY. THEY
OFTEN HAD EIGHT TO FOURTEEN CHILDREN. IT WAS NOT
UNUSUAL TO HAVE TWENTY TO THIRTY PEOPLE IN THE HOUSE
AT THE SAME TIME. THE TABLES WERE LADEN WITH FOOD
FOR A WHOLE WEEK. ON THE SECOND DAY OF CHRISTMAS THE
MEN WENT FROM HOUSE TO HOUSE OF RELATIONS AND FRIENDS
FOR A DRINK OF VODKA AND SOME FOOD. THE WOMEN STAYED
HOME TO GREET THE GUESTS. ON THE THIRD AND FOURTH DAYS
OF CHRISTMAS PEOPLE WENT TO SEE THEIR BEST FRIENDS.
THEY HAD DINNER AND DRINKS AND ENDED UP SINGING AND
DANCING RUSSIAN FOLK DANCES. WE HAD NO CARS SO EVERYONE
GOT HOME SAFELY. ON THE FIFTH AND SIXTH DAYS OF
CHRISTMAS EVERYONE RESTED.
Submitter comment: THESE CUSTUMS TOOK PLACE BEFORE THE RUSSIAN REVOLUTION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Farmington Hills
James Callow Keyword(s): VISITING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas Season See F645.2 for Advent Season. |
Date learned: 12-00-1983
POLISH EASTER CUSTOMS
EASTER EGGS ARE DYED BY BOILING WHITE EGGS IN
ONION SKINS. IF THEY ARE ONLY BOILED FOR A
FEW MINUTES THEY WILL BE YELLOW. IF BOILED LONGER
THEY WILL BE ORANGE. IF BOILED EVEN LONGER THEY
WILL BECOME RED-BROWN. ONLY THE RED TYPE OF ONIONS
WILL GIVE COLOR. THE EGGS ARE TAKEN TO CHURCH ON
HOLY SATURDAY TO BE BLESSED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Farmington Hills
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter eggs |
Date learned: 10-30-1983
POLISH CHRISTMAS CUSTOMS
THE CELEBRATION OF CHRISTMAS BEGINS ON
CHRISTMAS EVE. THE DINNER MUST BE MEATFREE BUT
FISH IS ALLOWED. OPLATKI IS ALSO EATEN. THIS
IS BLESSED BUT NOT CONSECRATED BREAD. THE PRESENTS
ARE OPENED ON CHRISTMAS EVE, NOT CHRISTMAS MORNING.
ON CHRISTMAS ONE USUALLY HAD HAM FOR DINNER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Farmington Hills
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve |
UNDER A NUT TREE
A PIG STUFFED HERSELF WITH NUTS AND THEN SLEPT
UNDER THE NUT TREE. WHEN SHE WOKE UP SHE STARTED
TO DIG WITH HER SNOUT. A RAVEN WAS SITTING IN
THE TREE AND SAID TO THE PIG, "YOU ARE HARMING
THE TREE WITH YOUR DIGGING! THE TREE MIGHT WHITHER."
THE PIG SAID, "LET IT WHITHER, I DON'T CARE. I
ONLY CARE ABOUT NUTS."
THE TREE THEN SAID, "YOU STUPID IDIOT! IF YOU
WOULD RAISE YOUR HEAD YOU WOULD SEE THAT THE NUTS
GROW ON ME!"
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS LEARNED IN RUSSIA AND IS IN RHYME IN
THE RUSSIAN LANGUAGE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Farmington Hills
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal Tale |
Date learned: 10-27-1983
THE MONKEY AND THE BEAR
THE MONKEY LOOKED AT HERSELF IN THE MIRROR.
SHE KICKED THE BEAR NEXT TO HER AND SAID,
"LOOK AT THAT HORROR! LOOK AT THOSE FOLDS
AND WRINKLES! I WOULD CHOKE IF I RESEMBLED THAT
IMAGE AT ALL!"
THE BEAR SAID, "RECOGNIZE THAT IT IS YOU! I
KNOW OTHER UGLY MONKEY FRIENDS LIKE YOU. I CAN
COUNT THEM ALL ON MY FINGERS..."
THE MONKEY INTERRUPTED, "DON'T TROUBLE YOURSELF
TO COUNT THEM. TAKE A LOOK AT YOURSELF IN THE
MIRROR INSTEAD!"
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS LEARNED IN RUSSIA AND IS IN RHYME IN
THE RUSSIAN LANGUAGE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Farmington Hills
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal Tale |
Date learned: 10-27-1983
VOCABULARY
HOP, SKIP AND A JUMP.
Submitter comment: THESE ARE SAYIGS THAT DENOTE DISTANCES BY THE SOUTHERN PEOPLE.)
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON
Keyword(s): UNDERSTATEMENT
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase |
Date learned: 02-17-1970
GAME, POPE PUFF
WHILE HOLDING A DRINK WITH ONE FINGER AND THUMB THE PLAYER MUST
RECITE: HERE'S TO POPE PUFF WHO IS WITH US FOR THE FIRST TIME
TONIGHT.AFTER SAYING THIS THE PLAYER MUST TAKE ONE DRINK FROM THE
GLASS.HE MUST THEN TAP THE GLASS ONCE ON THE TABLE.THE PLAYER MUST DO
A SERIES OF TAPS WHICH GOES AS FOLLOWS.WITH ONE FINGER OF EACH HAND
HE MUST TAP THE TOP OF THE TABLE, THE BOTTOM OF THE TABLE AND ONCE ON
EACH THIGH.HE MUST THEN TAP EACH FOOT ONCE ON THE FLOOR FOLLOWED BY
STANDING UP AND SITTING BACK DOWN IN HIS CHAIR.THE PLAYER MUST THEN
PICK UP THE GLASS WITH TWO FINGERS AND THUMB AND RECITE:HERE'S TO
POPE PUFF PUFF WHO IS WITH US FOR THE SECOND TIME TONIGHT.UPON
COMPLETION THE PLAYER TAKES TWO DRINKS AND TAPS THE GLASS TWICE ON
THE TABLE.THE FINGER TAPPING IS REPEATED BUT TWO FINGERS WITH TWO
TAPS FROM EACH IS REQUIRED.EACH FOOT IS TAPPED TWICE AND THE PLAYER
STANDS UP AND SITS BACK DOWN TWICE.UPON COMPLETION THE PLAYER PICKS
UP HIS GLASS WITH THREE FINGERS AND THUMB AND RECITES:HERE'S TO POPE
PUFF PUFF PUFF WHO IS WITH US FOR THE THIRD AND FINAL TIME THIS
EVENING
THE PLAYER MUST NOW TAKE THREE DRINKS FROM THE GLASS MAKING SURE TO
COMPLETLY FINISH THE REMAINING CONTENTS.HE MUST NOW TAP THE GLASS
THREE TIMES ON THE TABLE AND FOLLOW WITH THE FINGER TAPS USING THREE
FINGERS ON EACH HAND.THREE TAPS WITH EACH FOOT IS GIVEN FOLLOWED BY
STANDING UP AND SITTING DOWN THREE TIMES.AFTER COMPLETING ALL THIS,
THE PLAYER MUST TURN HIS GLASS UP-SIDE-DOWN ON THE TABLE AND THEN
BACK TO THE NORMAL POSITION WHILE SAYING, ONCE A POPE ALWAYS A POPE
AM I A POPE?ALL THE PLAYERS IN THE GAME NOW INSPECT THE TABLE FOR
LIQUID THAT MAY HAVE BEEN LEFT IN THE GLASS.IF ANY IS FOUND THE
PLAYER MUST REPEAT THE ENTIRE CHANT.ALSO IF A MISTAKE IS MADE
ANYWHERE ALONG THE WAY, THE PLAYER MUST REFILL HIS GLASS AND START
AGAIN FROM THE BEGINNING.
Submitter comment:
THIS GAME IS USUALLY PLAYED WITH A NUMBER OF PLAYERS WHOOSE GLASSES
ARE FILLED WITH AN ALCHOLIC BEVERAGE. COMPLETING THE CHANT THE FIRST
TIME
IS VERY RARE AND THE PLAYERS USUALLY ALL END UP INTOXICATED.IF YOU
THINK PLAYING THE GAME IS DIFFICULT, YOU SHOULD TRY KEYPUNCHING IT
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Memory |
THE FOX AND THE RAVEN
A RAVEN WAS FLYING AROUND AND FOUND A
HUNK OF CHEESE. SHE ATE THE CHEESE UNTIL
SHE WAS ALMOST SATISFIED. BUT SHE STILL HAD
A PIECE OF CHEESE IN HER MOUTH. A FOX
RAN BY AND SMELLED THE CHEESE. HE STOPPED
AND SAW THE RAVEN WITH THE CHEESE.
HE SAID TO THE RAVEN: "DEAR FRIEND, HOW
LOVELY YOU ARE! WHAT SPLENDID FEATHERS, WHAT
A LOVELY BEAK! YOU MUST HAVE A HEAVENLY
VOICE. SING ME A PRETTY SONG. DON'T BE SHY,
SING! YOU ARE THE QUEEN OF ALL BIRDS!
SOMEONE AS LOVELY AS YOU SHOULD SING!"
THE RAVEN WAS SO HAPPY, SHE CROWED WITH ALL
OF HER MIGHT. THE PIECE OF CHEESE FELL OUT
OF HER BEAK WHEN SHE OPENED IT AND THE CLEVER
FOX GOBBLED IT UP. THE RAVEN THEN FLEW AWAY,
STILL NOT QUITE SATISFIED
Submitter comment:
THIS TALE WAS LEARNED IN RUSSIA AND WAS IN
RHYME IN THE RUSSIAN LANGUAGE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Farmington Hills
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal Tale |
Date learned: 10-27-1983
LUCK BELIEF
IF YOU SEE THE FIRST STAR OUT AT NIGHT, YOU WILL HAVE GOOD LUCK.
Submitter comment: MY FATHER WAS TOLD THIS BY HIS MOTHER WHEN HE WAS A BOY.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON ; TOLD BY ; FATHER
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 02-18-1970
RUSSIAN PEOPLE ACCEPTED CHRISTIANITY I BELIEVE IN
760 A.D. BEFORE THAT THERE WASN'T ANY ORGANIZED
RELIGION BUT THEY BELIEVED IN SOME SPIRITS OR GHOSTS.
ONE IS DOMOVOY. "DOM" IN RUSSIAN MEANS HOUSE; DOMOVOY
IS THE HOUSE SPIRIT. HE IS A VERY SMALL OLD MAN, ABOUT
THE SIZE OF A FIVE YEAR OLD CHILD. HE HAS LONG HAIR
AND A LONG BEARD. HE ALWAYS WEARS BOOTS AND CAFTAN
(A RUSSIAN HOUSE COAT WITH A LONG TIE-ROPE AROUND
THE WAIST). HE LIVED IN THE ATTIC AND EVERY HOUSE HAD
ITS OWN DOMOVOY. HE WASN'T A BAD FELLOW BUT HE WAS
ALWAYS PLAYING TRICKS. IF SOMEONE FELL OFF THE STEPS
THEN DOMOVOY PUSHED HIM. IF SOMETHING FELL OFF THE SHELF
THEN DOMOVOY PUSHED IT. HE WAS ALWAYS RESPONSIBLE FOR
THE UNEXPLAINED ACCIDENTS.
ANOTHER SPIRIT IS LESOVOY. "LES" IN RUSSIAN MEANS
FOREST; LESOVOY IS THE SPIRIT THAT LIVES IN THE WOODS.
HE IS SMALL AND HAIRY AND WEARS HIGH BOOTS AND A JACKET.
HE LIVED IN HOLLOW TREES AND ONE VERY SELDOM SAW HIM.
BY THE TIME I WAS SIX OR SEVEN YEARS OLD I STOPPED
BELIEVING IN THESE SPIRITS. I NEVER HEARD OF THEM IN
THE BIG CITIES, ONLY IN SMALL VILLAGES AND TOWNS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Farmington Hills
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
S-C-H-O-O-L
S-C-H-O-O-L SPELLS SCHOOL.
1ST GRADE--JUMP ONCE
2ND GRADE--JUMP TWICE
3RD GRADE--JUMP THREE TIMES
4TH GRADE-- JUMP FOUR TIMES
5TH GRADE--5 JUMPS ONE FOOT
6TH GRADE--6 JUMPS ROTATING
7TH GRADE-- 7 JUMPS ROATAING AND TOUCHING GROUND WITH 1 HAND.
8TH GRADE--I'M A LITTLE DUTCH GIRL
DRESSED IN BLUE.
THESE ARE THE THINGS I LIKE TO DO.
SALUTE TO THE CAPTAIN
BOE TO THE QUEEN.
AND TURN MY BACK ON THE MEAN OLD KING.
9TH GRADE--CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS SAILED THE OCEAN BLUE IN 1492.
THE WAVES GOT HIGHER AND HIGHER AND OVER
THE BOUNDRY MAIN.
THESE ARE THE SHIPS THAT D- REMAIN
1-2-3...
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON
Keyword(s): ACTION-RHYME ; CHARACTER ; ENDURANCE ; Jump
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 02-00-1971
WARTS ARE CAUSED BY TOUCHING TOADS.
Submitter comment:
I HAVE KNOWN THIS SINCE I WAS A CHILD AND I HAVE HEARD IT MANY
TIMES FROM OTHER PEOPLE.
Where learned: CHILDHOOD ; FARMINGTON ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
RETORT
MY TONGUE GOT IN THE WAY OF MY EYE TOOTH AND I
COULDN'T SEE WHAT I WAS SAYING.
Where learned: FARMINGTON ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
RHYME OF MOCKERY
FATTY, FATTY TWO BY FOUR, / CAN'T GET THROUGH THE KITCHEN DOOR.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS ONE OF THE MOCKERY RHYMES GRANDMOTHER CAN REMEMBER THAT WAS
THE MOST PREVALENT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON
Keyword(s): RHYME: AA
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: 02-24-1970
CATCH A PIECE OF FUZZ IN THE AIR AND ONE WISH WILL COME TRUE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: CA00001915
MONEY BURNS A HOLE IN A FOOLS POCKET.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON
| Subject headings: | Observation |
SUPERSTIYIOUS BELIEF
I HAVE A BIRTHMARK ON MY CHEEK.
WHICH MY MOTHER ATTRIBUTED TO HAVING EATEN STRAWBERRIES
BEFORE SHE KNEW SHE WAS PREGNANT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON
Keyword(s): BIRTHMARKS ; CONTAGIOUS MAGIC ; FOOD ; PREGNANCY
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Specific distinguishing characteristic Dimple, wart, mole, scar, freckle, birthmark, strawberry mark, bruise, spot (on any part of body) BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 11-29-1969
OMEN
IF A BIRD COMES INTO YOUR HOME AND FLIES AROUND, THAT MEANS SOMEONE
IN YOUR HOME IS GOING TO DIE.
Submitter comment: TOLD TO ME IN MY HOME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 11-28-1969
RHYME
ONE TO MAKE READY;
TWO TO SHOW;
THREE TO START,
AND FOUR TO GO.
Submitter comment:
TOLD TO ME BY MY GRANDMOTHER AT MY HOME.
MY GRANDMOTHER USED TO COUNT TO THIS OR SKIP ROPE TO THIS WHEN SHE
WAS A CHILD IN ENGLAND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON
Keyword(s): PLAIN-JUMP
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 02-26-1970