Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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INTELLIGENCE
WHEN A PERSON POINTS TO HIS HEAD, HE'S INDICATING
THAT HE'S INTELLIGENT.
Where learned: SOUTH AMERICA ; BOGOTA ; COLOMBIA
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Body parts involved S602.1 SPEECH -- Congratulations Appreciation Self approval Boasting |
GRAFFITO
"SUPPOSE THEY HELD A WAR AND NOBODY CAME?"
Where learned: SOUTH VIETNAM ; Vietnam ; ARMY LATRINE ; AHN KHE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Art Craft Architecture Art, Craft, Architecture |
AUTOGRAPH BOOK VERSE
I HAVE A LITTLE FINGER,
I HAVE A LITTLE TOE,
AND WHEN I GET BIGGER,
I'LL HAVE A LITTLE BEAU.
Submitter comment:
THIS VERSE WAS WRITTEN IN THE INFORMANT'S AUTOGRAPH BOOK WHEN SHE WAS
IN SIXTH GRADE AT ST. ANTHONY'S SCHOOL IN DAYTON, OHIO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
James Callow Keyword(s): ITERATION
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Matrimony |
Date learned: 00-00-1939
AUTOGRAPH BOOK VERSE
CAN'T THINK
BRAIN DUMB
INSPIRATION WON'T COME
POOR INK
BUM PEN
BEST WISHES
AMEN
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS WRITTEN IN THE INFORMANT'S AUTOGRAPH BOOK WHEN SHE GRADUATED
FROM EIGHTH GRADE AT ST. MICHAEL'S SCHOOL IN SOUTHFIELD, MICHIGAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse |
DUTCH GIRL
A HAND-CLAPPING GAME THAT IS PLAYED TO THIS RHYME:
I AM A PRETTY LITTLE DUTCH GIRL,
AS PRETTY AS CAN BE.
AND ALL THE BOYS AROUND MY BLOCK,
GO CRAZY OVER ME.
SOME WILL GIVE ME PEACHES.
SOME WILL GIVE ME PEARS.
SOME WILL GIVE ME FIFTY CENTS,
AND KICK ME DOWN THE STAIRS.
I DON'T WANT THEIR PEACHES,
I DON'T WANT THEIR PEARS,
ALL I'LL TAKE IS THE FIFTY CENTS,
AND KICK THEM DOWN THE STAIRS.
Submitter comment:
THE CLAPPING SEQUENCE IS:
BOTH HANDS ON LAP, CLAP TOGETHER, HIT EACH OTHER'S RIGHT
HAND (PALM TO PALM) -- CLAP TOGETHER.
HIT EACH OTHER'S LEFT HAND (PALM TO PALM), CLAP TOGETHER
HIT EACH OTHER'S TWO HANDS (PALM TO PALM), BOTH HANDS
ON LAP TOGETHER TWICE, CLAP, START AGAIN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 10-23-1970
READY OR NOT
APPLES, PEACHES, PUMPKIN PIE,
WHO'S NOT READY, HOLLER I.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT IS A FRIEND OF MINE, AND HE REMEMBERS THIS FROM
HIS CHILDHOOD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse |
TAUNT
NOW IS THE TIME FOR ALL GOOD MEN
TO COME TO THE AID OF THEIR PLANET.
Submitter comment:
THE TIME IS NOW FOR MEN TO WAKE UP AND REALIZE WHAT
HAS TO BE DONE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
Keyword(s): ANAPESTS ; GOOD MEN TO COME TO THE AID OF THEIR COUNTRY. ; PARODY: ON TYPING EXERCISE: NOW IS THE TIME FOR ALL
| Subject headings: | 730 Lyrical Verse |
GIANT STEPS (OR MOTHER, MAY I?)
THE LEADER POSITIONS HIMSELF APPROXIMATELY 200 FEET FROM
THE CONTESTANTS ALONG A SIDEWALK, ADDRESSING HIMSELF
ALTERNATELY TO THEM. HE SAYS, "YOU MAY TAKE THREE BABY
STEPS," FOR EXAMPLE. BUT THE KID MUST ANSWER, "MOTHER
MAY I?" AND RECEIVE IN TURN A "YES, YOU MAY!" FROM THE
"MOTHER." A "NO, YOU MAY NOT," AND NO ADVANCEMENT.
THE NUMBER AND TYPE OF STEPS ALLOWED IS LEFT TO "MOTHER'S"
DISCRETION. THERE ARE BABY STEPS--SHORT HEEL TO TOE
STEPS; GIANT STEPS, LARGEST STRIDES POSSIBLE; UMBRELLA
STEPS--STEPPING WHILE SPINNING ABOUT; BANANA STEPS--
STEPPING WHILE SLIDING THE FEET ON THE SIDEWALK.
FIRST TO (REACH) MOTHER WINS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; SOUTHWEST
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime |
GOOD LUCK CHARM
BEFORE SURGERY, A PATIENT, (AN OLD LADY),
PINNED A ONE DOLLAR BILL TO HER UNDERWEAR FOR GOOD
LUCK AND A SPEEDY RECOVERY.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; SOUTH QUAD
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration |
Date learned: 10-23-1970
AQUONELE (POPPY SEEDS)
THE CHILDREN STAND IN A CIRCLE AND HOLDING HANDS.
THEY SING THE FIRST VERSE. SINGING ZODZIUS: "SEJA
SITAIP, VA IR VA KAIP"--THE CHILDREN DO SOWING MOTIONS
FIRST WITH THEIR RIGHT HAND, THEN THEIR LEFT. SINGING
ON, "TAIP, TAIP AQUONELES SEJA"--EVERYONE CLAPS TWICE
AND TURNS AROUND SLOWLY, IN A FULL CIRCLE, TO THE RIGHT.
THEY REPEAT AGAIN TO THE LEFT.
SINGING THAT THE POPPY SEEDS ARE COMING UP--THE CHILDREN
STOOP DOWN, SHOWING WITH THEIR FINGERS HOW THE POPPY
SEEDS ARE BREAKING THROUGH. THEY AGAIN CLAP 2 AND TURN
TO THE RIGHT, CLAP 2 AGAIN AND TURN TO THE LEFT.
Submitter comment:
SEJA SITAIP VA IR VA KAIP--SHOWING HOW THEY PLANT THE
POPPY SEEDS. SECOND QUOTE: THIS IS HOW, THIS IS HOW
THE POPPIES ARE PLANTED. SINGING OF HOW THEY ARE GROWING (THE POPPY SEEDS), THE CHILDREN STOOP DOWN AND SLOWLY RISE UP, SHOWING HOW HIGH THEY GROW. SINGING OF HOW THE POPPIES BLOOM, THE CHILDREN SLOWLY RAISE THEIR HANDS, HOLDING THEM TOGETHER, AND LEANING BACK JUST A LITTLE. SINGING OF HOW THE POPPIES RIPEN--THE CHILDREN, WITH HANDS RAISED, IMITATE WITH THEIR PALMS THE ROUND HEAD OF A POPPY. SINGING OF HOW THE POPPIES ARE SHAKEN DOWN, THE CHILDREN TURN ROWARDS EACH OTHER, PLACE THEIR HANDS ON EACH OTHERS ARMS ABOVE THE ELBOWS AND SHAKE. SINGING OF HOW THE POPPIES ARE BEING GRINDED--THE CHILDREN STOOP DOWN AND EVERYONE WITH THEIR RIGHT HAND MAKE A CIRCLE, IMITATING GRINDING. SINGING OF HOW TO EAT POPPIES--THE CHILDREN STAND AND THROW HANDFULS INTO THEIR MOUTHS. "POPPY SEEDS" IS A VERY POPULAR SONG AMONG THE LITTLE KIDS. NO ONE KNOWS WHERE IT ORIGINATED FROM OR WHO WROTE (IT), SO IT IS TRUE FOLKLORE. MY MOTHER'S STEP-MOTHER TOLD ME THAT SHE LEARNED THAT WHEN SHE WAS ONLY SEVEN YEARS OLD. SO IT'S PRETTY OLD. ALL OF THESE GAME-VERSES ARE OLD, BUT THE KIDS LOVE THEM.
A COMBINATION OF BOTH DANCE AND GAME.
Where learned: SOUTHFIELD ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Singing Dancing Marching |
Date learned: 03-27-1972
COMMON WORD
MASHUGANAH
Submitter comment: IT IS A YIDDISH TERM FOR A CRAZY PERSON
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Physically handicapped Deformed SPEECH -- Common Word |
Date learned: 00-00-1968
HANGMAN'S CROSSING
SEYMOUR IS THE TOWN WHERE THE FIRST TRAIN ROBBERY
HAPPENED IN THIS COUNTRY OR IN THE WHOLE WORLD. WHEN
THEY CAUGHT THE ROBBERS-THERE WERE 3 OR 4 OF THEM-
THEY TOOK THEM OUT TO HANGMAN'S CROSSING AND HUNG THEM.
AND IT IS STILL CALLED HANGMAN'S CROSSING TODAY. I
THINK THEY WERE CALLED THE RENO BROTHERS. IT WAS
BEFORE JESSE JAMES OR THE DALTON BROTHERS.
Submitter comment: LEARNED IN HOME TOWN OF SEYMOUR, INDIANA.
Where learned: SOUTHFIELD DOWNS TRAILER CAMP
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 05-19-1965
BIRTH
ON THE NINTH DAY AFTER A BABY WAS BORN, THE MOTHER
HAD TO LIE PERFECTLY STILL. THEY WOULDN'T EVEN LET
HER HAVE A PILLOW UNDER HER HEAD. BECAUSE THAT WAS
SUPPOSED TO BE THE DAY WHEN ALL HER FEMALE ORGANS
GO BACK INTO PLACE. BUT NOT (NOW) THEY GET A
MOTHER UP RIGHT AWAY!
Submitter comment:
LEARNED THIS AT HOME IN GLOUCESTER, OHIO, BUT
DOESN'T BELIEVE IN IT TODAY.
Where learned: SOUTHFIELD DOWNS TRAILER CAMP
| Subject headings: | 686 Ninths / Nine CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 05-19-1965
MENSTRUAL SUPERSTITIONS
MARIE'S (WIFE'S) GRANDFATHER OWNED A STORE WHEN
PICKLES WERE STILL KEPT IN A BIG BARREL. WELL, HE
WOULDN'T LET NO WOMAN TAKE A PICKLE OUT OF THE
BARREL OR THE REST WOULD GO SOFT, IF SHE WAS JUST
COMIN' SICK OR JUST GETTIN' OUT OF HER PERIOD.
HE'D PUT SOME PICKLES ON A TRAY AND LET THEM BUY
THEM OFF THAT.
Submitter comment: HAPPENED IN GLOUCESTER, OHIO
Where learned: SOUTHFIELD DOWNS TRAILER CAMP
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 05-19-1965
GOOD LUCK. ( COLLECTOR'S TITLE ) ; GOOD LUCK: OBJECTS ( CLASSIFIER'S TITLE )
CARRY A SILVER DOLLAR OR TWO DOLLAR BILL.
Submitter comment: BECAUSE THEY ARE SO RARE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Good luck P881.1 |
Date learned: 10-02-1967
MOVE IT OR LOSE IT.
Submitter comment: THIS STATEMENT IS MADE WHEN SOMEONE IS IN YOUR WAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; SOUTH QUAD 109
Keyword(s): COMEBACK
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 11-04-1971
The ghost of Knute Rockne, a past Notre Dame football player,
is thought to guide Notre Dame's football team during the
games.
Where learned: INDIANA ; University of Notre Dame ; South Bend
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- School |
The first snowfall at the University of Notre Dame, calls
for the annual snowball fight between the North Quad dorms
and the South Quad dorms.
Where learned: INDIANA ; University of Notre Dame ; South Bend
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School |
Date learned: 08-00-1986
At the University of Notre Dame, the Wednesday before the
first home football game, there is a panty raid at the all
girl college, St. Mary's, which is across from Notre Dame's
campus.
Where learned: INDIANA ; University of Notre Dame ; South Bend
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School |
Date learned: 08-00-1986
Each year it is a known tradition that all freshmen must
be "laked" on their birthday. Laking includes a group of
around twenty guys that first smear shaving cream on the
birthday boy. He is then led down to St. Mary's Lake
where he receives his birthday swim. The tradition ends
with a goodnight song to the girls in Lewis Hall, and a
mass mooning from all the guys involved in the laking
event.
Where learned: INDIANA ; University of Notre Dame ; South Bend
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Private birthday or anniversary |