Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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Camp Songs, Girl Scouts
This song is used as a round.
A round is a song that is sung
by two groups at the same time
but is begun at different times.
This song is about the Girl Scout Trefoil.
My Trefoil, My Trefoil
Can I Tell you how I feel
You have given me your friendship,
And I thank you so.
Submitter comment:
The Trefoil is the symbol for the
Girl Scouts of the United States.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Camp Narrin ; Ortonville
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children |
Date learned: 06-00-1986
IF YOU'RE BOWLING AND YOU PUT TOGETHER A STRING OF STRIKES
IT'S BAD LUCK TO ADD THE SCORE OF THE BOWLER. YOU SHOULD
ONLY PUT THE X'S FOR THE STRIKES HE SCORES AND DON'T
ADD THE NUMBER SCORE UNTIL HE FINISHES HIS STRING.
IF YOU ADD THE SCORE BEFORE, HE WILL BREAK THE STRING
AND IT WILL BE YOUR FAULT.
Submitter comment: THIS IS AN OLD CUSTOM IN BOWLING.
Data entry tech comment: TOO BAD IF HE'S USING A MACHINE WITH AUTOMATIC SCORING!
Where learned: HARPER WOODS ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
THE RUBBING OF MUD ON A BEE STING WILL TAKE THE
PAIN OUT AND IT WILL ALSO REDUCE THE SWELLING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mineral |
Date learned: 00-00-1976
BABIES DONT LAUGH, THEY'RE ONLY HAVING GAS PAINS.
WHEN A BABY IS FIRST BORN HE/SHE CANT SEE - THEY START
TO SEE WHEN THEY BECOME A CERTAIN AGE.
Submitter comment:
TOLD TO ME BY MY MOTHER WHO GOT THAT FROM HER MOTHER,
MY MOTHER NEVER BELIEVED THAT BECAUSE SHE TOLD MY
GRANDMOTHER THAT ALL OF HER BABIES COULD
SEE WHEN THEY WERE FIRST BORN.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Birth SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 00001980S
WHY DID THE BLACK MAN WEAR A TUXEDO TO HIS VASECTOMY?
ANSWER. IF I'M GONNA BE IMPOTENT I MIGHT AS WELL LOOK
IMPOTENT.
Submitter comment:
I GOT THIS JOKE FROM THE MOVIE "SOUL MAN." IT WAS TOLD
BY TWO WHITE GUYS IN FRONT OF A BLACK GUY TO MAKE HIM
FEEL BAD.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): IMPOTENT- USED INSTEAD OF THE WORD IMPORTANT TO MAKE ; THE BLACK MAN'S SPEECH SEEM BAD.
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- BLAC |
Date learned: 10-00-1987
PROVERB
AN OLD DOG WILL LEARN NO NEW TRICKS
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
James Callow Keyword(s): AGE ; ANIMAL ; OBSERVATION ; SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Number Emptiness, nothingness, zero PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 11-10-1967
EARACHE
IF YOU HAVE AN EARACHE PUT GARLIC IN YOUR EAR
AND IT WILL DRAW OUT THE PAIN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS ; COLLECTORS HOME
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 09-17-1969
PROVERBIAL METAPHOR
NOTHING VENTURED NOTHING LOST
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
Keyword(s): ELLIPSIS
James Callow Keyword(s): AMBITION ; OBSERVATION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 11-15-1967
SPIRITUAL PRESENCE
I WAS LAYING IN MY MOTHER'S BED SOME TIME AFTER MY FATHER
DIED AND HER ROOM WAS DIRECTLY ACROSS FROM HIS. I WASN'T
QUITE ASLEEP YET WHEN I SAW A TRANSPARENT PERSON ABOUT THE
SIZE AND SHAPE OF MY FATHER COME OUT OF THAT ROOM. I WAS
NOT SCARED BECAUSE IN LIFE MY FATHER WAS A VERY KIND MAN
THAT WOULD NOT HURT ME AND HE WOULD BE THE SAME IN DEATH.
I WENT TO SLEEP FEELING VERY COMFORTED.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 00-00-1986
YOU ARE SO OLD THAT YOU REMEMBER WHEN GOD'S MOTHER WAS
PREGNANT WITH HIM.
Submitter comment: MADE THIS UP WHEN PLAYING THE DOZENS WITH MY SISTER.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 00-00-1980
YOU ARE SO OLD THAT THERE ARE RECORDS OF YOU PLAYING
BALL WITH GOD WHEN HE WAS A BOY.
Submitter comment: MADE UP JOKE TO PLAY THE DOZENS WITH MY SISTER.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): INSULT
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 00-00-1980
"THE MISTRESS"
I WAS SITTING IN A RESTAURANT AND ALL OF A
SUDDEN THIS WOMAN STARTED ARGUING WITH HER HUSBAND. THE REASON
FOR THE OUTBURST WAS BECAUSE THIS BEAUTIFUL BLOND WOMAN CAME
OVER AND KISSED THE HUSBAND ON THE LIPS. I HEARD THE
HUSBAND SAY, "YES, SHE IS MY MISTRESS." THE WIFE GOT REALLY MAD
AND SAID SHE WANTED A DIVORCE. THE HUSBAND SAID OK AND WENT ON
TO TELL HER THAT THE MERCEDES WOULD HAVE TO GO BACK AND SHE WON'T
BE GETTING FUR COATS EVERY YEAR, SHE WON'T BE GETTING HER
MONTHLY ALLOWANCE OF $1000 PER MONTH. (THIS MAN IS VERY RICH.)
FINALLY THE WIFE SAT BACK DOWN AND ACCEPTED THE FACT THAT HER
HUSBAND HAD A MISTRESS. TEN MINUTES LATER THE WIFE LOOKED
ACROSS THE ROOM AND SAW A FAMILY FRIEND NAMED DAN AND HE
WAS WITH A BEAUTIFUL WOMAN WHO WASN'T HIS WIFE. THE WIFE SAID,
"THERE'S DAN BUT WHO'S THAT WOMAN WITH HIM?" THE HUSBAND SAID,
"THAT'S DAN'S MISTRESS -- I BET YOU DON'T HEAR HIS WIFE
COMPLAINING."
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
REMEMBER THE GIRL FROM THE CITY,
REMEMBER THE GIRL FROM THE TOWN,
REMEMBER THE GIRL WHO SPOILED YOUR BOOK,
BY WRITING UPSIDE DOWN (WRITTEN UPSIDE DOWN)
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MISSOURI ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Reading or writing backwards, upside down |
Date learned: 00-00-1940
IN THE STATE OF MICHIGAN, THE PEOPLE LIVING IN THE
LOWER PENINSULA HOLD UP THEIR RIGHT OR LEFT HAND
LIKE A MITTEN AND POINT TO THE PLACE ON THEIR HAND
WHICH SHOWS THE LOCATION OF THE CITY IN WHICH
THEY LIVE.(POINT TO THE PALM ON THE RIGHT HAND OR
BACKHAND OF THE LEFT.)
Submitter comment:
THE LOWER PENINSULA OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN LOOKS
LIKE A MITTEN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
James Callow Keyword(s): GEOGRAPHY OF A STATE
| Subject headings: | Favorites SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 00001970S
COLOR
FOR ALL OFFICIAL CEREMONIES (INDUCTION OF PLEDGES,
INITIATION OF NEW MEMBERS AND FOUNDER'S DAY)
THE MEMBERS OF SIGMA SIGMA SIGMA WEAR WHITE DRESSES.
THE WHITE IS TO SIGNIFY THEIR INNOCENCE AND PURITY.
Where learned: GROSSE POINTE WOODS ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Typical Elements of a Festive Pattern |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
CHURCH CUSTOM
THIS IS A GERMAN CATHOLIC FEAST WHICH IS CELEBRATED IN HONOR OF THE
FOUNDING OF THE HOLY EUCHARIST. IT TAKES PLACE ON THURSDAY EXACTLY
FOUR WEEKS AFTER ASCENSION THURSDAY. IT BEGINS BY CELEBRATING MASS
IN CHURCH. THEN THE HOLY EUCHARIST IS HONORED IN A PROCESSION WHICH
LEAVES FROM THE CHURCH AND GOES TO THE CHURCH GROUNDS. ON THE
GROUNDS ARE SET UP THREE ALTARS. THE PROCESSION GOES TO ALL THREE
ALTARS AND PRAYERS ARE CHANTED AND SONGS ARE SUNG. THE
PROCESSION IS LED BY THE PRIEST AND ALTAR BOYS AND FOLLOWED BY
THE MOST RECENT FIRST COMMUNION CLASS, FOLLOWED BY THE OTHER CHURCH
GROUPS FOR MEN, WOMEN OR CHILDREN.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT'S MEMORIES OF HOMELAND GERMANY. INFORMANT NEVER MENTIONED NAME OF FEAST BUT IT SEEMS TO BE CORPUS
CHRISTI.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; BEAUTY SHOP
Keyword(s): CORPUS CHRISTI
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Pentecost |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
REMEMBER ME EARLY,
REMEMBER ME LATE,
REMEMBER ME AT THE GOLDEN GATE.
Where learned: MISSOURI
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Remember me |
Date learned: 00-00-1940
WHEN YOU SEE A LIZARD UP A TREE,
PULL ITS TAIL AND THINK OF ME.
Where learned: MISSOURI
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Remember me |
Date learned: 00-00-1943
TAKEN FROM MY COLLECTION OF RECIPES:
THREE NAMES FOR THE SAME COOKY RECIPE:
THE GERMAN RECIPE WHICH I GOT FROM MY GRANDMOTHER--CRESCENTS.
THE POLISH RECIPE FROM MRS. EDNA BOLDE--RUSHKIES.
THE RECIPE FROM THE SOUTHERN UNITED STATES, FROM MRS. J.
BROSTIEN--KATY'S COOKIES.
THE RECIPE: 1. 1 LB. FLOUR. 2. 1 LB. BUTTER. 3. 1 LB.
COTTAGE CHEESE IN GERMAN VERSION, 12 OZ. CREAM CHEESE IN
POLISH VERSION, AND 1 PINT SOUR DREAM AND 6 EGG YOLKS IN
SOUTHERN VERSION.
THE DOUGH IS MIXED AND CHILLED OVERNIGHT IN REFRIGERATOR.
THE GERMAN AND POLISH COOKIES ARE ROLLED OUT AND CUT IN
SHAPE OF A PLATE AND THEN CUT INTO FOURTHS. (DRAWING ON
5X8 CARD INDICATES CIRCLE DIVIDED ACROSS AND DOWN). EACH
WEDGE IS TOPPED WITH A SPOONFUL OF NUT OR FRUIT FILLING
AND ROLLED, BEGINNING WITH WIDEST SIDE, THEN ROLL IS
SHAPED INTO CRESCENT. THE SOUTHERN COOKIES ARE ROLLED
OUT AND CUT INTO RECTANGLES. THEN EACH IS TOPPED
WITH A SPOONFUL OF FRUIT OR NUT FILLING AND ROLLED,
BEGINNING WITH NARROW END. THEN BAKED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; UTICA
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Pastry Sweet Dessert |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
SCHOOLING
IN GERMANY A FORMAL EDUCATION IS COMPLETE BY THE EIGHTH
GRADE. THEN A TRADE MUST BE SELECTED. THE NEXT THREE
YEARS ARE SIMILAR TO AN APPRENTICESHIP. ONE DAY A
WEEK A TRADE SCHOOL IS ATTENDED, AND THE REST OF THE
WEEK IS SPENT WORKING WITH A QUALIFIED PERSON OF THE
TRADE. DURING THIS TIME, THE APPRENTICE RECEIVES A SMALL
PERCENTAGE OF FULL PAY. THE CLASS WHICH THEY TAKE
TEACH(ES) NOT ONLY THE SKILLS AND TECHNICAL ASPECTS
OF A TRADE, BUT ALSO BOOKKEEPING AND ACCOUNTING. THIS
IS DONE SO THAT THE PERSON IS KNOWLEDGEABLE IN ALL
AREAS OF THE BUSINESS AND WOULD BE QUALIFIED TO OPEN
UP THEIR OWN SHOP BUSINESS, OR TRADE.
THE MAJOR PERCENT OF CHILDREN FOLLOW THIS TREND OF
EDUCATION.
A CHILD, AFTER COMPLETING FOURTH GRADE, TAKES AN EXAM
CALLED HECHOCHULE. IF THE CHILD PASSES THIS EXAM, HE
GOES INTO SPECIAL COURSES WHICH INCLUDE FRENCH, ENGLISH,
SHORTHAND, TYPING, LATIN, AND BOOKKEEPING. EVERY TWO
YEARS ANOTHER TEST IS ADMINISTERED, IF THE CHILD PASSES
HE CONTINUES IN THE PROGRAM; IF NOT HE CHANGES TO THE
TRADE SCHOOL PROGRAM.
AFTER TWELFTH GRADE, THESE SPECIAL PEOPLE THEN GO INTO
SPECIALITIES SUCH AS A LAWYER, SECRETARY, TEACHER, ETC.
THIS IS THE PREPARATION FOR THE UNIVERSITY LEVEL.
SCHOOLING IN GERMANY IS ALL LEARNING. THEY HAVE NO
SCHOLARSHIPS, HOCKEY , BASKETBALL, BASEBALL, FOOTBALL OR
SOCCER TEAMS SPONSORED BY THE UNIVERSITIES. THE ONLY
MEASURING STICK FOR ENTRANCE INTO THE UNIVERSITIES
IS PASSING THE BATTERY OF TESTS GIVEN FROM THE FOURTH
TO TWELFTH GRADES. THIS SYSTEM DOES NOT ALLOW FOR
INDIVIDUAL CHOICE IN PLANNING TO GO OR NOT TO GO TO
COLLEGE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; BEAUTY SHOP
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School |
Date learned: 01-00-1971