Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for KANSAS returned 115 results.
Q. WHY DO FARTS SMELL? A. FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE DEAF.
Where learned: KANSAS ; TOPEKA
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
THE GIRL WHO TAKES THE LAST PIECE OF CAKE, CANDY, ETC.,
WILL BE AN OLD MAID
Where learned: MISSOURI ; KANSAS CITY
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Food BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Sign or prediction through Human condition and activities |
Date learned: 00001950'S
PLEASANT SUMMER?
THERE WAS A MAN WHO LIVED IN BOWLING GREEN WHO BOUGHT HIMSELF
A COFFIN AND SLEPT IN IT, SO IT WOULD NOT BE FAMILIAR TO HIM
WHEN HE DIED.
Where learned: Arkansas ; RUSSELLVILLE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Man |
WHEN A COUPLE IS MARRIED, THEIR FRIENDS MESS UP THEIR
CAR. THEY PUT WATERMELONS UNDER THE WHEELS AND PUT
WHIP(PED)CREAM AND EGGS ON THE CAR. THEY ALSO
FILL THE INSIDE OF THE CAR WITH RICE AND NEWSPAPER.
THIS IS TO TEASE THEM BECAUSE THE COUPLE "FINALLY
GOT CAUGHT."
Submitter comment: THIS IS DONE IN KANSAS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; KANSAS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage F545.082 |
Date learned: 11-00-1970
FRIENDS OF A NEWLYWED COUPLE BREAK INTO THE COUPLE'S
ROOM THE NIGHT AFTER THEY ARE MARRIED; THEY PUT THE
GIRL IN A WHEELBARROW AND THE BOY HAS TO PUSH HER DOWN
THE MAIN STREET. THEY ARE TAKEN IN WHATEVER THEY ARE
WEARING.
Submitter comment: THIS IS STILL DONE IN THE SMALLER TOWNS IN KANSAS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; KANSAS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Disturbing bride and groom Charivari Shivaree Belling |
Date learned: 11-00-1970
SAY "BREAD AND BUTTER" WHEN AN OBJECT COMES BETWEEN YOU
AND YOUR COMPANION OR YOU WILL HAVE AN ARGUMENT.
Where learned: MISSOURI ; KANSAS CITY
James Callow Keyword(s): FIGHT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Sign or prediction through Human condition and activities SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 00001950'S
MRS. MOOR SAYS THAT WHEN YOU GIVE A PURSE TO
SOMEONE OR PUT ONE IN STORAGE YOU SHOULD LEAVE
A PENNY IN IT; OTHERWISE THE PURSE WILL NEVER
HOLD MONEY.
Where learned: KANSAS ; WHITE CITY
Keyword(s): GIFTS, PRESENTS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 00001975CA
WHEN WEARING A NECKLACE, THE CLASP SOMETIMES WORKS ITS
WAY TO THE FRONT. GRAB THE CLASP AND TURN IT AROUND WHILE
MAKING A WISH. IF YOU DO NOT TELL WHAT THE WISH WAS,
IT WILL COME TRUE.
Submitter comment:
THIS SUPERSTITION IS WIDESPREAD. WHEN THE INFORMANT MOVED
TO DETROIT, SHE LEARNED THAT KIDS IN DETROIT BELIEVE THIS
TOO.
Where learned: KANSAS ; WHITE CITY
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Prayer |
IF A SINGLE GIRL DOESN'T HOLD HER BREATH WHEN PASSING A
CEMETARY, HER BOYFRIEND WILL DIE BEFORE THEY MARRY.
Where learned: KANSAS ; WICHITA
James Callow Keyword(s): CEMETERY
Date learned: 02-02-1970
IT IS BAD LUCK FOR THE COUPLE, IF THE BRIDE SEES HER
HUSBAND-TO-BE BEFORE THE CEREMONY ON THE DAY OF THE
WEDDING.
Where learned: KANSAS ; WICHITA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Marriage Separation before wedding BELIEF -- Bad luck Crucial moment of life |
Date learned: 09-28-1973
HUMOR
THAT'S AS FUNNY AS A PAY TOILET IN A DIARRHEA WARD.
Where learned: KANSAS ; WICHITA
Keyword(s): BLACK HUMOR
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
HUMOR
THAT WENT OVER LIKE A LEAD BALLOON.
Where learned: KANSAS ; WICHITA
Keyword(s): IRONY
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
WHEN OPENING WEDDING OR BRIDAL SHOWER GIFTS, EVERY RIBBON
OR STRING YOU BREAK IS SUPPOSED TO REPRESENT A FUTURE CHILD
FROM YOUR MARRIAGE.
Where learned: KANSAS ; WICHITA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Marriage Breaking of |
Date learned: CAN'T REMEMBER
IF YOU PULL ONE WHITE HAIR OUT OF YOUR HEAD, TWO WILL GROW
BACK.
Where learned: KANSAS ; WICHITA
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. 686 Seconds / Twice / Two BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hair, on head, mustache, widow's peak |
Date learned: UNKNOWN
THE PERSON WHO GETS THE LONGEST END OF A WISHBONE,
GETS HIS WISH.
Where learned: MISSOURI ; KANSAS CITY
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color |
CHEWING ON THE ICE AFTER FINISHING A DRINK IS A SIGN
OF SEXUAL FRUSTRATION.
Where learned: MISSOURI ; KANSAS CITY
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 00-00-1970
PROVERB
RAKING YOU OVER THE COALS.
Submitter comment:
GOSSIPING ABOUT SOMEONE.
MRS. REAVES SAID THAT THIS WAS A COMMON EXPRESSION USED IN
FORT SMITH, ARKANSAS WHEN SHE WAS A GIRL.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE ; Arkansas ; FORT SMITH
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase |
Date learned: 08-13-1968
PROVERB
DYING LIKE FLIES WITH THE BOTTS.
Submitter comment:
MRS. REAVES SAID THAT THIS WAS AN EXPRESSION WHICH SHE HEARD
AS A GIRL IN FORT SMITH, ARKANSAS, WHEN SO MANY PEOPLE WERE
DYING BECAUSE OF AN EPIDEMIC.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE ; Arkansas ; FORT SMITH
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: 08-13-1968
WHY THE LIZARD NEVER LEARNED TO BELLOW
ONCE THERE WAS A LIZARD WHO HEARD A BULL BELLOW.
THIS SEEMED TO BE A FINE THING TO DO, SO HE
DECIDED TO ASK THE BULL TO TEACH HIM. THE BULL
WAS VERY FLATTERED AND DECIDED TO GO ABOUT TEACHING
THE LIZARD IN A VERY CAREFUL WAY. "FIRST," THE BULL
SAID, "YOU MUST HUMP UP YOUR BACK LIKE THIS," AND HE
SHOWED HIM. "OH, YES," SAID THE LIZARD, "I SEE NOW."
THANK YOU VERY MUCH."
SO THE LIZARD WENT AROUND FROM THEN ON HUMPING UP HIS
BACK, AND HE NEVER LEARNED TO BELLOW.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A STORY WHICH MY MOTHER TOLD ME WHEN I WAS
A SMALL GIRL. HER GRANDMOTHER TOLD IT TO HER IN
FORT SMITH, ARKANSAS WHEN SHE WAS A GIRL. I
RECORDED IT JULY 23, 1968, IN NASHVILLE.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE ; Arkansas ; FORT SMITH
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal |
Date learned: 07-23-1968
AN ACHING CORN ON THE FOOT IS AN INDICATION OF RAIN.
Submitter comment: THIS IS A COMMON SUPERSTITION. I CANNOT REMEMBER WHERE I
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE ; Arkansas ; FORT SMITH
Date learned: 08-08-1968