Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for AUTOMOBILE returned 62 results.
IF YOU'RE GOING TO PUSH ON THE THROTTLE,
DON'T PULL (DRINK) ON THE BOTTLE.
Submitter comment: A WARNING!
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE CAR ; DRINKING DRUNKENNESS
Date learned: 11-00-1971
A DRIVER'S NIGHT PRAYER
NOW I LAY ME DOWN TO SLEEP,/ I PARKED MY CAR ACROSS THE STREET.
AND IF IT ROLLS BEFORE I WAKE,/I PRAY THE LORD TO PULL THE BRAKE.
Submitter comment: TAKEN FROM INFORMANT'S AUTOGRAPH BOOK.
Where learned: NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): IMPERFECT RHYME ; QUATRAIN ACCIDENT AUTOMOBILE PARODY OF PRAYER ; RHYME: AABB
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse |
A LITTLE SPARK, A LITTLE COIL,
A LITTLE GAS, A LITTLE OIL,
A LITTLE TIN, A LITTLE BOARD,
PUT IT ALL TOGETHER AND
YOU'LL HAVE A LITTLE FORD.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
James Callow Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Wisecracks, gags, silly stories, insults |
Date learned: 00-00-1928
PADIDDLE
I AM NOT SURE OF THE SPELLING, BUT THIS IS THE WAY THE WORD IS
PRONOUNCED AND IT INDICATES A CAR WITH ONLY ONE OPERATIVE
HEADLIGHT. WHEN YOU ARE WITH A GIRL YOU GET TO KISS HER IF YOU SEE
SUCH A CAR AND YELL OUT PADIDDLE BEFORE SHE DOES. IF SHE DOES, SHE
GETS TO HIT YOU IN THE ARM.
ALSO GIRLS KEEP COUNT OF HOW MANY SUCH CARS THEY SEE BY THEM-
SELVES. THE FIRST BOY THEY SEE WHEN THEY HIT FIVE HUNDRED IS
SUPPOSED TO BE THE BOY THEY WILL MARRY.
A "GERONIMO" IS A CAR WHICH HAS ONE LIGHT BRIGHTER THAN THE
OTHER DUE TO AN ACCIDENT OR ONE ON WHICH THE HEADLIGHT FAILS
AS YOU ARE WATCHING IT.
Submitter comment:
THE FIRST TIME I EVER HEARD THIS WAS IN THE EIGHTH GRADE. I
BELIEVE IT WAS IN A MOVIE WITH JAMES DEAN. AFTER THAT SOMEONE
EXPLAINED IT TO ME AND I HAVE HEARD IT COUNTLESS TIMES SINCE
THAT IN DETROIT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE ; QUICKNESS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Number P686.3.500 SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 12-00-1963
TALE
A MAN HAD JUST PURCHASED A NEW CAR. AFTER DRIVING IT FOR TWO
WEEKS, HE DISCOVERED AN AWFUL RATTLE IN THE DOOR. TAKING IT TO
A GARAGE TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS WRONG, HE DISCOVERED AN EMPTY
COKE BOTTLE WAS LODGED IN THE DOOR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE ; COKE=COCA COLA: BRAND NAME FOR SOFT DRINK.
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Vehicle propelled by mechanical or other force on land |
Date learned: 00-00-1965
PROVERB
DON'T RACE YOUR MOTOR.
Submitter comment: FROM UNCERTAIN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: NEGATIVE ; AUTOMOBILE ; IMPATIENCE
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 00-00-1964
PROVERB
DON'T SKID YOUR SPARE TIRE.
Submitter comment: FROM UNCERTAIN
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: NEGATIVE ; AUTOMOBILE ; PRECAUTION
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 00-00-1964
JAMAICAN METHOD FOR EXORCISING SPIRITS
IF THERE IS A BAD SPIRIT OUTSIDE YOUR HOUSE AND YOU WANT TO GET RID
OF IT, BURN A CAR TIRE. THEN YOU, BUT ONLY YOU, WILL HEAR IT SCREAM
AND KNOW IT IS GONE.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF MODERN FOLKLORE.
DONALD LEE LEARNED THIS ITEM IN BUFF BAY JAMAICA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE TIRE
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 10-31-1975
AN OLD SUPERSTITION THIS INDIVIDUAL LEARNED WAS THAT ONE COULD
ASCERTAIN THE AMOUNT OF YEARS ONE HAD REMAINING IN LIFE BY COUNTING
THE NUMBER OF CARS IN THE NEXT FUNERAL PROCESSION TO PASS BY. EACH
CAR REPRESENTED AN ADDITIONAL YEAR TACKED ON THE PERSONS LIFE SPAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE ; NUMBERS ; SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Number |
Date learned: 10-00-1975
RIDDLE
HOW DO YOU FIT SIX ELEPHANTS IN A V.W.?
PUT THREE IN THE BACK, TWO IN THE FRONT, AND ONE IN THE GLOVE BOX.
Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM SCHOOL FRIENDS
Where learned: OHIO ; WASHINGTON COURT HOUSE
Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 10-07-1967
LYRICAL VERSE
OH, I DON'T CARE IF IT RAINS OR FREEZES,
LONG AS I HAVE MY PLASTIC JESUS,
RIDING ON THE DASHBOARD OF MY CAR;
THUNDER ROAR AND LIGHTNING CRASH,
I WON'T FEAR; HE'S ON THE DASH,
TAKE HIM WITH YOU WHEN YOU TRAVEL FAR.
OH, I CAN DRIVE FROM COAST TO COAST,
LONG AS I HAVE MY HOLY GHOST,
RIDING ON THE DASHBOARD OF MY CAR;
GOIN' NINETY I AIN'T WARY,
CAUSE I GOT MY VIRGIN MARY,
GUARANTEEIN' I WON'T GO TO HELL.
OH, I DON'T CARE IF IT'S DARK AND SCARY,
LONG AS I HAVE MY VIRGIN MARY,
RIDING ON THE DASHBOARD OF MY CAR.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; TOLD AT ; SAILING CLUB PARTY
Keyword(s): BIBLICAL ; FEMININE RHYME ; IMPERFECT RHYME: FREEZES JESUS ; RELIGION ; RHYME: AABCCB ; SLANG FOR DASHBOARD CLIPPING ; STATUES USED AS AMULETS IN AUTOMOBILES ; TRAVEL
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: 10-23-1971
HEADACHE
IF YOU LET A STRAND OF HAIR FLY OUT THE CAR WINDOW THE PERSON TO WHOM
THE HAIR BELONGS WILL GET A HEADACHE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE ; CAUSE
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
A DRIVER'S NIGHT PRAYER
NOW I LAY ME DOWN TO SLEEP,/ I PARKED MY CAR ACROSS THE STREET.
AND IF IT ROLLS BEFORE I WAKE,/I PRAY THE LORD TO PULL THE BRAKE.
Submitter comment: TAKEN FROM INFORMANT'S AUTOGRAPH BOOK.
Where learned: NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): IMPERFECT RHYME ; QUATRAIN ACCIDENT AUTOMOBILE PARODY OF PRAYER ; RHYME: AABB
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse |
Date learned: NOT RECORDED BY THE COLLECTOR
PROSE NARRATIVE
MY SISTER, WHO IS A NURSE, SINCERELY BELIEVES THAT ONE OF HER
FRIENDS KNOWS ANOTHER NURSE WHO HAD TROUBLE ONE KNIGHT ON THE
FRIENDS KNOWS ANOTHER NURSE WHO HAD TROUBLE ONE NIGHT ON THE
EXPRESSWAY. THE NURSE WAS DRIVING HOME AFTER THE AFTERNOON SHIFT.
SHE WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY WHEN A TRUCKDRIVER KEPT POINTING
AT THE CAR. HE DID NOT GIVE UP. BY THIS TIME THE NURSE WAS SO
FRIGHTENED THAT SHE BLEW THE HORN AS SHE DROVE UP
THE DRIVEWAY. SHE CONTINUED TO BLOW THE HORN UNTIL HER HUSBAND
CAME OUT OF THE HOUSE. THE TRUCKDRIVER DROVE UP BEHIND HER.
AS IT TURNED OUT A MAN WAS SITTING IN THE BACK SEAT OF THE
NURSE'S CAR WAITING TO ATTACK HER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE ; TRUCKDRIVER SAVES GIRL FROM ATTACK
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Legend |
Date learned: 12-00-1965
GAME
IN DETROIT DURING THE PRE-TELEVISION YEARS, CHILDREN USED TO SIT
ON THEIR PORCHES IN THE EVENING AND COUNT CONVERTIBLE CARS AS THEY
WENT BY. THE FIRST CHILD TO COUNT FIFTY CARS WON AN ICE
CREAM CONE OR A PIECE OF BUBBLE GUM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- C531 BELIEF -- Number P686.1.50 |
Date learned: 00-00-1939
IF YOU DO NOT LET YOUR CAR WARM UP BEFORE DRIVING, YOU ARE GOING TO
GET STUCK.
Submitter comment:
GET STUCK MEANS YOUR CAR WILL EITHER BREAK DOWN OR YOU WILL BE
STRANDED IN IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
James Callow Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE
Date learned: 02-00-1979
GHOST IN GUAJATACA
IT IS BELIEVED THAT THE GHOST OF A WOMAN KILLED IN A CAR ACCIDENT
STILL ROAMS ASKING FOR RIDES AND DISAPPEARING AFTERWARDS. SHE IS
DRESSED IN WHITE. SEVERAL PEOPLE CLAIM TO HAVE SEEN HER.
Submitter comment:
SIMILAR TALES LIKE THIS ONE HAVE BEEN TOLD IN DIFFERENT TOWNS OF THE
ISLAND.
Where learned: PUERTO RICO ; GUAJATACA
James Callow Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
VOCABULARY OF GROUP
TRUCK DRIVERS WILL LET OTHER TRUCKS AND SOME CARS KNOW WHEN THEY
HAVE SAFELY PASSED BY FAR ENOUGH, SO THAT THEY MAY CUT BACK INTO THE
TRAVELING LANE, BY FLASHING THEIR HEADLIGHTS OFF AND THEN ON AGAIN.
THIS LETS THE PASSING TRUCK KNOWN ( KNOW ) HE IS CLEARED ENOUGH TO
CUT BACK IN. THE PASSING TRUCK ACKNOWLEDGES THANKS BY IN TURN
FLASHING HIS LIGHTS. THIS IS GENERALLY ONLY DONE ON FOUR-LANE
HIGHWAYS. IT CAN BE DONE AT NIGHT AND IN THE DAY TIME. I HAVE
PERSONALLY OBSERVED THIS ON THE NEW YORK STATE THRUWAY.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; LeRoy
Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILES AND TRUCKS
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- To Be Seen |
Date learned: 03-00-1971
TRAFFIC RULE
RED LIGHT ON A TRAFFIC SIGNAL MEANS STOP
YELLOW LIGHT ON A TRAFFIC SIGNAL MEANS CAUTION
GREEN LIGHT ON A TRAFFIC SIGNAL MEANS PROCEED WITH CAUTION
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILES ; COLORS SYMBOLS
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- To Be Seen |
Date learned: 11-00-1968
SINCE THERE ARE FREQUENT SPEED-RADAR CHECKS ON DANADIAN HIGHWAYS,
CANADIANS HELP PROTECT THEMSELVES AGAINST THE LAW. ONCOMING CARS
WILL BLINK THEIR HEAD LIGHTS ON AND OFF TO WARN THEIR FELLOW
CANADIANS TO SLOW DOWN AS THERE IS THE ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
STOPPED UP AHEAD.
Where learned: EXPRESSWAY ; CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS
Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- To Be Seen |
Date learned: 00-00-1970