Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for DETROIT, ASSUMED returned 111 results.
HOW THE ROBIN GOT ITS RED BREAST.
WHEN CHRIST WAS SUFFERING ON THE CROSS, AND BLOOD TRICKLED DOWN
HIS FOREHEAD DUE TO THE SHARP THORNS OF HIS CROWN, A ROBIN FLEW BY
THE LORD'S HEAD AND TOOK PITY ON HIM. THE BIRD WONDERED HOW HE COULD
ALLEVIATE OUR LORD'S PAIN. HE THOUGHT HE WOULD TRY AND REMOVE AT
LEAST ONE OF THE THORNS FROM HIS FOREHEAD. AS HE TUGGED AT THE
THORN IT, IN TURN, PIERCED HIS BREAST--AND EVER SINCE THE ROBIN BEAR
THE MARK OF A RED BREAST DUE TO ITS HEROIC DEED.
Data entry tech comment: GRAMMAR CORRECTED BY KEYPUNCHER.
Where learned: DETROIT, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Creation and Order of Animal Life PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero |
Date learned: NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
HOW THE ROBIN GOT ITS RED BREAST.
ONE DAY A GROUP OF BOY SCOUTS WERE SITTING AROUND A CAMPFIRE. THEIR
COUNSELOR PROCEEDED TO TELL THEM ABOUT HOW THE ROBIN GOT HIS RED
BREAST. MANY YEARS AGO A SIMILAR CAMPFIRE EXISTED WHEN A ROBIN,
ATTRACTED BY ITS FRIENDLY SONG AND CONVERSATION, FLEW BY TO HEAR
WHAT WAS GOING ON. HE FLEW TOO CLOSE TO THE FIRE AND SINGED HIS
BREAST--EVER SINCE ALL ROBINS HAVE RED BREASTS. AS THE COUNSELOR
TOLD THIS TALE A ROBIN FLEW BY, AGAIN TOO CLOSE TO THE FLAMES.
Where learned: DETROIT, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Creation and Order of Animal Life |
Date learned: 02-15-1970
WHY DOGS HAVE WET NOSES
THE DOG HAS A WET NOSE BECAUSE HE WAS LATE BOARDING THE ARK AND
NOAH HAD NO PLACE TO KEEP HIM. THUS, FOR FORTY DAYS AND NIGHTS HE
HAD TO STAND ON DECK IN THE RAIN.
Where learned: DETROIT, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Characteristics of Animals BELIEF -- Number P686.1.40 |
Date learned: NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
HOW THE GIRAFFE GOT A LONG NECK
THE GIRAFFE USED TO HAVE A SHORT NECK LIKE A HORSE. GIRAFFES
STARTED EATING THE LEAVES OFF TREES AND AS THE LOWER LEAVES WERE
EATEN AWAY THEY HAD TO STRETCH TO REACH MORE. THIS MADE THEIR
NECKS LONGER UNTIL THEY REACHED THEIR PRESENT LENGTH.
Submitter comment: THIS, INTERESTINGLY, IS SIMILAR TO THE LAMARCHIAN THEORY OF EVOLUTIO
Where learned: DETROIT, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Characteristics of Animals |
Date learned: NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
LEGEND
ACCORDING TO AN INDIAN LEGEND, BECAUSE THE OWL KEPT HIS EYES OPEN
DURING A CREATION CEREMONY WHEN HE SHOULD HAVE KEPT THEM CLOSED
HE WAS TOLD THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO KEEP THEM CLOSED EXCEPT AT NIGHT
AND THAT HE COULD NO LONGER SEE HIS ANIMAL AND BIRD BROTHERS
DURING THE DAYTIME.
Where learned: DETROIT, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Creation and Order of Animal Life |
Date learned: NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
DO YOU KNOW WHAT THEY CALL A MILKMAN IN HIGH HEELS?
A DAIRY QUEEN.
Data entry tech comment: REFERENCE TO HOMOSEXUALITY
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 04-13-1967
THE PERSON GREETS HIS FRIEND, THEN PUTS HIS HAND ON
THE PERSON'S BACK, SAYING: GUESS WHO'S BACK!
Where learned: HOME ; DETROIT, ASSUMED ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 00-00-1967
THE PERSON HOLDS HIS FRIEND BY THE ELBOW AND SAYS:
IS THIS JOINT OPEN?
Where learned: HOME ; DETROIT, ASSUMED ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 00-00-1967
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
TALE
THERE WAS A YOUNG COUPLE NECKING IN A CAR AT LOVERS' LANE.
THEY HAD THE RADIO TUNED IN TO A NEWS BROADCAST, WHEN
THEY HEARD THAT THERE WAS AN ESCAPEE FROM A MENTAL
INSTITUTION IN THEIR IMMEDIATE NEIGHBORHOOD. THE MAN WAS
DANGEROUS, AND COULD BE IDENTIFIED BY A HOOK FOR A RIGHT
HAND.
THE GIRL BECAME FRIGHTENED AND INSISTED THAT THE BOY TAKE
HER HOME. HE WAS ANNOYED WITH HER AND SHOWED IT BY
RACING OUT OF THE PARK.
WHEN HE GOT OUT OF THE CAR TO OPEN THE GIRL'S DOOR,
THOUGH, HE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A HOOK CAUGHT IN THE
HANDLE OF THE DOOR TO HER SIDE OF THE CAR.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
Date learned: 12-06-1967
CARRY A SILVER DISC IF YOU GO OUT AT NIGHT, FOR
PROTECTION AGAINST WEREWOLVES. MM
SLEEP WITH A WOODEN CROSS OR PUT A WOODEN CROSS OVER
YOUR BED TO PROTECT YOU FROM VAMPIRES.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Werewolf Vampire |
Date learned: 11-03-1971
KEEP THE FAMILY TOGETHER, EVEN TO A FAMILY BURIAL SPOT.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 11-03-1971
RING
I RECEIVED A GOOD LUCK CHARM FROM MY MOTHER WHO
RECEIVED IT FROM HER MOTHER. IT'S A RING.
IT HAS A GOLD COLORED BAND WITH A SORT OF TREASURE
BOX ON TOP. INSIDE THE BOX IS A RUBY.
THIS CHARM DOES NOT BRING ME LUCK IN GAMES, RAFFLES
OR ANYTHING OF THAT SORT. BUT IT DOES MAKE ME HAPPY
AND LETS ME THINK OF CERTAIN THINGS. WHENEVER I WEAR
THIS RING, IT MAKES ME HAPPY AND I HAVE GAY MOODS.
I CALL IT A GOOD LUCK CHARM BECAUSE I AM LUCKY TO
HAVE IT AFTER ALL THESE YEARS.
Where learned: DETROIT, ASSUMED ; SAINT HYACINTH SCHOOL
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 02-16-1972
AFRICAN SUPERSTITIONS
IN AFRICA WHEN A PERSON DID SOMETHING WRONG, THEY
WOULD HAVE A CURSE PUT ON THEM.
THE TRIBE WOULD EITHER KILL OR BURN
THE PERSON AND THEIR HOUSE DOWN TO KILL THE CURSE.
Where learned: DETROIT, ASSUMED ; SAINT HYACINTH SCHOOL
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Curse |
INDIAN CORN SOUP
IN ORDER TO MAKE INDIAN CORN SOUP, ONE MUST FIRST
OBTAIN SOME INDIAN CORN STALKS. TAKE THE STALKS
AND PLACE THEM IN A PAN OVER A FIRE. THE HEAT
WILL CAUSE THE CORN KERNELS TO POP. TAKE THE POPPED
KERNELS AND WASH THEM FIRST IN ASHES AND THEN
IN LYE. REPEAT THIS PROCEDURE TWICE. AFTER COMPLETING
THE KERNEL WASHING, PLACE THE CORN IN A POT FILLED
WITH WATER, ADD SALT AND BRING THE MIXTURE TO A BOIL.
LET THE WATER BOIL FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES. THEN THE SOUP
SHOULD BE DONE.
Where learned: DETROIT, ASSUMED ; WORK ; J L HUDSONS ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Mixed preparation in liquid |
Date learned: 10-13-1969
KNOCK KNOCK JOKE
KNOCK KNOCK
WHO'S THERE?
DUKE
DUKE WHO?
DUKE THE BELLS A RINGING FOR HOLLY
Where learned: DETROIT, ASSUMED ; KEATING SCHOOL
Keyword(s): DECK THE HALLS WITH BOUGHS OF HOLLY (?) ; NAME
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 11-28-1967
FRIDAY THE THIRTEENTH IS A DAY WHEN EVERYTHING GOES WRONG.
Where learned: DETROIT, ASSUMED ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | 686 Specific number by specific number being described |
Date learned: 09-00-1968
PROVERB
IDLENESS IS THE MOTHER OF ALL VICES. TRANSLATION OF
L'OISIVETE EST LA MERE DE TOUS LES VICES.
EST LA MERE DE TOUS LES VICES.
Where learned: SCHOOL ; DETROIT, ASSUMED ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT, ASSUMED ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
FRANKENSTEIN
(NAME) IS A FRIEND OF MINE,
HE RESEMBLES FRANKENSTEIN.
WHEN HE DOES THE IRISH JIG,
HE LOOKS JUST LIKE PORKY PIG.
Where learned: DETROIT, ASSUMED ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): QUATRAIN INSULT DANCING-IRISH JIG ; RHYME: ABAB
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
ON EASTER, IF THE FIRST WORD YOU SAY IS RABBIT, THE REST OF THE
YEAR WILL BE GOOD.
Where learned: HOME ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT, ASSUMED ; STUDENT UNION
Keyword(s): LUCK ; RITUAL SPEECH
Date learned: 03-30-1971