Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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IRISH FAIRY STORY
MY GRANDFATHER TOLD US THIS STORY ONCE ABOUT HOW WHEN HE WAS A YOUNG
MAN HE WAS CAUGHT IN A FAIRIE-RING. HE WAS IN THIS FIELD WHICH WAS
ENCLOSED BY A CIRCULAR WALL. WHEN HE WAS FINISHED WORK FOR THE DAY
HE WALKED TO THE GATE BUT THERE WAS A FAIRIE ON IT AND IT WOULDN'T
LET HIM OUT. A FAIRIE IS A LITTLE GHOST. HE RAN TO ANOTHER GATE BU
THERE WAS A FAIRIE ON THAT ONE TOO. HE WALKED AROUND THE FIELD FOR
DAYS BEFORE HE GOT OUT. YOU CALL THIS A FAIRIE-RING.
Submitter comment:
TOLD BY MY GREATGRANDFATHER TO MY MOTHER WHEN SHE WAS FIVE YEARS OLD
EVERY NIGHT HE WOULD TELL STORIES. THE 1892 DATE IS ABOUT THE TIME
GRANDFATHER O'BRIEN WAS CAUGHT IN THE FAIRIE-RING, HE TOLD THE STORY
TO MY MOTHER IN 1932. MY MOTHER LIVED IN BUNCLODY, COUNTY WEXFORD,
IRELAND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
James Callow Keyword(s): FAIRY RING
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome BELIEF -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome |
Date learned: 00-00-1892 ; 00-00-1932
MEDICAL SCHOOL LEGEND
THERE WAS THIS TEACHER AT JEFFERSON, HE MUST BE DEAD NOW, WHO WROTE
ON THE BLACKBOARD WITH BOTH HIS LEFT HAND AND HIS RIGHT HAND AT THE
SAME TIME. THE THINGS HE WROTE WOULD BE FROM TWO DIFFERENT TRAINS O
THOUGHT.
Submitter comment:
STORY TOLD TO ME BY MY FATHER FROM WHEN HE WENT TO THOMAS JEFFERSON
MEDICAL SCHOOL IN PHILADELPHIA. THIS STORY IS TOLD IN COMPLETE
SERIOUSNESS BUT I DON'T BELIEVE A WORD OF IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
James Callow Keyword(s): AMBIDEXTERITY
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- School |
Date learned: 00-00-1936 ; 09-00-1979
DORMITORY PRANK OR SPORT
ONE OF THE FAVORITE PASTIMES AT BURSLEY HALL OF THE UNIVERSITY OF
MICHIGAN WAS TO TRY TO FIGURE WAYS TO BORROW (STEAL) TRAYS FROM THE
CAFETERIA. YOU WERE NOT ALLOWED TO TAKE THINGS OUT OF THE CAFETERIA
PEOPLE SPENT MUCH TIME DEVISING MANY SNEAKY WAYS TO BORROW THE TRAYS
THE LEAST IMAGINATIVE AND MY FAVORITE WAS TO SIMPLY WALK OUT THE
EMERGENCY EXIT WITH A TRAY WHEN NOBODY WAS WATCHING. ONCE YOU HAD A
TRAY YOU USED IT TO SLED DOWN THE STEEP, SNOW-COVERED HILL BEHIND OU
DORMITORY.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS FROM MY FRESHMAN YEAR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN IN ANN
ARBOR DURING THE 1976 SCHOOL YEAR WHEN I LIVED IN BURSLEY HALL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
Date learned: 00-00-1976 ; 11-23-1979
DORMITORY PRANK
ON MY HALLWAY WHENEVER IT WAS SOMEBODY'S BIRTHDAY SIX OF US WOULD
GRAB HIM AND THROW HIM INTO THE SHOWER. ACTUALLY WE WOULD USE ANY
EXCUSE TO THROW SOMEONE IN THE SHOWER. IF A BUNCH OF US WERE SITTIN
IN THE HALLWAY AND THINGS GOT BORING WE WOULD SILENTLY AGREE ON WHOM
WAS MOST DESERVING AND BEFORE HE KNEW WHAT WAS HAPPENING HE WOULD BE
HELPLESS. OUR FAVORITE TARGET WAS THE RESIDENT ADVISER ERNIE. I
WOULD NEVER GET THROWN IN BECAUSE I WAS TOO QUICK AND BIG AND THE
BLACK KID WASN'T THROWN IN BECAUSE NO ONE WANTED TO START A RIOT.
EVERYONE ELSE WAS THROWN IN THE SHOWER AT LEAST ONCE. SOME GUYS
WOULD LEAVE THEIR ROOM IN THE MORNING AND NOT COME BACK ALL DAY ON
THEIR BIRTHDAY TO AVOID THIS.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS FROM MY FRESHMAN YEAR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN DURING
THE 1976 SCHOOL YEAR WHEN I LIVED ON FOURTH LEWIS FLOOR OF BURSLEY
HALL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Private birthday or anniversary CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 00-00-1976 ; 11-23-1979
JEWISH CUSTOM --BARMITZVAH
AT THE AGE OF 13 A BOY IS READY TO ACCEPT THE FULL
RESPONSIBITIES OF THE JEWISH FAITH.
Submitter comment:
BY THIS CUSTOM A BOY TAKES ON THE ROLE OF A MAN IN THE JEWISH
RELIGION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD
Date learned: 00-00-1974
DORMITORY PRANK
OUR FAVORITE PRANK AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN DORMITORIES IF WE
DIDN'T LIKE SOMEONE WAS TO PENNY HIM INTO HIS ROOM. THIS WAS
ACCOMPLISHED BY TAKING THREE OR FOUR OR FIVE PENNIES, DEPENDING ON
YOUR STRENGTH AND THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE APPLYING PRESSURE ON THE DOOR
AND JAM THEM INTO THE DOOR. NOW THE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN UNTIL THE
PERSON INSIDE SHAKES THE PENNIES LOOSE OR SOMEONE ELSE IN THE DORM
IS CALLED TO KNOCK THEM OUT FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE PENNYING IS DONE
LATE AT NIGHT WHILE EVERYBODY IS ASLEEP BECAUSE IT IS DANGEROUS TO
YOUR HEALTH IF THE PERSON OPENS HIS DOOR WHILE YOU ARE TRYING TO
PENNY HIM IN. SILENCE IS VERY IMPORTANT SO YOU WON'T WAKE ANYONE UP
PENNYING SOMEONE IN IS EVEN BETTER WHEN THE PERSON YOU TRY TO GET OR
HIS ROOM-MATE HAS A CLASS AT EIGHT THE NEXT MORNING. FOR ME AND
MY FRIENDS PENNYING PEOPLE IN BECAME A SCIENCE. WE WOULD USE
THREE SETS OF FIVE PENNIES EACH. STEVE WOULD WRAP ELECTRICAL TAPE
AROUND THE PENNIES SO THEY WOULD NOT FALL APART WHILE BEING PUT IN.
WE WOULD STOP THE ELEVATOR ON THE FLOOR OF THE ROOM WE WERE PENNYING
IN SO WE COULD MAKE A QUICK ESCAPE SHOULD WE HEAR THE SOUND OF
SOMEONE WAKING UP IN THE ROOM. STEVE WOULD PLACE A PIECE OF
ELECTRICAL TAPE ON THE DOOR EYEHOLE SO THE PERSON INSIDE OF THE ROOM
COULD NOT SNEAK UP AND IDENTIFY US THROUGH IT. WHILE ME, FRANK, AND
ROB APPLIED PRESSURE ON THE DOOR INWARD STEVE WOULD PLACE THE
PENNIES. ONE SET WOULD GO SIX INCHES ABOVE THE DOORKNOB, ANOTHER SI
INCHES BELOW THE DOORKNOB AND THE LAST SET WOULD GO UP HIGH. THIS I
ALL DONE IN COMPLETE SILENCE, ANY TALKING IS DONE IN THE ELEVATOR
LOBBY BEFOREHAND.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS FROM WHEN I LIVED IN BURSLEY HALL ON THE UNIVERSITY OF
MICHIGAN DURING THE 1976 SCHOOL YEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School |
Date learned: 00-00-1976 ; 11-23-1979
FOOD CUSTOM
IRANIANS ABSTAINED FROM ALL FISHES THAT DO NOT HAVE FINS & SCALES
Submitter comment: THIS ITEM WAS FOUND TO BE TRUE FROM BERTHOLET,"COMMENTARY ON LEN
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Meat Fish and other animal life related to water |
Date learned: 00-00-1974
COMPUTER ROOM GOOD LUCK CONVERSION
WHEN YOU ARE READING YOUR CARDS INTO THE COMPUTER YOU SHOULD RUB THE
CARD READER AND CALL IT POOH POOH. THIS WILL MAKE THE COMPUTER LIKE
YOU AND THE CARDS WILL BE READ IN WITHOUT A HITCH AND YOUR JOB WILL
BE PROCESSED QUICKLY.
Submitter comment:
WHILE NOT MANY PEOPLE MAY OPENLY PROFESS TO THE BELIEF THAT THE
COMPUTER CAN LIKE YOU, IT MAY NEVERTHELESS BE WIDESPREAD.
I HAVE ONLY NOTICED THREE PEOPLE DOING THIS, INCLUDING MYSELF.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
James Callow Keyword(s): MODERN FOLKLORE
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration BELIEF -- Conversions |
Date learned: 11-23-1979
BUG AUTOMOBILE GAME
THIS GAME IS PLAYED IN THE CAR ON THE EXPRESSWAY DURING A LONG TRIP
TO MAKE IT LESS BORING. WHEN YOU THINK YOU SEE A VOLKSWAGEN BUG YOU
YELL OUT BUG FOLLOWED BY ITS COLOR. THE FIRST PERSON TO FINISH
SAYING BUG GETS ONE POINT. VOLKSWAGEN RABBITS OR BUSES DO NOT
COUNT. IF YOU YELL OUT BUG AND THERE IS NONE YOU LOSE ONE POINT,
UNLESS YOU THOUGHT A RABBIT OR BUS WAS A BUG IN WHICH CASE YOUR SCOR
STAYS THE SAME. IF THE DRIVER IS SPEEDING HE MIGHT MAKE A STATE
HIGHWAY PATROL OR COP WORTH THREE POINTS AND A COUNTY MOUNTY WORTH
TWO POINTS. YOU DO NOT LOSE POINTS FOR MISTAKEN COPS. PARKED
VOLKSWAGENS OR DEAD BUGS ARE WORTH ONE HALF POINT BUT VOLKSWAGEN
DEALERSHIPS DO NOT COUNT. ONE STRATEGY WHEN YOU SEE A FIAT OR
CHEVETTE IN THE DISTANCE IS TO YELL OUT BUS OR BU HOPING THE OTHER
PERSON WILL YELL OUT BUG MISTAKENLY AND LOSE A POINT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
James Callow Keyword(s): QUICKNESS GAME
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 11-23-1979
DEATH
IT IS CUSTOMARY TO MAKE A HOLE IN THE HUT, TO ALLOW THE PASSAGE
OF THE SPIRIT OF THE DEAD PERSON OUT.
Submitter comment:
THIS STATMENT CAN BE SEEN IN M. COX'S BOOK INTRODUCTION TO
FOLKLORE (1897) AND IS CUT IN THE WALLS OR IN THE CEILING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 00-00-1974
HANGMAN SPELLING GAME
ONE PERSON THINKS OF A WORD AND PUTS DOWN ON A PIECE OF PAPER THE
NUMBER OF BLANK SPACES THAT THERE ARE LETTERS IN THE WORD. THE OTHE
PERSON MUST NOW GUESS THE LETTERS UNTIL HE HAS SPELLED OUT THE WORD
OR HAS BEEN HANGED. LET'S SAY I HAVE DECIDED ON THE WORD AND YOU AR
GUESSING IT. I DRAW THE BLANK SPACES AND A SIMPLE GALLOWS WITH ROPE
YOU NOW GUESS A LETTER. IF THAT LETTER IS IN THE WORD I FILL IN THE
APPROPRIATE BLANK SPACE. IF THE LETTER APPEARS MORE THAN ONCE I MUS
FILL IN EACH APPEARANCE. IF THE LETTER IS NOT IN THE WORD I WRITE I
DOWN AND DRAW A CIRCLE FOR YOUR HEAD CONNECTED TO THE GALLOW ROPE.
AFTER YOUR NEXT WRONG LETTERS I DRAW LINES FOR YOUR TRUNK, BOTH ARMS
AND BOTH LEGS. IF YOU ARE A REALLY BAD GUESSER AND I WANT TO RUB IT
IN I MIGHT ADD EYES, FEET, ETC. UNTIL YOU GET THE WORD. ONE STRATEG
OF THE GUESSER IS TO GUESS VOWELS AND MOST COMMON LETTERS FIRST.
Submitter comment:
EVERYBODY I KNOW HAS PLAYED HANGMAN. THIS IS A GOOD GAME TO PLAY IN
THE BACK OF A BORING CLASS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Knowledge Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Guessing Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 11-23-1979
DEATH
OPENING THE WINDOW FOR A FEW MOMENTS IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE LAST
BREATH HAS BEEN DRAWN
Submitter comment: WHEN A PERSON HAS DIED, TO LET OUT THE SPIRIT OF DEATH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 00-00-1974
DEATH
IN ENGLAND NO PERSON IS ALLOWED TO DIE ON A FEATHER BED.
Submitter comment:
THIS CAN BE FOUND IN J. HARLAND & WILKINSON BOOK LANCASHIRE
FOLK}LORE (1869)
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 00-00-1974
BIRTH
IN SWITZERLAND WHEN A BOY IS BORN IT IS THE PRACTICE TO PLANT AN
APPLE TREE. WHEN A GIRL IS BORN A NUT TREE IS PLANTED.
Submitter comment: CAN BE FOUND IN MC CARTNEY "FOLKLORE HEIRLOOMS"
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD
James Callow Keyword(s): PLANTS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Date learned: 00-00-1974
BIRTH
MOHAMMED'S MOTHER HAD A PIECE OF IRON BOUND UPON HER HAND AT TIME
OF HIS BIRTH TO WARD OFF EVIL SPIRITS
Submitter comment:
THIS CAN BE FOUND IN SPRENGER, DAS LEBEN UND DIE LEHRE
MOHAMMED (1861-65)
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Date learned: 00-00-1974
CHRISTMAS
CHRISTMAS HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE BIGGEST HOLIDAY FOR MY FAMILY.
TWO WEEKS BEFORE CHRISTMAS WE PUT UP THE DECORATIONS. OUTSIDE WE PU
COLORED LIGHTS ON THE EVERGREENS. WE PUT PLASTIC TRIMMINGS ON THE
DOORPOSTS. A CHRISTMAS WREATH GOES ON THE FRONT DOOR. INSIDE WE
HANG OUR STOCKINGS ON THE STAIRWAY AND DECORATE THE HANDRAILS WITH
MORE PLASTIC EVERGREEN TRIMMINGS. WE REPLACE THE PICTURE IN THE
FRONT HALLWAY WITH A HANGING SANTA CLAUS, WHEN YOU PULL HIS STRING
THE MUSIC BOX CONTAINED WITHIN PLAYS SILENT NIGHT. I CAN'T RESIST
PULLING THE STRING AT LEAST TWICE A DAY. ABOVE THE FIREPLACE WE
PLACE THREE DOLLS OF ENGLISH MEN SINGING CAROLS AND COLLECTING
DONATIONS, THESE ARE FALLING APART NOW THOUGH. ALSO AROUND THE
FIREPLACE WE HANG LIGHTS WITH PICTURES ENCASING THEM DEPICTING MANGE
SCENES. IN THE LIVING ROOM WE PLACE OUR MODEL OF THE MANGER WITH
LITTLE STATUES OF JESUS IN CRIB, MARY, JOSEPH, THE THREE KINGS
BEARING GIFTS, A SHEPERD BOY, HIS FLOCK OF SHEEP(ABOUT HALF WITH LEG
BROKEN), A COW, A DONKEY, A CAMEL, AND AN ANGEL WITH TRUMPET HANGING
FROM THE TOP OF THE MANGER,(HIS WINGS ARE BROKEN THOUGH). IN THE
LIVING ROOM WE ALSO PUT A SANTA CLAUS DOLL SITTING IN A WICKER SLEIG
FILLED WITH PLASTIC FRUIT.
WE PUT THE CHRISTMAS TREE IN THE FAMILY ROOM. AFTER BRINGING THE
CHRISTMAS TREE HOME YOU HAVE TO WAIT A FEW DAYS FOR IT TO SPREAD OUT
BEFORE DECORATING IT. WHEN DECORATING THE TREE THE FIRST THING WE
PUT ON ARE THE THREE STRINGS OF COLORED LIGHTS. WE CONNECT ONE
BLINKER TO ONE STRING OF LIGHTS AND A SECOND BLINKER TO THE OTHER TW
STRINGS OF LIGHTS SO THE LIGHTS ALTERNATELY BLINK ON AND OFF. NEXT
WE HANG THE MANY BEAUTIFUL BULBS, CAREFUL NOT TO LET THEM FALL.
THEN WE HANG SILVER TINSEL AND CANDY CANES AND THE WHOLE TREE IS
TOPPED OFF BY A STAR. PRESENTS ARE PLACED UNDER THE TREE.
OUR FAMILY IS SPREAD ACROSS THE UNITED STATES BUT ANYONE WHO CAN
COMES HOME FOR CHRISTMAS. ON CHRISTMAS EVE WE HAVE A FIRE IN THE
FIREPLACE AND SOME OF US VISIT RELATIVES AND DELIVER PRESENTS WHILE
OTHERS STAY HOME AND RECEIVE VISITS. AT MIDNIGHT ALL THE ADULTS GO
TO MIDNIGHT MASS, EVEN THOUGH FOR SOME OF MY BROTHERS THIS IS THE
ONLY TIME THEY GO TO MASS ALL YEAR. EVERYONE GETS UP EARLY IN THE
MORNING TO OPEN PRESENTS. THE DAY IS SPENT WATCHING CHRISTMAS MOVIE
AND FOOTBALL GAMES ON TV, RECEIVING TELEPHONE CALLS FROM OUT-OF-STAT
RELATIVES AND FAMILY THAT COULD NOT COME HOME, AND WAITING FOR
DINNER.
FOR CHRISTMAS DINNER WE HAVE A BIG TURKEY. WE ALSO HAVE A WHOLE
BUNCH OF STUFFING, MASHED POTATOES, CRANBERRY SAUCE, GRAVY, GREEN
BEANS OR PEAS, AND OCCASIONALLY A HAM TOO IF THE TURKEY IS NOT BIG
ENOUGH. FOR DESSERT THERE IS PLUM PUDDING WITH HARD SAUCE, FRUIT
CAKE, AND ICE CREAM. THIS IS THE ONLY TIME ALL YEAR THAT WE HAVE
PLUM PUDDING EVEN THOUGH IT IS MY FAVORITE DESSERT.
WE KEEP THE CHRISTMAS TREE UP UNTIL IT GETS TOO DRY AND BECOMES A
FIRE HAZARD, BUT THE OTHER DECORATIONS AREN'T PUT AWAY TILL ALMOST
FEBRUARY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
Date learned: 11-23-1979
BLUE HERON AN OMEN
THE INDIANS AND LUMBERMEN IN OUR AREA (MONTMORENCY COUNTY)
USED TO THINK THAT THE BLUE HERON WAS AN OMEN OF DEATH OR
SERIOUS ILLNESS.
Submitter comment: TOLD TO ME BY MY NEIGHBOR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 00001940-50
BIRTH
ALL FEARS AND HAZARDS OF CHILD BIRTH ARE IN THE FIGURE OF LILITH.
Submitter comment:
SHE IS A PHANTOM FIGURE WHO STEALS NEWBORN BABIES & KILLS OR
INJURES THEIR MOTHERS
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- Devil Demon |
Date learned: 00-00-1974
OWL AN OMEN OF DEATH
BEFORE MY STEP-FATHER'S FATHER DIED, AN OWL APPEARED IN THE
WINDOW. EVERYONE SAID THAT THERE WOULD BE A DEATH.
THIS HAPPENED IN ROCHESTER, BUT THEY WERE ORIGINALLY FROM
KITCHENER, CANADA, WHICH IS A MOSTLY GERMAN TOWN.
Submitter comment: TOLD TO ME BY MY HUSBAND. 01001967
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 00-00-1950
BLOOD-RED MOON AN OMEN
I HAVE OFTEN HEARD AMONG THE OLDER GENERATION OF THE "BLOOD-RED
MOON." IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE A SIGN OF DEATH OF TRAGEDY.
Submitter comment: TOLD TO ME BY MY NEIGHBOR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
| Subject headings: | Observation |