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Paul Cowdell

@paulcowdell.bsky.social
2K followers 963 following 1.8K posts

I research, write on, & talk about folklore. Happy to have been variously described as an 'expert in morbid eschatology' and a 'cannibalism celebrity'.

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Paul Cowdell @paulcowdell.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Did some proofreading for an academic client. Invoice is being settled by their university. Really, there is nothing I like more than filling in a university form with EVERY SINGLE DETAIL that was already on my bloody invoice.
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Paul Cowdell @paulcowdell.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Carthy! Carthy! Carthy! You want Carthy? Of course you do, so I'm delighted to have contributed to this celebration of all things Smart'n' Crafty in the latest @folklondon.co.uk
Cover of Folk London magazine, with a lovely picture of Martin Carthy. Not that there are any bad ones, mind.
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Paul Cowdell @paulcowdell.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Journalism independent of sub-editing, certainly.
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Paul Cowdell @paulcowdell.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
I'm still processing the passing of Bob Davenport. I used to see him fairly regularly at the old Musical Traditions club in London. An extraordinary and compelling singer--the size, shape and impact of a hammer--perhaps because he was also a complicated and sometimes difficult person.
Album cover: Bob Davenport and the Marsden Rattlers
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Paul Cowdell @paulcowdell.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Today I have been peer reviewing. I realise that my comments boil down to: 'They're not stupid, tell them to put their backs into it'.
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Paul Cowdell @paulcowdell.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
RIP Mighty Sparrow
youtu.be
Mighty Sparrow - Capitalism Gone Mad
YouTube video by Edward Spencer
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Paul Cowdell @paulcowdell.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
There is something beyond beautiful in this post.
Screenshot: 'Does anyone know a xxxxxx that they can tag her in this post. One of her paintings was found outside my house in a tree'
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Paul Cowdell @paulcowdell.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Local organised crime syndicates have their own euphemisms
Screenshot: 'I'm off to sing with the donkeys'
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Paul Cowdell @paulcowdell.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Last night I met a dog of myth in the bus station. Look into those eyes.
A white dog with one eye blue, one brown
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Paul Cowdell @paulcowdell.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Mood. One step forward, two steps back, eh.
Book cover: 'Fertilizers and Manures'
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Paul Cowdell @paulcowdell.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
I stopped answering these when it emerged that the Careers department there had never heard of the Smithsonian Institution. Then they axed the department that had awarded me my degree. And the one that hosted my first interdisciplinary conference (leading to my first interdisciplinary publication).
Screenshot: 'Where has your Sheffield degree taken you?'
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Folk London magazine @folklondon.co.uk · 25/09/2026
The new Folk London is back from the printers and going out to readers today. With: * Martin Carthy – a career retrospective interview plus review of the new 20-CD box set * Olivia Chaney on Purcell, folk & genre-hopping * News, reviews, listings and more Buy here: folklondon.co.uk/product/octo...
A box of Folk London magazines with Martin Carthy on the cover
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Paul Cowdell @paulcowdell.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Gearing up for the Week 1 webinar, in which I enthusiastically introduce students to Joseph Jacobs, as well as Moses Gaster's magnificent take-down of JG Frazer.
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Paul Cowdell @paulcowdell.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Hark, what is that thudding noise I hear upon the doormat? Excellent...
New issue (137.3) of Folklore, journal of The Folklore Society
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Paul Cowdell @paulcowdell.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
I wasn't ever taught by the great Pat Easterling (although I did spill red wine on her white carpet during a balloon debate at a faculty social evening) but she was always an Olympian intellectual presence, particularly as I was studying Sophocles for my finals. A superb scholar.
theguardian.com
Patricia Easterling obituary
Classical scholar and the first woman to be appointed regius professor of Greek at Cambridge University
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Paul Cowdell @paulcowdell.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Poverty, I salute you. Through your grace I have become a magician. For I can see the world, but none see me. --from the 32 Tales of the Throne of Vikramaditya
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Paul Cowdell @paulcowdell.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Well, I have the Week 1 of Term cold. I teach online.
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Paul Cowdell @paulcowdell.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Delighted to have had a message from the (heroic) editors that the Routledge Handbook of Anthropology & Folklore is now officially in production. It'll be a beast so massive even librarians will baulk - 58 chapters, many co-authored - and that cohesion of community is as exciting as its content 1/2
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Paul Cowdell @paulcowdell.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Delighted to have contributed to the Carthiana here
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Paul Cowdell @paulcowdell.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Oi! Big boy! What's your name? RIP Ludo #COYI
Ludek Miklosko
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Paul Cowdell @paulcowdell.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
I have just learned that a paper I wrote in 2011 has been cited by an Uzbek scholar. I've always thought of it as one of my apprenticeship pieces, not so substantial, but I find I'm actually rather chuffed it's been read and engaged with.
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Paul Cowdell @paulcowdell.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Only wear Levis if you are a structural anthropologist
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Paul Cowdell @paulcowdell.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
DC's branded home décor merch is getting out of hand now
Box for a bathroom single mirror cabinet, with a post-it reading 'White Batroom Cabinet'
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Paul Cowdell @paulcowdell.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
The Thresholds of Impatience
poundhammers.blogspot.com
The Thresholds of Impatience
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Paul Cowdell @paulcowdell.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Had to empty a mousetrap this morning. It's never my favourite pursuit, but, man, the look of reproach on that mouse's face.
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Paul Cowdell @paulcowdell.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
For the last few weeks my Macbook has been up on blocks, so I've been a bit hampered, but it's now back. I restored everything from backup, so all my comforting old clutter is back, but with a new logic board the OS is treating all software as new. It's like watching it recover from a head trauma.
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Paul Cowdell @paulcowdell.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Yet again I have mistaken not having read a book for not having a copy of it. Still, removing duplicates does clear shelf space
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Paul Cowdell @paulcowdell.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
I know that linguistically I've already lost this one to changed usage, but: 'denies', not 'refutes'. Refutation, if it happens, will come with evidence during the trial.
Headline: Pensioner, 77, who refutes he drove Peugeot illegally set to face trial
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Paul Cowdell @paulcowdell.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
More sodding delays on laptop repair
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Paul Cowdell @paulcowdell.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Oh man, #AmDram. Inside a poetry volume I found a 1966 letter from a S London society considering suggestions for their Easter production. Having ruled out '1066 - And All That' ('more songs than spoken lines') they were inclining towards 'The Hollow Crown'. I don't know why that range amuses me.
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Paul Cowdell @paulcowdell.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
Exeter's commitment to demonstrating in the shortest possible time and with the maximum possible examples absolutely everything that is catastrophically wrong in UK academia -- and the reasons for it -- really is quite phenomenal. There should be a league table.
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Paul Cowdell @paulcowdell.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
There's some nice cheese in the fridge I can offer my partner for lunch. Probably with the words 'Whistle and I'll Comté you...'
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Paul Cowdell @paulcowdell.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
Ooh, Spotted Flycatcher in the garden. That's a new addition to my house/garden list.
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Paul Cowdell @paulcowdell.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Devastated, but incredibly touched at seeing the bereft trying to be all the good things she encouraged and wanted in the world youtu.be/teQr9-3thSc
youtu.be
Dolly Parton ~ "Little Sparrow"
YouTube video by CountryQueen4Ever
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Jill Lightner @jilllightner.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Street art in her honor from SE Seattle
A glittery tinsel-fringed illustrated portrait of Dolly Parton on a telephone pole. There's a cartoon voice bubble with a quote from her that says "find out who you are and do it on purpose."
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Paul Cowdell @paulcowdell.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Name your favourite Bob
Bob Todd, in a bird costume and wearing a boxing glove, with Spike Milligan, dressed as a policeman and wearing a false moustache, in Q5 (1969).
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Paul Cowdell @paulcowdell.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Very excited to have picked up a copy of this yesterday, not least because it will finally make me get a new stylus.
LP cover: The EFDSS Presents Folk-Sound of Britain (HMV, CLP 1910), recorded at the EFDSS's Royal Festival Hall concert 1965
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Paul Cowdell @paulcowdell.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
Through the years, I have learned that there is no harm in charging oneself up with delusions between the moments of valid inspiration -- Steve Martin
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Paul Cowdell @paulcowdell.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
Doctor Yopteris will see you now
Ornamental garden, sign for Dryopteris
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Paul Cowdell @paulcowdell.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
My Argus Arms
poundhammers.blogspot.com
My Argus Arms
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Reposted by Paul Cowdell
University of Illinois Press @illinoispress.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
Folklore Without Borders is a network aiming to embed greater equality, diversity and inclusion within folklore in the United Kingdom. Learn more about it from Matthew Cheeseman & @paulcowdell.bsky.social in JAF: A Global Quarterly 139.552 on @projectmuse.bsky.social: muse.jhu.edu/pub/25/artic...
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Paul Cowdell @paulcowdell.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
“Museum worker pro tip: if you’d like to know if there’s a bat flying around your galleries, the best way is by simply listening to all the visitors saying: ‘there is a bat flying around the galleries’!” @themerl.bsky.social for the win, as ever.
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The Folklore Society @folkloresociety.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
📣Enrolment for the next run of our 'History of Folklore' online short course is open!📣 Running from 17 September to 26 November 2026. Details and booking via the link below
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WWN @waterfordwhispers.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Daniel O'Donnell Forced Once Again To Deny Part In Biggie & Tupac Killings waterfordwhispersnews.com/2019/11/1…
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Paul Cowdell @paulcowdell.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Had to go to Southampton yesterday as my laptop is again up on blocks. Hopefully not terminal (as I'd feared) but interrupted access again. I was struck by the video adverts on the ferry for the local literary festival. They'd be more compelling if they spelled all of their authors' names correctly
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Paul Cowdell @paulcowdell.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Fancy a short course introducing what folklore is, and how ideas about ‘the folk’ have shaped its study over time? Cos I can point you to a nice one... Lectures by Prof David Hopkin, current president of @folkloresociety.bsky.social, and myself, with me leading the 10 webinars. Details in the link
lifelong-learning.ox.ac.uk
A History of Folklore - Oxford Lifelong Learning
This course provides an historical introduction to the development of folklore studies in Britain. It will review historical conceptions and approaches to folklore from the seventeenth-century antiqua...
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Matt Gabriele @profgabriele.com · 12/08/2026
Hi everyone beginning the semester! Just a reminder!
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Paul Cowdell @paulcowdell.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
Visited Oxford, so paid our respects.
International Brigades monument: 'In memory of the 31 men and women of Oxfordshire who defended democracy and fought fascism in the Spanish Civil War of 1936 to 1939 and the people of the County who gave them support. Six were killed in action. "We came because our open eyes could see no other way" - C Day Lewis'Other side of the monument. A three-pointed red star, and a bronze of a fist holding a scorpion. The names are inscribed: Anthony Carritt; Edward Cooper; Lewis Clive; Herbert Fisher; Ralph Fox; John Rickman
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Paul Cowdell @paulcowdell.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
A very good issue, that coincidentally also contains the article 'Folklore Without Borders Remains Our Aim' that Matthew Cheeseman and I wrote
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Paul Cowdell @paulcowdell.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
Boring Bob Grover's visionary moment is on loop inside my head
youtu.be
The Piranhas - Fiddling While Babylon Burns
YouTube video by usedrecordsgr
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