Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for NOT GIVEN returned 1363 results.
SILVERWARE SUPERSTITIONS
IF YOU DROP SILVERWARE, "COMPANY'S COMING!"
KNIFE--MAN, FORK--WOMAN, SPOON--CHILD.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 11-29-1967
THE TEXAS RANGERS
TEXAS IS THE PLACE THAT GROWS BIGGER AND BETTER--AND THE TEXAS
RANGERS GROW BIG, TOO. SEEMS AS THOUGH THERE WAS A RIOT IN ONE OF
THE TOWNS AND THE MAYOR WIRED FOR A COMPANY OF RANGERS. THEY WERE
SUPPOSED TO DISPERSE THE MOB. PRETTY SOON, A LONE RANGER SHOWED
UP. "HEY," SAID THE MAYOR, "IT'S A TOUGH MOB--I WIRED FOR A
COMPANY OF RANGERS, NOT JUST ONE RANGER!"
"WELL," DRAWLED THE RANGER, "YOU AIN'T GOT BUT ONE MOB, AIN'T YOU?"
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Abnormal in size PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 07-00-1964
THE CALIFORNIA FOG
IN CALIFORNIA THE FOGS ARE SO THICK THAT SHIPS OFTEN SAIL RIGHT
ACROSS THE COUNTRY TILL THEY HIT THE SIERRA NEVADA MOUNTAINS.
IT EVEN GETS SO COLD AT NIGHT THAT YOUR SHADOW FREEZES ON THE
WALL AND THEY HAVE TO USE BLOW TORCHES TO THAW IT OUT.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
Date learned: 07-00-1964
NOT GIVEN
ALEXANDRIA, GEORGIA, A VILLAGE OF 100 FAMILIES, WAS NAMED AFTER
ALEXANDER H. STEVENS, THE SECRETARY OF STATE UNDER JEFF DAVIS,
PRESIDENT OF THE CONFEDERACY. IT IS SITUATED BETWEEN SAVANNAH
AND ATLANTA. MR. WRIGHT ALSO SAYS THAT THERE WAS A BIG BATTLE
FOUGHT THERE.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
HOW MOUNTAINS CAME TO BE
LONG, LONG AGO, THE EARTH WAS SMOOTH AND FLAT AND EVEN ALL OVER.
BUT ONE DAY, SHE AROSE AND WANTED TO TALK TO THE SKY. WHEN THE
FIRST OF THEM WERE FINISHED TALKING, THE EARTH TOOK LEAVE OF
THE SKY AND STARTED TO RETURN. BUT SHE DID NOT RETURN HOME
EVERYWHERE. SOME PARTS OF HER BECAME TIRED ON THE WAY AND HAD
TO STOP WHERE THEY WERE, WITHOUT COMPLETING THE DESCENT. THESE
ARE THE HILLS AND THE MOUNTAINS.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formation |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
HAUNTED HOUSE (ST. CLAIR SHORES, MICHIGAN)
IT HAS BEEN SAID THAT ONE JEFFERSON AVENUE NEAR 13 1/2 MILE ROAD
THERE IS A HAUNTED HOUSE. IN 1964 (JUNE), THREE BOYS DECIDED TO
PAY A VISIT TO THE GHOSTS IN THE HOUSE. WHEN THEY GOT TO THE
HOUSE, THEY DECIDED TO GO IN ONE AT A TIME. IF ANYTHING HAPPENED,
THE PERSONS OUTSIDE WOULD CALL FOR HELP. AS THE FIRST BOY
ENTERED, ALL THREE WERE LAUGHING; ABOUT 4 MINUTES LATER THE TWO
OUTSIDE HEARD A TERRIBLE SCREAM. NOT THINKING, ONE OF THE BOYS
RAN IN. THE OTHER RAN FOR HELP. WHEN THE POLICE ARRIVED, THEY
FOUND TWO BOYS UPSTAIRS, DEAD. THEIR HAIR WAS SNOW-WHITE.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
OWL MYTH
THE OWLS OF CANADA LAY UP A STORE OF LIVE MICE FOR THE WINTER,
THE LEGS OF WHICH THEY FIRST BREAK, TO PREVENT THEM FROM RUNNING
AWAY, AND THEN FEED THEM CAREFULLY, AND FATTEN THEM, TILL WANTED
FOR USE.
Submitter comment: TOLD BY FRENCH TRAVELLER, PIERRE CHARLEVOIX.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Bird Food Drink -- Food BELIEF -- Animal Husbandry Farming Ranching |
AGAIN?
THE STORY SURROUNDING THE NAME OF CHEBOYGAN, MICHIGAN, IS USUALLY
CONNECTED WITH AN INDIAN FAMILY RESIDING IN THE AREA. THE FATHER
IS GENERALLY AN IMPORTANT CHIEF BUT SOMETIMES IS REPORTED AS A
COMMON HUNTER. HIS WIFE HAD SEVERAL CHILDREN, ALL OF WHOM WERE
BOYS. ALTHOUGH HE WAS VERY PLEASED, HE WISHED THEIR NEXT CHILD
TO BE A GIRL. HOWEVER, THE NEWBORN WAS AGAIN A BOY. WHEN TOLD OF
THE BIRTH, THE FATHER REPORTEDLY REPLIED, "SHE A BOY AGAIN?"
THIS ANSWER WAS CONSEQUENTLY ELIDED INTO THE NAME, "CHEBOYGAN."
Submitter comment:
THE STORY HAS BEEN TOLD TO ME FROM MANY NATIVES OF THIS NORTHERN
MICHIGAN TOWN, AS WELL AS TOURISTS WHO HAVE VISITED THE SURROUND-
ING AREA, SO FOR THIS REASON, NO LONE INFORMANT HAS BEEN SINGLED
OUT.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
ORIGINS
THERE WAS A BIG FLOOD IN PAUL BUNYAN'S CAMP IN THE NORTH WOODS.
TO GET RID OF THE WATER, HE DUG A LONG DITCH, WHICH BECAME THE
MISSISSIPPI RIVER. THE DIRT HE THREW OVER HIS SHOULDER BECAME
THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Abnormal in size PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formation |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
DEATH CAR
A FRIEND OF MINE IN HIGH SCHOOL TOLD ME THAT TWO OF HIS FRIENDS,
JOHN ENRIGHT AND MIKE THEROUX, HAD BOUGHT A 1965 CORVETTE FOR
$50. THE REASON THAT IT WAS SO CHEAP IS BECAUSE IT HAD BEEN IN
A FIELD FOR FIVE MONTHS. THE OWNER OF THE CAR WAS LOCKED INSIDE,
AN APPARENT SUICIDE VICTIM. THE ONLY PROBLEM WAS THAT THERE WAS
NO WAY TO GET THE SMELL OUT OF THE CAR. THEY HAD RIPPED OUT ALL
OF THE SEATS, SPRAYED DOWN THE CAR WITH AIR REFRESHENERS, BUT TO
NO AVAIL. THE BOYS FINALLY GOT RID OF THE ENGINE FOR $200 AND
BURNED THE CAR'S BODY.
Submitter comment: TOLD TO ME IN HIGH SCHOOL.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Vehicle propelled by mechanical or other force on land BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
CHICKEN BONE REEF
OLD TIMERS ABOUT THE GREAT LAKES ALL TALKED ABOUT "CHICKEN BONE
REEF," BUT NO ONE HAD EVER SEEN IT, AND NO CHART SHOWED IT; BUT
ANY SAILOR WOULD TELL YOU THAT IT WAS IN THE DETROIT RIVER JUST
OFF WOODWARD AVENUE. IT WAS HERE THAT THE GOVERNMENT REVENUE
CUTTER "FESSENDON" AND THE NAVY GUNBOAT "MICHIGAN" AND OTHERS
USED TO ANCHOR FOR LONG TIMES. ORDINARY MERCHANT SAILORS CLAIMED
THAT "CHICKEN BONE REEF" WAS BUILT UP FROM THE RIVER BOTTOM BY
ALL THE CHICKEN BONES THAT WERE THROWN OVERBOARD FROM THE TABLES
OF THE SHIPS ANCHORED THERE.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
CLOD HOPPER
A RURAL CITIZEN THAT SOMETIMES CONFUSES THE TITLE, TO HIS PLOW
SHOES: A CIVIL WAR VETERAN LIVED WITH US AND HIS SISTER (MY
GRANDMA) COMPLAINED SO MUCH ABOUT HS BURNING PAPER IN THEM
EVERY A.M. (TAINTED THE PANCAKES) THAT HE FINALLY DECIDED TO
SLEEP IN THEM. THAT LED TO THE COWBOY SLOGAN OF DYING WITH
YOUR BOOTS ON.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale |
SHEBOYGAN, WISCONSIN
AN INDIAN CHIEF AND HIS WIFE HAD HAD MANY SONS AND WANTED A
DAUGHTER. AFTER THE BIRTH OF THE NINTH SON, THE SQUAW ANNOUNCED
TO THE CHIEF, "SHE'S A BOY AGAIN"--HENCE SHEBOYGAN BECAME THE
NAME OF THE AREA WHERE THEY LIVED.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 02-01-1971
WINDY CITY
CHICAGO IS CALLED THE "WINDY CITY" NOT BECAUSE OF THE WIND, BUT
BECAUSE (OF) THE BOASTFULNESS OF THE POLITICIANS WHEN CHICAGO
WAS COMPETING AGAINST BALTIMORE TO SEE WHICH WOULD BE THE SITE
OF THE COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
WEDDING CUSTOM
NANCY HONKS HAS BEEN A LONG TIME GONE. AT HER FOURTH WEDDING
RECEPTION THE GROOM IN REMOVING THE GARTER TO THROW TO THE MALE
GUESTS, HE CAME UP WITH A VARICOSE VEIN. THERE WAS NO HONEYMOON.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 02-01-1971
CUCKOO CLOCKS
IN THE BLACK FOREST OF GERMANY, IT IS A VERY LARGE TRADE TO MAKE
CUCKOO CLOCKS. THE PEOPLE FROM THE PLATT AREA EXPLAIN THIS BY
SAYING THAT WHEN GERMANY BEGAN TO BE POPULATED ALL THE PEOPLE WHO
COULD NOT READ OR WRITE AND WERE OF LOW INTELLIGENCE WERE HERDED
INTO THE BLACK FOREST TO SPEND THEIR LIVES. THEY TOOK WITH THEM
ONLY WHAT THEY NORMALLY CARRIED. FOR MOST OF THE MEN, THIS MEANT
KNIVES. BECAUSE THE WOODS WERE SO DENSE AND DARK, THE ONLY THING
THE PEOPLE COULD DO WAS CARVE AND WHITTLE WOOD TO THIN OUT THE
FOREST AND MAKE IT LIGHTER. AS THIS HAPPENED, THE PEOPLE BECAME
MORE TECHNICAL AND THEIR PASTIME OF WHITTLING TURNED INTO THE
ART OF CLOCK-MAKING.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Work Commerce Business |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
PAPARTIS BLOOM (FERN BLOOM)
THE LEGEND OF THE FERN BLOOM IS A VERY POPULAR AND FAVORITE AMONG
THE PEOPLE OF THE LITHUANIAN FARMS. IT IS BELIEVED THAT IF A
PERSON FINDS THIS BLOOM, HE FINDS OUT WHERE EVERYTHING IS HIDDEN,
HE CAN LOOK INTO THE FUTURE AND BECOMES VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE. BUT
A PERSON CAN HOPE FOR ANY LUCK AT ALL, ONLY ON ST. JOHN'S EVE--
THAT IS, ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST'S EVE, JUNE 23RD. JUNE 23RD IS
SUPPOSED TO BE (THE) SHORTEST NIGHT AND THE LONGEST DAY. WHEN
NIGHT COMES, ABOUT AN HOUR LATER THE SKY IN THE EAST IS ALREADY
TURNING LIGHT--BY 3:00 A.M., IT IS LIGHT AS DAY. THERE ARE MANY
STORIES AND TALES ABOUT THE FERN BLOOM AND TWO OF THEM FOLLOW.
THEY SAY THAT ON ONE ST. JOHN'S EVE, THE HORSES OF A FARMER
DISAPPEARED. THE FARMER SENT HIS STABLE BOY TO LOOK FOR THEM.
WHILE HE WAS WALKING THROUGH THE FOREST, SUDDENLY EVERYTHING
TURNED VERY VERY BRIGHT . . . AND HE FOUND HIMSELF BEING ABLE TO
SEE EVERYTHING CLEARLY. (TRANSLATOR'S NOTE: A FERN BLOOM BLOOMS
VERY BRIGHTLY. WHEN YOU SEE ONE, YOU GET POWERS THAT ENABLE YOU
TO SEE IN THE FUTURE, WHERE EVERYTHING IS AND IS HIDDEN.) HE ALSO
KNEW WHERE THE HORSES WERE AND WHEN HE FETCHED THEM, HE FOUND OUT
THAT HIS FARMER'S NEIGHBOR HAD SOME GOLD BURIED UNDER AN APPLE
TREE AT THE END OF HIS ORCHARD. HE ALSO FOUND OUT THAT HIS LIFE
WILL BE VERY HARD AND HE WILL REMAIN POOR. HE THEN THOUGHT WHY
SHOULD HE REMAIN POOR IF HE KNEW WHERE THE GOLD WAS BURIED. SO
HE STARTED TOWARD THE NEIGHBOR'S ORCHARD, BUT THEN NOTICED THAT
IT WAS GETTING LIGHT OUT, SO HE DECIDED TO WAIT TILL THE FOLLOWING
NIGHT. INSTEAD, HE DECIDED HE'LL GET SOME SLEEP. SO HE TOOK OFF
HIS MOCCASINS AND STRETCHED OUT BY A WELL. BUT AS HE WAS TAKING
THE MOCCASINS OFF, THERE WAS A SUDDEN FLASH LIKE THAT OF A
DIAMOND. THE STABLE-BOY DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING ABOUT IT, SO HE
FELL ASLEEP.
IN THE MORNING, HOWEVER, WHEN HE AWOKE, HE COULDN'T REMEMBER
ANYTHING FROM THE NIGHT BEFORE . . . HE DIDN'T EVEN KNOW WHERE
THERE WAS ANY GOLD BURIED.
Submitter comment: TRANSLATED FROM LITHUANIAN BY RAMUNI STONYS.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Plant CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- June 23 |
HOW TO FIND A FERN BLOOM
TO FIND THIS BLOOM, YOU HAVE TO BE VERY BRAVE. FIRST OF ALL, YOU
HAVE TO GO DEEP INTO THE FOREST AT NIGHT, AS SOON AS IT GETS DARK.
YOU HAVE TO GO SO FAR THAT YOU WOULDN'T HEAR THE ROOSTER CROWING
AT DAWN, AND THAT IS A GOOD THREE OR FOUR MILES.
WHEN YOU GET INTO THE WOODS, THE PERSON HAS TO DRAW A CIRCLE TWO
STEPS IN DIAMETER AND RADIUS. THEN HE HAS TO SIT DOWN IN THE
MIDDLE, LIGHT A CANDLE AND WAIT TILL HE FINDS THE FERN BLOOM.
IN THE MEANTIME, ALL SORTS OF GOBLINS AND SUPERNATURALS COME UP
TO HIM TRYING TO SCARE HIM. THEY MAKE ALL KINDS OF HORRIBLE FACES
AND STRANGE NOISES. IF THE PERSON GETS FRIGHTENED JUST ONE LITTLE
BIT, HE WILL NOT FIND THE BLOOM. IF HE STICKS IT OUT AND ISN'T
FRIGHTENED, THEN CHANCES ARE THAT HE WILL FIND THE BLOOM. SO IT
IS ONLY THE BRAVEST THAT WILL FIND THE FERN BLOOM.
IN REALITY, THE FERN NEVER BLOOMS. BUT AMONG THE PEOPLE IT IS
BELIEVED TO BLOOM ON ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST'S EVE--JUNE 23.
Submitter comment: TRANSLATED BY RAMUNI STONYS.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Plant CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- June 23 |
Date learned: 01-17-1972
SEE A PIN AND PICK IT UP,
ALL THE DAY YOU'LL HAVE GOOD LUCK.
SEE A PIN AND LET IT LAY,
BAD LUCK YOU WILL HAVE ALL DAY.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
IF YOU SEE A PIN AND PICK IT UP, THE REMAINDER
OF THE DAY YOU'LL HAVE GOOD LUCK.
Submitter comment: DOESN'T REMEMBER.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour BELIEF -- Good luck Sharp objects |
Date learned: 11-01-1967