Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for ANN ARBOR returned 124 results.
BAD LUCK NUMBER
IN MEXICO, IF 13 SIT AT TABLE TO EAT, ONE WILL DIE WITHIN THE YEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 02-04-1968
SUPERSTITION
IF YOU GIVE A SCISSORS OR KNIFE FOR A PRESENT IN MEXICO, YOU WILL
FIGHT WITH THE RECEIVER OF THE GIFT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 02-04-1968
SUPERSTITION
THERE IS A LARGE "M" ON A BLUE BACKGROUND IN THE CONCRETE IN FRONT
OF THE UNDERGRADUATE LIBRARY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN.
NO STUDENT MAY STEP ON THE "M" BEFORE EXAMS OR HE'LL FLUNK OUT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 10-13-1967
JAPANESE POPULAR CUSTOM
IN TOKYO, THE FIRE BRIGADE DEMONSTRATE AND PARADE
(DEZOMESHIKI) IN THE OUTER GARDEN OF MEIJI SHRINE,
WHICH IS THE LARGEST SHRINE IN TOKYO, NAMED AFTER
THE GREATEST JAPANESE EMPEROR; OR IN THE HIBIYA PARK,
A PUBLIC COURTING AND PLAYING PARK.
THE FIREMEN PERFORM ACROBATIC FEATS AT THE TOP OF
BAMBOO LADDERS. THEY ARE ARTISTS ON HIGH LADDERS--
BALANCING ACTS. THEY DO IT IN OLD STYLE UNIFORMS
EVEN NOW. THEY DO THIS FOR MANY YEARS, MANY, MANY
YEARS NOW. IT IS VERY POPULAR DEMONSTRATION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 02-04-1968
KISSING LEGEND
AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, (ANN ARBOR) A GIRL IS
NOT TO BE CONSIDERED A CO-ED UNTIL SHE HAS BEEN KISSED
UNDER THE ARCH OF THE ENGINEERING BUILDING. THE
ACTION MUST TAKE PLACE AT MIDNIGHT, IN ORDER TO BE
VALID.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School |
KISSING LEGEND
ALL NAVAL OFFICER CANDIDATES AND MIDSHIPMEN ARE WARNED
TO KEEP THEIR HATS CAREFULLY IN THEIR POSSESSION,
FOR IF THIS HAT IS TO FALL INTO THE POSSESSION OF ANY
YOUNG LADY, THE RANSOM PRICE IS A KISS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School |
Date learned: 00001965 AUTUMN
TRADITION ON CAMPUS
IN ORDER TO BECOME A CO-ED AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN,
YOU MUST FIRST BE KISSED UNDER THE ARCHWAY GOING INTO
THE LAW QUAD. NO GIRL CAN WALK UNDER THIS ARCHWAY
BY HERSELF UNLESS SHE HAS ALREADY BEEN KISSED.
Submitter comment: A TRADITIONAL SAYING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School BELIEF -- P527 SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 09-20-1967
LUCK
IT IS AN IRISH PIPE SMOKING CUSTOM THAT WHEN A CLAY PIPE IS
BURNED OUT BY ITS OWNER, IT SHOULD BE BURIED AND THE SMOKER WILL
HAVE GOOD LUCK.
Submitter comment: IRISH PIPE SMOKER
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 00001970S
NAMING
TRAYING: WHEN IT SNOWS AND THERE IS NOT MUCH ELSE TO DO,
SOMETIMES PEOPLE WILL SMUGGLE TRAYS OUT OF THE CAFETERIA
IN THE DORM (AT EAST QUAD, USUALLY BY POPPING THE TRAYS OUT
THE WINDOW AND RETRIEVING THEM LATER).THE CONFISCATED TRAYS
ARE THEN TAKEN TO THE NEAREST HILL AND USED LIKE A SLED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School SPEECH -- Proper Name |
Date learned: 10-00-1983
PRANK
ON THE CENTRAL DIAG WHERE THE WALKWAYS INTERSECT, THERE IS
A LARGE BRONZE (OR SOME METAL) M (FOR U. OF M.) IMBEDDED IN
THE CEMENT. PEOPLE WHO'VE BEEN AT MICHIGAN OTHER YEARS KNOW,
BUT THEY TELL THE FRESHMEN THAT IF YOU STEP ON THE M, YOU ARE
DOOMED TO FAIL YOUR FIRST EXAM.
IT'S FUNNY TO WATCH ALL THE FROSH WALK AROUND IT.
Submitter comment:
I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THE RESULT OF STEPPING ON IT COULD
BE THE FAILURE OF THE FIRST FINAL, OR A FIRST CLASS OR TERM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. Observation CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 10-00-1983
"KILLER"
ONCE A YEAR USUALLY, SOMEBODY WILL ORGANIZE THIS GAME THROUGHOUT
THE DORM CALLED "KILLER". THE OBJECT OF THIS GAME IS TO
"KILL" A RANDOMLY ASSIGNED VICTIM WITH A TOY DART GUN, YOU
KNOW, THE KIND WITH THE SUCTION CUPS FOR TIPS, BEFORE YOUR
ASSASIN "KILLS" YOU. THE GAME IS RUN BY "GOD", A CERTAN
PERSON IN CHARGE OF DETERMINING DEATH, WHO USUALLY IS ONE
OF THE PEOPLE WHO STARTED THE WHOLE THING. TO BEGIN, EVERYBODY
WHO WANTS TO PLAY GETS A LITTLE, INSTANT PICTURE TAKEN THAT
IS GLUED TO A 3 BY 5 CARD WITH THEIR NAME AND ROOM NUMBER
WRITTEN ON IT. ALL THE PLAYERS ARE ISSUED THE STANDARD TOY
GUNS THEN, TOO. THEY DISTRIBUTE THE 3 BY 5 CARDS AMONG ALL THE
PLAYERS RANDOMLY, AND THE PERSON ON THE CARD YOU RECEIVE IS
YOUR "VICTIM". IN A STANDARD "KILL", THE VICTIM, UPON HAVING
BEEN "KILLED" BY THE PERSON WITH HIS CARD, GIVES HIS VICTIM
CARD TO HIS ASSASIN, WHO ASSUMES HIS VICTIM'S VICTIM.
THE ASSASIN GIVES THE DEAD VICTIM HIS OWN CARD TO BE POSTED
ON THE "OBITUARY BOARD", WHERE THE CARDS OF KILLED PLAYERS
ARE DISPLAYED BY NUMBER IN THE ORDER IN WHICH THE PLAYERS DIED.
THE WINNER OF THIS GAME IS THE REMAINING ASSASIN, AFTER ALL
THE OTHER PLAYERS HAVE "DIED". THERE ARE A COUPLE RULES,
ONE IS THAT NO PLAYER CAN BE KILLED IN HIS OWN ROOM UNLESS
HE LETS THE ASSASIN IN; NOBODY CAN BARGE OR BREAK INTO ANYONE
ELSE'S ROOM. OH, AND THERE CAN'T BE ANY MORE THAN TWO WITNESSES
TO THE KILLING, UNLESS, OF COURSE, THE ASSASIN PUTS ON
A MASK. THE ONLY PROBLEM WITH THAT, THOUGH, IS THAT ANYONE
WEARING A MASK IS CONSIDERED TO HAVE HIS GUN DRAWN.
ANY PLAYER WITH HIS GUN DRAWN CAN BE SHOT BY ANY OTHER PLAYER,
SO IT'S ALMOST NOT WORTH IT. THE GAME CAN LAST WEEKS OR
EVEN MONTHS.
Submitter comment:
THE GAME "KILLER" AS DESCRIBED HERE IS PLAYED IN UNIVERSITY OF
MICHIGAN'S EAST QUAD, A DORMITORY ON THE CENTRAL CAMPUS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 11-00-1983
QUARTER BOUNCE
THE OBJECT OF THIS GAME IS TO SOMEHOW BOUNCE A QUARTER
INTO A GLASS. THE PERSON THAT SUCCEEDS CAN MAKE ANYONE
PLAYING DRINK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
James Callow Keyword(s): DRINKING GAME
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 00001980S
ZOOM
A GROUP OF PEOPLE WOULD SIT IN A CIRCLE AND EACH PERSON
WOULD SAY "ZOOM" GOING CLOCKWISE, SOMEONE WOULD SAY 'ERR'
(THE SOUND OF SCREECHING TIRES) THE DIRECTION WOULD
CHANGE AND EVERYONE WOULD SAY "ZOOM" COUNTER CLOCKWISE.
THIS WAS DONE TO A BEAT AND IF SOMEONE MISSED IT THEY
WERE MADE TO DRINK A BEER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Mental Activity |
Date learned: 00001980S
AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN (ANN ARBOR), A COED IS
NOT OFFICIALLY A COED UNTIL SHE IS KISSED UNDER THE
ARCH AT MIDNIGHT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 03-00-1970
YOU ARE NOT A COED AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN UNTIL
YOU ARE KISSED UNDER THE ENGINEERING ARCH AT MIDNIGHT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 03-10-1970
A FEMALE STUDENT ATTENDING THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN (ANN
ARBOR, MICHIGAN) IS NOT TRULY A U OF M COED UNTIL SHE HAS
BEEN KISSED UNDER THE ENGINEERING BUILDING ARCH AT THE STROKE
OF MIDNIGHT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing BELIEF -- Number |
Date learned: 10-13-1967
JAPANESE FOOD CUSTOM
WE PREPARE AND EAT A DISH MADE WITH LOTUS PLANTS ON NEW
YEAR'S DAY BECAUSE IT IS A SACRED PLANT AND A GOOD OMEN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals |
Date learned: 02-04-1968
JANUARY 1ST IS THE JAPANESE NEW YEAR AND A NATIONAL HOLIDAY.
ALL HOUSE FRONTS ARE LIGHTED AND DECORATED WITH PINE TREES
(KADOMATSU) AND BAMBOO STALKS. THE DECORATIONS ARE TAKEN
DOWN ON JAN. 7. IN JAPAN, BAMBOO IS A SYMBOL OF HAPPINESS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; JAPAN ; ANN ARBOR
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 7 |
Date learned: 02-04-1968
WE HAVE NO RELIGION IN JAPAN. WE EXCHANGE GREETING CARDS
WITH FRIENDS AND RELATIVES ON JANUARY FIRST, NEW YEAR'S
DAY. NOT TO DO SO IS IMPOLITE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; JAPAN ; ANN ARBOR
Keyword(s): WHAT ABOUT SHINTO
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 7 |
Date learned: 02-04-1968
THE MATCH GAME
ANY NUMBER OF PEOPLE MAY PLAY THIS GAME, ALTHOUGH IT
IS PREFERABLE THAT NO MORE THAN FIVE OR SIX PLAY.
THE PLAYERS FORM A CIRCLE AND LIGHT A MATCH. THE
MATCH IS THEN PASSED AROUND THE CIRCLE (IN EITHER
DIRECTION) AND WHEN THE MATCH GOES OUT, THE PERSON
HOLDING THE MATCH MUST ANSWER A QUESTION FROM ONE
OF THE OTHER PLAYERS. PERSONAL QUESTIONS ARE
IN PARTICULAR INVITED.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT, LEARNED THIS GAME FROM A FELLOW
EMPLOYEE AT ALLIS-CHALMERS CORP, IN MILWAUKEE, WISC.
A FREDERICK RODRIGUEZ, OF CARACAS, VENEZUELA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime |