Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for ALMA returned 42 results.
MESS HALLS
IT IS A TRADITION AMONG SAILORS TO REFER TO THE MESS
HALLS AS RESTAURANTS. CONNECTED WITH THIS, ARE THE
JOKES AMONG THE MEN AS TO WHO IS BUYING, FLIPS
TO SEE WHO WILL PICK UP THE TAB, AND MAKING SURE
ONE GETS ONE MEAL TICKET PUNCHED WHILE IN LINE IN
THE MESS HALLS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALMA
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Home |
Date learned: 03-09-1970
BLANKET PARTIES
WHEN MEN ARE OVERSEAS, CROWDED ABOARD A SHIP, IT IS
FREQUENTLY THE CASE THAT TEMPERS RUN RATHER SHORT, AND
FLARE UP OVER DAILY OCCURRENCES. ONE SUCH INSTANCE
INVOLVES THOSE SAILORS WHO LACK GOOD HYGIENE HABITS,
THERE BEING A SOURCE OF AGGRAVATION TO HIS FELLOW
COMPARTMENT MATES. THERE IS A REGULAR NAVY TRADITION
FOR THE HANDLING OF JUST SUCH A SITUATION. FIRST,
THE GUILTY INDIVIDUAL IS GIVEN VARIOUS HINTS THAT HIS
"FRIENDS" ARE NOT PLEASED WITH HIS CLEANLINESS (BARS OF
SOAP UNDER HIS PILLOW, WET WASHCLOTHS IN HIS BUNK, ETC.)
AND IF THIS DOES NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM, THEN A "BLANKET"
PARTY IS THE LAST RESORT. IN THIS, A BLANKET IS THROWN
OVER THE GUILTY INDIVIDUAL, AND HIS ROOM MATES BEAT HIM
FOR ABOUT FIVE MINUTES. THE NEXT MORNING, IT IS USUALLY
THE CASE THAT THIS INDIVIDUAL IS THE FIRST ONE IN THE
SHOWER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALMA
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Daily Life |
Date learned: 03-09-1970
OMENS OF SPRING
IF YOU SEE A RED CARDINAL BUILDING A NEST IN A TREE, THAT MEANS THAT
SPRING IS ONLY A MONTH AWAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALMA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Measure of time Winter BELIEF -- Weather sign or control |
Date learned: 03-09-1970
ALBATROSS
IT IS BAD LUCK FOR AN ALBATROSS TO FOLLOW A SHIP. IF SHE DOES,
SHE MUST BE SHOT WITH A GUN ARMED WITH SILVER BULLETS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALMA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.32 |
Date learned: 03-09-1970
RED LIGHTNING
THE BANNER OR INSIGNIA FOR VF 194 WAS THAT OF RED
LIGHTNING, SO DESIGNATED FROM THE SAFE RETURN, THROUGH
A RED LIGHNING THUNDERSTORM, OF ALL OF VF 194'S FLYERS IN
YUMA, ARIZONA.
Data entry tech comment: A WAR STORY?
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALMA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Sign Color |
Date learned: 03-09-1970
U. S. S. NEVERDOCK
THERE IS A NAVY TRADITION CONCERNING THE GOOD SHIP
U.S.S. NEVERDOCK, A VESSEL WITH AN UNKNOWN PURPOSE
AND UNKNOWN CREW THAT SAILS ABOUT, NEVER COMING INTO
DOCK TO PORT. SHE HAS A POOL TABLE, BOWLING ALLEYS,
SWIMMING POOLS, AND MANY OTHER LUXURIES ABOARD, AND
ONLY A SELECT FEW ARE CHOSEN TO BE FLOWN ON THE SHIP TO
JOIN HER CREW. IT IS A STANDARD JOKE AMONG ALL SAILORS
WHO ARE AWAITING ORDERS THAT THEY WILL BE DESTINED FOR
THE U.S.S. NEVERDOCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALMA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal P477.6 |
Date learned: 03-09-1970
HANGER QUEENS
IT IS AN OLD NAVY TRADITION THAT EVERY OUTFIT MUST
HAVE A HANGER QUEEN. THIS IS SUPPOSEDLY THE BEST
AIRPLANE IN THE SQUADRON, IN WHICH EVERYTHING WORKS
THE BEST, DROPS THE MOST BOMBS, ETC. IN ACTUALITY,
HOWEVER, THIS IS THE PLANE IN WHICH NOTHING WORKS
AT ALL, AND SO PARTS ARE ROBBED FROM IT TO FIX
THE OTHER PLANES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALMA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal P477.6 |
Date learned: 03-09-1970
IT IS CONSIDERED VERY BAD LUCK TO TRIP ON A GANGPLANK
THIS ESPECIALLY HOLDS TRUE BEFORE GOING ON LIBERTY
AND SHOULD THIS OCCUR, IT IS BELIEVED THAT A VERY BAD
LIBERTY WILL RESULT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALMA
James Callow Keyword(s): LIBERTY=LEAVE, VACATION, TIME OFF ; MARITIME
Date learned: 03-09-1970
IT IS VERY BAD LUCK FOR A SAILOR TO SIT WITH HIS
HAT ON.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALMA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bad luck Clothing (dress, hat, shoes, suit, etc.) BELIEF -- Bad luck Activities |
Date learned: 03-09-1970
A SAILOR GETTING OUT OF THE NAVY WILL NEVER LOOK
BACK AT THE SHIP HE IS LEAVING, THE BASE, ETC.
TO LOOK BACK IS TO BRING BAD LUCK TO YOUR FUTURE
CIVILIAN LIFE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALMA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- P535 BELIEF -- Bad luck Activities |
Date learned: 03-09-1970
IT IS VERY BAD LUCK WITHIN THE NAVY AIRBORNE TO
LET ANYONE ELSE WEAR YOUR FLIGHT JACKET. THIS IS
ESPECIALLY TRUE IF YOUR FLIGHT JACKET HAS YOUR
NAME TAGS ON IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALMA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- P535 BELIEF -- Bad luck Activities |
Date learned: 03-09-1970
A SHIP WILL NEVER DOCK AT HIGH NOON. TO DO SO
IS BAD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALMA
Date learned: 03-09-1970
FLIGHT SCHEDULES
THERE IS NEVER AN EVENT 13 WRITTEN IN THE FLIGHT SCHEDULED EVENTS
FOR ANY DAY ON ANY SHIP IN ANY SQUADRON. EVENTS GO FROM 12 TO 14,
AND 13 WOULD BE CONSIDERED VERY BAD LUCK, AND PILOTS WOULD REFUES TO
FLY THESE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TOLD AT INFORMANTS HOME ; ALMA ; ROUTE 2 ; W JEFFERSON RD
| Subject headings: | 686 Specific number by specific number being described |
Date learned: 03-09-1970
ON BOARD A NAVAL VESSEL, IT IS BAD LUCK TO WALK UP
A LADDER ON THE PORT SIDE OR DOWN ON THE AFT
SIDE OF THE SHIP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALMA
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Water craft or boat propelled by human, wind, mechanical or other force BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Bad luck Objects |
Date learned: 03-09-1970
IT IS NOW CONSIDERED VERY BAD LUCK TO RECEIVE ORDERS
ABOARD THE U.S.S. ORISKANY (CALLED THE BIG O), FOR
SAILORS FEEL SHE IS A DEATH SHIP.
Data entry tech comment: BECAUSE OF THE NAME? O RISK ANY?
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALMA
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Water craft or boat propelled by human, wind, mechanical or other force BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Bad luck Objects |
Date learned: 03-09-1970
IT IS CONSIDERED VERY GOOD LUCK FOR PORPOISES TO
FOLLOW A SHIP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALMA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Good luck Animals |
Date learned: 03-09-1970
Tongue Twister
WHO GOT SHOTT?
A duel was lately fought by Alexander Shott and John Nott. Nott was shot and Shott was not. In this case it is better to be Shott than Nott. There was a rumor that Nott weas not shot, and Shott avows that he shot Nott, which proves either that the shot Shott shot at Nott was not shot, or that Nott was shot.
Notwithstanding that circumstantial evidence is not always good. it may be made to appear on trial that the shot Shott shot shot Nott, or as accidents with firearms are frequent it may be possible that the shot Shott shot shot Shott himself, when the whole affair would resolve itself into its original elements, and Shott would be shot and Nott would be ot. Anyway, it is hard to tell who was shot.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs Added By TRD
James Callow comment:
Besides, what is this? A Tongue Twister?
Where learned: ALMANAC ; Curious Duel
Keyword(s): ALLITERATION ; Shot ; TONGUE TWISTER
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Entry filtered.
SICK BAY
IT IS CUSTOMARY TO REMOVE ONE'S HAT WHEN ENTERING SICK BAY WHILE
IN THE NAVY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALMA ; ROUTE 2 ; W JEFFERSON RD
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 03-09-1970
SAILORS' HATS
IN EVERY SERVICE BAR, THERE IS A SIGN HANGING OVER THE BAR THAT
READS: "HE WHO WEARS HIS HAT IN HERE/ BUYS THIS BAR A ROUND OF
CHEER." THIS COMES FROM THE OLD TALE CONCERNING THE THREE BRITISH
SAILORS WHO WERE IN AUSTRALIA DURING THE WAR, ALL IN THE SAME BAR,
AND ALL DRINKING WITH THEIR HATS ON. LATER ALL WERE KILLED, EACH
STILL WITH HIS HAT ON.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALMA ; ROUTE 2 ; W JEFFERSON RD
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |