Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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SUPERSTITION
DON'T OPEN UMBRELLAS IN THE HOUSE - IT WILL CAUSE A DEATH IN THE
FAMILY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; PLEASANT RIDGE
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR.
OMEN
IF YOU OPEN AN UMBRELLA IN THE HOUSE,
THE DEVIL COMES IN.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM HER MOTHER.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 11-02-1967
SUPERSTITION REGARDING AN UMBRELLA
IF YOU OPEN AN UMBRELLA IN A HOUSE,
SOMEONE YOU KNOW WILL DIE.
Submitter comment: SHE LEARNED IT FROM HER MOTHER.
Where learned: COLLECTED AT HOME
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 02-04-1967
DISHCLOTH
IF YOU DROP A DISHCLOTH THAT IS A SURE SIGN THAT YOU WILL
HAVE COMPANY.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM HER MOTHER, JENNY TORRANCE,
WHEN SHE WAS A LITTLE GIRL ABOUT 1890.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 05-12-1965
PEARLS
NEVER GIVE PEARLS TO THE ONE YOU LOVE BECAUES IT MEANS TEARS.
Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM FAMILY TRADITION IN GLOUCESTER, OHIO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 05-11-1965
HAT AS A BAD LUCK OMEN
I ALWAYS HEARD NEVER TO PUT A HAT ON A BED--IT IS A SIGN
OF BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment: DIDN'T LEARN FROM PARENTS; SHE COULDN'T REMEMBER WHERE SHE HEARD IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 05-11-1965
EVIL OMEN
IF YOU PUT YOUR SHIRT ON BACKWARDS OR INSIDE OUT
IT MEANS THAT THAT DAY YOU WILL BE UNLUCKY.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS BELIEVED BY THE POOR PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN SMALL TOWNS IN
ITALY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 12-01-1967
OMEN
IF THE HEM ON A GIRLS DRESS IS TURNED UP, IT MEANS SHE IS GETTING A
NEW DRESS.
Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM HER MOTHER.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 12-01-1967
OMEN FOR A LETTER
IF YOU FIND AN ELONGATED PIECE OF THREAD OR STRING ON YOUR
CLOTHING, YOU WILL SOON BE RECEIVING AN UNEXPECTED LETTER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN ; TOLD AT INFORMANTS HOME
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 03-24-1970
INDICATOR OF EMBARRASSMENT
IF YOU PUT YOUR UNDERWEAR ON INSIDE OUT, YOU WILL BE
EMBARRASSED SOME TIME DURING THAT DAY.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 03-27-1970
INDICATOR OF SURPRISE
IF YOU BUTTON SOMETHING WRONG AND IF YOU LEAVE IT THAT WAY,
YOU WILL HAVE A SURPRISE.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 03-27-1970
DRESS BELIEF
IF YOU PUT YOUR DRESS ON INSIDE OUT YOU'LL GET
A SURPRISE SOON.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT COLLECTORS HOME
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 03-10-1970
BAD LUCK OMEN
ACCORDING TO THIS INFORMANT, IT IS AN
OLD POLISH SUPERSTITION THAT IF A PAIR OF
SHOES IS LEFT ON A DINING TABLE, IT MEANS
THAT A DEATH IN THE FAMILY IS NEAR.
Where learned: HOME ; BUFFALO ; NEW YORK
| Subject headings: | Observation |
BAD LUCK OMEN
ACCORDING TO THIS INFORMANT, IT IS
AN OLD POLISH SUPERSTITION THAT IF ONE WEARS
A HAT INSIDE A HOUSE, IT MEANS THAT
SOMEONE IN THE FAMILY WILL SOON BECOME SICK.
Where learned: HOME ; BUFFALO ; NEW YORK
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: SPRING 00001964
PREDICTION
IF YOU HAVE A STRAY THREAD ON
YOUR CLOTHES YOU'RE GOING TO GET A LETTER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 09-00-1969
OBSERVATION
FOR EVERY STEP A WOMAN TAKES WITH ONE SHOE ON AND ONE SHOE
OFF, ONE MORE YEAR SHE MUST GO WITHOUT A MATE.
Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM GRANDMOTHER
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 00-00-1968
OMEN
IF YOU LEAVE A WET DIAPER AT SOMEONE'S HOUSE, THEY
WILL HAVE A BABY.
Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM HER MOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
PREDICTIONS
IF YOU OPEN AN UMBRELLA IN THE HOUSE,
IT MEANS THAT SOMEONE WILL DIE.
Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM HER MOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: FALL 00001967
BELIEF
SEW A GARMENT WHILE YOU ARE
WEARING IT, YOU'LL DO SOMETHING STUPID.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT OBTAINED THIS FROM A FELLOW WORKER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; PLYMOUTH
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 10-00-1965
BELIEF
IF YOU PUT A SHOE ON THE TABLE
THAT MEANS THERE IS GOING TO BE A
DEATH IN THE FAMILY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 03-10-1968