Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for TOLD AT returned 523 results.
RIDDLE
A MAN WALKS UP TO ANOTHER MAN'S HOUSE WITH A LONG
TRENCH COAT ON AND A BOX UNDER HIS ARM. HE PROCEEDS
TO HAND IT TO THE OTHER MAN SAYING "NOW, WE'RE EVEN."
WHY?
-- TWO MEN WERE SHIPWRECKED ON A DESERTED ISLAND
WITHOUT FOOD AND INSTEAD OF STARVING, THE ONE MAN
(WHO WAS A DOCTOR) SAID HE'D CUT OFF THE OTHER MAN'S
ARM TO USE FOR FOOD. IF THEY EVER GOT OFF THIS ISLAND,
THE DOCTOR SAID HE WOULD REPAY THE MAN BY CUTTING OFF
HIS OWN ARM ONCE THEY GOT BACK. SO, THERE WAS AN ARM
IN THE BOX. THE REASON FOR THE LONG TRENCH COAT WHICH
HID THE DOCTOR'S ARM WAS HE STILL HAS HIS OWN ARM. HE
HAD CUT THE ARM IN THE BOX OFF OF SOMEONE ELSE IN HOPES
THAT THE MAN WOULD THINK IT WAS THE DOCTOR'S ARM.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 02-22-1972
RIDDLE
THERE WERE TWO BROTHERS BORN IN MARCH WHOSE BIRTHDAY'S
WERE IN JULY. ONE MARRIED THE OTHER DID NOT, YET BOTH
DIED BACHELORS. FIGURE IT OUT.
-- MARCH IS A TOWN IN EAST. ONE MARRIED - HE WAS A PRIEST.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 08-11-1964
RIDDLE
RIDDLE ME RIDDLE ME, RANDY - O,
MY FATHER GAVE ME THE SEED TO SOW.
THE SEED WAS BLACK AND THE GROUND WAS WHITE,
COME RIDDLE ME THAT AND I'LL GIVE YOU A PIPE.
-- COLLECTOR FORGOT ANSWER
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT
Keyword(s): HARVEST
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 08-00-1964
JOKE
"HOW FAR CAN A DOG RUN INTO THE WOODS?"
-- "HALF WAY, BECAUSE THE OTHER HALF HE'S RUNNING OUT
OF THE WOODS."
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT HEARD THIS FROM HIS OLDER BROTHER WHO IS A
SCHOOL TEACHER AND LEARNED IT WHEN HE WAS STILL STUDYING
EDUCATION.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT
Keyword(s): DISTANCE MEASURE
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 11-02-1971
RIDDLE
HOW MUCH DIRT IS THERE IN A WHOLE FIVE FEET DEEP?
-- NONE.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT
Keyword(s): MEASURMENT
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 09-30-1967
RIDDLE
IF A ROOSTER LAID AN EGG ON TOP OF A ROOF, WHICH WAY WOULD
IT FALL?
-- ROOSTERS DON'T LAY EGGS.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT
Keyword(s): ANIMAL ; LEFT RIGHT EAST WEST
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 02-23-1972
RIDDLE
"HOW LONG" IS A CHINAMAN'S NAME.
Submitter comment:
(THIS IS A DECLARATIVE SENTENCE STATING THE NAME OF
A PARTICULAR CHINAMAN. MOST PEOPLE INTERPRET IT AS
A QUESTION. THEY BECOME PUZZLED IN TRYING TO ANSWER IT.)
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT
Keyword(s): ORIENT NATIONALITY
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 02-25-1970
RIDDLE
WHY DID TWENTY-FIVE PEOPLE WALK OUT OF THE BEST
RESTURANT IN NEW YORK?
-- BECAUSE THEY WERE FINISHED EATING.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT
Keyword(s): FOOD
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 10-10-1971
RIDDLE
HOW CAN YOU TELL THE AGE OF A CHICKEN?
-- BY HIS TEETH. (CATCH - CHICKENS DO NOT HAVE TEETH).
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT
Keyword(s): ANIMAL
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 02-25-1970
RIDDLE
IF A PLANE CRASHES ON THE BORDER OF CANADA AND
THE UNITED STATES, WHERE WOULD YOU BURY THE
SURVIVORS?
-- YOU DON'T BURY "SURVIVORS".
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT
Keyword(s): FLYING
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 02-23-1972
RIDDLE
HOW DID THE BUCKWHEAT COME TO AMERICA?
-- IT CAME THREE-CORNERED. (THE GRAIN ITSELF)
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT
Keyword(s): FARMING AGRICULTURE
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 02-25-1970
BIRTH BELIEF
IF A NEW MOTHER LEAVES ANY DIAPERS AT A HOME SHE
IS VISITING, SOMEONE IN THAT HOME WILL SOON
BECOME PREGNANT.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 03-10-1970
PROVERB
HE WHO SELDOM RIDES FORGETS HIS SPURS.
Where learned: HOME ; DEARBORN ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
EPIPHANY CUSTOM
THE LETTERS KMB ARE WRITTEN ABOVE A DOORWAY IN THE HOUSE WITH BLESSED
CHALK RECIEVED ON THE FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY. THE THREE LETTERS ARE
THE INITALS OF THE THREE WISE MEN. DOING THIS WILL KEEP EVIL AWAY.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT DISPLAY THE LETTERS ABOVE HER BACK DOOR.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; WARREN ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany January 6 |
Date learned: 02-22-1970
OMEN FOR DEATH
IF A RED BIRD FLIES INTO A HOME THERE WILL BE A DEATH
IN THE FAMILY.
Where learned: HOME ; ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 03-27-1970
EASTER EGG TRADITION
THERE IS A CUSTOM WITH THE POLISH PEOPLE OF PASSING AROUND
THE DINNER TABLE ONE BLESSED, HARD-BOILED EASTER EGG. THE
OLDEST MALE MEMBER OF THE FAMILY BEGINS TO BREAK THE SLICES
OF THE EGG WITH OTHER MEMBER OF THE FAMILY. USUALLY A
WISH IS MADE BETWEEN THE TWO AND THEN SEALED WITH A KISS.
HOWEVER, IF THE EGG DROPS, ONE OF THE TWO WILL NOT LIVE
TO SEE THE NEXT EASTER.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | Observation CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter eggs |
Date learned: 03-27-1970
OMEN
IF YOUR EARS ARE BURNING, THIS IS AN INDICATION THAT SOMEONE
IS TALKING ABOUT YOU.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 03-27-1970
INDICATOR OF EMBARRASSMENT
IF YOU PUT YOUR UNDERWEAR ON INSIDE OUT, YOU WILL BE
EMBARRASSED SOME TIME DURING THAT DAY.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 03-27-1970
INDICATOR OF SURPRISE
IF YOU BUTTON SOMETHING WRONG AND IF YOU LEAVE IT THAT WAY,
YOU WILL HAVE A SURPRISE.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 03-27-1970
CUSTOMS
POLISH CUSTOM OF BREAKING BREAD TOGETHER ON CHRISTMAS.
THIS BREAD IS A TYPE OF A WAFER.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector share the same surname.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN HEIGHTS ; TOLD AT INFORMANT'S HOME
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82 |
Date learned: 02-24-1970