The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

FORMULA SPEECH--CORRECTIVE

WHEN CHILDREN WANT TO COMMUNICATE TO SOMEONE THAT HIS OR HER FLY
IS DOWN, THEY START COUNTING RAPIDLY. EACH NUMBER IS SUPPOSED TO
REPRESENT A COW COMING OUT OF THE PANTS (THOUGH NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW
WHY) AND THE MORE THAT ESCAPE, THE WORSE. WHEN BOTH CHILDREN UNDER-
STAND THE USE OF THE NUMBERS, THE ONE ZIPS UP, AND THE OTHER CHANTS
"HA, HA, THIRTY COWS," OR HOWEVER MANY HE COUNTED. WHEN ONE PERSON
DOES NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THE OTHER IS COUNTING, THE COUNTER MIGHT
ENUMERATE UP TO FIFTY OR EVEN FURTHER, THEN FINALLY POINT TO THE
OTHER'S FLY. THAT WAY HE WILL HAVE ALL THE MORE COWS TO TEASE THE
PERSON ABOUT.

Where learned: OHIO ; MASSILLON

James Callow Keyword(s): FLY:ZIPPER

Date learned: 11-00-1973