Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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BELIEF
PUT NAIL POLISH IN THE ICEBOX, IT KEEPS THE POLISH FROM GETTING
THICK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: POSITIVE ; FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Home |
Date learned: 01-20-1971
BUTTON BELIEF
YOU SHOULD NOT SEW A BUTTON ON YOUR OWN GARMENTS (ON YOUR BODY)
UNLESS YOU ARE CHEWING SOMETHING.
Submitter comment:
THE REASON IS THAT YOU SEW THINGS ON DEAD PEOPLE. A JEWISH
CUSTOM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 04-00-1968
MAGIC OF SPEECH
TO KEEP SPOOKS AWAY WHEN WALKING PAST A CEMETERY, YOU MUST
WHISTLE.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT LIVES NEXT TO A CEMETERY, AND DID THIS WHEN I WAS WITH
HER.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
James Callow comment:
WHISTLING WILL SUMMON A GHOST--F. M. PAULSEN
Where learned: NEW YORK ; FRANKLIN
Keyword(s): CEMETERY ; GHOST ; GRAVEYARD ; Haunt ; Haunt ; Spook ; SUPERSTITION ; Whistle
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 07-00-1967
BLESSED MOTHER BELIEF
A WHISTLING WOMAN YOUNG OR OLD IS INSULTING THE BLESSED MOTHER.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; ROCHESTER
James Callow Keyword(s): VANITY
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Religious hero BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 03-11-1972
WITCH OF TRAVERSE
ABOUT 9 YEARS AGO, A CLASSMATE OF MINE NAMED JOHN PUTRASS TOLD
ME ABOUT A WITCH THAT LIVED ON HIS STREET. SHE LIVED IN AN
OLD HOUSE ON TRAVERSE NEAR ST. CYRIL AND VAN DYKE. THE HOUSE
WAS UNPAINTED AND SEVERAL DEAD TREES GREW AROUND IT. WHEN I WENT
TO SEE IT, SHE WAS STANDING ON THE PORCH WITH LONG STRINGY
WHITE HAIR AND A LONG GREEN DRESS. AS WE DROVE BY HER HOUSE
ON OUR BIKES, SHE STARED AT US COLDLY. THE LEGEND ON THE STREET WAS
THAT SHE BURIED HER HUSBAND, WHO HAD BEEN MISSING FOR YEARS, IN THE CELLAR.
I WENT TO SEE THE HOUSE ABOUT FIVE YEARS AGO, AND IT WAS
CONDEMNED BY THE CITY. AT PRESENT IT NO LONGER STANDS, BUT WHEN
I WENT TO ST. THOMAS SCHOOL, IT STRUCK FEAR INTO ANYONE THAT SAW IT.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector are the same person.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Witch Shaman BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
WHY PEOPLE HAVE TO WORK IN ORDER TO LIVE
WHY MUST PEOPLE WORK IN ORDER TO LIVE? WELL, AT ONE TIME GOD HAD
PLACED THE SKY SO NEAR TO THE GROUND THAT WHENEVER A PERSON WAS
HUNGRY AND WANTED SOMETHING TO EAT HE ONLY HAD TO BREAK ALL HE WANTED
TO EAT FROM THE LOVELY-BLUE SKY AND EAT. AFTER PEOPLE STARTED
GETTING TOO FAT AND LAZY, THEY WOULD BREAK OFF HUGE PIECES OF THE SKY
AND EAT ONLY SOME PORTIONS AND THROW THE REST ON THE GROUND AND WALK
AWAY. NOW THE LORD DIDN'T LIKE THIS. HE WANTED EVERYBODY TO HAVE
PLENTY TO EAT BUT HE DIDN'T WANT THEM TO TAKE THINGS TOO LIGHTLY;
"TAKE ONLY WHAT YOU'RE ABLE TO EAT," HE WARNED THEM. THE PEOPLE
FOLLOWED HIS ADVICE FOR A SHORT WHILE, THEN RETURNED TO WHAT THEY
WERE DOING BEFORE, BREAKING OFF MORE THAN THEY COULD EAT. THE LORD
DECIDED TO MOVE THE SKY MILES AWAY SO NOBODY COULD GET TO IT, AND IN
ORDER TO EAT, EVERY SOUL HAD TO WORK HARD AT THE LAND.
Submitter comment:
I HAVE HEARD THIS STORY AS TOLD BY A REGULAR CHURCH-GOER; IT WAS TOLD
BASICALLY THE SAME.
Where learned: ALABAMA
James Callow Keyword(s): GREED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Creation and Order of Universe BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00-00-1930
JAMACAN SPIRIT BELIEF
OLD RAILROAD TUNNELS WHICH WERE DUG BY SLAVES WOULD OFTEN COLLAPSE
WHEN THE SLAVES WERE WORKING ON THEM. THE GHOSTS OF THE DEAD SLAVES
STILL ROAM IN THESE TUNNELS. NEVER SLEEP IN THOSE TUNNELS OR YOU
MIGHT BE KILLED BY THE SPIRITS.
Submitter comment: DONALD LEE LEARNED THIS ITEM IN BUFF BAY, JAMAICA.
Where learned: JAMAICA ; BUFF BAY
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 10-31-1975
I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT A FORD IS THE WORST CAR YOU CAN BUY, THAT THEY
ARE ALWAYS BREAKING DOWN AND IN NEED OF SERVICE. THE LETTERS WHICH
MAKE UP THE WORD "FORD" SERVE AS AN ACRONYM THAT GIVES THE AUTOMOBILE
SHOPPER FAIR WARNING:
F-FIX
O-OR
R-REPAIR
D-DAILY
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: NEGATIVE ; PROPAGANDA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 10-00-1975
LEGEND
THERE IS A CATHOLIC CEMETERY IN TOLEDO, IT,S THE BIGGEST CEMETERY
IN TOLEDO. IN THE MID 20S, WHEN GYPSIES WERE STILL A BIG THING,
THERE WAS SUPPOSEDLY A GYPSY QUEEN THAT DIED. SO THE GYPSIES HELD
A BIG BURIAL FOR HER, WITH ALL THE RITES AND FEASTS AND PARTYING-
DOWN. THEY INTERRED HER BODY IN A BIG MAUSOLEUM WITH BEAUTIFUL
STAINED GLASS WINDOWS. THE QUEEN HAD DIED IN CHILDBIRTH. SO ANYWAY
THERE ARE SPECIAL NIGHTS EVERY MONTH' I DON,T KNOW WHAT THE NIGHTS
ARE, WHERE YOU CAN SUPPOSEDLY SEE THE SHADOW OF A WOMAN WALKING A
CHILD AND HEAR A CHILD CRYING. ONE NIGHT MY DAD TOOK ME TO THE
CEMETERY. AGAINST THE FLICKERING LIGHT OF CANDLES, I SAW THE SVELTE
SHADOW OF A WOMAN PACING BACK AND FORTH AND HEARD A BABY CRYING. WE
WENT BACK THE NEXT DAY. THE MAUSOLEUM HAD GATES WHICH CLOSED OFF
THE FRONT, AND HUGE IRON DOORS WHICH WERE SHUT. WE CHECKED THE
GATES AND THEY HAD BEEN WELDED OR RUSTED SHUT, SO THERE WAS NO WAY
ANYONE COULD GET INSIDE.
Submitter comment:
IF THE INFORMANT SAID HE SAW THE SHADOW AND HEARD THE CHILD, HE DID.
HE IS NOT GIVEN TO EXAGGERATING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
James Callow Keyword(s): BELIEF
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- B439 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
THE LADY IN WHITE
IF YOU DRIVE A CAR TO BELLE ISLE AT NIGHT, DRIVE TO A CERTAIN
DESERTED ROAD, PARK THE CAR AND TURN OUT THE LIGHTS. IF YOU ARE
QUIET, EVENTUALLY A LADY DRESSED ALL IN WHITE WILL FLOAT OVER TO YOUR
CAR FROM THE WOODS AND LOOK IN YOUR FRONT WINDOW. IF YOU SCREAM
OR TURN ON YOUR LIGHTS SHE WILL VANISH.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS LEARNED IN A STORY SESSION AT A GIRL SCOUT CAMP SEVERAL
YEARS AGO. SEVERAL OF THE GIRLS SWORE THEY HAD SEEN THE LADY IN
WHITE. THERE WAS ALSO A STORY IN EITHER THE DETROIT NEWS OR THE
DETROIT FREE PRESS ON THE LADY IN WHITE A FEW YEARS AGO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): COLOR
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Supernatural Being BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
IF YOU HAVE LITTLE WHITE MARKS UNDER YOUR FINGERNAILS, EACH ONE
SIGNIFIES A WHITE LIE.
Where learned: MISSOURI ; SAINT JOSEPH
Keyword(s): LYING
| Subject headings: | Spirit / Mind / Body BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Sign Color |
Date learned: 10-05-1976
POLISH HOLIDAY, "MATKA BOSKA CZECKTOHOWA"
"OUR LADY, QUEEN OF POLAND", MAY 3RD. PAINTING OF THE LADY IS
REVERED AT THIS TIME. IT IS CALLED THE "BLACK MADONNA" AND KEPT IN
CZECKTOHOWA. IT OFTEN APPEARED IN POLISH HISTORY, BEING INVOKED IN
TIMES OF NEED, SUCH AS WAR. IT IS BLACK WITH AGE AND HAS 3 SCARS
ON THE FACE__THE RESULT OF AN INVADER'S SWORD. ON THIS OCCASION
IT BLED AND DURING GREAT SORROW WEEPS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- May 3 BELIEF -- Religious hero BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 01-29-1968
ST. LUKE'S DAY, OCT. 18
ON ST. LUKE'S DAY IN BALOGNA, ITALY, THE PORTRAIT OF THE MADONNA
AND CHILD, WHICH IS BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN PAINTED BY ST. LUKE, IS
CARRIED IN PROCESSION TO THE CHURCH OF ST. MARK WHERE THE PICTURE IS
KEPT FOR VENERATION DURING THE NEXT WEEK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MARYGROVE COLLEGE ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F101 BELIEF -- Religious hero BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
SISTER EILEEN TOLD ME WHAT SHE KNEW TO BE
THE ORIGIN OF THE SAYING "GOD BLESS YOU" AFTER A SNEEZE.
SNEEZING SUPPOSEDLY SYMBOLIZES THE RIDDING
OF THE DEVIL FROM THE BODY AND SAYING GOD BLESS YOU
SYMBOLIZES THAT THE SPACE VACATED BY THE
DEVIL IS NOW ABLE TO BE TAKEN OVER BY GOD.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SAID SHE KNEW THIS HER WHOLE LIFE BUT COULD NOT
VERIFY IT.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; TOLD IN ; SCRANTON
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Prayer SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 03-17-1972
DON'T WHISTLE AT DINNER} IF YOU KEEP
IT UP YOU'LL GET MARRIED.
Where learned: PLACE NOT GIVEN BY COLLECTOR
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 11-01-1967
AN OLD SAYING
WHISTLING GIRLS AND CROWING HENS ALWAYS LEAD TO BIG BAD ENDS.
Submitter comment:
I FIRST HEARD THIS ADAGE FROM MY INFORMANT WHILE WORKING
WITH HER IN THE DINING ROOM OF ST. JOSEPH HOME FOR THE AGED.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; SAINT JOSEPH
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00-00-1963
LUCK OF SHIPS
THERE IS A STORY OF AN UNNAMED GRAIN SHIP,
A GREAT LAKES THREE-MASTER, THAT LOST HER
LUCK ON A RUN TO BUFFALO. A MAN, NAMED BILL, HAD
FALLEN TO HIS DEATH FROM THE MASTHEAD, AND ON THE FOLLOWING
DAY ANOTHER HAD LOST HIS LIFE. ON ARRIVING AT BUFFALO
THE MEN WENT ASHORE AS SOON AS THEY WERE PAID OFF. THEY WERE
NOT RETURNING BECAUSE, THEY SAID, THE SHIP HAD LOST HER
LUCK. WHILE THE VESSEL WAS DISCHARGING HER
CARGO AT AN ELEVATOR THE STORY GOT AROUND AND THE GRAIN-TRIMMERS
REFUSED TO WORK HER. WHEN THE SHIP WAS UNLOADED SHE WAS
ORDERED TO CLEVELAND TO TAKE ON COAL BUT COULD NOT SIGN A CREW.
THEY MANAGED TO GET A NEW CREW BY GOING TO A CRIMP, WHO RAN
THEM IN FROM SALT WATER. THEY CAME ABOARD TWO-THIRDS DRUNK AND
THE MATE WAS STEERING THEM TO THE FORECASTLE, WHEN ONE
OF THEM STOPPED AND POINTED ALOFT, SAID: "WHAT HAVE YOU
GOT A FIGUREHEAD ON THE MASTHEAD FOR?" THE MATE LOOKED ALOFT
AND THEN TURNED WHITE. "IT'S BILL," HE CRIED, AND WITH THAT
THE WHOLE LOT DID A PIERHEAD JUMP, EVEN THE MATE.
THE CAPTAIN MANAGED TO SIGN ON ANOTHER CREW AND SAILED
FOR CLEVELAND, BUT HE NEVER GOT THERE; HIS VESSEL WAS SUNK
BY A STEAMER OFF DUNKIRK.
Submitter comment:
CAPTAIN LUMAS SAYS THAT HE HEARD THIS STORY FROM
HIS FATHER WHO CLAIMED THAT HIS BEST FRIEND WAS
LOST ON THIS ILL-FATED SHIP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MACKINAC ISLAND
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Curse BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 09-00-1963
SUPERSTITIONS
SINGING BEFORE BREAKFAST MAKES YOU CRY BEFORE BED.
Submitter comment: FROM FRIENDS
Where learned: COTTAGE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 11-01-1967
BELIEF
IF YOU FORGET WHAT YOU WERE GOING TO TELL SOMEONE,
IT MEANS THAT WHATEVER YOU HAD TO TELL WAS A LIE.
Submitter comment:
THE MOTHER-IN-LAW OF THE INFORMANT USED TO TELL HER THIS.
THE INFORMANT CLAIMS THAT, ALTHOUGH SHE DOES NOT BELIEVE
IT HERSELF, SHE TELLS IT TO HER OWN CHILDREN NOW.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 05-14-1965
BLEED
IF YOU PULL YOUR TEETH ON THE WASTE OF THE MOON
YOU'LL BLEED TO DEATH.
Submitter comment: MY MOTHER BELIEVED IN THIS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC-IMITATIVE MAGIC
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Moon BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 01-17-1972