Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for LINCOLN PARK returned 98 results.
PROVERB
YOU LOOK LIKE THE WRECK OF THE HESPERLUS.
Submitter comment: COMMENT ON A PERSONS LOOKS, USED AS A PUTDOWN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LINCOLN PARK
James Callow Keyword(s): HESPERLUS
Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: 09-00-1981
MNEMONIC DEVICE
A RED INDIAN THOUGHT HE MIGHT EAT TURKEY IN CHURCH
Submitter comment: ARITHMETIC
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LINCOLN PARK
Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- MNEM |
Date learned: 09-00-1981
MNEMONIC DEVICE
A RAT IN THE HOUSE MAY EAT THE ICE CREAM
Submitter comment: ARITHMETIC
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LINCOLN PARK
Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- MNEM |
Date learned: 09-00-1981
APOTHEGM
IF YOU LAUGH AT THE TABLE YOU WILL CRY BEFORE BED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LINCOLN PARK
Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222. PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 09-00-1981
SQUIGGLY WORM
PLAYED BY FOUR OR MORE PEOPLE TWO OF WHICH ARE AT THE ENDS OF
THE ROPE. THE ENDS FIRST WHIP THE ROPE BACK AND FORTH ACROSS THE
GROUND AND THE OTHER PLAYERS MUST JUMP ACROSS THE ROPE. THE ROPE IS
THEN RAISED IN SMALL AMOUNTS AND THE OTHER PLAYERS AGAIN MUST JUMP
THE ROPE. IF AT ANYTIME A PLAYER TOUCHES THE ROPE IN AN ATTEMPT TO
JUMP IT HE IS OUT. THE WINNER IS THE LAST PERSON TO GET OUT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LINCOLN PARK
Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 00-00-1968
PROVERB
YOU SNOOZE, YOU LOSE
Submitter comment:
RHYME OF SNOOZE AND LOSE, REPETITION OF THE WORD YOU. USE OF
ELLIPSIS. IT MEANS TO ME THAT IF YOU ARE NOT ALERT YOU MAY MISS
SOMETHING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LINCOLN PARK
Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase |
Date learned: 00-00-1976
MUD GUARD
PLAYED BY FOUR OR MORE PLAYERS IN A STREET WITH THE CURBS AS SIDE
BOUNDARIES AND SET END BOUNDARIES. WHOEVER IS IT STANDS IN THE
MIDDLE. IT STARTS THE GAME BY CHOOSING A NUMBER FROM ONE TO TEN, THE
NUMBER CALLED IS THE NUMBER OF LEAPS THE OTHER PLAYERS TAKE FROM ONE
END BOUNDARY. THE OBJECT OF THE GAME IS TO GET SAFELY TO THE OTHER
END BOUNDARY. AFTER THE OTHER PLAYERS LEAP THE CALLED NUMBER THEY
BEGIN TO WALK BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN THE CURBS. AT THIS TIME IT IS
BETWEEN THE OTHER PLAYERS AND THE OTHER END BOUNDARY. THE OTHER
PLAYERS MAY REACH THE END BOUNDARY IN ANY OF THE FOLLOWING WAYS. BY
TRYING TO SNEAK FORWARD WHILE WALKING BETWEEN THE CURBS, BUT IF
CAUGHT THEY JOIN IT. BY MAKING A BREAK FOR THE END BOUNDARY BUT IF IT
TOUCHES THEM BEFORE, THEY MUST HELP IT. SOMEONE ELSE WHO HAS MADE
THE END BOUNDARY AND SNEAKS BACK AND TOUCHES ONE OF THE OTHER
PLAYERS WITHOUT BEING FIRST TOUCHED BY IT. THE LAST ONE TO BE
TOUCHED BY IT IS THE WINNER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LINCOLN PARK
Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Bodily Activity |
Date learned: 00-01-966
FREEZE TAG
PLAYED BY THREE OR MORE PLAYERS, WHOEVER IS IT MUST TRY TO FREEZE ALL
THE PLAYERS BY TAGGING THEM. BUT A PLAYER WHO IS NOT FROZEN MAY
UNFREEZE A FROZEN PERSON BY TAGGING THEM. THE FIRST PERSON TAGGED IS
IT FOR THE NEXT GAME AND THE LAST PERSON TO BE TAGGED IS THE WINNER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LINCOLN PARK
James Callow Keyword(s): METAPHOR: FREEZE
Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Racing Chasing Fighting |
Date learned: 00-00-1969
POM POM
A GAME PLAYED IN ELEMENTRY SCHOOL USUALLY BEFORE OR AFTER SCHOOL.
A LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE PLAY ON A FIELD WITH END AND SIDE
BOUNDARIES.
IT STANDS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FIELD AND SAYS POM POM. THE OTHER
PLAYERS THEN TRY TO RUN THE LENGTH OF THE FIELD AND IT TRIES TO
TACKLE THEM. THE FIRST PERSON TACKLED IS IT FOR THE NEXT GAME.
TACKLED PEOPLE HELP IT TACKLE THE OTHERS. THE LAST PERSON TO BE
TACKLED WINS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LINCOLN PARK
Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Racing Chasing Fighting |
Date learned: 00-00-1969
MARCO POLO
PLAYED BY THREE OR MORE PEOPLE IN A POOL. WHOEVER IS IT MUST BLIND
THEIR EYES AND GO UNDER WATER FOR THE COUNT OF FIVE, UPON FIVE IT
COMES UP OUT OF THE WATER BUT HIS EYES REMAIN CLOSED WHILE HE IS IT.
IT THEN SAYS MARCO, THE OTHER PLAYERS MUST RESPOND WITH POLO. IT THEN
TRIES TO TAG ONE OF THE OTHER PLAYERS. EVERY TIME IT SAYS MARCO THE
OTHERS MUST ANSWER WITH POLO. THE FIRST PERSON TAGGED IS IT AND THE
GAME STARTS OVER.
Submitter comment: ALSO KNOWN AS POOL TAG OR WATER TAG.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LINCOLN PARK
James Callow Keyword(s): HANDICAP
Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Racing Chasing Fighting Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Water Ice Snow |
FOOD CUSTOM
BAKING CHANGE INTO A BIRTHDAY CAKE FOR THE BIRTHDAY BOY OR GIRL AND
THE OTHERS TO FIND AND KEEP.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS DONE BY MY GRANDMOTHER WHILE I WAS YOUNG. SHE WAS A SECOND
GENERATION GERMAN AMERICAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LINCOLN PARK
James Callow Keyword(s): COINS ; MONEY
Date learned: 00-00-1967
FOLKTALE
A YOUNG CHILD WAS RUN OVER BY HER FATHER IN THEIR DRIVEWAY AS THE
CHILD WAS PLAYING BEHIND THE CAR. THE CHILD DIES AND THE FATHER DIES
SHORTLY AFTERWARD FROM GRIEF. THE MOTHER OF THE CHILD GOES INSANE AND
BECOMES OBSESSED WITH A DOLL WHO SHE DRESSES EVERY DAY AND PUTS IT IN
IN THE WINDOW LOOKING OUT ON THE DRIVEWAY.
Submitter comment:
HEARD THIRD HAND FROM A FRIEND. WE TRIED TO FIND THE HOUSE WHERE THE
DOLL WAS LOCATED BUT WERE UNABLE TO FIND IT.
FRIENDS CLAIMED TO HAVE SEEN THE DOLL AFTER THIS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LINCOLN PARK
Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
Date learned: 00-00-1977
THERE WAS AN OLD WOMAN
THERE WAS AN OLD WOMAN ALL SKIN AND BONES, OHH, OHH, OHH,
SHE LIVED DOWN BY THE OLD GRAVE YARD, OHH, OHH, OHH, OHH
ONE NIGHT SHE THOUGHT SHE'D TAKE A WALK, OHH, OHH, OHH.
SHE WALKED DOWN BY THE OLD GRAVE YARD, OHH, OHH, OHH, OHH.
SHE SAW THE BONES ALL LAYING AROUND, OHH, OHH, OHH, OHH.
SHE WENT TO THE CLOSET TO GET A BROOM, OHH, OHH, OHH, OHH.
SHE OPENED THE DOOR AND BOO!
Submitter comment: THIS IS A CHILDREN'S HALLOWEEN SONG.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LINCOLN PARK
Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- October 31 Halloween |
Date learned: 10-00-1972
MISS SUZI HAD A TUG BOAT, THE TUG BOAT HAD A BELL.
MISS SUZI WENT TO HEAVEN, THE TUG BOAT WENT TO
HELL-O OPERATOR, PLEASE GIVE ME NUMBER NINE, AND
IF YOU DISCONNECT ME, I'LL KICK YOU RIGHT BEHIND
THE 'FRIGERATOR, THERE LAID A PIECE OF GLASS,
MISS SUZI FELL UPON IT AND BROKE HER LITTLE
AS-K ME NO MORE QUESTIONS, PLEASE TELL ME NO MORE
LIES, MISS SUZI TOLD ME ALL OF THIS THE DAY BEFORE SHE
DIED HER HAIR ALL PURPLE, SHE DYED HER HAIR ALL RED,
SHE DYED HER HAIR ALL POLKA DOTS AND IT ALL RAN DOWN
THE SINK, GLUG, GLUG, GLUG.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LINCOLN PARK
James Callow Keyword(s): HAND GAME OR JUMPING COUNTING GAME
Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime C500.560 |
Date learned: 09-00-1988
HOW DO YOU STOP AN ELEPHANT FROM CHARGING?
TAKE AWAY HIS CREDIT CARDS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LINCOLN PARK
Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 11-24-1988
NEVER PICK PUMPKINS, UNTIL AFTER THE FIRST FROST.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LINCOLN PARK
Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Autumn Fall Harvest Thanksgiving BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- P535 |
Why are barns red?
When driving through farm country, we notice that many barns are
painted red. Why red? Wouldn't any other color be just as effective?
The answer stems from one of the original ingredients of paint - iron
oxide.
Late in the 1700's, farmers in New England, Wisconsin, and Minnesota
began using a mixture of iron oxide (readily available from the soil),
lime, linseed oil, and skim milk to produce a superior paint that
quickly hardened into a bright red, plastic-like coating. The paint
adhered well and lasted for years. Iron oxide, a rust-related
compound, gave red paint its distinctive pigment, one more durable
than any other natural pigment. As an added benefit, red paint
absorbed the sun's rays in winter, keeping the barn warm. Red paint
became the traditional color for barns.
Recently, though, with the advent of prepainted metal structures,
farmers have begun to use color to fine-tune internal temperature. In
cold regions, dark colors besides red, such as brown, green, and blue,
are common now. In warmer regions, white, cream, yellow, and other
light hues are more prevalent.
The following 1835 recipe (from a farmer's periodical) makes about a
gallon of iron-oxide paint. A medium-sized barn will require about 10
gallons:
4 lbs. skim milk
8 oz. lime
6 oz. linseed oil
1.5 lbs. iron oxide (available in solution at
most paint stores
2 oz turpentine
James Callow comment:
cf. Puckett, Ohio, no. 1029: "A pregnant woman should never look
at a red barn, or the baby will be born with strawberry marks."
cf. Puckett, Ohio, no. 33147: "Paint the barn red to frighten away
evil spirits."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LINCOLN PARK
Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Animal housingBarnPen BELIEF -- Color |
NERVOUS WRECK
THIS IS A CHILDREN'S GAME. THE CHILDREN FORM A CIRCLE.
THERE IS A CHILD IN THE MIDDLE WHO HAS A BALL.
EACH OF THE CHILDREN CROSSES HIS ARMS. THE PERSON
IN THE MIDDLE EITHER FAKES OR THROWS THE BALL TO ONE
OF THE CHILDREN IN THE CIRCLE. IF THE CHILD DOESN'T
CATCH THE BALL WHEN IT IS THROWN OR TRIES TO CATCH THE
BALL WHEN THE PERSON IN THE CENTER DOESN'T THROW IT,
THAT CHILD IS OUT.
Submitter comment:
SHE LEARNED IT FROM THE RECREATION DEPARTMENT IN
LINCOLN PARK, MICHIGAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; LINCOLN PARK
Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 04-06-1967
FAMILY DEATHS COME IN THREES.
Submitter comment:
THIS ALWAYS SEEMS TO BE THE CASE IN GEORGE'S
FAMILY AND HIS FAMILY BELIEVES IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LINCOLN PARK
Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 09-24-1970
ONCE A BOY DID NOT SWALLOW THE EUCHARIST, BUT TOOK
IT OUT OF HIS MOUTH. HE TOOK IT HOME AND CUT IT
IN HALF WITH A KNIFE. IT BLED.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT TOLD THIS VERY SERIOUSLY, BUT WAS SKEPTICAL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LINCOLN PARK
Keyword(s): COMMUNION, SACRAMENT
Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 10-23-1971