Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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A POLISH CURSE
(POLISH) NIECH CIE, DIABLI IVEZMA,
TRANSLATION: MAY THE DEVIL TAKE YOU
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A KIND OF A CURSE. MY FATHER KNOWS
THIS POPULAR CURSE FROM POLAND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Curse |
Date learned: 11-17-1967
Comic Book Title
One Hundred yards to the Out-house by Willy Makit.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRCH RUN
Keyword(s): HUMOR
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 00-00-1975
WHEN WE WERE LITTLE AND USED TO GO SWIMMING IN LAKE HURON
MY MOM WOULD WARN US NOT TO GO OUT TOO FAR IN THE WATER OR
THE GHOSTS OF PIRATES THAT DROWNED IN SHIPWRECKS WOULD DRAG
US UNDER THE WATER AND WE WOULD NEVER BE HEARD FROM EVER
AGAIN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate |
BREAT BIG JARS OF GREASY GRIMMY GOPHER'S GUTS
MURDILATED [sic] MONKEY'S MEAT
CONCENTRATED BIRDIES FEET
GREAT BIG JARS OF ALL PURPOSE PORPOISE PUS
AND ME WITHOUT A SPOON OR A FLAVORED STRAW.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
[sic] probably is "mutilated"
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ALLITERATION ; CHILDREN ; Funny ; GROSS ; JOKE ; MUSIC ; SONG ; Tune
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Good humor Jest |
Date learned: 09-29-1969
A WITCH SUPERSTITION
IN POLAND IT IS BELIEVED THAT IF A WITCH
LOOKS AT A COW, IT WILL IMMEDIATELY GO DRY.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A POPULAR BELIEF IN POLAND THAT MY
GRANDMOTHER REMEMBERS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Curse |
Date learned: 10-22-1967
Entry filtered.
LADY'S DAY
AUGUST 15 IS A BIG DAY IN IRELAND. ALL THE PEOPLE GATHER AT A
HOLY WELL (OUR LADY'S WELL) AND ALL THE TINKERS AND GYPSIES
GATHERED HERE TOO. THE PEOPLE WOULD TRY TO PRAY TO THE
BLESSED MOTHER AND THE TINKERS WOULD GO AROUND BEGGING. THEIR
CHANTS WERE "FOR JASUS (JESUS) SAKE HELP TO POOR" AND "MAY JESUS TAKE
YOU HOME SAFE."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN HEIGHTS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- August 15 Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary BELIEF -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 11-18-1970
NARRATIVE
THIS WAS TOLD TO ME BY A LADY LIVING IN PENNSYLVANIA (1934). SHE
WAS 16 AT THE TIME AND PREGNANT WITH HER FIRST CHILD. CHILDREN
IN THOSE DAYS WERE DELIVERED AT HOME. NEXT DOOR TO HER LIVED A
MRS. FLORENTINE MCADAMS. SHE WAS THE TOWN MIDWIFE WHO ASSISTED
THE HICK DOCTOR, DOCTOR DICKINSON. USUALLY SHE WENT TO ALL
DELIVERIES, BUT HIS LADY DIDN'T WANT HER AROUND. HER MOTHER HELPED
HER INSTEAD, AND THE BABY WAS BORN PREMATURELY, WEIGHING THREE
POUNDS. HER MOTHER AND HUSBAND TOOK CARE OF THE CHILD TO KEEP HIM
ALIVE. THIS LADY SAID THAT AFTER THE BABY WAS BORN, EACH TIME SHE
LAID IN BED, THE HEAD PART PRESSED DOWN AND SHE FELT AS IF SHE'D
FALL OUT OF BED. HER MOTHER CAME IN WHEN SHE CALLED, BUT SHE SAID
SHE SAW NO ONE IN THE HOUSE. AFTER THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES,
THEY PROPPED EACH CORNER OF HER BED UP WITH PILLOWS ON A HUGE
MAHOGANY CHAIR, BUT STILL IT SAGGED. WHEN HER MOTHER SLEPT WITH
HER, SHE FELT THE SAME THING. THE NEXT NIGHT THEY PUT RAZOR BLADES
ABOVE THE BEDROOM DOOR. IT NEVER HAPPENED AFTER THAT. A FEW DAYS
LATER, MR. MCADAMS TOLD MR. SASNOWSKI THAT MRS. MCADAMS WAS VERY
ANGRY BECAUSE SHE COULDN'T ASSIST HIS WIFE IN HER BIRTH. BOTH MEN
HAD SEEN HER TURN FROZEN STIFF IN A TRANCE. SHE WAS FROZEN SOLID
AND HAD NO FOOD OR MOVEMENT FOR THREE DAYS. THIS ALWAYS WAS DONE
WHEN SHE WANTED SOMETHING TO HAPPEN. SHE WENT INTO THIS TRANCE
WHEN SHE WAS TOLD SHE COULDN'T ASSIST THE DOCTOR AND SHE CAME OUT
OF THIS ONLY AFTER THE RAZOR BLADES WERE PUT ABOVE THE DOORS. MRS.
SASNOWSKI BELIEVES THAT THE EVIL SPIRITS HAD MADE HER BED SAG AFTER
MRS. MCADAMS WENT INTO THIS TRANCE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Witch Shaman |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
SICK JOKE
WHAT'S GREEN AND YELLOW AND HAS COOKIE CRUMBS ON TOP?
A DEAD GIRL SCOUT IN THE GUTTER.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT HEARD THIS WHEN HE WAS IN GRADE SCHOOL IN DEARBORN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; DEARBORN
Keyword(s): COLOR
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 04-08-1965
POLISH PROVERB
EACH ONE KNOWS BEST WHERE HIS SHOE HURTS HIM.
(POLISH) KAZDY WIE NAJLEPIEJ, GAZIE GO TRZEWIK CISNIE.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS USED TO POINT OUT THAT NO ONE KNOWS ANOTHERS PROBLEMS AS
WELL AS THAT PERSON HIMSELF. I KNOW THIS FROM HOME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
Keyword(s): CLOTHING
James Callow Keyword(s): CLOTHING ; OBSERVATION ; TRANSLATION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
THEY'RE CHANGING THE NAME OF OLD MARINER'S CHURCH TO
WINCHESTER CATHEDRAL BECAUSE THEY HAVE SO MANY SHOTGUN
WEDDINGS THERE.
Submitter comment:
SHE LEARNED IT FROM A NEIGHBOR ACROSS THE STREET
FROM HER, WHOSE NAME IS MRS. PAUL HIRZEL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CARPOOL ; EAST SIDE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 04-04-1967
If the cows are standing it means that there is
good fishing.
Where learned: MICHIGAN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Animal |
Date learned: 00-00-1977
SCARED BABY
A YOUNG MAN, SOON TO BE A FATHER, WALKED INTO THE HOUSE ONE
EVENING WITH A LARGE GREAT DANE. THIS SCARED HIS YOUNG WIFE
A GREAT DEAL AS SHE HAD NOT EXPECTED EITHER HE OR THE DOG.
A FEW MONTHS LATER WHEN THE WOMAN WENT TO THE HOSPITAL TO DELIVER
HER CHILD, SHE TOOK ALONG HER MOTHER. THE MOTHER CAME INTO THE
DELIVERY ROOM WITH HER, PREPARED TO DO WHAT SHE MUST. IF THE
CHILD WAS BORN WITH ANY MARKS, SHE WOULD RUB THESE WITH THE
PLACENTA TO ERASE THEM. BOTH MOTHER AND DAUGHTER BELIEVED THAT
THE BABY WOULD BE MARKED OR SCARRED BECAUSE THE MOTHER HAD BEEN
SCARED DURING HER PREGNANCY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 03-10-1967
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
POLISH STUD POKER
THERE IS A CARD GAME CALLED "POLISH STUD POKER" IN WHICH
TWO TO TWENTY PLAYERS CAN PLAY AT A TIME. EVERY PLAYER IS
DEALT ONE CARD WHICH THEY AREN'T ALLOWED TO LOOK AT. EACH
PERSON THROWS IN AN AMOUNT OF MONEY (WE USUALLY THROW IN A
DOLLAR EACH). THE PLAYERS THEN PLACE THEIR CARDS ON THEIR
FOREHEADS WITH THE FACE SHOWING TO THE REST OF THE PLAYERS.
EACH PLAYER THEN DETERMINES HOW MUCH THEY WANT TO BET ON THE
BASIS OF THE OTHER PLAYERS' CARDS WHICH THEY CAN'T SEE. A
PLAYER WITH THE HIGHEST CARD WINS THE POT. IF TWO PLAYERS
TIE FOR HIGHEST CARD THE WINNER IS DETERMINED BY SUIT IN WHICH
THE ORDER FROM HIGHEST TO LOWEST IS SPADES, HEARTS, DIAMONDS,
CLUBS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
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