Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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TO GET RID OF THE EVIL EYE, PEOPLE WEAR A HORN OF AN
ANIMAL AROUND THEIR NECK.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT WORE A HORN AROUND HIS NECK UNTIL
HE WAS SIXTEEN YEARS OLD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; TV STUDIO
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Sign Color |
Date learned: 10-06-1970
A FOLKTALE ABOUT A HALLOWEEN CUSTOM
WHEN I WAS JUST A LITTLE FELLOW, JUST ABOUT SO TALL, ME AND THESE
FRIENDS OF MINE WENT OUT ON DEVILS NIGHT AND DECIDED WE WAS GONNA
HAVE US SOME FUN. WELL WE TOOK US AN OLD TIRE, TIRES WAS HARD TO
GET IN THOSE DAYS, AND WE FILLED THAT OLD TIRE WITH COW MANURE.
THEN WE TIED A LONG ROPE TO IT AND PUT IT OUT IN THE ROAD. NOW
TIRES WAS HARD TO GET IN THOSE DAYS AND THERE WAS SURE TO BE
SOMEONE WHO WOULD STOP TO PICK IT UP. WELL WE HID IN THE BUSHES
AND WAITED AND SURE AS YOU MAKE HEAD CHEESE FROM PIGS A CAR STOPPED
TO PICK IT UP. AND WOULDN'T YOU KNOW IT TWO FELLAS, ALL DRESSED
UP 'CAUSE THEY WERE GOING TO TOWN, STOPPED THEIR CAR AND WAS
GANNA PICK UP THAT OLD TIRE WHEN WE GIVE IT A GOOD PULL. WELL
THEY WEREN'T GONNA LET US KIDS OUT SMART THEM SO THEY PICKED UP THAT
OLD TIRE AND GAVE IT A GOOD PULL AND WE LET IT GO AND THEY FELL
WITH THAT TIRE ON TOP OF THEM AND GOT ALL MESSED UP AND THAT OLD
TIRE WASN'T NO GOOD ANYWAY. (SIC)
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WESTLAND
Keyword(s): PRANKS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F103 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 09-15-1969
TRICK OF THE TRADE
AT A & P, WE SPRINKLE WATER ON THE FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES
FOR A TWOFOLD PURPOSE. THE WATER MAKES THE FRUIT AND
VEGETABLES LOOK FRESHER AS WELL AS ADDING WEIGHT TO THEM.
WHEN THE CASHIER WEIGHS THEM THE WEIGHT IS BLOATED BY THE WATER.
THE EFFECT IS AN INCREASE IN PRICE FOR THE CONSUMER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; A&P FOOD STORE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Work Commerce Business Food Drink -- Plant food |
Date learned: 00-00-1977
WAYS TO KILL A VAMPIRE
DRIVING A WOODEN STAKE THROUGH THE HEART OF A VAMPIRE WILL KILL HIM.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: ENGLAND ; WORCESTER
Keyword(s): Kill ; Lore ; SUPERSTITION ; Undead ; Vampire
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Werewolf Vampire |
Date learned: 04-00-1972
New Year's Custom
POLISH--DURING THE EARLY HOURS OF NEW YEAR THE GIRLS AND BOYS GO TO
DIFFERENT HOMES WAKING PEOPLE BY THROWING OATS AND WHEAT AND
SAYING:
NA SZCZESCIE--FOR GOOD LUCK
NA ZDROWIE--FOR GOOD HEALTH
NA NOWY ROK--FOR NEW YEAR
Submitter comment:
LEARNED IN POLAND.
Where learned: STORE
Date learned: 11-10-1967
FARM HOUSE LEGEND
ONE NIGHT WHEN WE WERE UP NORTH WE DECIDED TO GO DRINKING, SO WE
STOPPED AT THIS OPEN CLEARING IN THE WOODS. THERE WAS A FARM
HOUSE ACROSS THE FIELD; WE COULD SEE THE LIGHT. IT WAS A LARGE
FLOOD LIGHT. WELL, AFTER A WHILE WE LOOKED AND THAT LIGHT HAD
MOVED. AT LEAST, WE THOUGHT IT DID. BUT IT COULDN'T HAVE, SO
WE DIDN'T MAKE ANYTHING OF IT. BUT LATER ON, THAT LIGHT HAD
MOVED AGAIN. WE SAT THERE AND WATCHED IT CIRCLE US UNTIL IT
WENT BACK TO WHERE IT STARTED FROM AND STOPPED. WE FIGURED WE'D
HAD ENOUGH TO DRINK AND GOT THE HELL OUT OF THERE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal Food Drink -- Alcoholic beverage Fermented |
Date learned: 02-22-1970
WEATHER FOR A WEDDING
IT IS GOOD LUCK IF IT RAINS ON YOUR WEDDING DAY.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 04-03-1970
VERSE WITHOUT MUSIC
IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, AND OF THE SON AND THE HOLY
GHOSTEST,
HE WHO EATS THE FASTEST GETS THE MOSTEST
RUB A DUB DUB
THANKS FOR THE GRUB
YEAH GOD!
Submitter comment:
WE USED TO SAY THIS IN THE BOY SCOUTS WHEN WE WERE ABOUT
ELEVEN OR TWELVE YEARS OLD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
Keyword(s): GRACE BEFORE MEALS ; PRAYER PARODY
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
MEDICINAL BELIEF
"RUMIANEK" OR CHAMOMILE TEA IS A REMEDY FOR DIGESTIVE DISTURBANCES.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT USED THIS REMEDY ON HER FAMILY WHEN SHE FIRST CAME TO
THIS COUNTRY FROM POLAND. HOWEVER, NOW SHE DOESN'T USE IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): HERBAL CURE ; INDIGESTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 02-07-1971
DONKEY ON THE ROCK
IT IS A VARIATION OF HIDE 'N' SEEK. YOU PUT A TIN
CAN ON A BRICK. THE ONE WHO IS "IT" MUST FIND THE
OTHER PLAYERS AND WHILE HE IS SEARCHING, SOMEONE CAN
COME AND KNOCK THE CAN OFF AND FREE THE ONES WHO ARE
CAUGHT.
EVERYONE MUST BE IN (I.E., CAUGHT) BEFORE THE GAME
IS OVER. THEN THE ONE WHO WAS "IT" KNOCKS THE CAN
OFF AND CALLS ANOTHER NAME OF THE NEXT ONE TO BE
"IT."
Submitter comment: PLAYED AS A BOY IN HOLLISTER, OHIO
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; OHIO ; DETROIT ; HOLLISTER
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 05-11-1965
SHINNEY
SHINNEY WAS JUST LIKE DONKEY ON THE ROCK. EVERYBODY
CARRIED A BIG STICK. THEY WOULD TAKE IT AND BEAT
UP A CAN; THEY BEAT IT TIL IT WAS FLAT. (SIMILAR
TO HOCKEY.) THEN THEY WOULD PLAY WITH IT JUST LIKE
HOCKEY. THEY CALLED IT SHINNEY BECAUSE YOUR SHINS
ALWAYS PEELED FROM YOUR ANKLES TO YOUR KNEES AND
HIGHER.
Submitter comment: PLAYED WHEN HE WAS A BOY IN HOLLISTER, OHIO
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; OHIO ; DETROIT ; HOLLISTER
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 05-11-1965
DROPPING A KNIFE ON THE FLOOR INDICATES THAT AN UNEXPECTED
MALE VISITOR WILL COME THAT EVENING; DROPPING A FORK
MEANS TO EXPECT A FEMALE VISITOR. THIS PERSON REALLY
BELIEVED THIS, AND OFFERED AS PROOF SEVERAL INSTANCES IN
WHICH HIS FRIEND, BILL SCHROEDER, CAME IN JUST SUCH
A MANNER. IN FACT, IT BECAME A FAMILY JOKE THAT
BILL WOULD BE AT THEIR HOUSE IN TIME TO HELP WITH
DISHES.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; STUDENT UNION
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 01-20-1968
SALT
DURING A BAD STORM, THROWING A HANDFUL OF SALT OUTSIDE BREAKS THE
STORM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS ; GEORGIAN EAST ; NURSING HOME
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Weather sign or control BELIEF -- Mineral |
HAUNTED HOUSE
IN 1946 A HOUSE ON BENITEAU STREET NEAR HARDING AND CANFIELD IN
DETROIT, WAS SAID TO BE POSSESSED BY THE DEVIL. BECAUSE THE HOUSE
HAD BEEN DAMAGED BY FIRE, THE CITY CONDEMNED THE BUILDING. ONE
DAY TWO CONSTRUCTION WORKERS WENT TO EXAMINE THE HOUSE, WHICH WAS
TO BE DESTROYED THE NEXT WEEK. ON ENTERING THE BUILDING BOTH OF
THE MEN WENT INTO CONVULSIONS, AND WERE HOSPITALIZED FOR SEVERAL
WEEKS. BECAUSE OF THIS, THE HOUSE WAS NOT DESTROYED UNTIL MANY
YEARS LATER.
Where learned: A&P FOOD STORE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 04-03-1970 ; 00-00-1946
AUTOGRAPH INSCRIPTION.
IF IN HEAVEN WE DON'T MEET,
HAND IN HAND WE'LL STAND THE HEAT,
AND IF IT GETS VERY HOT,
COCA-COLA HITS THE SPOT.
Submitter comment:
THE ABOVE IS AN UNDATED ENTRY IN KATHY CRACCHIOLO'S AUTOGRAPH
BOOK KEPT IN ST. CLAIR SHORES, MICH. IN 1968.
Data entry tech comment:
COCA-COLA IS A SOFT DRINK.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; TOLD AT ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES
Keyword(s): FRIENDSHIP. ; RHYME: AABB
James Callow Keyword(s): HELL
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Wisecracks, gags, silly stories, insults |
Date learned: 02-27-1971
WEDDING CUSTOM
AFTER A WEDDING TAKE A PIECE OF WEDDING CAKE HOME AND PLACE IT UNDER
YOUR PILLOW AND YOU'LL DREAM OF WHO YOU ARE GOING TO MARRY.
Submitter comment: THIS BELIEF IS TRADITIONAL AND INFORMANT DOESN'T ACTUALLY BELIEVE IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CLAIR SHORES
Keyword(s): FOOD ; PREDICTION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Dream about future husband |
Date learned: 02-27-1971
BAD LUCK BELIEF
IF YOU DROP A PIECE OF BUTTERED BREAD AND THE BUTTERED SIDE HITS
THE FLOOR, IT IS BAD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 01-30-1971
WE WOULD TAKE A WAGON APART--ONE OF THOSE TWO-HORSE
ONES THAT WEIGHED ABOUT A TON AND PUT IT ON A ROOF
WHERE WE WOULD PUT IT TOGETHER AGAIN. SO, THE
FARMER HAD TO TAKE IT APART AGAIN TO GET IT DOWN.
Submitter comment:
PRANK PLAYED IN HOLLISTER, OHIO, ESPECIALLY AT
HALLOWEEN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; OHIO ; DETROIT ; HOLLISTER
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Bodily Activity Song: Game, Pastime, Sport |
Date learned: 05-11-1965
THE FUNERAL MARCH
WHEN A DANGEROUS OR TICKLISH SITUATION IS ABOUT TO BE
ENTERED, THE PARTICIPANT(S) OFTEN HUM THE FUNERAL MARCH
(DUM-DUM-DE-DUM, DUM-DE-DUM-DE-DUM-DE-DUM).
Where learned: NOT GIVEN ; MICHIGAN ; WARREN ; DETROIT ; A&P FOOD STORE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse |
YIDDISH PROVERB
THE HARDEST WORK IS TO GO IDLE
Where learned: NEW YORK ; WEST SENECA
Keyword(s): IDLENESS
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 10-00-1969