Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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JUMP ROPE RHYME
FUDGE FUDGE FUDGE
BOOM BOOM BOOM
WE ARE CALLING ON THE JUDGE
BOOM BOOM BOOM
MAMMA HAD A NEWBORN BABY
NOT A GIRL, BOOM
NOT A BOY, BOOM
JUST AN ORDINARY BABY, BOOM
WRAP HIM UP IN TISSUE
SEND HIM DOWN THE ESCALATOR
FIRST FLOOR SPLITS, BOOM BOOM BOOM
SECOND FLOOR SPLITS, BOOM BOOM BOOM
THIRD FLOOR SPLITS, BOOM BOOM BOOM
FORTH FLOOR SPLITS, BOOM BOOM BOOM, ETC.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT TOLD ME THAT SHE USED TO SING THIS ON THE STREETS OF
PHILADELPHIA WHEN SHE WAS EIGHT YEARS OLD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
James Callow Keyword(s): COUNTING
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 03-00-1982
DO NOT SEW OR CUT ON SUNDAY BECAUSE IT IS THE SABBATH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour BELIEF -- Measure of time Working |
Date learned: 03-00-1982
NEW YEAR'S CUSTOM
THE POLISH WRITE THE NEW YEAR ON THE INSIDE OF THE DOOR OF
THEIR HOUSE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; RENO HALL ; DETROIT
Date learned: 11-14-1968
IF YOU CUT YOUR HAIR ON YOUR BIRTHDAY, IT WILL BE A BAD YEAR.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; STUDENT UNION ; TOLD IN
Keyword(s): TABU
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
IT IS A UKRAINIAN CUSTOM TO MIX POPPIES AND WHEAT TOGETHER AT
CHRISTMAS TIME. THEN TAKE THE MIXTURE IN A SPOON AND THROW IT IN THE
AIR AND TRY TO CATCH IT. IF YOU CATCH IT, YOU WILL HAVE GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; NORTH QUAD ; DORMS ; TOLD IN
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM ; PREDICTION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Predictions CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Single dishes BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 02-07-1971
VACILE SAYS THAT THE GREEK PEOPLE ARE
BELIEVERS IN THE EVIL EYE. IF SOMEONE
LOOKS AT YOU IN THAT FASHION
YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO GET SICK OR DIE.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; STUDENT UNION ; TOLD IN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Curse |
CAR-WASHING
WHEN YOU'RE DONE WITH YOUR CAR, YOU CAN WASH MINE.
Submitter comment:
WHILE WASHING MY CAR, APPROXIMATELY 12 PERSONS IN A 20 MINUTE PERIOD
USED THE ABOVE IN PLACE OF A GREETING.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DORMS ; TOLD IN ; PARKING LOT
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 10-06-1970
TOM SWIFTIE
I DON'T LIKE STICK SHIFT, TOM SAID AUTOMATICALLY.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DORMS ; TOLD IN
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Wellerism Quotation |
Date learned: 01-00-1972
THE MAD BUTCHER OF KINGSBERRY RUN
KINGSBERRY RUN IS A ROAD RUNNING THROUGH THE FLATS OF CLEVELAND
(INDUSTRIAL AREA). MANY UNSOLVED MURDERS HAVE BEEN COMMITTED THERE
WHERE THE VICTIMS HAVE BEEN SLICED UP. THE MURDERER HAS BEEN
CALLED THE MAD BUTCHER. THIS INCIDENT HAS BECOME A LEGEND AMONG
THE PEOPLE OF CLEVELAND.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT HEARD OF THIS LEGEND WHILE LIVING IN CLEVELAND WHERE
HE SPENT THE FIRST 18 YEARS OF HIS LIFE.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; STUDENT UNION ; TOLD IN
Keyword(s): MUTILATED MURDERS ; OHIO
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate |
Date learned: 03-02-1970
IF A LADY EATS MUSTARD AND TURNIP GREENS BEFORE HER BABY IS A MONTH
OLD THE BABY WILL BE DUMB.
Submitter comment:
I ACTUALLY SAW THIS PERSON REFUSE SOME TURNIP GREENS BECAUSE
SHE DID NOT WANT TO MAKE HER BABY DUMB.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Physically handicapped Deformed BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
NEVER WHISTLE IN THE HOUSE; THAT'S BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment: THIS IS NOT PRACTICED BY THIS INFORMANT.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.2 |
Date learned: 11-03-1972
DON'T LET ANYONE LAY HATS ON YOUR BED; THAT'S BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment: I ACTUALLY SAW THE INFORMANT MAKE HIS SON TAKE HIS HAT OFF OF THE BED
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.1 |
Date learned: 12-10-1972
IF A PERSON GETS A PIECE OF A PERSON'S HAIR & COOKS IT IN THEIR
FOOD; THEY'LL BE UNDER YOUR POWER.
Submitter comment:
THIS FRIEND OF MINE SAID, THIS IS WHY HER HUSBAND IS SO IN LOVE WITH
HER.
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): CONTAGIOUS MAGIC
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration Favorites BELIEF -- Body part Senses |
Date learned: 12-00-1972
NEVER SING IN BED; IT'S BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT IS A GOOD FRIEND OF MINE. ONCE WHILE STAYING AT A MOTEL
WHILE VACATIONING, I WAS SINGING IN BED, AND SHE ASKED ME NOT TO,
BECAUSE SOMETHING BAD WOULD HAPPEN.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.2 |
Date learned: 12-00-1972
IF A BIRD FLIES IN THE HOUSE; THAT MEANS SOMEBODY WILL DIE.
Submitter comment: THIS IS ANOTHER SUPERSTITION I THINK SHE BELIEVES.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 12-00-1972
DON'T OPEN A UMBRELLA UP IN THE HOUSE; IT'S BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment: THIS IS BELIEVED BY THIS FRIEND AND MANY OTHER FRIENDS OF MINE.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bad luck Objects |
Date learned: 12-00-1972
WHEN THE WIND IS IN THE EAST, THEN THE SAP WILL RUN THE LEAST,
WHEN THE WIND IS IN THE WEST, THEN THE SAP WILL RUN THE BEST.
Submitter comment: TOLD TO ME BY MY UNCLE.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief C860.466 Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief C860.475 BELIEF -- Wind Whirlwind Hurricane Cyclone Tornado BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 12-00-1972
IF A BABY KICKS HIS MOTHER AT THE TOP SECTION OF HER STOMACH SHE'LL
HAVE A BOY. IF IT KICKS AT THE BOTTOM IT WILL BE A GIRL.
Submitter comment:
TOLD TO ME BY MY UNCLE.
THIS IS WHAT MY UNCLE SAID TO ME WHEN I WAS PREGNANT.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 12-00-1972
IF YOU SEE AN OLD CAT RUNNING AND PLAYING AND FEELING GOOD; IT IS A
SIGN THE WIND IS GOING TO BLOW.
Submitter comment: MY UNCLE SAID THIS ABOUT A CAT ON HIS PORCH.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Sign or prediction through Natural atmospheric phenomenon |
Date learned: 12-00-1972
THUNDER AFTER MIDNIGHT; MEANS THAT THE NEXT DAY WILL BE LOWERY.
Submitter comment: THIS WAS TOLD TO THE INFORMANT, BY HIS MOTHER WHEN HE WAS A SMALL BOY
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Weather sign or control BELIEF -- Sign or prediction through Natural atmospheric phenomenon |
Date learned: 12-00-1972