Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for TOLD AT returned 523 results.
PROVERBIAL PHRASE IN VERSE FORM
THERE IS A DESTINY THAT MAKES US BROTHERS,
AND NONE GOES HIS WAY ALONE,
THE MORE THAT YOU PUT INTO THE LIVES OF OTHERS,
THE MORE COMES BACK INTO YOUR OWN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; WORK ; CHILDRENS HOSPITAL ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb |
Date learned: 01-21-1970
CHRISTMAS BELIEF
IF A MAN DOES NOT ENTER THE HOUSE FIRST ON CHRISTMAS
MORNING, THE HOUSE WILL BE PLAGUED WITH SICKNESS AND BAD
LUCK DURING THE COMING YEAR. (THE STRONGER THE MAN THE
BETTER THE GOOD LUCK). THIS CUSTOM IS PRACTICED BY POLISH-AMERICANS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TOLD AT COLLECTORS HOME ; SOUTHFIELD
Keyword(s): FIRST FOOTING ; SEXIST
Date learned: 10-25-1970
GYPSIES WILL PICK UP ANY CHILDREN THEY SEE AND THEY WILL TAKE
ANYTHING THEY CAN PICK UP.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT TOLD OF HOW HER MOTHER USED TO MAKE ALL THE CHILDREN
COME INTO THE YARD OF THEIR FARM (SCRANTON, PENN. WHEN SHE
HEARD THE SOUND OF THE GYSPY WAGONS COMING. THEY USED TO PASS
BY THE FARM OFTEN AND INFORMANT'S MOTHER WAS AFRAID THEY
WOULD TAKE THE CHILDREN.
Where learned: TOLD AT INFORMANTS HOME
Keyword(s): STEALING
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- B439 |
NEW YEAR'S
A WEEK BEFORE NEW YEAR'S IN SCHOOL THE CHILDREN WROTE A NEW YEAR'S
LETTER TO THEIR PARENTS AND THEIR GRANDPARENTS. THEN ON NEW YEAR'S
DAY THE GRANDFATHER WOULD READ OFF THE LETTERS AND THEN EACH CHILD
WOULD GET SOME MONEY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT INFORMANTS HOME
Keyword(s): GIFTGIVING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Fixed DateFor specific dates, use the following system: F640.0101 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 |
Date learned: 10-20-1971
BIRTH CUSTOM
NEVER TAKE A BABY OUT AFTER DARK BECAUSE AN EVIL SPIRIT COULD
POSSESS IT. IF A BABY HAD TO BE TAKEN OUT, ITS FACE HAD TO BE COVERE
AT ALL TIMES.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT'S PARENTS BELIEVED THIS AND PRACTICED IT (1890-1920).
INFORMANT DOES NOT BELIEVE IT OR PRACTICE IT.
Where learned: TOLD AT INFORMANTS HOME
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour |
Date learned: 10-02-1971 ; 00-00-1920
ITALIAN JOKE
ONCE IN AN ITALIAN CHURCH IN ROME, THERE WAS THIS PAINTER PAINTING
THE CEILING OF THE CHURCH. A LADY WALKED IN AND STARTED TO PRAY.
THE PAINTER SAID TO HIMSELF, "I AM GOING TO TELL HER I AM JESUS
CHRIST." SO HE YELLED DOWN, "I AM JESUS CHRIST. KISS THE FLOOR."
THE LADY CONTINUED TO PRAY. AGAIN THE PAINTER SAID, "I AM JESUS
CHRIST. KISS THE FLOOR." AGAIN THE LADY KEPT PRAYING. SO FINALLY
HE YELLED REAL LOUD, "I AM JESUS CHRIST. KISS THE FLOOR." THE LADY
LOOKED UP AND REPLIED, "SHUT UP. I'M TALKING TO YOUR MOTHER."
Where learned: TOLD AT ST HYACINTH SCHOOL
Keyword(s): HUMOR
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 02-17-1972
MURPHY'S LAWS ( TWO EXAMPLES )
1) IF ANYTHING AT ALL CAN GO WRONG, IT WILL; IE, A CHAIN IS ONLY AS
STRONG AS ITS WEAKEST LINK.
2) WHEN BUILDING TRANSISTOR CIRCUITS, A TRANSISTOR OFTEN BECOMES
QUITE USEFUL FOR PROTECTING THE FUSE WHEN THERE IS AN ERROR IN THE
CIRCUIT. ( THE FUSE IS SUPPOSED TO PROTECT THE CIRCUIT UNDER TEST)
Where learned: TOLD AT COLLECTORS HOME
Keyword(s): SCIENCE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 10-00-1968
PROVERB
IF YOU HAVE COLD HANDS, YOU HAVE A WARM HEART.
Where learned: TOLD AT INFORMANTS HOME
James Callow Keyword(s): CONTRAST ; TEMPERATURE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 03-17-1970
PROVERBIAL SAYING
IF YOU DON'T LIKE THE PEACHES, GET OUT OF THE ORCHARD.
Submitter comment: NONE
Data entry tech comment:
IF YOU DON'T LIKE A SITUATION OR PLACE, GET OUT OF THERE AS
FAST AS YOU CAN TO AVOID PROBLEMS.
Where learned: TOLD AT INFORMANTS HOME
Keyword(s): ADVICE: POSITIVE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- V 20 |
IF YOU LOOK BACK TOO MUCH, YOU WILL SOON BE HEADING IN THAT DIRECTIO
Where learned: TOLD AT INFORMANTS HOME
Keyword(s): MEMORIES
James Callow Keyword(s): LIVING IN THE PAST ; OBSERVATION PREDICTION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 12-25-1969
OLD LEBANESE SAYING
IF YOU POUND ON WATER, IT'S STILL WATER. TRANSLATION OF
DOUH IL MAEY HE MAEY.
Submitter comment: USED BY A PERSON WHO TRIES TO GIVE ADVICE BUT FINDS IT UNHEEDED.
Where learned: TOLD AT INFORMANTS HOME
James Callow Keyword(s): OBSERVATION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 02-29-1972
BELIEF
WHEN ONE'S RIGHT EYELID TWITCHES, MANY BELIEVE HE WILL SOON
RECEIVE GOOD NEWS. HOWEVER IF IT IS THE LEFT EYELID, BAD
NEWS IS BELIEVED TO FOLLOW.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 02-01-1970
DUMMY DUMMY DODO I CHOOSE YOU TO CHASE AFTER ME.(THIS IS A JUMP-ROPE
RHYME WHICH IS USED TO GET THE JUMPERS TO JUMP IN AND OUT OF THE ROPE
IN QUICK SUCCESSION. ONE FOLLOWING AFTER THE OTHER.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT
Keyword(s): CALL-RHYME
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR.
IT IS BAD LUCK IF SOME ONE GIVES YOU BABY ARTICLES AS SOON AS YOU
KNOW YOU ARE PREGNANT.
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR ; TOLD AT HER HOME
Keyword(s): IMPLIED WARNING ; MISFORTUNE
James Callow Keyword(s): GIFT-GIVING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Number Emptiness, nothingness, zero BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 02-15-1970
SILVERWARE BELIEF
IF A PIECE OF SILVERWARE IS DROPPED, A VISITOR WILL COME FROM THE
DIRECTION IT POINTS. THE VISITOR'S GENDER MAY BE DETERMINED FROM
THE FOLLOWING LIST:
KNIFE - INANIMATE OBJECT (LETTER OR GIFT)
SPOON- MAN
FORK- FEMININE
Submitter comment: THIS IS A GERMAN CUSTOM.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DORM ROOM ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 10-23-1970
POLITICAL PARTIES BELIEF
MY DAD SAYS THAT WHEN THE DEMOCRATS ARE IN POWER, ALL LIQUOR CAN
BE BOUGHT ONLY IN PARTY STORES BUT WHEN REPUBLICANS ARE IN POWER,
ONLY DRUG STORES HAVE IT.
Submitter comment: ROSS LIVES IN TOLEDO, OHIO.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DORM ROOM ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 11-02-1970
PROVERB
IF THE BOOT FITS, WEAR IT
James Callow Keyword(s): ACCEPTANCE ; ADVICE POSITIVE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 09-29-1968
THE HUNCHBACK
AN IRISH WOMAN WAS BAKING BREAD. HER HUSBAND CAME HOME ON NIGHT
AND STATED THAT SHE WOULDN'T FINISH HER TASK BY 12 MIDNIGHT. SHE
SAID, IF THE DEVIL COMES AND STANDS IN THIS DOOR, I'M GOING TO
FINISH THIS BREAD TONIGHT} WHILE SHE WAS BAKING, A LOG FROM THE
FIREPLACE FLEW OUT AND HIT HER ON HER BACK. THAT IS HOW THE
HUNCHED BACK CAME TO BE.
Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD AT COLLECTORS HOME
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed Food Drink -- Manner of preparation Process BELIEF -- Devil Demon |
Date learned: 03-15-1970
TIGER PROVERB.
HE WHO RIDES A TIGER DARE NOT DISMOUNT (EAST INDIAN).
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; OFFICE ; BRIGGS 338 ; TOLD AT
Keyword(s): WILD ANIMAL METAPHOR
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
THE MANGER WITH THE CHRIST CHILD SHOULD NOT BE PLACED IN THE NATIVITY
SCENE UNTIL MIDNIGHT ON CHRISTMAS EVE.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS PRACTICED BY THE INFORMANT'S FAMILY AS LONG AS THE INFORMANT
CAN REMEMBER. INFORMANT'S PARENTS DO NOT REMEMBER THEIR FAMILIES
DOING THIS WHEN THEY WERE YOUNG, AND DO NOT KNOW WHEN THEY PICKED UP
THE CUSTOM. CUSTOM IS STILL FOLLOWED.
Where learned: HOME ; PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Manger scenes |
Date learned: 10-02-1971