Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for P860 returned 331 results.
IF SOMETHING IS STOLEN, AND THERE ARE MANY SUSPECTS, YOU CAN KNOW
THE REAL PERSON THAT STOLE THE ITEM BY DOING THIS SIMPLE TEST.
OPEN THE BIBLE TO JOB CHAPTER SEVENTEEN, PLACE A KEY IN THAT
SECTION, AND USE A ROPE TO TIE THE KEY AND THE BIBLE TOGETHER.
LET EACH OF THE SUSPECT SWEAR SAYING THUS, "IF I TAKE THE LOST ITEM
LET ME BE MENTALLY SICK IMMEDIATELY". IF THE PERSON WHO STOLE THE
ITEM SAYS THIS, HE WILL BECOME MENTALLY SICK WITH IMMEDIATE
EFFECT.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT LOOKED SERIOUS WHILE NARRATING THE ITEM.
Where learned: NIGERIA ; LAGOS
James Callow Keyword(s): DETECTION OF THIEF ; THEFT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Curse BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 02-00-1967
IF A BABY IS TEETHING YOU ARE TO GET SOME WHITE THREAD WITH
SEVEN WHITE BUTTONS FROM THE SAME SHIRT PUT IT AROUND THE BABIES
NECK AND HE OR SHE WON'T BE FRETFUL.
Where learned: ALABAMA ; CENTERVILLE
| Subject headings: | 686 Seven / Sevenths / Several BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 01-15-1984
HOLD THE FLOWER OF A DANDELION UNDER THE CHIN OF A
YOUNG GIRL, IF THERE IS A YELLOW REFLECTION
ON HER NECK, IT MEANS SHE LIKES BOYS.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 02-00-1984
SUPERSTITIONS
WHEN YOU HAVE A DECK OF PLAYING CARDS AND YOU DEAL IT AND HAVE
SOMEONE CUT THE CARD, ACCORDING TO WHAT CARD THEY TURN OVER
WHETHER FACE OR NOT WOULD DETERMINE WHAT KIND OF LUCK THEY WILL
HAVE. FACE CARDS ARE AN INDICATION OF BAD LUCK.
Where learned: BAHAMAS ; NASSAU
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Use of Object |
MY MOTHER TOLD ME THAT WHEN YOU HAVE TINY BUBBLES IN YOUR FRESH
BREWED CUP OF TEA THAT THE BUBBLES REPRESENT MONEY.
IN ORDER TO GET THE MONEY YOU HAVE TO HURRY AND DRINK YOUR
BUBBLES IN YOUR TEA. YOU CAN'T USE A SPOON. IF YOU DO THIS YOU
WILL COME INTO SOME MONEY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 00-00-1954
I OFTEN PLAYED THIS GAME WHEN I WAS BORED DURING CERTAIN CLASSES.
YOU NEED: 1 PENCIL, 1 SHEET OF PAPER, AND AN IMAGINATION.
YOU MAKE A SQUARE, APPROXIMATELY 2 INCHES BIG. PUT ANY NUMBER
UNDER 10, BUT GREATER THAN ZERO IN IT. THIS IS THE COUNTING
NUMBER THAT YOU WILL USE. RIGHT ABOVE THIS BOX, YOU LIST 3 BOYS'
NAMES; TO THE RIGHT OF THE BOX YOU LIST 3 TYPES OF CARS; TO THE
LEFT OF THE BOX YOU LIST 3 NUMBERS; AND BELOW THE BOX YOU LIST
3 TYPES OF HOMES (E.G- APPARTMENT, HOUSE, ETC.) THE NUMBER IN THE
NOW IS USED; YOU BEGIN WITH THE VERY FIRST BOY'S NAME, YOU CROSS
OUT THE ITEM THAT THE NUMBER LANDS ON. FOR EXAMPLE, IF THE NUMBER
IS THREE, THEN THE THIRD BOY'S NAME IS CROSSED OUT. YOU DO THIS
UNTIL BY PROCESS OF ELIMINATION, ONE OF EACH GROUP IS LEFT.
THIS TELLS YOU THE NAME OF THE PERSON YOU MARRY, THE CAR YOU
WILL DRIVE, THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN YOU WILL HAVE, AND THE
TYPE OF PLACE WHERE YOU WILL LIVE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
PRESTON TOLD ME THAT ONE DAY HE WENT OVER TO VISIT A FRIEND
WHO HAD ORDERED AN OUIJA BOARD FROM A MAIL-ORDER MAGIC COMPANY.
HE SAID THAT AS HIS FRIEND WAS USING THE OUIJA BOARD, WEIRD
VOICES BEGAN FLOATING OUT OF IT, AND THE POINTER BEGAN MOVING
BY ITSELF. HIS FRIEND WAS SO TERRIFIED THAT HE PICKED UP
THE OUIJA BOARD, TOOK IT OUT BACK, BROKE IT UP, AND THREW IT
INTO THE TRASH. EVER SINCE THEN, HIS FRIEND HAS BEEN VERY
NERVOUS ABOUT EVERY STRANGE NOISE, AND WILL NOT TALK ABOUT
THE INCIDENT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 11-13-1987
THE PAPER FORTUNE TELLER
WHEN WE WERE KIDS WE MADE FORTUNE TELLERS BY FOLDING
A PIECE OF PAPER A CERTAIN WAY. ONCE IT WAS COMPLETE
THE PERSON WHO WANTED THEIR FORTUNE TOLD WOULD
PICK A NUMBER ON ONE OF THE TELLER'S FLAPS. THE PERSON
OPERATING THE FORTUNE TELLER WOULD THEN COUNT
THAT MANY NUMBERS. THEN THE PERSON WAS TOLD TO PICK
A COLOR. THEN THEY WOULD SPELL OUT THE COLOR. THEN
THEY WOULD PICK A FLAP AND THEIR FORTUNE WOULD
BE WRITTEN UNDER IT.
Submitter comment: I CAN'T THINK OF A SPECIFIC INFORMANT
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; RIVERSIDE
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 11-00-1987
MELT GREASE IN A SKILLET. IF YOU CAN SEE YOUR REFLECTION, YOU
WILL DIE SOON.
Submitter comment: LEARNED THIS FROM HIS GRANDMOTHER, A NATIVE YUGOSLAVIAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 00-00-1972
IT WAS ME, MY SISTER, MY 2 STEP BROTHERS
AND 2 GIRLS WHO WERE OUR FRIENDS.
WELL, IN THE MIDDLE OF SUMMER WHEN WE WERE PLAYING OUR WEEGIE
BOARD, WE STARTED PLAYING AND WE COULD FEEL COLD SPOTS AND I HAD
SEEN A MOVIE THAT SAID THE WEEGIE BOARD WAS THE DEVIL AND I DID
NOT WANT TO PLAY. IT SAID IT DIDN'T WANT TO PLAY MORE AND IT WAS
GETTING PISSED OFF. SO IT SPELLED OUT SLAM JEFF, AND JEFF GOT A
WEIRD FEELING AND CAT WENT WEIRD AND THE CONVERTER WENT OFF THE
TV AND AFTER THIS EVERYONE WAS WORRIED AND EVERYONE WANTED TO
STOP PLAYING AND IT STARTED GOING FAST AND WANTED TO LEAVE BECAUSE
THE DEVIL WAS COMING AND STARTED GOING REAL SLOW AND WE ASKED
WHO WAS THERE AND IT SAID SATAN AND ONE GIRL WANTED TO CONTINUE
AND SHE RAN OUT OF THE ROOM AND STOPPED AT THAT POINT AND WENT TO
BED. SHE FELT A BIG COLD SPOT BEHIND HER AND FELT LIKE SOMEONE
WAS BEHIND HER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CANTON
Keyword(s): DEVIL IN WEEGIE BOARD
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 05-00-1985 ; 11-18-1987
WELL, WE WENT OVER PLAYING A WEEGIE BOARD AND WE WERE WATCHING
THEM AND THEY WOULD ASK QUESTIONS THAT THEY WOULD NOT KNOW AND
THE BOARD WAS GIVING THE RIGHT ANSWER. THE BOARD HAS DIFFERENT
PERSONALITIES. WOULD GO NUTS IF YOU DID NOT BELIEVE IT - TELL
THREATS. LOTS OF TIMES SPIRIT GIVES 3-LETTER NAME (INITIALS),
HAS DISTICT PERSONALITY AND CAN CALL BACK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CANTON
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 05-00-1985 ; 11-18-1987
ONE TIME DURING SUMMER, BUNCH OF FRIENDS TEASED US ABOUT USING
AND THE WEEGIE BOARD STARTED INSULTING THEM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CANTON
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 11-18-1987
An old story passed down by my mother is how you can
determine a black baby's true skin color. Instead of
looking at the face and body we always look at the ears
because we're told the ears will always determine a black
baby's true color even to adult age.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 00-00-1960
Whenever you eat an apple, twist the core, saying a letter
of the alphabet on each turn. Whatever letter the core
breaks off is the letter of the last name of the person
you will marry.
Submitter comment:
This is done in many of the grade schools, especially
grades two through six.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Word Letter BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 00001970S
To find water that is hidden below ground, hold two willow
branches (or two coat hangers which have been straightened
and then bent into an "L" shape) loosely in your hands. As
you pass over water, the sticks/wires will cross over one
another. When you move past the water, the sticks/wires will
uncross.
Submitter comment:
Elaine swears that her father has been able to discover
water by this method many times. She herself, being skeptical,
tried it and the procedure worked. Elaine has so much faith
in her father's ability, that she plans to have him locate a
new spot to drill a second well on her northern Michigan
property, since the well she has now is sluggish.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
Keyword(s): DIVINATION ; dowsing ; PREDICTION ; WATER WITCHING
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Water BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 00001972CA
It is very unlucky to purchase Tarot Cards; they must be
given to you. Once someone gives them to you, you must wrap
them in silk and then place them in a satin bag for storage.
If you do not store them in this manner, they will bring you bad luck. You may only give the Tarot cards to someone who
really wants them.
Submitter comment:
Elinor found out about these proscriptions regarding Tarot
cards when she casually mentioned to an acquaintance that she
was interested in buying some. The woman became alarmed that
Elinor might bring bad luck upon herself, and so gave her
the set which she owned, and instructed her in the proper
(safe) way to store them. Elinor was careful to follow the
instructions.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FRASER
Keyword(s): occult, magic, precaution
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Use of Object BELIEF -- Bad luck Objects |
Date learned: 00001960S
In order to the determine the sex of an unborn child
tie a needle to a thread and hold it over the stomach
of the woman. If you are very still, the needle will
begin to swing. If it goes in a circular motion, the
child will be a girl. If it goes in a straight line,
then it will be a boy.
Submitter comment:
Elaine says that her father never misses with this
technique, and that he has used it to determine the
sex of chicks while still in the egg. The only time
that they thought he might not be accurate in his
prediction was when his daughter-in-law was pregnant,
and the needle swung both ways. Later the daughter-in-
law gave birth to twins -- a boy and a girl. Elaine
believes that not everyone is capable of using this
method; that you must have a special talent for it.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
Keyword(s): pendulum, forecasting, anapel
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Use of Object BELIEF -- Use of object for determining number of children or sex of unborn |
Date learned: 00001940S
When setting the table for dinner,
if you drop a piece of silverware on the floor
you will get unexpected company stopping at your house for a visit.
Informant really believes in this superstition. She
said it has happened to her on several occasions.
Informant says her mother brought this belief with
her when she came to the United States from Germany.
Where learned: GERMANY
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 00001900s
If you play with fire, you will wet the bed.
Submitter comment:
My parents stressed this to us when we were young.
I believed it then, but now I believe it was merely
told to us to deter us from playing with fire.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | Observation Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Dance Verse BELIEF -- Fire BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 00001970S
Superstition
A pregnant woman should mix her urine with Drano. The
resultant color determines the sex of the child.
Unfortunately, the informant (a nurse) forgets which color is
which.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): Childbirth, divination
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- Color BELIEF -- Use of Object |