Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for Lansing returned 83 results.
IT IS CONSIDERED A SIGN OF GOOD LUCK TO "STAMP"
THE FIRST FEW ROBINS ONE SEES IN THE SPRING. THIS
MERELY CONSISTS OF LICKING THE THUMB AND THEN
PLACING THE WET SPOT ON THE BACK OF THE OTHER
HAND. THEN THIS SPOT IS "STAMPED" A COUPLE OF
TIMES WITH THE OTHER FIST.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Lansing
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Good luck Animals SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 11-01-1968
LEGEND OF THE DUNE COVERED LUMBER CAMP ON LAKE
THERE IS SAID TO BE AN OLD LUMBER VILLAGE WHICH WAS
ABANDONED AND EVENTUALLY COVERED UP BY THE SAND OF THE
DOONS {DUNES} NEAR THE LAKE MICHIGAN. WHEN THE WIND
BLOWS VERY HARD, THOUGH, YOU CAN SEE THE TOPS OF THE
HOUSES. THIS PLACE IS CALLED GOSHORN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Lansing
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 11-00-1968
LEGEND: WHY BURNT CHIPS ALWAYS FLOAT UP ALONG SHORE ON LAKE
SOMEWHERE AROUND THE 1920'S A MAN WHO WAS QUITE RICH SAILED IN HIS
YACHT BETWEEN BENTON HARBOR AND PORT HURON. HIS WIFE HAD DIED,
AND HE WAS VERY DESPONDENT. ONE NIGHT NEAR BENTON HARBOR, HIS
BOAT, WHICH HAD HE AND HIS THREE CREWMEN ABOARD, CAUGHT FIRE.
RESCUE EFFORTS FAILED AND THE BOAT FINALLY SANK OFF GLEN,
MICHIGAN. EVEN TODAY BURNT CHIPS STILL FLOAT UP ALONG THE SHORE
OF THE BIG LAKE.
Data entry tech comment: BENTON HARBOR AND PORT HURON, MICHIGAN, ARE ON LAKE HURON,
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Lansing
Date learned: 11-00-1968
LEGEND OF THE DUNE COVERED LUMBER CAMP ON LAKE
THERE IS SAID TO BE AN OLD LUMBER VILLAGE WHICH WAS
ABANDONED AND EVENTUALLY COVERED UP BY THE SAND OF THE
DOONS {DUNES} NEAR THE LAKE MICHIGAN. WHEN THE WIND
BLOWS VERY HARD, THOUGH, YOU CAN SEE THE TOPS OF THE
HOUSES. THIS PLACE IS CALLED GOSHORN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Lansing
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 11-00-1968
LEGEND: WHY BURNT CHIPS ALWAYS FLOAT UP ALONG SHORE ON LAKE
SOMEWHERE AROUND THE 1920'S A MAN WHO WAS QUITE RICH SAILED IN HIS
YACHT BETWEEN BENTON HARBOR AND PORT HURON. HIS WIFE HAD DIED,
AND HE WAS VERY DESPONDENT. ONE NIGHT NEAR BENTON HARBOR, HIS
BOAT, WHICH HAD HE AND HIS THREE CREWMEN ABOARD, CAUGHT FIRE.
RESCUE EFFORTS FAILED AND THE BOAT FINALLY SANK OFF GLEN,
MICHIGAN. EVEN TODAY BURNT CHIPS STILL FLOAT UP ALONG THE SHORE
OF THE BIG LAKE.
Data entry tech comment: BENTON HARBOR AND PORT HURON, MICHIGAN, ARE ON LAKE HURON, NOT
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Lansing
Date learned: 11-00-1968
TOO GOOD FOR WORDS
WHEN TWO INDIVIDUALS (USUALLY ATHLETES) SLAP THE PALMS
OF THEIR HANDS TOGETHER, THEY ARE MAKING A GESTURE OF
MUTUAL CONGRATULATION. IF BOTH HANDS OF BOTH PERSONS
ARE SLAPPED THE MEANING IS REINFORCED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Lansing
| Subject headings: | 602 Body Parts 686 Seconds / Twice / Two SPEECH -- Congratulations Appreciation |
Date learned: 09-15-1969
A GESTURE MEANING THE INVERSE OF SYMPATHY: WET ONE
FINGER TIP (RIGHT HAND TO LEFT EYE) IN THE NEAREST
WATER SOURCE, BUT NOT YOUR MOUTH, AND THEN PROCEEDING
TO PUT A FALSE TEARDROP IN YOUR EYE. VERY SARCASTIC.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Lansing
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Mock sympathy and mock enthusiasm |
Date learned: 00001960S
THIS IS A GESTURE WHICH I USED TO OBSERVE IN MY HOME
TOWN OF LANSING {MICHIGAN}. THE FOREFINGER OF ONE
HAND IS DRAWN BACK AND FORTH ACROSS THE THUMB OF
THE SAME HAND. IT IS SUPPOSED TO REPRESENT THE
WORLD'S SMALLEST VIOLIN PLAYING "MY HEART CRIES FOR
YOU." IN OTHER WORDS, IT IS USED AS AN EXPRESSION
OF MOCK SYMPATHY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Lansing
Keyword(s): SARCASM
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Mock sympathy and mock enthusiasm |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
THIS IS A GESTURE WHICH I USED TO OBSERVE IN MY
HOME TOWN OF LANSING {MICHIGAN}. THE FOREFINGER
OF ONE HAND DESCRIBES A CIRCLE ON THE THUMB OF THE
SAME HAND. IT IS SUPPOSED TO REPRESENT THE WORLD'S
SMALLEST RECORD PLAYER PLAYING "MY HEART CRIES FOR
YOU." IN OTHER WORDS, IT IS AN EXPRESSION OF
MOCK SYMPATHY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Lansing
Keyword(s): SARCASM
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Mock sympathy and mock enthusiasm |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
HOW DRY I AM
HOW DRY I AM,
HOW WET I'LL BE
IF I DON'T FIND
THE BATHROOM KEY.
Submitter comment:
KEYPUNCHER NOTES THAT SHE KNOWS ANOTHER VERSE TO THIS SONG.
IT FOLLOWS.
I FOUND THE KEY,
IT WAS TO LATE.
FOR THERE IT WAS
UPON THE FLOOR
AND IT WASN'T GINGERALE.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Lansing
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Good humor Jest |
Date learned: 09-15-1969
SWIRLIE
THIS IS A GAME PLAYED BY DORM STUDENTS. WHEN ONE
DORMIE GETS TOO FAR OUT OF LINE, HIS FELLOW DORMIES
GRAB HIM BY THE ARMS AND LEGS AND TURN HIM UPSIDE-
DOWN. THEY THEN LOWER HIS HEAD INTO THE TOILET
UNTIL THE CHIN IS EVEN WITH THE SEAT AND FLUSH THE
TOILET.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED IT FROM HIS FELLOW DORMIES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY ; EAST LANSING
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Bodily Activity Song: Game, Pastime, Sport |
Date learned: 10-16-1967
TELEPHONE PRANK
A PERSON CALLS UP SOMEONE HE GENERALLY DISLIKES,
DISGUISES HIS VOICE AND SAYS: "HELLO, IS (NAME)
THERE?" IF THE PERSON REPLIES "SPEAKING,"
THE CALLER STICKS THE PHONE DOWN THE TOILET AND
FLUSHES. IF HE IS NOT THERE AND THE PERSON ASKS IF
A MESSAGE CAN BE TAKEN, THE SAME PROCEDURE IS
FOLLOWED.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED IT FROM A SCHOOLMATE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY ; EAST LANSING
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Bodily Activity Song: Game, Pastime, Sport |
Date learned: 10-16-1967
PRACTICAL JOKE (PIMP)
THE GIRLS FLOOR GETS TOGETHER AND GOES OVER TO THE GUYS FLOOR AND
KIDNAPS ONE OF THE GUYS ON THE FLOOR. THEY LEAVE A RANSOM NOTE
THAT SAYS: RANSOM IS SET AT ONE KEG OF BEER. THEN A PARTY IS HELD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY ; EAST LANSING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School |
Date learned: 00-00-1973
PRACTICAL JOKE (PIMP)
MAKE A PAPER CUP AND PUT SHAVING CREAM IN IT. STICK THE TOP END
UNDER A DOOR AND STEP ON THE CUP. THE SHAVING CREAM WILL
GO SQUIRTING INTO THE ROOM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY ; EAST LANSING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 00-00-1973
PRACTICAL JOKE (PIMP)
WHEN SOMEONE IS TAKING A SHOWER, TWO PEOPLE GET A TRASHCAN OF COLD
WATER AND THROW IT OVER THE TOP OF THE SHOWER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY ; EAST LANSING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 00-00-1973
PRACTICAL JOKE (PIMP)
TO PENNY A DOOR, YOU FIX IT SO THAT THE PERSON INSIDE CANNOT GET OUT.
TO DO THIS, YOU NEED ONE PERSON TO LEAN ON THE CLOSED DOOR AND AN-
OTHER PERSON TO STICK AS MANY PENNIES AS NEEDED, ONE ON TOP OF THE
OTHER, TO FILL THE GAP BETWEEN THE DOOR AND DOORWAY. WHAT IT DOES,
IS CREATES PRESSURE ON THE DOOR LATCH, SO THE DOORKNOB CANNOT BE
TURNED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY ; EAST LANSING
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTIONAL SHIFT: NOUN AS VERB: TO PENNY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 00-00-1973
PRACTICAL JOKE (PIMP)
PUT CELLOPHANE WRAP UNDER THE TOILET SEAT AND OVER THE TOILET BOWL
IN A GIRL'S BATHROOM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY ; EAST LANSING
James Callow Keyword(s): SARAN WRAP (CLEAR, PLASTIC FOOD-WRAP)
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 00-00-1973
PRACTICAL JOKE (PIMP)
SEW UP THE HOLE IN A GUYS UNDERWEAR, AND PANTS TOO. ALSO SEW UP THE
SLEEVES IN HIS UNDERSHIRTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY ; EAST LANSING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 00-00-1973
PRACTICAL JOKE (PIMP)
REMOVE THE MATTRESS ON A BED. REPLACE WITH STACKS OF NEWSPAPERS.
THEN MAKE THE BED AGAIN, AS IF NOTHING WAS WRONG.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY ; EAST LANSING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 00-00-1973
PRACTICAL JOKE (PIMP)
TURN EVERYTHING UPSIDEDOWN IN THE ROOM. EVERYTHING INCLUDING THE
STUFF ON THE SHELVES, DESKS, THINGS ON THE BULLETIN BOARDS, ETC.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY ; EAST LANSING
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 00-00-1973