Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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SUPERSTITION AND THE WEATHER
WHEN A CORN ON THE FOURTH TOE ACHES IT MEANS BAD WEATHER IS IN THE
NEAR FUTURE. BY CORN I MEAN A COMBINATION BETWEEN A BLISTER OR
CALUS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Fourths / Quarters Observation BELIEF -- Body part Senses Feet, toes, toenails BELIEF -- Weather sign or control BELIEF -- Sensations and involuntary actions |
Date learned: 10-00-1982
APOKRIES
THIS IS THE PRE-LENTEN HOLIDAY, A THREE WEEK FESTIVITY, AND PRECEDES
THE FORTY-NINTH DAY PRE-EASTER LENTEN PERIOD.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): Easter ; ETHNIC ; FESTIVAL ; Greek ; holiday ; Lent
James Callow Keyword(s): FESTIVAL ; Greek
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Christian Chronology |
Date learned: 00-00-1980
Belief: Children's Song
If you step on a crack you'll break your mother's back.
Submitter comment:
Stepping on Cracks Superstition
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [P880] crossed out and replaced with C860.740
Where learned: CHILDHOOD ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Myself
Keyword(s): Back ; BELIEF ; CHILDHOOD ; CHILDREN ; Crack ; GAME ; Line ; MOTHER ; RHYME ; SONG ; Spine ; SUPERSTITION ; VERSE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief |
Joke
THIS STORY IS TOLD WITH THE INTENTION OF MAKING SOMEONE FEEL FOOLISH
OR UNCOMFORTABLE. THE STORY GOES: A MAN AND HIS DOG WALK INTO THIS
RESTAURANT AND SIT DOWN AT A TABLE. A WAITRESS WALKS UP AND ASKS
"WHAT'LL YOU HAVE?" AND THE MAN SAYS "I'LL HAVE A STEAK, WELL DONE,
SOME MASHED POTATOES, AND A SALAD. AND BRING ME A PIECE OF APPLE PIE
FOR MY DOG." THE WAITRESS REPLIES, "I'M SORRY SIR, WE DON'T HAVE ANY
APPLE PIE, WILL PEACH PIE DO?"
AT THIS POINT SEVERAL PEOPLE WHO ARE "IN" ON WHAT IS HAPPENING LAUGH
HYSTERICALLY. OF COURSE, THE OUTSIDER DOESN'T, AND PREFERABLY SOME
OF THE CONSPIRATORS DON'T EITHER. THE NARRATOR EXPRESSES DISBELIEF
THAT THE POINT OF THE STORY WAS MISSED, AND ASKS THAT SOMEONE ELSE
TELL IT("MAYBE I DIDN'T TELL IT WELL."). THE CONSPIRATORS TAKE TURNS
TELLING THE STORY AND EACH TIME ANOTHER PERSON JOINS IN THE LAUGHTER
("I GET IT NOW}"). FINALLY ONLY THE OUTSIDER IS LEFT CONFUSED OVER
THE MEANING OF THE STORY.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ABSURD ; DOG ; JOKE ; Pie ; Pointless ; POTATO ; RIDDLE ; Waitress
James Callow Keyword(s): BRUNVAND ; SHAGGY DOG STORY
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: CA00001970
Ethnic: Polish
A POLISH, CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER CALLS FOR EACH SERVING TO BE
SERVED SEPARATELY. THE NEXT SERVING IS NOT BROUGHT ON UNTIL THE
PREVIOUS ONE HAS BEEN CONSUMED BY ALL THAT WANT IT. GENERALLY,
THE SERVINGS ARE OF VEGETABLES. THERE IS NO MEAT EATEN. NOTHING
IS DRANK DURING THE MEAL.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated 02-23-2011 / TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ABSTINENCE ; CHRISTMAS ; Course ; CUSTOM ; Dinner ; DRINK ; ETHNIC ; Feast ; FOOD ; holiday ; meat ; POLISH ; Serve ; tradition
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Christmas |
Date learned: 11-00-1968
Counting-out rhyme used by African American children
Bubble gum, bubble gum in the dish
how many bubble gums do you wish? Answer, any number.
One, two, three, four and you are out of this game.
Submitter comment:
This game is done with each participating players putting
one foot in a circle with all toes touching together. The
caller says the above rhyme touching each person's shoe.
Each round of the rhyme eliminates a person until eventually
there is only one person left and that person is "it."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; other children in the community
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1961
Urban Legend
THE INFORMANT TOLD ME THAT STUDENTS ACTUALLY BELIEVE THAT THERE
WAS A PROFESSOR WHO USED TO THROW THE EXAMINATION PAPERS UP THE
STAIRS AS HIS METOD OF GRADING THEM. THOSE THAT LANDED ON THE
HIGHER LEVEL GOT "AS", THE NEXT STEP GOT "BS" AND SO ON DOWN
UNTIL THE BOTTOM STEP WERE THE STUDENTS WHOSE PAPERS LANDED THERE
RECEIVED "FS".
Submitter comment:
HE (THE INFORMANT) TOLD ME THAT THIS PRACTICE WAS ATTRIBUTED TO DR.
H. THEODORE HOFFMAN OF THE ECONOMICS DEPARTMENT AT THE
UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated / 02-24-2011 / TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ACADEMIC ; Grade ; Legend ; MYTH ; Stairs ; Student ; TEACHER ; URBAN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Counting-out rhyme used by African American children
My mama and your mama were hanging out the clothes.
My mama socked your mama right straight in the nose.
What color was the blood? Answer y/n
N O spells no and you are out of this game.
Submitter comment:
This games is done with each participating players putting
one foot in a circle with all toes touching together. The
callers says the above rhyme touching each person's shoe.
Each round of the rhyme eliminates a person until eventually
there is only one person left and that person is "it."
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; other children in the community
Keyword(s): African American ; COUNTING ; GAME ; Playground ; RHYME ; Selection
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1961
TALE
A BOY AND HIS SISTER ARE WALKING THROUGH A FOREST AND THEY CAME TO
A STREAM. THE BOY BENDS OVER TO TAKE A DRINK BUT THE GIRL TELLS
HIM NOT TO BECAUSE IT'S ENCHANTED. HE DIDN'T LISTEN TO HER AND HE
TURNED INTO A DEER. SHE TOOK A LITTLE BELL AND PUT IT AROUND HIS
NECK AND THEY WENT TO LIVE IN A COTTAGE BY THE EDGE OF THE FOREST.
FOR A LONG TIME EVERYBODY TRIES TO KILL THE DEER BECAUSE IT IS
SUCH A BEAUTY. ONE DAY THE OLD KING DIED AND HIS YOUNG SON BECAME
KING. HE DECIDED HE WAS GOING TO CAPTURE THE DEER AND HAVE HIM
FOR A BANQUET. SO HE SENT OUT SPIES TO FIND OUT WHERE IT WAS THAT
THE DEER ALWAYS DISAPPEARED TO. THE SPIES SAID THAT THE DEER
ALWAYS WENT INTO A COTTAGE BY THE EDGE OF THE FOREST.
ONE DAY THE GIRL HAD GONE OUT TO GET SOME FOOD. WHEN SHE CAME
BACK SHE SAW THAT THERE HAD BEEN A STRUGGLE IN THE COTTAGE AND THE
LITTLE BELL WAS LYING ON THE FLOOR. SHE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO
BUT A BIRD TOLD HER THAT THE DEER HAD BEEN TAKEN TO THE CASTLE FOR
A BANQUET. SHE HURRIED TO THE KING, FORCED HER WAY PAST ALL THE
GUARDS, AND TOLD THE YOUNG KING THE WHOLE STORY. HE SAID, "HOW
CAN YOU PROVE IT?" SO SHE ASKED HIM TO TAKE HER TO THE DEER.
WHEN THE DEER SAW HER HE RUSHED RIGHT UP AND STARTED LICKING HER.
HE HAD BEEN MEAN TO EVERYONE ELSE SO THE KING KNEW SHE WAS TELLING
THE TRUTH. THE KING SENT OUT HIS SPIES TO CATCH THE OLD WITCH WHO
HAD ENCHANTED THE FOREST. THEY CAUGHT HER AND JUST BEFORE THEY
KILLED HER, HER IRON NOSE FELL OFF. AS SOON AS IT DID THE DEER
WAS CHANGED INTO A BOY AGAIN. THE KING DECIDED TO MARRY THE GIRL
AND THAT'S THE END OF THE STORY.
Submitter comment:
MISS DAMIN'S HUNGARIAN GRANDMOTHER TOLD HER THIS TALE WHEN SHE
WAS A YOUNG GIRL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HUNGARY ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Witch Shaman PROSE NARRATIVE -- Magic PROSE NARRATIVE -- Man BELIEF -- Mammal |
Date learned: 01-00-1964
POLISH PROVERB
WITHOUT GOD, YOU WILL NOT PASS THE THRESHOLD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): HEAVEN
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 03-08-1970
UGLY IN THE CRADLE, PRETTY AT THE TABLE.
Submitter comment: THIS SAYING PROBABLY IS A NOTE OF OPTIMISM WHEN A BABY IS TRULY UGLY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): CONTRAST ; ELLIPSIS ; SLANT RHYME
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 00-00-1980 ; 00-00-1950
A RED SUN AT NIGHT MEANS THE NEXT DAY WILL BE VERY HOT.
Submitter comment: THIS IS A WEATHER BELIEF.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Sun BELIEF -- Weather sign or control |
Date learned: 00-00-1950 ; 00-00-1980
SAYING
A ROLL OF TOILET PAPER WITH RIBBON ON IT, A U. OF D. DIPLOMA.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT GAVE ME THIS COMMENT AS I WAS SITTING IN HIS KITCHEN
ORGANIZING ITEMS FOR THIS ASSIGNMENT. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SENTIMENT
AMONG SENIORS AS THEY LOOK FOR A JOB AFTER GRADUATION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase |
GRAFFITO
RICK-RACK,
SPUNK AND TACKLE
AND PEPPEMIN + SASS.
ZIPPER, SPARK, AND CRACKLE,
ELASTIC DASH.
CRASH AND RAZZLE-DAZZLE
NEVER-SAY-DIE
KANGAROO
TO YOU, TOO.
Submitter comment: FROM COMMERCE AND FINANCE BUILDING DESKTOP, WRITTEN IN RED INK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Art Craft Architecture Art, Craft, Architecture |
Date learned: 11-14-1979
HOW MICHIGAN CAME TO BE (INDIAN LEGEND)
THE GREAT SPIRIT IN THE SKY WAS MAKING THE WORLD AND ONE DAY
HE GOT TIRED AND PUT HIS HAND DOWN ON THE EARTH AND THAT
IS HOW MICHIGAN WAS FORMED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
Keyword(s): GEOGRAPHY ; LAND FORMATION ; MICHIGAN ; MYTH ; SPIRIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Creation and Order of Universe |
Date learned: 04-01-1970
ARABIAN MAXIM:
THE GOD SAYS: 'WORK HARD AND I WILL HELP YOU.'
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 08-00-1967
WELLERISM
OURS WAS THE GROUP THAT HAD 35 % MORE CAVITIES
HE SAID CRESTFALLEN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Wellerism Quotation |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
PROVERBIAL MAXIM
THE OPPORTUNITY OF A LIFE TIME MUST BE SEIZED WITHIN THE LIFE
TIME OF THE OPPORTUNITY
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
Keyword(s): CHIASMUS
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 03-05-1968
PROVERBIAL APOTHEGM
THE ONLY VICTORY THAT IS LASTING AND BRINGS NO EVIL RESULTS IS THE
VICTORY OVER HIMSELF. NAPOLEON
Data entry tech comment: ORIGINAL 5 X 8 CARD INDICATES THAT THIS IS A QUOTE FROM NAPOLEON
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 00-00-1963
WELLERISM
ONLY SEVEN MORE DAYS DICK SAID WEEKLY
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
Keyword(s): PUN
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Wellerism Quotation |
Date learned: 01-00-1972