Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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LEGEND OF ST. BEATUS
IN THE MIDDLE AGES, THERE WAS A RICH YOUNG MAN WHO WENT AROUND
WITH HIS SWORD AND HELMET, LIVING AN EASY LIFE. IT IS TOLD THAT
HE CAME NEAR A BIG CAVE (AT THE BORDER OF LAKE THUN), AND HAD TO
FIGHT A BIG DRAGON. HE KILLED THE DRAGON, BUT WAS SEVERELY WOUNDED
HIMSELF. THERE WERE NO VILLAGES NEAR, AND HE TOLD HIMSELF THAT HE
WOULD BECOME A HERMIT IF HE SURVIVED. IN THIS LARGE CAVE, THERE WAS
A SPRING, AND BY DRINKING THE WATER HE BECAME WELL. HE THEN
STUCK TO HIS PROMISE, AND BECAME A HERMIT FOR THE REST OF HIS LIFE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TOLD AT COLLECTORS HOME ; SOUTHFIELD
Keyword(s): PLEDGE
James Callow Keyword(s): LAKE OF THUN, SWITZERLAND
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 10-28-1970
SUPERSTITION
OWLS ARE BAD LUCK. IF YOU SEE ONE, OR IF ONE FLIES OVER YOU, YOU'LL
GET BAD LUCK FOR A WEEK. IF YOU'RE WALKING, YOU'LL FALL. IF YOU'RE
WRITING, YOU'LL MAKE MISTAKE; IF YOU DRIVE CAR, YOU'LL MAKE ACCIDENT.
Submitter comment: HE LEARNED THIS SUPERSTITION FROM HIS FAMILY AND BELIEVES IN IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; COLLECTORS HOME
James Callow Keyword(s): PALESTINIAN INFORMANT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Week Day Hour BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
WHEN I WAS A KID I WENT DOWN THE ROAD
OVER A FRIEND'S HOUSE, WHEN I STARTED
BACK HOME I LOOKED IN BACK OF ME
AND THERE WAS A LITTLE RED BOUNCING BALL
FOLLOWING ME. I STARTED RUNNING HOME AND
THE BALL MOVED FASTER AND I RAN INTO MY
ROOM AT HOME AND LOOKED OUT THE WINDOW AND
THE RED BALL WAS STILL THERE. IT FINALLY
WENT AWAY AND I NEVER SAW IT AGAIN.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00001970S
CHRISTMAS BELIEF
IF A MAN DOES NOT ENTER THE HOUSE FIRST ON CHRISTMAS
MORNING, THE HOUSE WILL BE PLAGUED WITH SICKNESS AND
BAD LUCK DURING THE COMING YEAR. (THE STRONGER THE
MAN THE BETTER THE LUCK).
Submitter comment: THIS CUSTOM IS PRACTICED BY POLISH AMERICANS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TOLD AT COLLECTORS HOME ; SOUTHFIELD
Keyword(s): FIRST ON CHRISTMAS
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. |
Date learned: 10-25-1970
BELIEF
SEVEN PEOPLE EATING TOGETHER
BRING GOOD LUCK - IF THIRTEEN
EATING TOGETHER, ONE WILL
DIE BEFORE THE YEAR IS UP.
Where learned: HOME ; LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR ; TOLD AT
Keyword(s): PREDICTION
| Subject headings: | 686 Specific number by specific number being described 686 Seven / Sevenths / Several Observation BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 10-23-1968
YOU ALWAYS REMEMBER THE BIRTH OF YOUR
FIRST CHILD FIRST BECAUSE IT WAS THE
FIRST TIME YOU EVER HAVE EXPERIENCED
A THING LIKE THAT. THERE IS A CLOSER
BOND BETWEEN MOTHER AND FIRST CHILD
THAN BETWEEN THE OTHER CHILDREN.
Submitter comment:
YOU CAN IMAGINE HOW I MUST HAVE FELT
BECAUSE I WAS THE 4TH CHILD.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 00001980S
THE BUG-A-LA-BOO
THE BUG-A-LA-BOO HAD 90 FITS AS HE CAME
FROM UNDER THE BED, HE RIPPED AND SCORNED
AND SHIT ON THE FLOOR AS HE WIPED HIS
TAIL ON THE DOOR KNOB DOOR, HE WENT OUT
SIDE AND CLIMBED A TREE AND IF I HAD'NT
BEEN LOOKING HE WOULD HAVE SHIT ON ME.
Submitter comment:
NO ONE KNOWS WHAT A BUG-A-LA BOO IS -
JUST A FICTITIOUS CHARACTER CREATED BY
THE MASTER MIND OF MY UNCLE.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: 00001970S
SPRING RITUALS
ONE SHOULD TAKE A BATH EVERY SATURDAY NIGHT
TO START THE WEEK/SPRING OFF FRESH.
ONE SHOULD TAKE CASTOR OIL AT THE END OF
WINTER TO CLEAN OUT THE SYSTEM FOR SPRING.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Measure of time Spring BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour BELIEF -- Remedy |
Date learned: 00001980S
PROVERB: CAT
HAPPY AS A CAT IN A CREAMERY.
Submitter comment:
USED TO DENOTE EXTREME HAPPINESS OF A PERSON OR ANIMAL IN A GIVEN
CIRCUMSTANCE.
INFORMANT USED THIS WHEN HE SAW HIS SECRETARY WAS VERY HAPPY. HE
LEARNED WHEN HE WAS A CHILD.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; WESTLAND ; TOLD AT
Keyword(s): EUPHEMISM
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: 11-01-1971
BELIEF
MAKE A VISIT IN A CHURCH YOU HAVE NEVER BEEN IN BEFORE AND
WHILE YOU ARE THERE, MAKE A WISH. IT WILL COME TRUE.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. BELIEF -- Church |
Date learned: 02-01-1970
A WOMAN SHOULD ALWAYS DRINK BEER DURING PREGNANCY.
IT MAKES THE BABY GOOD LOOKING.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT REVEALED THAT HE HEARD THIS FROM HIS FATHER WHO OWNED A BA
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT
Keyword(s): PREDICTION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth Food Drink -- Alcoholic beverage Fermented BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 11-26-1971
HAPPY IS THE BRIDE THE SUN SHINES ON
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; WARREN ; TOLD AT
Keyword(s): MARRIAGE ; WEATHER
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Marriage PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 01-22-1970
NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR. ; NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR.
THERE WAS A BELIEF THAT A MOTHER WOULD DIE IF THE EVIL SPIRIT
CAME UPON HER BEFORE SHE WAS ABLE TO BE CHURCHED. MY GRANDFATHER
RECALLED THAT AFTER MY UNCLE JOSEPH WAS BORN THE EVIL SPIRIT
TRIED TO HARM MY GRANDMOTHER. ONE NIGHT, MY GRANDFATHER WAS
AWAKENED BY THE SOUND OF TAPPING AND SOMEONE CALLING FOR MY
GRANDMOTHER. MY GRANDMOTHER DID NOT HEAR IT SO MY GRANDFATHER
WENT TO THE DOOR BUT NO ONE WAS THERE. THE TAPPING AND
CALLING FOR MY GRANDMOTHER OCCURED THREE TIMES. THE THIRD TIME
WHEN HE WENT TO THE DOOR HE CALLED OUT: WHOEVER YOU ARE
SHOW YOUR FACE IF IF YOU ARE GOOD AND BEGONE IF YOU ARE EVIL.
AGAIN, THERE WAS NO ONE AND IT DID NOT HAPPEN AGAIN.
Where learned: HOME ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT
Keyword(s): CHURCHING OF WOMAN ; DEMON SUMMONS WOMAN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Number |
Date learned: 01-15-1970
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
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
CUSTOM ; BELIEF
WHEN YOU GET A NEW HOUSE OR A NEW CAR, MONEY (CHANGE) IS COLLECTED
FROM FRIENDS AND PUT INTO AN UNUSED CORNER OF THE HOUSE OR UNDER A
SEAT IN THE CAR. IT SHOULD LIE UNDISTURBED FROM THEN ON. THIS
BRINGS GOOD LUCK AND SAFETY TO A HOUSE OR CAR.
Submitter comment:
HE LEARNED THIS CUSTOM FROM HIS EX-WIFE, WHO IS LEBANESE, AND HE HAS
FOLLOWED IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; COLLECTORS HOME
Date learned: 01-00-1979
"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 |