Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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IF YOUR NOSE ITCHES, THE NEXT PERSON WHO KISSES
YOU IS A FOOL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Sensations and involuntary actions Itching nose |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
BACK WHEN MY GREAT UNCLE WAS GROWING UP, ON SUNDAYS
WHEN THEY SAT DOWN TO EAT DINNER AND UNEXPECTED COMPANY
SHOWED UP, HIS MOTHER WOULD SAY TO THE CHILDREN NOT TO
EAT ANY OF THE MEAT SO THE COMPANY COULD HAVE SOME. AS THE
MEAT DISH WAS PLACED AROUND THE DINNER TABLE, THE CHILDREN
WOULD PASS ON THE MEAT. AT THE END OF DINNER WHEN HIS
MOTHER GOT UP TO GET THE DESSERT, SHE WOULD SAY, "ALL
THE CHILDREN WHO DIDN'T EAT ANY MEAT FOR DINNER COULDN'T
HAVE ANY DESERT."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
Keyword(s): UNFAIR PRACTICE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222. |
Date learned: 00001970S
LEGEND
IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA THERE IS A LAKE CALLED "MC LAC," IN THE
MIDDLE OF WHICH IS A GLASS HILL THAT SHINES BRILLIANTLY IN THE
SUN. LEGEND HAS IT THAT THE INDIANS BUILT THIS HILL TO HONOR
THE SUN GOD. FOR HUNDREDS OF YEARS THEY CARRIED THESE CRYSTAL
ROCKS OUT TO THE MIDDLE OF THE LAKE BY MEANS OF CANOES. A ROCK
WAS OFFERRED BY THE ENTIRE TRIBE WHENEVER A FAVOR WAS GRANTED
BY THE SUN GOD. THEY CONTINUED THIS RITUAL UNTIL THE HILL WAS
FAR ENOUGH OUT OF THE WATER TO REFLECT THE SUN'S GOODNESS BY
GIVING BACK ITS LIGHT.
Submitter comment:
SISTER KATERI'S FATHER TOLD THIS STORY TO HER WHEN SISTER WAS A
YOUNGSTER:
Where learned: MINNESOTA ; MINNEAPOLIS ; SOUTH SAINT PAUL
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Sun PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formation PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mineral |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
A CUSTOM OR RATHER SUPERSTITION STILL FOLLOWED BY
SOME UKRAINIAN-AMERICANS TODAY STATES THAT IF A
SINGLE GIRL FALLS ON THE ICE ON NEW YEAR'S DAY, SHE
WILL BE MARRIED. IF AN OLD MAN FALLS ON NEW YEAR'S
DAY (SLIPPING ON THE ICE) THEN HE WILL DIE IN
THAT SAME YEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK
| Subject headings: | Observation CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Measure of time Year |
Date learned: 09-20-1969
FOLK CURE
FOR PNEUMONIA, PUT CHOPPED RAW ONIONS
IN A WOOL SOCK AND PUT THE SOCK ON YOUR FOOT
OR ON YOUR CHEST.
THE POISON WILL BE DRAWN OUT BY THE ONIONS.
Submitter comment: FROM MRS. HOWARD OF SCOTCH - IRISH DESCENT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 00001964 SUMMER
African-American children's jumping rope game
Dum Dee Dum Dee Doe Doe
catch me if you can
I can run faster than
(say the name of the person to chase you) can!
1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10 (jump out of the rope)
Submitter comment:
This game is played jumping rope. Two people are
turning the rope, one on each end. The person to be
chased says the above rhyme, then jumps out. The person
to tag runs in afterwards. Each one can only jump one
time in the rope. This is a fast chase game.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; other children in the community
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 00001960-61
A ball game played by African-American Children
Hello, hello, hello sir
how are you today sir?
fine sir
yes sir
Submitter comment:
This game is played by one or more players. The player(s)
bounces a ball to each word of the rhyme. When the word "sir"
is said the player must cross his/her leg over the ball.
Rhythm is very important in that the ball and the rhyme and
the leg crossing must all be together in timing. A missed
cross, or lost of control of the ball constitutes elimination
and turning the ball over to the next player.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; other children in the community
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Counting-out rhyme used by African American children
Bubble gum, bubble gum in the dish
how many bubble gums do you wish? Answer, any number.
One, two, three, four and you are out of this game.
Submitter comment:
This game is done with each participating players putting
one foot in a circle with all toes touching together. The
caller says the above rhyme touching each person's shoe.
Each round of the rhyme eliminates a person until eventually
there is only one person left and that person is "it."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; other children in the community
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1961
CHRISTMAS BELIEF
IF A MAN DOES NOT ENTER THE HOUSE FIRST ON CHRISTMAS
MORNING, THE HOUSE WILL BE PLAGUED WITH SICKNESS AND BAD
LUCK DURING THE COMING YEAR. (THE STRONGER THE MAN THE
BETTER THE GOOD LUCK). THIS CUSTOM IS PRACTICED BY POLISH-AMERICANS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TOLD AT COLLECTORS HOME ; SOUTHFIELD
Keyword(s): FIRST FOOTING ; SEXIST
Date learned: 10-25-1970
Counting-out rhyme used by African American children
My mama and your mama were hanging out the clothes.
My mama socked your mama right straight in the nose.
What color was the blood? Answer y/n
N O spells no and you are out of this game.
Submitter comment:
This games is done with each participating players putting
one foot in a circle with all toes touching together. The
callers says the above rhyme touching each person's shoe.
Each round of the rhyme eliminates a person until eventually
there is only one person left and that person is "it."
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; other children in the community
Keyword(s): African American ; COUNTING ; GAME ; Playground ; RHYME ; Selection
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1961
PROVERBIAL APOTHEGM
THE ONLY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MEN AND BOYS IS THE PRICE OF THEIR TOYS
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS TOLD TO INFORMANT IN 1969 BY A MARRIED MAN
ABOUT 21 YEARS OF AGE. THE MAN SAW IT AS A TRUE PROVERB.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN HEIGHTS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Maturity PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim PROVERB -- Blason Populaire |
Date learned: 03-10-1970
YOU SHOULD EAT HERRING ON NEW YEAR'S EVE. THIS WILL BRING
YOU GOOD LUCK IN THE COMING YEAR.
Submitter comment:
MY MOTHER BELIEVES THIS AND DOES IT EVERY YEAR. SHE DID
IT AS A GIRL ON THE FARM IN CLARE, MICHIGAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; CLARE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 07-26-1964
CAR BELIEF
IF A GIRL IS RIDING IN A CAR AND IT CROSSES OVER RAILROAD
TRACKS, SHE MUST LIFT UP HER FEET OR SHE WILL NOT GET MARRIED.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANTS ATTITUDE WAS QUITE SKEPTICAL.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LINCOLN PARK
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; FEET ; OMEN ; Relationship ; SUPERSTITION ; Tracks
James Callow Keyword(s): DIRECTION ; DISBELIEF ; POSITION
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
(FARTING)
IF A GIRL IS ON A DATE AND IS TRAVELING IN A CAR, AND HAS TO FART,
SHE ASKS HER DATE TO STOP THE CAR. SHE GETS OUT OF THE CAR. WHEN
SHE COMES BACK SHE SAYS SHE THOUGHT THE CAR HAD A FLAT TIRE.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT SAID SHE HAD FRIENDS IN HIGH SCHOOL WHO DID THIS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LINCOLN PARK
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Date learned: 10-03-1971
GOOD FRIDAY
INFORMANT RECALLED THAT AS A CHILD, HER PARENTS REQUIRED
HER TO KEEP SILENCE BETWEEN 12:00 P.M. AND 3:00 P.M.
ON GOOD FRIDAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; SAINT RITAS CONVENT
| Subject headings: | 663 Good Friday |
Date learned: 03-01-1970
African-American Children's Game
Children gather in a circle swinging held-together hands as
this game is played. Hands are dropped at the point of "he
missed"; then it is a jumping game of crossing legs.
Ronald McDonald sitting on a fence
trying to make a quarter
out of eighty-five cents
He missed (jump and cross or do not cross legs)
He missed (jump and cross or do not cross legs)
He missed like this (jump and cross or do not cross legs)
Submitter comment:
Who ever has his/her legs crossed on the call (he missed
like this) is out of the game.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; other children in the community
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Athletic sport and exercise Gymnastics |
Date learned: 00-00-1988
African-American Children's hand clapping game
This game is played with a hand clap. The words to the game
must keep the beat of the clap. Rhythm is a very important
part in keeping the game going.
Hands up to eighty-five (clap clap)
gonna get (clap clap)
names of (clap clap)
(any fruit, color, city, state, people, anything selected.)
No hesitation (clap clap)
No demonstration (clap clap)
so let's go (clap clap)
starting with (say person's name). (clap clap)
ending with (say person's name) (clap clap)
So lets go! (clap clap)
Submitter comment:
The children are in a circle when playing this game and the
chosen topic is shouted out by each child as their turn comes
in the circle. I've watched my daughter and her friends play
games for hours. The children often add foot movement and hip
movements as they keep time with the rhythm of the game. Any
person causing a break in the timing is out of the game.
Players cannot duplicate objects or subject matters already
called by any other player in the game. If there is a
hesitation or pause by a players, loss for words or a wrong
topic called, that player is eliminated from the game. The
winner is the last person left in the circle. Each time a
person is out the caller of the game has the option to select
a new topic or keep the old one. Children most often use
fruit, colors and cities as the topic for this game.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; other children in the community
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Athletic sport and exercise Gymnastics Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1989
Asking for money from a stranger and getting it can prove
to be rewarding for the man or woman who has given the
money out. For the reason being that "Good Luck" will
follow him or her for the rest of the day.
Submitter comment:
My father seemed very optimistic when he was telling me
this story.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Farmington Hills
Keyword(s): money, green
James Callow Keyword(s): donor
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 00-00-1983
BELIEF (CUSTOM)
WHEN PLANTING CORN, PLACE A FISH IN EACH HOLE AND PLANT BY THE
LIGHT OF THE HALF MOON. YOU WILL, THEREFORE, REAP A BIGGER CROP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; COLLECTORS HOME
Keyword(s): PLANTING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Work Commerce Business BELIEF -- Fish BELIEF -- Moon |
Date learned: 10-23-1968
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