Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for GROSSE POINTE returned 650 results.
THE STORY GOES THAT VIETNAM IS SO TERRIBLE THAT SOLDIERS
SHOOT THEMSELVES IN THE LEG SO THAT THEY DON'T HAVE TO
GO INTO BATTLE. THIS IS BELIEVED BY MOST PEOPLE WHO
HEAR IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Legend BELIEF -- P535 |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
LONG LOST FRIENDSHIP
INFORMANT FLEW TO AUSTRALIA DURING COMBAT DUTY. FOR TWO WEEKS
THEY WERE ALLOWED TO GO SOMEPLACE IN THE EAST. THIS WAS DURING
BOB HOPE'S CHRISTMAS SHOW IN VIETNAM. DURING "SILENT NIGHT" IT
STARTED RAINING REALLY HARD SO INFORMANT PUT HIS COAT ON A GUY
WHO WAS WOUNDED IN BOTH LEGS. AND FINALLY, AT THE END, INFORMANT
REALIZED THIS WOUNDED SAILOR HAD BEEN A REALLY GOOD BUDDY OF HIS
IN HIGH SCHOOL. INFORMANT HADN'T SEEN HIM FOR A LONG TIME AND
HAD NO IDEA HE WAS EVEN IN THE SERVICE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535 |
Date learned: 11-22-1971
LEGEND: THE WHITE EAGLE
AN OLD LEGEND TELLS THAT 3 PRINCELY BROTHERS LIVED SOMEWHERE IN
THE WIDE STRETCHES OF COUNTRY BETWEEN THE BALTIC AND THE BLACK
SEA. THEIR NAMES WERE LECH, CZECH, AND RUTH.
THE FIRST TOOK THE NORTHERN LANDS AND BECAME KING OF THE LECHITES
OR POLES. THE SECOND REIGNED IN THE SOUTH, AND FOUNDED BOHEMIA,
THE CZECH KINGDOM; AND THE THIRD, RUTH, WENT TO THE EAST AND
REIGNED OVER THE RUTHENIANS.
PRINCE LECH WHILE HUNTING FOUND A NEST OF WHITE EAGLES WITH MALE
AND FEMALE TYPES. SUCH BIRDS WERE ABSOLUTELY UNKNOWN IN THOSE
PARTS. THIS WAS LOOKED UPON AS A PROPHETIC SIGN BY THE PRINCE.
HE DECIDED TO FOUND HIS CAPITOL THERE, CALLING IT GNIEGN, WHICH
MEANS "NEST TOWN," SAYING "HERE SHALL BE OUR NEST."
HE CHOSE AS HIS EMBLEM THE WHITE EAGLE, WHICH APPEARS WEARING
A CROWN ON ITS HEAD IN THE COAT OF ARMS OF POLAND. IN FACT,
POLAND IS OFTEN CALLED THE LAND OF THE WHITE EAGLE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Bird PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 10-02-1968
KNOCK KNOCK STREET
LOCATED ON ROBERT JOHN STREET IN GROSSE POINTE. WHEN A CAR IS
DRIVEN OVER IT, A KNOCKING SOUND IS MADE. THE STORY BEHIND IT
IS THAT A BOY WAS TAKING HIS GIRLFRIEND ON ROBERT JOHN AND WHEN
HE DROPPED HER OFF, HER COAT GOT CAUGHT IN THE DOOR AND HE DROVE
OFF WITH HER HANGING FROM THE DOOR. SHE KNOCKED ON HIS DOOR TO
TELL HIM SHE WAS THERE, BUT WHEN HE FINALLY STOPPED, SHE WAS
DEAD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
KNOCK, KNOCK ROAD
THERE IS A ROAD IN GROSSE POINTE WOODS, MICHIGAN THAT IS
CALLED "KNOCK-KNOCK ROAD" (ROBERT JOHN ROAD IS THE REAL
NAME). SUPPOSEDLY WHEN THE HOMES WERE JUST BEING BUILT,
OUT THERE, A GIRL WAS RUNNING ACROSS THE STREET AND A
TRUCK HIT HER. HER ARM WAS SEVERED OFF AND FLEW INTO
A NEARBY FIELD AND WHENEVER A CAR DRIVES BY THE SPIRIT
OF THE GIRL MAKES THE ARM KNOCK ON THE ROOF OF THE CAR.
Submitter comment: THE SEVERED ARM OF GHOST KNOCKS ON CARS.
Data entry tech comment: ON KNOCK, KNOCK ROAD-ROBERT JOHN ROAD-IN GROSSE POINTE WOODS,
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 05-00-1967
SHAGGY DOG STORY
A MAN WALKS INTO A RESTAURANT AND TELLS THE WAITER THAT HIS
DOG CAN TALK.
WAITER: I DON'T BELIEVE YOUR DOG CAN TALK. BUT IF HE CAN,
I'LL BUY YOU AND YOUR DOG A FREE MEAL.
THE MAN TURNED TO HIS DOG AND ASKS, "WHAT'S THE TOP OF A
BUILDING CALLED?"
DOG: R-R-ROOF!
WAITER: NOW, LET ME ASK HIM SOMETHING, WHO IS THE GREATEST
BASEBALL PLAYER WHO EVER LIVED?
DOG: R-R-ROOF!
WAITER: JUST AS I THOUGHT. HE CAN'T TALK. GET OUT OF HERE.
THE WAITER TOSSES THE MAN AND HIS DOG OUT ONTO THE STREET.
OUT ON THE SIDEWALK THE DOG LOOKS UP AT THE MAN AND ASKS,
"DO YOU THINK I SHOULD HAVE SAID 'MICKEY MANTLE'?
Data entry tech comment: REFERENCE TO FAMOUS BASEBALL PLAYER, BABE RUTH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
| Subject headings: | 6677 Formula Tale |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
(ROUND)
WHENEVER I FOUND SOMEONE THAT KNEW THIS CIRCULAR RHYME
I HAD FUN DOING IT.
1ST PERSON: YOU REMIND ME OF A MAN.
2ND PERSON: WHAT MAN?
1ST: MAN WITH THE POWER
2ND: WHAT POWER?
1ST: POWER TO DO VOO DOO.
2ND: WHO DO?
1ST: YOU DO.
2ND: I DO WHAT?
1ST: REMIND ME OF A MAN.
2ND: WHAT MAN? ETC. ETC. ETC.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: 10-08-1971
SELF PRAISE STINKS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 01-03-1971
WHENEVER WE SAY SOMETHING TOGETHER THIS PROCEDURE FOLLOWS:
1ST PERSON: SHAKESPEARE. 2ND PERSON: LONGFELLOW
1ST PERSON: WHAT GOES UP THE CHIMNEY? 2ND PERSON: SMOKE.
1ST PERSON: WHAT GOES DOWN THE HATCH? 2ND PERSON: A GOOD DRINK.
THEN A SPECIAL HANDSHAKE FOLLOWS AND ENDS WITH THEM BOTH
SAYING TWIDDLE-DEE, PLACING FINGERS UNGER CHIN AND WAVING
FINGERS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
Keyword(s): GESTURE
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 10-22-1971
WHEN YOUR DRINKING GLASS IS EMPTY AND YOU WANT IT
REFILLED, YOU GENTLY TAP THE RIM OF THE EMPTY GLASS.
THIS WOULD BE A SIGNAL FOR THE GLASS TO BE FILLED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Drink SPEECH -- Wishes Wants Desires Predictions SPEECH -- Drinking |
WHEN PASSING OVER TRAIN TRACKS OR UNDER A MOVING TRAIN
{UNDER A VIADUCT} IT IS WISE TO LIFT YOUR FEET
OFF THE FLOOR OF THE CAR, TO KEEP YOUR TRUE LOVE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
Date learned: 10-08-1971
Entry filtered.
CARD BELIEF
CUT THIN AND WIN. CUT DEEP AND WEEP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
James Callow Keyword(s): CARD-PLAYING ; ELLIPSIS ; RHYME PARALLELISM
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance SPEECH -- Game Pastime Sport S555.500 PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
ON EASTER MONDAY, TO PROTECT THE CHILDREN OF THE HOUSE FROM EVIL, IT
IS ADVISABLE TO WRITE THE INITIALS OF THE THREE WISE MEN
OVER THE HOUSE DOOR.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector share the same surname.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
Keyword(s): SYMBOLS: INITIALS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus BELIEF -- Word Letter |
Date learned: 10-25-1969
BELIEF IN CUTTING CARDS
CUT THIN AND WIN, CUT DEEP AND WEEP.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector are the same person.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
James Callow Keyword(s): CARD-PLAYING ; ELLIPSIS ; RHYME PARALLELISM
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance SPEECH -- Game Pastime Sport S555.500 PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
NEVER GIVE OR ACCEPT ANYTHING SHARP OR POINTED TO A FRIEND
BECAUSE IT WILL SEVER THE RELATIONS WITH THAT PERSON.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; FRIENDSHIP ; Object ; Relationship ; Sever ; SUPERSTITION ; SYMBOL
James Callow Keyword(s): FRIENDSHIP ; HOMEOPATHIC
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 10-25-1969
BELIEF CONCERNING A TRIP
IF YOU LEAVE YOUR HOME TO GO ON A TRIP, AND
DISCOVER THAT YOU HAVE FORGOTTEN SOMETHING, IT IS BAD
LUCK TO GO BACK AND GET IT. IT IS BEST TO DO WITHOUT IT.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Return ; SUPERSTITION ; TRIP
James Callow Keyword(s): DIRECTION ; POSITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 01-30-1971
Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.
WHENEVER MY MOTHER CAUGHT US TELLING A LIE SHE WOULD
SAY TO US "I'VE HEARD GEESE FART BEFORE."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
Keyword(s): ANIMALS
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
PLANTING CUSTOM
IT IS A CUSTOM IN ITALY FOR GARDENERS WANTING TALL, LEAFY VEGETABLES
TO PLANT THEM AT NIGHT WHEN THE MOON IS FULL. IF WISHING ROOTED
VEGETABLES, YOU PLANT THEM AT HALF MOON.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM AN ITALIAN FRIEND WHO STILL CARRIES ON
THIS CUSTOM TODAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
James Callow Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F476 BELIEF -- Moon |
Date learned: 09-25-1972
HOLY SATURDAY CUSTOM
IT IS A TRADITIONAL EUROPEAN CUSTON ON HOLY SATURDAY TO TAKE A BASKET
OF EASTER BREAD, BUTTER IN THE SHAPE OF A LAMB, AND EGGS TO BE
BLESSED BY THE PRIEST IN A CEREMONY IN WHICH ALL THE PEOPLE PARTICI-
PATE.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM HER GIRL FRIEND MANY YEARS AGO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
| Subject headings: | 663 Holy Saturday Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 09-25-1972