Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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PICKIN YOUR NOSE
PICKIN' YOUR NOSE AND CHEWIN IT, CHEWIN IT.
EVERYBODY'S DOIN' IT, DOIN' IT.
PICKIN YOUR NOSE AND CHEWIN IT, CHEWIN IT.
EVER SEE (NAME) DOIN IT, DOIN IT.
DON'T THINK ITS FUNNY CUZ ITS SNOT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): PLAIN-JUMP
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 03-00-1971
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
TORTURE TREE.
THIS IS LOCATED IN A SMALL PARK OUTSIDE OF PERRY, NEW YORK.
WILLIAM BOYD AND THOMAS PARKER, MEMBERS OF SULLIVAN'S EXPEDITION
WERE CAPTURED BY THE SENECA INDIANS IN 1779. THE INDIANS CUT OPEN
THE TWO MEN, PULLED OUT THEIR INTESTINES, AND ATTACHED THEM TO A
LARGE TREE. THEY THEN FORCED THE MEN TO RUN AROUND THE TREE UNTIL
ALL THEIR INTESTINES WERE OUT, THEN LET THEM BLEED TO DEATH.
THE PARK CONTAINS THE TORTURE TREE, WITH A STONE PATH IN A CIRCLE
AROUND IT, THE GRAVES OF BOYD AND PARKER AND A PLAQUE
COMMEMORATING THIS TORTURE.
Where learned: NOT LISTED
Keyword(s): TORTURE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Plant PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
FISHING NUDE
ONE TIME, I WAS FISHING OFF THE TOP OF A ROCK IN THE
COLORADO RIVER. WELL, FISHING WAS NO GOOD ON THE
SIDE I WAS ON. SO, I JUMPED ACROSS, BUT I DIDN'T
MAKE IT TO THE OTHER SIDE, AND I FELL IN. FINALLY,
I GOT OUT AND UP ON THE SHORE, AND MY CLOTHES WERE
ALL WET. SO, I DECIDED TO TAKE MY CLOTHES OFF. I
PUT THEM ON A ROCK TO DRY. I DECIDED TO START
FISHING AGAIN WHILE THEY WERE DRYING. SO, I WAS
UP ON A ROCK WITHOUT MY CLOTHES WHEN A GAME WARDEN
CAME BY, AND HE ARRESTED ME FOR FISHING WITHOUT
A LICENSE.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; HIGH SCHOOL ; HISTORY CLASS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Man |
Date learned: 00001968 FALL
BELIEF OF EASTER
ON EASTER MORNING, AT 5:00 A.M., THE SUN WILL DANCE.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday |
Date learned: 02-18-1971
BIRTH CUSTOM
NEVER TAKE A BABY OUT AFTER DARK BECAUSE AN EVIL SPIRIT COULD
POSSESS IT. IF A BABY HAD TO BE TAKEN OUT, ITS FACE HAD TO BE COVERE
AT ALL TIMES.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT'S PARENTS BELIEVED THIS AND PRACTICED IT (1890-1920).
INFORMANT DOES NOT BELIEVE IT OR PRACTICE IT.
Where learned: TOLD AT INFORMANTS HOME
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour |
Date learned: 10-02-1971 ; 00-00-1920
PRAYER
GOD BE IN MY HEAD AND IN MY UNDERSTANDING,
GOD BE IN MY EYES AND IN MY LOOKING,
GOD BE IN MY MOUTH AND IN MY SPEAKING,
GOD BE IN MY HEART AND IN MY THINKING,
GOD BE IN MY END AND IN MY DEPARTING.
Keyword(s): INITIAL ITERATION MEDIAL ITERATION RELIGION
James Callow Keyword(s): FEMININE RHYME
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 03-07-1970
GRAFFITI
GOD ISN'T DEAD, HE IS JUST ON VACATION IN MIAMI BEACH.
Where learned: DETROIT ; PLUM ST
Keyword(s): FLORIDA PARODY RELIGION
James Callow Keyword(s): ANTHROPOMORPHISM
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Art Craft Architecture Art, Craft, Architecture |
Date learned: 10-31-1967
ITALIAN JOKE
ONCE IN AN ITALIAN CHURCH IN ROME, THERE WAS THIS PAINTER PAINTING
THE CEILING OF THE CHURCH. A LADY WALKED IN AND STARTED TO PRAY.
THE PAINTER SAID TO HIMSELF, "I AM GOING TO TELL HER I AM JESUS
CHRIST." SO HE YELLED DOWN, "I AM JESUS CHRIST. KISS THE FLOOR."
THE LADY CONTINUED TO PRAY. AGAIN THE PAINTER SAID, "I AM JESUS
CHRIST. KISS THE FLOOR." AGAIN THE LADY KEPT PRAYING. SO FINALLY
HE YELLED REAL LOUD, "I AM JESUS CHRIST. KISS THE FLOOR." THE LADY
LOOKED UP AND REPLIED, "SHUT UP. I'M TALKING TO YOUR MOTHER."
Where learned: TOLD AT ST HYACINTH SCHOOL
Keyword(s): HUMOR
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 02-17-1972
SAYING WHICH WISHES ONE WELL
MAY YOU SIT ON THE TACK OF SUCCESS AND RISE QUICKLY.
Keyword(s): HUMOR METONYMY
| Subject headings: | -- |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
POLISH MARRIAGE BELIEF
ON THE DAY BEFORE ST. ANDREW'S DAY, GIRLS POUR MELTED WAX INTO A PAN
OF WATER. IF A BOUQUET APPEARS SHE WILL RECEIVE A MARRIAGE PROPOSAL
IF A RING APPEARS SHE WILL BE MARRIED IN 9 MONTHS.
Submitter comment: LEARNED IN POLAND.
Data entry tech comment: KEYPUNCHER MADE NECESSARY SPELLING CORRECTIONS.
Where learned: STORE
Keyword(s): CUSTOM WEDDING
| Subject headings: | -- |
Date learned: 11-10-1967
PROVERBIAL PHRASE
...FIT TO KILL... (THAT IS TO BE SMARTLY DRESSED.).
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TRAVERSE CITY
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase |
Date learned: 02-21-1970
MONEY AND WOMEN
IF YOU HAVE MONEY, SHARE IT WITH MEN
FOR WOMEN ARE UNGRATEFUL
Where learned: WEST AFRICA
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE, POSITIVE ; SEXISM ; WEALTH, GENEROSITY, GIVING
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Blason Populaire |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
NONE
IF YOU CAN'T BE GOOD, BE CAREFUL.
Where learned: NOT LISTED
Keyword(s): ADVICE: POSITIVE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 09-00-1968
Entry filtered.
Entry filtered.
GEORGIA CHRISTMAS TREE CUSTOM
"IT WAS GOOD LUCK IF A FAMILY CUT DOWN THEIR OWN CHRISTMAS TREE."
Where learned: OHIO ; FLORIDA ; ALLIANCE ; EUSTIS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas tree BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 11-13-1980 ; 00001920S
PROVERB
BETTER LATE, THAN NEVER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; STUDENT UNION
James Callow Keyword(s): CONTRAST ; ELLIPSIS ; OBSERVATION ; PERSISTENCE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 09-22-1968
AFTER A MOSLEM PAKISTANI COUPLE GET MARRIED, THE
MOTHER OF THE GROOM, TAKES THE BRIDE ASIDE AND GIVES
HER THE MOSLEM "BIBLE," THE KORAN. THE BRIDE MUST
THEN READ FROM THE BOOK TO PROVE THAT SHE WAS
EDUCATED IN THE RELIGION.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SAYS THIS IS COMMON PRACTICE. THE BRIDE
WOULD HAVE TO KNOW HOW TO READ ARABIC IN ORDER TO
READ THE KORAN, IT PROVES SHE IS EDUCATED AND
UNDERSTANDS THE FAITH.
Where learned: LAHORE ; PAKISTAN
Keyword(s): RELIGION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Date learned: 11-00-1987
THE MARRIAGE CELEBRATION IN PAKISTAN AMONG THE MOSLEMS IS
VERY DIFFERENT THAN IN THE U.S. THE COUPLE MAY NEVER HAVE
MET BEFORE. THE CEREMONY IS HELD AT THE BRIDE'S FAMILY
HOME. THE WHOLE FAMILY PREPARES THE HOUSE FOR ALL THE
GUESTS. WHEN THE CEREMONY OCCURS THE BRIDE IS IN ONE ROOM
WITH HER PARENTS, FAMILY AND FRIENDS AND THE GROOM IS IN
ANOTHER ROOM WITH HIS PARENTS, FAMILY AND FRIENDS. ALSO A
PRIEST IS THERE. THERE ARE NO BRIDESMAIDS OR OTHER
ATTENDANTS. THERE IS AN EXCHANGE OF RINGS BUT THERE IS
NOTHING SIGNIFICANT ABOUT EXCHANGING THEM. THE PRIEST JUST
TAKES THE BRIDE'S RING TO HER IN THE OTHER ROOM, AND GIVES
THE GROOM HIS RING. THE WHOLE PROCESS TAKES A FEW HOURS.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT SAYS IT IS VERY STRANGE COMPARED TO A U.S.
WEDDING. HE SAYS MANY TIMES IT IS A FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE
FOR BOTH THE BRIDE AND GROOM, BUT MOSTLY FOR THE BRIDE
BECAUSE SHE HAS NEVER HAD ANY SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL OR INTIMATE
CONTACT WITH A MAN BEFORE.
Where learned: LAHORE ; PAKISTAN
Keyword(s): CEREMONY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Date learned: 11-00-1987