Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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ENGINE, ENGINE NUMBER NINE
ENGINE, ENGINE NUMBER NINE
GOING DOWN THE CHICAGO LINE
IF THE TRAIN SHOULD JUMP THE TRACK
WILL YOU GET YOUR MONEY BACK?
MY MOTHER TOLD ME TO PICK THE VERY BEST ONE. MM
PEOPLE PLANNING TO PLAY A GAME WHICH REQUIRES SOMEONE TO BE "IT"
STAND IN A CIRCLE AND HOLD ONE FIST OUT. ONE PERSON IS SELECTED TO
RECITE THE RHYME. USUALLY STARTING WITH THE PERSON ON HIS RIGHT, HE
TAPS ONE FIST WITH HIS FIST ON EACH SYLLABLE OF THE WORDS IN THIS
RHYME. THERE ARE TWO WAYS TO DETERMINE WHO IS "IT." EITHER THE
PERSON WHOSE FIST IS TAPPED ON THE LAST SYLLABLE OF THE RHYME IS "IT"
OR THAT PERSON IS ELIMINATED AND THE RHYME IS REPEATED WITH THE
LAST PERSON ELIMINATED EACH TIME UNTIL ONLY ONE IS LEFT TO BE "IT."
Submitter comment:
I LEARNED THIS AS A CHILD BUT CANNOT PINPOINT THE EXACT PLACE OR
TIME. I REMEMBER USING IT QUITE FREQUENTLY TO DETERMINE WHO WOULD
BE "IT."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: CA00001968
SUPERSTITION
HOLD YOUR BREATH WHEN YOU GO PAST CEMETERIES OR SOMEONE, MAYBE YOU,
WILL DIE SOON.
Submitter comment:
JULIE NEVER REALLY BELIEVED THIS BUT DID IT AS A CHILD. SHE LEARNED
THIS FROM OTHER CHILDREN PROBABLY IN LEVERING, MICHIGAN AND
ENCOUNTERED IT IN MIDLAND ALSO. I REMEMBER BEING TOLD TO HOLD MY
BREATH AND LOOK THE OTHER WAY WHEN DRIVING PAST A CEMETERY AS A
CHILD BUT NEVER KNEW ANY REASON WHY I WAS DOING IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: CA00001968
SUPERSTITION
WHEN YOU'RE RIDING IN A CAR HOLD YOUR FEET UP WHEN YOU GO OVER
RAILROAD TRACKS OR YOU WILL LOSE YOUR BOYFRIEND.
Submitter comment:
THIS REFERS TO GIRLS OF COURSE. JULIE LEARNED THIS FROM HER FRIENDS
IN MIDLAND, MICHIGAN. IT WAS PRACTICED NOT SERIOUSLY BUT IN FUN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Bad luck SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: CA00001970
SUPERSTITION
IT IS BAD LUCK TO TURN A LOAF OF BREAD UPSIDE DOWN ON A TABLE.
Submitter comment:
JULIE LEARNED THIS FROM HER GRANDMOTHER WHO BELIEVED IT AND PRACTICED
IT. SHE DOES NOT BELIEVE IT HERSELF.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Home BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: CA00001968
IN IRELAND, THERE IS THE BELIEF OF FAERY, WHICH IS ON A DIFFERENT
PLANE THAN THIS UNIVERSE. ON HALLOWEEN THE DOOR BETWEEN THESE TWO IS
OPEN AND ANYONE FROM THIS UNIVERSE CAN FALL INTO FAERY, AND ANYONE
FROM FAERY CAN FALL INTO THIS UNIVERSE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROCHESTER HILLS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- October 31 Halloween BELIEF -- Creation and Order of Universe |
Date learned: NO DATE INDICATED.
WEDDING CUSTOM
WHEN GUESTS AT A WEDDING RECEPTION CLINK SILVERWARE AGAINST THEIR
GLASSES, THE BRIDE AND GROOM MUST STOP WHAT THEY ARE DOING AND KISS.
THE GUESTS CONTINUE CLINKING THEIR GLASSES UNTIL THEY DO.
Submitter comment:
I LEARNED THIS AT A WEDDING IN CLEVELAND, OHIO IN AUGUST, 1977. MOST
OF THE GUESTS AS WELL AS THE BRIDE AND GROOM SEEMED FAMILIAR WITH THE
CUSTOM AND IT WAS PRACTICED FREQUENTLY DURING THE MEAL. MY SISTER,
RUTH DURAND, WITNESSED THE SAME CUSTOM AT SEVERAL OTHER WEDDINGS IN
THE CLEVELAND AREA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Glassware tapping |
SUPERSTITION
WHEN UNWRAPPING GIFTS AT A WEDDING SHOWER THE AMOUNT OF RIBBONS YOU
BREAK IS THE AMOUNT OF CHILDREN YOU WILL HAVE.
Submitter comment:
I LEARNED THIS IN MAPLE HEIGHTS, OHIO, A SUBURB OF CLEVELAND, AT THE
WEDDING SHOWER OF A FRIEND. SHE ALREADY KNEW THE SUPERSTITION AND
APPARENTLY BELIEVED IT SOMEWHAT. SHE CAREFULLY UNWRAPPED HER GIFTS
AND BROKE TWO RIBBONS SAYING THAT'S HOW MANY CHILDREN SHE WANTED TO
HAVE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Marriage Breaking of BELIEF -- Use of Object |
SUPERSTITION
WHEN MY GRANDMOTHER GAVE A SET OF KNIVES AS A GIFT TO OUR FAMILY
SHE MADE MY DAD GIVE HER A NICKEL. SHE SAID IT WAS BAD LUCK TO GIVE
KNIVES AWAY. YOU HAVE TO SELL THEM.
Submitter comment:
JULIE'S GRANDMOTHER HAD A FAIRLY STRONG BELIEF IN THE TRUTH OF THIS
SUPERSTITION. JULIE'S FATHER DIDN'T REALLY THINK IT WOULD BE BAD
LUCK TO ACCEPT THE KNIVES WITHOUT GIVING ANY MONEY BUT GAVE HER A
NICKEL ANYWAY. JULIE FEELS HER GRANDMOTHER IS A LITTLE SUPERSTITIOUS
AND WHEN ASKED IF SHE WOULD ASK FOR MONEY IN EXCHANGE FOR A GIFT OF
KNIVES REPLIED "NO}" RATHER INDIGNANTLY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.18 |
VERSE
I EAT MY PEAS WITH HONEY.
I'VE DONE IT ALL MY LIFE.
IT MAKES THE PEAS TASTE FUNNY,
BUT IT KEEPS THEM ON THE KNIFE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | 730 Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: 09-00-1971
BAD LUCK (COLLECTOR'S TITLE)
IN JAPAN, IT IS BELIEVED THAT THE NUMBER "4" BRINGS BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS WHILE HE WAS IN VIET NAM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
Keyword(s): VIETNAM
| Subject headings: | 686 Fourths / Quarters BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 10-27-1969
FEMININE OPINION
A HOUSE WITHOUT A WOMAN AND FIRELIGHT IS LIKE A BABY WITHOUT A SOUL
OR SPIRIT.
Submitter comment:
USED BY MARY TO DESCRIBE WHAT SHE THOUGHT OF MY DORM ROOM AT U OF D
MOSTLY BECAUSE OF A COMPLETE LACK OF DECORATION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
Keyword(s): VAGUE OF WOMEN
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: 00-00-1968
PARODY OF "BYE, BYE BLACKBIRD"
PACK UP ALL MY UNDERWEAR, I DON'T CARE, I'LL GO BARE, BYE BYE
LONGJOHNS.
THEY WERE OH SO GOOD TO ME, TICKLED ME, HEE HEE HEE, BYE BYE
LONGJOHNS.
HOW I MISS THAT LITTLE TRAP DOOR BEHIND ME
IF YOU NEED ME YOU KNOW WHERE TO FIND ME.
PACK UP ALL MY UNDERWEAR, I DON'T CARE, I'LL GO BARE
LONGJOHNS--BYE BYE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Good humor Jest |
Date learned: 11-04-1969
PREDICTION
IF THE PALM OF YOUR HAND ITCHES, IT MEANS THAT YOU ARE GOING TO
RECEIVE SOME MONEY. IF YOUR NOSE
ITCHES, IT IS A SIGN THAT YOU
ARE GOING TO KISS A FOOL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 10-27-1969
PREDICTION
IF TWO PEOPLE USED THE SAME TOWEL AT THE SAME TIME TO WIPE THEIR
HANDS, IT WAS AN INDICATION THAT THEY WERE GOING TO HAVE A FIGHT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 09-22-1969
CHRISTMAS
ON THANKSGIVING HIS FAMILY (ON THE SCOTCH SIDE) DRAWS NAMES TO SEE
WHO WILL BUY WHO PRESENTS FOR CHRISTMAS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Autumn Fall Harvest Thanksgiving |
Date learned: 11-02-1967
OCKTOBER FEST
THE OCKTOBER FEST IS A GERMAN HOLIDAY HELD IN THE FALL WHEN THE BEER
IS DRUNK AND GREAT CELEBRATION ACCOMPANIES THE CONCLUSION OF THE
HARVEST.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Autumn Fall Harvest Thanksgiving |
Date learned: 02-13-1968
IN 1492 COLUMBUS DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO.
HE SPIT IN HIS SHOE AND GAVE IT TO YOU.
Submitter comment:
SAID IN 1929 AMONG ITALIAN-AMERICAN KIDS IN DETROIT.
FOLLOWED WITH "CAN'T CHANGE IT," MEANING "DON'T
TRY TO FOLLOW ME UP WITH A VARIANT OF THIS."
SHE REALLY LAUGHED WHEN SHE REMEMBERED THIS,
APROPOS OF COLUMBUS DAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CLAWSON
James Callow Keyword(s): HUMOR
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- September 12 |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
IT'S COLDER THAN A POLAR BEAR'S HIND LEG.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CLAWSON
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
GERMAN SPRING CUSTOM
IN MANY VILLAGES IN GERMANY AT THE BEGINNING OF SPRING A STRAW MAN
REPRESENTING WINTER IS BURNED AND PEOPLE DANCE AROUND IT. ONE
PERSON IS DRESSED UP TO REPRESENT SPRING.
Submitter comment:
SHE DID THIS IN A YOUNG PEOPLE'S CLUB IN GERMANY. IT WAS ORIGINALLY
DONE IN GERMAN VILLAGES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting |
Date learned: 02-07-1967
WORK
IN JAPAN, NOVEMBER 23 IS LABOR DAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F112 |
Date learned: 11-25-1969