RE:SEARCH logo
University of Detroit Mercy Libraries / Instructional Design Studio
UDM HOME BLACKBOARD MY UDMERCY
RESEARCH HOME / FIND / SPECIAL COLLECTIONS / THE JAMES T. CALLOW FOLKLORE ARCHIVE /
James Callow Folklore Archive

Collection Home

About Dr. James T. Callow

Dr. James T. Callow publications

Collectors

Browse by

Subject heading

Keyword

Location

Questions or comments on this site? Please email davidsor@udmercy.edu.

The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

search for

Content filter is on

Your search for SAINT CLAIR SHORES returned 371 results.

prev | items
| next

BEFORE PRAYING FIVE TIMES A DAY, MOSLEMS WASH
THEIR HANDS, FEET AND FACE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church

Date learned: 03-06-1970

View just this record

OMENS

IF A GUEST ENTERS YOUR HOUSE BY ONE DOOR AND LEAVES BY ANOTHER
DOOR YOU WILL HAVE MORE GUESTS SOON.

Where learned: HOME ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES

Subject headings: Observation

Date learned: 02-17-1970

View just this record

OMENS

IF YOUR SLIP SHOWS, YOU WILL SEE YOUR BEAU.

Where learned: SAINT CLAIR SHORES

Subject headings: Observation

Date learned: 02-17-1970

View just this record

OMENS

IF THERE IS A STRING ON YOUR CLOTHING, IT MEANS THAT SOMEONE HAS
STRINGS ON YOU.

Where learned: SAINT CLAIR SHORES

Subject headings: Observation

Date learned: 02-17-1970

View just this record

DON'T LOAN MONEY IN A GAMBLING GAME.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion

Date learned: 02-17-1970

View just this record

CIRCUS-SHOW BUSINESS STORY

A WEALTHY YOUNG MAN DISAPPEARED FROM HIS HOME AND HIS
INFLUENTIAL PARENTS HIRED NUMEROUS DETECTIVES TO LOCATE
HIM. FINALLY, AFTER SEVERAL YEARS, THEY FOUND HIM,
NOTIFIED THE PARENTS. THE PARENTS RUSHED TO THE
LOCATION AND FOUND THE BRIGHT YOUNG MAN EMPLOYED BY A
CIRCUS. HE WAS ASKED WHY HE LEFT HOME AND STATED HIS
EMPLOYMENT WITH THE CIRCUS WAS THE MOTIVE. HE LOOKED
FAR FROM BEING PROSPEROUS, SO THE PARENTS WERE CURIOUS.
THEY ASKED HIM THE NATURE OF HIS EMPLOYMENT BECAUSE
HE LOOKED LIKE A BUM, DIRTY, UNSHAVEN, DISAPPATED.
HE SAID EVER SINCE HE JOINED THE CIRCUS, HE HAS BEEN
EMPLOYED FEEDING THE ELEPHANTS. HIS PARENTS WERE
SHOCKED. THEY IMPLORED HIM TO COME HOME, LIVE IN THEIR
MANSION, DRIVE ANY OF THEIR SEVERAL LIMOSINES, BECOME AN
EXECUTIVE IN THE FAMILY BUSINESS, AND SHARE IN THE
FORTUNE THEY HAVE SET ASIDE FOR HIM. HE WAS AMAZED.
HE SAID, "GO BACK TO ALL THAT AND LEAVE SHOW BUSINESS?"

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Stupid man or woman

Date learned: 01-15-1967

View just this record

A SUNBATHER'S NIGHMARE

THERE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A YOUNG WOMAN WHO WAS TAKING
A SUNBATH, WHEN AN ANT CRAWLED UP HER NOSE. WHILE SHE
WAS DOZING, THE ANT LAID EGGS IN THE GIRL'S SINUS
CAVITY. THE GIRL BECAME VERY AGITATED THE NEXT FEW
DAYS BUT DIDN'T KNOW WHY. FINALLY, THE ITCHING DROVE
HER OUT OF HER MIND AND WITH HER FINGERNAILS SHE
RIPPED THE SKIN OFF HER NOSE AND FOREHEAD.
HUNDREDS OF ANTS FELL OUT AND SHE WENT INSANE.

Submitter comment: ONE SUMMER THERE WAS A STORY GOING AROUND IN MY
COMMUNITY ABOUT THE TERRIBLE THING WHICH HAD
HAPPENED TO A SUN BATHER THE PREVIOUS SUMMER. ST.
CLAIR SHORES IS SITUATED ON THE BANKS OF LAKE ST.
CLAIR, AND MANY OF THE RESIDENTS SWIM AT SEVERAL
OF THE BEACHES IT OFFERS. HOWEVER, IT WAS NEVER
MADE CLEAR WHETHER THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED IN ST.
CLAIR SHORES OR ELSEWHERE.
ORIGINAL SOURCE FORGOTTEN

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Tale

Date learned: 00-00-1961

View just this record

IF YOU COUNT THE NUMBER OF CARS IN A FUNERAL PROCESSION YOU WILL HAVE
THAT MANY YEARS TO LIVE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES

Subject headings: Observation
BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial
BELIEF -- Measure of time Year
BELIEF -- Number

Date learned: CA00001975

View just this record

INKA, BINKA, BOTTLE OF INK, THE CORK FELL OUT AND YOU STINK}

Submitter comment: THIS COUNTING OUT RHYME WAS USED TO PICK WHO WOULD BE "IT" WHEN PLAY
ING SUCH GAMES AS TAG.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse

Date learned: CA00001970

View just this record

CHRISTMAS EVE

A HUGE CELEBRATION WAS ALWAYS IN STORE CHRISTMAS EVE FOR EVERY
ITALIAN IN ITALY. A MORE JOYOUS OCCASION THAN THIS WAS NEVER
SEEN. BEFORE MIDNIGHT THE ONLY FOOD SERVED WAS FISH AND SEAFOOD.
AFTER 12 O'CLOCK--SAUSAGE, BEEF, PORK AND MEAT OF ALL DESCRIPTIONS
WAS THE ORDER OF THE DAY. THE CHILDREN WERE ALL GATHERED IN THE
ONE HOME WHERE THE CELEBRATION WAS TO BE HELD AND FROM EARLY
MORNING THE CHILDREN'S MOTHERS HAD BEEN AT THIS PARTICULAR HOME
COOKING FOR THE EVENING'S MEAL, A FULL DAY OF COOKING FOR
PERHAPS FIFTY PEOPLE OF A PARTICULAR FAMILY--AUNTS, UNCLES, COUSINS
AND OTHER RELATIVES. A JOYOUS OCCASION AND CERTAINLY A BELLY FULL
OF FOOD AND DRINK FOR THIS WAS THE CELEBRATION OF THE YEAR.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES

Keyword(s): CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; FOOD ; holiday

Subject headings: 122 Christmas
122 Christmas

Date learned: 10-31-1971

View just this record

HOLY THURSDAY

HOLY THURSDAY IS COMMEMORATED BY A TRADITIONAL DINNER. THERE
IS SERVED CODFISH SOUP WITH HOMEMADE WHITE BREAD. THIS IS THE
ONLY MEAL ALLOWED DURING THE DAY. ALSO, IT IS TRADITIONAL THAT
THE FATHER OF THE FAMILY AND THE YOUNGEST CHILD BEGIN GRACE BEFORE
THE MEAL.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES

Keyword(s): RELIGIOUS CUSTOM

Subject headings: 663 Holy Thursday
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting F663.32

Date learned: 10-15-1969

View just this record

IR YOU ARE UGLY WHEN YOU ARE BORN, YOU WILL BE BEAUTIFUL WHEN YOU
DIE AND IF YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL WHEN YOU ARE BORN, YOU WILL BE UGLY
WHEN YOU DIE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES

James Callow Keyword(s): CONTRAST

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Birth
BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial

Date learned: 03-28-1980

View just this record

WHEN A WOMAN IS PREGNANT SHE SHOULD NOT DRINK CREAM OR MILK IN HER
COFFEE BECAUSE, IF SHE DOES, HER BABY WILL HAVE BROWN BIRTH MARKS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth
BELIEF -- Body part Senses Specific distinguishing characteristic Dimple, wart, mole, scar, freckle, birthmark, strawberry mark, bruise, spot (on any part of body)
BELIEF -- Birth

View just this record

AUTOGRAPH BOOK MATERIAL

YOURS TILL SATURN LOSES ITS RINGS

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES

Subject headings: Z210

Date learned: 00-00-1965

View just this record

BUCKLE MY SHOE

RAIN, RAIN, FALLING ON THE GROUND
RAIN, RAIN, FALLING ALL AROUND.
WE KNOW A GAME TO PLAY ON A VERY RAINY DAY.

1,2, BUCLKE MY SHOE
3,4, STOMP UPON THE FLOOR.
WE KNOW A GAME TO PLAY ON A VERY RAINY DAY

5,6, CLICK CLICK, CLICK,
7,8, STAKE, A STAKE, A STAKE
9,10, A BIG FAT HEN.
AND THAT IS ALL.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT SINGS THIS WITH HER PLAYMATES. THEY LEARNED IT IN SCHOOL.

Where learned: SAINT CLAIR SHORES

Keyword(s): BUCKLE MY SHOE

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children

Date learned: 08-11-1964

View just this record

MOMMY, MOMMY, I SWALLOWED MY TOOTH BRUSH}

Submitter comment: AS INFORMANT SAID THIS, HE GRABBED THE SKIN ON EITHER SIDE OF HIS
NECK AND PULLED IT IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS TO SIMULATE THE PRESENCE
OF A TOOTHBRUSH LODGED LENGTHWISE IN HIS THROAT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote
SPEECH -- Gesture

Date learned: 02-06-1980

View just this record

Belief: Luck

Luck:

If someone wants your place at Bingo, take your chair with you or you won't win.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Original BN [P880] crossed out/replaced with current classifications.

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES

Keyword(s): Luck, Chance, Wagers, Bingo, Chair, Custom, Game, Entertainment

James Callow Keyword(s): LUCK

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Entertainment Diversion
BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance

View just this record

MOMMY, MOMMY, MY PIGTAILS ARE TOO TIGHT}

Submitter comment: AS INFORMANT SAID THIS HE TOOK HIS INDEX FINGERS AND PULLED THE
OUTER CORNERS OF HIS EYES UNTIL THEY WERE NEARLY CLOSED.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote
SPEECH -- Gesture

View just this record

PROVERB

COLD HANDS WARM HEART.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES

Keyword(s): ELLIPSIS

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails
PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim

Date learned: 01-20-1971

View just this record

MAY THE BIRD OF HAPPINESS FLY UP YOUR NOSE
AND MAY AN ELEPHANT CARESS YOU WITH HIS TOES.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Speech Speech

Date learned: CA 00001975

View just this record

prev | items
| next

University of Detroit Mercy
4001 W. McNichols Detroit , MI , 48221-3038
This site is endorsed by the University of Detroit Mercy (UDM) and supports the views, values, and mission of UDM. The University of Detroit Mercy web site provides links to other web sites, both public and private, for informational purposes. The inclusion of these links on UDM's site does not imply endorsement by the University. Please contact the Associate Dean for Technical Services and Library Systems for any questions regarding this web site.