Deprecated: The each() function is deprecated. This message will be suppressed on further calls in /var/www/libs/inc/cfa/cfa-search.inc.php on line 473
The James T. Callow Computerized Folkore Archive | University of Detroit Mercy Libraries Back to Top
Top Nav content Site Footer
University Home
James T. Callow Computerized Folklore Archive
search for

Offensive content Filter is ON

Your search for Nail returned 15 results.

showing 15 items

IF YOUR NAIL BREAKS ON THE HOUR, IT IS BAD LUCK.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): FINGERNAIL?

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails
BELIEF -- Bad luck Body parts and functions

Date learned: 11-01-1968

View just this record

MY FRIEND AS A CHILD, BIT HER NAILS
UNTIL HER FATHER TOLD HER THAT THE NAILS
WOULD MAKE BUMPS ON HER STOMACH THAT WOULD SHOW
FOR THE REST OF HER LIFE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; PONTIAC

Keyword(s): CONTAGIOUS MAGIC ; NAILBITING ; STOMACH AILMENTS

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness

Date learned: 00-00-1963

View just this record

CURE FOR FELON:
TAKE ONE TABLESPOON OF RED LEAD AND ONE TABLESPOON OF
CASTILE SOAP, MIX THEM WITH AS MUCH WOOL LYE AS WILL
MAKE IT SOFT ENOUGH TO SPREAD LIDE (SIC) A SALVE, AND APPLY
IT ON FIRST APPEARANCE OF THE FELON AND IT WILL CURE IT
IN TWELVE HOURS.

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE

James Callow Keyword(s): FELON: AN INFECTION OF THE FINGER AROUND THE BONE OR FINGERNAIL

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Remedy
BELIEF -- Method of Curing

Date learned: 10-10-1973

View just this record

THE WATER SPRITES' BOAT

THE CHILDREN IN NORWAY ARE TAUGHT NEVER TO LEAVE A TINY NAIL
SLIVER ANYWHERE FOR THE WATER SPRITES TO FIND. THE LITTLE
SPRITES COLLECT ALL THE CUTTINGS THEY CAN FIND, BECAUSE THEY ARE
BUILDING A GREAT BOAT OUT OF THEM. WHEN THE BOAT IS FINISHED
THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO SAIL IT INTO A FJORD, AND ON REACHING THE
END, THE BOAT WILL EXPLODE AND CAUSE SUCH AN EARTHQUAKE
THAT THE WORLD WILL COME TO AN END.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

Keyword(s): FINGERNAILS

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

View just this record

THE WATER SPRITES' BOAT

THE CHILDREN IN NORWAY ARE TAUGHT NEVER TO LEAVE A TINY NAIL
SLIVER ANYWHERE FOR THE WATER SPRITES TO FIND. THE LITTLE
SPRITES COLLECT ALL THE CUTTINGS THEY CAN FIND, BECAUSE THEY ARE
BUILDING A GREAT BOAT OUT OF THEM. WHEN THE BOAT IS FINISHED
THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO SAIL IT INTO A FJORD, AND ON REACHING THE
END, THE BOAT WILL EXPLODE AND CAUSE SUCH AN EARTHQUAKE
THAT THE WORLD WILL COME TO AN END.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

Keyword(s): FINGERNAILS

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

View just this record

Proverb

As dead as a doornail.

Submitter comment:

The number 335 is typed in the upper right hand corner.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Original BN [V600] crossed out and replaced with current classifications.

The word As is underlined in red the first time it appears.

Dup of WPP.

The word (informant) has been written in red next to the name of Sophie Drouillard.

Where learned: Drouillard, Sophie

Keyword(s): ALLITERATION ; Dead ; Doornail ; SIMILE

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase
PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison

View just this record

Proverb

Hit the nail on the head

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Located in pile marked Duplicates and Other Rejects.

Where learned: Koch, Paul

Keyword(s): ACCURACY ; Correct ; Dead-on ; METAPHOR ; Nail ; SYMBOL

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase

View just this record

Proverb

Dead as a doornail

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Located in pile marked Duplicates and Other Rejects.

Where learned: Fritz, Andy

Keyword(s): ALLITERATION ; Dead ; Doornail ; SIMILE

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase

View just this record

Language: Rhyme

Ridicule Rhyme:

Tattle Tale, Tattle Tale
Hang your britches on a nail,
Hang them high, hang them low,
Hang them in a picture show.
Hang them 'till your fanny shows.

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE

Keyword(s): BRITCHES ; Entertainment ; Fanny ; Hang ; High ; Language ; Low ; Nail ; Picture Show ; rat ; RHYME ; RIDICULE ; Tattle Tale

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

View just this record

BITING FINGERNAILS WHEN PREGNANT CAUSES THE BABY TO BE
STUBBORN.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MISSISSIPPI ; BELZONI ; Milton, Mary ; Box 465

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; FINGERNAILS ; PREGNANCY ; Stubborn

James Callow Keyword(s): PERSONALITY

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal
BELIEF -- Birth

Date learned: 09-13-1973

View just this record

TO CURE A TOOTHACHE PICK THE TOOTH WITH A COFFIN NAIL,
MIDDLE TOE OF AN OWL, A SPLINTER FROM A TREE STRUCK BY
LIGHTNING OR APPLY THE JUICE OF A PRICKLY ASH.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE ; Lipford, Allena

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Claw ; Coffin ; Juice ; LIGHTNING ; Nail ; Owl ; Prickly Ash ; REMEDY ; Splinter ; TOOTHACHE ; Tree

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Method of Curing

Date learned: 09-30-1973

View just this record

SPIRITS

IN ORDER FOR ONE TO KEEP SPIRITS OUT OF THE HOUSE HE OR SHE
SHOULD NAIL A PENNY OR MORE ON THE FLOOR OF THE DOORWAY OR
HE SHOULD WEAR PENNIES AROUND ONE'S ANKLE.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Brown, Norris L.

Keyword(s): COINS ; Copper ; GHOST ; Haunt ; MONEY ; Repel ; SUPERSTITION

James Callow Keyword(s): MINERALS -- IRON (NAIL) COPPER (PENNY)

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter
BELIEF -- Mineral

Date learned: 02-10-1972

View just this record

BABY BELIEF

NEVER CUT A BABY'S FINGERNAILS BEFORE HE IS ONE YEAR OLD OR
HE WILL BE A THIEF.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK ; Drotar, Elizabeth

Keyword(s): BABY ; FINGERNAILS ; Nail ; PREDICTION ; SUPERSTITION ; Thief ; Trim

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate
BELIEF -- Body part Senses

Date learned: 10-28-1970

View just this record

TO CAUSE ILLNESS IN WITCHES

TO MAKE A WITCH SICK YOU NEED TO DO THESE THINGS.
GET THREE NAILS FROM A COFFIN AND STICK THEM INTO A SAUCE
OF BUTTER AND WINTERGREEN.
SAY THE WITCH'S NAME WHEN YOU PLACE
THE SAUCE IN A HIDDEN SPOT WHERE NEITHER SUNLIGHT NOR MOONLIGHT
WILL PENETRATE. YOUR WITCH WILL BE SICK FOR SIX MONTHS.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Gwizdala, Maureen ; ANN ARBOR

Keyword(s): Coffin ; Harm ; ILLNESS ; Nails ; RECIPE ; WITCHES

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Witch Shaman

Date learned: 10-00-1969

View just this record

BELIEF

YOU PUT NAIL POLISH IN THE ICE BOX. IT KEEPS THE POLISH FROM
GETTING THICK.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; 524 Rivera Terraces ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES ; Whyte, Mrs. Wilfred

Keyword(s): BEAUTY ; BELIEF ; Cold ; CUSTOM ; Makeup ; Nail ; POLISH ; TRICK

James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE ; FUNCTION ; Positive

Subject headings: Custom

Date learned: 01-20-1971

View just this record

showing 15 items

Back to Top