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The James T. Callow Computerized Folkore Archive | University of Detroit Mercy Libraries Back to Top
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SPIDER IN THE EAR

PUT SOME WATER AND OLIVE OIL OR CASTER OIL TOGETHER AND POUR IN
EAR AND SPIDER WILL COME OUT.

Where learned: OHIO ; LUCAS COUNTY

James Callow Keyword(s): CASTOR OIL

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Insect
BELIEF -- Remedy

Date learned: 10-03-1972

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NEVER THROW OUT THE BACK DOOR WHAT YOU BRING IN THE FRONT, IT
WILL CAUSE BAD LUCK.

Where learned: OHIO ; LUCAS COUNTY

James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Bad luck

Date learned: 10-03-1972

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LUCK

IF A MAN IS THE FIRST PERSON TO KNOCK ON YOUR DOOR ON A MONDAY
MORNING, YOU WILL HAVE GOOD LUCK ALL OF THAT WEEK. HOWEVER, IF A
WOMAN KNOCKS, IT WILL BE BAD LUCK. THE INFORMANT SAID THIS ACTUALLY
HAPPENED TO HER MOTHER ONCE. INFORMANT WAS NOT SURE OF ACTUAL
CIRCUMSTANCES.

Where learned: SOUTH CAROLINA

James Callow Keyword(s): SEXISM

Subject headings: 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually.
Favorites
BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour
BELIEF -- Good luck
BELIEF -- Bad luck

Date learned: 10-25-1972

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OMEN

MY MOTHER SAID, HER MOTHER TOLD HER, THAT WHENEVER SHE THOUGHT SHE
HEARD SOMEONE KNOCKING AT THE DOOR AND THERE WAS NO ONE THERE, IT WAS
A SIGN OF SOMEONE DEAD COMING TO GET YOU. MY GRANDMOTHER SAID THE
YET" AND THE DEAD PERSON WILL RETURN TO HIS GRAVE.

James Callow comment: A LINE OF TEXT SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN LOST.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): MYSTERIOUS SOUND

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Speech
BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter
BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial

Date learned: 10-24-1972

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WISHING

STAR LIGHT, STAR BRIGHT, FIRST STAR I SEE OUT TONIGHT. I WISH I
MAY, I WISH I MIGHT, GET THE WISH I WISH TONIGHT. WHEN I WAS YOUNGER
I REMEMBER RECITING THIS VERSE, WHEN THE FIRST STAR WOULD COME OUT
AT NIGHT, IN HOPES THAT MY WISH WOULD COME TRUE.

James Callow Keyword(s): APOSTROPHE

Subject headings: 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually.
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief C860.455
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief

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SIGNATURE

2-SWEET, 2-BE, 4-GOTTEN. THIS SIGNATURE WAS OFTEN USED IN SIGNING
GRADUATION AND MEMORY BOOKS DURING GRADUATION. MY GRADUATION BOOK
WAS SIGNED IN THIS WAY BY SEVERAL FRIENDS.

James Callow Keyword(s): DIGITAL SPELLING

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse

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NEW YEAR'S CUSTOM

GRANDMOTHER SAID WHEN NEW YEAR'S WOULD COME AROUND SHE HAD THE
TRADITIONAL BLACK-EYED PEAS AND COLLARD GREENS TO COMPLETE HER NEW
YEAR'S DINNER. GRANDMOTHER SAID THE TRADITIONAL DINNER REPRESENTED
GOOD FINANCIAL LUCK THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. THE BLACK-EYED PEAS
SYMBOLIZED COINS AND THE COLLARDS REPRESENTED GREENBACKS.

Submitter comment:

INFORMANT
PRACTICED THIS CUSTOM SINCE THE EARLY YEARS OF HER MARRIAGE.

Where learned: SOUTH CAROLINA

James Callow Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC MAGIC MONEY ; SYMBOLS

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20
Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals
BELIEF -- Color
BELIEF -- Good luck P881.42

Date learned: 00001960S (MID)

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LUCK

IF YOU SHOULD STUMP YOUR LEFT TOE, TURN AROUND, AND SPIT ON THE
GROUND TO KEEP FROM HAVING BAD LUCK. THE INFORMANT SAID SHE ACTUALLY
DID THIS HERSELF WHEN SHE WAS YOUNGER.

Where learned: SOUTH CAROLINA

James Callow Keyword(s): DIRECTION POSITION: LEFT ; STUB

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Bad luck
BELIEF -- Conversions

Date learned: 10-26-1972

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RIDDLE

WHAT HAPPENS TWICE IN A MOMENT,
ONCE IN A MINUTE,
BUT NOT AT ALL IN A THOUSAND YEARS? (THE LETTER M).

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON ; TOLD IN

James Callow Keyword(s): DIMINISHING CHAIN DIMINUTIVE CHAIN ; SPELLING RIDDLE

Subject headings: RIDDLE -- Riddle Question

Date learned: 09-26-1972

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CHILDREN'S SONG

WHILE ONE SLICK SEAL SLID IN THE SLUSH, THE OTHER SLICK SEAL
SLID OUT (REPEAT THREE MORE TIMES).
GLORY, GLORY WHAT'S IT TO YA?
GLORY, GLORY WHAT'S? IT TO YA?
GLORY, GLORY WHAT'S IT TO YA?
WHILE ONE SLICK SEAL SLID IN THE SLUSH, THE OTHER SLICK SEAL SLID
OUT.

Submitter comment: SUNG TO THE TUNE OF "BATTLE HYMN OF THE REPUBLIC."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON ; TOLD IN

James Callow Keyword(s): TONGUE TWISTER

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ill humor Ridicule Mockery
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children
SPEECH -- Formula

Date learned: 09-26-1972

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CHILDREN'S SONG

MY BOYFRIEND GAVE ME PEACHES
MY BOYFRIEND GAVE ME PEARS
MY BOYFRIEND GAVE ME FIFTY CENTS
AND KICKED ME DOWN THE STAIRS.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT TOLD ME THAT MANY OF HER FRIENDS AND HER SISTERS USED
TO SING THIS WITH HER WHEN SHE WAS YOUNG. SHE ALSO TOLD ME THAT
THIS CAN ALSO BE USED WITH A CLAPPING BEAT OF WHATEVER THE SINGER
THINKS WILL GO WITH THE SONG.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON ; TOLD IN

James Callow Keyword(s): FRUIT AS GIFTS ; INITIAL ITERATION MEDIAL ITERATION ; RHYME: ABCB

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children

Date learned: 09-25-1972

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MILITARY CUSTOM

BLANKET PARTY: } WHEN A MEMBER OF THE MILITARY DOES SOMETHING THAT
VIOLENTLY DISPLEASES A GROUP OF FELLOW SERVICE MEN STATIONED WITH
HIM, THIS FORM OF REVENGE IS CARRIED OUT. THE MALIGNED GROUP
GATHERS TOGETHER AFTER LIGHTS OUT AND THROW A BLANKET OVER THE
SLEEPING VICTIM AND BEAT ON HIM UNTIL THEY ARE SATISFIED WITH THEIR
REVENGE. IN DOING THIS, THE VIOLATOR DOES NOT KNOW WHO THE
INDIVIDUALS WERE THAT TOOK PART IN THE BEATING.

Submitter comment: I ACTUALLY SAW THIS OCCUR WHILD IN BASIC TRAINING, AND THE BEATEN
MAN WAS IN THE HOSPITAL FOR THREE DAYS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON ; TOLD IN

James Callow Keyword(s): PHYSICAL PUNISHMENT

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535

Date learned: 09-27-1972

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NEW YEAR'S CUSTOM/LUCK

THE FIRST PERSON TO ENTER THE HOUSE ON NEW YEAR'S DAY MUST BE
HAPPY, HEALTHY AND PROSPEROUS, SO THAT THE FAMILY'S GOOD LUCK WILL BE
INSURED.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON

James Callow Keyword(s): CONTAGIOUS MAGIC FIRST FOOTING

Subject headings: 686 686.1
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20
BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance
BELIEF -- Good luck P881.2

Date learned: 09-24-1972

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RIDDLE

THIRTY-TWO WHITE CALVES STANDING IN A STALL, ALONG
COMES A RED
COW AD LICKS THEM ALL. A: N TEETH AND TONGUE

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON ; TOLD IN

James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMAL (Q) ; BODY PARTS (A)

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Riddle True Riddle

Date learned: 09-26-1972

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VISITOR

IT IS A SIGN OF BAD LUCK IF YOUR FIRST VISITOR ON
NEW YEAR'S DAY IS A WOMAN.

Submitter comment: THIS WAS TOLD TO THE INFORMANT BY A CO}WORKER WHO IS A BLACK
GIRL OF THE MUSLIM FAITH.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): FIRST FOOTING ; SEXISM

Subject headings: 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually.
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's
BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.2

Date learned: 10-25-1972

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DIME

STEP ON A LINE, FIND A DIME.
AS A CHILD INFORMANT SAID "STEP ON A LINE FIND A DIME"

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

James Callow Keyword(s): ELLIPSIS

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb

Date learned: 11-09-1972

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FAST

THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS IS A FAST NIGHT. EVEN THE
SPAGHETTI IS MADE WITH FISH. THE NUMBER OF VARIETIES OF FISH YOU SERVE DETERMINES
THE WEALTH OF THE FAMILY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOL

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F122
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20

Date learned: 11-09-1972

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LOAF OF BREAD

ON THE MORNING OF HER WEDDING DAY A GREEK BRIDE BAKES A LOAF
OF BREAD. AFTER THE WEDDING SOMEONE BREAKS IT IN TWO
BEFORE THE BRIDE AND GROOM

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS

James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOL

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F545.0
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Morning before wedding

Date learned: 11-28-1972

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SCIZZORS

IN GREECE IT IS BAD LUCK TO LEAVE A PAIR OF SCIZZORS OPEN

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS

James Callow Keyword(s): SCISSORS

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.18

Date learned: 11-28-1972

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BREAD

IN GREECE IT IS BAD LUCK TO PLACE A LOAF OF BREAD UPSIDE DOWN
ON THE TABLE

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS

James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Bad luck
BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.21

Date learned: 11-28-1972

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