Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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IF YOU STEP ON A CRACK YOU'LL BREAK YOUR MOTHER'S BACK.
A GAME I PLAYED WHEN I WAS YOUNG, YOU WEREN'T ALLOWED
TO STEP ON A LINE ON THE SIDEWALK. WE USUALLY PLAYED
WHILE WALKING HOME FROM SCHOOL, IT MADE THE WALK SEEM
SHORTER.
Where learned: HARPER WOODS ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Bodily Activity |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
MOCK PRAYER
O LORD, GIVE ME THE STRENGTH TO
KEEP MY BIG MOUTH SHUT
WHEN I DON'T KNOW WHAT
THE HELL I'M TALKING ABOUT.
Where learned: GROSSE POINTE WOODS ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
ALL THE RIBBONS FROM THE BRIDE-TO-BE'S SHOWER GIFTS
ARE SAVED AND MADE INTO A "RIBBON BOUQUET" TO USE
AT THE WEDDING REHEARSAL. THIS BRINGS HER GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: HARPER WOODS ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Bows |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
POLISH SAYING IN RHYME
"STARDUSH NE ARDUSH"
OLD AGE ISN'T A PLEASURE
Submitter comment: I DON'T KNOW IF THE SPELLING OF THE POLISH IS CORRECT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Farmington Hills
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 12-00-1983
WHEN I WAS A KID I WENT DOWN THE ROAD
OVER A FRIEND'S HOUSE, WHEN I STARTED
BACK HOME I LOOKED IN BACK OF ME
AND THERE WAS A LITTLE RED BOUNCING BALL
FOLLOWING ME. I STARTED RUNNING HOME AND
THE BALL MOVED FASTER AND I RAN INTO MY
ROOM AT HOME AND LOOKED OUT THE WINDOW AND
THE RED BALL WAS STILL THERE. IT FINALLY
WENT AWAY AND I NEVER SAW IT AGAIN.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00001970S
YOU ALWAYS REMEMBER THE BIRTH OF YOUR
FIRST CHILD FIRST BECAUSE IT WAS THE
FIRST TIME YOU EVER HAVE EXPERIENCED
A THING LIKE THAT. THERE IS A CLOSER
BOND BETWEEN MOTHER AND FIRST CHILD
THAN BETWEEN THE OTHER CHILDREN.
Submitter comment:
YOU CAN IMAGINE HOW I MUST HAVE FELT
BECAUSE I WAS THE 4TH CHILD.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 00001980S
INSULTS AND WISECRACKS
RAY: HE REMINDS ME OF WHISTLER'S MOTHER
STANDING UP.
KAY: HE DOES, WHY?
RAY: HE'S OFF HIS ROCKER.
Where learned: HARPER WOODS ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
THE BUG-A-LA-BOO
THE BUG-A-LA-BOO HAD 90 FITS AS HE CAME
FROM UNDER THE BED, HE RIPPED AND SCORNED
AND SHIT ON THE FLOOR AS HE WIPED HIS
TAIL ON THE DOOR KNOB DOOR, HE WENT OUT
SIDE AND CLIMBED A TREE AND IF I HAD'NT
BEEN LOOKING HE WOULD HAVE SHIT ON ME.
Submitter comment:
NO ONE KNOWS WHAT A BUG-A-LA BOO IS -
JUST A FICTITIOUS CHARACTER CREATED BY
THE MASTER MIND OF MY UNCLE.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: 00001970S
PROVERB
ONE BIRD IN HAND IS WORTH TWO IN THE BUSH
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
Keyword(s): NUMBERS
James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMAL ; MAKE THE MOST OF WHAT YOU HAVE ; VEGETATION
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. 686 Seconds / Twice / Two PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 11-15-1967
WHEN YOU GET MARRIED AND YOUR HUSBAND GETS CROSS,
PICK UP A BROOM AND SHOW HIM WHO'S BOSS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MISSOURI ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Matrimony |
Date learned: 11-05-1967
SPRING RITUALS
ONE SHOULD TAKE A BATH EVERY SATURDAY NIGHT
TO START THE WEEK/SPRING OFF FRESH.
ONE SHOULD TAKE CASTOR OIL AT THE END OF
WINTER TO CLEAN OUT THE SYSTEM FOR SPRING.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Measure of time Spring BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour BELIEF -- Remedy |
Date learned: 00001980S
SUGAR IS WHITE,
SO IS SALT,
IF WE DON'T MARRY,
IT WON'T BE MY FAULT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MISSOURI ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Matrimony |
Date learned: 12-05-1967 ; 00-00-1940
WHEN YOU GET MARRIED,
AND LIVE IN A SHACK,
TEACH YOUR KIDS,
TO SPIT THROUGH A CRACK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MISSOURI ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Matrimony |
Date learned: 12-05-1967 ; 00-00-1940
WHEN YOU GET MARRIED AND LIVE ON THE HILL,
SEND ME A KISS BY THE WHIPPERWILL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MISSOURI ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Matrimony |
Date learned: 12-05-1967 ; 00-00-1940
WHEN YOU GET MARRIED AND LIVE IN A HUT,
SEND ME A PICTURE OF YOUR FIRST NUT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MISSOURI ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Matrimony |
Date learned: 12-05-1967 ; 00-00-1943
HE'S MORE TIRED THAN AN ONE-LEGGED MAN IN AN
ASS KICKIN' CONTEST.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: 00001970S
HE IS MORE NERVOUS THAN A LONG-TAILED CAT IN A
ROOM FULL OF ROCKIN' CHAIRS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mammal PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: 00001980S
A PERSON BORN BEFORE NOON AND AFTER MIDNIGHT
INDICATES THRIFTINESS AND ARROGANCE WHILE A
PERSON BORN AFTER NOON AND BEFORE MIDNIGHT
INDICATES GENEROSITY AND KINDNESS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour |
Date learned: 00001980S
RIDDLE
Q: I WON'T TELL MOM IF YOU HIT ME...BUT IF YOU POKE ME WITH A PIN,
I 'LL CALL POP. WHAT AM I?
A: A BALLOON.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; PONTIAC
Keyword(s): ACTIONS (Q) ; ENTERTAINMENT AND ; NOTION ITEMS (Q) ; PERSON (Q)
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN