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 ONTARIO returned 106 results.
You might be considered a redneck if:
Your front porch collapses and you've killed more than six dogs.
You think potted meat and saltines are hors d'oeuvres.
There's a stuffed possum somewhere in your house.
Less than one-half of the cars you own run.
The primary color of your car is "Bondo."
Your wife's hairdo has ever been ruined by a ceiling fan.
You've ever hollered, "Rock the house, Bubba!" during a piano
recital.
You've ever barbecued Spam on the grill.
You have a rag for a gas cap.
Submitter comment:
I just love these sayings. I laughed for days and so did my
friends.
Where learned: ONTARIO ; WINDSOR
| Subject headings: | Favorites REDN |
Never speak ill of the dead; if someone dies, never say
anything bad about them. If you do they could come back and
haunt your house: this would cause discomfort and confusion.
Submitter comment:
This informant believes this very strongly. She said her
mother has told her tales of happenings to friends. She said
when she gets the time, she would tell me some of those stories.
Where learned: ONTARIO ; WINDSOR
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 02-10-1992
TYPOGRAPHICAL DISPLAY
HHHHHHNHHHHHH
"IS THAT SEAT TAKEN, SIR?"
Submitter comment: I REMEMBER READING THIS IS (IN) A "SEVENTEEN" MAGAZINE.
Data entry tech comment: THE H AND N ARE SMALL LETTERS IN THE ORIGINAL.
Where learned: ONTARIO ; WINDSOR
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- To Be Seen |
Date learned: 05-00-1965
TYPOGRAPHICAL DISPLAY
00000()00000
"WILBUR, DO YOU ALWAYS HAVE TO BE A NON-CONFORMIST?
Submitter comment: I READ THIS IN A "SEVENTEEN" MAGAZINE.
Where learned: ONTARIO ; WINDSOR
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- To Be Seen |
Date learned: 00-00-1965
BAD LUCK OMEN
IF A PICTURE DROPS OFF A WALL SOMETHING
TERRIBLE WILL HAPPEN IN YOUR FAMILY.
Submitter comment: LEARNED THIS AT HOME.
Where learned: ONTARIO ; WINDSOR
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 09-30-1967
BAD LUCK OMEN
IF A BIRD FLIES IN THE WINDOW OF YOUR HOME, IT MEANS
THAT SOMEONE IN THE FAMILY IS GOING TO DIE. WHILE
ATTENDING ST. MARY'S ACADEMY IN WINDSOR, A BIRD FLEW
IN THE WINDOW OF THE PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE, AND SHORTLY
AFTER SHE WAS NOTIFIED OF HER MOTHER'S DEATH.
Submitter comment: HEARD FROM A FRIEND OF MINE IN WINDSOR.
Where learned: ONTARIO ; WINDSOR
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 09-29-1967
DONT WAIT
DON'T PUT OFF UNTIL TOMORROW, THAT WHAT YOU CAN DO TODAY.
Submitter comment:
IN OTHER WORDS, DONT BE A PROCRASTINATOR.
MARY HEARD THIS FROM A FRIEND.
Where learned: ONTARIO ; WINDSOR
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: NEGATIVE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 10-19-1967
ANECDOTE
A STATUE WAS MADE OF THE EX-PRIME MINISTER OF CANADA, JOHN
DIEFENBAKER, AND WHEN THE QUESTION AROSE AS TO WHERE TO PLACE THE
STATUE, THE SOLUTION WAS IMMEDIATE. THE STATUE WAS PLACED NEXT TO
THE STATUE OF THE ONLY MAN IN HISTORY DIEFENBAKER COULD BE COMPARED
TO: COLUMBUS. DIEFENBAKER WAS JUST LIKE COLUMBUS: HE HEADED FOR
SOMEWHERE BUT NEVER GOT THERE; GOT SOMEWHERE BUT DIDN'T KNOW WHERE;
NEVER KNEW HOW HE GOT THERE; AND DID THIS ALL ON BORROWED MONEY!
Submitter comment:
I REMEMBER HEARING OR READING THIS A FEW MONTHS AFTER A NON-
CONFIDENCE VOTE PUSHED THE CONSERVATIVES AND JOHN DIEFENBAKER OUT
OF THE RULING POSITION.
Where learned: ONTARIO ; WINDSOR
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero |
Date learned: 00-00-1965
IF A DATE FROM THE CALENDAR IS CROSSED OFF BEFORE
THAT DAY IS OVER, IT WILL BRING YOU BAD LUCK
FOR THE REST OF THAT DAY.
Submitter comment:
HEARD THIS FROM A FRIEND WHILE ATTENDING SCHOOL
IN WINDSOR.
Where learned: CANADA ; ONTARIO ; WINDSOR
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour BELIEF -- Bad luck Activities |
SPRING PLANTING
NEVER PLANT TOMATO PLANTS UNTIL AFTER THE FREEZING
SAINTS' DAYS:
ST. PONGRACY--MAY 12.
ST. SERVATS--MAY 13.
ST. BONIFACE--MAY 14.
Where learned: CANADA ; ONTARIO ; WINDSOR
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- May 12 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- May 13 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- May 14 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting F663.9 |
Date learned: 11-17-1968
HUNGARIAN CUSTOM
ON ST. NICHOLAS DAY A FELLOW CALLED "KRUMPUS" WOULD
COME THROUGH THE TOWN. HE WORE A LONG BELT FASHIONED
FROM CHAIN. HE CARRIED A WOODEN SWITCH AND A BAG OF
WALNUTS.
KRUMPUS WOULD WALK THROUGH THE TOWN AND STOP AT EACH
HOUSE. IF WELL-BEHAVED CHILDREN LIVED IN THE HOUSE,
HE WOULD THROW WALNUTS IN THE DOOR. IF BAD CHILDREN
LIVED IN THE HOUSE, HE WOULD STAND IN THE DOORWAY,
RATTLE HIS CHAIN AND SHAKE HIS SWITCH AT THEM.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: CANADA ; ONTARIO ; WINDSOR
Keyword(s): Celebrate ; CUSTOM ; holiday ; HUNGARIAN ; Nicholas ; Saint ; St. Nick ; tradition
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 6 Feast of St. Nicholas |
Date learned: 11-17-1968
WISHES
WHENEVER THE FRENCH VISIT A CHURCH FOR THE FIRST TIME,
THEY MAKE THREE WISHES WHICH THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO KEEP
A SECRET. THEY BELIEVE THE WISHES WILL ONLY COME TRUE
IF THEY ARE KEPT A SECRET.
Where learned: CANADA ; ONTARIO ; WINDSOR
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. BELIEF -- Church BELIEF -- Prayer |
FRENCH NEW YEAR'S CUSTOM
ON THE EVE OF NEW YEAR'S, AT THE STROKE OF MIDNIGHT, THE
CHILDREN KNEEL BEFORE THEIR PARENTS AND ASK TO BE
FORGIVEN ANY WRONGS THEY HAVE COMMITTED DURING THE YEAR.
THEN THEY ASK FOR THEIR PARENT'S BLESSING. THE PARENTS
PLACED THEIR HANDS ON EACH CHILD'S HEAD TO BLESS THEM.
THE CHILD ROSE AND KISSED THE PARENTS.
Where learned: CANADA ; ONTARIO ; WINDSOR
Date learned: 00-00-1935
THE DISAPPEARING ACT
IN ENGLAND, MANY YEARS AGO, A CHURCH SOCIAL WAS TAKING PLACE
AND EVERYONE WAS INVOLVED IN PLAYING GAMES. MOST OF THE MEN WERE
PLAYING RUGBY ON A HUGE FIELD. ONE MAN KICKED THE BALL INTO
A FAR CORNER OF THE FIELD AND WENT AFTER IT. HE STARTED TO RUN
AFTER THE BALL AND THAT IS THE LAST ANYONE SAW OF HIM. PEOPLE
THOUGHT THAT HE MIGHT HAVE FALLEN INTO A DITCH OR A HOLE BUT THEY
WENT TO LOOK FOR HIM AND COULD FIND NOTHING AND TO THIS DAY THEY
STILL COULD NEVER FIGURE OUT WHAT HAPPENED TO HIM.
Submitter comment:
MRS. BACON SAID THAT HER MOTHER AND SISTER TOLD HER THIS
STORY IN ENGLAND ABOUT THIRTY YEARS AGO.
Where learned: CANADA ; ONTARIO ; WINDSOR
James Callow Keyword(s): MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 12-00-1963
PULLING YOUR LEGS
ONE DAY, MY FRIEND AND MYSELF WERE SUPPOSE(D) TO MEET
DOWNTOWN AT THE SHOW. AFTER I WAITED FOR QUITE SOME
TIME, I FIGURED SHE WASN'T COMING, SO I DECIDED TO TAKE
A BUS HOME. BY THIS TIME, IT WAS GETTING DARK OUTSIDE.
AS I GOT OFF THE BUS, I NOTICED ANOTHER MAN GOT OFF ALSO.
IT SOON BECAME EVIDENT THAT HE WAS FOLLOWING ME AND I
DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. THERE JUST HAPPENED TO BE A
STORE IN THE MIDDLE OF MY STREET, SO I DECIDED TO STOP
IN THERE AND PERHAPS LOSE HIM. I WAITED A WHILE IN THE
STORE, UNTIL I THOUGHT IT WAS SAFE ENOUGH TO LEAVE.
I STARTED WALKING AGAIN AND SURE ENOUGH THE SAME PERSON
WAS FOLLOWING ME. IT WAS JUST A FEW MORE HOUSES UNTIL
I WOULD COME TO MINE, SO I DECIDED TO START RUNNING, AND
SURE ENOUGH, THE MAN IN BACK OF ME STARTED RUNNING
ALSO. I KNEW THAT MY SIDE DOOR OF MY HOUSE WAS OPEN,
SO I DECIDED TO RUN FOR IT. I RAN, THE MAN WAS RIGHT
BEHIND ME. I HURRIEDLY OPENED THE DOOR AND STARTED
RUNNING UP THE STAIRS, BUT SUDDENLY I SLIPPED AND THE
MAN STARTED PULLING MY LEGS!!! JUST LIKE I'M PULLING
YOURS.
Where learned: CANADA ; ONTARIO ; WINDSOR
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 09-23-1967
PROVERB -- HUNGARIAN
A MAN SHOULD PAY ALL HIS DEBTS IN THE CURRENT YEAR,
OTHERWISE HE WILL ALWAYS OWE IN THE NEW YEAR.
Where learned: CANADA ; ONTARIO ; WINDSOR
James Callow Keyword(s): OBSERVATION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Measure of time Year PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 11-17-1968
BEDTIME VERSE
SLEEP TIGHT AND DON'T LET THE BED BUGS BITE.
Where learned: CANADA ; ONTARIO ; DORM ; WINDSOR
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Speech Speech SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 09-23-1972
FRIENDSHIP PROVERB
THERE E BIG SHIPS AND THERE ARE LITTLE SHIPS, BUT THE BEST SHIPS AR
ARE FRIENDSHIPS.
Where learned: CANADA ; ONTARIO ; DORM ; WINDSOR
James Callow Keyword(s): WORD PLAY
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb |
Date learned: 09-22-1972
BLACK, WHITE, AND READ RIDDLE
WHAT'S BLACK AND WHITE AND READ ALL OVER? A NEWSPAPER.
Where learned: CANADA ; ONTARIO ; DORM ; WINDSOR
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 09-22-1972
Proverb
NO SENSE CRYING OVER SPILT MILK.
Where learned: CANADA ; ONTARIO ; DORM ; UNIVERSITY OF WINDSOR
James Callow Keyword(s): ELLIPSIS
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 09-24-1972