Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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THIS IS A GAME WHICH CAN BE PLAYED AT A PARTY OR ANYWHERE
WHERE THERE IS A GROUP OF PEOPLE. TWO PEOPLE, WHO ARE
IN ON THE JOKE, CLAIM TO HAVE PSYCHIC POWERS AND HAVE
THE ABILITY TO READ EACH OTHER'S MIND. ONE OF THEM
LEAVES THE ROOM AND THE OTHER POINTS TO ANY PERSON
STILL IN THE ROOM. HE THEN CLAIMS THAT WITHOUT
SPEAKING, HE'LL BE ABLE TO TRANSMIT TO THE OTHER PERSON
WHOM HE HAS POINTED TO. THE PERSON WHO LEFT THE ROOM
RETURNS. THE TWO PEOPLE WITH THE SUPPOSED PSYCHIC
POWER STAND FACING EACH OTHER, EACH HOLDING THE END OF
A PENCIL (OPPOSITE ENDS). THEY KEEP TURNING THE PENCIL
BETWEEN THEM. MEANWHILE, THE OTHER PEOPLE IN THE ROOM
USUALLY MAKE COMMENTS AND TALK. AS SOON AS THE PERSON
WHO WAS POINTED TO SPEAKS, THE ONE WHO REMAINED IN THE
ROOM ASKS THE OTHER, "ARE YOU GETTING ANY VIBRATIONS?"
IF THE ONE WHO LEFT DISTINCTLY HEARD THE VOICE AND KNOWS
WHO IT IS, HE'LL SAY "YES" AND SAY THE NAME. IF THERE
WERE SEVERAL PEOPLE TALKING, AND HE'S NOT SURE WHOSE
VOICE IT WAS, HE'LL JUST SAY "NO" AND WAIT UNTIL HE
(THE PERSON POINTED TO) SPEAKS AGAIN AND HE "GETS A
GOOD VIBRATION."
Where learned: Massachusetts
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Mental Activity |
THIS IS A WORD GAME IN WHICH THE PEOPLE PLAYING TRY TO
FIGURE OUT WHAT CERTAIN WORDS HAVE IN COMMON. THE GAME
CAN BEST BE EXPLAINED BY ACTUALLY GIVING EXAMPLES.
THE PERSON WHO KNOWS THE GAME COULD SAY:
IT COULD BE GREEN BUT NOT BLUE.
IT COULD BE LOOSE BUT NOT TIGHT.
IT COULD BE SUZANNE BUT NOT SUE.
IT COULD BE STREET BUT NOT ROAD
IT COULD BE TALL BUT NOT HIGH.
THE KEY IS THAT ALL THE WORDS HAVE A DOUBLE LETTER
SOMEWHERE IN THE WORD (GREEN, LOOSE, SUZANNE, STREET,
TALL).
Where learned: Massachusetts
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Mental Activity |
Date learned: 12-00-1971
THE HOLES IN THE FLOORS OF THE DORMS AT AMHERST COLLEGE MADE
BY THE RADIATOR PIPES ENABLE THE OCCUPANTS OF A ROOM ON A HIGHER
FLOOR TO POUR WATER DOWN INTO THE ROOM BELOW. ONCE THIS ALMOST
RESULTED IN A TELEVISION SET EXPLODING IN A LOWER ROOM.
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS COLLECTED BY THE INFORMANT IN THE
FRESHMAN DORMS OF AMHERST COLLEGE IN AMHERST,
MASSACHUSETTS; IT WAS COLLECTED BY ME IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN.
Where learned: Massachusetts ; AMHERST
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Foundation Floor |
Date learned: 00001979-80 ; 03-00-1980
PRACTICAL JOKE
BECAUSE THE DOORS AT AMHERST COLLEGE OPEN INWARD, A COMMON
PRANK IS TO TIE A ROPE ON THE DOORKNOBS OF TWO DOORS ACROSS THE
HALL FROM EACH OTHER, SHUTTING IN THE OCCUPANTS OF BOTH ROOMS.
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS COLLECTED BY THE INFORMANT IN THE
FRESHMAN DORMS OF AMHERST COLLEGE IN AMHERST,
MASSACHUSETTS; IT WAS COLLECTED BY ME IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN.
Where learned: Massachusetts ; AMHERST
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Wall Partition Door Window |
Date learned: 00001979-80 ; 03-00-1980
PRACTICAL JOKE
TOOTHPASTE IS PLACED IN THE KEYHOLE OF A DOOR, HARDENING AND
MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO UNLOCK THE DOOR.
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS COLLECTED BY THE INFORMANT IN THE
FRESHMAN DORMS OF AMHERST COLLEGE IN AMHERST,
MASSACHUSETTS; IT WAS COLLECTED BY ME IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN.
Where learned: Massachusetts ; AMHERST
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Wall Partition Door Window |
Date learned: 00001979-80 ; 03-00-1980
PRACTICAL JOKE
A COMMON PRANK IS TO SET FIRE TO POSTERS HANGING ON THE OUTSIDE
OF DORM DOORS.
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS COLLECTED BY THE INFORMANT IN THE
FRESHMAN DORMS OF AMHERST COLLEGE IN AMHERST,
MASSACHUSETTS; IT WAS COLLECTED BY ME IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN.
Where learned: Massachusetts ; AMHERST
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 00001979-80 ; 03-00-1980
PRACTICAL JOKE
A COMMON PRANK IS TO TURN OFF THE HOT WATER WHILE SOMEONE SHOWERS.
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS COLLECTED BY THE INFORMANT IN THE
FRESHMEN DORMS OF AMHERST COLLEGE IN AMHERST,
MASSACHUSETTS; IT WAS COLLECTED BY ME IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN.
Where learned: Massachusetts ; AMHERST
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 00001979-80 ; 03-00-1980
PRACTICAL JOKE
ONE PRANK IS TO SIMPLY STAND QUIETLY IN A PERSON'S CLOSET,
GIVING HIM A FRIGHT WHEN HE OPENS THE CLOSET DOOR.
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS COLLECTED BY THE INFORMANT IN THE
FRESHMEN DORMS OF AMHERST COLLEGE IN AMHERST,
MASSACHUSETTS; IT WAS COLLECTED BY ME IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN.
Where learned: Massachusetts ; AMHERST
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 00001979-80 ; 03-00-1980
PRACTICAL JOKE
BECAUSE THE DOORS AT AMHERST COLLEGE OPEN INWARD, ANOTHER
DESTRUCTIVE PRANK IS TO LEAN A BUCKET OF WATER AGAINST THE
OUTSIDE OF A CLOSED DOOR. OPENING THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE
CAUSES THE WATER TO SPILL INTO THE ROOM. THIS HAS BEEN DONE
WITH A FULL FIFTY-FIVE GALLON DRUM.
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS COLLECTED BY THE INFORMANT IN THE
FRESHMEN DORMS OF AMHERST COLLEGE IN AMHERST,
MASSACHUSETTS; IT WAS COLLECTED BY ME IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN.
Where learned: Massachusetts ; AMHERST
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Wall Partition Door Window |
Date learned: 00001979-80 ; 03-00-1980
PRACTICAL JOKE
PUSHING PENNIES INTO THE KEYHOLE OF A DOOR WILL BLOCK THE
TUMBLERS AND LOCK A PERSON IN HIS ROOM.
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS COLLECTED BY THE INFORMANT IN THE
FRESHMEN DORMS OF AMHERST COLLEGE IN AMHERST,
MASSACHUSETTS; IT WAS COLLECTED BY ME IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN.
Where learned: Massachusetts ; AMHERST
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 00001979-80 ; 03-00-1980
PRACTICAL JOKE
ONE PRANK IS TO FILL A PERSON'S ROOM WITH SMOKE BY PLACING THE
STEM OF A LIT PIPE THROUGH THE KEYHOLE, AND BLOWING INTO THE BOWL.
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS COLLECTED BY THE INFORMANT IN THE
FRESHMEN DORMS OF AMHERST COLLEGE IN AMHERST,
MASSACHUSETTS; IT WAS COLLECTED BY ME IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN.
Where learned: Massachusetts ; AMHERST
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 00001979-80 ; 03-00-1980
PRACTICAL JOKE
ONE DESTRUCTIVE PRANK IS TO GAIN ENTRANCE TO A PERSON'S ROOM
WHILE HE IS OUT AND TO SPREAD VASELINE ON HIS BEDSHEETS.
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS COLLECTED BY THE INFORMANT IN THE
FRESHMEN DORMS OF AMHERST COLLEGE IN AMHERST,
MASSACHUSETTS; IT WAS COLLECTED BY ME IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN.
Where learned: Massachusetts ; AMHERST
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 00001979-80 ; 03-00-1980
PRACTICAL JOKE
TELEPHONES IN THE DORMS OF AMHERST COLLEGE HAVE REMOVABLE CORDS
BETWEEN THE RECEIVER AND THE REST OF THE PHONE; REMOVAL OF THE
CORD STILL ALLOWS THE PHONE TO RING. A COMMON PRANK IS TO
REMOVE THE CORD, THEN MAKE A CALL TO THAT PHONE.
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS COLLECTED BY THE INFORMANT IN THE
FRESHMEN DORMS OF AMHERST COLLEGE IN AMHERST,
MASSACHUSETTS; IT WAS COLLECTED BY ME IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN.
Where learned: Massachusetts ; AMHERST
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 00001979-80 ; 03-00-1980
MY MOTHER IS SOMEWHAT SUPERSTITIOUS, AND SHE SAYS THIS WHENEVER SHE
FINDS A PENNY.
"PENNY, PENNY, BRING ME LUCK,
I'M THE FIRST TO PICK YOU UP."
Where learned: Massachusetts
Keyword(s): APOSTROPHE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Speech Speech BELIEF -- Number |
Date learned: 00-00-1960
PROVERB
THE JOURNEY OF MANY NITES BEGINS WITH A SINGLE STEP.
Submitter comment: CHEMISTRY CLASS "THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK."
Where learned: CULVER ; MASSACHUSETTS, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 00-00-1965
CRANBERRY SCOOP
CRANBERRY SCOOP PICTURES SEE SQ692406-3 TO SQ692406-7
Submitter comment:
THE CRANBERRY SCOOP WAS USED IN THE HARVESTING OF CRANBERRIES. THE
ONE PICTURED COMES FROM KINGSTON MASSACHUSETTS. AND IS ABOUT 35 YEARS
OLD. IT BELONGED TO MY GREAT UNCLE. THEY STOPPED USING THE SCOOP
FOR HARVESTING THE ENTIRE CRANBERRY BOG IN THE EARLY TO MIDDLE 1950S
WHEN A MECHANIZED PICKER WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE BUSINESS. IT WAS
STILL USED TO HARVEST ALONG THE SIDES OF THE BOG FOR THE
MECHANICAL PICKER COULDN'T HARVEST THERE.
THE OLD SCOOPS THAT ARE NO LONGER BEING USED IN THE BOG HAVE BEEN
USED IN THE HOME FOR NEWSPAPER RACKS AND MAGAZINE RACKS. IN SOME
CASES THE SCREEN WAS REMOVED AND A PIECE OF CREWEL WORK WAS PUT IN
ITS PLACE TO MAKE THE SCOOP MORE ATTRACTIVE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Massachusetts ; MADISON HEIGHTS ; KINGSTON
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTIONAL SHIFT
| Subject headings: | Favorites Favorites ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Occupation Fishing ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Household furniture and utensil |
Date learned: 00-00-1938
Ethnic Joke: Polish
HOW DID THE POLAK BREAK HIS ARM? HE FELL OUT OF THE TREE RAKING
LEAVES.
Data entry tech comment:
updated by TRD on 12-2010
Where learned: BOSTON ; Massachusetts
James Callow Keyword(s): DOING THINGS THE HARD WAY
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 00-00-1968
Ethnic Joke: Polish
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A POLISH MAMA AND A HIPPOPOTAMUS?
ABOUT TWENTY POUNDS.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD on 12-2010
Where learned: BOSTON ; Massachusetts
James Callow Keyword(s): WEIGHT
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 00-00-1968