Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for ROYAL OAK returned 336 results.
Proverb
Better late than never.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [V200] crossed out. Replaced with current classification.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
Keyword(s): Aphorism ; Apothegm ; Late ; Maxim ; Never ; PROVERB ; Punctual ; TIME ; VERSE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Proverb
God helps those who help themselves.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [V200] crossed out. Replaced with current classification.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
Keyword(s): Apothegm' Aphorism ; God ; Help ; Initiative ; Maxim ; PROVERB ; VERSE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Retort
Shut up? I wasn't shut up, I was brought up, and when I think of you I throw up.
Submitter comment:
Collected upon hearing the informant answer someone who told him to shut up.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; INSULT ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Retort
"A man running by for his life would never notice it."
Submitter comment:
Granny Clisdale used to admonish someone worrying over inicental details with this retort.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; DEATH ; incidental ; INSULT ; LIFE ; Notice ; RETORT ; RUNNING ; SARCASM ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Belief: Weather
Color of the Sky:
(red) colored sky in the morning: sailor's warning.
(red) colored sky at night: sailor's delight
Submitter comment:
Learned in Childhood
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [P800, 890] crossed out. Replaced with current classifications.
Dup. of WPP
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
Keyword(s): COLOR ; NATURE ; Nautical ; Ocean ; Predicting ; PREDICTING WEATHER ; RHYME ; Sailor ; Sky ; WARNING ; WEATHER
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb |
Ethnic: Scottish
Never cut your fingernails on Sunday.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
The word Legend has been crossed out from the top of the card.
Original BN [P400, P644, P43, P880] have been crossed out/replaced with current classifications
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
Keyword(s): DAYS OF THE WEEK ; ETHNIC ; GROOMING ; Scotland ; SCOTTISH ; Superstition, Belief
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time F574.5 (SUNDAY) BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
FRENCH CUSTOM
IN THE CENTER OF THE VILLAGE THERE IS USUALLY A CALVAIRE (LIKE
OUTDOOR SHRINES). AT CERTAIN TIMES OF THE YEAR FOR CERTAIN SHRINES
THERE IS A SPECIAL CEREMONY. FIRST THERE IS A SPECIAL CEREMONY
AT THE SHRINE AND THEN A SPECIAL PROCESSION FROM THE CHURCH TO THE
SHRINE. AT THE SHRINE THERE ARE SONGS, PRAYERS, AND THEN A
PROCESSION BACK TO THE CHURCH. THE PEOPLE WEAR THE OLD BRITAN
( BRETON ) COSTUMES. PEOPLE COME TO SEE THEM IN THESE BRITAN
( BRETON ) COSTUMES. THERE IS A PARTICULAR MUSIC MADE WITH BAGPIPES.
THERE ARE ALSO PARTICULAR DANCES. THE DAY ENDS WITH SINGING AND
DANCING.
Submitter comment: HEARD IN BRITTANY, FRANCE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Festival |
Date learned: SUMMER 1964
FRENCH CUSTOM
THE BLESSING OF BOATS IS DONE IN FRANCE. THERE ARE CERTAIN DAYS
FOR THE BLESSING OF BOATS. IT IS USUALLY DONE ONCE A YEAR. IT IS
USUALLY DONE BEFORE A FLEET OF FISHERMAN (SIC) LEAVE.
Submitter comment: HEARD IN BRITTANY, FRANCE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Festival BELIEF -- Prayer |
FRENCH CUSTOM
THE CELEBRATION OF THE FOURTEENTH OF JULY IS A FRENCH CUSTOM.
JULY 14 IS CELEBRATED AS A LIBERATION DAY. IT STARTS WITH MILITARY
PARADES. IT ENDS WITH DANCING IN THE STREETS. HEARD OF IN FRANCE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- July 14 |
THE ORAL HISTORY OF MY FAMILY INCLUDES THE TALE OF
MY GRANDFATHER'S ARRIVAL AT ELLIS ISLAND, IN THE
EARLY TWENTIETH CENTURY. HE HAD BEEN A STOW-AWAY AND
WAS THEREFORE RELUCTANT TO GIVE HIS NAME TO THE
IMMIGRATION OFFICIAL PROCESSING HIM. HE ASKED THE
OFFICER TO SELECT A NEW NAME FOR HIM, AN AMERICAN
NAME. THE NAME "SHERMAN" WAS CHOSEN FROM THE
SIGNATURE OF ROGER SHERMAN ON THE DECLARATION OF
INDEPENDENCE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK ; OAKLAND COUNTY
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 00-00-1983
EAT SALTY FISH ON NEW YEAR'S EVE FOR GOOD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
SYLVIA COLLECTED THIS FROM HER SISTER, WHO IN TURN, LEARNED
IT AT THE NURSES' LOUNGE AT BEAUMONT HOSPITAL, DETROIT (ROYAL
OAK), MICHIGAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; ROYAL OAK ; DETROIT ; NURSES LOUNGE ; BEAUMONT HOSPITAL
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 09-23-1967
QUEER DAY
WEARING YELLOW ON THURSDAYS MEANT YOU WERE GAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Week Day Hour BELIEF -- Color |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
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THE NUMBER OF TIMES YOU CAN CRACK YOUR KNUCKLES IS
SUPPOSEDLY THE NUMBER OF GIRLFRIENDS A PERSON HAS.
Where learned: ROYAL OAK ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Number Counting beliefs SPEECH -- Magical |
Date learned: 11-11-1969
FOR EVERY RIBBON YOU BREAK IN UNWRAPPING SHOWER GIFTS,
IT MEANS A BABY YOU WILL HAVE.
Where learned: ROYAL OAK ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Use of object for determining number of children or sex of unborn P863.3 |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
TO REALLY GET WINDOWS CLEAN AND ALSO FREE OF STREAKS,
WASH WITH ONE PART VINEGAR AND TWO PARTS WATER.
DRY WITH NEWSPAPER IF YOU WANT THE CLEANEST WINDOWS.
Where learned: ROYAL OAK ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Home |
Date learned: 11-11-1969
THE GARBAGE TRUCK
DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE GARBAGE TRUCK THAT HAD A SIGN
ON THE BACK, "YOUR SATISFACTION GUARANTEED OR DOUBLE
YOUR GARBAGE BACK?"
Submitter comment: I DO NOT KNOW WHERE I HEARD THIS JOKE.
Where learned: ROYAL OAK ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
THERE WERE ONCE TWO FARMERS AND THEY WERE ALWAYS
ENVIOUS OF EACH OTHER. WELL, ONE DAY, ONE OF THE
FARMERS HAD A BEAUTIFUL OUTHOUSE BUILT. IT WAS A
GORGEOUS THING. IT HAD THREE PILLARS IN THE FRONT, IT
HAD TWO EASTERN CHURCH TYPE DOMES ON TOP, IT WAS A
FOUR SEATER, AND BEST OF ALL, IT DIDN'T STINK. NOW THE
OTHER FARMER, WHO WAS GREEN WITH ENVY (AND WITH THE SMELL
OF HIS OWN OUTHOUSE) DECIDED THAT HE MUST HAVE ONE THAT
WAS BETTER IN ALL RESPECTS THAN HIS SWEET SNIFFING
NEIGHBOR. HE THUS CALL A CONTRACTOR IN TOWN AND GAVE HIM
THE DESIRED SPECIFICATIONS. HE WANTED HIS OUTHOUSE TO BE
COMPLETELY SURROUNDED WITH 12 PILLARS. HE WANTED A
STEEPLE ON TOP, 8 SEATS, WALL TO WALL CARPETING AND
FIGURES CARVED ON THE BUILDING TRIM, AND LASTLY, HE
STRICTLY STATED THAT THE OUTHOUSE COULD NOT STINK.
NEXT DAY THE CONTRACTOR AND HIS MEN CAME TO THE FARMER'S
PROPERTY AND WITHIN A COUPLE OF WEEKS ERECTED THE
STRUCTURE. THE FARMER WAS VERY HAPPY WITH THE VISIBLE
RESULT. A FEW WEEKS LATER, HOWEVER, THE FARMER FOUND IT
NECESSARY TO CALL THE CONTRACTOR. IT SEEMS THAT WHILE
THE FARMER WAS STROLLING AROUND HIS OUTHOUSE, HE SNIFFED
SOMETHING THAT WAS QUITE UNDESIROUS. HE IMMEDIATELY
CALLED THE CONTRACTOR AND TOLD HIM OFTHE DELEMMA. THE
CONTRACTOR QUICKLY DROVE TO THE FARM. HE GREETED THE
FARMER AND THEY BOTH STROLLED BACK TO THE OUTHOUSE. THE
CONTRACTOR PROCEEDED TO CHECK THE PILLARS, THE
FOUNDATIONS, THE CARPETING., THE STEEPLE, THE CARVED
FIGURES AND THE PAINT. FINDING NO FAULT, HE WANDERED
OVER TO ONE OF THE SEATS. OPENING THE COVER AND
LOOKING WITHIN, HE BECKONED THE FARMER. POINTING TO
THE INSIDE OF THE HOLE, HE EXCLAIMED, "HERE'S YOUR
PROBLEM RIGHT HERE: SOMEBODY SHIT IN IT."
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A STORY THAT MY DAD TOLD ME ABOUT FOUR YEARS
AGO. HE DOES NOT KNOW WHERE HE HEARD IT.
Where learned: ROYAL OAK ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Man |
Date learned: 04-16-1965