Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for TOLD AT returned 523 results.
RIDDLE
THERE IS A GIRL IN A BUTCHER SHOP IN CINCINNATI WHO IS
6 FEET 8 INCHES TALL, HAS A 42 INCH WAIST, AND WEARS
NUMBER 12 SHOES. WHAT DOES SHE WEIGH?
-- SHE WEIGHS MEAT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT COLLECTORS HOME
Keyword(s): TRANSATIVE AND INTRANSATIVE VERB MEANING "TO WEIGH."
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 00-00-0000
RIDDLE
WHAT LETTER IS NEVER FOUND IN THE ALPHABET?
-- THE ONE YOU MAIL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT COLLECTORS HOME
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 00-00-0000
DUMMY DUMMY DO DO / DUMMY DUMMY DEE/ I CHOOSE ---- TO CHASE AFTER ME.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT DOES PRATICE IT NOW AT HULL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
IN LIVONIA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT GRANDMOTHERS HOME
Keyword(s): CALL-RHYME
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 02-07-1971
GOOD LUCK NUT
NUTS ARE PLACED IN DISHES AS PART OF THE CHRISTMAS FEAST CELEBRATION
IN BULGARIA. EVERYONE IN THE HOUSEHOLD RETAINS ONE TO BE SAVED
UNTIL NEW YEARS DAY. EVERYONE THEN BREAKS OPEN THEIR NUT AND THE
CONDITION OF THE INTERIOR INDICATES THE OWNER'S FUTURE FOR THE
COMING YEAR. A SOUND NUT MEAT INDICATES PROSPERITY FOR ITS OWNER,
WHILE A ROTTEN INTERIOR SAYS THE COMING YEAR WILL NOT BE GOOD FOR
ITS OWNER.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT REMEMBERS THIS AS A COMMON PRACTICE OF HIS FAMILY IN
BULGARIA.
Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD AT HENDRICKSONS PHARMACY
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM ; PREDICTION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Single dishes CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Predictions |
Date learned: 03-21-1970
A MAN TOO GOOD FOR THE WORLD IS TOO GOOD FOR HIS WIFE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALLEN PARK ; TOLD AT HER HOME
James Callow Keyword(s): OBSERVATION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 03-25-1971
THE ROSARY
MY GRANDMOTHER WOULD GIVE EACH GRANDCHILD A ROSARY
SOME TIME DURING THE VERY EARLY PART OF THEIR LIFE.
THIS ROSARY IS TO BE HUNG FROM THE BED.
IN THIS WAY, THE ROSARY WILL GIVE PROTECTION
AGAINST THE DEVIL.
Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD AT HER HOME
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration |
Date learned: 03-22-1970
MARRIAGE LICENSE BUREAU
THE MARRIAGE LICENSE BUREAU IS THE TWO DOLLAR WINDOW WHERE
EVERYBODY LOSES.
Submitter comment:
MR. COTTINGHAM IS ABSOLUTELY CONVINCED OF THE VERACITY OF THE
ABOVE, BUT HE HAS NEVER BEEN MARRIED -- HE'S ONLY 21 -- SO HE HAS
YET TO FIND OUT HOW CORRECT HE IS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT HIS HOME
James Callow Keyword(s): OBSERVATION ; RACING
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 03-19-1970
THE HAND THAT ROCKS THE CRADLE RULES THE WORLD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM ; TOLD AT HIS HOME
Keyword(s): CONTRAST ; MOTHERHOOD
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 03-21-1971
MARRIAGES ARE MADE IN HEAVEN. MEN ARE LIKE WATERMELONS --
YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT THEY ARE LIKE UNTIL YOU LIVE WITH THEM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TOLD AT HOME ; DEARBORN
James Callow Keyword(s): OBSERVATION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: 02-27-1971
Jump Rope Rhyme
DOWN IN THE VALLEY WHERE THE GREEN GRASS GROWS THERE SAT (GIRL'S NAME) AS SWEET AS A ROSE.
SHE SANG, AND SHE SANG, AND SHE SANG SO SWEET.
ALONG CAME (BOY'S NAME) AND KISSED HER ON THE CHEEK. AND HOW MANY KISSES DID SHE RECEIVE?
1 ,2, 3, ETC. (KEEP COUNTING UNTIL YOU MISS)
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT ACTUALLY USED THIS RHYME
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT COLLECTOR'S HOME ; 11355 Lakepointe
Keyword(s): ENDURANCE JUMP
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 10-04-1970
POISON IVY
USE EQUAL PARTS OF VINEGAR AND WATER ON THE SKIN FOR POISON IVY, AND
LET IT DRY. DO IT OFTEN.
Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD AT HOME
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 03-10-1971
PROPERTIES ATTRIBUTED TO FIRST (CLASSIFIER'S TITLE)
IF YOU WALK INTO A CHURCH FOR THE FIRST TIME,
YOU MUST SAY THREE OUR FATHER'S, THREE HAIL MARY'S
AND THREE GLORY BE'S.
IF YOU FOLLOW THIS PROCEDURE AND SAY THESE PRAYERS
YOUR WISH WILL BE GRANTED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TOLD AT HOME ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 02-27-1971
THOSE WHO DISOBEY THEIR FATHER AND MOTHER EAT THEIR
BREAD DRY.
Submitter comment: {TRANSLATED FROM LITHUANIAN}
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT HONORS HOUSE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 02-17-1971
DREAM BELIEF
THE FIRST TIME A PERSON SLEEPS IN A NEW
OR A DIFFERENT BED, WHAT THEY DREAM WILL COME TRUE.
Where learned: TOLD AT INFORMANTS HOME
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. Spirit / Mind / Body |
Date learned: 09-26-1970
IT IS AN OLD CUSTOM TO MAKE A WISH UPON VISITING A CHURCH FOR
THE FIRST TIME.
Where learned: TOLD AT INFORMANTS HOME
Date learned: 09-15-1969
FIRST SALE
IN NEW YORK, THE CHRISTIANS KNEW OF A JEWISH SUPERSTITION--THAT
NO MATTER WHO CAME IN THEIR STORE, THEY HAD TO MAKE THE FIRST SALE OF
THE DAY. IF THEY TURNED THAT PERSON AWAY WITHOUT SELLING THEM
ANYTHING, THEY WOULD HAVE NO BUSINESS THE REST OF THE DAY.
AND CHRISTIANS KNOWING OF THIS, TODAY WILL STILL GO TO THE PLACE
OF BUSINESS EARLY IN THE MORNING WHEN HE'S OPENING UP AND OFFER
A RIDICULOUS PRICE - AND GET IT BECAUSE OF THIS SUPERSTITION.
Where learned: TOLD AT INFORMANTS HOME
Keyword(s): SALESPERSON
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. Favorites PROVERB -- Blason Populaire |
Date learned: 02-23-1970
PRAYER
DEAR ST. PETER, DEAR ST. ANN
PLEASE SEND (GIRL'S NAME)
A HANDSOME MAN
Where learned: TOLD AT INFORMANTS HOME
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 02-18-1970
PRAYER
SWEETEST MARY UNDEFILED,
HELP AND GUIDE YOUR EARTHLY CHILD
PLEASE HELP ME KEEP MY CHILDREN GOOD
AND HELP ME REAR THEM AS I SHOULD
PLEASE ASK GOD TO GIVE ME GRACE,
TO KEEP MY TEMPER IN ITS PLACE.
AND GIVE ME PATIENCE WITH EACH CHILD,
AND BE LIKE THEE, O MOTHER MILD.
Where learned: TOLD AT INFORMANTS HOME
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
EVIL_EYE BELIEF
CHILDREN IN MALTA ARE GIVEN A SPECIAL RELIGIOUS
BLESSING AND ALSO CARRY A RELIGIOUS MEDAL
TO WARD OFF THE EVIL EYE.
Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD AT INFORMANTS HOME
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 03-08-1970
IF YOU WANT TO HAVE GOOD LUCK IN YOUR BUSINESS
HAVE A PRIEST BLESS THE BUILDING WHEN IT IS
FIRST BUILT OR BEFORE YOU MOVE IN.
REPEAT IT FOR EACH YEAR FOR CONTINUED SUCCESS.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT HAS HER HOME AS WELL
AS FAMILY BUSINESSES BLESSED AT LEAST ONCE A
YEAR AND USUALLY ON A MAJOR HOLIDAY SUCH
AS CHRISTMAS . OTHER ORTHODOX, INFORMANT RELATED,
ALSO DO THE SAME.
Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD AT INFORMANTS HOME
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 11-08-1971