Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for ROSEVILLE returned 222 results.
CHIVALUNA.
IF A WOMAN IS PREGNANT AND IS WALKING AT NIGHT WHEN THERE IS
A FULL MOON AND SHE SCRATCHES HERSELF THEN THE BABY WILL HAVE A BIRT
MARK WHERE SHE SCRATCHED. THIS IS CALLED "CHIVALUNA".
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE
Date learned: 04-00-1980
EXPLANATION OF CHILD DEFORMITIES
IF A CHILD IS BORN DEFORMED IT IS BELIEVED THAT HIS FATHER IS AN
ALCOHOLIC.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Physically handicapped Deformed BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 04-00-1980
HOWLING DOGS.
IF A FAMILY DOG HOWLS AT MIDNIGHT
THERE WILL BE A DEATH IN THE FAMILY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Measure of time P574.45 |
Date learned: 04-00-1980
A COMMON JOKE FROM MEXICO.
AMONG THE SEMI-RELIGIOUS IS THAT JESUS WILL NEVER RETURN, BECAUSE
HE WAS SO BADLY MISTREATED THE FIRST TIME HE CAME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 04-00-1980
A LOCAL LEGEND ABOUT DEVIL WORSHIP IN VERACRUZ
A COMMON STORY IN VERACRUZ IS ABOUT A PRISON FOR WOMEN WHERE THE
DEVIL IS WORSHIPPED. IN THIS PRISON IS A LARGE MURAL OF THE DEVIL
AND HIS EYES GLOW; AND IF YOU PUT A CIGARETTE IN
HIS MOUTH HE'LL SMOKE IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): PAINTING
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 04-00-1980
A LOCAL LEGEND ABOUT SEEING THE DEVIL.
THERE IS A STORY OF A WOMAN WHO IS WALKING DOWN A DESERTED ROAD AT
NIGHT AND MEETS A WELL DRESSED MAN. UPON LOOKING INTO HIS EYES
SHE SEES FIRE. SHE USUALLY PASSES OUT AND IS FOUND DEAD
BURNT TO A CRISP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon |
Date learned: 04-00-1980
A CURE FOR CATARACTS.
WASH THE EYES THREE TIMES A DAY WITH LEMON JUICE FOR AS LONG AS
EYESIGHT KEEPS IMPROVING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 04-00-1980
HOW TO KEEP FROM GROWING OLD.
ONE OUNCE OF TEQUILA IN THE MORNING WILL PROLONG LIFE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 04-00-1980
SIGN OF A GOOD SEA VOYAGE.
IF YOU SPOT A WHALE OUT AT SEA THAT MEANS
YOU'LL HAVE A GOOD TRIP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 04-00-1980
POLITICAL-BIBLICAL ALLEGORY-VARIANT
IN 1956, DURING THE ADMINISTRATION OF PRESIDENT
EISENHOWER, I OVERHEARD THE FOLLOWING POLITICAL ASSESSMENTS
BY A SOUTHERN, WHITE OWNER OF A SMALL, NOT VERY
PROSPEROUS (GREASY SPOON) RESTAURANT:
FIVE THOUSAND YEARS AGO, MOSES SAID TO THE CHILDREN OF
ISREAL, "PICK UP YOUR SHOVELS, MOUNT YOUR ASSES AND
CAMELS AND I WILL LEAD YOU TO THE PROMISED LAND."
FIVE THOUSAND YEARS LATER FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT SAID:
"LAY DOWN YOUR SHOVELS, SIT ON YOUR ASSES, LIGHT UP
A CAMEL, THIS IS THE PROMISED LAND." NOW THE REPUBLICANS
ARE SAYING, "STEALING YOUR SHOVELS, KICKING YOUR ASSES,
RAISING THE PRICE OF CAMELS AND STEALING THE PROMISED
LAND."
Submitter comment:
THIS UTTERANCE CAME, OF COURSE, DURING A PERIOD OF
ECONOMIC RECESSION AND WAS TOLD SO THAT EVERYONE IN THE
RESTAURANT WOULD HEAR. THE PROPRIETOR ENJOYED THE
STORY MUCH MORE THAN THE CUSTOMERS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
LIGHTNING BUGS
WHEN I WAS YOUNG, IN NEW YORK , WE'D HAVE REALLY GREAT
FUN IN THE SUMMER NIGHTS. YOU SEE ALL THESE LIGHTNING
BUGS WOULD COME OUT ALL OVER, AND WE'D SPEND HOURS
CATCHING THEM IN JARS. IF YOU HAPPENED TO SQUISH ONE
ACROSS 12 INCHES, YOU'D HAVE GLOW FOR 12 INCHES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): PHOSPHORESCENCE ; SQUASH
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
POLISH CUSTOM
WHEN MY MOTHER WAS A YOUNG GIRL, THERE WAS A SMALL
HOLY WATER FONT AT HER FRONT DOOR. UPON LEAVING THE
HOUSE, ALL MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY WERE EXPECTED TO
"BLESS THEMSELVES." AFTER THIS WAS ACCOMPLISHED,
MY GRANDMOTHER OR SOMEONE NEARBY WOULD SAY-IN
POLISH-"GO WITH GOD." WHEN AN INDIVIDUAL WOULD
RETURN HOME FROM CHURCH, MY GRANDMOTHER WOULD SAY
-IN POLISH-"BLESSED BE JESUS CHRIST FOREVER AND
FOREVER."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Home CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church BELIEF -- Home SPEECH -- Gesture |
POLISH WEDDING CUSTOM
MY FATHER, SECOND GENERATION IRISH, WAS QUITE
SURPRISED WHEN HE AND MY MOTHER RETURNED TO MY
POLISH GRANDMOTHER'S HOME AFTER MY PARENT'S
WEDDING CEREMONY AT CHURCH. A BAND WAS PLAYING IN
FRONT OF THE HOUSE AND MY GRANDMOTHER WAS WAITING JUST
INSIDE THE DOOR. IN ONE HAND SHE HELD A CRUCIFIX, IN
THE OTHER A LOAF OF BREAD. AS THE COUPLE ENTERED
THE VESTIBULE, MY GRANDMOTHER ASKED THEM TO CHOOSE
EITHER THE CRUCIFIX OR THE BREAD. MY FATHER, OF COURSE,
DIDN'T UNDERSTAND POLISH BUT HE GOT THE IDEA ANYWAY.
HE AND MY MOTHER CHOSE THE CRUCIFIX. MY MOTHER SAID
THE CUSTOM WAS MERELY SYMBOLIC AND NOBODY EVER CHOSE
THE BREAD. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS CUSTOM BEING
PERFORMED AMONG MY POLISH COUSINS OF MY GENERATION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Date learned: 02-20-1967
PROMENADE
I REMEMBER WHEN WE VISITED A SMALL TOWN ON THE SPANISH
RIVIERA, FOUR YEARS AGO, CALLED FIGUERAS, SPAIN. THEY HAD
A CURIOUS CUSTOM. CERTAINLY DATING THERE (SPAIN)
HAS ALWAYS BEEN KNOWN TO BE STRICT, IN FIGUERAS THEY
HANDLED THE MATTER IN THIS WAY: ALL THE PARENTS AND
GIRLS WOULD SIT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TOWN SQUARE AND
ALL THE GENTLEMEN WOULD CIRCLE AROUND THIS "PLAZA."
I SUPPOSE WHEN THE YOUNG MAN WOULD GAIN ENOUGH COURAGE
HE APPROACHED THE GIRL AND HER CHAPERONE AND REQUESTED
"AUDIENCE" WITH THEM (HER ESPECIALLY). IF GRANTED
PERMISSION, HE WOULD THEN BE ALLOWED TO WALK, PROMENADE
AROUND THIS SQUARE WITH HIS GIRLFRIEND IN FULL VIEW OF
THE ELDERS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Maturity |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
RIDDLE
WHY DID THE CHICKEN CROSS THE ROAD? ANSWER: TO GET AWAY
FROM COLONEL SANDERS.
Data entry tech comment: COLONEL SANDERS IS THE FOUNDER OF KENTUCKY FRIED CHICKEN, ; A
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 11-30-1972
NIP
THE GAME WAS CALLED NIP. A THREE-INCH PIECE OF WOOD WAS CUT OFF THE
END OF A BROOMSTICK AND WAS WHITTLED DOWN TO A POINT ON EACH END.
THE PIECE WAS PLACED ON THE SIDEWALK NEXT TO A CIRCLE EITHER DRAWN
ON THE CEMENT OR DUG IN THE GROUND. THE "HITTER" WOULD STRIKE ONE
END OF THE STICK, CAUSING IT TO POP INTO THE AIR, AND WOULD THEN HIT
IT DOWN THE STREET WITH THE REST OF THE BROOM. THE "FIELDER" THEN
HAD TWO WAYS TO GET THE "HITTER" OUT: EITHER CATCH THE PIECE IN THE
AIR, OR, AFTER RETRIEVING IT, THROWING IT WITHIN A BROOM'S LENGTH
OF THE CIRCLE. THE "HITTER" WOULD GET A POINT FOR EACH ADDITIONAL
BROOMLENGTH, OVER ONE, THAT THE THROWN PIECE ENDED UP FROM THE
CIRCLE. PLAYERS WOULD CHANGE SIDES AFTER EACH "OUT."
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT PROVIDED THE BASEBALL TERMS TO DESCRIBE THE GAME
BECAUSE HE COULDN'T RECALL THE ORIGINAL PHRASES. THE INFORMANT
PLAYED THIS GAME IN PENNSYLVANIA BETWEEN 1918 AND 1926. IT WAS
PLAYED FOR HOURS ON END AND USUALLY STOPPED ONLY WHEN ONE PLAYER WAS
EITHER EXTREMELY FAR BEHIND OR CALLED IN FOR SUPPER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
STEELIES
THE GAME WAS CALLED STEELIES AND PLAYED BETWEEN TWO PLAYERS, EACH
WITH A BALL BEARING. ONE PLAYER WOULD THROW HIS BALL BEARING OUT
ABOUT 20 FEET AND THE OTHER PLAYER WOULD THEN TRY TO HIT IT WITH
HIS BALL BEARING. IF THE SECOND PLAYER HIT IT, HE WOULD COLLECT A
NICKEL FROM THE FIRST PLAYER; IF HE MISSED, THE FIRST PLAYER WOULD
THEN TOSS HIS BALL BEARING (FROM WHERE IT HAD ORIGINALLY LANDED)
AT THE SECOND PLAYER'S BALL BEARING (WHERE IT HAD LANDED).
THE GAME WOULD CONTINUE WITH EACH PLAYER ALTERNATING TURNS.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT, JOHN KOWATCH, PLAYED THIS GAME ON A BIG, CINDER
PLAYGROUND FROM 1920-1930 IN PENNSYLVANIA. THIS WAS A BETTING GAME
AND THE BALL BEARINGS WERE THROWN FAR ENOUGH AWAY FROM EACH OTHER
SO THAT THEY WOULD BE HARD TO HIT. THE REASON BEHIND THIS IS THAT
NOBODY AT THAT TIME HAD MUCH MONEY TO LOSE. THE GAME ENDED WHEN ONE
PLAYER RAN OUT OF NICKELS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 03-22-1982
DUCK ON A ROCK
THE GAME WAS CALLED "DUCK ON A ROCK" AND INVOLVED MANY PLAYERS.
ONE KID WAS "IT" AND THE REST WOULD GO AND HIDE ANYWHERE ON THE
STREET. A TIN CAN (THE "DUCK") WAS PLACED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE
STREET. AS THE PLAYER WHO WAS "IT" SEARCHED FOR THE HIDERS, ONE OF
THE KIDS WOULD RUN TO THE CAN. IF HE/SHE BEAT "IT" TO THE CAN,
HE/SHE WOULD PICK IT UP AND THROW IT DOWN THE STREET. "IT" WOULD
THEN HAVE TO GO GET THE CAN WHILE EVERYONE CHANGED HIDING PLACES.
IF "IT" WON THE RACE TO THE CAN, THE OTHER KID WOULD BECOME "IT."
THE PERSON WHO WAS "IT" COULD ALSO CHANGE PLACES WITH A HIDER IF
HE DISCOVERED THE HIDER BEFORE ANYONE THREW THE DUCK.
Submitter comment:
THIS GAME WAS PLAYED IN PENNSYLVANIA BY THE INFORMANT, JOHN KOWATCH,
BETWEEN 1920-1925. OFTEN, ONE OF THE KIDS WHO GOT TO THE CAN BEFORE
"IT" WOULD THROW THE CAN IN THE DIRECTION OF ANOTHER KID'S HIDING
PLACE, HOPING TO GIVE THE LATTER AWAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 03-22-1982
POLISH WEDDING CUSTOM
ONE OF THE CUSTOMS AT WEDDINGS WAS TO TRY TO SMASH A DISH BY THROWING
SILVER DOLLARS AT IT. THE BRIDE AND GROOM WOULD SIT AT A TABLE WITH
PLATES SPREAD OUT IN FRONT OF THEM. THE MEN AT THE WEDDING WOULD
COME BY, ONE AT A TIME, AND THROW A SILVER DOLLAR AT THE PLATE. IF
IT BROKE, THE "THROWER" WOULD GET TO DANCE WITH THE BRIDE. IF IT
DIDN'T, THE NEXT GUY WOULD TAKE A TURN.
Submitter comment:
THIS CUSTOM WAS BROUGHT OVER FROM POLAND AND WAS EXTREMELY POPULAR
IN THE YEARS FROM 1900 TO 1930. ITS PURPOSE WAS TO RAISE MONEY
FOR THE NEWLYWEDS. IT DIED OUT IN THE LATE 1930'S.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Date learned: 03-22-1982
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