Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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A FORM OF TAG THAT WAS ACCOMPANIED BY A CHANT. AT THE END OF THE
CHANT THE PERSON PLAYING WOULD HAVE TO COME OUT AND CHASE THE
CHANTERS.
STARLIGHT, MOONLIGHT,
THE FIRST GHOST WE SEE TONIGHT.
WILL HE BE GREEN?
WILL HE BE GRAY?
WHEN I SEE HIM, I'LL RUN AWAY}
Where learned: WASHINGTON DC
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse C750.525 |
Date learned: 02-00-1980
SIPPIN' CIDER THROUGH A STRAW
THE PRETTIEST GIRL
I EVER SAW.
WAS SIPPIN' CIDER
THROUGH A STRAW.
I ASKED HER IF
SHE'D SHOW ME HOW.
TO SIP SOME CIDER
THROUGH A STRAW.
SHE SAID OF COURSE
SHE'D SHOW ME HOW
TO SIP SOME CIDER
THROUGH A STRAW.
AND NOW AND THEN
THE STRAW WOULD SLIP.
AND WE'D SIP CIDER
LIP TO LIP.
THAT'S HOW I GOT
MY MOTHER-IN-LAW.
FROM SIPPIN' CIDER
THROUGH A STRAW.
NOW 49 KIDS
ALL CALL ME PA.
FROM SIPPIN' CIDER
THROUGH A STRAW}
THE MORAL OF
THIS LITTLE TALE.
IS TO SIP YOUR CIDER
THROUGH A PAIL}
Submitter comment:
THIS SONG IS MEANT TO BE SUNG WITH A LARGE GROUP
THAT ELECTS A LEADER TO SING THE VERSE AND THEN THE GROUP FOLLOWS.
THE VERSE IS THEN REPEATED BY EVERYONE.
Where learned: WASHINGTON DC
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Good humor Jest |
Date learned: 02-00-1980
A WOMAN HAD IDENTICAL TWINS AND THE ONLY DIFFERENCE
BETWEEN THEM WAS THAT ONE WAS AN OPTIMIST WHILE THE
OTHER WAS A REAL PESSIMIST. WELL, ONE DAY SHE
DECIDED TO TAKE THEM TO A PSYCHIATRIST TO SEE IF
THEY COULD BE EVENED OUT A LITTLE, YOU KNOW, MAKE
THE PESSIMIST A LITTLE MORE OPTIMISTIC AND VICE
VERSA. AFTER EXPLAINING HER PROBLEM TO THE DOCTOR,
HE TOLD HER WHAT TO DO. HE SAID, "ON THEIR NEXT
BIRTHDAY, I WANT YOU TO FILL A ROOM WITH EVERY
CONCEIVABLE TOY AND PUT THE PESSIMIST IN THE ROOM.
THEN, I WANT YOU TO FILL A BOX WITH HORSE MANURE AND
GIVE THAT TO THE ONE WHO'S SO OPTIMISTIC."
WELL, ON THEIR NEXT BIRTHDAY, THE WOMAN FOLLOWED
THE GOOD DOCTOR'S ADVICE AND SHE COULD HARDLY WAIT
TO SEE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN, SO SHE PEEKED IN THE ROOM
WITH THE TOYS. THERE WAS THE PESSIMIST WALKING
AROUND THE ROOM IN COMPLETE DISGUST, COMPARING THE
VARIOUS GIFTS WITH THE TOYS OF HIS FRIENDS AND
FINDING HIS FAR BELOW THEIRS IN QUALITY. SOMEWHAT
DISTURBED, THE MOTHER THEN WENT TO CHECK ON HER OTHER
SON, AND SHE FOUND HIM DIGGING HAPPILY WITH HIS LITTLE
SHOVEL IN THE BOX OF MANURE, SAYING, "IF THERE'S
MANURE, THERE HAS TO BE A PONY HERE SOMEWHERE.
Where learned: WASHINGTON DC
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 00-00-1956
BACK AT THE LAST TIME WHEN DETROIT WAS IN THE SERIES
IN THE 20'S, THEIR STAR PITCHER WAS MEL FAMEY.
HE HAD THE HABIT OF DRINKING TO EXCESS HOWEVER, AND
BECAUSE OF THIS NEARLY LOST THE FINAL GAME, HAVING
GIVEN UP THREE WALKS. BUT HE GETS THE LAST OUT.
AS THE RUNNERS COME IN ONE ASKS, "WHAT'S THAT
STICKING OUT OF HIS POCKET?" THE OTHER ANSWERS,
"THAT'S THE BEER THAT MADE MEL FAMEY WALK US."
Where learned: WASHINGTON DC
James Callow Keyword(s): BASEBALL GAME. ; MADE MILWAUKEE FAMOUS. ; PUN ON BRAND OF BEER: THEIR SLOGAN: THE BEER THAT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Stupid man or woman |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
Entry filtered.
ELEPHANT JOKE
DO YOU KNOW THE DIFFERENT BETWEEN AN ELEPHANT AND A BANANA?
NO
THEN YOU HAVE NO BUSINESS GOING TO THE STORE TO SHOP.
Submitter comment: I DON'T KNOW WHERE I GOT IT.
Where learned: WASHINGTON DC, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Stupid man or woman |
Date learned: 11-24-1967
Entry filtered.
HEARTBURN
ONE DAY A LADY, RATHER TIPSY, WALKED INTO A AR
DOWNTOWN, AND SHOUTED AT THE BARTENDER, "BARKEEP,
BARKEEP, GIVE ME A MARTUNII." WELL, THE BARTENDER IGNORED
HER AND IN A FEW MINUTES SHE YELLED AGAIN, "BARKEEP,
BARKEEP, GIVE ME A MARTUNII, I GOT HEARTBURN."
SHE WAITED A FEW MINUTES AND AS SHE WAS ABOUT TO YELL
AGAIN, HE BROUGHT HER A DRINK. HE SAID, "STOP. IN THE
FIRST PLACE, I'M A BARTENDER, NOT A BARKEEP, SECOND,
IT'S CALLED A MARTINI NOT A MARTUNII AND IN THE
THIRD PLACE, YOU AIN'T GOT HEARTBURN, YOUR LEFT TIT
IS HANGING IN THE ASHTRAY."
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT CLAIMS THAT HE HEARD THIS JOKE ABOUT FOUR
YEARS AGO AND THEN AGAIN JUST RECENTLY. IN THE MOST
RECENT INCIDENT, HE SAYS THAT SOME OF THE DETAILS
HAVE CHANGED, SUCH AS THE TYPE OF DRINK ORDERED, FIRST
IT WAS SCOTCH WHICH WAS MISPRONOUNCED BY THE WOMAN
AS SKITCH. HE HEARD THE JOKE IN HIS SCHOOL FROM ONE
OF HIS CLASSMATES, BUT DOES NOT REMEMBER WHO IT WAS.
Where learned: WASHINGTON DC
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Woman |
Date learned: 11-03-1967
I BROUGHT HOME MY REPORT CARD ONE DAY AND SHOWED IT TO
MY OLD MAN. AS HE LOOKED IT OVER HIS FACE CONTORTED
A LITTLE AND THEN HE SIGHED IN WHAT APPEARED TO BE
RESIGNATION AND SAID, "ONE THING IS IN YOUR FAVOR. WITH
GRADES LIKE THESE, YOU SURE AS HELL AREN'T CHEATING."
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SAYS THAT IT IS A TRUE STORY, HAPPENED TO HIM
ABOUT A YEAR AGO, AND HE BELIEVES THAT HIS FATHER HEARD
IT FROM HIS FATHER UNDER MUCH THE SAME CIRCUMSTANCES.
Where learned: WASHINGTON DC
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Man |
Date learned: 09-12-1967
COMMITTMENT
A PIG AND A CHICKEN WERE WALKING DOWN A COUNTRY ROAD
DISCUSSING CHURCH SUPPORT. THEY CAME UPON A ROAD
SIGN WHICH READ, "RESTAURANT--SPECIAL FOR
BREAKFAST--HAM AND EGGS."
WELL, THE CHICKEN SAID, "SUPPOSE WE GO IN FOR
BREAKFAST AND CONTINUE OUR DISCUSSION."
"NO," SHOUTED THE PIG, "NOT ON YOUR LIFE. FOR
YOU IT WOULD BE JUST A CONTRIBUTION. FOR ME--
TOTAL COMMITMENT."
Submitter comment:
ED SAID THAT HE HEARD IT FROM A CLASSMATE AT
GEORGETOWN PREPATORY HIGH SCHOOL, NEAR WASHINGTON,
D. C. DURING THE MONTH OF AUGUST.
Where learned: WASHINGTON DC
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale |
Date learned: 09-12-1967
TAUNT-SARCASTIC
COMMENT MADE TO A PERSON WHO HAS JUST SPILLED OUT HIS
TROUBLES TO A FRIEND: "OTHER THAN THAT, MRS. LINCOLN,
HOW WAS THE PLAY?
Where learned: WASHINGTON DC
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 03-02-1970
SAME OL' EXPRESSION
"THAT'S A BUNCH OF SAME OL'-SAME OL'."
Submitter comment:
THIS EXPRESSION MEANS THAT SOMETHING HAS BEEN HEARD BEFORE.
FOR EXAMPLE, A WOMAN WHO THINKS SHE KNOWS THE LATEST
GOSSIP MIGHT SIMPLY KNOW A STORY THAT'S ALREADY BEEN
CIRCULATED.
Where learned: WASHINGTON DC
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 03-02-1970
GOOD DEEDS
"GOOD DEEDS SPEAK OF THEMSELVES. THE TONGUE ONLY INTERRUPTS THEIR
ELOQUENCE."
Submitter comment: SEMINARY PROVERB.
Where learned: SAINT JOSAPHAT SEMINARY ; WASHINGTON DC
Keyword(s): BRAGGING
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 00-00-1962
Stories have been surfacing for years about ghosts wandering
the White House and sighted by various people. Mary Lincoln
saw Andrew Jackson, Harry Truman saw Lincoln (Truman said
that Theodore Roosevelt talked to Lincoln all the time but
he thought being a Republican helped.) Dozens of sightings
by people have occurred
Submitter comment: I have heard this several times about the White House.
Where learned: WASHINGTON DC
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00001980S
PROVERB
YOU CANNOT REPENT TOO SOON, BECAUSE YOU DO NOT KNOW
HOW SOON IT MAY BE TOO LATE.
Where learned: SAINT JOSAPHAT SEMINARY ; WASHINGTON DC
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 00-00-1962
LIKE A TURTLE
EVEN A TURTLE GETS NOWHERE UNTIL IT STICKS OUT ITS NECK.
Submitter comment: SEMINARY PROVERB
Where learned: SAINT JOSAPHAT SEMINARY ; WASHINGTON DC
Keyword(s): ANIMAL
James Callow Keyword(s): AMPHIBIAN ; DARING ; OBSERVATION ; SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 00-00-1962
SPUD
ONE GAME WHICH IS PLAYED WITH A BALL IS KNOWN AS
"SPUD." ONE PLAYER IS DESIGNATED AS FIRST "IT."
HE TAKES THE BALL AND AFTER ALL PLAYERS HAVE BEEN
ASSIGNED A NUMBER BY ONE OF THE OLDER PLAYERS, THE
MAN WITH THE BALL CALLS THE NUMBER OF HIS CHOICE
AND THROWS THE BALL INTO THE AIR. THE PLAYER WHOSE
NUMBER HAS BEEN CALLED HAS TO RETRIEVE THE BALL WHILE
EVERYBODY ELSE SCATTERS. WHEN HE GETS THE BALL HE
YELLS "SPUD" AND EVERY BODY MUST STOP. HE CHOOSES
ONE PARTICULAR PLAYER AS HIS TARGET AND IS ALLOWED
TO TAKE THREE STEPS IN THAT DIRECTION, TOWARDS THE
PLAYER. HE NOW HAS TO HIT THE PLAYER HE HAS CHOSEN
WITH THE BALL. IF HE MISSES HE IS GIVEN A LETTER,
"S" FOR THE FIRST MISS, "P" FOR THE SECOND AND SO ON
UNTIL HE HAS "S-P-U-D" AT WHICH TIME HE IS OUT.
HE MAY NOT PLAY AGAIN UNTIL A NEW GAME HAS BEEN
STARTED. IF HE HITS THE PLAYER, HE HAS CHOSEN,
THE HIT PLAYER THEN BECOMES "IT" AND HE HAS TO GO
THROUGH THE WHOLE PROCESS. IT IS A RULE THAT IF THE
PLAYER WHOSE NUMBER HAS BEEN CALLED CATCHES THE BALL
IN THE AIR, BEFORE IT HAS TOUCHED THE GROUND, HE MAY
CALL SOMEONE ELSE'S NUMBER AND THROW THE BALL BACK
IN THE AIR. UNFORTUNATELY, THE ONE WHO GIVES OUT
THE NUMBERS IS AWARE OF WHO HAS WHAT NUMBER AND
IF HIS NUMBER IS CALLED HE IS ABLE TO PICK ON
WHOEVER HE PLEASED. THIS AIN'T FAIR.
Submitter comment:
IS USED TO PLAY THIS GAME ALL THE TIME. AFTER
A WHILE I USUALLY GOT TO BE THE ONE WHO GAVE
OUT THE NUMBERS.
Where learned: WASHINGTON DC
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 11-24-1967
ENGINE, ENGINE
ONE OF SEVERAL METHODS OF DETERMINING WHO WOULD BE
"IT" IN GAMES LIKE TAG AND HIDE AND SEEK WAS FOUND
IN THE FOLLOWING RHYME:
ENGINE, ENGINE NUMBER NINE,
ROLLING DOWN CHICAGO LINE,
IF THIS TRAIN SHOULD JUMP THIS TRACK,
DO YOU WANT YOUR MONEY BACK?
NOW, ONE OF THE PARTICIPANTS WILL BE POINTED TO
AT THE WORD "BACK" AND HE SAYS YES OR NO. THEN
THE FOLLOWING IS RECITED AND THE PERSON WHO COMES
OUT "IT" IS THE ONE WHO IS TOUCHED AT THE LAST
WORD OF THIS:
"Y-E-S SPELLS YES AND YOU ARE NOT "IT."
OR, IF THE PERSON SAYS "NO" THE FOLLOWING IS RECITED
WITH THE SAME RESULT.
"N-O SPELLS NO AND YOU ARE NOT IT."
THIS SAME VERSE CONTINUES UNTIL ALL PARTICIPANTS
BUT ONE ARE ELIMINATED AND "IT" IS THIS LAST
PERSON WHO IS DESIGNATED TO BE "IT."
Where learned: WASHINGTON DC
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse |
Date learned: 11-24-1967
BASE STICKERS
IN GAMES OF TAG AND OTHER GAMES WHERE THERE IS AN
ESTABLISHED FREE BASE, THOSE PLAYERS WHO REFUSED
TO VENTURE FAR FROM THE BASE WERE USUALLY
YELLED AT A LOT AND LABELED "BASE STICKERS,"
SOCIAL OUTCASTS. THEY WERE USUALLY THE FAT,
SLOW KIDS.
Submitter comment:
AS IN THE CASE IN MANY OF THESE EXAMPLES, THE
SOURCE OF THIS COLLECTION IS NOT REMEMBERED.
Where learned: WASHINGTON DC
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime SPEECH -- Game Pastime Sport |
Date learned: 11-24-1967
PROVOCATION
WHILE PLAYING GAMES SUCH AS TAG OR HIDE AND GO
SEEK, ONE PLAYER WHO WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING
CHASED WOULD ANTAGONIZE HIS PERSUER WITH CRIES
OF, "YOU CAN'T CATCH A NANNY GOAT."
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS SO COMMON BACK HOME THAT I AM UNABLE
TO FIX ANY CERTAIN DATE OR SOURCE TO THE SAYING
BUT I MYSELF HEARD IT AND SAID IT IN THE MIDDLE
1950S.
Where learned: WASHINGTON DC
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime SPEECH -- Game Pastime Sport |
Date learned: 11-24-1967 ; 00001950S