Dr. James T. Callow publications
Browse by
Questions or comments on this site? Please email davidsor@udmercy.edu.
The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for F642 returned 214 results.
ON NEW YEAR'S DAY IN POLAND, IN ORDER TO DECIDE WHO WOULD
GET MARRIED FIRST, GIRLS WOULD BAKE PANCAKES AND LINE
THEM UP ON THE FLOOR. THEY WOULD THEN RELEASE A CAT.
THE GIRL WHO GETS HER PANCAKE EATEN FIRST BY THE CAT
WILL GET MARRIED FIRST.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; POLAND
Date learned: 04-05-1972
AT CHRISTMAS EVE SUPPER, A CANDLE IS LIT. IF THE
SMOKE GOES UP, ALL THOSE SEATED AT THE TABLE WILL
BE BACK THE FOLLOWING YEAR. IF THE SMOKE GOES
TOWARD A DOOR, ONE OF THE GUESTS WILL DIE BEFORE
NEXT CHRISTMAS EVE.
Where learned: LETTER
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 BELIEF -- Use of Object Occasions Events |
Date learned: 03-08-1970
IT IS BELIEVED THAT AFTER A SERIES OF READINGS AND A
CANDLELIGHT PROCESSION ON THE EVE OF ST. GENEVIEVE
(JAN. 3), YOU WILL SEE YOUR FUTURE HUSBAND. THIS
WILL OCCUR AFTER YOU HAVE INVOKED THE SPIRIT OF SAINT
GENEVIEVE. THE METHOD BY WHICH YOU SEE THE MAN YOU
ARE TO MARRY, IS TO HOLD A MIRROR OVER YOUR RIGHT
SHOULDER IN A DARKENED ROOM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- 39816 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 BELIEF -- Use of object for determining future spouse P862.9 |
Date learned: 09-18-1969
NAMING; LOCAL FESTIVAL
"MARDI GRAS" MEANS "FEAST OF THE FLESH"--ITS MAIN
PURPOSE IS TO WEAR YOU OUT SO YOU WON'T BREAK THE
TWO MONTHS OF LENT; FOR YOU TO BLOW OFF STEAM.
Where learned: CONVERSATION ABOUT HIS TRIP
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 |
Date learned: 02-20-1969
NEW YEAR CUSTOM
NEVER SEW, COOK, IRON, WASH ON NEW YEAR OR
YOU WILL BE WASHING SOMEONE OUT OF THE FAMILY.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 BELIEF -- Measure of time Working |
Date learned: 01-20-1971
CHINESE CELEBRATE THE LUNAR NEW YEAR
COMPARABLE TO OUR CHRISTMAS.
Where learned: Informant's office
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Winter |
Date learned: 11-11-1971
NEW YEAR'S CUSTOM
DON'T HAVE WOMEN COMING TO YOUR HOUSE EARLY
IN THE MORNING OF NEW YEAR'S OR YOU WILL HAVE
BAD LUCK.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ANTIFEMINISM ; SEXISM
Date learned: 01-31-1971
NEW YEAR'S CUSTOM
AT NEW YEAR'S, LITHUANIAN AMERICANS HAVE THE CUSTOM OF
COVERING THEIR ENTIRE TABLE WITH FOOD, SO THAT NOT ONE SPOT OF
THE TABLE CLOTH IS SHOWING.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS SUPPOSED TO ENSURE THAT THEY WILL HAVE ENOUGH FOOD
FOR THE ENTIRE YEAR TO COME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; informant's home
Date learned: 01-30-1971
IRISH NEW YEAR CUSTOM
THE FIRST PERSON TO WISH YOU A "HAPPY NEW YEAR" IN THE NEW
YEAR SHOULD BE A DARK-HAIRED PERSON BECAUSE THEN YOU WOULD
HAVE GOOD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SAID HIS GRANDMOTHER MADE IT A POINT TO SEE HIS
FATHER EACH NEW YEAR FIRST BECAUSE HE HAS DARK-HAIR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; OFFICE ; BRIGGS 338
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Color BELIEF -- Good luck P881.42 SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 02-00-1971
NEW YEAR'S
IF A WOMAN SHOULD ENTER YOUR HOME FIRST
ON NEW YEAR'S, IT IS THOUGHT TO BRING BAD
LUCK FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT LEARNED IN CHILDHOOD.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector share the same surname and place of residence.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; informant's home
Keyword(s): ANTIFEMINISM ; SEXISM
Date learned: 01-26-1971
NEW YEAR'S CUSTOM
ON NEW YEAR'S EVERYONE IN THE FAMILY EATS
SMOKED HERRING FOR GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Date learned: 09-26-1971
NEW YEAR'S CUSTOM
THE FIRST PERSON WHO COMES OVER THE THRESHOLD OF
YOUR HOUSE SHOULD BE A MAN TO BRING GOOD LUCK
TO THE HOUSE-HOLD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FIRST FOOTING ; SEXISM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 BELIEF -- Good luck P881.42 |
Date learned: 09-26-1971
CUSTOM: ROMAN NEW YEAR
IT IS A CUSTOM AMONG THE ROMANS TO SAVE ALL CHINAWARE--DISHES,
GLASSES, JARS, ETC--THROUGHOUT THE COURSE OF THE YEAR. ON NEW
YEARS--12:00--EVERYONE THROWS THEIR ENTIRE COLLECTION OUT THE
WINDOW WITHOUT CONCERN FOR ANYONE PASSING BY. THIS IS A
DISASTROUS EVENT FOR BOTH PEDESTRIANS AND STREET CLEANERS.
Date learned: 00-00-1964
"NEW YEARS EVE"
AT THE FIRST OF NEW YEAR'S THE COWS BOWED DOWN ON THEIR KNEES
AT 12:00 PM.
Submitter comment:
NOTE: PEOPLE REALLY BELIEVED THIS AT THAT TIME.
Data entry tech comment:
Collector meant 12:00 a.m.?
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 02-12-1972
NEW YEAR'S CUSTOM
AT THE STROKE OF MIDNIGHT ONE RUNS OUT THE
BACK DOOR AND IN THE FRONT DOOR. THIS GUARANTEES HIM OF RECEIVING
FAVORS OF THE LADY OF THE HOUSE, USUALLY HIS WIFE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Fixed DateFor specific dates, use the following system: F640.1231 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 |
Date learned: 09-20-1969
NEW YEAR'S DAY CUSTOM
GO OUT THE BACK DOOR TO LET OUT THE OLD YEAR AND IN THE FRONT
DOOR TO LET IN THE NEW YEAR.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
Keyword(s): SYMBOLIC ACTION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Fixed DateFor specific dates, use the following system: F640.1231 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 |
Date learned: 04-00-1972
NEW YEAR'S CUSTOM
FOR THE LAST FIVE MINUTES OF THE OLD YEAR, AND THE FIRST FIVE MINUTES
OF THE NEW YEAR, IT IS NECESSARY TO SWEEP ONE'S HOUSE FROM BACK
TO FRONT. YOU SWEEP THE HOUSE TO "SWEEP OUT" TROUBLE AND SICKNESS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD ; collector's home
Keyword(s): BROOM ; SYMBOLIC ACTION
Date learned: 10-25-1970
NEW YEAR'S CUSTOM
IT IS THE CUSTOM TO TURN AND KISS THE PERSON (OF THE OPPOSITE
SEX) NEXT TO YOU AT MIDNIGHT.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector share the same surname.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 11-02-1969
CUSTOMS (NEW YEAR)
IF AT THE STROKE OF MIDNIGHT A MARRIED
COUPLE IS HOLDING CASH IN ONE HAND
AND A PICKLED HERRING IN THE OTHER HAND AND EACH TASTES OF THE
HERRING THEY WILL HAVE GOOD LUCK THROUGHOUT THE COMING YEAR.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT LEARNED FROM THE FAMILY.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO
Keyword(s): MONEY
Date learned: 09-30-1967
NEW YEAR'S CUSTOM
EAT A HERRING AT THE STROKE OF TWELVE MIDNIGHT FOR GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED
Date learned: NOT RECORDED