Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for MICHIGAN returned 23056 results.
A guide at the geology center in Chelsea told us
the legend of the discovery of maple syrup.
An Indian on the Eastern coast, I think it was Iroquois,
had stored his hatchet in the side of a maple tree.
Sometime in late winter or early spring, he removed his
hatchet to go hunting. At the base of the tree, there was
a birch bark basket, which happened to catch the maple
water that ran out of the tree when the hatchet was
removed. The Indian's wife needed the birch bark basket
to cook the moose meat in, and so she decided to also use
the water that was already in it. She proceeded to boil
the meat in the maple water all day, and in turn, discovered
that the water made maple syrup (and also tasty moose meat).
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CHELSEA
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Plant |
Date learned: 03-00-1990
BELIEF
TO KILL A WITCH- CLOSE THE BOOK, RING THE BELL, AND BLOW
OUT THE CANDLE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; COLLECTORS HOME
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Witch Shaman |
Date learned: 10-23-1968
CANNIBALS BELIEVE THAT THEY TAKE ON THE COURAGE OF THE
PEOPLE THEY EAT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; CHILDRENS HOSPITAL
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222. |
Date learned: 02-19-1970
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
ZOOM, SCHWARTZ, BIFIGLIA
ZOOM, SCHWARTZ, BIFIGLIA IS A COMPLICATED DRINKING GAME I LEARNED
(NOT REALLY, I WAS ALWAYS DRUNK) THAT INVOLVES A CADENCE OF THE TITLE
MENTIONED, THE ONE WHO BREAKS THE CADENCE HAS TO DRINK A SHOT.
Submitter comment:
THIS DRINKING GAME WAS PICKED UP AT A FRAT PARTY AT U OF D. AGAIN
THE NAME IS HARD TO FORGET.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime |
Date learned: 00-00-1977
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
IT IS BELIEVED THAT IT IS UNLUCKY TO STACK YOUR MONEY OR
CHIPS WHEN YOU ARE PLAYING POKER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Retort
"A tee-hee's egg in a ha-ha's nest."
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BNs [S200, S500, S560, V700, V600] crossed out. Replaced with current classification.
"Polite" taunt? A kidding remark?
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; TRAVERSE CITY
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
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
HOLES IN SKULLS
MR. LEHR READ SOMEWHERE THAT EXPLORERS FOUND SOME SKULLS WHICH
WERE BELIEVED TO BE ABOUT 1000 YEARS OLD. THESE SKULLS WERE
FOUND IN SOUTH AMERICA. EACH SKULL HAD A PERFECTLY ROUND HOLE
IN IT.
THIS RELATES TO A PIECE IN "THE WORLD BOOK" ABOUT A TREPHINING.
THIS IS A INSTRUMENT WHICH CUTS A PERFECTLY ROUND HOLE IN A
SKULL. IT HAS EXISTED FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS AND IS BELIEVED
TO HAVE BEEN USED TO LET OUT THE EVIL SPIRITS IN A PERSON.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Custom |
IN POLAND, ON A CHILD'S FIRST BIRTHDAY, YOU PUT
FIVE OBJECTS IN FRONT OF HIM OR HER. THESE OBJECTS
ARE: A BOOK, A ROSARY, A WINE GLASS, A PAIR OF
SCISSORS, AND CIGARETTES. IF A CHILD CHOOSES
THE BOOK, HE WILL BE INTELLIGENT. IF HE CHOOSES
THE ROSARY, HE WILL BE A PRIEST OR NUN. IF HE
CHOOSES THE WINE GLASS, HE WILL BE AN ALCOHOLIC.
IF THE CIGARETTES, HE'LL BE A TRAMP. IF A CHILD
CHOOSES THE SCISSORS, SHE'LL BE A GOOD HOUSEWIFE.
ON MY FIRST BIRTHDAY (THERESA) I CHOSE THE
SCISSORS AND I CAN SEW AND COOK QUITE WELL..
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; SAINT HYACINTH SCHOOL
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Use of object for determining future of young |
Date learned: 02-01-1972
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
FOLKLORE OF GOOD LUCK
IN JAPAN MANY PEOPLE WEAR A TURTLE PIN TO INSURE GOOD LUCK AND
A LONG LIFE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: CA00001935
CUSTOM
IN MALAWI, BEFORE YOU CAN ASK A STRANGER FOR DIRECTIONS, YOU MUST
FIRST BECOME FRIENDS WITH HIM. THIS IS DONE THROUGH A SERIES OF
STANDARDIZED GREETINGS AND GESTURES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
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
WHEN YOU GIVE SOMEONE A SHARP OBJECT, THEY SHOULD GIVE YOU A PENNY
Submitter comment: THIS SAYING IS A VARIATION FROM ONE WE TALKED ABOUT IN CLASS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): GIFTGIVING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 00-00-1950 ; 00-00-1980
FIRST PERSON: I HAVE THREE DONUTS FOR A QUARTER AND ONE DONUT
FOR A DOLLAR. SECOND PERSON: WELL, I'M NOT TOO HUNGRY, I'LL
ONLY TAKE ONE.
Submitter comment: THIS RIDDLE REQUIRES THE ACTING OUT BY TWO PEOPLE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; EAST TOWN THEATRE
Keyword(s): FOOD
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 10-10-1971
RELIGIOUS LEGEND
LONG AGO, THERE WAS THIS LITTLE GIRL WHO ALWAYS WORE HER SCAPULAR.
THIS ONE DAY, SHE WAS WALKING HOME FROM SCHOOL; BUT, INSTEAD OF
RETURNING HOME SHE STOPPED TO PLAY WITH HER FRIENDS. ALL THE
OTHER CHILDREN WERE HIDING, WHILE SHE WAS CLIMBING UP THIS
VERY TALL TREE. SUDDENLY, SHE SLIPPED AND LOST HER BALANCE.
HOWEVER, SHE WAS SAVED BECAUSE HER SCAPULAR REMAINED FIXED AROUND
THE BRANCH OF THE TREE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): AMULET
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 09-20-1969
TALE
I WAAS RESTING ABOUT LUNCHTIME ONE DAY DURING DEER SEASON, SITTING
ON A ROCK BY THE EDGE OF A STREAM. A DEER APPEARED, APPARENTLY TO
GET A DRINK, SO I PICKED UP MY RIFLE AND SHOT IT. THE SHOT WAS
CLEAN AND WENT RIGHT THROUGH THE DEER AND HIT A BEAR WALKING OUT
OF THE WOODS. THE RECOIL FROM THE GUN KNOCKED ME BACK INTO THE
STREAM, POPPING THE BUTTON ON MY SUSPENDERS, WHICH FLEW INTO THE
AIR AND STRUCK A DUCK THAT WAS FLYING OVER. THE DUCK FELL ON A
SNOWSHOE RABBIT HIDDEN IN THE GRASS BY THE STREAM. WHEN I GOT UP
TO ROUND UP MY CATCH, MY POCKETS WERE FULL OF TROUT.
Where learned: NORTHERN MICHIGAN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale |
THE UNDERSTANDING CANINE
MY GRANDFATHER BOUGHT A BEAUTIFUL HUNTING DOG FROM A GUY WHO GOT
RID OF HIM BECAUSE HE COULDN'T HANDLE HIM ANY MORE. MY GRAND-
FATHER COULDN'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE DOG COULDN'T BE HANDLED, SO HE
TOOK HIM OUT TO TEST HIM. THE DOG RAN AHEAD OF US AND IN A MINUTE
SCARED UP A QUAIL. POW! MY GRANDFATHER SHOT HIM. THEN THE DOG
SCARED UP ANOTHER ONE, BUT THIS ONE MY GRANDFATHER MISSED. THE
DOG TURNED AND GROWLED AT HIM. THE WHOLE THING TOOK PLACE AGAIN,
AND AGAIN THE DOG TURNED AND GROWLED. THEN WE FIGURED THAT THE
DOG WAS USED TO GOOD HUNTERS AND IT DIDN'T WANT TO DO ALL THAT
WORK FOR NOTHING. WE WERE GOING TO GO HOME, BUT WHEN MY GRAND-
FATHER WENT TO GET THE DOG, HE GROWLED AND THEN STARTED TO RUN
IN A WIDE CIRCLE IN THE FIELD. EVERY TIME MY GRANDFATHER MOVED,
THE DOG GROWLED SOME MORE.
THEN, A QUAIL FLEW UP FROM THE FIELD AND MY GRANDFATHER KILLED IT.
ANOTHER ONE FOLLOWED FROM THE SAME SPOT AND MY GRANDFATHER KILLED
IT. THIS WENT ON FOR AN HOUR. QUAIL AFTER QUAIL FLEW UP FROM THE
SAME SPOT AND WAS SHOT. I WENT OVER TO THE SPOT THEY WERE COMING
FROM, AND THERE WAS THE DOG WITH HIS PAW OVER THE OPEN END OF A
HOLLOW LOG. HE WAS LETTING THE QUAIL OUT ONE BY ONE THAT HE HAD
ROUNDED UP INTO THE LOG. HE GOT SO MAD AT MY GRANDFATHER MISSING
THE BIRDS THAT HE FIGURED OUT A SOLUTION TO KEEP ALL HIS WORK FROM
BEING WASTED.
Where learned: NORTHERN MICHIGAN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale |
Date learned: 08-15-1969