Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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TO EASE ASTHMA, CHANGE YOUR BED AND PLACE A PAN OF HOT WATER
UNDER IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): HEAT REMEDY
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
THE WHIFFENPOOF
THE 800-POUND WHIFFENPOOF WAS CAPABLE OF RUNNING BACKWARD. IT WAS
CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACE OF AN ELK, ANTLERS, SHARP HOOVES AND
HIND QUARTERS THAT SLOPED ABRUPTLY LIKE THOSE OF A GIRAFFE. THE
BULL WHIFFENPOOFS WERE EQUIPPED WITH TWO ADAM'S APPLES WHICH
CLICKED TOGETHER LIKE A PAIR OF DICE, AND PROVIDED A MEANS OF
CONVERSATION. THE COWS SCREAMED LIKE A SOPRANO SINGING WITH A
SORE THROAT.
THE WHIFFENPOOF UNDERWENT PHYSICAL IMPROVEMENTS WITH MODERNITY,
AND IN ITS MOST RECENT FORM, BORE RED AND GREEN LIGHTS AT THE
STERN. WHEN THE WHIFFENPOOF RAN FORWARD, IT SWITCHED ON ITS GREEN
LIGHT; AND WHEN IT RAN BACKWARD IT FLASHED THE RED LIGHT.
THEIR ENEMY WAS THE TIMBER WOLF.
THE WHIFFS AND THE TIMBER WOLVES WERE IN A CONTINUAL STATE OF WAR-
FARE. THE WHIFFS USUALLY OUTSMARTED THE WOLVES. THEY GOT THE
WOLVES TO CHASE THEM, AND THEN SUDDENLY RAN BACKWARD, TRAMPLING
THEIR ENEMIES INTO THE EARTH.
THE WARFARE BECAME VERY BITTER. WOLVES MOVED DOWN FROM MICHIGAN TO
EXTERMINATE THE WHIFFENPOOF AND THE BATTLE WAS TERRIFIC. THE
EARTH SHOOK FROM THE THUNDER OF THE WHIFFENPOOF HOOVES, AND
KNOCKED PICTURES FROM THE WALLS OF THE PIONEERS' HOMES. THE
WHIFFS HAD THEIR GREEN LIGHTS ON, AND THE NIGHT BECAME SO BRIGHT
THAT SCHOOL CHILDREN COULD READ THEIR PRIMERS WITHOUT THE AID
OF TALLOW DIP CANDLES.
THEY CHASED THE MICHIGAN WOLVES INTO LAKE ERIE; BUT A BIG DISPLAY
OF NORTHERN LIGHTS, OR AURORA BOREALIS, WAS ON, AND THE WHIFFS
BECAME CONFUSED. THEY THOUGHT THEIR COMRADES WERE FLASHING ON THE
GREEN LIGHTS FOR GUIDANCE, AND SWAM AROUND IN CIRCLES UNTIL THEY
WERE SO EXHAUSTED THAT THEY DROWNED. ONE WHIFFENPOOF SURVIVED.
HE SWAN TO A LAKE ERIE ISLAND OFF THE OHIO COAST AND LIVED THERE
FOR YEARS. HE WAS KNOWN AS "OLD OTTO."
BUT ONE DAY "OLD OTTO" ATE A PAIR OF OVERALLS FROM A FARMER'S
CLOTHESLINE, AND THE OVERALLS CLOGGED HIS THROAT. HIS TWO
ADAM'S APPLES WOULDN'T CLICK TOGETHER, AND HE WAS UNABLE TO TALK
TO HIMSELF. SO HE DIED OF LONELINESS.
Submitter comment:
THE WHIFFENPOOF WAS CREATED BY THE HESSIAN MERCENARIES WHO FOUGHT
FOR ENGLAND DURING THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. AFTER THE WAR MANY
OF THEM SETTLED IN PENNSYLVANIA AND CONTRIBUTED TO THE PEOPLE
KNOWN AS THE PENNSYLVANIA DUTCH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIBRARY ; DETROIT ; DETROIT PUBLIC LIBRARY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
HIDE NOT YOUR TALENTS; THEY FOR USE WERE MADE
WHAT GOOD IS A SUNDIAL IN THE SHADE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb |
PROVERB
HE WHO TREATS HIMSELF HAS A FOOL FOR A DOCTOR.
Submitter comment: TOLD TO HER BY HER FATHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): MEDICAL
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Curer |
OLD POLISH PROVERB
HE WHO SLEEPS ON THE FLOOR RUNS LITTLE RISK OF FALLING OUT OF BED.
Submitter comment: SHE GOT THIS FROM MR. CRAINE IN THE ENGLISH DEPT. AT U. OF D.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
KEEP A SMILE
QUIEN CANTA, SUS MALAS ESPANTA.
HE WHO SINGS FRIGHTENS AWAY HIS EVIL THINGS.
Submitter comment: LEARNED: THROUGH HIS STUDY OF SPANISH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb |
CRUISIN' FOR A BRUISIN'
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; NORTH QUAD 105
Keyword(s): COMEBACK
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 11-06-1971
LOCAL HAUNTED HOUSE STORY
THERE WAS AN OLD HOUSE NEAR HERE, BUT THIS WAS QUITE A FEW YEARS
AGO, AND PEOPLE THOUGHT IT WAS HAUNTED BECAUSE THEY WOULD HEAR
NOISES COMING FROM IT AND EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE A HORRIBLE SMELL
WOULD COME OUT OF THE HOUSE. FINALLY, THEY FOUND AN OLD WOMAN
IN THE BASEMENT WHO HAD BEEN LIVING THERE AND EATING THE RATS
TO KEEP ALIVE.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal |
Date learned: 09-19-1967
SLEEPING BEAR POINT
A MOTHER BEAR AND TWO CUBS, SEEKING LUSCIOUS BERRIES ON THE
OPPOSITE SHORE, ATTEMPTED THE LONG SWIM ACROSS THE LAKE.
AS THE MAINLAND CAME INTO VIEW, THE CUBS BECAME EXHAUSTED. THEIR
MOTHER COULD NOT HELP THEM AND THEY SANK. UPON THE LEELANAU
SHORE CRAWLED THE MOTHER BEAR, THERE TO WAIT FOR THE CUBS TO
REAPPEAR. THEY DID NOT RETURN AS SUCH, BUT THE GREAT SPIRIT,
TO REWARD HER FOR HER VIGIL, CAUSED THE CUBS TO COME OUT OF THE
DEEP IN THE FORM OF TWO BEAUTIFUL ISLANDS, AFTERWARD NAMED SOUTH
AND NORTH MANITOU. ON THE MAINLAND, WHITE SANDS COVERED THE
MOTHER BEAR AND A GREAT DUNE GREW WHERE SHE HAD WAITED.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS AN INDIAN LEGEND THAT EXPLAINS HOW SLEEPING BEAR POINT
IN LEELANAU COUNTY, MICHIGAN CAME INTO EXISTENCE. THE POINT
WAS NAMED FOR THIS LEGEND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIBRARY ; DETROIT ; DETROIT PUBLIC LIBRARY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
SOCIAL REUNION: RIPPLE SONG
RIPPLE, RIPPLE R-I-DOUBLE P-L-E
RIPPLE, RIPPLE R-I-DOUBLE P-L-E
SOME PEOPLE SAY THAT RIPPLE'S JUST JUNK
BUT FOR 79 CENTS, IT'S A HELL OF A DRUNK.
RIPPLE IS NEAT AND RIPPLE IS COOL
I WISH I HAD RIPPLE IN MY SWIMMING POOL.
YOU CAN DRINK IT FROM A BOTTLE, YOU CAN DRINK IT FROM A GLASS
ANY WAY YOU DRINK IT, IT'LL KNOCK YOU ON YOUR ASS.
SOME PEOPLE SAY THAT RIPPLE'S JUST CRAP
BUT I ALWAYS KEEP RIPPLE IN MY STRAP.
WELL IT COMES IN RED AND PAGAN PINK
AND IT'LL KNOCK YOU ON YOUR ASS AFTER JUST ONE DRINK.
Where learned: SAILING CLUB PARTY ; SUNG AT UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Keyword(s): DRINKING SONG
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Social reunion |
PROVERBS
HE WHO PRAISES EVERYBODY, PRAISES NOBODY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): LACCK OF DISCRIMINATION
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb |
FINNISH RIDDLE
Q: HUNDREDS OF HUNDREDS, THOUSANDS OF THOUSANDS.
Q: THERE ARE WINDOWS IN OUR HOUSE.
Q: SATA SATTA, TUGAT TUGATTA ON MEIDAN KOKISSA IKKUNOITA.
A: A FISHING NET.
A: NUOTTA TAI VERKKO JA SEN SIMAT.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; FINLAND
Keyword(s): BUILDING (Q) ; ENTERTAINMENT AND SPORT GOODS (A) ; NUMBERS (Q)
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: 10-00-1968
PROVERB
HE WHO LAUGHS ON FRIDAY CRIES ON SUNDAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CONTRAST
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 00-00-1945
WHEN YOU HEAR A SIREN, SAY A PRAYER FOR THE PERSON INSIDE.
Submitter comment: I HAVE HEARD THIS BEFORE, I BELIEVE IT IS CATHOLIC IN ORIGIN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): THAT IS, INSIDE THE AMBULANCE.
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 00-00-1980 ; 00-00-1950
PROVERB
HE WHO KNOWS NOTHING KNOWS SOMETHING.
Submitter comment:
COLLECTED THIS FROM CHARLES ANGELL, HE WAS UNABLE TO GIVE ME
THE ORIGINAL SPANISH FOR THE PROVERB. HE IS OF SPANISH ANCESTORY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 01-00-1964
PROVERB
HE WHO HESITATES IS NOT ONLY LOST - HE'S MILES AWAY FROM
THE NEXT FREEWAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): PARODY
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 00-00-1965
RATTLESNAKE ON A TEXAS PLATEAU
A FEW YEARS AGO, I WAS DRIVING A GROUP OF BOYS ON A TRIP DOWN TO
MEXICO CITY, AND ONE DAY I HAD DRIVEN ABOUT TWO HUNDRED MILES
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT HIGH SCHOOL ; HISTORY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 09-00-1968
PROVERB PARODY
HE WHO HESITATES IS LAST.
Submitter comment: SAID OF TRAFFIC INTERCHANGES, ETC.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 11-09-1968
PROVERB
HE WHO HAS NO FRIENDS IS AFRAID OF HIS ENEMIES.
EL QUE NO TIENE AMIGOS TEME A LOS ENEMIGOS.
Submitter comment: LEARNED THROUGH HIS STUDY OF SPANISH.
Data entry tech comment: MY MOTHER OFTEN TOLD ME THIS AS A CHILD IN THE BAHAMAS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CONTRAST ; FEAR OF ENEMIES.
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 10-05-1967
POTATO PLANTING
ALWAYS PLANT POTATOES ON ST. PATRICK'S DAY FOR BEST POTATOES.
IN OHIO IF YOU DIDN'T GET THEM IN ON ST. PATRICK'S DAY, THEY
DON'T GROW. THEY'RE A VERY SUPERSTITIOUS PEOPLE, YOU KNOW.
Submitter comment:
BELIEF IN POPULAR TRADITION IN BOTH GLOUCESTER AND HOLLISTER,
OHIO, WHEN THEY WERE YOUNG.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Custom |