Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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HAUNTED HOUSE
A SAILOR ON LEAVE BECAME LOST IN THE COUNTRY SIDE OF MALTA.
HE WANDERED AROUND TILL HE FOUND A HOUSE WHICH WAS
THE GRANDEST MANSION HE EVER SAW.
WHEN HE WENT TO ASK DIRECTIONS, HE SAW THAT A PARTY WAS GOING ON.
HE WAS ASKED TO JOIN THE PARTY AND HE DID. THE NEXT MORNING HE
DISCOVERED THAT HE HAD LEFT HIS LIGHTER AT THE HOUSE. WHEN HE
WENT BACK FOR IT, THE HOUSE WAS A TOTAL RUIN. HE WENT IN AND FOUND
HIS LIGHTER ON A MILDEWED TABLE. WHEN HE ASKED A PASSING FARMER
ABOUT THE HOUSE, THE FARMER SAID THE HOUSE HAD BEEN
DESERTED FOR YEARS.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 03-21-1975
THE BLUE ROOM
WHEN THE FRENCH HELD THE ISLAND OF MALTA, A FRENCH SOLDIER TRIED
TO MARRY A MALTESE GIRL. WHEN SHE REFUSED, HE LOCKED HER IN A BLUE
ROOM AT THE TOP OF A GREAT HOUSE. SHE JUMPED OUT THE WINDOW.
NOW ANYONE SLEEPING IN THAT ROOM SEES HER GHOST JUMPING OUT THE
WINDOW.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): NATIONALISM
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 03-21-1975
THE GHOST OF MALTA
THE GHOST OF MALTA VISITED LARRY'S AUNT AND TOLD HER SHE WOULD FIND
THREE BAGS OF GOLD UNDER THE CELLAR STAIRS IN A WEEK. SHE WENT
AROUND TELLING EVERYONE, AND SHE SHOULD NOT HAVE BECAUSE WHEN
SHE LOOKED UNDER THE STAIRS THERE WAS ONLY THREE BAGS OF COAL.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 03-21-1975
GHOST OF MALTA
THE GHOST DIDN'T LIKE LARRY:S AUNT. WHEN SHE WAS A BABY, THE GHOST
WOULD TAKE HER BOTTLE AWAY FROM HER AND PUT IT IN ANOTHER ROOM.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 03-21-1975
SUPERSTITION
WHEN GOING BY A CEMETERY, YOU SHOULD PUT YOUR HANDS
ON THE TOP OF THE CAR, OR YOU WILL NEVER MARRY.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Car ; CEMETERY ; Grave ; SUPERSTITION
James Callow Keyword(s): DIRECTION ; POSITION
Date learned: 03-26-1971
SUPERSTITION
WHEN YOU ARE IN A CAR, AND GOING OVER RAILROAD TRACKS,
YOU MUST PUT YOUR HAND FLAT AGAINST THE ROOF OF THE CAR, OR
YOU WILL LOSE YOUR SEX APPEAL.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Car ; Relationships ; SEX ; SUPERSTITION ; Train
James Callow Keyword(s): DIRECTION ; POSITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- P533: P533:.21 BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 02-02-1971
RUSSIAN DANCE
IT IS A COMMON RUSSIAN DANCE WHERE A PERSON DANCES IN THE
MIDDLE OF A CIRCLE COMPOSED OF CLAPPING RUSSIANS WHO ARE
SINGING TO MUSIC. WHEN THE PEOPLE STOP CLAPPING, THE MAN
IN THE MIDDLE MUST DRINK A GLASS OF VODKA.
Submitter comment:
THIS DANCE WAS RELATED TO THE INFORMANT BY HIS FATHER,
WHO IS RUSSIAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Form Grouping Movement |
NAME
DEROGATORY NAME FOR A FRENCH - CANADIAN FROG IS A DEROGATORY
NAME USED IN MODERN TIMES FOR A FRENCH - CANADIAN. HE IS A
CANADIAN SO THIS NAME IS COMMON TO HIM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; COLLECTED ON A CHORUS TRIP
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- FamilyGroup |
Date learned: 03-00-1967
ARABIAN SAYING
MY BROTHER AND I FIGHT AGAINST OUR COUSIN;
OUR COUSIN AND WE FIGHT AGAINST OUR ENEMY.
Submitter comment:
EXPLANATION OF HOW THE ARAB NATIONS COULD UNITE AGAINST THE
ISRAELI PEOPLE DESPITE THEIR INTERNAL STRIFE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
James Callow Keyword(s): MEDIAL ITERATION ; RELATIVES UNITE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 08-00-1967
VEHICLE SOUNDS REPRESENTED IN THAI LANGUAGE (AMBULANCE)
"IN THAILAND THERE IS A JOKE ABOUT THE SOUND THE SIREN ON AN
AMBULANCE MAKES. THE THAIS JOKE ABOUT 'DAI-NEH, DAI-NEH!'
WHICH SOUNDS LIKE TTHE SIREN AND MEANS 'SURELY DEAD' OR THE
SOUND 'DAI-LAO, DAI-LAO!' WHICH MEANS 'DEAD ALREADY.'"
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Vehicle propelled by mechanical or other force on land SPEECH -- Onomatopoeia |
Date learned: 04-00-1984
VEHICLE SOUNDS IMITATED WITH THAI LANGUAGE
"IN THAILAND, THERE IS A JOKE ABOUT THE SOUND THE OLD RIVERBOATS
MAKE. THE THAIS SAY THAT THE SOUND IS 'POO-POO-PAHNG-PAHNG,
POO-POO-PAHNG-PAHNG" WHICH MEANS ALMOST DEAD."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Water craft or boat propelled by human, wind, mechanical or other force SPEECH -- Onomatopoeia |
Date learned: 04-00-1984
"TRAFFIC" (CHILDREN'S GAME WITH BICYCLES)
"WHEN WE WERE KIDS THE NEIGHBOR KIDS WOULD COME OVER TO OUR HOUSE
WITH THEIR BICYCLES TO PLAY 'TRAFFIC.' ONE PERSON WOULD BE THE
POLICEMAN WHICH WAS DETERMINED BY A RACE TO THE END OF THE DRIVE-
WAY. THERE WERE CERTAIN RULES TO THE GAME: YOU HAD TO STOP AT
ALL THE 'STOP SIGNS' AND YOU COULDN'T GO THE WRONG WAY ON THE
ONE-WAY SIDEWALKS AND DRIVEWAY. ALSO, YOU HAD TO USE HAND
SIGNALS TO SHOW STOPPING, TURNING, ETC. AND NO SPEEDING WAS
ALLOWED. IF YOU DISOBEYED ANY OF THESE RULES AND THE POLICEMAN
CAUGHT YOU THREE TIMES, YOU BECAME THE POLICEMAN."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 04-00-1984
CHINESE EATING CUSTOM (GOOSE)
"IN CHINA, ANYONE YOUNGER THAN 15 YEARS IS NOT ALLOWED TO EAT
GOOSE BECAUSE THE CHINESE BELIEVE THAT THEIR FINGERS WILL CURL
AND BLISTER."
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT BELIEVED SUCH BELIEFS WERE MADE UP BY ELDERS SO THAT
THEY WOULD BE THE ONLY ONES TO ENJOY GOOSE WHICH IS EXPENSIVE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION
Date learned: 04-00-1984
CHINESE BURIAL CUSTOM
"YOU SHOULD NOT PUT FLOWERS ON OR GIVE FLOWERS TO A DEAD PERSON
OR YOUR SONS AND DAUGHTERS WILL HAVE A LOT OF BOY OR GIRL-
FRIENDS."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | Observation CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 04-00-1984
"YOU SHOULD NOT LEAVE ANY GRAINS OF RICE ON THE DISHES AFTER A
MEAL OR YOUR HUSBAND'S OR WIFE'S FACE WILL HAVE ACNE."
Submitter comment: BELIEF PROBABLY TO PREVENT THE WASTE OF FOOD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION
Date learned: 04-00-1984
BELIEF ABOUT CUTTING FINGERNAILS
"YOU SHOULD NOT CUT YOUR FINGER NAILS AT NIGHT OR YOU'LL CUT
THE LIFE OF A RELATIVE SHORT."
Submitter comment:
IN OLD TIMES, THE CHINESE USED A KNIFE TO CUT THEIR FINGER
NAILS AND BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T HAVE LIGHT THEY MIGHT LOSE A
FINGER IF THEY'RE NOT CAREFUL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour |
Date learned: 04-00-1984
THAI CHILDREN'S RECREATION
"ONE OF THE THINGS WE USED TO DO WAS GO TO THE FOREST AND FIND A
LONG STRAND OF SPIDER WEB. WE WOULD THEN STICK AN ANT TO THE END
OF THE WEB AND DROP IT INTO THE RIVER. WHEN WE FELT A TUG ON THE
END WE WOULD LIFT A TINY NEEDLE FISH OUT OF THE WATER. THE TINY
FISH WOULD SWALLOW THE ANT AND GET CAUGHT ON THE WEB."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
James Callow Keyword(s): THAI FISHING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 02-00-1984
THAI STORY
"A FALANG (WESTERNER) WAS ON A RIVERBOAT IN THAILAND AND SOMEHOW
SLIPPED OVERBOARD INTO THE RIVER. ONE OF THE OTHER PEOPLE GRABBED
A LADDER AND ATTEMPTED TO HELP HIM. HE SHOUTED TO THE MAN IN THE
WATER TO GRAB THE LADDER IN THAI LANGUAGE. 'GAW-GAH-DAI! GAW-
GAH-DAI!' HE SHOUTED. HEARING THIS THE FALANG SWAM EVEN FASTER
BECAUSE HE THOUGHT THE MAN WAS SHOUTING 'CROCODILE! CROCODILE!'"
Submitter comment: "GAW-GAH-DAI" MEANS "GRAB THE LADDER" IN THAI LANGUAGE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Tale PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote PROSE NARRATIVE -- Stupid man or woman |
Date learned: 04-00-1984
CHINESE BURIAL CUSTOM
"WHEN BURYING THEIR DEAD, THE CHINESE ARE VERY CHOOSEY ABOUT
THE SITE. THE AREA WHICH IS CHOSEN WILL HAVE AN EFFECT ON THE
NEXT GENERATION. THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE SITE WILL AFFECT THE
ELDEST SON, THE THIRD SON, THE FIFTH SON,...(1,3,5,7,...).
THE LEFT SIDE WILL AFFECT THE EVEN-NUMBERED SONS AND THE BACK
SIDE WILL AFFECT ALL THE DAUGHTERS."
Submitter comment:
IF ALL THE SIDES ARE GOOD, EVERYTHING WILL BE GOOD FOR THE FAMILY.
BUILDINGS NEAR THE SITE CAN CHANGE THE AFFECT OF THE SITE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Cemetery BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Number Even number (not specific) BELIEF -- Number Odd number (not specific) |
Date learned: 02-00-1984
POSITION OF RICE AT DINNER (THAI)
"THE THAIS WILL PLACE THEIR DISH OF RICE CLOSEST TO THEM WHEN
THEY'RE EATING."
Submitter comment:
I LEARNED THIS AT A THAI PARTY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT. A
THAI GIRL SAID TO ME THAT I AM NOT THAI BECAUSE I PLACED THE
RICE FAR FROM ME. WHEN I LOOKED AT THE OTHER THAIS, I SAW
THAT THEY ALL HAD THEIR DISH OF RICE CLOSEST TO THEMSELVES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222. Food Drink -- Service Table furnishing and decoration Food container |
Date learned: 02-00-1984