Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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PRAYER BELIEF
BEFORE WE GO ON A TRIP WE ALWAYS SIT DOWN TOGETHER, THINK A SILENT
PRAYER FOR A SAFE RETURN AND THEN START ON OUR TRIP. WE DO IT FOR
JUST A MOMENT OR TWO.
Submitter comment: ITEM WAS LEARNED IN THE CITY OF DETROIT ALTHOUGH COLLECTED IN SUBURB
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; BOTSFORD GRADE SCHOOL ; CLARENCEVILLE DISTRICT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 11-00-1982
DURING THE WAR, THE JEWS MADE A WILL, SO THAT IF THEY
WERE LOST AT SEA, THEY WOULD HAVE SURVIVORSHIP RIGHTS.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; STUDENT UNION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Custom |
Date learned: 04-01-1971
HATE
THE MOST EXPENSIVE INDULGENCE IS HATE.
Submitter comment: THIS WAS WRITTEN IN A LETTER TO ME NOT LONG AGO BY MY GRANDFATHER.
Where learned: HOME ; MINNESOTA ; ROUTE 1 ; STURGEON LAKE ; WRITTEN IN A LETTER
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 03-05-1970
GAMES
MY MOTHER AND YOUR MOTHER WERE HANGING OUT CLOTHES
MY MOTHER GAVE YOUR MOTHER A PUNCH IN THE NOSE
WHAT COLOR WAS THE BLOOD?
RED---SPELLS RED AND OUT SHE GOES WITH THE DIRTY DISH
RAG ON HER KNEE
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALPENA
Keyword(s): CHARACTER ; ENDURANCE ; Jump
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 10-04-1970
CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
EACH YEAR PEOPLE OF GERMAN DESCENT DECORATE THEIR CHRISTMAS
TREES WITH COOKIES AND BAKED GOODS FOR VISITORS DURING THE
HOLIDAYS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas tree |
Date learned: 10-27-1970
AFRICAN PROVERB
AN INTELLIGENT ENEMY IS BETTER THAN A STUPID FRIEND.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; WEST SENECA
Keyword(s): ASSONANCE ; CONTRAST ; OBSERVATION
James Callow Keyword(s): ANTITHESIS
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 10-00-1969
SOCK TRADITION
JOE HOFFMAN'S FATHER ALWAYS HAD A SPECIAL WAY OF PUTTING ON HIS
SOCKS. JOE FOLLOWED THE FAMILY PATTERN BY FOLDING IN THE HEEL, THEN
FOLDING THE SOCK IN HALF, STEPPING ON IT AND UNFOLDING IT.
Submitter comment:
ITEM WAS LEARNED IN ORCHARD LAKE, MICHIGAN ALTHOUGH IT WAS COLLECTED
IN DETROIT
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; BOTSFORD GRADE SCHOOL ; CLARENCEVILLE DISTRICT
James Callow Keyword(s): DRESSING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Routine activity SPEECH -- Body parts involved S602.31 |
Date learned: 11-00-1982
CHRISTMAS FOOD TRADITION
AT CHRISTMAS TIME, EVERYONE PARTICIPATES IN AN EGG FIGHT TO FIND
THE YEAR'S CHAMPION (COLORED EGGS AND LEMON PIES ARE MADE TWO DAYS
IN ADVANCE).
Submitter comment: ITEM WAS LEARNED IN MINNESOTA BUT COLLECTED IN DETROIT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; BOTSFORD GRADE SCHOOL ; CLARENCEVILLE DISTRICT
Date learned: 11-00-1982
Retort
In the Marines, when you are asked your weight, you say:
"I'm (insert weight) pounds of hell, death and destruction."
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
The original Title [Expression of Fixed Form] has been crossed out. Replaced with Retort.
Original BN [P640] has been crosssed out. Replaced with current classification.
Where learned: OHIO ; NORTH OLMSTED
Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; Fighter ; INSULT ; Marines ; MILITARY ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; Soldier ; WEIGHT ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
A CURE FOR THE FLU
PUT PIECES OF GARLIC IN A LITTLE POUCH
AND HANG IT AROUND YOUR NECK
TO CURE THE FLU, IF YOU HAVE IT
OR TO PREVENT YOUR CATCHING IT.
SUPPOSEDLY, THE GARLIC WILL ABSORB
THE FLU GERMS
Submitter comment:
MY FATHER CLAIMS TO HAVE OBTAINED THIS INFORMATION
FROM HIS MOTHER.
Data entry tech comment: THIS SECTION OF THE ARCHIVES CONTAINS SEVERAL SIMILAR ITEMS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LATHRUP VILLAGE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
CHRISTMAS DINNER TRADITION
BEFORE EATING THE CHRISTMAS DINNER, THE HEAD OF THE HOUSEHOLD
BLESSES EACH ROOM AND ALL GUESTS WITH HOLY WATER.
Submitter comment: ITEM WAS LEARNED IN MINNESOTA BUT COLLECTED IN DETROIT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; BOTSFORD GRADE SCHOOL ; CLARENCEVILLE DISTRICT
Date learned: 11-00-1982
HAUNTED CABIN
THERE IS AN OLD LOGGING CABIN IN EAST TAWAS ON ONE OF THE BACK
LOGGING ROADS DATING BACK TO AROUND CIVIL WAR TIME, AND THE CABIN
IS IN VERY GOOD SHAPE FOR HOW OLD IT IS. THE LEGEND GOES THAT THE
PERSON WHO ONWED THE PLACE DIED IN A STABLE JUST OFF ONE ROOM,
ALONG WITH HIS DOG AND HORSE. PRIOR TO OUR ARRIVAL IN EAST TAWAS
(ABOUT 1953), A GROUP OF PEOPLE APPROACHED THE CABIN. ONE PERSON
FROM THE GROUP OPENED THE TOP PART OF THE DUTCH-DOOR AND CLIMBED
OVER AND INTO THE CABIN. HE SEARCHED THE CABIN AND FOUND THE
BONES OF A HUMAN BEING, A HORSE AND A DOG, IN THE STABLE AREA.
WHEN HE CAME OUT OF THE CABIN HE TOLD THE GROUP WHAT HE HAD FOUND
AND IMMEDIATELY KEELED OVER DEAD. THE GROUP FLED, LEAVING THE
TOP PART OF THE DOOR OPEN AND NO ONE HAS ENTERED THE CABIN SINCE
THEN. ALL THE UTENSILS USED BY THE DEAD OWNER COULD BE SEEN IN
THE CABIN IN 1958--THE TIME WHEN THE INFORMANT WAS THERE. THE
INFORMANT BELIEVES THAT THIS REALLY HAPPENED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST TAWAS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 00-00-1958
TOMATO BELIEF
TOMATOES ONLY RIPEN IN FULL MOONLIGHT.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT CLAIMS HE WAS TOLD THIS BY HIS MOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; St. Francis Club
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Plant food Fruit BELIEF -- Moon BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 03-20-1972
FLOWER CUSTOM AND BELIEF
IF YOU RECEIVE FLOWERS FROM SOMEONE, DON'T THANK THEM. IF YOU DO, THE FLOWERS WON'T GROW. GOD SHOULD BE THANKED FOR CREATING THE FLOWERS AND MAKING THEM GROW.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN ; INFORMANT'S HOME
James Callow Keyword(s): PLANT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Creator BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 02-22-1970
NEW YEAR'S DAY FOOD TRADITION
ON NEW YEAR'S DAY, THE CORN BREAD HAD WITH THE POOR BOY'S MEAL
CONTAINS A DIME WHICH WILL GIVE GOOD LUCK TO THE PERSON WHO GETS IT.
Submitter comment: ITEM WAS LEARNED IN WEST VIRGINIA ALTHOUGH COLLECTED IN DETROIT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; BOTSFORD GRADE SCHOOL ; CLARENCEVILLE DISTRICT
Date learned: 11-00-1982
FORMULA SPEECH
IF SOMEPLACE SHOULD BE EASY TO FIND, YOU SAY, "THAT'S
DUCK SOUP."
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; STUDENT UNION
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 11-21-1969
NEW YEAR'S DAY FOOD TRADITION
ON NEW YEAR'S DAY, A POOR BOY'S MEAL IS HAD CONSISTING OF BOILED
CABBAGE, BOILED POTATOES, HAM HOCKS AND CORN BREAD.
Submitter comment: ITEM WAS LEARNED IN WEST VIRGINIA ALTHOUGH COLLECTED IN DETROIT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; BOTSFORD GRADE SCHOOL ; CLARENCEVILLE DISTRICT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals |
Date learned: 11-00-1982
CLEANING BELIEF
ON NEW YEAR'S DAY, THE HOUSE MUST BE CLEAN, BUT YOU CAN NEVER SWEEP
THE DIRT OUTSIDE.
Submitter comment: ITEM WAS LEARNED IN WEST VIRGINIA ALTHOUGH COLLECTED IN DETROIT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; BOTSFORD GRADE SCHOOL ; CLARENCEVILLE DISTRICT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Routine activity |
Date learned: 11-00-1982
It is traditional in many areas of Ohio to go outside at
midnight on New Year's Eve and bang together pots and pans. This
will bring good luck throughout the coming year.
Where learned: OHIO ; Amsterdam
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Typical Elements of a Festive Pattern BELIEF -- Measure of time Year BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 00-00-1956
Belief: Weather
Weather Wise:
Pink at night, sailors delight.
Pink in the morning, sailors take warning.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Dup. of WPP
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WESTLAND
Keyword(s): COLOR ; NATURE ; Nautical ; Ocean ; PREDICTING WEATHER ; PREDICTION ; RHYME ; Sailor ; Sky ; WARNING ; WEATHER
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb |