Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for MICHIGAN returned 23056 results.
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
CURING OIL
OLIVE OIL IS SAID TO BE A CURE FOR APPENDICITIS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Remedy |
Date learned: 11-22-1968
JAPANESE CUSTOM
A FROG IS PUT ON A GRAVE TO INSURE THE RETURN OF THE DEAD IN
ANOTHER LIFE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: CA00001935
HOLY COMMUNION
YOU SHOULD NEVER GO TO HOLY COMMUNION IF YOU FEEL SICK OR IF
YOU THINK YOU COULD BE SICK.
SHE REMEMBERS ONE OF HER STUDENTS RECEIVING
COMMUNION AT MASS, THEN LEAVING CHURCH BECAUSE HE WAS GOING TO VOMIT.
SHE FOLLOWED HIM OUT TO THE BATHROOM AND FOUND HIM VOMITING UP THE
HOST. INSTANTLY THERE APPEARED THOUSANDS OF TINY MAGGOTS WHO ATE
UP THE VOMIT AND THEN ALL DISAPPEARED. SHE EXPLAINED THAT THEY HAD
BEEN SENT THERE MIRACULOUSLY SO THAT THE HOST WOULD NOT BE DEFILED BY
HAVING BEEN ON THE FLOOR.
Submitter comment:
THE "SHE" REFERS TO MY FIFTH GRADE TEACHER.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector are the same person.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GRAND RAPIDS ; 5th grade teacher
James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMAL INSECT LARVA
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Insect BELIEF -- Church |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN (FIFTH GRADE)
LANGUAGE OF ISRAEL: ELIEZER BEN-YEHUDA AND THE FORMATION OF
THE INFORMANT TOLD ME THE STORY OF ELIEZER BEN-YEHUDA, THE MAN WHO
COMPILED THE MODERN HEBREW LANGUAGE. BEN-YEHUDA FOUND THAT THE
JEWISH PEOPLE KNEW THE MEANINGS OF ONLY 7,700 HEBREW WORDS WHEN HE
COMPILED HIS FAMOUS DICTIONARY IN THE 1800'S. BEN-YEHUDA HAD TO
MAKE UP WORDS TO FIT NEW CONCEPTS THAT DID NOT EXIST WHERE ANCIENT
HEBREW WAS USED ("CARRIAGE," ETC.) SO HE COMBINED GERMAN, HEBREW
AND ARABIC TO FORM WHAT IS NOW KNOWN AS YIDDISH.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ETYMOLOGY ; Hebrew ; Jewish ; Language ; Origin
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being SPEECH -- Folk etymology |
Entry filtered.
IT IS THE AMISH CUSTOM FOR ONLY THE MEN AND THE
ELDERS TO ATTEND SUNDAY SERVICES, WHICH ARE HELD IN THE
DEACONS' HOMES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; BOOK BUILDING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church |
Date learned: 03-00-1971
"THE M & M GAME"
THERE WAS A GAME THAT WE USED TO PLAY AT PARTIES WHILE IN
JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL. WE CALLED IT THE M & M GAME. YOU STARTED
WITH A BAG OF PEANUT M & M'S. EVERYONE SAT IN A CIRCLE AND
THE BAG WAS PASSED AROUND TO EACH PERSON, THAT PERSON SELECTED
ONE PIECE OF CANDY AND SHOWED IT TO THE OTHERS. IF THE CANDY
WAS BROWN THE PERSON HAD TO TELL A SECRET ABOUT THEMSELVES.
IF THE CANDY WAS YELLOW THE PERSON HAD TO TELL A SECRET ABOUT
SOMEBODY ELSE. IF THE CANDY WAS ORANGE OR GREEN THE PERSON
HAD TO KISS A GIRL/BOY WHO WAS ALSO PLAYING. IF IT WAS ORANGE
THE OTHER PLAYERS VOTED ON WHO THE PLAYER WAS TO KISS, IF IT
WAS GREEN THEN THAT PERSON GOT TO CHOOSE THEMSELVES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Song
They were three ravens sat on a tree
Down a down, hey, down a down
They were black as they might be
With a down a derry, derry down
The first of them said to his mate
What shall we for our breakfast take
Down in yonder green field
Lies a knight slain under his shield
Down, down, down...
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ballad Epic |
RELIGIOUS BELIEF
BEFORE YOUR WEDDING HAVE A STATUE OF MARY, THE BLESSED MOTHER,
LOOKING OUT YOUR WINDOW AND PRAY TO HER FOR GOOD WEATHER ON YOUR
WEDDIND DAY.
Submitter comment: THIS ITEM CAME FROM A RELATIVE IN PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage F545.083 BELIEF -- Religious hero BELIEF -- Weather sign or control BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 00-00-1976
APPLES, PEACHES, PUMPKIN PIE,
WHO'S NOT READY HOLLER "AYE."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALPENA
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse |
"OUTHOUSE SONG"
I'M A JUVENILE DELINQUENT,
I CAN'T GO HOME ANYMORE.
I BEAT UP SINNERS AND I DRINK WITH BUMS,
AND I WAIT ON THE CORNER FOR MY PICK-UP TO COME.
OH I'M A JUVENILE DELINQUENT,
I CAN'T GO HOME ANYMORE.
MY MOTHER HATES ME AND MY FATHER BEATS ME,
AND I BET ON THE RACES CAUSE MY HORSES CAN RUN.
AND THEN THERE'S GRANNY,
SWINGIN' ON THE OUTHOUSE DOOR,
WITHOUT HER NIGHTY ON.
AND THEN THERE'S GRANDPA SCREAMIN' GRANNY GET YOUR NIGHTY BACK,
GRANNY GET YOUR NIGHTY BACK,
GRANNY GET YOUR NIGHTY BACK ON!
I REALLY MEAN IT!
GRANNY GET YOUR NIGHTY BACK ON.
Submitter comment:
THE FIRST EIGHT LINES OF THIS STRANGE TUNE WERE SUNG TO
THE WELL-KNOWN MELODY WHICH WE RECOGNIZE AS "YANKEE DOODLE."
James Callow comment: TUNE OF "I'M A YANKEE DOODLE DANDY" MIGHT BE MEANT.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; FRASER ; COUSINS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Good humor Jest |
Date learned: 00001970S
A VARIATION OF THE GARTER DANCE
IN A TYPICAL WEDDING RECEPTION THERE IS A GARTER DANCE WHERE
THE GROOM TAKES THE GARTER OFF THE BRIDE AND THROWS IT OVER
HIS SHOULDER TO ALL THE SINGLE MEN. THE BRIDE THEN TAKES
HER BOUQUET OF FLOWERS AND THROWS IT OVER HER SHOULDER TO
ALL THE SINGLE WOMEN. IT THEN FOLLOWS THAT THE MAN WHO CAUGHT
THE GARTER PUTS IT ON THE LEG OF THE WOMAN WHO CAUGHT THE
BOUQUET. THE VARIATION ON THIS IS THAT WHICHEVER LEG
THE MAN PUTS THE GARTER ON, MIKE TELLS THEM IT'S THE WRONG LEG
AND THAT THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE TO DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN ON THE
RIGHT LEG.
MIKE NIXON IS THE MEMBER OF A WEDDING BAND AND THIS IDEA
CAME TO HIM WHEN SOMEONE ASKED HIM AT ANOTHER WEDDING
WHICH LEG IS THE GARTER SUPPOSED TO GO ON? MIKE TOOK
ADVANTAGE OF THIS OPPORTUNITY FOR A LITTLE LIGHT-HEARTED
FUN AND NOW USES THIS VARIATION AT EVERY WEDDING HE PERFORMS AT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN ; WEDDING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Reception |
(PROSE NARRATIVE: REPETITIOUS HOAX)
TALE THAT IS BEGUN EVERY OTHER SATURDAY NIGHT AT THE
CAMPFIRE. IT USUALLY STARTS OUT WITH THE CAMP
DIRECTOR LEAVING HIS CABIN AT ABOUT 1:00 A.M. TO
INVESTIGATE A STRANGE NOISE, FROM THERE IT GOES ON
TO ANYONE WHO FEELS LIKE ADDING TO IT.
EVENTUALLY ALL THE COUNSELORS GET INTO IT. IT
HELPS TIRE THE BOYS OUT SO THAT THEY WILL BE
EASIER TO GET TO SLEEP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MEMPHIS ; SAINT MARYS CAMP
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
PROVERB: NEVER A QUARREL
WHERE SISTERS DWELL AND BROTHERS MEET, QUARREL SHOULD NEVER COME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BERKELEY
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb |
Date learned: 03-24-1970
HOLY COMMUNION
YOU SHOULD NEVER GO TO HOLY COMMUNION IF YOU FEEL SICK OR IF
YOU THINK YOU WILL BE. SHE REMEMBERS ONE OF HER STUDENTS RECEIVING
COMMUNION AT MASS, THEN LEAVING CHURCH BECAUSE HE WAS GOING TO VOMIT
SHE FOLLOWED HIM OUT, AND FOUND HIM BEING SICK. INSTANTLY
APPEARED THOUSANDS OF MAGGOTS, WHO ATE UP ALL THE VOMIT
AND THEN DISAPPEARED.
SHE BELIEVES THAT THIS WAS A MIRACLE TO KEEP THE HOST FROM BEING
DEFILED
Submitter comment:
THE SHE, REFERS TO THE INFORMANTS 5TH GRADE TEACHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GRAND RAPIDS
James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMAL INSECT LARVA
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Insect BELIEF -- Church |
Entry filtered.
SUPERSTITION (FIXED DATE)
A PERSON MUST BE HOME BY MIDNIGHT OF NOVEMBER 1ST, BECAUSE ON
NOVEMBER 2ND ALL THE SOULS ARE ALLOWED TO RETURN TO EARTH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- November 1 All Saints BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 10-25-1969
FIXED DATE
APRIL 20 IS CELEBRATED AS FOUNDER'S DAY BY THE NATIONAL SOCIAL
SORORITY OF SIGMA SIGMA SIGMA. ON THIS DAY EACH CHAPTER HAS A
DINNER AND CONDUCTS SOME TYPE OF A PROGRAM IN MEMORY OF THE
FOUNDERS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- April 20 |
Date learned: NO DATE INDICATED.
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