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 ST returned 2014 results.
EACH WHITE SPOT ON YOUR FINGERNAILS INDICATES HOW MANY
BOYFRIENDS YOU HAVE.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: NASHVILLE ; TENNESSEE, ASSUMED
Date learned: 06-00-1972
PLANT PEANUTS EVERY YEAR TO KEEP YOUR CATTLE HEALTHY.
Where learned: NASHVILLE ; TENNESSEE, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 06-00-1972
NAME
EASTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY HAS BEEN REFERRED TO BY MANY PEO-
PLE AS THE "SUITCASE" COLLEGE. THIS IS BECAUSE EVERYONE THERE
USUALLY GOES SOMEPLACE ON WEEKENDS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; EAST QUAD 201
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- FamilyGroup |
Date learned: 03-00-1971
PROVERB ABOUT AN ANT
NONE PREACHES BETTER THAN AN ANT AND SHE SAYS NOTHING
Submitter comment: TRADITIONAL SEMINARY JOKE
Where learned: CONNECTICUT ; STAMFORD ; SAINT GREGORYS SEMINARY
James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMAL ; CLERGY ; IRONY ; SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 00-00-1957
BURIAL CUSTOM
IN THE EVENT OF DEATH, THE POLISH VILLAGERS PLACE DRIED HERBS
(BLESSED ON ASCENSION THURSDAY) UNDERNEATH THE LINEN LINING OF THE
CASKET. THIS SERVES AS A PILLOW UNDER THE DECEASED PERSON'S HEAD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Ascension Day CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Pentecost |
Date learned: 02-07-1971
ASCENSION THURSDAY CUSTOM
ON ASCENSION THURSDAY, POLISH PEASANTS TAKE BOUQUETS MADE UP OF
WHEAT, OATS, RYE, APPLES AND PEARS ON A STICK, HERBS AND FLOWERS TO
CHURCH FOR BLESSING TO ASSURE FUTURE FERTILITY OF CROPS. CITY
DWELLERS, HOWEVER, TAKE BOUQUETS OF FLOWERS FROM THEIR GARDEN.
POLES DO NOT REFER TO THIS HOLY DAY AS ASCENSION THURSDAY
BUT AS THE DAY OF "OUR LADY OF HERBS" OR "MATKI BOSKI ZIELNEJ."
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT RELIGIOUSLY OBSERVES THIS CUSTOM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Ascension Day |
Date learned: 02-07-1971
EASTER CUSTOM
THE POLES INCLUDE THE MONDAY AFTER EASTER AS A PART OF THEIR EASTER
OBSERVANCE. ON "DYNGUS" THE BOYS UNDER TWENTY-ONE SQUIRT GIRLS WITH
WATER UNTIL THEY RECEIVE A "PISANKA", WHICH IS AN ARTISTICALLY
DECORATED EASTER EGG.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT TOLD ME THAT WHEN HER DAUGHTERS WERE GROWING UP IN
THIS COUNTRY SHE WOULD HAVE TO BRIBE THE BOYS WITH MONEY WHEN THEY
WOULD COME AROUND ON "DYNGUS" SO THEY WOULDN'T SQUIRT HER DAUGHTERS
WITH WATER.
Data entry tech comment:
DYNGUS MEANS "RANSOM" IN POLISH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): DYNGUS DAY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus |
Date learned: 02-07-1971
Entry filtered.
BELIEF-SUPERSTITION
INFORMANT WOULD NEVER SEAT 13 PEOPLE
TOGETHER AT ONE TABLE FOR A MEAL, AS IT IS EXTREMELY
MISFORTUNATE AND BRINGS BAD LUCK. ONCE AS A CHILD
THERE WERE 13 AT A THANKSGIVING DAY DINNER AT HER HOUSE
AND BEFORE CHRISTMAS, HER UNCLE GREGORY, ONE OF THOSE
AT THE TABLE, DIED. INFORMANT FIRMLY ADHERES TO THE
BELIEF THAT 13 AT THE DINNER TABLE IS A BAD LUCK OMEN.
Where learned: HOME ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | 686 Specific number by specific number being described |
IF YOU HEAR A HEN CROW LIKE A ROOSTER, BE SURE TO KILL HER THE
SAME DAY.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; ROCHESTER
Keyword(s): HEN ROOSTER CROWING
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Animal Husbandry Farming Ranching |
Date learned: 03-11-1972
BLESSED MOTHER BELIEF
A WHISTLING WOMAN YOUNG OR OLD IS INSULTING THE BLESSED MOTHER.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; ROCHESTER
James Callow Keyword(s): VANITY
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Religious hero BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 03-11-1972
LEGEND
AT MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY THERE IS AN ANNUAL CELEBRATION IN
HONOR OF THE ORANGE HORSE. EVERY YEAR DURING FALL TERM, STUDENTS
HAVE A SLEEP-IN AT BESSY HALL IN HONOR OF THEIR COMPATRIOTS WHO
STAGED A SLEEP-IN IN PROTEST OF THE ENGLISH DEPARTMENT FIRING
THREE OUTSPOKEN TEACHERS. THIS PROTEST WAS NICK-NAMED THE ORANGE
HORSE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY ; Lansing
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School |
Date learned: 11-05-1967
CAR FOR SALE
IT WAS A CADILLAC IN THE UPPER PENINSULA SIX OR SEVEN YEARS AGO.
SOMEONE HAD GONE HUNTING AND GOT LOST IN THE WOODS LOOKING FOR
FRIENDS. HE WAS 50-ISH. IT WAS A NEW CAR--A '53 OR '54 CADILLAC.
HE WANDERED AND GOT COLD AND FELL ASLEEP AND WAS ASFIXIATED AND
WAS IN THE CAR FOR ABOUT 8 MONTHS TO A YEAR. IT WAS A BRAND NEW
CAR AT THE TIME. IT HAPPENED DURING DEER SEASON--ABOUT NOVEMBER--
AND THE CAR WAS FOUND IN APRIL OR MAY.
THEY TOOK OUT THE UPHOLSTERY AND TOOK A TORCH TO THE METAL TO KILL
THE SMELL. THE CAR WAS OFFERED FOR $500. SOMEONE ASKED ME IF I
WOULD BUY IT BUT I NEVER HEARD ANY MORE FROM HIM. THEY COULDN'T
ERADICATE THE SMELL FROM THE METAL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROCHESTER
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Vehicle propelled by mechanical or other force on land BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 05-10-1965
CAR FOR SALE
IT WAS A CADILLAC IN THE UPPER PENINSULA SIX OR SEVEN YEARS AGO.
SOMEONE HAD GONE HUNTING AND GOT LOST IN THE WOODS LOOKING FOR
FRIENDS. HE WAS 50-ISH. IT WAS A NEW CAR--A '53 OR '54 CADILLAC.
HE WANDERED AND GOT COLD AND FELL ASLEEP AND WAS ASFIXIATED AND
WAS IN THE CAR FOR ABOUT 8 MONTHS TO A YEAR. IT WAS A BRAND NEW
CAR AT THE TIME. IT HAPPENED DURING DEER SEASON--ABOUT NOVEMBER--
AND THE CAR WAS FOUND IN APRIL OR MAY.
THEY TOOK OUT THE UPHOLSTERY AND TOOK A TORCH TO THE METAL TO KILL
THE SMELL. THE CAR WAS OFFERED FOR $500. SOMEONE ASKED ME IF I
WOULD BUY IT BUT I NEVER HEARD ANY MORE FROM HIM. THEY COULDN'T
ERADICATE THE SMELL FROM THE METAL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROCHESTER
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Vehicle propelled by mechanical or other force on land BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 05-10-1965
CAR FOR SALE
IT WAS A CADILLAC IN THE UPPER PENINSULA SIX OR SEVEN YEARS AGO.
SOMEONE HAD GONE HUNTING AND GOT LOST IN THE WOODS LOOKING FOR
FRIENDS. HE WAS 50-ISH. IT WAS A NEW CAR--A '53 OR '54 CADILLAC.
HE WANDERED AND GOT COLD AND FELL ASLEEP AND WAS ASFIXIATED AND
WAS IN THE CAR FOR ABOUT 8 MONTHS TO A YEAR. IT WAS A BRAND NEW
CAR AT THE TIME. IT HAPPENED DURING DEER SEASON--ABOUT NOVEMBER--
AND THE CAR WAS FOUND IN APRIL OR MAY.
THEY TOOK OUT THE UPHOLSTERY AND TOOK A TORCH TO THE METAL TO KILL
THE SMELL. THE CAR WAS OFFERED FOR $500. SOMEONE ASKED ME IF I
WOULD BUY IT BUT I NEVER HEARD ANY MORE FROM HIM. THEY COULDN'T
ERADICATE THE SMELL FROM THE METAL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROCHESTER
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Vehicle propelled by mechanical or other force on land BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
ON NEW YEAR'S DAY, MY MOTHER BOILS FIVE DOLLARS WORTH OF
DIMES TO BE PUT IN THE COOKED CABBAGE WHICH WILL BE SERVED
FOR DINNER. THIS IS DONE FOR FINANCIAL GOOD LUCK.
Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM MOTHER'S FRIEND.
Where learned: NEW JERSEY ; MOORESTOWN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
AIR FORCE CADENCE
CAN'T STOP, GOTTA GO (ECHO)
AIRBORNE ALL THE WAY (ECHO)
D. I.: HOW FAR
T: ALL THE WAY
D.I.: WHICH WAY
T: AIRBORNE
Submitter comment: CHANTED AT A FAST JOG
James Callow comment: RDNeedsReview
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHANUTE AIR FORCE BASE ; RANTOUL ; NEVADA ; STEAD AIR FORCE BASE ; RENO
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse C730.349 |
Date learned: 07-00-1968
AIR FORCE CADENCE
WE WORK ALL DAY (ECHO)
WE STUDY ALL NIGHT (ECHO)
CAN'T STOP, GOTTA GO (ECHO)
AIRBORNE ALL THE WAY (ECHO)
Submitter comment: CHANTED AT A FAST JOG
Where learned: NEVADA ; STEAD AIR FORCE BASE ; RENO
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse C730.349 |
KIBITZER
ANY CARD PLAYER WILL TELL YOU A KIBITZER IS THE LOWEST FORM OF
HUMANITY; HE'S CONTINUALLY PEEKING INTO YOUR HAND, SMIRKING AND
GIVING UNNECESSARY ADVICE. KIBITZERS AREN'T NICE. THE NAME
KIBITZER COMES FROM THE WORD KIBITZ, GERMAN FOR LAPWING OR PLOVER.
THIS CREATURE JABBERS INCESSANTLY, BUT CANNOT SING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROCHESTER
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Bird PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
FEET
DON'T EVER PUT YOUR SHOES ON THE TABLE OR YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE SORE
FEET.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 02-07-1972