Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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HAPPY IS THE BRIDE THAT THE SUN SHINES ON,
HAPPY IS THE CORPSE THAT THE RAIN FALLS ON.
Submitter comment: MRS. DEVEREUX LEARNED THIS FROM HER MOTHER AS A CHILD
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE PARK
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
SILENCE IS THE FENCE AROUND WISDOM.
Submitter comment:
ORIGIN: UNKNOWN
HAS KNOWN IT SINCE CHILDHOOD
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; PARK RIDGE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 08-07-1964
REMEDY
IN CASE OF A BOIL, PEEL A HARD BOILED EGG, WET ITS SKIN, AND THEN
APPLY IT TO THE AFFECTED PART. THIS SHOULD DRAW OUT THE INFECTIOUS
MATTER AND RELEIVE THE PAIN AND SORENESS IN A FEW HOURS.
Where learned: FLORIDA ; OAKLAND PARK
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Remedy BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 00001920S
HOW TWO MEDICINE LAKE GOT ITS NAME
WHEN THE GOVERNMENT SET ASIDE A TRACT OF LAND IN NORTHERN MONTANA
FOR A NATIONAL PARK, ONE OF THE TASKS WAS TO GIVE NAMES TO MANY
OF THE NATURAL FEATURES--STREAMS, MOUNTAINS, ETC. ON THE SHORES
OF TWO MEDICINE LAKE THERE WERE FOUND THE REMAINS OF TWO OLD
MEDICINE LODGES, USED AT ONE TIME TO HOUSE THE INITIATION CEREMONY
MAKING YOUNG BLACKFOOT INDIAN BOYS OFFICIALLY MEN OF THE TRIBE.
THE LAKE WAS FIRST CALLED THE LAKE OF THE TWO MEDICINE LODGES,
OR A SIMILAR TITLE. BY CONSTANT USE, THE NAME WAS SHORTENED,
UNTIL TODAY IT BEARS THE NAME TWO MEDICINE LAKE.
Submitter comment:
AS WAS TOLD TO ME BY A FOREST RANGER AT GLACIER NATIONAL PARK
IN AUGUST, 1969.
Where learned: GLACIER NATIONAL PARK
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name BELIEF -- Maturity |
Date learned: 08-00-1969
NAMING
MY GRANDMOTHER WAS FROM ONE OF THOSE LARGE FAMILIES. THEY WOULD BEGAN
TO NAME A BABY WHEN SOMEONE FROM THE FAMILY WOULD SAY, "OH YOU GOTTA
NAME IT AFTER ME." SO SHE ENDED UP WITH THE NAME OF HILDA, TINA,
MELISSA, AVA, ALVA, ALVATINE. SHE WENT THROUGH LIFE WITH THE NAME OF
ALVA.
Where learned: ALLEN PARK ; TOLD IN
| Subject headings: | Person / Nickname |
IF YOU PICK A DANDELION AND PLACE IT UNDER SOMEONE'S
CHIN AND YOU SEE A YELLOW SPOT OR SHADOW UNDER HIS
CHIN, THEN THIS PERSON LIKES BUTTER.
Submitter comment:
I BELIEVED THIS WHEN I WAS VERY YOUNG BUT AM QUITE
SKEPTICAL OF IT NOW.
Where learned: MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; LINCOLN PARK
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Use of Object Plant |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
If you are having trouble selling your house, bury a
statue of St. Joseph, head-down and facing the rear of
the house, until your house is sold. Afterwards you
dig the statue up and permanently display it in a place
of honor in your new home.
Submitter comment:
This belief was heard from Maryann's sister, Leda, who
was having trouble selling her condominium. Leda's real
estate agent suggested that she try this. Within the
month Leda's condo was sold, and now the statue of St.
Joseph is on the mantlepiece of her new home. This
superstition is, evidently, very widely held by Italians.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; Rogers Park
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Religious hero BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Work Commerce Business BELIEF -- Good luck Objects BELIEF -- Conversions |
EASTER BELIEF
THE REASON WHY WE HAVE BUNNIES ON EASTER IS BECAUSE A LITTLE
RABBIT IS THE FIRST THING THAT JESUS SAW WHEN HE CAME OUT OF THE
TOMB.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT FIRST HEARD THIS IN 1976. ANOTHER POSSIBLE REASON
IS THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN RABBITS, EASTER AND SPRING. FERTILITY
AND PURIFICATION ARE INHERENT TO ALL THREE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALLEN PARK
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday BELIEF -- Religious hero BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Measure of time Spring |
Date learned: 10-00-1980 ; 09-00-1976
APHRODISIACS
STRAWBERRIES MAKE A PERSON HORNY. (IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE)
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT FIRST HEARD THIS IN 1979. STRAWBERRIES ARE OFTEN
ASSOCIATED WITH DESERTS AND SWEETS. THIS MAY ACCOUNT FOR ITS
CONNECTION WITH APHRODISIACS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALLEN PARK
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Plant food Fruit BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
MORON JOKE
WHAT IS GREEN AND RED AND GOES 100 MILES PER HOUR? MM
A FROG IN A BLENDER.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF A SICK JOKE. THEY ARE COMMON FADS
AND ARE USUALLY IN QUESTION AND ANSWER FORM. IT CAN BE CLASSIFIED AS
MACABRE HUMOR AND AS A RIDDLE JOKE. HERE THE CONVENTIONAL CHRISTMAS
COLORS OF RED AND GREEN ARE USED DIFFERENTLY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALLEN PARK
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 10-00-1980
TRUE RIDDLE
WHEN IS ICE CREAM LIKE A SHIP? MM
WHEN IT'S A-FLOAT.
Submitter comment:
THIS TRUE RIDDLE IS A CONUNDRUM. IT IS BASED ON WORD PLAY. HERE
A-FLOAT HAS TWO DIFFERENT MEANINGS ATTACHING UNLIKE NOUNS. IT IS
TYPICAL IN THAT IT ASKS WHY ONE THING IS LIKE ANOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALLEN PARK
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: 10-00-1980
WELLERISM
BY GEORGE, SAID PAUL, WHILE SITTING ON THE JOHN. WHERE DID MY
RING GO?
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A WELLERISM-LIKE DEVICE SINCE THERE IS NO HUMOROUS
QUOTATION FOLLOWING. IT IS ALSO SIMILAR TO A TOM SWIFTIE, BUT
THERE IS NO ADVERBIAL PUN. THIS SAYING CONTAINS ALL FOUR OF THE
BEATLES' NAMES - GEORGE, PAUL, JOHN, RINGO - INCORPORATED IN ONE
SENTENCE. JOHN IS USED AS A SLANG FOR TOILET. GEORGE IS USED AS
A SIGN OF EXCLAMATION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALLEN PARK
James Callow Keyword(s): NAME (GEORGE) IN EXCLAMATION ; SLANG: JOHN FOR TOILET
| Subject headings: | Person / Nickname PROVERB -- Wellerism Quotation |
Date learned: 10-00-1980
PROVERB
IF YOUR EAR RINGS,
YOUR NAME SOMEONE SINGS.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT FIRST HEARD THIS PROVERB IN 1976. THE STYLISTIC
DEVICES OF RHYME AND METER ARE USED. INVERSION IS PRESENT IN
THIS SHORT PIECE. KEY WORDS ARE EMPHASIZED AND A CAUSE AND EFFECT
RELATIONSHIP IS PRESENT. IT IS AN "A = B" EQUATION. THE
COLLECTOR INTERPRETS THIS TO MEAN THAT SOMEONE IS TALKING ABOUT
YOU, IF YOUR EARS RING.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALLEN PARK
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; GOSSIP ; Longing ; PREDICTION ; Relationship ; RHYME ; SIGN ; Sing ; SONG ; TALK
Date learned: 10-00-1980 ; 09-00-1976
HOW TWO MEDICINE LAKE GOT ITS NAME
WHEN THE GOVERNMENT SET ASIDE A TRACT OF LAND IN NORTHERN MONTANA
FOR A NATIONAL PARK, ONE OF THE TASKS WAS TO GIVE NAMES TO MANY
OF THE NATURAL FEATURES--STREAMS, MOUNTAINS, ETC. ON THE SHORES
OF TWO MEDICINE LAKE THERE WERE FOUND THE REMAINS OF TWO OLD
MEDICINE LODGES, USED AT ONE TIME TO HOUSE THE INITIATION CEREMONY
MAKING YOUNG BLACKFOOT INDIAN BOYS OFFICIALLY MEN OF THE TRIBE.
THE LAKE WAS FIRST CALLED THE LAKE OF THE TWO MEDICINE LODGES,
OR A SIMILAR TITLE. BY CONSTANT USE, THE NAME WAS SHORTENED,
UNTIL TODAY IT BEARS THE NAME TWO MEDICINE LAKE.
Submitter comment:
AS WAS TOLD TO ME BY A FOREST RANGER AT GLACIER NATIONAL PARK
IN AUGUST, 1969.
Where learned: GLACIER NATIONAL PARK
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name BELIEF -- Maturity |
Date learned: 08-00-1969
PENNSYLVANIA GERMANS (NATIONALITY GROUP)
A COLONY OF AMISH PEOPLE NOW LIVE IN COLON, MICHIGAN. THEY MOVED
HERE FROM PENNSYLVANIA TO ESCAPE PROBLEMS WITH THEIR TEACHERS NOT
HAVING CERTIFICATES. NOW THEY ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM IN COLON.
ONE CAN TELL AN AMISH HOUSE IN COLON, MICH. BECAUSE THE WINDOWS
NEVER HAVE CURTAINS. THEY ONLY HAVE SHADES. THERE IS NO ELECTRICITY
OR LUXURIES IN THEIR HOUSES. THE PEOPLE OFTEN TAKE THEIR
HORSE AND BUGGY TO THE LOCAL SUPERMARKET, LEAVING THE HORSE TIED
TO A HITCHING POST OFF TO THE SIDE. THEY WILL NEVER BUY FOOD WITH
PRESERVATIVES AND PREFER TO EAT A RATHER THICK TASTING BREAD.
THE INFORMANT SAID THAT SHE TASTED THE BREAD AND COULD NOT STAND
MORE THAN A FEW BITES BECAUSE IT WAS SO RICH.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT FIRST LEARNED OF THE AMISH WHILE GOING TO A FAMILY
COTTAGE IN COLON, MICH. IN 1978. HER DESCRIPTION SOUNDS TYPICAL OF
THE CLASSIC PENNSYLVANIA DUTCH ATTIRE AND ATTITUDE. SIMPLICITY
AND KEEPING TO OLD TRADITIONS ARE INHERENT TO HER DESCRIPTION.
UPON VISITING COLON WITH THE INFORMANT, THE COLLECTOR NOTICED THE
SAME CUSTOMS. ONE HEARS ON THE NEWS ABOUT THE CURRENT PROBLEMS
WITH TEACHING, STRESSING THAT NEW DIFFICULTIES ARE ALWAYS ARISING
WITH THE AMISH.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALLEN PARK
Keyword(s): Amish ; BREAD ; Buggy ; Curtains ; GERMAN ; HORSE ; Preservatives ; Shades ; Simplicity ; Technology
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Daily Life CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School Food Drink -- Plant food Cereal BELIEF -- P439 |
Date learned: 10-00-1980 ; 00-00-1978
SUPERSTITION
DRINKING GIN CAUSES WRINKLES. MO OTHER LIQUOR WILL HAVE THIS
RESULT.
Submitter comment:
WHEN QUESTIONED, THE INFORMANT COULD OFFER NO EXPLANATION AS TO
WHY GIN IS THE ONLY LIQUOR THAT HAS WRINKLES AS A RESULT.
PERHAPS SOMEONE IN HIS FAMILY DRANK HIGH AMOUNTS OF GIN AND HAD
A LOT OF WRINKLES. HE MAY HAVE SUBCONSCIOUSLY CONNECTED THE TWO AS
CAUSE AND EFFECT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALLEN PARK
Date learned: 10-00-1980
MNEMONIC DEVICE
AN EASY WAY TO REMEMBER HOW MANY DAYS ARE IN EACH MONTH IS TO
COUNT ON ONE'S KNUCKLES. MONTHS WITH THIRTY ONE DAYS LIE ON THE
TOP OF THE KNUCKLE. MONTHS WITH THIRTY DAYS (29 FOR FEB.) WILL FALL
BETWEEN KNUCKLES. FOR EXAMPLE, JAN. IS ON TOP (HAS 31 DAYS) AND
FEB. IS IN BETWEEN (HAS 29 DAYS) ETC.
Submitter comment:
ALTHOUGH THIS TECHNICALLY IS NOT A MNEMONIC DEVICE SINCE NO
SPEAKING IS INVOLVED, IT IS A SIMPLE TASK USED TO HELP ONE REMEMBER.
WHEN THE COLLECTOR TRIED IT, IT WORKED WITHOUT FLAW IF YOU START
AT THE FIRST KNUCKLE WHEN PROCEEDING FROM JULY TO AUGUST.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALLEN PARK
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Measure of time Month BELIEF -- Number BELIEF -- Number Counting beliefs SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 10-00-1980
PRACTICAL JOKE AND PRANK
WHEN MANY PEOPLE SHARE REFRIGERATORS IN A FRATERNITY, THERE IS A
PROBLEM OF STEALING FOOD. ONE SURE WAY TO STOP THIS IS TO REPLACE
URINE FOR APPLE JUICE IN A STAMPED JUICE BOTTLE. WHEN THE CULPRIT
TAKES HIS FIRST SIP, HE LEARNS HIS LESSON WELL.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT FIRST HEARD OF THIS PRANK IN 1976 AT WESTERN
MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY. UNDOUBTEDLY, THE UNKNOWING PARTY FEELS SOME
PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DISCOMFORT. AFTER THE INITIAL JOKE, ALL
CONCERNED MAY BE MORE SKEPTICAL AND THE STEALING STOPS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALLEN PARK
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School |
Date learned: 10-00-1980 ; 06-00-1978
PRACTICAL JOKE AND PRANK
INCOMING FRESHMEN AT CABRINI HIGH SCHOOL (ALLEN PARK, MI.)
ARE THE BUTT
OF MANY PRACTICAL JOKES. ON THEIR FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL, SENIORS
HAVE THEM BUY ELEVATOR PASSES FOR FIVE DOLLARS. THEY EXPLAIN THAT
ONLY A CHOICE FEW ARE ISSUED THEM. HOWEVER, CABRINI DOES NOT HAVE
AN ELEVATOR AND THE FRESHMEN SOON DISCOVER THAT THEY WERE DUPED.
ANOTHER JOKE IS TO BAPTISE THE FRESHMEN BY PLACING THEIR HEADS
UNDERNEATH A RUNNING FAUCET.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT HEARD OF THESE ACADEME CUSTOMS IN 1970 AT CABRINI
HIGH SCHOOL. THEY ARE A TYPE OF INITIATION RITE OR RITE OF
PASSAGE OF FRESHMEN STUDENTS FROM GRADE SCHOOL TO HIGH SCHOOL.
ALTHOUGH HARMLESS, THEY COULD OFTEN CAUSE HARD FEELINGS. PERHAPS
THE TERM "BAPTISING" ENTERS SINCE CABRINI IS A CATHOLIC SCHOOL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALLEN PARK
Date learned: 10-00-1980 ; 00-00-1970
LEGEND
THERE IS A HOUSE, OR WAS WHEN WE WERE KIDS, ON SAN JUAN IN DETROIT.
IN THIS HOUSE LIVED AN OLD LADY WHO WAS A WITCH. IF YOU EVER WENT
INTO HER BACK YARD, SHE WOULD TAKE YOU INTO HER HOUSE AND EAT YOU
ALIVE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; OAK PARK
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Witch Shaman |
Date learned: 03-28-1970