Dr. James T. Callow publications
Browse by
Questions or comments on this site? Please email davidsor@udmercy.edu.
The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for TOLD AT returned 523 results.
RIDDLE QUESTION
WHAT ARE THE ONLY FIVE MAN-MADE THINGS IN HEAVEN?
-- THE FIVE WOUNDS OF JESUS CHRIST.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT
Keyword(s): RELIGION
Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 00-00-1969
FORMULA SPEECH
IF A PERSON FUMBLES ABOUT WITH A JOB OR TASK WHICH HE IS DOING OR
MAKES A MISTAKE, OFTEN IT IS REMARKED THAT, "YOU ARE AS HANDY AS A
CUB BEAR WITH GLOVES ON."
Where learned: TOLD AT HOME ; NEW YORK ; LE ROY
Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 02-00-1971
ALL JUMP IN TOGETHER GIRLS, JUST LIKE THE WEATHER GIRLS, JANUARY,
FEBRUARY ETC. ONE JUMP ON EACH MONTH.
Where learned: SAINT HILARYS GRADE SCHOOL ; TOLD AT
Keyword(s): CALL-RHYME
Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
CHRISTMAS
EACH PERSON, BEFORE DINNER ON CHRISTMAS EVE, RECEIVES A
PIECE OF WHITE WAFER (ANGEL BREAD). EACH PERSON GOES TO
EVERY OTHER PERSON AND MAKES WISHES FOR HIM FOR
THE NEXT YEAR. WITH EACH WISH THE WISHER MAKES FOR
HIS PARTNER, HE BREAKS A TINY PIECE OF WAFER OFF. WHEN
HE IS FINISHED WISHING, THE WISHER EATS THE BITS
OF WAFER HE HAS BROKEN OFF. THE RECEIVER OF THE WISHES
THEN WISHES THE 1ST PERSON IN A SIMILAR WAY.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector share same surname.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT COLLECTOR'S HOME
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM
Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82 |
Date learned: 03-10-1970
FUDGE, FUDGE CALL THE JUDGE./ MAMA'S GOT A NEW BORN BABY.
IT ISN'T A BOY, IT ISN'T A GIRL./ IT'S JUST AN ORDINARY BABY.
WRAP IT UP IN TISSUE PAPER,/ SEND IT DOWN THE ELEVATOR.
FIRST FLOOR-STOP (THE ROPE STOPS)
(ROPE BEGINS) SECOND FLOOR-STOP (ROPE STOPS)
(ROPE BEGINS) THIRD FLOOR, BABY FLOOR, ALL OUT.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS FOR A GROUP TO JUMP TO. UPON REACHING "THIRD FLOOR" EVERYONE
MUST JUMP FROM THE TURNING ROPE.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS ; TOLD AT
Keyword(s): CALL-RHYME ; CHARACTER ; PLAIN-JUMP
Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 03-01-1971
BREAKING BREAD
IT IS A POLISH CUSTOM TO ALL GATHER THE
WHOLE FAMILY ON CHRISTMAS EVE, AND HAVE
UNLEAVENED BREAD, CALLED OPLATEK, A WAFER.
THE WHOLE FAMILY EACH HAS A PIECE AND THEY
GO AROUND TO EVERY OTHER MEMBER, BREAK OFF A
PIECE AND EXCHANGE IT, WISHING THEM A MERRY CHRISTMAS.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector share same surname.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT INFORMANT'S HOME
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM
Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82 |
Date learned: 03-12-1970
OMEN
FOR THE FRENCH, A BIRD ON A WINDOWSILL MEANS DEATH.
Where learned: WORK ; TOLD AT ; DETROIT BOARD OF
Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 03-17-1970
KRAKOWIAK (POLISH DANCE)
LIKE THE AMERICAN SQUARE DANCE.
Where learned: CHILDHOOD ; NOT GIVEN ; HOME ; PENNSYLVANIA ; MICHIGAN ; LETTER ; OHIO ; NEW JERSEY ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; AUTOGRAPH BOOK ; GROSSE POINTE ; HARPER WOODS ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS ; WARREN ; JAPAN ; RUSSIA ; GRAND RAPIDS ; SHIPLE HALL ; GARDEN CITY ; ROYAL OAK ; TOLEDO ; TRENTON ; FARMINGTON ; KALAMAZOO ; CANADA ; ONTARIO ; MARYGROVE COLLEGE ; DETROIT ; MAIL ; INDIANA ; DETROIT, ASSUMED ; TOLD AT HOME ; FERNDALE ; SOUTHFIELD ; TENNESSEE ; MACKENZIE HIGH SCHOOL ; HAMTRAMCK ; DEARBORN ; MINNESOTA ; ILLINOIS ; NEW YORK ; FLORIDA ; KOREA ; WISCONSIN ; NEW HAMPSHIRE ; STUDENT UNION ; READING ; AUSTRALIA ; Sylvania ; Sterling Heights ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; GROSSE POINTE PARK ; OAK PARK ; SOUTHGATE ; STURGEON LAKE ; REDFORD ; TOORAK ; VICTORIA ; ROSEVILLE ; LINCOLN PARK ; TRAVERSE CITY ; HUNTINGTON WOODS ; PONTIAC ; TROY ; PORT CHESTER ; SOUTH AMERICA ; BROOKVILLE ; MONTREAL ; SEOUL ; NORTH OLMSTED ; EASTOWN THEATER ; ERIE ; University of Notre Dame ; FRANKLINVILLE ; TORONTO ; TOLD AT ; TOLD BY ; TOLD IN ; SCRANTON ; MONROE ; GLENVIEW ; MOSCOW ; GULLEY ; FINLAND ; HARBOR BEACH ; HOUGHTON LAKE ; Hudson Lake ; INDIANAPOLIS ; JONESBORO ; KANSASVILLE ; LEXINGTON ; MASSILLON ; MAUCH CHUNK ; MELVINDALE ; MILFORD ; NEW ROCHELLE ; NIAGARA FALLS ; PANAMA CITY ; PATAGONIA ; ARGENTINA ; RESIDENCE HALL ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES ; TOLD AT HONORS HOUSE ; AMERICAN HISTORY CLASS
Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Dance |
BLESSING THE HOME
EVERY YEAR, FOLLOWING THE FEAST OF THE THREE KINGS (ONE WEEK LATER),
MANY POLISH FAMILIES HAVE THEIR HOME BLESSED. THE PRIEST SPRINKLES
HOLY WATER AROUND AND WRITES THE INITIALS OF THE THREE KINGS AND THE
THE DATE ON THE WALL IN CHALK.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; TOLD AT
Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 13 |
Date learned: 03-12-1968
STRAW UNDER THE TABLE CLOTH
A CUSTOM WITH POLISH FAMILIES ON CHRISTMAS EVE IS TO PUT STRAW UNDER
THE TABLECLOTH , RELATING IN SOME WAY TO THE STRAW OF THE MANGER OF
THE CHRIST CHILD.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; TOLD AT
Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Straw |
Date learned: 03-12-1968
DRINK
IN GERMANY AT CHRISTMAS THEY MAKE A SPECIAL HOT AND VERY SPICY
RED WINE, MADE WITH CLOVE AND CINNAMON, AND HERBS--FOR THE
HOLIDAY SEASON.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT ACTUALLY HAD THIS AT A PRIVATE HOME IN GERMANY.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; TV STUDIO ; TOLD AT
Keyword(s): CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; DRINK ; Germany ; holiday
Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Single dishes |
PROVERBIAL APOTHETGM MAXIM
HE WHO MIXES BUBBLES AND BOOZE, WILL WAKE UP THE NEXT MORNING
WEARING HIS SHOES.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT IS MY UNCLE WHO IS ONLY TWO AND A HALF YEARS OLDER THAN
MYSELF. THIS WAS TOLD AT A WEDDING RECEPTION WHERE CHAMPAIGN WAS
BEING CONSUMED ALONG WITH HARD LIQUOR.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO ; TOLD AT ; WEDDING RECEPTION
Keyword(s): CHAMPAGNE ; GETTING DRUNK
Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb |
LYRICAL VERSE
OH, I DON'T CARE IF IT RAINS OR FREEZES,
LONG AS I HAVE MY PLASTIC JESUS,
RIDING ON THE DASHBOARD OF MY CAR;
THUNDER ROAR AND LIGHTNING CRASH,
I WON'T FEAR; HE'S ON THE DASH,
TAKE HIM WITH YOU WHEN YOU TRAVEL FAR.
OH, I CAN DRIVE FROM COAST TO COAST,
LONG AS I HAVE MY HOLY GHOST,
RIDING ON THE DASHBOARD OF MY CAR;
GOIN' NINETY I AIN'T WARY,
CAUSE I GOT MY VIRGIN MARY,
GUARANTEEIN' I WON'T GO TO HELL.
OH, I DON'T CARE IF IT'S DARK AND SCARY,
LONG AS I HAVE MY VIRGIN MARY,
RIDING ON THE DASHBOARD OF MY CAR.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; TOLD AT ; SAILING CLUB PARTY
Keyword(s): BIBLICAL ; FEMININE RHYME ; IMPERFECT RHYME: FREEZES JESUS ; RELIGION ; RHYME: AABCCB ; SLANG FOR DASHBOARD CLIPPING ; STATUES USED AS AMULETS IN AUTOMOBILES ; TRAVEL
Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: 10-23-1971
TONGUE TWISTER
A TUTOR TUTORED TWO TOOTERS TO TOOT. SAID THE TWO TO THE
TUTOR, "IS IT EASIER TO TOOT OR TO TUTOR TWO TOOTERS TO
TOOT?"
Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 04-00-1970
AT CHRISTMAS TIME ALL THE KIDS IN THE FAMILY GET A SHOT OF WHISKEY.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Keyword(s): CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; DRINK ; holiday
Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Single dishes |
Date learned: 10-30-1971
"WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT ME FOR? I DIDN'T COME TO STAY. I ONLY CAME
TO TELL YOU THIS IS EASTER DAY."
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A GREETING BY THE CHURCH DEACON TO THE CONGREGATION AT
EASTER MASS.
Keyword(s): RITUAL SPEECH
Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Custom Festival C840.663 Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Speech Speech CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday |
Date learned: 10-30-1971
NAMING
FOUR EYES! SOMEONE WHO WEARS GLASSES.
Where learned: SCHOOL APARTMENT ; TOLD AT
Subject headings: | Person / Nickname |
Date learned: 09-00-1969
NUMBER BELIEF
NUMBER THIRTEEN IN SOME PLACES IS CONCIDERED BAD LUCK.
THERE WILL BE NO ROOM 13 OR FLOOR 13 OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.
Submitter comment: THIS SUPERSTITION ABOUT 13 IS VERY PREVALENT IN LATIN AMERICA.
Where learned: WORK ; TOLD AT ; IRA WILSON AND SONS
Subject headings: | 686 Specific number by specific number being described |
Date learned: 02-28-1970
CUSTOM
KOSHER FOOD IS FOOD THAT HAS BEEN BLESSED
BY THE RABBI TO MAKE IT PURE.
Submitter comment: THIS JEWISH CUSTOM IS STILL PRACTICED TODAY.
Where learned: HOME ; UNCLE ; ; TOLD AT
Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 02-02-1970
NUMBER BELIEF
IN SOME PART OF LATIN AMERICA, NUMBER 13 IS CONSIDERED GOOD LUCK AND
IT IS USED ALL OVER.
Submitter comment:
THIS CONTROVERSIAL 13 NUMBER, WHETHER GOOD LUCK OR BAD, IS QUITE
PREVALENT IN LATIN AMERICA.
Where learned: WORK ; TOLD AT ; IRA WILSON AND SONS
Subject headings: | 686 Specific number by specific number being described |
Date learned: 10-13-1970