Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for BIRMINGHAM returned 584 results.
RIDDLE
WHEN IS A CAR NOT A CAR?
I DON'T KNOW.
WHEN IT TURNS INTO A DRIVEWAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: UNKNOWN
RIDDLE
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LBJ AND LSD?
ONE'S A DOPE AND ONE'S A DRUG.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
Keyword(s): JOHNSON, LYNDON B. ; UNITED STATES PRESIDENT
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 10-25-1967
RIDDLE
WHY IS BASEBALL SIMILAR TO PANCAKES?
THEY BOTH NEED GOOD BATTERS.
Submitter comment: FROM A CLASSMATE
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
Keyword(s): FOOD SPORT
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 11-12-1967
RIDDLE
WHICH BURNS LONGER, A BLUE OR A RED CANDLE?
NEITHER, THEY BOTH BURN SHORTER.
Submitter comment: FROM A FRIEND
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 11-12-1967
" A BRIEF TENURE "
IF YOU MOVE ON A FRIDAY IT WILL BE A SHORT FLITTIN'.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT, MRS. STOKES, LEARNED THIS FROM HER MOTHER,
MRS. HARRIET MALLINSON AS A CHILD IN GARY, INDIANA. (CIRCA 1925)
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
Keyword(s): MOVING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Week Day Hour |
SHOES
WHEN SHOES HURT YOUR FEET OR SQUEAK,
THEY HAVE NOT BEEN PAID FOR.
Submitter comment:
MRS. STOKES, THE INFORMER, LEARNED THIS BELIEF
AS A CHILD IN GARY, INDIANA, FROM HER MOTHER,
MRS. MALLINSON, NOW DECEASED, WAS BORN IN A SMALL TOWN
NEAR EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND. SHE LEARNED IT FROM HER MOTHER,
A MRS. SCOTT ABOUT 1889.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 12-25-1963
THE SWORD OF FRIENDSHIP
NEVER GIVE ANYONE ANY MONEY WITHOUT GIVING THEM SOMETHING
SHARP TOO, SO YOUR FRIENDSHIP WOULD NEVER BE CUT.
Submitter comment:
MR. MALLINSON LEARNED THIS BELIEF IN HIS NATIVE SCOTLAND AS
A CHILD. (CIRCA 1900) MISS STOKES IS HIS GRAND-DAUGHTER.
SHE IS NOT AN ACTIVE TRADITOR OF THIS ITEM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 12-27-1963
DEE A DEE UM DUM
I'VE GOT A GIRL AND SHE IS A DAISY.
SHE DRIVES THE GUYS IN THIS WORLD PLUM CRAZY.
WITH HER STICKS AND HER STONES,
SHE MAY BREAK ALL MY BONES,
YOU CAN SAY ALL YOU WANT ABOUT MY LITTLE GIRL,
'CAUSE I'M GONNA LOVE HER ANYWAY.
WITH HER...
CHORUS:
DEE A DEE UM DUM, DEE A DEE UM DUM.
I TOOK MY GIRL INTO THE BIG CITY.
I BOUGHT HER RINGS AND THINGS TO MAKE HER PRETTY.
WITH HER FIGHTIN' AND FLIRTIN'
SHE DON'T CARE WHO SHE'S HURTIN'
YOU CAN SAY WHAT YOU WANT ABOUT MY LITTLE GIRL,
CAUSE I'M GONNA LOVE HER ANYWAY.
WITH HER...
REPEAT CHORUS.
Submitter comment:
TO SING THIS SONG THE GROUP CAN BE DIVIDED WITH ONE PART SINGING
THE MELODY AND THE OTHER SINGING "DEE A DEE UM DUM" THROUGH THE SONG.
IT SOUNDS EVEN BETTER IF THE HARMONY IS DIVIDED INTO LOW AND
HIGH PARTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Love |
Date learned: 12-00-1970
Entry filtered.
HUNCHBACK
RUB A HUNCHBACK'S BACK FOR GOOD LUCK.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT HAD KNOWN THIS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Legend |
CUSTOM
WHEN A BABY CUTS HIS FIRST TOOTH, THE MOTHER BAKES A WHEAT CAKE
WITH CANDY ON THE TOP AND ALL THE VISITORS HAVE A PIECE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Custom |
Date learned: 10-03-1967
BELIEF
IF YOU SPILL SALT ACCIDENTALLY, QUICKLY THROW SOME OVER YOUR LEFT
SHOULDER AND MAKE A WISH. BY RIGHTS, IT SHOULD COME TRUE.
Submitter comment:
I HEARD THIS BELIEF FROM MY IRISH MATERNAL GRANDMOTHER WHO TOLD
IT TO ME FIFTEEN YEARS AGO WHEN I ACCIDENTALLY DROPPED SALT IN
HER KITCHEN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Prayer |
BELIEF
IF YOU FORGET TO WASH THE TEAPOT OR COFFEEPOT AFTER YOU HAVE
COMPANY, IT MEANS THOSE GUESTS WILL RETURN AGAIN.
Submitter comment:
I LEARNED THIS BELIEF FROM MY MOTHER WHO MENTIONED IT ABOUT
FIVE YEARS AGO WHEN WE FORGOT TO WASH A TEAPOT. SHE LEARNED IT
FROM HER GRANDMOTHER WHO WAS IRISH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Home BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Measure of time Working |
SUPERSTITION--BAD LUCK
IT IS UNLUCKY TO LIGHT THREE CIGARETTES FROM A SINGLE MATCH.
Submitter comment: FROM FRIENDS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple BELIEF -- Bad luck |
FOOD SUPERSTITION
EATING CARROTS WILL HELP YOU SEE BETTER AT NIGHT.
Submitter comment: FROM MY MOTHER'S MOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness BELIEF -- Plant |
TALE
A MAN HAD JUST PURCHASED A NEW CAR. AFTER DRIVING IT FOR TWO
WEEKS, HE DISCOVERED AN AWFUL RATTLE IN THE DOOR. TAKING IT TO
A GARAGE TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS WRONG, HE DISCOVERED AN EMPTY
COKE BOTTLE WAS LODGED IN THE DOOR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE ; COKE=COCA COLA: BRAND NAME FOR SOFT DRINK.
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Vehicle propelled by mechanical or other force on land |
Date learned: 00-00-1965
GRAVE ROBBERS
GRAVE ROBBERS, AFTER HEARING OF A WOMAN RECENTLY BURIED WITH
AN EXPENSIVE RING ON HER FINGER, BREAK INTO THE GRAVE. HOWEVER,
THEY CAN'T GET THE RING OFF, SO THEY BEGIN TO CUT HER FINGER OFF.
UPON THE FLOW OF BLOOD, SHE REGAINS CONSCIOUSNESS.
Submitter comment:
HE LEARNED THIS FROM HIS MOTHER AND ALSO MUCH LATER FROM A FRIEND
WHO IS OF POLISH DESCENT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Metal Stone Bone Precious stone Gem ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Cemetery BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
INDIAN LEGEND
LEGEND HAS IT THAT THE COMMANDER OF FORT MACKINAC IN THE LATE
18TH CENTURY FELL IN LOVE WITH AN INDIAN GIRL, AND SHE WITH HIM.
HE WAS THROWN TO HIS DEATH FROM A BLUFF, NOW NAMED ROBINSON'S
FOLLY, BY A JEALOUS INDIAN BRAVE.
Submitter comment:
HE DID DIE THIS WAY, BUT SOME SAY THAT INTOXICATION, NOT INFATUA-
TION, WAS THE REAL CAUSE OF HIS DOWNFALL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535 BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
INDIAN LEGEND
ACCORDING TO INDIAN MYTHS, SUGAR LOAF ROCK ON MACKINAC ISLAND IS
SO NAMED BECAUSE IT WAS ONCE AN IMMENSE BEE HIVE, EVERY CRACK OF
WHICH WAS FULL OF HONEY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Insect PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 01-30-1968
THE OLD HOUSE LEGEND
ANOTHER LOCAL LEGEND WITH MUCH EVIDENCE TO PROVE ITS AUTHENTICITY
IS AN OLD HOME JUST EAST OF THE CAMPUS. THOUGH IT NO LONGER
STANDS, IT WAS SHROUDED IN MANY TREES, OFF THE ROAD--AND WAS AN
IMPORTANT STOP IN THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD DURING THE DAYS PRIOR
TO THE CIVIL WAR. HERE, NEGRO SLAVES WHO HAD FLED THE SOUTH WERE
RECEIVED AND FED, AND SENT ON THEIR WAY TO CASSOPOLIS, MICHIGAN.
THIS EXPLAINS THE LARGE NUMBER OF NEGRO FARMERS IN THAT AREA OF
MICHIGAN, NEGROES WHO HAVE OWNED LAND FOR MANY YEARS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 01-22-1968