Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for WASHINGTON returned 141 results.
CURE
TO KEEP AWAY THE FLU
WEAR A BAG OF ASAFOETIDA ABOUT THE NECK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TRAVERSE CITY
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 03-29-1970
VERSE
THE GUYS WERE PLAYING FOOTBALL,
OUT IN THE YARD,
JESUS PLAYING QUARTERBACK,
MOSES PLAYING GUARD.
THE ANGELS GAVE A GREAT BIG YELL,
WHEN JESUS SCORED A TOUCHDOWN
AGAINST THE GUYS FROM HELL.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: WASHINGTON ; WASHINGTON DC
Keyword(s): ANTHROPOMORPHISM ; BIBLICAL ; Football ; God ; HELL ; JESUS ; METAPHOR ; Moses ; RELIGION ; RHYME: ABCDED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Tale |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
A MEAN DOG
BRUSHING A DOG'S HAIR IN THE DIRECTION OF THE HEAD FROM THE TAIL
WILL MAKE IT A VERY MEAN DOG.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT CLAIMS THAT THIS IS COMMON KNOWLEDGE IN IRELAND, AND
SAY THAT IS WHERE SHE HEARD IT.
Data entry tech comment: APOSTROPHE ADDED BY KEYPUNCHER.
Where learned: WASHINGTON DC
James Callow Keyword(s): GROOMING OF DOG ; POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Creation and Order of Animal Life |
Date learned: 00-00-1965
THE ANNEY OAKLEY
THE SILVER DOLLAR IS CALLED AN "ANNEY OAKLEY" BECAUSE SHE WAS
ABLE TO SHOOT THEM OUT OF THE AIR AFTER SOMEONE TOSSED IT UP.
Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM HIS FATHER.
Where learned: OHIO ; WASHINGTON COURT HOUSE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name BELIEF -- Measure of quality Medium of exchange |
Date learned: 12-04-1967
PROVERBIAL PHRASE
...FIT TO KILL... (THAT IS TO BE SMARTLY DRESSED.).
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TRAVERSE CITY
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase |
Date learned: 02-21-1970
CALCULATOR GAMES
GREET YOUR CALCULATOR, THEN ENTER 0.7734 FOR ITS REPLY-HELLO.
Where learned: WASHINGTON DC
James Callow Keyword(s): MODERN FOLKLORE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Number |
Date learned: 02-00-1980
A FORM OF TAG THAT WAS ACCOMPANIED BY A CHANT. AT THE END OF THE
CHANT THE PERSON PLAYING WOULD HAVE TO COME OUT AND CHASE THE
CHANTERS.
STARLIGHT, MOONLIGHT,
THE FIRST GHOST WE SEE TONIGHT.
WILL HE BE GREEN?
WILL HE BE GRAY?
WHEN I SEE HIM, I'LL RUN AWAY}
Where learned: WASHINGTON DC
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse C750.525 |
Date learned: 02-00-1980
SIPPIN' CIDER THROUGH A STRAW
THE PRETTIEST GIRL
I EVER SAW.
WAS SIPPIN' CIDER
THROUGH A STRAW.
I ASKED HER IF
SHE'D SHOW ME HOW.
TO SIP SOME CIDER
THROUGH A STRAW.
SHE SAID OF COURSE
SHE'D SHOW ME HOW
TO SIP SOME CIDER
THROUGH A STRAW.
AND NOW AND THEN
THE STRAW WOULD SLIP.
AND WE'D SIP CIDER
LIP TO LIP.
THAT'S HOW I GOT
MY MOTHER-IN-LAW.
FROM SIPPIN' CIDER
THROUGH A STRAW.
NOW 49 KIDS
ALL CALL ME PA.
FROM SIPPIN' CIDER
THROUGH A STRAW}
THE MORAL OF
THIS LITTLE TALE.
IS TO SIP YOUR CIDER
THROUGH A PAIL}
Submitter comment:
THIS SONG IS MEANT TO BE SUNG WITH A LARGE GROUP
THAT ELECTS A LEADER TO SING THE VERSE AND THEN THE GROUP FOLLOWS.
THE VERSE IS THEN REPEATED BY EVERYONE.
Where learned: WASHINGTON DC
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Good humor Jest |
Date learned: 02-00-1980
A WOMAN HAD IDENTICAL TWINS AND THE ONLY DIFFERENCE
BETWEEN THEM WAS THAT ONE WAS AN OPTIMIST WHILE THE
OTHER WAS A REAL PESSIMIST. WELL, ONE DAY SHE
DECIDED TO TAKE THEM TO A PSYCHIATRIST TO SEE IF
THEY COULD BE EVENED OUT A LITTLE, YOU KNOW, MAKE
THE PESSIMIST A LITTLE MORE OPTIMISTIC AND VICE
VERSA. AFTER EXPLAINING HER PROBLEM TO THE DOCTOR,
HE TOLD HER WHAT TO DO. HE SAID, "ON THEIR NEXT
BIRTHDAY, I WANT YOU TO FILL A ROOM WITH EVERY
CONCEIVABLE TOY AND PUT THE PESSIMIST IN THE ROOM.
THEN, I WANT YOU TO FILL A BOX WITH HORSE MANURE AND
GIVE THAT TO THE ONE WHO'S SO OPTIMISTIC."
WELL, ON THEIR NEXT BIRTHDAY, THE WOMAN FOLLOWED
THE GOOD DOCTOR'S ADVICE AND SHE COULD HARDLY WAIT
TO SEE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN, SO SHE PEEKED IN THE ROOM
WITH THE TOYS. THERE WAS THE PESSIMIST WALKING
AROUND THE ROOM IN COMPLETE DISGUST, COMPARING THE
VARIOUS GIFTS WITH THE TOYS OF HIS FRIENDS AND
FINDING HIS FAR BELOW THEIRS IN QUALITY. SOMEWHAT
DISTURBED, THE MOTHER THEN WENT TO CHECK ON HER OTHER
SON, AND SHE FOUND HIM DIGGING HAPPILY WITH HIS LITTLE
SHOVEL IN THE BOX OF MANURE, SAYING, "IF THERE'S
MANURE, THERE HAS TO BE A PONY HERE SOMEWHERE.
Where learned: WASHINGTON DC
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 00-00-1956
BACK AT THE LAST TIME WHEN DETROIT WAS IN THE SERIES
IN THE 20'S, THEIR STAR PITCHER WAS MEL FAMEY.
HE HAD THE HABIT OF DRINKING TO EXCESS HOWEVER, AND
BECAUSE OF THIS NEARLY LOST THE FINAL GAME, HAVING
GIVEN UP THREE WALKS. BUT HE GETS THE LAST OUT.
AS THE RUNNERS COME IN ONE ASKS, "WHAT'S THAT
STICKING OUT OF HIS POCKET?" THE OTHER ANSWERS,
"THAT'S THE BEER THAT MADE MEL FAMEY WALK US."
Where learned: WASHINGTON DC
James Callow Keyword(s): BASEBALL GAME. ; MADE MILWAUKEE FAMOUS. ; PUN ON BRAND OF BEER: THEIR SLOGAN: THE BEER THAT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Stupid man or woman |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
Entry filtered.
ELEPHANT JOKE
DO YOU KNOW THE DIFFERENT BETWEEN AN ELEPHANT AND A BANANA?
NO
THEN YOU HAVE NO BUSINESS GOING TO THE STORE TO SHOP.
Submitter comment: I DON'T KNOW WHERE I GOT IT.
Where learned: WASHINGTON DC, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Stupid man or woman |
Date learned: 11-24-1967
Entry filtered.
HEARTBURN
ONE DAY A LADY, RATHER TIPSY, WALKED INTO A AR
DOWNTOWN, AND SHOUTED AT THE BARTENDER, "BARKEEP,
BARKEEP, GIVE ME A MARTUNII." WELL, THE BARTENDER IGNORED
HER AND IN A FEW MINUTES SHE YELLED AGAIN, "BARKEEP,
BARKEEP, GIVE ME A MARTUNII, I GOT HEARTBURN."
SHE WAITED A FEW MINUTES AND AS SHE WAS ABOUT TO YELL
AGAIN, HE BROUGHT HER A DRINK. HE SAID, "STOP. IN THE
FIRST PLACE, I'M A BARTENDER, NOT A BARKEEP, SECOND,
IT'S CALLED A MARTINI NOT A MARTUNII AND IN THE
THIRD PLACE, YOU AIN'T GOT HEARTBURN, YOUR LEFT TIT
IS HANGING IN THE ASHTRAY."
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT CLAIMS THAT HE HEARD THIS JOKE ABOUT FOUR
YEARS AGO AND THEN AGAIN JUST RECENTLY. IN THE MOST
RECENT INCIDENT, HE SAYS THAT SOME OF THE DETAILS
HAVE CHANGED, SUCH AS THE TYPE OF DRINK ORDERED, FIRST
IT WAS SCOTCH WHICH WAS MISPRONOUNCED BY THE WOMAN
AS SKITCH. HE HEARD THE JOKE IN HIS SCHOOL FROM ONE
OF HIS CLASSMATES, BUT DOES NOT REMEMBER WHO IT WAS.
Where learned: WASHINGTON DC
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Woman |
Date learned: 11-03-1967
I BROUGHT HOME MY REPORT CARD ONE DAY AND SHOWED IT TO
MY OLD MAN. AS HE LOOKED IT OVER HIS FACE CONTORTED
A LITTLE AND THEN HE SIGHED IN WHAT APPEARED TO BE
RESIGNATION AND SAID, "ONE THING IS IN YOUR FAVOR. WITH
GRADES LIKE THESE, YOU SURE AS HELL AREN'T CHEATING."
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SAYS THAT IT IS A TRUE STORY, HAPPENED TO HIM
ABOUT A YEAR AGO, AND HE BELIEVES THAT HIS FATHER HEARD
IT FROM HIS FATHER UNDER MUCH THE SAME CIRCUMSTANCES.
Where learned: WASHINGTON DC
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Man |
Date learned: 09-12-1967
COMMITTMENT
A PIG AND A CHICKEN WERE WALKING DOWN A COUNTRY ROAD
DISCUSSING CHURCH SUPPORT. THEY CAME UPON A ROAD
SIGN WHICH READ, "RESTAURANT--SPECIAL FOR
BREAKFAST--HAM AND EGGS."
WELL, THE CHICKEN SAID, "SUPPOSE WE GO IN FOR
BREAKFAST AND CONTINUE OUR DISCUSSION."
"NO," SHOUTED THE PIG, "NOT ON YOUR LIFE. FOR
YOU IT WOULD BE JUST A CONTRIBUTION. FOR ME--
TOTAL COMMITMENT."
Submitter comment:
ED SAID THAT HE HEARD IT FROM A CLASSMATE AT
GEORGETOWN PREPATORY HIGH SCHOOL, NEAR WASHINGTON,
D. C. DURING THE MONTH OF AUGUST.
Where learned: WASHINGTON DC
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale |
Date learned: 09-12-1967
TAUNT-SARCASTIC
COMMENT MADE TO A PERSON WHO HAS JUST SPILLED OUT HIS
TROUBLES TO A FRIEND: "OTHER THAN THAT, MRS. LINCOLN,
HOW WAS THE PLAY?
Where learned: WASHINGTON DC
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 03-02-1970
SAME OL' EXPRESSION
"THAT'S A BUNCH OF SAME OL'-SAME OL'."
Submitter comment:
THIS EXPRESSION MEANS THAT SOMETHING HAS BEEN HEARD BEFORE.
FOR EXAMPLE, A WOMAN WHO THINKS SHE KNOWS THE LATEST
GOSSIP MIGHT SIMPLY KNOW A STORY THAT'S ALREADY BEEN
CIRCULATED.
Where learned: WASHINGTON DC
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 03-02-1970
Belief: Weather
Weather Proverb:
Rain before seven / Ends by eleven
Submitter comment:
Learned from his sister
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Dup. of WPP
Where learned: OHIO ; WASHINGTON ; WASHINGTON COURT HOUSE
Keyword(s): NATURE ; PREDICTING WEATHER ; PREDICTION ; Rain ; RHYME ; Sky ; TIME ; WEATHER
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb |
RED SKY AT NIGHT, SAILORS DELIGHT.
RDED SKY AT DAWN, SAILORS FOREWARN.
Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM SAILING INSTRUCTOR IN GRUADE SCHOOL.
Where learned: OHIO ; WASHINGTON ; WASHINGTON COURT HOUSE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb |