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 P474 returned 316 results.
ALABAMA SUPERSTITION
"THE ONLY WAY TO CATCH A BIRD WAS TO PUT SALT ON ITS TAIL,
AND IF YOU CAUGHT A BIRD, IT WOULD BRING YOU GOOD LUCK FOR A YEAR".
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS ITEM AS A CHILD IN BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA
FROM HIS MOTHER, CIRCA 1928. SHE LEARNED IT FROM HER MOTHER
IN ALABAMA CIRCA 1900.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALABAMA ; DETROIT ; BIRMINGHAM
Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Measure of time Year BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 11-22-1980 ; 00-00-1928 ; 00-00-1900
IN DETERMINING THE SEX OF A CHILD, THE GREEKS SPRINKLE SALT ON THE
BACK OF A WOMAN'S HEAD, IF SHE SCRATCHES THE LEFT SIDE, THEN SHE
WILL HAVE A GIRL. IF SHE SCRATCHES THE RIGHT SIDE OF HER HEAD,
THEN SHE WILL HAVE A BOY.
Submitter comment: I WAS ENTHRALLED BY THIS TECHNIQUE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Sensations and involuntary actions BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 00-00-1980
GREEK MEDICINE
HANDKERCHIEFS ARE FILLED WITH SALT AND THE TIPS ARE DIPPED IN OIL.
THEY ARE THEN LIT AND A GLASS IS PLACED OVER IT ON THE BACK. IT IS
USED FOR RELIEVING CONGESTION.
Submitter comment: I FOUND THIS REMEDY VERY EXCITING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 00-00-1980
IF PEARLS ARE NOT YOUR BIRTHSTONE DO NOT BUY THEM. PEARLS MEAN TEARS
AND THEY WILL BRING YOU BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment: I NEVER KNEW PEARLS MEAN TEARS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 00-00-1980 ; 00-00-1950
IF YOU SPILL SALT, YOU MUST TOSS SOME SALT OVER
YOUR LEFT SHOULDER, OTHERWISE YOU WILL HAVE BAD
LUCK.
Submitter comment: MISS MAYER LEARNED THIS AS A CHILD.
Where learned: HOME
Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Conversions |
WEREWOLF
THE ONLY WAY YOU CAN KILL A REAL WEREWOLF IS WITH SILVER BULLETS.
Where learned: HOME
Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Werewolf Vampire BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 11-29-1967
GOOD LUCK
THROW SALT OVER YOUR SHOULDER FOR GOOD LUCK OR TO ERASE SOME
EVIL EFFECTS OF A MISTAKE SUCH AS WALKING UNDER A LADDER.
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): CONVERSION
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Conversions |
Date learned: NONE GIVEN
ITALIAN CUSTOM FOR GOOD LUCK
IT IS AN OLD ITALIAN CUSTOM TO PUT SALT IN A HOUSE A FEW DAYS
BEFORE MOVING IN AND THIS WILL BRING THE OCCUPANT GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): HOME, DOMESTIC PURSUITS ; SUPERNATURAL: SALT AS LUCKY CHARM
Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Good luck P881.17 |
Date learned: 01-16-1968
BAD LUCK PREVENTION: (ITALIAN)-SALT
TO PREVENT BAD LUCK FROM ENTERING A HOUSE, PLACE SALT IN LITTLE
BAGS AND PUT THE BAGS IN THE CORNERS OF THE ROOMS WHERE NO ONE SEES
THEM. IT IS ESPECIALLY GOOD TO DO THIS WHEN A NEW BABY ARRIVES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
Keyword(s): CONVERSION ; HOME, DOMESTIC PURSUITS ; SUPERNATURAL: SALT AS LUCKY CHARM
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Conversions P883.17 |
Date learned: 12-00-1969
ALBATROSS
IT IS BAD LUCK FOR AN ALBATROSS TO FOLLOW A SHIP. IF SHE DOES,
SHE MUST BE SHOT WITH A GUN ARMED WITH SILVER BULLETS.
Where learned: ROUTE 2 ; W JEFFERSON RD
Keyword(s): BIRDS: ALBATROSS ; CONVERSION ; TRAVEL: SHIPS
James Callow Keyword(s): CRUELTY TO ANIMALS: KILLING AN ALBATROSS
Subject headings: | BELIEF -- P 88 P 88.33 BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Conversions P883.33 |
Date learned: 03-09-1970
BAD LUCK OMEN
IF YOU SPILL SALT, THERE WILL BE A FIGHT BETWEEN YOU AND ANOTHER
PERSON. IF YOU SPILL PEPPER, MONEY WILL COME TO YOU THAT DAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth |
Date learned: 00-00-1946
GOOD LUCK
A STONE IS PLACED IN YOUR FRONT YARD AND BLOOD FROM ANY ANIMAL YOU
KILL TO EAT, IS SPRINKLED ON THIS STONE. THIS HAS THE DEVIL STOPPING
AT THE STONE FOR BLOOD INSTEAD OF COMING INTO YOUR HOUSE FOR IT.
Submitter comment: THIS IS BELIEVED IN NIGERIA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Mineral |
Date learned: 10-00-1981
TO CLEAR MUDDY WATER, THROW A FEW DRIED PEACH KERNELS, SLIGHTLY
CRACKED, INTO A BARREL OF WATER. IT WILL BE PERFECTLY CLEAR IN AN
HOUR OR TWO.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS AS A CHILD IN INDIANA BUT DOESN'T
REMEMBER EVER USING IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Home BELIEF -- Mineral |
Date learned: 03-04-1982
SELLING SALT AT NIGHT BRINGS ILL LUCK TO THE SHOPKEEPER. THIS BELIEF
IS SO DEEP-ROOTED THAT ONE WILL NEVER SUCCEED IN PERSUADING A SHOP-
KEEPER TO GIVE SALT AT ANY TIME DURING THE NIGHT.
Where learned: TANZANIA ; EAST AFRICA
Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Work Commerce Business BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour BELIEF -- Bad luck Food and drink |
Date learned: 03-00-1982
UKRAINIAN GREETING FOR A BISHOP
THE GREETING OF A BISHOP, ARCHBISHOP OR CARDINAL BY THE
UKRAINIANS FOLLOWS CERTAIN CUSTOMS. WHEN THE DIGNITARY
ARRIVES AT THE CHURCH DOOR, HE IS MET BY THE PASTOR, AN
ELDERLY PARISHONER OR CHURCH PIONEER AND A LITTLE GIRL.
THE PIONEER HOLDS A TRAY ON WHICH AN EMBROIDERED CLOTH
HAS BEEN PLACED. A ROUND BREAD WITH A CANDLE IN THE CENTER
IS PLACED ON THE TRAY TOGETHER WITH A CONTAINER OF SALT.
SOMETIMES A SYMBOLIC KEY IS ALSO ON THE TRAY. THE ELDERLY
PARISHONER EXTENDS THE TRAY TO THE CHURCH DIGNITARY FOR
A BLESSING. THE GIRL, OFTEN DRESSED IN A FULL UKRAINIAN
COSTUME OF BOOTS, SKIRT, BLOUSE, VEST AND HEADPIECE, THEN
PRESENTS A BOUQUET OF FLOWERS TO THE DIGNITARY. THE TWO
PEOPLE MAKING THE PRESENTATIONS EXTEND A FEW WORDS OF
WELCOME ON BEHALF OF THE PARISH. THEN THE PASTOR LEADS
THE DIGNITARY DOWN THE AISLE AT WHICH TIME HE BLESSES
THE CONGREGATION.
Submitter comment:
THIS FORMAL WELCOME WOULD BE EXTENDED ON AN OFFICIAL
VISIT SUCH AS A PARISH VISITATION.
Where learned: CANADA ; ALBERTA ; MUNDARE
Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church BELIEF -- Mineral |
Date learned: 00001940S
BELIEF SAYS THAT IF YOU LOOK UP AT THE MOUNTAINS, YOU WILL SEE AN
ENORMOUS RED STONE WHICH IS SUPPOSED TO BE A GIANT RUBY.
PEOPLE OF THAT REGION SAY THEY HAVE SEEN THE RED STONE AND HAVE GONE
SEARCHING FOR IT.
Submitter comment:
PROFESSOR GRAVELLE LEARNED THE BELIEF IN THE WHITE MOUNTAINS OF
NORTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE
I COLLECTED THEM FROM HER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Where learned: NORTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE
Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Formation BELIEF -- Mineral |
Date learned: 00001970S
REMEDY FOR EARACHE
TO CURE AN EARACHE, FILL A STOCKING WITH WARM SALT, TUCK IT UNDER
YOUR CHIN, AND TIE IT ON TOP OF YOUR HEAD SO THE SOCK IS COVERING
YOUR EARS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Mineral |
IF SOMEONE VISITS AND YOU DONT WANT THEM TO COME BACK THROW
SALT AFTER THEM AS THEY LEAVE.
Where learned: DETROIT
Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 00001950S
MY GRANDMOTHER BELIEVES IT IS GOOD LUCK
FOR YOU AND YOUR NEW CAR TO POUR SALT(TABLE) ON IT.
Where learned: EAST DETROIT
Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 11-00-1983
IF A YOUNG GIRL'S FOOD IS SALTY, IT IS SAID THAT SHE IS IN LOVE.
Where learned: GUADELOUPE
Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 00001970S