Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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THE LEGEND OF BEAUMONT TOWER
AT MSU (MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY), WHENEVER A VIRGIN WALKS
UNDERNEATH THE TOWER, A SPIKE FALLS FROM ONE OF THE TOWERS.
ALL THE SPIKES REMAIN INTACT UPON THE TOWER EVEN TODAY.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT LEARNED IT FROM A FELLOW DORMIE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY ; Lansing
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- School BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 09-00-1967
LEGEND
AT MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY THERE IS AN ANNUAL CELEBRATION IN
HONOR OF THE ORANGE HORSE. EVERY YEAR DURING FALL TERM, STUDENTS
HAVE A SLEEP-IN AT BESSY HALL IN HONOR OF THEIR COMPATRIOTS WHO
STAGED A SLEEP-IN IN PROTEST OF THE ENGLISH DEPARTMENT FIRING
THREE OUTSPOKEN TEACHERS. THIS PROTEST WAS NICK-NAMED THE ORANGE
HORSE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY ; Lansing
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School |
Date learned: 11-05-1967
TAKING SIDES
WHEN A WOMAN IS PREGNANT IF SHE SLEEPS ON HER RIGHT SIDE, THE
CHILD WILL BE A BOY, IF ON HER LEFT IT WILL BE A GIRL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
James Callow Keyword(s): SEX DETERMINATION
| Subject headings: | Spirit / Mind / Body BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 11-05-1969
SNORING
MARY'S GRANDMOTHER (FRENCH-CANADIAN) TOLD HER SHE MUST
BLOW HER NOSE EVERY NIGHT OR SHE WOULD SNORE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
Keyword(s): PREVENTATIVE MEDICINE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
TAKING SIDES
WHEN A WOMAN IS PREGNANT IF SHE SLEEPS ON HER RIGHT SIDE, THE
CHILD WILL BE A BOY, IF SHE LEANS TO THE LEFT, IT WILL BE A GIRL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 11-05-1969
POLISH JOKE
THIS POLACK GOES TO A LUMBERYARD AND SAYS, "I WANT TO
BUY SOME WOOD."
"HOW LONG DO YOU WANT IT?" THEN ASKS THE OWNER.
"FOR A LONG TIME," REPLIES THE POLACK, "I'M BUILDING
A GARAGE."
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT HEARD IT FROM A FRIEND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY ; Lansing
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Stupid man or woman |
Date learned: 00001967 FALL
WHEN TWO PEOPLE WALKING ARE SEPARATED, THEY SAY
"BREAD AND BUTTER." THAT MEANS NO DISAPPOINTMENT WILL
COME TO THEM.
Submitter comment: FROM FRIENDS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY ; LUNCHROOM
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 10-09-1967
SWIRLIE
THIS IS A GAME PLAYED BY DORM STUDENTS. WHEN ONE
DORMIE GETS TOO FAR OUT OF LINE, HIS FELLOW DORMIES
GRAB HIM BY THE ARMS AND LEGS AND TURN HIM UPSIDE-
DOWN. THEY THEN LOWER HIS HEAD INTO THE TOILET
UNTIL THE CHIN IS EVEN WITH THE SEAT AND FLUSH THE
TOILET.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED IT FROM HIS FELLOW DORMIES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY ; EAST LANSING
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Bodily Activity Song: Game, Pastime, Sport |
Date learned: 10-16-1967
TELEPHONE PRANK
A PERSON CALLS UP SOMEONE HE GENERALLY DISLIKES,
DISGUISES HIS VOICE AND SAYS: "HELLO, IS (NAME)
THERE?" IF THE PERSON REPLIES "SPEAKING,"
THE CALLER STICKS THE PHONE DOWN THE TOILET AND
FLUSHES. IF HE IS NOT THERE AND THE PERSON ASKS IF
A MESSAGE CAN BE TAKEN, THE SAME PROCEDURE IS
FOLLOWED.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED IT FROM A SCHOOLMATE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY ; EAST LANSING
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Bodily Activity Song: Game, Pastime, Sport |
Date learned: 10-16-1967
PRACTICAL JOKE (PIMP)
AT NIGHT, GO OUTSIDE A PERSONS ROOM AND PAINT THE WINDOWS BLACK. IF
THEY HAVE SCREENS, PAINT SOME NEWSPAPER BLACK AND TAPE IT UP TO THE
SCREENS. WHEN THE PERSON WAKES UP IT WILL STILL BE NIGHTTIME TO
THEM, BECAUSE THE SUN IS NOT SHINING THROUGH THEIR WINDOWS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY ; EAST LANSING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 00-00-1973
PRACTICAL JOKE (PIMP)
TURN EVERYTHING UPSIDEDOWN IN THE ROOM. EVERYTHING INCLUDING THE
STUFF ON THE SHELVES, DESKS, THINGS ON THE BULLETIN BOARDS, ETC.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY ; EAST LANSING
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 00-00-1973
PRACTICAL JOKE (PIMP)
REMOVE THE MATTRESS ON A BED. REPLACE WITH STACKS OF NEWSPAPERS.
THEN MAKE THE BED AGAIN, AS IF NOTHING WAS WRONG.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY ; EAST LANSING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 00-00-1973
PRACTICAL JOKE (PIMP)
SEW UP THE HOLE IN A GUYS UNDERWEAR, AND PANTS TOO. ALSO SEW UP THE
SLEEVES IN HIS UNDERSHIRTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY ; EAST LANSING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 00-00-1973
PRACTICAL JOKE (PIMP)
PUT CELLOPHANE WRAP UNDER THE TOILET SEAT AND OVER THE TOILET BOWL
IN A GIRL'S BATHROOM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY ; EAST LANSING
James Callow Keyword(s): SARAN WRAP (CLEAR, PLASTIC FOOD-WRAP)
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 00-00-1973
PRACTICAL JOKE (PIMP)
TO PENNY A DOOR, YOU FIX IT SO THAT THE PERSON INSIDE CANNOT GET OUT.
TO DO THIS, YOU NEED ONE PERSON TO LEAN ON THE CLOSED DOOR AND AN-
OTHER PERSON TO STICK AS MANY PENNIES AS NEEDED, ONE ON TOP OF THE
OTHER, TO FILL THE GAP BETWEEN THE DOOR AND DOORWAY. WHAT IT DOES,
IS CREATES PRESSURE ON THE DOOR LATCH, SO THE DOORKNOB CANNOT BE
TURNED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY ; EAST LANSING
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTIONAL SHIFT: NOUN AS VERB: TO PENNY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 00-00-1973
PRACTICAL JOKE (PIMP)
WHEN SOMEONE IS TAKING A SHOWER, TWO PEOPLE GET A TRASHCAN OF COLD
WATER AND THROW IT OVER THE TOP OF THE SHOWER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY ; EAST LANSING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 00-00-1973
PRACTICAL JOKE (PIMP)
MAKE A PAPER CUP AND PUT SHAVING CREAM IN IT. STICK THE TOP END
UNDER A DOOR AND STEP ON THE CUP. THE SHAVING CREAM WILL
GO SQUIRTING INTO THE ROOM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY ; EAST LANSING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 00-00-1973
PRACTICAL JOKE (PIMP)
THE GIRLS FLOOR GETS TOGETHER AND GOES OVER TO THE GUYS FLOOR AND
KIDNAPS ONE OF THE GUYS ON THE FLOOR. THEY LEAVE A RANSOM NOTE
THAT SAYS: RANSOM IS SET AT ONE KEG OF BEER. THEN A PARTY IS HELD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY ; EAST LANSING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School |
Date learned: 00-00-1973
WHEN PLAYING CARDS, NEVER ALLOW A PERSON TO STAND
OVER YOU AND LOOK AT YOUR CARDS, YOU WILL NEVER
WIN.
Submitter comment: FROM FRIENDS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY ; Lansing
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 10-21-1967
THE LEGEND OF BEAUMONT TOWER
AT MSU (MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY), WHENEVER A VIRGIN WALKS
UNDERNEATH THE TOWER, A SPIKE FALLS FROM ONE OF THE TOWERS.
ALL THE SPIKES REMAIN INTACT UPON THE TOWER EVEN TODAY.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT LEARNED IT FROM A FELLOW DORMIE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY ; Lansing
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- School BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 09-00-1967