Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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THE HEADLESS MOTORCYCLEMAN
IN TOLEDO, (OHIO?), ACTUALLY IN THE OUTSKIRTS,
THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT IN THE
LATE 50S. A GUY ON A MOTORCYCLE WAS HIT AND KILLED BY A CAR WHEN
THEY WERE PLAYING SOME GAME, "CHICKEN," I THINK. IF YOU GO AT NIGHT,
ROLL DOWN ALL YOUR WINDOWS AND FLASH YOUR LIGHTS. THIS IS A SIGNAL
THAT YOU'RE THERE. SOME PEOPLE HAVE SEEN HIM, SOME PEOPLE HAVE SEEN
HIS LIGHTS. I THINK THIS IS DUMB, BUT THE BELIEF HAS BEEN HELD FOR
A LONG TIME.
Submitter comment:
WHAT I CAN'T FIGURE OUT IN THIS IS WHY HE IS CALLED THE HEADLESS
MOTORCYCLEMAN AND HE STILL HAS HIS HEAD. THE INFORMANT TREATED THIS
AS JUST ANOTHER LOCAL LEGEND AND DIDN'T BELIEVE IN IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HIGHLAND PARK
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Supernatural Being BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter SPEECH -- Game Pastime Sport SPEECH -- To Be Seen |
Date learned: 11-00-1975
RELIGIOUS CUSTOM
ON JANUARY 6, THE FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY, YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO WRITE
THE INITIALS OF THE THREE KINGS ABOVE YOUR DOORWAY. IT IS A WAY TO
CELEBRATE' A BLESSING AND A CATHOLIC CUSTOM. WE DIDN,T FOLLOW IT.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT WAS VERY INSISTENT IN THE FACT THAT HIS FAMILY DID NOT
FOLLOW THIS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HIGHLAND PARK
James Callow Keyword(s): NUMBERS
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 BELIEF -- Word Letter |
IF THE GROUNDHOG SEES HIS SHADOW ON FEBRUARY 2ND,
ANOTHER SIX WEEKS OF COLD WEATHER WILL FOLLOW. IF
HE DOES NOT SEE HIS SHADOW, THE WEATHER WILL BEGIN
TO GET WARMER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HIGHLAND PARK
| Subject headings: | Observation CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- February 2 Candlemas Groundhog Day |
Date learned: 06-00-1964
IF YOU CARRY A RABBIT'S FOOT AROUND WITH YOU ALL THE
TIME, IT WILL BRING YOU GOOD LUCK.
Submitter comment: WHEN I WAS IN GRADE SCHOOL THIS WAS QUITE COMMON.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HIGHLAND PARK
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Good luck Amulet, mojo |
Date learned: 11-08-1967
ORIGIN OF WOODPECKER
THIS INFORMANT WAS TOLD THAT AN OLD WOMAN WHO WAS
DRESSED IN A BLACK DRESS, WHITE APRON, AND RED CAP REFUSED
TO FEED A HUNGRY WANDERER AS SHE WAS BAKING BREAD.
FOR HER SELFISHNESS THE WOMAN WAS TURNED INTO THE RED-
HEADED WOODPECKER TO PECK FOR WORMS AND BUGS FOR THE
REST OF HER LIFE.
Where learned: HIGHLAND PARK ; ILLINOIS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Creation and Order of Animal Life PROSE NARRATIVE -- Bird |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
ORIGIN OF WOODPECKER
THIS INFORMANT WAS TOLD THAT AN OLD WOMAN WHO WAS
DRESSED IN A BLACK DRESS, WHITE APRON, AND RED CAP REFUSED
TO FEED A HUNGRY WANDERER AS SHE WAS BAKING BREAD.
FOR HER SELFISHNESS THE WOMAN WAS TURNED INTO THE RED-
HEADED WOODPECKER TO PECK FOR WORMS AND BUGS FOR THE
REST OF HER LIFE.
Where learned: HIGHLAND PARK ; ILLINOIS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Creation and Order of Animal Life PROSE NARRATIVE -- Bird |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
THE YOUNG LADIES OF RUTH'S NEIGHBORHOOD EAGERLY AWAIT
APPLE SEASON SO THAT THEY CAN BAKE PIES AND CAKES AND
STRUDELS. IN ORDER TO MAKE THESE, THE APPLES MUST
BE PEELED. PARING OR PEELING IS A TRICKY SKILL. IF
THEY CAN SUCCESSFULLY PARE THE WHOLE APPLE WITHOUT
BREAKING OR CUTTING THE PEELING, THEN THEY THROW
THE PEEL OVER THEIR LEFT SHOULDERS. THEY BELIEVE
THE PEEL WILL FALL SO THAT THE INITIAL OF THEIR
BELOVED IS FORMED.
Submitter comment:
I ONLY PRESUME THAT SOME OF THE PIES, CAKES,
DUMPLINGS, AND STRUDELS WENT TO THE BELOVED.
Where learned: HIGHLAND PARK ; ILLINOIS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Use of object for determining true love P861.1 |
Date learned: 04-08-1967
FOUR LEAF CLOVERS ARE LUCKY. I BELIEVE IN THAT, BUT I ALSO
BELIEVE YOU HAVE TO BE LUCKY TO FIND ONE IN THE FIRST PLACE.
ONE DAY I WAS FEELING VERY, VERY, EXTREMELY LUCKY INSIDE
WHEN I WAS AT CENTENNIAL PARK. I TOLD MY COMPANIONS THAT I
FELT LIKE JUMPING IN A CLOVER PATCH AND FINDING A FOUR-LEAF
CLOVER. THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I WAS COMPELLED TO JUMP STRAIGHT
UP AND PLOP TO THE GROUND AND LOOK DOWN. IMMEDIATELY, I
SAW A FOUR LEAF CLOVER, PICKED IT BEWILDEREDLY AND SHOWED
MY FRIENDS, WHO WERE ASTOUNDED. THAT'S LUCK!
Submitter comment: THE TRUTH, I SWEAR.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; CENTENNIAL PARK ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | 686 Fourths / Quarters BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Good luck Plants |
Date learned: 08-00-1968
BUTTERCUPS TELL
TODAY, WHEN RUTH AND I WERE REMINISCING ABOUT CHILDHOOD DAYS,
SHE TOLD ME OF A SPRINGTIME PRACTICE TYPICAL OF THE
PERSONS OF HER NEIGHBORHOOD. WHEN THE BUTTERCUPS BLOSSOM
ALONG THE SWAMPS, CHILDREN WOULD PICK THEM AND PRESENT
THE BOUQUETS TO THEIR MOTHERS. THE MOTHER WOULD TAKE A
FLOWER OUT OF THE NOSEGAY AND TICKLE THE UNDERSIDE OF THE
GIVER'S CHIN WITH A BUTTERCUP. IF SOME OF THE YELLOW
SHOULD RUB OFF, THEN THAT WAS A SIGN THAT THE CHILD
LIKED BUTTER. SHE SAID THAT ONCE WHEN THE BUTTERCUPS
TOLD OF HER LIKING BUTTER, HER MOTHER SENT HER OFF TO
PLAY WITH A THANK YOU FOR THE NOSEGAY AND A PIECE OF TOAST
DRIPPING WITH MELTED BUTTER.
Where learned: HIGHLAND PARK ; ILLINOIS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Use of Object |
MIND YOUR P'S AND Q'S
THE INFORMANT TOLD THIS STORY AS TO THE ORIGIN
OF THE EXPRESSION "MIND YOUR P'S AND Q'S." SHE SAID
THAT IN LONDON THERE IS AN ALE HOUSE WITH THAT SIGN
ABOVE THE DOOR, AND INSIDE WRITTEN ON THE WALLS,
AND LOW CEILING, THE BARTENDER KEEPS A RUNNING
TALLY OF HOW MUCH SOMEONE OWES. HENCE, THE
EXPRESSION MEANS TO WATCH THE TOTAL MONEY OWED
FOR YOUR PINTS AND QUARTS.
Data entry tech comment: I THOUGH THEY USED LITERS!
Where learned: HIGHLAND PARK ; ILLINOIS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of quantity or weight Liquid CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of quality Medium of exchange BELIEF -- Explanation of a name SPEECH -- Formula SPEECH -- To Be Seen |
Date learned: 03-20-1967
JUMP ROPE RHYME
ALL IN TOGETHER GIRLS
JUST LIKE THE WEATHER GIRLS
JANUARY, FEBRUARY, MARCH, APRIL, MAY, JUNE
JULY, AUGUST, SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER, NOVEMBER, DECEMBER.
(REPEAT VERSE)
Submitter comment:
AN UNLIMITED NUMBER OF GIRLS WOULD PLAY THIS GAME.
ALL THAT WAS NEEDED WAS A LONG CLOTHESLINE.
Where learned: GROSSE POINTE ; PARKING LOT ; SAINT CLARE OF MONTEFALCO SCHOOL
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1970
BELIEF
PLACE STATUE OF BLESSED VIRGIN IN THE ICE BOX
IF YOU WANT A FAVOR AND TAKE HER OUT ONLY AFTER IT IS GRANTED.
Submitter comment: THIS WAS DONE AT ST. MARY'S ACADEMY 1934-38.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color |
Date learned: 10-06-1970
HOLD STRING WITH NEEDLE ATTACHED AT END OVER GIRL'S
WRIST. FOR EVERY MOVEMENT (EITHER BACK AND FORTH
OR CIRCULAR) THAT IT MAKES, A CHILD WILL BE BORN.
IF IT MOVES BACK AND FORTH, A GIRL WILL BE BORN;
IN CIRCLES, A BOY. WHEN STRING STOPS MOVING, THAT'S
ALL THE CHILDREN THE PERSON WILL HAVE.
Where learned: OHIO ; FAIRVIEW PARK
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Date learned: 00-00-1966
NOW I LAY ME DOWN TO SLEEP,
WITH A BAG OF PEANUTS AT MY FEET,
IF I SHOULD DIE "AFORE" I WAKE,
YOU'LL KNOW I DIED OF A TUMMY ACHE!
Where learned: OHIO ; FAIRVIEW PARK
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Wisecracks, gags, silly stories, insults |
Date learned: 00-00-1961
THERE ARE SMALL SHIPS,
THERE ARE BIG SHIPS,
BUT THE BEST SHIP IS
FRIENDSHIP!
Where learned: OHIO ; FAIRVIEW PARK
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Wisecracks, gags, silly stories, insults |
Date learned: 06-20-1961
IF IN HEAVEN WE DO MEET,
HAND IN HAND WE'LL STAND THE HEAT!
IF IT GETS INTENSLEY HOT,
PEPSI COLA HITS THE SPOT!
Where learned: OHIO ; FAIRVIEW PARK
James Callow Keyword(s): SODA POP
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Wisecracks, gags, silly stories, insults |
Date learned: 06-20-1961
2 IN A CAR
+2 LITTLE KISSES
4 WEEKS LATER
MR. & MRS.
James Callow comment: WRITTEN AS AN ADDITION PROBLEM
Where learned: OHIO ; FAIRVIEW PARK
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Translations, plays on words, symbol writing |
Date learned: 00-00-1961
WHAT SHALL I WRITE, WHAT SHALL IT BE;
JUST TWO LITTLE WORDS, REMEMBER ME!
Where learned: OHIO ; FAIRVIEW PARK
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Remember me |
Date learned: 00-00-1961
REMEMBER GRANT, REMEMBER LEE,
AW! HECK WITH THEM,
REMEMBER ME.
Where learned: OHIO ; FAIRVIEW PARK
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Remember me |
Date learned: 00-00-1961
FORGET ME NOT,
FORGET ME NEVER.
TILL IN HEAVEN
WE BUMP TOGETHER
HEAVEN?
Where learned: OHIO ; FAIRVIEW PARK
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Forget me not |
Date learned: 00-00-1961