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IF YOU TURN A LOAF OF FRESHLY BAKED BREAD UPSIDE
DOWN ON A TABLE, SOMEONE WILL GET PREGNANT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

James Callow Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC ; POSITION DIRECTION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Birth

Date learned: 01-00-1968

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YOU SHOULD NEVER SWEEP DUST OUT OF THE BACK DOOR WHEN
SWEEPING THE FLOOR, BECAUSE IF YOU DO, YOUR FATHER
WILL DIE IN A SHORT TIME.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial
BELIEF -- Measure of time Working
BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness

Date learned: 10-28-1967

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BURP A BABY OVER YOUR SHOULDER AND HE'LL GROW UP
TO BE TALL.

Where learned: DETROIT ; PASTEUR SCHOOL ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED

James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal
BELIEF -- Birth
BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color

Date learned: 01-29-1968

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IF YOU ARE IN A BAD MOOD IT IS ATTRIBUTED TO GETTING
UP ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE BED.

Where learned: HOME

James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal
BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness
SPEECH -- Formula

Date learned: 00-00-1955

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IF YOU LOSE A BASEBALL OR ANYTHING OUTDOORS, SPIT
ON YOUR HAND AND THEN SLAP DOWN ON THAT HAND WITH
THE OTHER. YOU WILL FIND THE LOST ARTICLE IN THE
DIRECTION OF THE LARGEST SPLASH OF THE SPITTLE.

Submitter comment: FROM CHILDHOOD PEERS, PORTAGE, PENNSYLVANIA.

Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; PORTAGE

James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION

Subject headings: Prediction / Divination
BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails

Date learned: 08-00-1964

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IF YOU GET LOST, SPIT IN THE PALM OF YOUR HAND AND
PUNCH YOUR FIST INTO YOUR PALM. THE DIRECTION THE
SPIT FLIES IS THE DIRECTION YOU SHOULD TRAVEL IN.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT IS A FRIEND OF MINE, AND HE REMEMBERS THIS
FROM HIS CHILDHOOD.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION

Subject headings: Prediction / Divination
BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails
BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal

Date learned: 00001971 SPRING

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BROKEN BREAD

ON NEW YEAR'S EVE IN RURAL BULGARIA, THE OLDEST PERSON
IN THE HOUSEHOLD BREAKS A FRESH LOAF OF BREAD OVER
HIS HEAD. IF WHEN THE LOAF BREAKS, THE LARGEST
CHUNK REMAINS IN THE RIGHT HAND, THERE WILL BE GOOD
HARVEST FORTHCOMING. THERE WILL NOT BE A GOOD HARVEST
IF THE LARGEST PIECE OF BREAD BREAKS INTO HIS LEFT
HAND.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; BULGARIA

James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Autumn Fall Harvest Thanksgiving
Food Drink -- Plant food
BELIEF -- Body part Senses Head, physiognomy, face
BELIEF -- Use of Object Food

Date learned: 03-21-1970

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DIVINING WATER

WHEN MY HUSBAND AND I WERE PLANNING TO CUT OUT A FRUIT
(IT TURNED OUT TO BE A QUINCE) TREE FROM OUR BACKYARD,
MRS. FOSTER ASKED IF IT WERE A PEACH TREE. SHE
WANTED A Y-SHAPED BRANCH FOR A WATER-DIVINING ROD.
SHE AND HER HUSBAND HAVE A COTTAGE IN CANADA AND SHE
WANTED TO SEE WHERE THE WELL SHOULD BE DUG.
WHEN I QUESTIONED HER ABOUT THIS STRANGE REQUEST,
SHE TOLD ME THAT DIVINING WATER BE DONE BY POINTING
A PEACH OR WILLOW BRANCH AT THE GROUND AND THAT THE
BRANCH WOULD REALLY PULL ITSELF TOWARD THE SPOT WHERE
WATER WOULD BE FOUND.
I DON'T KNOW IF SHE HAS EVER DONE IT HERSELF, BUT SHE
REALLY BELIEVES THAT YOU CAN DIVINE WATER THIS WAY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Use of Object Plant

Date learned: 00001964 SUMMER

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WHEN A KNIFE DROPS, A MAN IS GOING TO COME FROM THE
DIRECTION IT POINTS.

Submitter comment: THIS IS SOMETHING HER MOTHER TOLD HER.

James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Use of Object Domestic object, wax, needle, dishware

Date learned: 09-24-1969

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A NEEDLE HANGING ON A THREAD THAT IS 18 INCHES LONG
WILL TELL IF A PERSON IS LYING OR TELLING THE TRUTH.
IF THE NEEDLE SWINGS IN A STRAIGHT LINE WITHOUT ANY
AGITATION, THE PERSON IS TELLING THE TRUTH.
IF THE NEEDLE BEGINS TO SWING IN A CIRCLE WITHOUT
ANY AGITATION, THE PERSON IS LYING.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT CLAIMS THAT THIS METHOD WAS USED IN
DETERMINING WHETHER OR NOT A PERSON WAS TELLING THE
TRUTH. SHE REMEMBERS THIS FROM HER CHILDHOOD.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Use of Object Domestic object, wax, needle, dishware

Date learned: 10-09-1971

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PREVENTATIVE

WHEN (YOU) SPILL A SALT SHAKER, THROW SALT OVER
YOUR RIGHT SHOULDER TO PREVENT GETTING IN AN
ARGUMENT.

Where learned: NOT GIVEN

James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Body part Senses Upper body, arms, neck
BELIEF -- Mineral

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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IF A GIRL WEARS RED CLOTHES ON FRIDAY, SHE IS SUP-
POSED TO BE SELLING HER BODY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): PROSTITUTION

Subject headings: ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Dress
BELIEF -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate
BELIEF -- Body part Senses
BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour
BELIEF -- Color

Date learned: 11-17-1968

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YOU SHOULD NEVER STEP OVER A CHILD WHO IS LYING ON
THE GROUND. NOT ONLY IS IT EXTREMELY BAD LUCK,
BUT YOU WILL ALSO STUNT THE CHILD'S GROWTH.

Submitter comment: I HAD THE MISFORTUNE OF STEPPING OVER MY COUSIN
ONE DAY AND I NEARLY GAVE MY GRANDMOTHER A HEART
ATTACK WHEN I DID IT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness
BELIEF -- Bad luck Gestures
SPEECH -- Gesture

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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IF A BABY CRIES AT NIGHT AND SLEEPS IN THE DAY,
THEN TURN HIM IN A SUMMERSAULT TO REVERSE HIS
SCHEDULE--HE IS CONFUSED AS TO THE NIGHT AND THE
DAY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK

James Callow Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC MAGIC ; POSITION DIRECTION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Remedy

Date learned: 10-28-1970

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IF DOGS DON'T LIKE YOU, YOU MUST BE A MEAN PERSON.

Where learned: NOT GIVEN

James Callow Keyword(s): PERSONALITY.

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Mammal

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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Content filter on this entry.

IN THE EARLY 1900'S BLACK WOMEN WHO CARRIED CLOTHES ON THEIR
HEADS WERE THOUGHT TO BE BEWITCHED WITH EVIL SPIRITS AND WERE
CALLED CUNGERS.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Keyword(s): Black ; Evil Spirits ; Witch ; WITCHES ; Woman ; WOMEN

James Callow Keyword(s): CONJURERS?

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Devil Demon
BELIEF -- Witch Shaman
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank

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A COMMON, THOUGH ENTIRELY ORAL, SUPERSTITION IS THE TYPICAL
VANDERBILT COED, OR T.V.C. SHE IS RICH, CONCEITED, AND
ALWAYS DATED UP A WEEK IN ADVANCE. IF NOT DATED UP, SHE
STILL REFUSES ANY OFFER FOR THE WEEKEND MADE AFTER WEDNESDAY
NIGHT, AND ALWAYS REFUSES NON-FRATERNITY MEN. THOUGH THIS
INFORMATION APPEARS IN NO CAMPUS PUBLICATIONS, IT HAS BEEN
PREVALENT FOR YEARS AMONG VANDERBILT MEN.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: ALABAMA ; HUNTSVILLE

Keyword(s): Co-ed ; DATE ; DATING ; Female ; Fraternity ; Frigid ; Girl ; SEXISM ; Sorority ; Stereotype ; Vanderbilt University

James Callow Keyword(s): FEMALE WOMAN GIRL

Subject headings: BELIEF -- School

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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NO MATTER HOW MUCH WATERMELON A CHILD EATS HE CAN ALWAYS
EAT SOME MORE IF HE RUNS AROUND THE HOUSE THREE TIMES.

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; WILLIAMSON COUNTY

James Callow Keyword(s): APPETITE ; CAPACITY

Subject headings: 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple
BELIEF -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222.

Date learned: 00-00-1918

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DON'T SWEEP OUT THE DOOR, YOU'LL SWEEP OUT YOUR GOOD LUCK.
YOU ARE TO PICK THE DIRT UP IN A PAN OR SOMETHING.

Where learned: CLEANING THE HOUSE

James Callow Keyword(s): LITTERING

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Measure of time Working

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WHEN YOU KILL A GRANDADDY LONG-LEGS, LOOK AT THE WAY ITS
LEGS ARE POINTING AND IT IS SUPPOSE(D) TO SHOW WHICH
DIRECTION THE COWS WENT.

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; FAYETTEVILLE

James Callow Keyword(s): ARACHNID ; POSITION DIRECTION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Animal
BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal
BELIEF -- Use of Object Animals

Date learned: 07-06-1970

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