Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for HIGH SCHOOL returned 100 results.
SWAT ON THE RUMP
IT IS ACCEPTED IN FOOTBALL THAT THE REWARDS OF A GOOD
PLAY OR A NICE TRY IS A SWAT ON THE RUMP WITH THE OPEN
PALM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HIGH SCHOOL ; DETROIT ; FOOTBALL
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion SPEECH -- Body parts involved S602.3 SPEECH -- Congratulations Appreciation |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
SUPERSTITION
ON AN ENGLISH PAPER THE INFORMANT STATED THAT IN HER
NEIGHBORHOOD IT IS AN ESTABLISHED BELIEF THAT "A GIRL
CANNOT GET PREGNANT UNTIL SHE HAS HAD SEXUAL
INTERCOURSE AT LEAST NINE TIMES."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
| Subject headings: | 686 Ninths / Nine CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Date learned: 00-00-1961
BERMUDA DAY
ON THIS DAY, ALL MEMBERS OF THE STUDENT BODY COME TO
SCHOOL IN BERMUDA SHORTS. IT USUALLY OCCURS TOWARDS
THE END OF MAY WHEN THE STUDENTS GET THEIR YEARBOOKS.
EVERYONE LIES ON THE FLOOR AND SIGNS YEARBOOKS.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT SAW SOME FELLOW STUDENTS DO IT.
Where learned: FRANKLIN HIGH SCHOOL ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; LIVONIA
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School |
Date learned: 00001967 FALL
CHEER
AT U OF D HIGH IN DETROIT, THE TEAM WAS CALLED THE CUBS. IT JUST SO
HAPPENED THAT WKNR RADIO WAS HAVING A CONTEST AND GIVING A LION
CUB TO THE PERSON WHO COULD COUNT HOW MANY TIMES THE LION ROARED ON
WKNR ON ONE GIVEN NIGHT. A KID FROM U OF D WON THE LION CUB AND HE
BROUGHT IT TO THE GAMES. A CHEER WAS MADE UP LIKE GROWLING AND
ROARING. R-R-R-R-ROAR, R-R-R-R-RED, R-R-R-R-ROAR.
ROAR, RED, ROAR! THE TEAM'S COLOR WAS RED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT HIGH SCHOOL, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 03-08-1971
ELEPHANT JOKE
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN ELEPHANT AND A GRAPE?
AN ELEPHANT IS GRAY AND A GRAPE IS PURPLE.
WHAT DID TARZAN SAY WHEN HE SAW THE ELEPHANTS COMING OVER THE HILL?
HERE COME THE ELEPHANTS OVER THE HILL.
WHAT DID JANE SAY WHEN SHE SWW THE ELEPHANTS COMING OVER THE HILL?
HERE COME THE GRAPES. SHE WAS COLOR-BLIND.
Where learned: HIGH SCHOOL ; DUNDEE COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL
Keyword(s): CHAIN OF RIDDLES
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 00-00-1964
ELEPHANT JOKE
WHERE DO YOU FIND ELEPHANTS?
IT DEPENDS WHERE YOU LOST THEM.
Where learned: HIGH SCHOOL ; DUNDEE COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 00-00-1964
AT A POLISH WEDDING, IT IS CUSTOMARY TO PLACE A LARGE
BOWLING BALL WITH CHAIN AROUND THE BRIDE, REMINDING
HER THAT NOW SHE IS "TIED DOWN" TO ONE MAN. THIS
IS GENERALLY DONE SOMETIME DURING THE RECEPTION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT HIGH SCHOOL
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Reception |
Date learned: 10-27-1971
ON ST. NICHOLAS DAY (DECEMBER 6) IT IS A TRADITION AMONG
POLES IN CHICAGO TO HAVE THEIR CHILDREN PUT SHOES
OUT ON THE FRONT PORCH; DURING THE NIGHT THE SHOES
ARE FILLED WITH TANGERINES, A FAVORITE FRUIT
AROUND CHRISTMAS TIME.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT HIGH SCHOOL
Keyword(s): Celebration ; CUSTOM ; CUSTOM ; FESTIVAL ; GAME ; holiday ; Nicholas ; Nick ; Saint ; ST. NICHOLAS ; tradition
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 6 Feast of St. Nicholas |
Date learned: 10-27-1971
SUPERSTITION
DON'T ACCEPT STRAIGHT PINS AS A GIFT. IT'S BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT DOES NOT BELIEVE THIS SUPERSTITION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK ; SAINT FLORIAN HIGH SCHOOL
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 00-00-1973
IT IS A CUSTOM AMONG ORTHODOX JEWS TO RETURN TO THE
PARENTS OF THE BRIDE THE SHEET FROM THE MARRIAGE
BED ON WHICH THE BROKEN HYMEN HAS BLED, FOR THIS
SHOWS THAT THE BRIDE WAS A VIRGIN AT HER MARRIAGE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT HIGH SCHOOL
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage F545.151 |
Date learned: 00001966 SPRING
THE PUTTING TOGETHER OF THE HANDS AND SLIGHTLY BOWING
FROM THE WAIST--MEANING, "PRAY PLEASE SHUT UP. I'D
LIKE TO SPEAK."
Where learned: BUFFALO ; HIGH SCHOOL ; NEW YORK
| Subject headings: | 602 Body Parts SPEECH -- Instructions Directions Silence |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
OVER THE BOTTLES
TWO LINES OF MILK BOTTLES, SPACED ABOUT TWO FEET
APART, ARE PLACED ON THE FLOOR SO THAT THE PERSON
STANDS WITH LEGS WIDE APART AND HIS FEET CAN TOUCH
THE MILK BOTTLES. THE PERSON IS THEN BLINDFOLDED AND
TOLD TO STRADDLE THE BOTTLES. THE PERSON BLINDFOLDED
IS A GIRL. THE BOTTLES ARE THEN QUIETLY REMOVED,
WITHOUT HER KNOWLEDGE, AND SHE PROCEEDS TO STRADDLE
THEM ANYWAY. WHEN SHE HAS COME TO THE END OF THE LINE
OF MILK BOTTLES THAT SHOULD BE THERE, A BOY LIES
DOWN ON THE FLOOR WHERE THE MILK BOTTLES WERE, IN THE
MIDDLE OF THE PATH, FACE UP, HOLDING A LIGHTED FLASHLIGHT
IN HIS HAND, SHINING UP. THE BLINDFOLD IS THEN REMOVED
AND THE GIRL TURNS AROUND TO SEE HOW SHE MANAGED TO
GO THROUGH THE LINE WITHOUT KNOCKING ANY BOTTLES
OVER, AND SHE SEES THIS BOY LYING THERE WITH THE
FLASHLIGHT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HIGH SCHOOL ; SAGINAW
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Bodily Activity Song: Game, Pastime, Sport |
Date learned: 00-00-1964
MYSTERIOUS LIGHT
JUST OUTSIDE OF THE CITY OF SAGINAW, MICHIGAN, IN A
SMALL VILLAGE CALLED SHIELDS, THERE IS A LEGEND OF THE
DISAPPEARING LIGHT. THE STORY GOES THAT OUTSIDE OF
SHIELDS CITY LIMITS, IN THE FORESTS THERE IS A LIGHT
WHICH APPEARS FROM A SMALL HILL IRREGULARLY. NO ONE TO
THIS DAY HAS BEEN ABLE TO ISOLATE WHERE THE LIGHT IS
COMING FROM OR WHO CAUSES IT. PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY HIGH
SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN, HAVE TRIED TO FIND THE SOURCE, AND
COME SO FAR AS TO CAPTURE IT BETWEEN TWO CARS. WHEN
THE CARS CREPT TOGETHER, HOWEVER, THE LIGHT DISAPPEARED
AND BOTH CARS HAD ELECTRICAL SHORTAGES. EVEN PROFESSIONAL
ELECTRICIANS HAVE COMBED THE COUNTRYSIDE BUT TO NO GOOD
SO FAR. PEOPLE IN AND AROUND THE CITY OF SAGINAW STILL
TRAVEL OUT ON THE HOPE OF SEEING THE MYSTERIOUS LIGHT.
Submitter comment:
THIS LEGEND WAS TOLD TO ME AT ST. STEPHEN HIGH SCHOOL,
SAGINAW, MICHIGAN, BY SEVERAL DIFFERENT INFORMANTS
IN 1969.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW ; SAINT STEPHEN HIGH SCHOOL
Keyword(s): PHANTOM LIGHT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Legend |
Date learned: 00-00-1969
MYSTERIOUS LIGHT
JUST OUTSIDE OF THE CITY OF SAGINAW, MICHIGAN, IN A
SMALL VILLAGE CALLED SHIELDS, THERE IS A LEGEND OF THE
DISAPPEARING LIGHT. THE STORY GOES THAT OUTSIDE OF
SHIELDS CITY LIMITS, IN THE FORESTS THERE IS A LIGHT
WHICH APPEARS FROM A SMALL HILL IRREGULARLY. NO ONE TO
THIS DAY HAS BEEN ABLE TO ISOLATE WHERE THE LIGHT IS
COMING FROM OR WHO CAUSES IT. PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY HIGH
SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN, HAVE TRIED TO FIND THE SOURCE, AND
COME SO FAR AS TO CAPTURE IT BETWEEN TWO CARS. WHEN
THE CARS CREPT TOGETHER, HOWEVER, THE LIGHT DISAPPEARED
AND BOTH CARS HAD ELECTRICAL SHORTAGES. EVEN PROFESSIONAL
ELECTRICIANS HAVE COMBED THE COUNTRYSIDE BUT TO NO GOOD
SO FAR. PEOPLE IN AND AROUND THE CITY OF SAGINAW STILL
TRAVEL OUT ON THE HOPE OF SEEING THE MYSTERIOUS LIGHT.
Submitter comment:
THIS LEGEND WAS TOLD TO ME AT ST. STEPHEN HIGH SCHOOL,
SAGINAW, MICHIGAN, BY SEVERAL DIFFERENT INFORMANTS
IN 1969.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW ; SAINT STEPHEN HIGH SCHOOL
Keyword(s): PHANTOM LIGHT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Legend |
Date learned: 00-00-1969
FUDGE, FUDGE CALL THE JUDGE, / MA'S GONNA HAVE A BABY./ IT'S NOT A
GIRL, IT'S NOT A BOY,/ IT'S JUST AN ORDINARY BABY./ WRAP IT UP IN
TISSUE PAPER/ AND SEND IT UP THE ELEVATOR. 1,2,3, ETC.
Where learned: SAINT STANISLAUS HIGH SCHOOL
Keyword(s): CHARACTER ; ENDURANCE ; Jump
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 12-03-1967
CINDERELLA DRESSED IN YELLOW WENT UPSTAIRS TO KISS A FELLOW. 1,2,3, ETC.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; ST. STANISLAUS HIGH SCHOOL
Keyword(s): CHARACTER ; ENDURANCE JUMP
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 12-03-1967
DING-DONGS
WHAT IS GREEN AND GOES DING-DONG?
I DON'T KNOW
A GREEN DING-DONG
WHAT IS RED AND GOES DING-DONG?
I DON@T KNOW-RED DING-DONG, MAYBE?
NO STUPID} A FIRE ENGINE
Submitter comment: FIRST HEARD AT MERCY HIGH SCHOOL ABOUT 1959
Where learned: DETROIT ; MERCY HIGH SCHOOL
Keyword(s): COLOR ; VEHICLE TRANSPORTATION
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: CA00001959
I AM NO POET,
I HAVE NO FAME,
BUT JUST THE SAME,
I'LL SIGN MY NAME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HIGH SCHOOL ; DETROIT ; SAINT CYRIL
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Announcing a signature |
Date learned: 00-00-1962
SOMETIMES I'M NAUGHTY,
SOMETIMES I'M NICE,
BUT JUST TO BE NAUGHTY,
I'LL SIGN MY NAME TWICE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HIGH SCHOOL ; DETROIT ; SAINT CYRIL
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Announcing a signature |
PUT A PIECE OF WEDDING CAKE UNDER YOUR PILLOW (I THINK IT ONLY
WORKS FOR GIRLS) AND SHE WILL DREAM OF HER FUTURE HUSBAND.
Where learned: ALABAMA ; BIRMINGHAM ; SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
| Subject headings: | 862 Use of object for determining future spouse CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Wedding cake BELIEF -- Dreams Dreams about friends and lovers |