Dr. James T. Callow publications
Browse by
Questions or comments on this site? Please email davidsor@udmercy.edu.
The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for EAST DETROIT returned 121 results.
NORSE FOLKLORE
EVERY MALE VIKING'S WISH WAS TO DIE IN BATTLE.
THIS WAS GLORIOUS TO THEM. WHEN A VIKING DIED IN
BATTLE, HE WAS SURE TO GO TO VALHALLA OR HEAVEN.
THREE VIKING SHIELDMAIDENS CALLED VALKIYRIES
CAME AT THE END OF THE BATTLE TO SPIRIT THE DEAD
TO HEAVEN. THESE VALKIYRIES CAME IN FULL DRESS
OF WAR WHILE RIDING SWIFT HORSES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
IF YOU EAT "PICKLED HERRING" ON NEW YEAR'S EVE YOU WILL
NOT HAVE MONEY PROBLEMS IN THE COMING YEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals |
Date learned: 09-27-1968
RUSSIAN
CHRISTMAS IS CELEBRATED UPON DECEMBER 5, THE EVE
OF ST. NICHOLAS' DAY. ST. NICHOLAS SUPPOSEDLY
RIDES THROUGH THE TOWNS GIVING TOYS AND CANDIES
TO THE CHILDREN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F120 |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
GREEK ORTHODOX WEDDING TRADITION.
FOR THE GREEK ORTHODOX THE WEDDING BAND IS WORN ON THE RING
FINGER OF THE RIGHT HAND INSTEAD OF THE RING FINGER OF THE LEFT
HAND WHICH MOST CULTURES DO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Dress M248.8 SQ[ 8171 |
THE RECIPE FOR RAGOUT
FIRST YOU MAKE A BROWN GRAVY BY MIXING BROWN FLOUR AND WATER
TO THE DESIRED CONSISTANCY. YOU THEN ADD EQUAL AMOUNTS BY
WEIGHT OF PIG'S FEET AND CHICKEN. THIS MIXTURE IS THEN ALLOWED
TO SIMMER FOR ONE HOUR AND IS THEN READY TO SERVE.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS WHAT IS CONSIDERED A POOR MAN'S MEAL AND IS EATEN
AS AN APPETIZER BEFORE THANKSGIVING DINNER AS A REMINDER
TO WHAT WE HAVE TO BE THANKFUL FOR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Autumn Fall Harvest Thanksgiving Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals |
THE GIRL WHO CATCHES THE BRIDAL BOUQUET IS THE NEXT ONE TO GET
MARRIED OF ALL THE GIRLS AT THE WEDDING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Bouquet CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Bouquet toss |
Date learned: 00001970S
WHEN YOUR HAND ITCHES, THAT MEANS THAT YOU ARE GOING TO BE GETTING
SOME UNEXPECTED MONEY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Measure of quality Medium of exchange BELIEF -- Sensations and involuntary actions Itching hands and feet |
Date learned: 11-00-1982
IF PEOPLE PRAISE YOU TOO MUCH THEY ARE REALLY JEALOUS OF YOU.
THEY ARE ACTUALLY WISHING YOU HARM SO THEY ARE GIVING YOU THE EVIL
EYE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Eyes, evil eye BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Curse |
Date learned: 11-00-1982
CHING CHONG CHINAMAN
CHING CHONG CHINAMAN
SITTING ON A FENCE
TRYING TO MAKE A DOLLAR
OUT OF FIFTY-FIVE CENTS. MM
YOU MISSED.
YOU MISSED.
YOU MISSED
LIKE THIS.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS SUNG WHILE JUMPING FIRST WITH LEGS APART AND THEN WITH LEGS
CROSSED. YOU WANT TO END UP WITH YOUR LEGS CROSSED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Bodily Activity Song: Game, Pastime, Sport Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: 00001970S
SUPERSTITION
NEVER HAVE A CAT AROUND A BABY. IT WILL TAKE THE BABY'S BREATH
AWAY. IT WILL LAY ON THE BABY'S FACE AND SMOTHER IT BECAUSE OF
JEALOUSY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): PET
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 00001970S
BEFORE EATING AN APPLE A GIRL SHOULD TWIST THE STEM SAYING THE
ALPHABET OUT LOUD UNTIL THE STEM BREAKS OFF. WHATEVER LETTER SHE
SAID WHEN IT BROKE IS THE FIRST LETTER OF HER HUSBAND-TO-BE'S NAME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Use of object for determining future spouse |
Date learned: 00001970S
BOYS NEVER MAKE PASSES AT GIRLS WHO WEAR GLASSES.
Submitter comment: I USED TO WEAR GLASSES AND I CAN REMEMBER THIS BEING SAID TO ME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Dating Courtship SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 00001970S
SEE SEE MY PLAYMATE
SEE SEE MY PLAYMATE.
COME OUT AND PLAY WITH ME.
AND BRING YOUR DOLLIE THREE.
CLIMB UP MY APPLE TREE.
SLIDE DOWN MY RAIN BARREL
INTO MY CELLAR DOOR
AND WE'LL BE JOLLY FRIENDS
FOREVERMORE. MM
IT WAS A SUNNY DAY.
SHE COULD NOT COME TO PLAY.
WITH TEARDROPS IN HER EYES,
I'M SAD TO SAY,
"SO SORRY PLAYMATE
I CANNOT PLAY WITH YOU.
MY DOLLIE'S GOT THE FLU.
BOO HOO HOO HOO HOO HOO.
AIN'T GOT NO RAIN BARREL
OR NO CELLAR DOOR.
BUT WE'LL BE JOLLY FRIENDS
FOREVERMORE."
Submitter comment: THIS CAN BE SUNG WHILE TWO PEOPLE CLAP AND PAT HANDS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Singing Dancing Marching Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: 00001970S
WEDDING BELIEF
IT IS BAD LUCK FOR A GIRL TO CATCH 3 BOUQUETS AT WEDDINGS. THIS
MEANS SHE WILL NEVER GET MARRIED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple Observation CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Bouquet CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Bouquet toss BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.545 BELIEF -- Bad luck Plants BELIEF -- Bad luck Numbers |
Date learned: 11-00-1982
SNIPE HUNTING
AS A JOKE TAKE PEOPLE OUT AND TELL THEM THAT YOU ARE GOING SNIPE
HUNTING. THERE IS REALLY NO SUCH THING AS A SNIPE THOUGH. HAVE
SOME PEOPLE WHO KNOW ABOUT THE JOKE PRETEND TO BE CATCHING SOMETHING
IN A BROWN PAPER BAG. THIS SHOULD BE DONE AT NIGHT.
Submitter comment: MY SISTER WAS ACTUALLY FOOLED BY THIS GAG WHEN SHE WAS YOUNGER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
AT SOME POLISH WEDDINGS THE GUESTS PIN MONEY TO THE BRIDE'S VEIL.
THIS IS A TYPE OF DOWRY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Headdress |
Date learned: 11-00-1982
IF YOU ARE TALKING TO SOMEONE AND YOU BOTH SAY THE SAME THING AT THE
SAME TIME, YOU MUST TRY TO BE THE ONE TO SAY JINX FIRST. IF YOU
DO NOT SAY JINX FIRST YOU CANNOT SAY ANOTHER THING FOR A CERTAIN
AMOUNT OF TIME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Mental Activity SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 00001970S
JUMPROPE RHYME
I'M A LITTLE DUTCH GIRL
DRESSED IN BLUE.
THESE ARE THE THINGS
I LIKE TO DO. MM
SALUTE TO THE CAPTAIN,
CURTSY TO THE QUEEN
TURN MY BACK
ON THE MEAN OLD KING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 11-00-1982
KRIS KRINGLE
ABOUT A MONTH BEFORE CHRISTMAS, THE WHOLE FAMILY PICKS EACH OTHERS'
NAMES OUT OF A HAT. THE PERSON THAT YOU PICK, YOU MUST BE EXTRA
NICE TO. YOU ARE THAT PERSON'S KRIS KRINGLE. ON CHRISTMAS EVE,
EVERYONE TRIES TO GUESS WHO HIS KRIS KRINGLE WAS.
Submitter comment:
SINCE AT MY BOYFRIEND'S HOUSE MANY TIMES PEOPLE WOULD GUESS THE
WRONG PERSON, THEY NOW TELL EACH OTHER ON CHRISTMAS EVE TO AVOID
HURT FEELINGS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas Season See F645.2 for Advent Season. |
JOKE
THERE IS THIS GUY WHO LIVES IN THIS BIG HOUSE AND HE DECIDES TO PUT
HIS HOUSE UP FOR SALE. HE PUTS A SIGN UP IN FRONT OF HIS HOUSE.
ANOTHER GUY COMES IN TO LOOK AT THE HOUSE. THE OWNER TAKES THE
PROSPECTIVE BUYER THROUGH THE HOUSE. WHEN HE IS ALL DONE SHOWING
THE HOUSE, THE PROSPECTIVE BUYER REALLY LIKES IT AND WANTS TO BUY
IT. THE OWNER THEN TELLS HIM THAT THERE IS ONE LAST THING HE MUST
SHOW HIM. THEY BEGIN GOING DOWN SOME STEPS AND THEY COME TO A
100 LB. DOOR. THEY GO DOWN SOME MORE STEPS AND THEY COME TO A 75
LB. DOOR. THEY GO THROUGH THAT AND GO DOWN SOME MORE STEPS AND
THEY COME TO A 50 LB. DOOR. THEY GO THROUGH THAT
AND THEN GO DOWN SOME MORE STEPS AND THEN THEY COME TO A 25 LB.
DOOR. THEY GO THROUGH THAT AND GO DOWN SOME MORE STEPS AND THEN
THEY COME TO A 15 LB. DOOR. THEY GO THROUGH THAT AND GO DOWN SOME
MORE STEPS AND THEN THEY COME TO A 10 LB. DOOR. THEY GO THROUGH
THIS DOOR AND THERE IS A CURTAIN HANGING THERE. THE OWNER OPENS THE
CURTAIN AND THERE IN A CAGE IS A BLUE GORILLA. THE OWNER TELLS THE
BUYER THAT THE GORILLA WILL NOT BOTHER HIM BUT THAT HE MUST NEVER
TOUCH IT. THE BUYER AGREES TO THIS. SO THEY GO THROUGH THE 10 LB.
DOOR, GO UP A FEW STEPS. THEN THEY GO THROUGH THE 15 LB. DOOR AND
GO UP A FEW STEPS. THEN THEY GO THROUGH THE 25 LB. DOOR AND GO UP
A FEW STEPS. THEN THEY GO THROUGH THE 50 LB. DOOR AND GO UP A FEW
STEPS. THEN THEY GO THROUGH THE 75 LB. DOOR AND GO UP A FEW STEPS.
THEN THEY GO THROUGH THE 100 LB. DOOR AND GO UP A FEW STEPS. THEY
SIGN PAPERS AND THE HOUSE BECOMES THE BUYER'S. HE LIVES THERE FOR A
FEW WEEKS AND EVERYTHING IS GOING FINE. HE KEEPS WONDERING THOUGH
WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF HE TOUCHED THE BLUE GORILLA. SO HE GOES DOWN
A FEW STEPS AND GOES THROUGH THE 100 LB. DOOR. HE GOES DOWN A FEW
MORE STEPS AND GOES THROUGH THE 75 LB. DOOR. HE GOES DOWN A FEW
MORE STEPS AND GOES THROUGH THE 50 LB. DOOR. HE GOES DOWN A FEW
MORE STEPS AND GOES THROUGH THE 25 LB. DOOR. HE GOES DOWN A FEW
MORE STEPS AND HE GOES THROUGH THE 15 LB DOOR. HE GOES DOWN A FEW
MORE STEPS AND HE GOES THROUGH THE 10 LB. DOOR. HE PUSHES THE
CURTAIN OPEN AND THERE IS THE BLUE GORILLA. HE FIGURES THE GORILLA
IS IN A CAGE AND CANNOT HURT HIM. SO HE VERY LIGHTLY TOUCHES THE
BLUE GORILLA. THE GORILLA BECOMES FURIOUS AND STARTS JUMPING UP
AND DOWN. THE MAN STANDS THERE IN AMAZEMENT. THEN THE BLUE GORILLA
STARTS BENDING THE BARS. THE MAN BEGINS RUNNING UP THE STAIRS.
HE GOES THROUGH THE 10 LB. DOOR AND RUNS UP A FEW MORE STEPS. HE
GOES THROUGH THE 15 LB. DOOR AND RUNS UP A FEW MORE STEPS. HE CAN
HEAR THE GORILLA RUNNING BEHIND HIM. HE GOES THROUGH THE 25 LB. DOOR
AND RUNS UP A FEW MORE STEPS. HE GOES THROUGH THE 50 LB. DOOR AND
RUNS UP A FEW MORE STEPS. HE GOES THROUGH THE 75 LB. DOOR AND RUNS
UP A FEW MORE STEPS. HE CAN HEAR THE BLUE GORILLA BEHIND HIM. HE
FINALLY GETS THROUGH THE 100 LB. DOOR AND HIDES BEHIND THE COUCH.
HE STARTS PRAYING AND ASKS THE LORD TO PROTECT HIM FROM THE BLUE
GORILLA. THE BLUE GORILLA COMES THROUGH THE 100 LB. DOOR AND SPOTS
THE MAN BEHIND THE COUCH. THE BLUE GORILLA RUNS OVER TO THE
COUCH AND THE MAN SHUTS HIS EYES. THE BLUE GORILLA TAPS HIM ON THE
SHOULDER AND SAYS "YOU'RE IT."
Submitter comment:
THIS JOKE CAN REALLY BE DRAGGED OUT BY SAYING THE STEPS AND DOORS
PART REAL SLOW.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): CHAIN TALE
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: 11-00-1982