Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for GROSSE POINTE returned 650 results.
WHEN INTRODUCED TO MY GIRLFRIEND'S FATHER, I POLITELY
SHOOK HANDS WITH HIM. HE PERSISTENTLY CONTINUED
TO SHAKE MY HAND WHILE AT THE SAME TIME ASKED ME IF
I BELIEVED IN GHOSTS. I ANSWERED NO, AND HE THEN
ASKED ME, "THEN WHY ARE YOU STILL SHAKING?"
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 10-22-1971
GOOD LUCK IN BASEBALL
IN BASEBALL, AFTER AN OUT IS MADE, INFIELDERS WILL
THROW BALL AROUND. 3RD BASEMAN HAS TO OBTAIN
THE BALL LAST, TO THROW TO THE PITCHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 10-24-1971
BLUE RIBBON
IT IS THE CUSTOM IN SPORTS TO ALWAYS AWARD THE FIRST
PLACE WINNER WITH THE BLUE RIBBON. THE SYMBOLISM
BEHIND THE COLOR BLUE IS THAT THE SKY IS THE
HIGHEST THING THAT MAN CAN REACH FOR, SO THE COLOR
OF THE SKY WAS CHOSEN AS THE HIGHEST HONOR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 01-30-1971
TELEPHONE PRANK
DO YOU HAVE RALEIGH IN A CAN? IF YOU DO, YOU HAD
BETTER LET HIM OUT!
Data entry tech comment: REFERS TO SIR WALTER RALEIGH SMOKING TOBACCO--USUALLY
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 03-19-1971
SURPRISE
HOLY COW! MM
THAT'S THE WAY THE BALL BOUNCES! MM
THAT'S THE WAY THE COOKIE CRUMBLES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
IF YOU STEP ON AN ANT YOU WILL MAKE YOUR MOTHER CRY.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT SAID THAT THIS WAS A POPULAR BELIEF
AMONG SCHOOL CHILDREN. SHE SAID THAT EVERYONE
VERY CAREFULLY AVOIDED ANTS ON THE WAY HOME FROM
SCHOOL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Insect |
Date learned: 02-23-1971
IF YOUR NOSE ITCHES YOU ARE GOING TO KISS A FOOL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses |
Date learned: 03-03-1971
IF YOUR RIGHT HAND ITCHES YOU ARE GOING TO SHAKE
HANDS WITH SOMEONE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses |
Date learned: 03-03-1971
YOU WEAR AN ENGAGEMENT RING AND WEDDING RING ON YOUR
LEFT HAND, FOURTH FINGER, BECAUSE THERE IS A DIRECT
VEIN WHICH RUNS FROM THE HEART DIRECTLY TO THE
FINGER.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT HEARD THIS FROM SEVERAL RELATIVES AND
BELIEVES IT IS SCIENTIFIC TRUTH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses |
Date learned: 02-15-1971
IT IS THE CUSTOM AT FUNERALS TO SAY THAT THE PEOPLE
WHO ARE SHEDDING HYPOCRITICAL TEARS ARE CRYING
"CROCODILE TEARS."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 01-30-1971
ARMY CUSTOM
IN VIETNAM IT IS CUSTOM AND GOOD LUCK FOR THE SOLDIERS
TO WRITE THE NAME OF AT LEAST ONE GIRL HE KNEW ON
HIS HELMET. THEY ALSO BELIEVED THAT YOU WOULD
NEVER MARRY THIS GIRL. WRITING THIS NAME WAS GOOD
LUCK AS FAR AS SURVIVING WENT, BUT BAD LUCK AS
FAR AS RELATIONSHIP WITH HER.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT REALLY BELIEVES IN THIS AS THE TWO GUYS THAT
DIED IN HIS OUTFIT DIDN'T HAVE NAMES ON THEIR HELMETS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- War |
Date learned: 11-22-1971
CINDERELLA DRESSED IN YELLOW
WENT UP STAIRS TO GET HER FELLOW.
ALL OF A SUDDEN HER GIRDLE BUSTED
HOW MANY PEOPLE WERE DISGUSTED?
Submitter comment: JUMP ROPE RHYME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 11-00-1969
DING DONG DITCH
MY SON AND HIS FRIENDS PLAY THIS VARIATION ON RINGING
DOORBELLS AND HIDING ON DEVIL'S NIGHT. THEY ONLY BOTHER
PEOPLE WITH LARGE SHRUBS IN FRONT OF THEIR HOMES SO
THEY CAN JUMP DOWN AND HIDE AFTER THE DISTURBANCE.
Submitter comment: THE BOYS ARE FROM NINE TO ELEVEN YEARS OLD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F103 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 00-00-1983
CURB BASEBALL
WHEN I WAS YOUNGER MY BEST FRIEND'S BROTHER TAUGHT US
A NEW AND EXCITING WAY TO PLAY BASEBALL. FIRST, IT
REQUIRED A STREET AND A FENCE PARALLEL TO THE STREET AND
A RUBBER BALL. THERE ARE ONLY TWO PLAYERS IN THE GAME,
THE BATTER STANDS IN THE STREET AND THROWS THE BALL AT THE
CURB IN FRONT OF HIM. IF THE BALL MISSES THE CURB IT IS A STRIKE,
IF IT HITS THE CURB AND BOUNCES BACK THE PLAYER MUST CATCH
THE BALL IN THE AIR TO GET THE OUT. TO SCORE IN THIS GAME,
THE BATTER MUST BOUNCE THE BALL OFF THE CURB AND HAVE IT
GO OVER THE FENCE. THIS GAME DOES NOT HAVE INNINGS OR A TIME
LIMIT; YOU JUST PLAY UNTIL YOU GET BORED.
Submitter comment:
SINCE THEN I HAVE TAUGHT SEVERAL YOUNGER CHILDREN
HOW TO PLAY CURB BASEBALL.
THE FENCE IS BEHIND THE PLAYER IN THE STREET.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 07-00-1976
GARAGE BASEBALL
MY FRIEND AND I WERE SOON BORED WITH CURB BASEBALL, SO
WE DECIDED TO COME UP WITH A NEW GAME CALLED GARAGEBALL.
THIS GAME WAS ALSO PLAYED WITH ONLY TWO PEOPLE, EXCEPT THIS
TIME THE FIELDER PITCHED THE BALL AT THE GARAGE.
WHAT WAS SO UNUSUAL ABOUT THE GAME WAS THAT THE BATTER
FACED THE GARAGE INSTEAD OF THE PITCHER. TO CLARIFY THINGS UP,
THE FIELDER THROWS THE BALL AT THE GARAGE, IT BOUNCES OFF
THE GARAGE AND THE BATTER TRIES TO HIT IT. IF HE MISSES IT IS
A STRIKE, THE BATTER MUST HIT THE BALL BACK AGAINST THE
GARAGE AND THE FIELDER MUST CATCH IT OFF THE BOUNCE
IN ORDER TO GET THE BATTER OUT; IF HE MISSES IT IS A BASE
HIT. SIDES ARE SWITCHED WHEN THREE OUTS HAVE BEEN COMMITTED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
Keyword(s): GAMES
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 07-00-1976
I HEARD THAT IF YOU CRACK YOUR KNUCKLES YOU WILL
HAVE ARTHRITIS WHEN YOU GET OLDER.
Submitter comment: SEE SQ830861-22 FOR A DIFFERENT VERSION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 00001979CA
MY FATHER BROUGHT BACK A QUITE UNUSUAL GIFT FROM HIS
BUSINESS TRIP-- AN OSTRICH'S TOENAIL KEY CHAIN. THIS
KEYCHAIN IS POLISHED QUITE NICELY, IT IS SAID TO BRING
GOOD LUCK TO THOSE WHO HAVE IT.
Submitter comment:
THEY SAY THAT AN OSTRICH'S TOENAIL CAN KILL SOMEONE
IF THEY ARE STUCK BY THE OSTRICH'S FOOT.
PURCHASED AT BUSH GARDENS, FLORIDA
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
Keyword(s): ART ; GOOD LUCK CHARM ; SUPERSTITION
James Callow Keyword(s): AMULET
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 02-00-1978
"I CAN'T MOVE"
I CAN'T MOVE, CRIED BILLY TO HIS BROTHER,
PERHAPS WE HAD BETTER CALL MOTHER.
SAID WILLY TO BILLY,
YOU'RE REALLY QUITE SILLY,
YOU'VE GOT YOUR SHOELACES TIED TO EACH OTHER.
Submitter comment:
HEARD THIS WHEN I WAS YOUNGER AND IT STILL REMAINS
MY FAVORITE LIMERICK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
Keyword(s): LIMERICKS
James Callow Keyword(s): HUMOR
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1974
THE TURTLE CLUB
THE TURTLE CLUB IS A PRIVATE CLUB WHICH THE NIXON FAMILY
ALL ARE MEMBERS OF. THEY WAY TO BECOME A MEMBER IS WHEN YOU
ARE ASKED "ARE YOU A TURTLE?" YOU REPLY "YOU BET YOUR SWEET
ASS I'M A TURTLE." THE WAY TO STAY A MEMBER IS TO SAY THE
REPLY ANYTIME THE QUESTION IS ASKED.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A LITTLE GAME THE NIXONS PLAY AMONG THEMSELVES IN WHICH
THEY ASK EACH OTHER THE QUESTION AT MOST INOPPORTUNE OR
EMBARRASSING MOMENTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Mental Activity |
Date learned: 00001975CA
THE TWELVE APOSTLES
B BARTHOLOMEW
A ANDREW
P PETER, PHILLIP
T THOMAS
I JAMES, JOHN, JAMES, JUDE, JUDAS
S SIMON
M MATTHEW
Submitter comment:
USED TO MEMORIZE THE TWELVE APOSTLES FOR FIFTH GRADE
STUDENTS. THE "I" IN BAPTISM TURNS INTO A "J".
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- MNEM |