Dr. James T. Callow publications
Browse by
Questions or comments on this site? Please email davidsor@udmercy.edu.
The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for JACKSON returned 72 results.
FOR CUTS ON YOUR HANDS SPIT WHISKY ON THE CUT. WHISKY WILL
KILL THE GERMS AND PREVENT INFECTION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; JACKSON
James Callow Keyword(s): WHISKEY
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Remedy |
Date learned: 10-01-1972
IF THE CORN IS NOT KNEE HIGH BY THE FOURTH OF JULY IT WILL BE
A BAD YEAR FOR CORN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; JACKSON
Date learned: 10-01-1972
IF IT'S RAINING AT SEVEN
IT WILL QUIT BY ELEVEN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; JACKSON
James Callow Keyword(s): FEMININE RHYME ; RHYME: AA
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief |
Date learned: 10-01-1972
IN THE CASE OF SNAKE BITE CUT AN X OVER EACH FANG MARK , SUCK
THE POISON OUT AND SPIT THE JUICE FROM CHEWING TOBACCO ON THE WOUND, THE TOBAC
JUICE KILLS THE GERMS AND COUNTERACTS WHAT
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; JACKSON
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Animal BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 10-01-1972
PRANK
ONE PERSON TELLS A YOUNG GIRL THAT THE COINS HE HAS CAN
FORETELL HER FUTURE HUSBAND. THE COINS ARE FLIPPED,
BUT HELD TOGETHER HIDING WHAT THEY HAVE INDICATED,
WHETHER YES OR NO TO QUESTIONS ABOUT HIM. FINALLY,
THE QUESTION "WHAT WILL BE MY FIRST WORDS TO HIM ON
OUR WEDDING NIGHT?" THIS TIME THE COINS ARE HELD
TIGHT AND THE GIRL SAYS (IN ANSWER TO HER OWN
QUESTION) "GIVE IT TO ME!" OR "LET ME HAVE IT!"
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; JACKSON
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
ZIPPER GESTURE
GOING UP TO SOMEONE AND SAYING "XYZ," IS TELLING THEM
TO "XAMINE YOUR ZIPPER."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; JACKSON
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
GOLF
YOU DRIVE FOR SHOW, AND PUTT FOR DOUGH.
Submitter comment:
MEANING THE FINAL, AND MOST IMPORTANT MOMENT IN A GAME
OF GOLF IS THE PUTTING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; JACKSON
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief C860.300 Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief C860.536 |
Date learned: 10-25-1970
RIDDLE
WHAT IS GREEN AND BUMPY AND LEAPS BUILDINGS IN A
SINGLE BOUND?
ANSWER: SUPERPICKLE
Data entry tech comment: SUPERMAN, A CARTOON CHARACTER, HAD THE POWER TO FLY, ; AND IN
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; JACKSON
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 00-00-1970
A jar of pennies in the kitchen brings good luck.
Submitter comment: Her mom has always had one there.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; JACKSON
James Callow Keyword(s): COINS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 00001970S
Turn a piece of silver in your pocket upon seeing
a full moon & your wish will come true.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; JACKSON
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Dress Lower body and legs BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth BELIEF -- Prayer BELIEF -- P753 |
Date learned: 00001980S
When it is exactly midnight, on New Year's Eve, someone
has to be outside, and they must go in by the back door
and out through the front door, and round, and in again
by the back.
Submitter comment: Her family has done that as far back as she can remember.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; JACKSON
Keyword(s): tradition
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Wall Partition Door Window BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 00001970S
Mock Wedding
It is a tradition in Marcie's Polish family to have a
mock wedding, the day after an actual wedding ceremony
takes place in the family. All the guests assume positions
in the wedding, and act out another wedding and reception.
They sometimes dress in strange outfits, and invent humorous
themes for the various positions in the wedding party.
Examples: a jilted lover, bride dresses like a whore, the
groom is too drunk to stand up straight, etc.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; JACKSON
Keyword(s): pretend
James Callow Keyword(s): HUMOR
| Subject headings: | Favorites DRAMA -- Secular CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Date learned: 00001970S
DRINKING GAME
THE PLAYERS MUST RESPOND WHEN POINTED TO. IF THE
PERSON POINTING YELLS "FIGLIANO," HE MUST POINT TO
SOMEONE ELSE AND SAY "SCHARTZ," AND VICE VERSA.
HOWEVER, IF SOMEONE YELLS "ZOOM" THE TURN GOES TO
THE PERSON BEFORE HIM, NO MATTER WHO HE MAY POINT TO.
OF COURSE, THE PENALTY FOR VIOLATING ANY OF THE RULES
IS THAT HE MUST DRINK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; JACKSON
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Bodily Activity Song: Game, Pastime, Sport |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
PENNSYLVANIA DUTCH
THIS IS AN ACTING GAME. THE PLAYERS DIVIDE UP INTO
TWO SIDES AND DETERMINE WHICH SIDE WILL GO FIRST.
THAT SIDE DECIDES ON SOME PANTOMIME THAT THEY WILL
PERFORM. THEY THEN GO OVER TO THE OTHER SIDE AND
RECITE THIS RHYME:
(SIDE ONE IS THE ACTING SIDE):
1. HERE WE COME.
2. WHERE FROM?
1: PENNSYLVANIA DUTCH.
2. WHAT'S YOUR TRADE?
1. LEMONADE.
2. SHOW US SOME.
SIDE ONE THEN ACTS OUT ITS PANTOMIME. AS SOON AS
SOMEONE ON SIDE TWO KNOWS WHAT SIDE ONE IS DOING,
HE SHOUTS IT OUT. IF IT IS RIGHT, SIDE TWO CHASES SIDE
ONE BACK TO ITS GOAL. EVERY PERSON IT CATCHES GOES
OVER TO SIDE TWO. THEN IT IS SIDE TWO'S TURN. IF
THEY DON'T CATCH ANYONE, SIDE ONE TAKES ANOTHER TURN.
THIS CONTINUES UNTIL THERE IS ONLY ONE SIDE LEFT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; JACKSON
James Callow Keyword(s): DIALOGUE ; DRINK: LEMONADE ; RHYME: AABCCA
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
UNDER THE SHEETS
A PERSON IS ASKED TO NAME HIS FAVORITE SONGS, BUT
TO ADD TO THEM THE PHRASE "UNDER THE SHEETS,"
THUS CREATING A DIFFERENT MEANING TO THE TITLE,
AND THEREFORE PROVIDING HUMOR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; JACKSON
James Callow Keyword(s): NAMING GAME ; TITLES
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Mental Activity |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
DON'T EVER WALK A HALF MILE WITH A STRANGER
WITHOUT FINDING OUT HIS NAME. IF YOU DO, BAD LUCK
WILL SET UPON YOU FOR THE REST OF THE DAY.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT, WHO IS THE AUNT OF THE COLLECTOR,
LEARNED THIS AS A GIRL IN JACKSON, MICHIGAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; JACKSON
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Bad luck Activities |
IF YOU SEW ON SUNDAY, AFTER YOU DIE YOU WILL HAVE TO
RIP OUT ALL YOUR SUNDAY STITCHES WITH YOUR NOSE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; JACKSON
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour |
Date learned: 10-25-1970
THREE TIMES A BRIDESMAID, NEVER A BRIDE.
Submitter comment:
SHE HAS HEARD MANY PEOPLE SAY THAT THIS ACTUALLY
WORKS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; JACKSON
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple BELIEF -- Marriage Dating Courtship |
Date learned: 10-25-1970
IF YOU TAKE THE LAST PIECE OF FOOD ON THE PLATE, YOU'LL
BE AN OLD MAID.
Submitter comment:
TOLD TO HER BY HER GRANDMOTHER. NEVER SAID IN REFERENCE
TO MEN BEING BACHELORS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; JACKSON
Keyword(s): SPINSTER
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Marriage Dating Courtship BELIEF -- Number Emptiness, nothingness, zero |
Date learned: 10-25-1970
IF YOU FIND AN OLD TIRE, THROW IT IN THE RIVER AND
YOU WILL FIND SOME MONEY.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT THOUGHT THAT HE ORIGINATED THIS SUPERSTITION
BECAUSE WHEN HE WAS A YOUNG LAD IN JACKSON, MICHIGAN,
HE CARRIED OUT THIS PRACTICE THREE TIMES AND FOUND
MONEY EACH TIME. HE HAD NEVER HEARD OF IT, PREVIOUSLY.
HE HAS NOT DONE IT SINCE THEN, BECAUSE HE FEARS
IT WILL NOT WORK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; JACKSON
James Callow Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth BELIEF -- Use of Object Manufactured objects, homemade, machined BELIEF -- Use of Object Human beings and their activities |
Date learned: 04-18-1965