Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for UNION returned 103 results.
DROPPING A KNIFE ON THE FLOOR INDICATES THAT AN UNEXPECTED
MALE VISITOR WILL COME THAT EVENING; DROPPING A FORK
MEANS TO EXPECT A FEMALE VISITOR. THIS PERSON REALLY
BELIEVED THIS, AND OFFERED AS PROOF SEVERAL INSTANCES IN
WHICH HIS FRIEND, BILL SCHROEDER, CAME IN JUST SUCH
A MANNER. IN FACT, IT BECAME A FAMILY JOKE THAT
BILL WOULD BE AT THEIR HOUSE IN TIME TO HELP WITH
DISHES.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; STUDENT UNION
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 01-20-1968
ZIPPED-UP
IT WAS A FORMAL TYPE DINNER AND ONE OF THE GUYS GOT UP
TO GO TO THE JOHN. AFTER HE RETURNED TO THE TABLE,
HE DISCOVERED THAT HE HADN'T ZIPPED UP HIS FLY. HE
LOOKED THE OTHER WAY AND VERY NONCHALANTLY ZIPPED
IT UP. EVERYTHING WAS OK UNTIL HE GOT UP TO LEAVE.
WHEN HE GOT UP AND STARTED TO WALK AWAY, THE TABLE
CLOTH WENT WITH HIM AND THE WHOLE TABLE WAS UPSET
ON THE FLOOR. HE HAD ZIPPED THE TABLE CLOTH INTO
HIS FLY.
Submitter comment:
JOHN TELLS THIS ONE AS ACTUALLY HAVING HAPPENED.
HIS FRIEND WAS THERE AT THE DINNER. IT HAPPENED IN
THE SUMMER OF 1959.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; STUDENT UNION
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Tale |
Date learned: 00-00-1963
FORMULA SPEECH
IF YOU HAVE AN EASY POOL SHOT, YOU SAY, "THAT'S A LEAD
PIPE."
Data entry tech comment: SEE: LEAD PIPE CINCH.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; STUDENT UNION
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 11-21-1969
COMMON LAW
ONE RULE EVERY FISHERMAN HAS, IS TO ADD TEN POUNDS TO THE
FISH HE CATCHES, KNOWING THAT WHEN HIS FRIEND TELLS
THE FISHING STORY, HE WILL SUBTRACT FIVE TO TEN POUNDS.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; STUDENT UNION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Common law |
Date learned: 10-22-1970
COMIC QUESTION--GRAFFITTI
WHY DO BLONDS HAVE MORE FUN?
YOU CAN FIND THEM IN THE DARK.
Submitter comment: IN MEN'S JOHN, U. OF D.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; STUDENT UNION
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 02-08-1967
PROM NIGHT
IT WAS THE NIGHT OF THE SENIOR PROM AND THE BOY WENT TO
PICK UP HIS DATE. HE WAS SITTING IN THE LIVING ROOM
TALKING TO THE PARENTS WHILE SHE WAS UPSTAIRS MAKING
THE FINAL TOUCHES. THEN SHE PROCEEDED TO COME DOWN
THE STAIRS. SHE HAD A STRAPLESS DRESS ON, AND AS SHE
WAS COMING DOWN SOMETHING SNAPPED AND THE FRONT OF
HER DRESS FELL, EXPOSING ONE OF HER BREASTS. THE GIRL
WAS EMBARRASSED TO TEARS AND THE BOY, NOT WANTING TO
ADD TO THE EMBARRASSMENT, TRIED TO AVOID HER PARENTS
FROM SEEING IT, SO, IN ORDER TO DIVERT THEIR
ATTENTION, HE SCREECHED "LOOK AT THAT" POINTING TO THE
FRONT LAWN AND NOT KNOWING-OR HAVING ANY IDEA WHATEVER-
THAT ANYTHING WAS THERE. THERE WERE TWO DOGS MATING
ON THE LAWN.
Submitter comment:
JOHN TOLD US THAT IT ACTUALLY HAPPENED TO ONE OF HIS
FELLOW GRADUATES AT A HIGH SCHOOL IN NEW JERSEY.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; STUDENT UNION
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Tale |
Date learned: 10-00-1963
ACCA BACCA SODA CRACKER. ACCA BACCA BOO IF YOUR FATHER CHEWS TOBACCO
HE'S A REGULAR JEW. OUT GOES THE CAT, OUT GOES THE RAT, OUT GOES YOU.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; STUDENT UNION
Keyword(s): PLAIN-JUMP ; SPEED-JUMP
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 03-31-1970
POLISH CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
THE DINNER CONSISTS OF THIRTEEN COURSES, ALL OF WHICH ARE MEATLESS.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
James Callow comment:
Christmas Day?
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; STUDENT UNION BUILDING
Keyword(s): ABSTINENCE FROM MEAT ; CHRISTMAS ; Course ; CUSTOM ; Dinner ; FOOD CUSTOM ; holiday ; Ingredients ; Meal ; Vegetarian
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Menus |
Date learned: 11-25-1969
POLISH EASTER MONDAY CUSTOM
EVERYONE GIVES FOOD TO EVERYONE ELSE FOR FERTILITY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; STUDENT UNION BUILDING ; told at work
Keyword(s): EASTER GIFTS ; FOOD CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus |
Date learned: 11-25-1969
Latvia
After a trip to Latvia, the informant had learned many things
about his father's country. Old ways were still a very important part
of the culture, including traditional farming techniques, the
maintenance of old family homes, male dominant roles in the family
and society, and somewhat traditional dress. In public, the men
always wore long pants, and the women wore practical dresses. The
houses were made of stone and wood, and often did not have screens in
the windows. The people were very friendly, and were willing to give
up their meager food supply for the comfort and benefit of their
American relatives.
Submitter comment:
When the Skabardis family visited Latvia for a second time, they
brought their relatives many of the things that they were lacking:
screens for their windows, food, clothing, and money.
Where learned: Latvia ; Union of Soviet Socialist Republics
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Architecture BELIEF -- P439 |
Date learned: 07-00-1988
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 |
PROVERB
BETTER LATE, THAN NEVER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; STUDENT UNION
James Callow Keyword(s): CONTRAST ; ELLIPSIS ; OBSERVATION ; PERSISTENCE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 09-22-1968
HER GRANDMOTHER USED TO BUY EACH GRANDCHILD'S WARTS FOR
A NICKEL.
Submitter comment:
SHE STATES THAT WHEN HER GRANDMOTHER BOUGHT THE WARTS,
THEY REALLY DISAPPEARED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNION LAKE
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Remedy |
Date learned: 10-20-1967
EXPLANATION OF PLACE NAME: COMMERCE TOWNSHIP
THE TOWN IN WHICH I LIVE IS PART OF COMMERCE TOWNSHIP.
A SMALL TRIBUTARY OF THE ROUGE RIVER RUNS THROUGH COMMERCE,
ON WHICH A MILL WAS BUILT IN THE 1800'S. THE TOWNSHIP
WAS NAMED COMMERCE IN THE BELIEF OR HOPE THAT THE MILL AND
THE RIVER WOULD MAKE IT A PLACE FOR COMMERCE.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS VERY IRONIC BECAUSE IT BECAME A RESORT TOWN AND
IS NOW A SLEEPY SUBURB, RATHER THAN A BUSTLING PLACE OF
COMMERCE AND TRADE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNION LAKE
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 09-00-1984
EXPLANATION OF PLACE NAME
NEAR THE TOWN IN WHICH I LIVE IS A TOWN CALLED WALLED LAKE.
IN THE TOWN IS A LAKE OF THE SAME NAME. IT IS SUPPOSED TO
HAVE BEEN CALLED THAT BY INDIANS OF THE AREA, BECAUSE THE LAKE
WAS SURROUNDED BY A WALL OF ROCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNION LAKE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 00-00-1982
TARZAN/ELEPHANT JOKE #3
Q. WHAT DID THE ELEPHANTS SAY WHEN THEY SAW TARZAN
COMING OVER THE HILL?
A. NOTHING--ELEPHANTS CAN'T TALK!!
Submitter comment: THIS IS YET ANOTHER GROANER OR BOO JOKE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNION LAKE
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 03-00-1984
THE CREEK PEOPLE ALSO SAY THAT YOU SHOULD ENTER
THE HOUSE THROUGH THE SAME DOOR YOU LEFT THE HOUSE.
Submitter comment: SUPERSTITION
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; STUDENT UNION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Home |
Date learned: 02-08-1971
PINCH OF THE DEAD
WHEN YOU FIND A BLACK AND BLUE MARK ON YOUR BODY
THAT YOU DON'T KNOW WHERE IT CAME FROM
IT MEANS THAT SOMEONE WHO IS CLOSE TO YOU,
AND THAT HAS DIED, AND THAT NEEDS YOUR PRAYERS HAS COME BACK
AND WANTS TO MAKE YOU AWARE OF THIS NEED.
THEREFORE HE PINCHES YOU AND LEAVES A BLACK AND BLUE MARK
AS A SYMBOL OR SIGN OF HIS NEED.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; STUDENT UNION
Date learned: 03-31-1970
LEGEND__BELLE ISLE
DOWN A CERTAIN STREET AT NIGHT, THERE IS A WITCH THAT HAD SPIKES IN
HER HANDS AND CLAWS AT YOUR CAR, TRYING TOO GET IN IF YOU
PARK TOO LONG
WITH YOUR GIRLFRIEND.
Submitter comment: FROM FRIEND
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; STUDENT UNION ; BALLROOM
Keyword(s): FUNCTIONAL FOLKTALE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Witch Shaman |
Date learned: 10-22-1967
TARZAN/ELEPHANT JOKE #2
Q. WHAT DID TARZAN SAY WHEN HE SAW A HERD OF ELEPHANTS
WEARING SUNGLASSES COMING OVER THE HILL?
A. NOTHING--HE DIDN'T RECOGNIZE THEM!!
Submitter comment: ANOTHER GROANER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNION LAKE
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 03-00-1984