Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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THE PICK UP
WHAT DO YOU GET WHEN YOU CROSS AN ELEPHANT WITH A PROSTITUTE?
A TWO TON PICK-UP. A TWO TON PICK UP.
Submitter comment: FROM A FRIEND THAT HE WORKS WITH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; PURCHASING DEPARTMENT
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 07-23-1964
STICKY MEMORIES
WHAT DO YOU GET WHEN YOU CROSS A PEANUT WITH AN ELEPHANT?
A PEANUT THAT NEVER FORGETS AND AN ELEPHANT THAT STICKS TO THE ROOF
OF YOUR MOUTH.
Submitter comment: AFROM A FELLOW WORKER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; PURCHASING DEPARTMENT
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 07-23-1964
RIDDLE QUESTION
DO YOU KNOW WHAT THIS IS ? "DKI"
A CRAZY, MIXED UP KID.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; SHIPLE HALL DESK
Keyword(s): HUMOR
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 03-23-1971
FREEZING WATER
I MET A PERSON WHO FIRMLY BELIEVED THAT HOT WATER FROZE BEFORE
COLD WWATER. THIS MAN WAS FROM DENMARK AND I QUESTIONED HIS
RELATIVES ABOUT THE SAME PHENOMENON. THEY ALL BELIEVED THIS
SAME THING--THAT PLACING TWO PANS OF WATER (ONE HOT, ONE COLD)
OUT IN THE FREEZING COLD, THAT THE HOT WATER WOULD FREEZE FIRST.
I TRIED TO CONVINCE THEM OTHERWISE BUT TO NO AVAIL. THEY ACCUSED
ME OF SWITCHING PANS. I COULD ONLY CONCLUDE THAT SOMEONE IN
THEIR FAMILY OR CIRCLE OF FRIENDS HAD TRIED THIS EXPERIMENT AND
HAD COME BACK TO FIND ONE PAN OF WATER FROZE AND THE OTHER PAN
FILLED WITH COLD WATER. PRESTO, HOT WATER FREEZES BEFORE COLD
WATER.
Submitter comment:
AT THE TIME OF OBSERVING THEIR BELIEF I COULD HARDLY SEE THE
HUMOR OF THEIR ERROR. I WAS AT THE TIME TRYING TO UNFREEZE
MR. H'S WATER PUMP BY POURING HOT WATER OVER AND THROUGH IT.
DUE TO HIS INSISTENCE, I HAD TO SWITCH TO COLD WATER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FRASER
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mammal |
Date learned: 12-00-1963
ARABIAN SAYING: (TRANS.)
I TAUGHT HIM HOW TO HUNT, AND HE
LEARNED WELL; NOW HE IS HUNTING ME.
Submitter comment:
EXPLAINED AS A WARNING TO BE CAUTIOUS OF TEACHING TOO
MUCH OF YOUR OWN SKILL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; STUDENT UNION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- V200 |
Date learned: 09-00-1967
A FOOL
IT IS EASIER FOR A FOOL TO DENY THAN FOR ARISTOTLE TO PROVE.
Submitter comment: SPANISH: MAS PUEDE UN NEEIO NEGAR QUE ARISTOLELES PROBAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; STUDENT UNION
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb |
Date learned: 03-31-1970
THE HAUNTED STREET
ONCE THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT IN WHICH A MAN WAS HIT BY A CAR AND
KILLED. WHENEVER ANYONE PASSED OVER THE SPOT WHERE HE WAS KILLED,
SOMETHING WOULD KNOCK ON THE CAR.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT HEARD THIS STORY FROM AN IRISH GIRL SHE WORKS WITH
NAMED MARY COYNE. MARY CLAIMED THAT SHE HAD HEARD THIS STORY BACK
IN IRELAND ABOUT SEVEN YEARS AGO AND SHE CLAIMED THAT IT WAS A TRUE
STORY. I HAVE INCLUDED IT, ALTHOUGH IT IS WIDESPREAD IN THE U.S.,
BECAUSE OF HER CLAIM THAT SHE HEARD IT IN IRELAND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; STUDENT UNION
James Callow Keyword(s): KNOCK-KNOCK STREET
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 01-10-1964 ; 00-00-1957
WHEN I WAS A CHILD, MY MOTHER WOULD CONSTANTLY FILL
MY BROTHER, SISTER AND MYSELF WITH BITS OF "NONSENSE,"
IN WHICH, I THINK, SHE REALLY BELIEVES. ONE OF
THESE BITS WAS, IF YOU TOOK A FRESH BUTTERCUP AND
HELD IT CLOSE UNDER A PERSON'S CHIN, THEN IF THE
PERSON'S CHIN SHOWED YELLOW (WHICH IN MY OPINION, IT
WOULD ALMOST HAVE TO, IF THE SUN WERE SHINING AND
REFLECTING ON THE BUTTERCUP), THEN THE PERSON WAS
MOST ASSUREDLY GOING TO GET MARRIED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FRASER
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Marriage Dating Courtship |
TO KILL A SNAKE
I HAVE LONG HAD A KIND OF DREAD FEAR OF SNAKES, ANY KIND
OF SNAKE. I'M SURE THAT MY FEAR WAS NOT HELPED OUT BY
SOME PEOPLE THAT I KNEW. I REMEMBER BEING TOLD BY A
CERTAIN MR. H., WHOSE OPINION I RESPECTED VERY HIGHLY AT
THE TIME, THAT REGARDLESS WHAT YOU DID TO TRY TO KILL
A SNAKE, IT WOULD NEVER DIE UNTIL THE SUN WENT DOWN.
YOU CAN'T IMAGINE MY HORROR AS I WOULD TRY DESPERATELY
TO KILL LITTLE GARTER SNAKES THAT I FOUND. I WOULD HACK
THEM INTO LITERALLY MILLIONS OF PIECES AND THEN STAND
BACK FEARFULLY AS I WAITED FOR THE DISMEMBERED
PIECES OF SNAKE TO REGROUP ITSELF AND ATTACK ME. AND
EVEN THOUGH NONE OF THEM EVER DID, I STILL RETURNED TO
THE SCENE OF MY ENCOUNTER, RIGHT AFTER SUNSET. I NO
LONGER BELIEVE IN THIS SUPERSTITION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FRASER
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
My uncle told me that Japanese people do not
put handles on their cups because they believe
that if it's too hot the cup shouldn't be picked up.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FRASER
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Color Design Food Drink -- Service BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00001990ca
Eraser Tag
This is a game that is usually played during lunch
time when it is too cold to go outside. One person
is designated as "it" or the chaser, while four
or five other players are selected to play. The "it"
places a chalkboard eraser on top of his/her head
and tries to tag someone without dropping the
eraser off their head. If they tag someone without
dropping the eraser then the person tagged becomes
"it" and the person who was "it" now becomes one
of the people trying not to be tagged. However, if
the eraser falls off "its'" head, that person is
out of the game and a new "it" is selected as well
as four or five new class members.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FRASER
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Racing Chasing Fighting Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 00001976 CA
It is unlucky for someone who is not a Scorpio to
wear an opal.
Submitter comment:
Elinor's great aunt was a Scorpio (Oct. 23 - Nov. 21),
and owned a lovely opal ring. Her daughter, Nettie, wanted
the ring, but her mother cautioned her against wearing it,
as it would bring bad luck. Nettie wore the ring anyway. The
first time she wore it, she was almost hit by a car. The
second time that she wore the opal, she had a mishap,
mangling the ring beyond repair, and losing the opal. After
that, Nettie believed what her mother had told her.
Nettie told this to Elinor as a warning, because they are both
Sagittarius. Elinor also was told by one of her students,
Molly, that she had a terrible string of bad luck for a
whole week, until she gave away her opal ring.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FRASER
Keyword(s): Horoscope, proscription, advice, astrology, gems, jewelry
Date learned: 00001960S
It is very unlucky to purchase Tarot Cards; they must be
given to you. Once someone gives them to you, you must wrap
them in silk and then place them in a satin bag for storage.
If you do not store them in this manner, they will bring you bad luck. You may only give the Tarot cards to someone who
really wants them.
Submitter comment:
Elinor found out about these proscriptions regarding Tarot
cards when she casually mentioned to an acquaintance that she
was interested in buying some. The woman became alarmed that
Elinor might bring bad luck upon herself, and so gave her
the set which she owned, and instructed her in the proper
(safe) way to store them. Elinor was careful to follow the
instructions.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FRASER
Keyword(s): occult, magic, precaution
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Use of Object BELIEF -- Bad luck Objects |
Date learned: 00001960S
If you thank someone who gives you a plant, it will
not grow.
Submitter comment:
Elinor really believes this saying to be true, and states
that she is very careful to avoid thanking someone for a
plant.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FRASER
Keyword(s): superstition, vegetation, curse
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- P535 BELIEF -- Bad luck Plants |
Date learned: 00001950S
(sung to the tune of the Notre Dame fight song)
Cheers, cheers, for old Fraser High
You bring the whiskey
I'll bring the rye.
Send the Freshmen out for gin
And don't let a sober sophomore in. MM
Juniors and Seniors are always on the ball
They sober up on pure alcohol.
When your son comes staggering in
You'll know he's from Fraser High!
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FRASER
Keyword(s): Drinking, Parody,
(sung to a funeral dirge)
The worms crawl in
The worms crawl out
The worms play pinochle on your snout.
(spoken in a hushed and fearful tone)
When you see a hearse go by
You may be the next to die.
They wrap you up in a big white sheet
And drop you down a couple of feet.
(sung)
They eat out your eyes
They eat out your nose
They eat out the dirt that's between your toes.
Submitter comment:
When I hummed the melody of the dirge in this song and
asked Elinor if she had learned a children's song with
this same tune, she knew exactly the one I was referring
to, and repeated the one that I had learned, word for word.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FRASER
Keyword(s): Death, Burial, Decomposition, Gore
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children |
Date learned: 00001950S
BLASON POPULAIR
"HE'S A DOUBTING THOMAS."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HIS HOME ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Person / Nickname |
Date learned: 10-00-1968
If you leave food uneaten at a big family gathering
you will have bad weather the next day. Conversely,
if you make sure that all the food has been consumed,
you will be sure to have good weather on the morrow.
Submitter comment:
Elinor heard this saying while a young girl. She has
been told that it is a German belief. To this day in her
family, the phrase "Finish it so it'll be a good day
tomorrow" is used to encourage everyone to eat.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FRASER
Keyword(s): function, prediction, celebrations, meals
Date learned: 00001950S
"THE BUMBLE BEE SONG"
I'M BRINGING HOME MY BABY BUMBLE BEE,
WON'T MY MOMMY BE SO PROUD OF ME,
I'M BRINGING HOME MY BABY BUMBLE BEE,
OOOH! HE STUNG ME!
I'M SQUISHING UP MY BABY BUMBLE BEE,
WON'T MY MOMMY BE SO PROUD OF ME,
I'M SQUISHING UP MY BABY BUMBLE BEE,
OOOH! WHAT A MESS!
I'M LICKING UP MY BABY BUMBLE BEE,
WON'T MY MOMMY BE SO PROUD OF ME,
I'M LICKING UP MY BABY BUMBLE BEE,
OOOH! MY TUMMY HURTS!
I'M THROWING UP MY BABY BUMBLE BEE,
WON'T MY MOMMY BE SO PROUD OF ME,
I'M THROWING UP MY BABY BUMBLE BEE,
OOOH! WHAT A MESS!
I'M SWEEPING UP MY BABY BUMBLE BEE,
WON'T MY MOMMY BE SO PROUD OF ME,
I'M SWEEPING UP MY BABY BUMBLE BEE,
BYE, BYE, THERE HE GOES!
I THINK I SEE ANOTHER BUMBLE BEE,
WON'T MY MOMMY BE SO PROUD OF ME,
I THINK I SEE ANOTHER BUMBLE BEE,
OOOH! I CAUGHT HIM!
I'M BRINGING HOME MY BABY BUMBLE BEE............
Submitter comment:
THIS IS ANOTHER INFINITE LOOP-TYPE SONG. IT CAN BE SUNG
UNTIL THE SINGERS ARE TIRED OF IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FRASER
Keyword(s): INSECT
James Callow Keyword(s): VERSE ROUND
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ballad Epic Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Good humor Jest |
Date learned: 00001970S
PALMS RECEIVED ON PALM SUNDAY SHOULD BE PLACED ON THE FOUR CORNERS
OF ONE'S PROPERTY TO KEEP AWAY NATURAL DISASTERS.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT HEARD THIS BELIEF FROM HIS MOTHER, WHO IS OF POLISH
HERITAGE, BUT NEITHER ONE TAKES THIS BELIEF SERIOUSLY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FRASER
| Subject headings: | 663 Palm Sunday 686 Fourths / Quarters CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of space: distance, height, depth BELIEF -- Weather sign or control |
Date learned: 03-00-1982