Dr. James T. Callow publications
Browse by
Questions or comments on this site? Please email davidsor@udmercy.edu.
The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for 7679 returned 41 results.
POLISH JOKE
WHAT'S FUNNIER THAN TWO POLACKS DIGGING A BASEMENT IN AN ICE
SHANTY?
TWO ITALIANS WAITING TO POUR THE CEMENT}
Submitter comment:
THIS JOKE CAME TO ME FROM A HIGH SCHOOL WHERE I LIVE. THIS JOKE HAS
HAD MANY ETHNIC VARATIONS, FROM THE POLISH TO THE BLACKS. I FIND THIS
VERY INTERESTING THAT ONE JOKE CAN BE SO DIVERSIFIED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; RIVERVIEW
| Subject headings: | AFRO ITAL BELIEF -- Poli |
VERSE WITHOUT MUSIC, LYRICAL DEALS WITH EMOTIONS NOT STORY
SNEEZE ON MONDAY, SNEEZE FOR DANGER;
SNEEZE ON TUESDAY, KISS A STRANGER;
SNEEZE ON WEDNESDAY, SNEEZE FOR A LETTER;
SNEEZE ON THURSDAY, SOMETHING BETTER;
SNEEZE ON FRIDAY, SNEEZE FOR SORROW;
SNEEZE ON SATURDAY, SEE LOVE TOMORROW.
Submitter comment:
I THINK THAT THIS IS A VERY BEAUTIFUL VERSE. IT IS A CHAIN TALE
BECAUSE OF THE WAY IT IS TOLD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; RIVERVIEW
James Callow Keyword(s): ELLIPSIS
| Subject headings: | Observation Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
MARRIAGE CUSTOM
A BRIDE SHOULD NOT BE MARRIED IF HER FEET ARE AT RIGHT ANGLES TO THE
FLOOR BOARDS.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A STRANGE BELIEF WHICH I DO NOT UNDERSTAND AT ALL. THE PERSON
THAT I GOT IT FROM DID NOT UNDERSTAND IT EITHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; RIVERVIEW
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage BELIEF -- Body part Senses |
Date learned: 12-00-1978
DEATH CUSTOMS
ORIENTAL CUSTOMS OF NOT CRYING AT A DEATH, MEANS THAT THEY FEEL
THAT THE TEARS KEEP THE SOUL IN THE BODY.
Submitter comment:
I FEEL THAT THIS IS NOT TRUE, BECAUSE PEORLE WHO DO NOT CRY MANY
TIMES ARE WORSE OFF THAN THOSE WHO DO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; RIVERVIEW
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
PRAYER
COME LORD JESUS, BE OUR GUEST
LET THESE GIFTS TO US BE BLEST
BY HIS HANDS WE ARE FED
GIVE US LORD OUR DAILY BREAD. AMEN
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A DIFFERENT TYPE OF BEFORE MEAL PRAYER, AND I THINK THAT I
LIKE IT BETTER THAN THE TRADITIONAL ONE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; RIVERVIEW
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
GOOD LUCK
WHEN OPENING A NEW PACK OF CIGARETTES, TAKE THE FIRST ONE OUT, TURN
IT UPSIDEDOWN, AND THEN PUT IT BACK IN, AND SAVE IT FOR LAST. THE
LAST CIGARETTE SMOKED WILL BE UPSIDEDOWN. WHILE SMOKING THE LAST
CIGARETTE, WHILE TAKING THE LAST PUFF, MAKE A WISH } }
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; RIVERVIEW
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. BELIEF -- Prayer BELIEF -- Number Last events: the last person to the table... |
CURSES
WHEN YOU ARE PLAYING DICE, MAKE AN "X" ON THE TABLE SO THAT YOUR
OPPONENT DOES NOT ROLL A PAIR, OR WHATEVER YOU ARE ROLLING.
Submitter comment:
THE "X" IS SOMETHING SIMILAR TO A CROSS, SO IT MIGHT BE A TYPE OF
BLESSING, INSTEAD OF A HEX.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; RIVERVIEW
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Curse BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications BELIEF -- Good luck BELIEF -- Conversions |
Date learned: 03-00-1979
WEATHER BELIEF
IF IT RAINS ON MONDAY, YOU'LL HAVE THREE DAYS OF RAIN THAT WEEK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; RIVERVIEW
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple BELIEF -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 04-00-1979
APOTHEGM
MEASURE TWICE, CUT ONCE. THIS IS THE GOLDEN RULE IN THE GLASS
BUSINESS.
Submitter comment: THIS HAS A VERY SIMPLE MEANING: BE CAREFUL }
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; RIVERVIEW
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: POSITIVE
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
PRIESTLY ADVICE TO ME-- DON'T BECOME PART ITALIAN ON DATES-- ROMAN
HANDS.
Submitter comment: THIS WAS PRIESTLY ADVICE TO ME IN HIGH SCHOOL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; RIVERVIEW
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION ; PUN: ROMAN AND ROAMIN' (ROAMING)
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 00-00-1974
ONE OF MY HIGH SCHOOL CLASSMATES HAD QUITE A SKILL WHEN IT CAME TO
BELCHING. HE COULD BELCH ENTIRE SENTENCES IN VERY LOUD AND GROSS
MANNER. ONE OF OUR FAVORITE PRANKS WAS TO FILE INTO THE LIBRARY AND
HAVE OUR EXPERT BELCHER HIDE IN A SECLUDED PART OF THE LIBRARY. WHEN
THINGS BECAME STILL, THE BELCHER WOULD LET GO WITH "QUIET PLEASE"
AND THE ENTIRE LIBRARY WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE NUN WOULD LAUGH.
Submitter comment:
MY SENIOR YEAR IN HIGH SCHOOL WAS QUITE CRAZY. WE MORE OR LESS
THRIVED ON PRANKS AND PRACTICAL JOKES. DAVE'S BELCHING EXPERTISE WAS
ONE OF THE FUNNIEST.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; RIVERVIEW
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School |
Date learned: 00-00-1975
ONE OF THE FOOTBALL PLAYERS ON MY TEAM THOUGHT IT WAS BAD LUCK TO
WASH HIS PRACTICE UNIFORM AFTER A WIN. THUS AFTER 5 WINS IN A ROW
HIS UNIFORM BECAME SO DIRTY AND SMELLY WE SORT OF HOPED WE'D LOSE.
Submitter comment:
FOOTBALL TEAMS TEND TO BE VERY SUPERSTITIOUS, THERE ARE MANY ODDITIES
THAT SOME PLAYERS HELD, BUT THIS ONE WAS ONE OF THE STRANGEST.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; RIVERVIEW
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 00-00-1975
Every year in March at Gabriel Richard High School in
Riverview, Michigan the Junior class receives their class rings.
It is traditional (since 1964) for the entire class to attend a
special mass in order to bless each student's ring and celebrate
the coming of their Senior year.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; RIVERVIEW
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- March CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 00-00-1983
This is a tradition that has been handed down from my mother
and which I have in turn handed down to my children. The
tradition is that if a certain vegetable is being served to eat
and a certain person does not like that vegetable he or she has
to eat as many of the vegetables as he or she is old. For
example, if I hated peas and I am 11 years old, I would have to
eat 11 peas. This only applies to kids until they are 18 years
old. It was a good way of getting children to eat their
vegetables.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; RIVERVIEW
James Callow Keyword(s): AGE
Date learned: 00-00-1966
ELEPHANT JOKE
WHAT IS THAT BLACK STUFF BETWEEN AN ELEPHANT'S TOES? ANSWER: SLOW
MOVING NATIVES.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT UPON HEARING THE CATEGORY ELEPHANT JOKE SEEMED TO
LIGHT UP AND PROCEED TO OFFER THEM ONE AFTER ANOTHER. THIS PARTICULAR
ONE WAS HER FAVORITE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; RIVERVIEW
| Subject headings: | -- |
Date learned: 01-00-1974
MALE FLYLEAF
IF FOUND BY A PERSON, RETURN BY MAIL,
IF FOUND BY MALE, RETURN IN PERSON.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT GAVE THIS ITEM RELUCTANTLY, AS IF TO SAY IT'S NOT TOO
GOOD BUT HERE IT IS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; RIVERVIEW
| Subject headings: | Z220 |
Date learned: 01-00-1974
BATHROOM WALL WRITING
SOME COME HERE TO SIT AND THINK, .
OTHERS COME TO RAISE A STINK.
Submitter comment:
EVEN WITH HER VAST KNOWLEDGE OF GRAFFITI, THE INFORMANT
WAS NOT OVER-ANXIOUS TO GIVE ME THESE ITEMS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; RIVERVIEW
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Art Craft Architecture Art, Craft, Architecture |
Date learned: 01-00-1974
CRYING KNOCK-KNOCK
KNOCK-KNOCK - WHO'S THERE? - BOO - BOO WHO? - AW, DON'T CRY.
Submitter comment:
AGAIN UPON HEARING THE CATEGORY KNOCK-KNOCK JOKES THE INFORMANT
RIFLED THEM OFF ONE AFTER ANOTHER, HARDLY GIVING ME A CHANCE TO GUESS
THE ANSWERS BEFORE GOING ON
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; RIVERVIEW
James Callow Keyword(s): CATCH
| Subject headings: | Favorites RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 01-00-1974
AMOS KNOCK-KNOCK
KNOCK-KNOCK - WHO'S THERE? - AMOS - AMOS WHO? - A MOSQUITO BIT ME.
ANDY KNOCK-KNOCK KNOCK-KNOCK - WHO'S THERE? - ANDY - ANDY WHO? - AND HE BIT ME AGAIN.
Submitter comment:
THIS KNOCK-KNOCK JOKE WAS FOLLOWED BY THE NEXT ITEM LISTED.
THIS NEXT ITEM WAS SAID BEFORE THE LAUGHTER OF THE FIRST DIED DOWN.
THIS IS THE SECOND HALF OF THE PREVIOUS ITEM. IT WAS SAID IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE FIRST PART.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; RIVERVIEW
| Subject headings: | Favorites RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 01-00-1974
SANTA KNOCK-KNOCK
KNOCK-KNOCK - WHO'S THERE? - SANTA - SANTA WHO? - I DON'T CARE WHO
YOU ARE, FAT MAN, BUT GET THOSE REINDEER OFF MY ROOF.
Submitter comment:
THIS KNOCK-KNOCK JOKE IS HER CHILDREN'S FAVORITE, HOWEVER SHE DID NOT
CARE FOR IT THAT MUCH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; RIVERVIEW
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 01-00-1974