Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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POLISH EASTER CUSTOM
FOR EASTER BREAKFAST, THE FATHER TAKES A THIN WAFER WITH A FANCY
DESIGN ON IT. HE BREAKS IT IN HALF, THEN HE TAKES A PIECE. HE
PASSES IT ON TO THE OTHERS AND THEY ALL TAKE A PIECE.
Submitter comment: SHE LEARNED IT FROM HER GRANDMOTHER WHO IS POLISH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CARPOOL ; EAST SIDE
Keyword(s): FAMILY UNITY ; FOOD CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday |
POLISH ( ITALIAN ) EASTER CUSTOM
ON EASTER, WHEN ITALIAN PEOPLE GO VISITING, THEY EACH TAKE A
HARD-BOILED EGG AND TRY TO CRACK THE SHELL OF EACH OTHER'S EGG. THE
PERSON WHO CRACKED THE SHELL OF ANOTHER PERSON'S EGG FIRST IS THE
WINNER, AND THE PERSON WHOSE SHELL IS CRACKED FIRST IS THE LOSER.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A NORTHERN ITALIAN CUSTOM WHICH SHE LEARNED WHEN SHE WAS
A CHILD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CARPOOL ; EAST SIDE
Keyword(s): GAME
RULES OF CONDUCT--SPAIN
THIS LIST OF RULES GOVERNING SOCIAL BEHAVIOR WAS
TACKED ON THE CHURCH DOOR IN A SPANISH COMMUNITY:
1. WOMEN SHALL NOT APPEAR ON THE STREETS OF THIS VILLAGE
WITH DRESSES THAT ARE TOO TIGHT IN THOSE PLACES WHICH
PROVOKE THE EVIL PASSIONS OF MEN.
2. THEY MUST NEVER WEAR DRESSES THAT ARE TOO SHORT.
3. THEY MUST BE PARTICULARLY CAREFUL NOT TO WEAR
DRESSES THAT ARE LOW-CUT IN FRONT.
4. IT IS SHAMEFUL FOR WOMEN TO WALK IN THE STREETS WITH
SHORT SLEEVES.
5. EVERY WOMAN WHO APPEARS ON THE STREETS MUST WEAR
STOCKINGS.
6. WOMEN MUST NOT WEAR TRANSPARENT OR NETWORK CLOTH
OVER THOSE PARTS WHICH DECENCY REQUIRES TO BE COVERED.
7. AT THE AGE OF TWELVE, GIRLS MUST BEGIN TO WEAR
DRESSES THAT REACH TO THE KNEE AND STOCKINGS AT ALL
TIMES.
8. LITTLE BOYS MUST NOT APPEAR IN THE STREETS WITH
THEIR UPPER LEGS BARE.
9. GIRLS MUST NEVER WALK IN OUT-OF-THE-WAY PLACES
BECAUSE TO DO SO IS BOTH IMMORAL AND DANGEROUS.
10. NO DECENT WOMAN OR GIRL IS EVER SEEN ON A
BICYCLE.
11. NO DECENT WOMAN IS EVER SEEN WEARING TROUSERS.
12. WHAT THEY CALL IN THE CITIES "MODERN DANCING"
IS STRICTLY FORBIDDEN.
(DATED) JULY 11, 1943.
Where learned: "IBERIA" SATURDAY EVENING POST CCXLI
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Custom |
A MIXTURE OF OIL OF WINTERGREEN (2 DROPS) AND HARD
APPLE CIDER (GLASSFUL) MAY BE TAKEN INTERNALLY TO
ACT AS A CURE FOR ARTHRITIS OR RHEUMATISM.
Where learned: ROCHESTER ; NEW YORK, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 03-00-1969
IF A PERSON PARTICIPATES IN THREE WEDDING CEREMONIES DURING
A ONE-YEAR PERIOD, THE NEXT CEREMONY WILL BE HIS OR HER OWN
WEDDING.
Where learned: WEST VIRGINIA ; BECKLEY
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
LEGEND__BELLE ISLE
DOWN A CERTAIN STREET AT NIGHT, THERE IS A WITCH THAT HAD SPIKES IN
HER HANDS AND CLAWS AT YOUR CAR, TRYING TOO GET IN IF YOU
PARK TOO LONG
WITH YOUR GIRLFRIEND.
Submitter comment: FROM FRIEND
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; STUDENT UNION ; BALLROOM
Keyword(s): FUNCTIONAL FOLKTALE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Witch Shaman |
Date learned: 10-22-1967
COMMON LAW
IF SOMETHING IS FOUND AND THERE IS NO SIGN OF THE
OWNER, ON OR NEAR THE THING, OR OBJECT, THERE IS A
LAW THAT SAYS, "FINDERS KEEPERS, LOSERS WEEPERS."
Submitter comment:
I WAS TOLD THIS ABOUT 12-14 YEARS AGO, WHEN I WAS
IN GRAMMAR SCHOOL IN NEW YORK.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; PORT CHESTER
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Common law |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
DANCES IN 1910
IN THOSE DAYS SOME OF THE FARMERS' DAUGHTERS DIDN'T
WEAR SHOES. YOU COULD REACH DOWN AND THEY WOULD
PUT A FOOT IN YOUR HAND AND UP BACK OF THE SADDLE.
BAD FEATURE WAS AFTER SOME OF THE SQUARE DANCES,
YOU HAD TO HAVE A JACK KNIFE TO PICK OUT THE
SPLINTERS.
Where learned: MIDDLE STATE ILLINOIS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 02-01-1971
PROMISES
IF SOMEONE NEEDS AN ANSWER TO A SPECIAL INTENTION, THEY
OFTEN PROMISE GOD THAT IF THE INTENTION IS ANSWERED
THEY WILL MAKE A PILGRIMAGE TO THE CATHEDRAL IN MEXICO
CITY WHERE THE CAPE OF SAN JUAN IS. THE PEOPLE ENTER
THE CHURCH AND GO UP TO THE ALTAR ON THEIR KNEES, WITH
A CANDLE IN THEIR HANDS. THIS IS THE FULFILLMENT
OF THEIR PROMISE.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SAID THAT THERE ARE MANY OTHER SHRINES
WHICH ARE USED AS PILGRIM SPOTS, SHE, HERSELF HAD TO WALK
TWENTY MILES TO A SHRINE IN FULFILLMENT OF A PROMISE
CONCERNING THE OPERATION OF A COUSIN.
Where learned: WESTERN YMCA
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church |
Date learned: 11-11-1971
WHEN SOMEONE TELLS A STORY TO SOMEONE ELSE IN ORDER
FOR THE OTHER PERSON TO FEEL SORRY FOR THE PERSON
WHO IS TELLING THE STORY, THE PERSON WHO IS BEING
TOLD THE STORY MAKES LIKE HE IS PLAYING A VIOLIN
AND IS SARCASTICALLY SAYING THAT "MY HEART REALLY
BLEEDS FOR THE PERSON."
Where learned: PORT CHESTER ; NEW YORK, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Mock sympathy and mock enthusiasm |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
GOOD OLD U. OF DETROIT
AT THE UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT, WHEN A VIRGIN GRADUATES, THE
TOWER CLOCK WILL STOP, AND REMAIN STOPPED FOREVER.
Where learned: AUSTRALIA ; TOORAK ; VICTORIA
James Callow Keyword(s): IRONY? ; PESSIMSIM ; SEXISM
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Human Being BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 10-00-1967
UKRAINIAN WEDDING RECEPTION EVENT
FOLLOWING THE MEAL AT THE RECEPTION, A RELATIVE OF THE
BRIDE, USUALLY AN AUNT OR HER GODMOTHER, SITS WITH A PLATE
ON HER LAP. THE GUESTS WISHING TO DANCE WITH THE BRIDE, TRY
TO BREAK THE PLATE BY THROWING A COIN AT IT. IF THEY BREAK
THE PLATE THEY CAN DANCE WITH THE BRIDE. IF THE PLATE DOES
NOT BREAK, THEY CAN TRY AGAIN. EACH BROKEN PLATE MEANS
GOOD LUCK FOR THE BRIDE.
Submitter comment:
THIS CEREMONY TOOK PLACE WHEN MY MOTHER WAS MARRIED IN
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK IN 1939.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; ROCHESTER
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage BELIEF -- Good luck Eating utensils BELIEF -- Good luck Crucial moment of life |
Date learned: 00001950S
AN EASTER CUSTOM
ON EASTER MONDAY THE BOYS OF THE TOWN WOULD GO AROUND AND THROW
WATER ON THE HEADS OF THE YOUNG GIRLS OF THE TOWN AS A SIGN OF
FERTILITY.
Submitter comment:
HEARD FROM HER FATHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; STUDENT UNION
Keyword(s): DYNGUS DAY ; WATER
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus |
Date learned: 04-04-1967
IN PORT AUSTIN, A MAN WENT TO CHURCH ONE DAY IN
HIS BUGGY, WHICH WAS PULLED BY TWO HORSES. WHEN
HE CAME OUT ONE OF THE HORSES WAS DEAD. THE MAN
SAID, "I'LL BE GODDAM, THAT NEVER HAPPENED
BEFORE."
Submitter comment: HEARD FROM HIS DAD.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT, ASSUMED ; STUDENT UNION
James Callow Keyword(s): PROFANITY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Stupid man or woman |
Date learned: 12-03-1967
Retort
Put an egg in your shoe and beat it!
Submitter comment:
Spoken after a twenty minute argument with his cousin.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [C730.329] crossed out. Replaced with current classification.
Where learned: BOSTON ; Massachusetts
Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; INSULT ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; Wisecrack
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Proverb
Watch your pennies, the dollars will take care of themselves.
Submitter comment:
I was having trouble making ends meet financially a few years ago, this advice helped a bit.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Located in pile marked Duplicates and Other Rejects
Where learned: BOSTON ; Massachusetts
Keyword(s): COINS ; Dollars ; Finances ; Frugal ; MONEY ; Pennies ; THRIFT
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
CAR FOR SALE
A THUNDERBIRD WAS ON SALE FOR $500--IT WAS AFTER THE FOUR-PASSEN-
GERS CAME OUT, SO AFTER 1958. A WOMAN HAD GONE TO CALIFORNIA AND
HER HUSBAND CAME HOME AFTER DRIVING HER TO THE AIRPORT. HE
ENTERED THE GARAGE WHICH OPENED WITH REMOTE CONTROL. HE DIED OF
A HEART ATTACK AND WAS LEFT IN THERE FOR EITHER THREE DAYS OR
WEEKS--I CAN'T REMEMBER. WHEN HIS WIFE CAME BACK SHE WAS IN THE
HOSPITAL BEING TREATED FOR SHOCK, I GUESS. ONE OF HER NURSES (WHO
IS THE DAUGHTER OF ONE OF MY DAD'S EMPLOYEES) WAS TOLD ABOUT THE
CAR. YOU REALLY COULDN'T SMELL IT UNLESS YOU WERE TOLD ABOUT IT;
BUT THEY STILL HAD TROUBLE SELLING IT. THE NURSE COULDN'T BUY IT
BECAUSE SHE WAS BLIND AND HAS SUGAR DIABETES. THIS HAPPENED TWO
OR THREE YEARS AGO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Vehicle propelled by mechanical or other force on land BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 05-10-1965
HAVE YOUR EYES EVER BEEN CHECKED?
YES.
THAT'S FUNNY, MINE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN BROWN.
Where learned: RUSSELL INDUSTRIAL CENTER
James Callow Keyword(s): PUN
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 12-03-1967
DOWN IN THE VALLEY WHERE THE GREEN GRASS GROWS/ THERE SAT SALLY AS
SWEET AS A ROSE./ SHE SANG, SHE SANG, SHE SANG SO SWEET/ ALONG CAME
JACK AND KISSED HER ON THE CHEEK./
HOW MANY KISSES DID HE GIVE HER? 1, 2, 3, ...
Where learned: RESTAURANT ; GOLDEN LION
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 07-22-1964
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