Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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IF A BLACK CAT IS AT YOUR DOOR, MONEY WILL FOLLOW.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Measure of time Month BELIEF -- Color |
Date learned: 10-00-1987
IF IT RAINS ON HER WEDDING DAY IT MEANS THAT THE BRIDE LIKES
TO NIBBLE BETWEEN MEALS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222. |
Date learned: 06-00-1987
When selling your house, bury a statue of St. Joseph
face down with the feet pointing towards the street.
This will make your house sell quickly.
Submitter comment:
I was told this when we were selling our house in
March, 1987. The woman that told me had done this
and her house sold immediately.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): Saint
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
EVERY YEAR ON EASTER MONDAY, WHEN I WAS YOUNG, MY FRIENDS
AND I WOULD PREPARE LUNCH FOR THE YOUNG BOYS
THAT WE KNEW. WE WOULD SPRINKLE THE LIVING ROOM AREA WITH
COLOGNE AND DRESS IN OUR SUNDAY BEST. A BOY WOULD COME TO
YOUR HOUSE FOR A PRIVATE LUNCHEON. THIS WAS A GET
ACQUAINTED PERIOD FOR THE GIRL AND BOY. IT WAS USED AS
A FORM OF COURTSHIP. IT WAS SAID THAT IF YOU WERE TO BE
COURTED BY THE MAN YOU WERE TO MARRY ON EASTER MONDAY,
YOUR MARRIAGE WOULD BE SO MUCH MORE BLESSED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 00-00-1940
AROUND HER NECK SHE WORE A YELLOW RIBBON,
SHE WORE IT IN THE SPRING TIME AND IN THE MONTH OF MAY.
AND IF YOU ASK HER WHY THE HELL SHE WEARS IT,
SHE WEARS IT FOR A LAMBDA-CHI WHOSE FAR, FAR, AWAY.
FAR AWAY, FAR AWAY,
SHE WEARS IT FOR A LAMBDA-CHI WHOSE FAR, FAR AWAY.
AROUND HER WAIST SHE WORE A LITTLE SWELLING,
SWELLING IN THE SPRING TIME AND IN THE MONTH OF MAY.
AND IF YOU ASK HER WHY THE HELL SHE'S SWELLING IT,
SHE'S SWELLING FOR A LAMBDA-CHI WHOSE FAR, FAR AWAY.
FAR AWAY, FAR AWAY,
SHE'S SWELLING FOR A LAMBDA-CHI WHOSE FAR, FAR AWAY.
BEHIND THE DOOR, HER DADDY KEEPS A SHOT GUN,
HE KEEPS IT IN THE SPRING TIME AND IN THE MONTH OF MAY.
AND IF YOU ASK HER WHY THE HELL HE KEEPS IT,
HE KEEPS IT FOR A LAMBDA-CHI THAT BETTER STAY AWAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ballad, Song, Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Good humor Jest Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Social reunion |
Date learned: 11-24-1988
IF YOU LOOK INTO A MIRROR AND TURN OFF THE LIGHTS AND SAY
BLOODY MARY 3 TIMES OVER AND THEN TURN THE LIGHTS BACK ON,
YOU WOULD BE BLEEDING FROM SOMEWHERE ON YOUR FACE.
Submitter comment: THIS ACT WAS USED AS A DARE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; WINSHIP ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration Favorites BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 00001970S
It is bad luck to name a boat after a boy instead of a girl.
Submitter comment:
Elinor's dance instructor was concerned that a friend of hers
would regret that she had named her boat after her son.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
Keyword(s): ship, christening, advice
James Callow Keyword(s): SEXISM
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Bad luck Activities SPEECH -- Proper Name |
It is unlucky for someone who is not a Scorpio to
wear an opal.
Submitter comment:
Elinor's great aunt was a Scorpio (Oct. 23 - Nov. 21),
and owned a lovely opal ring. Her daughter, Nettie, wanted
the ring, but her mother cautioned her against wearing it,
as it would bring bad luck. Nettie wore the ring anyway. The
first time she wore it, she was almost hit by a car. The
second time that she wore the opal, she had a mishap,
mangling the ring beyond repair, and losing the opal. After
that, Nettie believed what her mother had told her.
Nettie told this to Elinor as a warning, because they are both
Sagittarius. Elinor also was told by one of her students,
Molly, that she had a terrible string of bad luck for a
whole week, until she gave away her opal ring.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FRASER
Keyword(s): Horoscope, proscription, advice, astrology, gems, jewelry
Date learned: 00001960S
Wearing opals when you are not a Scorpio is only bad
luck if you are single; if you are married they won't
harm you.
Submitter comment:
Jane, a friend of Elinor's, states that wearing an opal if
you are not supposed to interferes in the finding of
a husband. She then told Elinor that she could wear
an opal if she wanted to, since she was married.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
Keyword(s): horoscope, astrology, spinster, advice, reassurance, gems
James Callow Keyword(s): JEWELRY
Date learned: 00001987ca
If you are going to wear jewelry with opals, it is
better luck to wear an odd number of opals than an
even number.
Submitter comment:
Elinor's friend, Jane, states that the ring (or other piece
of jewelry) will be stronger this way.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
Keyword(s): Advice, gems
Date learned: 00001980S
An opal will shine more brightly for someone who
is supposed to wear it, but will look dull, or will crack,
if the wrong person wears it. If you have Scorpio rising
in your astrological sign, that is as good as being born
under Scorpio.
Submitter comment:
Annie, an acquaintance of Elinor's, complimented Elinor
on the beauty of her opal ring. When Elinor related her
misgivings about wearing the ring, Annie reassured her
that it was safe, since Scorpio was her rising sign. She
also warned her not to let anyone wear it, as the ring
might crack if that person was not born under the proper
sign.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
Keyword(s): Advice, gems
Date learned: 00001980S
It was the custom of young Cuban boys who were trying
to prove their manhood to dive into the waters of Havana
Harbor,near the old prison, and ride the sharks. It was
said that the sharks frequented the harbor because political
prisoners were placed in an underwater dungeon to be eaten
by the sharks.
Submitter comment:
This need to confront death and danger in order to establish
"machismo" is also seen in such activities as bullfighting.
This story was told to Carmen by her father, Gustavo Sebastian
Albore', who was very proud that he had been brave enough to
ride the sharks. Gustavo was proud also of his Castillian
Spanish parents, since in his mind, to be "Cuban"
meant to be black. He always, therefore, referred to himself
as "Castillian" whenever someone asked him his nationality.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; NEW ROCHELLE
Keyword(s): Courage, test, Hispanic, rite-of-passage
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Maturity |
Date learned: 00001930S
If you are having trouble selling your house, bury a
statue of St. Joseph, head-down and facing the rear of
the house, until your house is sold. Afterwards you
dig the statue up and permanently display it in a place
of honor in your new home.
Submitter comment:
This belief was heard from Maryann's sister, Leda, who
was having trouble selling her condominium. Leda's real
estate agent suggested that she try this. Within the
month Leda's condo was sold, and now the statue of St.
Joseph is on the mantlepiece of her new home. This
superstition is, evidently, very widely held by Italians.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; Rogers Park
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Religious hero BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Work Commerce Business BELIEF -- Good luck Objects BELIEF -- Conversions |
SEASHELL
SEASHELL TACOBELL EASY IVORY OVER.
NOW HERE COMES THE TEACHER WITH ARITHMETIC.
TWO AND TWO EQUAL FOUR AND FOUR EQUAL EIGHT.
NOW LET'S DO OUR EXERCISE.
JUMP UP AND TURN AROUND
TOUCH THE GROUND.
JUMP ROPE RHYME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): MODERN FOLKLORE
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 00001980S
A FARMER WAS PLOWING A FIELD TO BE PLANTED WHEN HE CAME
ACROSS TWO SNAKES. ONE ATTEMPTED TO BITE HIM, BUT ONLY
GOT HIS BOOT. SCARED AND ANGRY, THE MAN RAN FOR HIS
SHOVEL AND CHOPPED THE HEAD OFF THE SNAKE. HE TURNED AND
WALKED AWAY LEAVING THE DEAD SNAKE BESIDE ITS MATE.
AFTER THAT HE FELT HE DESERVED A BREAK FOR THE DAY AND
WENT TO TOWN. THAT AFTERNOON, AFTER BEING SCOLDED BY HIS
WIFE FOR NOT FINISHING THE FIELD, THE FARMER DECIDED TO
GO TO BED EARLY. WHEN THE FARMER TURNED BACK HIS COVERS
HE FOUND THE SNAKE'S MATE HE HAD FAILED TO KILL WHEN HE
WAS OUT IN THE FIELD. THE SNAKE STRUCK AT HIM BUT ONLY
BIT INTO HIS BELT. HE INSTANTLY WENT FOR HIS RIFLE AND
KILLED THE SNAKE BEFORE IT RECOVERED. FROM THAT MOMENT
ON HE SWORE TO NEVER LEAVE A JOB UNDONE. THE FIELD WAS
COMPLETELY PLOWED THAT EVENING.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; RIPLEY
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ordinary Tale |
JOKE
"WHAT SUPERB GRAPEFRUIT!" EXCLAIMED A VISITOR TO TEXAS AS
HE PASSED A CITRUS GROVE. "OH, OUR LEMONS ARE A LITTLE
SMALL NOW," SAID THE TEXAN NONCHALANTLY. "WE'VE HAD A
BAD SEASON, YOU KNOW." A LITTLE FARTHER DOWN THE ROAD
THE VISITOR REMARKED ON THE SIZE AND COLOR OF SOME
FLOWERS. "JUST SOME LITTLE OL' WEEDS, " THE TEXAN SAID
MODESTLY. FINALLY THEY CAME TO THE RIO GRANDE. "HMM-M"
MURMURED THE VISITOR, "SOMEONE'S RADIATOR MUST BE
LEAKING!"
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO
James Callow Keyword(s): SIZE
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Tale PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale |
Date learned: 04-00-1990
PROVERB
WHEN YOU SIT DOWN TO BREAKFAST I'LL BE GETTING UP FROM
DINNER.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS A SAYING TO DESCRIBE HOW SOME PEOPLE WERE ALWAYS
AHEAD OF OTHERS, USUALLY ASSOCIATED WITH GIRLS MATURING
BEFORE BOYS. WOMEN SUPPOSEDLY ARE ALWAYS AHEAD OF MEN
ACCORDING TO THIS SAYING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): CONTRAST ; PARALLELISM ; TIME
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 00-00-1990
WHENEVER YOU PASS A CEMETERY YOU SHOULD HOLD YOUR
BREATH SO IT DOESN'T GET SUCKED OUT OF YOU BY THE
SPIRITS OF THE DEAD BURIED THERE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
"THE M & M GAME"
THERE WAS A GAME THAT WE USED TO PLAY AT PARTIES WHILE IN
JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL. WE CALLED IT THE M & M GAME. YOU STARTED
WITH A BAG OF PEANUT M & M'S. EVERYONE SAT IN A CIRCLE AND
THE BAG WAS PASSED AROUND TO EACH PERSON, THAT PERSON SELECTED
ONE PIECE OF CANDY AND SHOWED IT TO THE OTHERS. IF THE CANDY
WAS BROWN THE PERSON HAD TO TELL A SECRET ABOUT THEMSELVES.
IF THE CANDY WAS YELLOW THE PERSON HAD TO TELL A SECRET ABOUT
SOMEBODY ELSE. IF THE CANDY WAS ORANGE OR GREEN THE PERSON
HAD TO KISS A GIRL/BOY WHO WAS ALSO PLAYING. IF IT WAS ORANGE
THE OTHER PLAYERS VOTED ON WHO THE PLAYER WAS TO KISS, IF IT
WAS GREEN THEN THAT PERSON GOT TO CHOOSE THEMSELVES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WE HAD A HUGE SEWER PIPE
ON THE PLAYGROUND THAT WAS PAINTED RED. WE HAD A CUSTOM
THAT IF YOU WANTED TO GO WITH A GIRL YOU HAD TO WALK THROUGH
THE PIPE WITH THE GIRL WHILE HOLDING HANDS. SOMETIMES THE
TWO PARTICIPANTS EVEN KISSED UPON EXITING BUT THIS WAS
PRETTY RARE. TO BREAK UP WITH THE GIRL YOU HAD TO WALK
BACKWARDS THROUGH THE PIPE ONE AT A TIME, WITH THE BOY
NORMALLY GOING THROUGH FIRST.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Date learned: 01-01-1976