Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for KENTUCKY returned 502 results.
PROVERBIAL COMPARISON
AS MEAN AS A SNAKE.
Submitter comment:
UNUSUALLY MEAN.
"YOU ARE AS MEAN AS A SNAKE."
Where learned: KENTUCKY ; HOPKINSVILLE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: 04-02-1972
PROVERBIAL COMPARISON
AS PLAIN AS THE NOSE ON YOUR FACE.
Submitter comment:
NOTABLY PLAIN; CLEAR IN VIEW.
EXAMPLE: "THAT TREE IS AS PLAIN AS THE NOSE ON YOUR
FACE."
Where learned: KENTUCKY ; HOPKINSVILLE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: 04-01-1972
PROVERBIAL COMPARISON
AS UGLY AS A MUD FENCE.
Submitter comment:
ESPECIALLY UNATTRACTIVE. EXAMPLE: "SHE IS AS UGLY AS A
MUD FENCE."
Where learned: KENTUCKY ; HOPKINSVILLE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: 04-29-1972
PROVERBIAL COMPARISON
AS WILD AS A MARCH HARE.
Submitter comment:
EXTREMELY UNRULY. THE EXPRESSION CAN REFER TO A DAY WITH
ROUGH WEATHER OR TO ANY ACTION OR PERSON WHICH APPEARS
IN CHAOS.
Where learned: KENTUCKY ; HOPKINSVILLE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: 04-29-1972
PROVERBIAL METAPHOR
A WATCHED POT NEVER BOILS.
Submitter comment:
THIS EXPRESSION MEANS THAT WHEN CAUTION IS EXERCISED THAT THINGS
ARE WELL-CONTROLLED.
Data entry tech comment:
THIS IS AN UNUSUAL VARIATION OF THE MORE COMMON MEANING: PAYING
TOO MUCH ATTENTION TO SOMETHING WE ARE WAITING FOR TO HAPPEN
WILL MAKE THE TIME DRAG ON ENDLESSLY.
Where learned: KENTUCKY ; HOPKINSVILLE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 04-02-1972
PROVERBIAL METAPHOR
IF YOU LIE DOWN WITH DOGS, YOU GET UP WITH FLEAS.
Submitter comment:
YOU PICK UP THE HABITS AND CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PEOPLE YOU
ASSOCIATE WITH.
Where learned: KENTUCKY ; HOPKINSVILLE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 04-02-1972
WHEN THE WAGERS FAMILY ARRIVED FROM FRANCE IN THE LATE
1700'S, THE TWO BROTHERS WHO IMMIGRATED BOUGHT LAND IN CENTRAL
KENTUCKY. THEY BUILT TWIN PLANTATION HOUSES. DURING THE CIVIL
WAR, A WARFORD DESCENDANT ALLEGEDLY FILLED A HUNTING HORN WITH
MONEY AND HID IT SOMEWHERE ON THE FAMILY'S LAND. NO ONE HAS YET
FOUND THE LEGENDARY MONEY HORN. THE LAND IS NO LONGER HELD BY THE
FAMILY.
Submitter comment:
MY MOTHER LEARNED OF THIS LEGEND THIS YEAR FROM HER ELDERLY
AUNTS AND AN UNCLE. WHEN SHE AND HER RELATIVES WENT TO VISIT THE
REMAINING HOUSE (THE OTHER BURNED DOWN), THEY WERE GREETED BY THE
CURRENT OWNER WITH "Y'ALL MUST BE WARFORDS!" WHEN MY MOTHER TOLD
ME OF THIS LEGEND SHE ADDED A COMMENT THAT "KNOWING THE LUCK OUR
FAMILY HAS, IF THERE REALLY IS A MONEY HORN, IT'S PROBABLY FILLED
WITH CONFEDERATE MONEY!"
Where learned: KENTUCKY ; IRVINE
Keyword(s): TREASURE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth BELIEF -- Bad luck |
THE FOLLOWING IS IN THE INFORMANT'S OWN WORDS.
"SOMEWHERE IN THE FORMATION OF MY DAD'S FAMILY TRADITIONS,
THE FIRST SUNDAY IN AUGUST BECAME FAMILY REUNION DAY. ALL THE
KINFOLK WOULD GATHER AT THE ANCESTRAL FARM ON STATION CAMP CREEK
SOUTH OF IRVINE, KENTUCKY FROM ALL POINTS OF THE COUNTRY.
EVERYONE WOULD ARRIVE LADEN WITH BASKETS OF FRIED CHICKEN, POTATO
SALAD, GREEN BEANS, CORN BREAD, APPLE, BLUEBERRY, BLACKBERRY,
POTATO, AND CHERRY PIES, JUGS OF ICED TEA, AND COOLERS OF POP.
BUT BEFORE ANY OF THIS BANQUET WAS SET OUT, WE HAD TO HAVE
SERVICE. THE OLD TOBACCO DRYING BARN BECAME OUR TABERNACLE. ANY
OF THE MINISTERS AMONG US, AND THERE WERE USUALLY THREE OR FOUR,
WERE CALLED UPON TO HANDLE PRAYIN' AND PREACHIN'; AND EACH FAMILY
WAS EXPECTED TO PARTICIPATE WITH A "SPECIAL NUMBER." BY MY TIME,
THESE "SPECIAL NUMBERS" HAD BECOME STANDARD HYMNS HEARD ANYWHERE
IN THE COUNTRY. BUT MY UNCLE TAUGHT ME ONE WHICH HAD BEEN A
FAVORITE WHEN HE WAS A YOUNG-UN:
"IN A LONELY CHURCHYARD MANY MILES AWAY
LIES A DEAR OLD MOTHER NEATH THE COLD, COLD CLAY.
MEM'RIES OFT RETURNING OF HER TEARS AND SIGHS
IF YOU LOVE YOUR MOTHER, MEET HER IN THE SKIES.
LISTEN TO HER PLEADING, "WANDERIN' ONE COME HOME,"
EARNESTLY ENTREATING, "DO NO LONGER ROAM."
LET YOUR CONSCIENCE WAKEN, HEAVENWARD LIFT YOUR EYES.
IF YOU LOVE YOUR MOTHER, MEET HER IN THE SKIES."
Where learned: KENTUCKY ; IRVINE
Date learned: 00001940S
THE PRESERVED TONGUE
ONE OF HIS (FATHER PLANCK'S) FORMER STUDENTS WAS MAKING OUT WITH
HIS GIRL FRIEND AND THEY STARTED FRENCHING. THERE WAS A SUDDEN
NOISE AND WHEN THE GIRL JUMPED, SHE BIT HER BOY FRIEND'S TONGUE
OFF. FATHERPLANCK THEN PRODUCED THE TONGUE, OR WHAT LOOKED LIKE
THE TONGUE, IN A JAR OF ALCOHOL. "LET THIS BE A LESSON TO YOU
BOYS," HE WOULD THEN PROCLAIM.
Submitter comment:
FATHERPLANCK OF ST. XAVIER HIGH SCHOOL IN LOUISVILLE USED TO TELL
THIS STORY TO HIS BIOLOGY CLASSES.
Where learned: KENTUCKY ; UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY ; LOUISVILLE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Body part Senses Mouth, teeth, lips, tongue BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 10-00-1968
GOOD OLD DAYS
NOTHING IS MORE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE GOOD OLD DAYS
THAN A BAD MEMORY
Where learned: KENTUCKY ; LOUISVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): IRONY ; REMENISENCE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
UNINFORMED
A GREAT MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE NOTHING WRONG WITH THEM, APPARENTLY,
FORGET TO LET THEIR FACES KNOW ABOUT IT.
Submitter comment: NO RECORD OF SOURCE.
Where learned: KENTUCKY ; LOUISVILLE
Keyword(s): PEOPLE WHO DON,T SMILE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Blason Populaire |
Date learned: 09-22-1967
PROPOSITION
COUNTRY GIRL AT A DANCE WHERE LIGHT REFRESHMENTS WERE
TO BE SERVED.
BOY: PARDON ME, IS YOUR PROGRAM FILLED?
GIRL: NO SIR. IT WOULD TAKE MORE THAN TWO SKINNEY
SANDWICHES AND A GREEN OLIVE TO FILL MY PROGRAM.
Submitter comment:
SISTER SENT THIS TO ME IN A LETTER AND NEGLECTED TO
INCLUDE WHERE SHE FIRST HEARD IT.
Where learned: KENTUCKY ; LOUISVILLE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Woman |
Date learned: 11-04-1967
RAIN PROOF
TWO MAIDEN LADIES WENT TO A LIVERY STABLE AND TOLD THE
ATTENDANT THAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO GO FOR A RIDE AND
THAT THEY WOULD LIKE A TAME HORSE. THE ATTENDANT
HITCHED UP THE HORSE AND BUGGY AND ASSURED THEM THAT
THEY WOULD HAVE NO TROUBLE, BUT TOLD THEM, "BE SURE
AND KEEP THE REIN FROM UNDER THE TAIL." AFTER SOME
HOURS THEY RETURNED ALL SMILES, SAYING, "WE HAD A VERY
NICE RIDE, NO TROUBLE AND WE TOOK TURNS HOLDING
THE UMBRELLA OVER HIS TAIL."
Submitter comment:
SISTER SAYS THAT SHE HEARD IT FIRST FROM A HOSPITAL
PATIENT IN 1963 SHE THINKS.
Where learned: KENTUCKY ; LOUISVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): PUN ON REIN RAIN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Woman |
Date learned: 11-04-1967
DEATHS COME IN THREES.
Submitter comment: I HAVE HEARD THIS BELIEF ALL MY LIFE, FIRST IN LOUISVILLE,
Where learned: KENTUCKY ; LEBANON ; TENNESSEE, ASSUMED ; LOUISVILLE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
IF A BIRD FLIES IN THE HOUSE, A DEATH WILL FOLLOW. THE
MAID WE HAD WHEN I WAS A CHILD, AND WHO WORKED FOR ME LATER,
BELIEVED THIS. HER NAME WAS CELANE DENY, SHE WAS ABOUT
20, IN LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY, IN 1940. SHE WOULD GET
HYSTERICAL IF A BIRD GOT IN THE HOUSE. IF IT CAME DOWN
THE CHIMNEY SHE WOULD SCREAM AND RUN OUT OF THE ROOM WHERE
IT WAS. THEN SHE WOULD OPEN THE DOORS AND WINDOWS AND
HIDE BEHIND THE COUCH OR RUN IN THE CLOSET AND JUST PEEK
OUT. IT WAS BAD LUCK FOR HER IF IT TOUCHED HER. SHE
WOULD KEEP MY SISTER AND ME RIGHT WITH HER SO IT
COULDN'T TOUCH US EITHER.
Where learned: KENTUCKY ; TENNESSEE ; LEBANON ; LOUISVILLE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN ; 00-00-1940
THE FIRST TWELVE DAYS OF THE NEW YEAR WILL TELL THE TYPE
OF WEATHER FOR THE COMING TWELVE MONTHS.
Where learned: KENTUCKY ; LOUISVILLE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
WEARING AN EMERALD WILL GUARANTEE SAFETY IN CHILDBIRTH
Submitter comment: I LEARNED THIS LEGENDARY PROMISE FROM A JEWELER IN
Where learned: KENTUCKY ; LOUISVILLE
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Use of Object Human beings and their activities |
Date learned: 00-00-1970
IF YOU SEE YOURSELF IN THE MIRROR AT NIGHT, YOU WILL SEE YOUR
EVIL SIDE OR THE SELF THAT THE DEVIL RULES.
Submitter comment: OUR NEGRO MAID, CELANE DENY, BELIEVED THIS. SHE WOULD NEVER
Where learned: KENTUCKY ; LOUISVILLE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Devil Demon |
IT BRINGS GOOD LUCK WHEN A BABY CRIES WHEN HE IS BEING
BAPTISED. IN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, CHILDREN ARE BAPTISED
AS INFANTS. IF THEY DON'T CRY WHEN THE HOLY WATER IS
SPRINKLED ON THEM (ON HEAD) WHOEVER IS HOLDING BABY SHOULD
PINCH HIM JUST A LITTLE BIT.
Submitter comment: KNOWN ALL MY LIFE FROM PRESBYTERIANS IN LOUISVILLE,
Where learned: KENTUCKY ; LOUISVILLE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Good luck Crucial moment of life |
IF LEFT EYE JUMPS, SPIT ON FINGER AND CROSS EYE.
Where learned: KENTUCKY ; LOUISVILLE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Eyes, evil eye BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Sensations and involuntary actions Eye twitch SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 03-00-1969